Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/3): Big Swim

[Jeremy Nygaard]

With all the rainouts, there was a bevy of baseball being played on Wednesday night. Counting the DSL and the Twins doubleheader there were nine games played.

 

How did they do?

 

Before we spin around the farm, there were a few transactions to make mention of: Oswaldo Arcia was activated and optioned to Rochester. Michael Tonkin pitched with the Twins and will head back to Rochester. Dallas Gallant went to the Fort Myers DL and Corey Williams, who hasn’t pitched since 8/30/13, was activated.RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 7, Lehigh Valley 4 (Game 1)

Box Score

 

Oswaldo Arcia got his first hit in AAA. (He’s now batting .067.) But it was a big hit, a two-out, two-run single in a four-inning third inning that helped propel Rochester to a win. Danny Ortiz and Argenis Diaz both also drove in two runs.

 

Jason Wheeler was not great. He allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits in 3.2 innings. His ERA has jumped to 6.11.

 

Luckily, the combination of Caleb Thielbar (four outs, one hit, one strikeout), Mark Hamburger (three outs, two hits, one strikeout) and A.J. Achter (three outs, one strikeout) pitched shutout ball and the Red Wings were able to get a win.

 

Rochester 3, Lehigh Valley 2 (Game 2)

Box Score

 

Lester Oliveros certainly wasn’t as impressive in this start as he was in the last one but still helped get the job done. He allowed two runs in 3.2 innings.

 

He was relieved by Alex Meyer, who knows how to fill up a box score. He walked two, hit one, allowed one hit and struck out five in 2.1 innings. Despite his inefficiency (56 pitches, 34 strikes), he picked up the win. (At this point, seriously, just put him in the big-league pen… he’s not a starter anymore, at least not this year. And he would be an interesting option to have at Molly’s disposal.)

 

Achter, who earlier picked up his eighth save, pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his ninth save.

 

Josmil Pinto hit his sixth home run. Oswaldo Arcia hit a double - but struck out twice. Kennys “Big Spoon” Vargas was officially 0-1, but walked twice and scored a run.

 

The Red Wings are two games up on Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 3, Tennessee 6

Box Score

 

Lookouts star pitcher Jose Berrios certainly didn’t look like his normal self, arguably pitching his worst game in recent memory. Berrios was sharp through two innings but struggled in the third allowing a two-run single and then a three-run home run to consecutive batters. To his credit, though, Berrios was able to come back and get through three more innings, mowing down the batters in order in both the fourth and sixth innings.

 

All told, Berrios allowed five run (all earned) on six hits and three walks. He struck out seven. This is the second time in as many starts against Tennessee that Berrios has struggled. Luckily, Tennesse is a Cubs affiliate, so he should be able to avoid most of these hitters - for the most part - until they meet in the World Series.

 

Having a start like this isn’t all bad. It helps remind the player that he still has things to work on. It also helps remind us fans that la máquina is, in fact, human.

 

Nick Burdi allowed a run that can be blamed on his lack of control. He walked a batter, then had a wild pitch and that runner came around to score on a single. He struck out one. Burdi has improved after a very poor start, but there is still a lot left to be desired.

 

Cole Johnson allowed a hit in a scoreless ninth.

 

After putting up three second-inning runs, the Lookout bats went cold. Max Kepler continued swinging a hot bat, doubling in a run. Carlos Paulino drove in two with a single.

 

Byron Buxton singled twice and stole his 16th base of the season. Miguel Sano missed the game after aggravating a finger injury in last night’s game.

 

This current five-game tailspin has dropped the Lookouts to 29-22 and has seen their division lead shrink to only percentage points over Tennessee.

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 4, Charlotte 5 (10 innings) (Game 1)

Box Score

 

The Miracle got 11 hits in the opener of today’s doubleheader, but couldn’t manage to string together enough offense to defeat Charlotte, losing the extra-extra-innings game.

