Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/2): Berrios, Buxton, Polanco Lead Lookouts

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins reached .500 with their third straight victory over the White Sox on Saturday. Chattanooga also returned to .500 on Saturday with a big win. The Lookouts got big contributions from some major prospects including Jose Berrios, Miguel Sano, Jorge Polanco and Zack Jones. And yes, Byron Buxton’s hot streak continued. In eight games since Doug Mientkiewicz sat him for two games, Buxton is hitting .452 and his batting average has increased from .180 to .284! The Miracle won in dramatic fashion as well!It was a good day in the Twins farm system on Saturday. Read below for all of the scores and highlights.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 3, Norfolk 4

Box Score

 

The game was knotted at three going into the bottom of the ninth inning. Veteran Doug Bernier led off the inning with a double, his second of the season. Shortstop Argenis Diaz was asked to bunt. He got the bunt down and pitcher Pedro Beato threw the ball away, allowing Bernier to score the winning run.

 

Taylor Rogers made the start for the Red Wings. He gave up three runs (2 earned) on seven hits. In seven innings, he walked two and struck out five. He helped himself by picking off two runners as well. Logan Darnell came on for the eighth inning and got two outs. One of those came on a pickoff as well. Lester Oliveros got the final out of the eighth and three outs in the ninth to get the win. He walked one and struck one out.

 

Diaz was 2-3. Reynaldo Rodriguez hit his sixth double. Eric Fryer hasn’t played a lot, but when he does, he has raked! In this game, he was 2-3 with a walk and two doubles, his second and third. He has played in just eight games, but he now has 12 hits in 23 at bats. His slash line is .522/.577/.652 (1.229).

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 6, Jacksonville 3

Box Score

 

Yesterday, I wrote that Byron Buxton is officially back. That trend continued on Saturday night. He doubled in the first inning. He added a triple in his second at bat. In his final at bat, his RBI triple gave the Lookouts some insurance. He was 3-5 in the game with a double and two triples. For a little extra measure, late in the game with a runner on first base, Buxton caught a liner in left centerfield. He then threw out the runner getting back to first base for a big double play, showing off his rocket of an arm. Again, after Doug Mientkiewicz benched him for two games a week ago, Buxton was hitting .180. After today’s showing, he is now at .284. In those eight games, he is hitting .452 (14-31).

 

It was a good day for the big prospects. Jorge Polanco had a big game. He went 2-3 with two walks and his fifth double of the season. He drove in two runs. He also stole his fifth base of the season. Miguel Sano hit his third double off the top of the wall in centerfield.

 

On the mound, Berrios improved to 3-1 with another quality start. He gave up three earned runs on eight hits over six innings. He walked two and struck out nine batters. Cole Johnson worked the next two innings. He gave up two hits, but walked none and struck out four. Zack Jones came on for the ninth inning. He recorded his sixth save in six attempts with a 1-2-3 innings.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 4, Charlotte 3 (11 innings)

Box Score

 

In the 11^th innings, the Miracle had nobody on and two outs. Michael Quesada walked and was replaced by Chad Christensen on the base paths. Tanner Vavra singles. Engelb Vielma then singled to left and Christensen scored to put the Miracle ahead 4-3. Todd Van Steensel came in and shut the door on the Miracle’s extra-inning win.

 

Alex Swim led the Miracle offense. He went 4-5 in the game and is now hitting .326. Marcus Knecht went 2-4 with his fourth double. Tanner Vavra went 2-5.

 

Ryan Eades made the start for the Miracle. He struggled with his command. He gave up three runs on two hits and five walks in five innings. He struck out four. Alex Muren came on and threw two scoreless innings. Madison Boer struck out three over three scoreless frames. Van Steensel’s save was his first of the year. He struck out one. The bullpen combined for six no-hit, no-run innings to give the team a chance.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 7, Clinton 6 (13 innings)

Box Score

 

Third baseman TJ White led off the bottom of the 13th inning with a triple. After a pop-out, Red Wing native Pat Kelly came up and hit a fly ball to left field. Fortunately for the Kernels, and the fans waiting for fireworks after the game, White was safe at home and the Kernels had a one-run win.

