Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/17): Jay Signs, Duffey Shines

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Obviously all eyes were on Target Field on Wednesday night as Byron Buxton made his Target Field debut in front of a packed crowd.

 

But there were some pretty significant things happening with the Twins today as well. First round pick Tyler Jay was introduced at Target Field. He signed for full slot and will debut with the Miracle.

 

After the Kernels clinched a playoff berth on Tuesday night, the Lookouts were looking to do the same on Wednesday.RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 7, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 4

Box Score

 

Tyler Duffey got his first Triple-A win of the season and did it in impressive fashion. Entering Wednesday’s game with an 0-4 Triple-A record, Duffey dominated. In eight innings, he allowed six hits (one double) and a walk. He struck out nine. Caleb Thielbar allowed the lone run in the ninth, surrendering three hits and striking out one.

 

James Beresford led the offense with three hits - including an RBI triple - and two RBI. Danny Santana and Oswaldo Arcia each contributed doubles in their two-hit games. Arcia drove in a run. All told, the Red Wings accumulated 12 hits.

 

The Red Wings improved to 33-31 and remain a couple games out of the playoff picture.

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 4, Jacksonville 8

Box Score

 

Max Kepler is becoming an offensive force on a team that has lots of options to be the offensive force. On Wednesday, Kepler played first base and went 4-5 with a triple and two two-out RBIs. He also stole his 9th base. Travis Harrison had two singles. Adam Brett Walker drove in his 55th run of the season. Miguel Sano committed his 14th error.

 

Brett Lee pitched ok through 6.1 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out two. Nick Burdi, on the other hand, didn’t. After pitching so well over the last month, Burdi was a disaster. He faced five batters and they all scored. Three hits, two walks, a blown save and a loss. Brandon Peterson pitched a no-hit inning in his Double-A debut.

 

The Lookouts will try to secure a playoff spot again on Thursday.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 9, Daytona 5

Box Score

 

Kohl Stewart made the start tonight and, again, left a lot to be desired. In four innings, Stewart walked two batters and allowed four hits. That equaled four earned runs. He struck out two. Corey Williams gave up a run in two innings of work. Luke Westphal earned the win striking out the side in the seventh. (He also walked two.) FSL All-Star Snub Todd Van Steensel picked up his eighth save with two shutout innings.

 

Offensively, the Miracle produced nine runs on eight hits. Logan Wade led the charge with a solo home run and a two-out two-RBI single. Zach Granite went 0-2, but managed to drive in two runs. Nine free passes obviously was plenty helpful, given that Fort Myers only managed the one extra base hit.

 

At 34-32, Fort Myers have been eliminated from first-half postseason contention. They have a handful of games left before gearing up for the second half of the season, likely with first-round pick Tyler Jay in their bullpen.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 2, Burlington 0

Box Score

 

Two first inning runs for the Kernels and a tidy game, finishing in two hours and fifteen minutes, is in the books at Perfect Game Field.

 

Ethan Mildren, pitching for the Kernels after being activated off of Fort Myers’ disabled list, pitched 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out eight, allowed two hits and walked three. He probably won’t be in Cedar Rapids for long. Randy LeBlanc continued the shutout, retiring seven batters, before Cameron Booser finished it off, striking out two to earn the save.

 

Nick Gordon paced the lineup, going 3-4 with a double. Alex Real added two hits. Edgar Corcino drove in both runs with a two-out first-inning double. The 6-9 batter combined to go 0-11 with two strikeouts.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Tyler Duffey, Rochester

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Max Kepler, Chattanooga

 

 

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester vs Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (6:05 CST) – TBD

Chattanooga vs Jacksonville (6:15 CST) – LHP David Hurlbut

Ft. Myers vs Daytona (6:05 CST) – RHP Aaron Slegers

Cedar Rapids vs Burlington (6:35 CST) – RHP Keaton Steele

 

 

 

Feel free to leave any questions or comments below!

 

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[h2oface]

It surprises me that Danny Santana would be DH'ing instead of getting more reps at short. I just remember that playing baseball and being young....... resting was not really a necessary activity.