 

The trio of catchers, Alex Swim, Mitch Garver and Michael Quesada, all had two-hit games. Niko Goodrum, Garver and Bryan Haar all had doubles.

 

Ryan Eades allowed a lot of contact. He three runs on nine hits and two walks. He struck out one. Brandon Peterson struck out three, getting five outs without allowing a hit. Peterson dropped his ERA to 0.94.

 

Matt Summers blew the save, and took the loss, allowing two runners to score in the bottom of the 10th. The Miracle had taken the lead in the top of the inning on Garver’s double, which scored Engelb Vielma.

 

Ft. Myers 4, Charlotte 2 (Game 2)

Box Score

 

Alex Swim and Marcus Knecht each had three hits in a game where Fort Myers only scored in one inning, but was able to do it four times.

 

Logan Wade, Zach Granite and Swim all provided run-producing singles and Jared Wilson, making his high-A debut, produced five innings of quality baseball to help get the Miracle a win.

 

Wilson struck out five batters and walked one before giving way to Todd Van Steensel. Van Steensel struck out four in two innings to get the save.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 9, South Bend 5

Box Score

 

Don’t look now, but this Cedar Rapids team is getting it done. Five straight wins and nine out of the last 10. And it’s an opening-day rotation that has lost three guys to Fort Myers and one guy to injury.

 

One guy who has spent all year in this rotation is Felix Jorge. In 6.2 innings, Jorge allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks. He struck out four. While the line isn’t that impressive, it is the third time this season that he’s made it into the seventh inning. He fell one out short of completing seven for the second time of the year.

 

Luke Bard replaced Jorge and earned the win. He gave up one run in 2.1 innings. By “earned” the win, though, I mean he was the pitcher of record when the Kernel bats went nuts.

 

The six-run eighth saw seven consecutive batters reach and 11 bat total. The biggest hits came in the form of two-run doubles: One by Edgar Corcino and the other by Tanner English.

 

Alex Real had three hits, including a double and two RBI.

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Jared Wilson, Fort Myers

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Alex Swim, Fort Myers (combined to go 5-8 with three RBI)

 

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester vs Pawtucket (6:05 CST) – RHP Taylor Rogers

Chattanooga at Tennessee (6:05 CST) – RHP Greg Peavey

Ft. Myers vs Bradenton (6:05 CST) – RHP Kohl Stewart

Cedar Rapids at South Bend (6:05 CST) – RHP Dereck Rodriguez

 

Feel free to leave any questions or comments below!

 

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[nater79a]

Not sure what mix of pitches Alex Meyer is working on out of the bullpen, but if it's only the fastball and slider then his starting days, at least for 2015, are over. If this is the case, I agree with Jeremy - get him a few  confidence building outings under his belt at Rochester and then get him up to the big club.  

 

My dream scenario (okay, hypothetical scenario) is for the Twins to be in contention in August/September with Alex Meyer missing some bats from the right side and 1st round pick (maybe) Tyler Jay missing bats from the left side. 

 

 

[jokin]

 

He was relieved by Alex Meyer, who knows how to fill up a box score. He walked two, hit one, allowed one hit and struck out five in 2.1 innings. Despite his inefficiency (56 pitches, 34 strikes), he picked up the win. (At this point, seriously, just put him in the big-league pen… he’s not a starter anymore, at least not this year. And he would be an interesting option to have at Molly’s disposal.)

Oswaldo Arcia got his first hit in AAA. (He’s now batting .067.)

Josmil Pinto hit his fourth home run. Oswaldo Arcia hit a double - but struck out twice.

 

A few corrections and clarifications:

 

Pinto;s HR was his 6th, not 4th.   Vargas went 2-4 on the night, with 3 BB, and is now hitting .349/ 1.045 OPS.   Both should be on the Twins DH short list.

 

Arcia's 2 hits tonight raised his BA over the century mark,   .111 (yipee!),  not .067.