 

video by Steve Buhr

In the 11th inning, Tanner English had tripled. Because his team had struggled to score runs in the last week, Jake Mauer sent him home but he was thrown out.

 

Down by a run in the bottom of the 9th, it was Nick Gordon who singled in a run to send it to extra innings.

 

Gordon led the offense. He went 3-6 in the game and drove in two runs. TJ White went 2-4 with two walks and the triple. Tyler Kuresa had two hits. Brett Doe hit his first home run.

 

Michael Cederoth started the game for the Kernels. He gave up three unearned runs on three hits. In four innings, he walked five and struck out seven. Randy LeBlanc came in and gave up three runs on four hits and a walk in two innings. CK Irby walked one and struck out four over two scoreless innings. Cameron Booser came on and gave up one hit and two walks in two scoreless innings. He struck out three. Finally, Trevor Hildenberger struck out four batters in three scoreless innings. He gave up just one hit to get the Win.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Madison Boer, Ft. Myers Miracle

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Byron Buxton, Chattanooga Lookouts

 

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Norfolk @ Rochester (12:35 CST) – RHP Alex Meyer

Jacksonville @ Chattanooga (1:15 CST) – RHP Greg Peavey

Charlotte @ Ft. Myers (3:05 CST) – LHP Brett Lee

Clinton @ Cedar Rapids (2:05 CST) – RHP Felix Jorge

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Saturday games.

 

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[Hrbowski]

Thanks for the report. I am really happy my prospect is hot again!

[Steven Buhr]

Video of TJ White's game winning run on Pat Kelly's sac fly to give the Kernels a 7-6 13 inning win.

 

https://youtu.be/YG6ttraX93g

 

[TNTwinsFan]

Was at the Lookouts game tonight. Some take aways: Byron Buxton can flat out fly! The two triples he had were doubles for anyone else; his defense is SICK with Howitzer for an arm! For those scouts who have said he could play Gold Glove caliber defense today, I am a believer!

 

Berrios is THE REAL DEAL! He will need to work on some more things before being brought up and also work on getting past the 6th, which he has yet to do this season. This outing was no different and you could tell he was a little gassed in the 5th and moreso in the 6th.

 

ABW needs to learn to recognize and not swing at anything but a fastball. Too many swing and misses on anything that wasn't straight.

 

Sano's first at bat ended with him turning over something offspeed and away leading to a weekly hit double play ground ball to short. He looked a little better in subsequent at bats and his double should have left the park (walls are pretty high at AT&T Park). For me, he really stood out on defense and made every play on every ball hit to him, including a couple of outstanding plays! One really tested his arm after he dove to his left and had to come up firing to get the runner at First. Very impressed with the way he played on that side of the ball, especially for a bigger dude.

 

Polanco played well defensively and had a couple of really good at bats. I see him creating havoc on the Big League Club in the 8 or 9 spot someday. Its possible he could hit in the 2 hole, but I bet someone else will push him out of that spot and down to the last two spots. He made a nice play or two in the field, including a double play.

 

I was a little disapointed D.J. Hicks didn't get a hit. It seemed like each time he came up to bat, there were ducks on the pond, but on this night, Hicks just couldn't manage to bring them in.

 

 

 

Cole Johnson also was very good tonight: 2IP, 4Ks. The pitching was just very good all around: 14Ks on the evening. Berrios did give up the HR and an additional 2 runs when it looked like he got tired in the 6th (Worked himself into, then out of a bases loaded jam, giving up the two runs in the inning). Zack Jones worked quickly, hitting 97 once, but was steadily pumping fastballs in there at 96 (which made the group of kids in front of me wild with excitment and awe). He "only" got the 1K, but the Suns' hitters couldn't do much with Jones' offerings, as evidenced by the 1-2-3 9th he pitched.

 

All in all, tonight was a lot of fun! Terrific atmosphere, great plays in the field, doubles, triples, and a home run (although it WAS by one of the bad guys, it was still fun) coupled with terrific pitching from Berrios & The Boys! Can't wait to do it again! Oh, and the tickets were $10 a piece! 'Murica cuz 'Murica!