[h2oface]

Inherited runners-scored: Burdi 2-2, Reed 3-3

 

Jacksonville Top of the 7th
Matt Juengel singles on a ground ball to left fielder Adam Walker II.
Viosergy Rosa flies out to center fielder Niko Goodrum.
David Adams singles on a line drive to right fielder Travis Harrison. Matt Juengel to 2nd.
Pitching Change: Nick Burdi replaces Brett Lee.
Terrence Dayleg doubles (7) on a fly ball to left fielder Adam Walker II. Matt Juengel scores. David Adams scores.
Chadd Krist singles on a ground ball to third baseman Miguel Sano. Terrence Dayleg scores.
Kenny Wilson walks. Chadd Krist to 2nd.
Carlos Lopez singles on a line drive to right fielder Travis Harrison. Chadd Krist to 3rd. Kenny Wilson to 2nd.
Austin Nola walks. Chadd Krist scores. Kenny Wilson to 3rd. Carlos Lopez to 2nd.
Pitching Change: Jake Reed replaces Nick Burdi.
Michael Morse strikes out swinging.
Matt Juengel hits a grand slam (12) to left field. Kenny Wilson scores. Carlos Lopez scores. Austin Nola scores.
Viosergy Rosa strikes out swinging.

 

Burdi gives up a double and clears the bases for Lee, and Reed comes in and gives up a grand slam to tag Burdi with more runs. These guys should be friends and stop doing that to each other!  How does a guy score from second on a grounder to third?

[twinssouth]

At Lookouts game last night; Burdi, Reed, Sano, you can thank them for the loss. IMO, in my amateur eyes, Sano is not ready, offensively and defensively.

[nytwinsfan]

From the Department of Ridiculous Video Game Stats Occurring In Real Life, Max Kepler is batting .485/.605/.758 (1.363) in his last 10 games and .647/.727/.941 (1.668) in his last 5 games.

 

Overall at Chattanooga he is batting .331/.393/.530 (.923) with 9 SB and 3 CS (75% success rate) and a 23 to 19 K to BB ratio. Also, crazily enough, he has not hit into a single double play in 201 PA. Just saying.

[Seth Stohs]

Kepler has been unbelievable since about 2 weeks after he came up to Chattanooga. He was player of the month for May (at Twins Daily, the Twins chose Trey Vavra, who was also terrific). He slowed a bit for a week or two in early June, but he has taken off again of late. Two straight 4-hit games will certainly help the numbers. But, he's got such a sweet swing and is a tremendous athlete.

[Cory Engelhardt]

So when does Kepler make an appearance at Target Field? The Twins could use offense any way they can get it.

[twinssouth]

Inherited runners-scored: Burdi 2-2, Reed 3-3

 

Jacksonville Top of the 7th

Matt Juengel singles on a ground ball to left fielder Adam Walker II.

Viosergy Rosa flies out to center fielder Niko Goodrum.

David Adams singles on a line drive to right fielder Travis Harrison. Matt Juengel to 2nd.Pitching Change: Nick Burdi replaces Brett Lee.

Terrence Dayleg doubles (7) on a fly ball to left fielder Adam Walker II. Matt Juengel scores. David Adams scores.

Chadd Krist singles on a ground ball to third baseman Miguel Sano. Terrence Dayleg scores.

Kenny Wilson walks. Chadd Krist to 2nd.

Carlos Lopez singles on a line drive to right fielder Travis Harrison. Chadd Krist to 3rd. Kenny Wilson to 2nd.

Austin Nola walks. Chadd Krist scores. Kenny Wilson to 3rd. Carlos Lopez to 2nd.Pitching Change: Jake Reed replaces Nick Burdi.

Michael Morse strikes out swinging.

Matt Juengel hits a grand slam (12) to left field. Kenny Wilson scores. Carlos Lopez scores. Austin Nola scores.

Viosergy Rosa strikes out swinging.

 

Burdi gives up a double and clears the bases for Lee, and Reed comes in and gives up a grand slam to tag Burdi with more runs. These guys should be friends and stop doing that to each other!  How does a guy score from second on a grounder to third?