 

Alex Meyer was a tale of two pitchers, yet again.    For his first 2 IP, he threw 32 pitches, 22 strikes, 10 balls, 4 Ks, 1 hit. meanwhile,   over   his last 1/3 IP he threw 24 pitches, 12 strikes, 12 balls, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 1 K.     I agree though, time to move him up, Molitor should love his "minimizing" skills.

Edited June 4, 2015 by jokin

[clutterheart]

Did Summers start the year on the DL?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Did Summers start the year on the DL?

 

Yes. That's why he didn't debut until this past weekend.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Not sure what mix of pitches Alex Meyer is working on out of the bullpen, but if it's only the fastball and slider then his starting days, at least for 2015, are over. If this is the case, I agree with Jeremy - get him a few  confidence building outings under his belt at Rochester and then get him up to the big club.  

 

My dream scenario (okay, hypothetical scenario) is for the Twins to be in contention in August/September with Alex Meyer missing some bats from the right side and 1st round pick (maybe) Tyler Jay missing bats from the left side. 

 

I have to say that I disagree with part of what Jeremy asserted in his report. I don't think it's time to call up Alex Meyer, especially after reading about his inefficiency. Now, that said, if he has another month in the bullpen under his belt and he's dominating, absolutely, bring him up.

 

Right now, the only Red Wings player whose performance is screaming promotion is AJ Achter. 

[Jeremy Nygaard]

 

I have to say that I disagree with part of what Jeremy asserted in his report. I don't think it's time to call up Alex Meyer, especially after reading about his inefficiency. Now, that said, if he has another month in the bullpen under his belt and he's dominating, absolutely, bring him up.

 

I guess my belief is that he's not going to get better in the role that he's in now. He'll strike out some guys, he'll walk some guys. His control isn't going to improve getting a couple of outs a week. But he can still be a weapon if used in the right situation.

[Homer Hanky]

 

I have to say that I disagree with part of what Jeremy asserted in his report. I don't think it's time to call up Alex Meyer, especially after reading about his inefficiency. Now, that said, if he has another month in the bullpen under his belt and he's dominating, absolutely, bring him up.

 

Right now, the only Red Wings player whose performance is screaming promotion is AJ Achter. 

What about Varges at AAA he seems ready to take back over the DH spot on the big club? 

[Jeremy Nygaard]

 

What about Varges at AAA he seems ready to take back over the DH spot on the big club? 

 

I've been waiting for him to take roster spot currently occupied by pitcher #13 (Stauffer) for a while now. 

[markos]

 

Alex Meyer was a tale of two pitchers, yet again.    For his first 2 IP, he threw 32 pitches, 22 strikes, 10 balls, 4 Ks, 1 hit. meanwhile,   over   his last 1/3 IP he threw 24 pitches, 12 strikes, 12 balls, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 1 K.     I agree though, time to move him up, Molitor should love his "minimizing" skills.

This isn't too surprising. I looked at Meyer's stats for the first few innings of each game while in AAA:

 

1st inning: 24% K%, 11% BB%, 2.31 ERA, .600 oppOPS

2nd inning: 29% K%, 10% BB%, 4.41 ERA, .674 oppOPS

3rd inning: 20% K%, 8% BB%, 6.25 ERA, .848 oppOPS

[Seth Stohs]

 

What about Varges at AAA he seems ready to take back over the DH spot on the big club? 

 

He's the one hitter in Rochester that is probably pretty close to coming back up. Likely when they go back to 12 pitchers.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I guess my belief is that he's not going to get better in the role that he's in now. He'll strike out some guys, he'll walk some guys. His control isn't going to improve getting a couple of outs a week. But he can still be a weapon if used in the right situation.

 

For me, it's more about adjusting to the role, knowing how to warm up and get ready for an inning, or between innings. It may also be adjusting to going just fastball and slider (which could improve his control if he's not worried about a third pitch). 