 

[jokin]

 

Was at the Lookouts game tonight. Some take aways: Byron Buxton can flat out fly! The two triples he had were doubles for anyone else; his defense is SICK with Howitzer for an arm! For those scouts who have said he could play Gold Glove caliber defense today, I am a believer! Berrios is THE REAL DEAL! He will need to work on some more things before being brought up and also work on getting past the 6th, which he has yet to do this season. This outing was no different and you could tell he was a little gassed in the 5th and moreso in the 6th. ABW needs to learn to recognize and not swing at anything but a fastball. Too many swing and misses on anything that wasn't straight. Sano's first at bat ended with him turning over something offspeed and away leading to a weekly hit double play ground ball to short. He looked a little better in subsequent at bats and his double should have left the park (walls are pretty high at AT&T Park). For me, he really stood out on defense and made every play on every ball hit to him, including a couple of outstanding plays! One really tested his arm after he dove to his left and had to come up firing to get the runner at First. Very impressed with the way he played on that side of the ball, especially for a bigger dude. Polanco played well defensively and had a couple of really good at bats. I see him creating havoc on the Big League Club in the 8 or 9 spot someday. Its possible he could hit in the 2 hole, but I bet someone else will push him out of that spot and down to the last two spots. He made a nice play or two in the field, including a double play. I was a little disapointed D.J. Hicks didn't get a hit. It seemed like each time he came up to bat, there were ducks on the pond, but on this night, Hicks just couldn't manage to bring them in. Cole Johnson also was very good tonight: 2IP, 4Ks. The pitching was just very good all around: 14Ks on the evening. Berrios did give up the HR and an additional 2 runs when it looked like he got tired in the 6th (Worked himself into, then out of a bases loaded jam, giving up the two runs in the inning). Zack Jones worked quickly, hitting 97 once, but was steadily pumping fastballs in there at 96 (which made the group of kids in front of me wild with excitment and awe). He "only" got the 1K, but the Suns' hitters couldn't do much with Jones' offerings, as evidenced by the 1-2-3 9th he pitched. All in all, tonight was a lot of fun! Terrific atmosphere, great plays in the field, doubles, triples, and a home run (although it WAS by one of the bad guys, it was still fun) coupled with terrific pitching from Berrios & The Boys! Can't wait to do it again! Oh, and the tickets were $10 a piece! 'Murica cuz 'Murica!

 

Great reports, TNT.    You're absolutely right about Buxton, he will change the Twins OF defensive expectations, practically overnight, and I would expect him to be considered among the elite defensive CF within a few months of his major league debut.     After reading your accounts, I'm even more looking forward to seeing the Lookouts in action next weekend.

Edited May 3, 2015 by jokin

[kdrupp09]

The score line for the Rochester game shows Norfolk winning not rochester

[eLee612]

Also was at the Lookouts game last night, and what a FUN game!! They got off to a hot start in the 1st and really never turned the flame down after that. My observations are certainly not new, but damn were a lot of fun to see live!!

 

Buxton has WHEEEELS. I got a video of a couple of his extra-bases hits and watching him round the horn just makes me laugh... it's like a little Sonic the Hedgehog just burning it up.

 

Polanco! So light on his feet, made some beautiful defensive plays last night, and if he keeps having these quality at bats... I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a phone call in the near future. 

 

Catcher Carlos Paulino. The more I see him, the more I like him. His reaction time seems much quicker than some of the AA level players I've seen in the past, and personally a catcher means nothing to me if they can call the game but lack the agility to get up and out when needed... and Paulino can do both, well. 

 

Berrrrrrrios had a great night, but like @TNTwinsFan said, could tell he was tired nearing the 6th. Non-skill-related... Berrios is just a really good guy. Super respectful, so focused, tenacity through the roof. 

 

This is cutting into my gym time but if I can figure out how to upload these videos, I'll try to get em up. In the mean time, yesterday's lineup and the $9 'Merica view that TNTwinsFan is talking about! If you've ever thought about making the trip out to Chatanoooooga, it's well worth it. 

 

 

 

[nytwinsfan]

Holy crap, not one but TWO showoff doubles for Buck!

[Cap'n Piranha]

To the eyes-on-the-ground Chatty correspondents, thanks for the great info! One question--what's going on with Stuart Turner? I had hoped he would build on last years success in the second half, and give us a good defensive catcher with some hitting ability.