 

I'll tell you how: I saw the play. When the ball was hit, the runner was almost half way between 2nd and 3rd. Sano goes to his left to field it, the ball goes under his glove because he didn't bend over enough to reach it and the ball ends up in left field. That should have been an error charged to Sano but wasn't If he had done his job, he would have had the ball or at least stop the ball, check the runner at second and fire to first for the out.

 

Sano's line last night should have been 2 errors and 0 for 5. My Son in Law thought he seems disinterested at times when on the field. He has athleticism as there were 2 really nice plays he made where he got to show off his cannon but when the errors happened, he was playing stiff.

[twinssouth]

Kepler has been unbelievable since about 2 weeks after he came up to Chattanooga. He was player of the month for May (at Twins Daily, the Twins chose Trey Vavra, who was also terrific). He slowed a bit for a week or two in early June, but he has taken off again of late. Two straight 4-hit games will certainly help the numbers. But, he's got such a sweet swing and is a tremendous athlete.

He was clearly the best player on the field. He looks just like a young Justin Morneau. As Seth said, what a beautiful swing. He should have had 1 more RBI but the coach filling in for Doug M (who was thrown out in the 9th inning for arguing a bogus crappy call by the ump) held up the runner at 3rd who could have easily scored. I hope the Twins keep him at 1st.

[TNTwinsFan]

Looks like Kepler could be a fantastic alternative to Joe Mauer at 1B. Call him up, send Mauer to post concussion DL.

[nytwinsfan]

Don't understand why we would want to waste Kepler's speed and athleticism at 1B, when he could be a plus corner outfield defender.  Yes, those things are valuable at 1B too, but not as much as they are in the outfield.  We've all seen how much of a difference strong outfield defense makes these last few weeks, especially with fly ball pitchers like Hughes, May, and Nolasco (and soon Berrios) in the staff. The Twins also have plenty of 1B candidates, from Mauer (hoping he returns to form) to Vargas, to whichever of Sano or Plouffe doesn't stay at 3B.  Obviously it would be great if Kepler has the defensive versatility to play 1B at times if necessary, but it seems ridiculous to focus him there. I think the main reasons he's been playing a lot of 1B this year are that Chattanooga until recently had 3 other outfielders, and to give him some time without the risk of reinjuring his wrist/forearm again in the outfield.  But he's a future left fielder, and the Twins would be shortsighted to switch him to 1B full time (not that I think they are doing that - I think they know his future is primarily as a strong defensive, average or maybe even above average hitting left fielder).

[twinssouth]

Don't understand why we would want to waste Kepler's speed and athleticism at 1B, when he could be a plus corner outfield defender.  Yes, those things are valuable at 1B too, but not as much as they are in the outfield.  We've all seen how much of a difference strong outfield defense makes these last few weeks, especially with fly ball pitchers like Hughes, May, and Nolasco (and soon Berrios) in the staff. The Twins also have plenty of 1B candidates, from Mauer (hoping he returns to form) to Vargas, to whichever of Sano or Plouffe doesn't stay at 3B.  Obviously it would be great if Kepler has the defensive versatility to play 1B at times if necessary, but it seems ridiculous to focus him there. I think the main reasons he's been playing a lot of 1B this year are that Chattanooga until recently had 3 other outfielders, and to give him some time without the risk of reinjuring his wrist/forearm again in the outfield.  But he's a future left fielder, and the Twins would be shortsighted to switch him to 1B full time (not that I think they are doing that - I think they know his future is primarily as a strong defensive, average or maybe even above average hitting left fielder).

 

I see your point. From my eyes, Kepler was a nice target at 1st, being 6'4, had good reach, fielded grounders cleanly. There was 1 play he couldn't reach the ball due to an errant throw by the 2nd baseman trying to complete a double play, so I couldn't pin that on Kepler. Just seemed like a natural fit, so smooth and athletic. Like I said, he looks like Morneau at 1st.

 

I actually thought our Outfield defense last night (Harrison, Goodrum, Walker) was not too shabby, better than Jacksonville's, as there were a number of hard hit balls on both sides.