[TRex]

 

I guess my belief is that he's not going to get better in the role that he's in now. He'll strike out some guys, he'll walk some guys. His control isn't going to improve getting a couple of outs a week. But he can still be a weapon if used in the right situation.

Umm....

 

We don't even know if he can pitch on back-to-back nights yet! Actually, we don't even know if he can pitch every other day or every 3rd day, as he has gotten 4 days of rest in between each relief appearance.

 

You're bullpen already includes 4 people who couldn't/shouldn't pitch on back-to-back nights (Graham is only pitching every 3 nights, Fein is an hobbled and Duensing and Stauffer have been really bad).

 

Maybe we could go with 14 pitchers ! I know your solution would be to let Duensing and Stauffer go, but that is a lot of salary and we may need some veteran pitchers come August and September (for a change)!

[Jeremy Nygaard]

 

Umm....

 

We don't even know if he can pitch on back-to-back nights yet! 

 

You know when the Royals waited to see if Finnegan could go back-to-back nights? The ALDS.

 

You know when the first time he went after one day off? His 3rd appearance in the MLB.

 

I'm just saying... they're different cats, but you can still develop a guy after summoning him to the MLB. 

[Jeremy Nygaard]

You know what else appeals to me about Alex Meyer in the MLB? Neil Allen and Everyday Eddie.

[jimbo92107]

"He was relieved by Alex Meyer, who knows how to fill up a box score. He walked two, hit one, allowed one hit and struck out five in 2.1 innings. Despite his inefficiency (56 pitches, 34 strikes), he picked up the win. (At this point, seriously, just put him in the big-league pen… he’s not a starter anymore, at least not this year. And he would be an interesting option to have at Molly’s disposal.)"

 

Put Coke-bottle glasses on him and have him run out to the tune of "Wild Thing." Seriously, I wouldn't promote any pitcher, but especially a high-90's pitcher to the big leagues if he still has a problem hitting batters...by accident.  ;-)

[jimbo92107]

 

 

You know what else appeals to me about Alex Meyer in the MLB? Neil Allen and Everyday Eddie.

That could be the best reason to bring him up, but I'd still like to see him go a couple outings in AAA without throwing a wild pitch or hitting a batter.

[jokin]

 

That could be the best reason to bring him up, but I'd still like to see him go a couple outings in AAA without throwing a wild pitch or hitting a batter.

 

Fear of the pitcher is sometimes the pitcher's greatest weapon.  I kind of like the prospect of a loose cannon in the pen, just to keep the opponents' big guns from digging in too deeply against the retinue of soft tossers.

[DocBauer]

Just got done reading about Swim in the prospect handbook again. Anyone have a good read on his defense and game calling behind the plate? I read kind of a mixed bag, and it sure seems like he plays as much or more OF and 1B as he does catcher. It's great that he's athletic and has some potential versatility.

 

But if he can legitimately call a game and be solid behind the plate, with that potential hit tool, wow, what a bottom of the order contributor.

[Sweetwater]

If Meyer can transition into one of the best RPs in baseball within a couple of years, I'd say that's a solid outcome for him. I'll take 5-7 years of him decimating batters one inning at a time.

[Steven Buhr]

 

Just got done reading about Swim in the prospect handbook again. Anyone have a good read on his defense and game calling behind the plate? I read kind of a mixed bag, and it sure seems like he plays as much or more OF and 1B as he does catcher. It's great that he's athletic and has some potential versatility. But if he can legitimately call a game and be solid behind the plate, with that potential hit tool, wow, what a bottom of the order contributor.

I'm not sure any of us know what kind of receiver Swim is. He certainly didn't catch enough in CR last year for me to see anything one way or the other. He was almost exclusively in RF (out of necessity).

 

The Twins clearly see Turner and Garver as their most promising catching prospects, so any catcher such as Swim who finds himself on the same roster with one of those guys is going to get limited innings behind the plate. Limited innings means limited development of his defensive game. Just kind of how it is.