[Seth Stohs]

This thread is awesome!! Thank you both for the first-hand accounts. I always enjoy reading the perspectives. 

 

It is interesting about Berrios "tiring" in the 6th inning of these games. Because of his workout regimine, I have a hard time believing it's actually getting tired. But for some reason, he has struggled in the 5th and 6th at times so far this season. 

 

[TNTwinsFan]

This thread is awesome!! Thank you both for the first-hand accounts. I always enjoy reading the perspectives. 

 

It is interesting about Berrios "tiring" in the 6th inning of these games. Because of his workout regimine, I have a hard time believing it's actually getting tired. But for some reason, he has struggled in the 5th and 6th at times so far this season.

 

Seth, I was a little surprised too. But even his velocity was down a little. Openned the game at 91-94 with his FB. By the 6th it was 88-94. Maybe he was trying to "add and subtract" but he started missing his spots more frequently (I believe both of his walks came in his final two innings of work). Also, I don't believe the hitters he faced worked too many high pitch counts either. I didn't really keep track of that, but, the game moved at a decent pace so it doesn't make sense that he ran into too many high pitch counts.

 

Me thinks if he can begin to consistently work into the 7th and 8th innings on a regular basis that his call to the bigs would be imminent.

[TNTwinsFan]

Holy crap, not one but TWO showoff doubles for Buck!

 

Words cannot describe just how fast Buck went from Home to 3rd! Mark my words, he has a very good chance at MULTIPLE In Side the Park Home Runs at Target Field! I bet THAT would get the fans excited!

[TNTwinsFan]

Oh, and I may be a little biased but, Berrios gets my vote for Pitcher of the day!

[TNTwinsFan]

Holy crap, not one but TWO showoff doubles for Buck!

And his Double should have been a single.

[gunnarthor]

So it does look like Buxton has shaken off the rust. Assuming that's true and he continues to hit .400/.500/.600 for another month, do you think the Twins promote him to AAA or skip that and put him in our OF? (Assume the Twins are still around .500).

[Halsey Hall]

It's no wonder this is the first place I visit in the morning with my coffee and doughnut. 

[eLee612]

 

This thread is awesome!! Thank you both for the first-hand accounts. I always enjoy reading the perspectives. 

 

It is interesting about Berrios "tiring" in the 6th inning of these games. Because of his workout regimine, I have a hard time believing it's actually getting tired. But for some reason, he has struggled in the 5th and 6th at times so far this season. 

 

Hahah I am a big fan of the BerriosBeastMode posts on his Instagram... but I'm assuming it's more mental fatigue that physical. That being said, the fine motor control in pitching mechanics are very different muscles than he uses on his in-the-sand wind sprints with a weight vest on.  

[eLee612]

 

Words cannot describe just how fast Buck went from Home to 3rd! Mark my words, he has a very good chance at MULTIPLE In Side the Park Home Runs at Target Field! I bet THAT would get the fans excited!

 

TNTF, are you coming to the game today/tomorrow? 

[jokin]

 

Words cannot describe just how fast Buck went from Home to 3rd! Mark my words, he has a very good chance at MULTIPLE In Side the Park Home Runs at Target Field! I bet THAT would get the fans excited!

 

Somewhere back in time we have a video posted on TD of Buxton going from home to third in, from what I can tell,  has to be the fastest time ever recorded (except maybe Bo Jackson),  IIRC, just under 10  seconds, has to be seen to be believed (how do you run a 90 yard dash, with two left turns, in that time?):

 

https://youtu.be/IQEAk0wSFKU

 

Edited May 3, 2015 by jokin

[Bob Sacamento]

Well I was at extended spring training games this weekend, watching the Red Sox take on the Twins.  On Friday, I was too wrapped up talking to Red Sox prospect Yoan Moncada's agent Dennis Hastings, so I didn't get to see too much of the game other than a few big swings by Lewin Diaz and Roberto Gonzalez, along with Sam Gibbons looking good for two innings to start the game.  BoSox phenom Yoan Moncada didn't play on Friday but played SS for the first two innings on Saturday before coming out of the game and coaching first.  This kid is built like a body builder, runs like a sprinter, and hits like batting champion; definitely someone to watch out for in the future.