[nytwinsfan]

Thanks for acknowledging the point.  I have no doubt Kepler would be an excellent defender at 1B. I just think the Twins would get comparatively more value out of that defense in a corner outfield spot. From accounts I've read he can play CF more than adequately, and someone like that in a corner spot would make a plus outfielder, just like Rosario has been a plus corner outfielder. I think Kepler probably has more power potential than Rosario too, once he fills out his giant frame a little more.

[drivlikejehu]

Kepler is only going to be a valuable MLB player in the outfield. Unless there's a health reason, it makes zero sense for him to be at 1B.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Kepler is only going to be a valuable MLB player in the outfield. Unless there's a health reason, it makes zero sense for him to be at 1B.

 

That's a pretty strong statement. Why do you believe that he offers no value at 1B?

 

I still think Sano is at 1B, but I can see Kepler there, and being valuable there.

[HitInAPinch]

I'm curious about Danny Santana.  How do I get a list of what positions he's been play in MiLB? 

[DocBauer]

Kepler is only going to be a valuable MLB player in the outfield. Unless there's a health reason, it makes zero sense for him to be at 1B.

Going to disagree here, rather strongly. I have absolutely no doubt Kepler could, would, will be an excellent ML outfielder. But defense at 1B is pretty important. And while stating the obvious, you can't just stick someone over there with a glove and say; "go play and do well". Kepler offers a big target and athleticism. And with the intention of putting the best 8/9 guys daily on/in to the field/lineup, Buxton and Rosario as probable starting OF's leaves one spot open. Walker? Harrison? Hicks? Plouffe? Arcia? Not betting on it, but, Sano? And I don't kid when I say possibly Santana with a conversion to the OF (mostly full time at least) and really finding himself as a dangerous and exciting top/bottom spot in the lineup presence.

 

So Kepler can man 1B if and when one of these options claims that third OF spot fully. He doesn't have to be the Twins 1B of the future, but I'd say there are way more OF options available than 1B options at this point.

 

Think Erstad with more power and a little less speed.

[DocBauer]

Kepler has been unbelievable since about 2 weeks after he came up to Chattanooga. He was player of the month for May (at Twins Daily, the Twins chose Trey Vavra, who was also terrific). He slowed a bit for a week or two in early June, but he has taken off again of late. Two straight 4-hit games will certainly help the numbers. But, he's got such a sweet swing and is a tremendous athlete.

 

Never seen him in person, but always been impressed with all reports of his build, his natural athleticism and his attitude. (My father met and saw him ST a couple years ago and was very impressed). I thought he was a pick to click last season and so glad to see it happen this year. Although it's kind of a surprise that he actually moves up a level and finds his very best year.

 

I'm betting there is more HR power to come, and I'd be very happy if he was a consistent 20 HR type to go along with everything else he seems to bring. Doesn't have to hit 30 dinners to be very good and very valuable. Thinking he's in the top 100 this offseason for prospect rankings

[nytwinsfan]

 

So Kepler can man 1B if and when one of these options claims that third OF spot fully. He doesn't have to be the Twins 1B of the future, but I'd say there are way more OF options available than 1B options at this point.

Think Erstad with more power and a little less speed.

 

I agree that Kepler would be valuable as a 1B, and that it is great that he has the versatility to play there if needed. But I do think he probably has more value playing mostly corner outfield.  I don't think we disagree on this, I just think drivlikejehu's statement was a little too strong in saying that Kepler couldn't ever have value as a 1B. 

 

I guess I don't see Hicks or Harrison being a better option in the corner. Harrison doesn't have the same defensive upside as Kepler, and Hicks, while a potential platooner against lefties, doesn't have the offensive upside of Kepler. Walker, if he cuts down on his strikouts and continues to hit the way he is, could potentially make more sense than Kepler, but even then, it might make more sense to move Walker to DH, Vargas or Sano/Plouffe to 1B (assuming Mauer isn't there - but if Mauer is still there this whole debate is sort of moot anyway), and Kepler to the corner.  My understanding is that Walker's outfield defense is decent for a man of his size, but that Kepler is faster. Let me know if someone disagrees based on in person experience of watching them play defense.  Plouffe and Arcia would be disasters in the outfield on defense. I don't know enough about Sano, and I hear he is athletic and fast for his size, but I have a hard time seeing him as an outfielder. So count me as skeptical of that.