 

Saturday though, I did watch both games at the Centurylink Complex, spending more time watching Game 1 which featured Keton Steele who looked good in two innings of work with a fastball between 91-93 mph and only a few offspeed offerings of slider and changeup.  His fastball has good life to it while his slider was decent.  The Twins lineup in Game 1 featured Jarrard Poteete behind the plate, Nelson Molina at 1B, Manuel Guzman at 2B, Blake Schmit at SS, Rafael Valera at 3B, Roberto Gonzalez in RF, Austin Diemer in CF, and Dubal Baez in LF.  Gonzalez was impressive in the outfield, covering large ground and showing off a cannon of an arm.  At the plate he's still working his way back, he struck out looking, grounded into a double play (started by Moncada at SS), and flied out to center. 

 

Taking over for Steele was Brandon Poulson, I'd heard stories of him hitting 100 mph in the past well on this day he was between 91-93 mph in his first inning and 89-91 mph in his second inning of work.  The movement and life to his fastball was nearly non-existent while his slider was erratic; sometimes looking sharp and dangerous at 84-86 mph then other times batting practice at 79-81 with no break.  In his two innings, he threw two wild pitches that led to a run scoring.

 

Taking over for Poulson was Alexis Tapia and he looked great compared to the rest.  Miguel Sano told me in Spring Training to keep an eye out for Tapia this year and now I know why,  His fastball sat between 92-94 mph with a hard sharp slider at 80-85 mph.  The kid looked good and held his velocity

 

To round out Game 1, Aussie Josh Guyer took the mound for an inning hitting 90-92 mph with his fastball and lefty Jose Velez who is a max effort thrower hitting 90-92 mph as well.

 

On Game 2 where the Twins took on the soon to be Lowell Spinners, meaning most of these guys were going to be going to short season affiliate ball when it starts up.  Derek Rodriguez was on the mound and shows off a very live fastball with sink that was between 91-93 mph, his slider is still a work in progress breaking off a couple good offerings.  Dereck still needs to work on his control and mechanics but the ability is definitely there to be a mid-late inning reliever.  Luis Hernandez followed him up along with a good outing by Johan Quezada who showed a fastball between 92-94 mph and had his slider working.  Netherland's   Ruar Verkerk nearly went yard hitting a double off the left centerfield fence.  While Lewin Diaz is a man amongst boys, he looks like a slightly smaller version of Kennys Vargas, he's currently playing LF and getting some reps at 1B which is likely his future home.

 

I'll be back next weekend when they take each other on again.

 

 

[Rosterman]

I just wonder what the Twins will do with Kepler. He's burning thru his 40-man roster options. Do you try and buy another year of his time by not including him on the 40-man next year and hoping no one Rule 5s him? If he does produce, do you package him in a deal as a can't miss prospect. When does he not become a part of the Twins future? The evils of signing a guy young.

 

[Sam Morley]

Great threads. Great reports. Anybody else notice Chris Parmelee in the box score from the Rochester game? Looks like he still crushes AAA.

[Sam Morley]

Sano's first at bat ended with him turning over something offspeed and away leading to a weekly hit double play ground ball to short. He looked a little better in subsequent at bats and his double should have left the park (walls are pretty high at AT&T Park). For me, he really stood out on defense and made every play on every ball hit to him, including a couple of outstanding plays! One really tested his arm after he dove to his left and had to come up firing to get the runner at First. Very impressed with the way he played on that side of the ball, especially for a bigger dude.

Great to hear a positive report on Sano's D.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I just wonder what the Twins will do with Kepler. He's burning thru his 40-man roster options. Do you try and buy another year of his time by not including him on the 40-man next year and hoping no one Rule 5s him? If he does produce, do you package him in a deal as a can't miss prospect. When does he not become a part of the Twins future? The evils of signing a guy young.

 

He's in his second of four option years... and he's just getting going with the Lookouts. I don't think this is anything they need to worry about now. Maybe at the end of the year if he doesn't hit. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Great threads. Great reports. Anybody else notice Chris Parmelee in the box score from the Rochester game? Looks like he still crushes AAA.

 

I thought he looked really thin. I wonder if he's lost a bunch of weight? He can hit.