[Steven Buhr]

 

Never seen him in person, but always been impressed with all reports of his build, his natural athleticism and his attitude. (My father met and saw him ST a couple years ago and was very impressed). I thought he was a pick to click last season and so glad to see it happen this year. Although it's kind of a surprise that he actually moves up a level and finds his very best year.

I think that has a lot to do with being 100% healthy. He was certainly far from that during his time in CR the second half of the 2013 season and I seem to recall him having issues last year, as well, though I don't recall what they were. He was healthy in Arizona Fall League and looked like he belonged with the guys down there.

[jokin]

 

I agree that Kepler would be valuable as a 1B, and that it is great that he has the versatility to play there if needed. But I do think he probably has more value playing mostly corner outfield.  I don't think we disagree on this, I just think drivlikejehu's statement was a little too strong in saying that Kepler couldn't ever have value as a 1B. 

 

I guess I don't see Hicks or Harrison being a better option in the corner. Harrison doesn't have the same defensive upside as Kepler, and Hicks, while a potential platooner against lefties, doesn't have the offensive upside of Kepler. Walker, if he cuts down on his strikouts and continues to hit the way he is, could potentially make more sense than Kepler, but even then, it might make more sense to move Walker to DH, Vargas or Sano/Plouffe to 1B (assuming Mauer isn't there - but if Mauer is still there this whole debate is sort of moot anyway), and Kepler to the corner.  My understanding is that Walker's outfield defense is decent for a man of his size, but that Kepler is faster. Let me know if someone disagrees based on in person experience of watching them play defense.  Plouffe and Arcia would be disasters in the outfield on defense. I don't know enough about Sano, and I hear he is athletic and fast for his size, but I have a hard time seeing him as an outfielder. So count me as skeptical of that.

 

Having seen Kepler play in early May, he appears to have made an adjustment to his approach at the plate, starting last season.  He definitely is swinging more for the gaps than the fences, and using all fields more- and it is a very tight, sweet stroke. He looked to be a very fine athlete among the group of  some pretty incredible athletes.  I'm not sure if he is faster than Walker- probably so,  but he was playing 1B while Walker was in the OF, and while Walker looked fine out there, Kepler's definitely more polished.  Disagree on Sano, he  would be fine in the OF, his arm would make up for some of the miscues, but there are definitely much better options defensively going forward. But still, the net tradeoff in offensive production still would probably favor Sano playing in RF if the Twins are unwilling to clear out the current corner infielders.

 

One thing for sure, there isn't room enough for all of the guys coming up from Chattanooga, plus the current crop on the major league roster. 

[drivlikejehu]

 

That's a pretty strong statement. Why do you believe that he offers no value at 1B?

 

I still think Sano is at 1B, but I can see Kepler there, and being valuable there.

 

The positional adjustment is killer. A good defensive corner outfielder is worth much, much more than the same offensive production for a good defensive 1B.

 

If Kepler has a .750 - .800 OPS with good outfield defense, he's very valuable. If he has that OPS at first, he's below average even with excellent defense.

[jokin]

 

I think that has a lot to do with being 100% healthy. He was certainly far from that during his time in CR the second half of the 2013 season and I seem to recall him having issues last year, as well, though I don't recall what they were. He was healthy in Arizona Fall League and looked like he belonged with the guys down there.

 

Isn't that going to be the main issue for Kepler going forward?  He simply hasn't been able to avoid the injury-bug,  seems like he's always been on and off of the DL or rehabbing something.  The most games he's played so far in one season was 102 last year in Ft Myers.

[nytwinsfan]

 

Isn't that going to be the main issue for Kepler going forward?  He simply hasn't been able to avoid the injury-bug,  seems like he's always been on and off of the DL or rehabbing something.  The most games he's played so far in one season was 102 last year in Ft Myers.

 

Yeah, well let's wait and see. Buxton certainly had the "injury bug" all last year. But he's recovered as well this year.

 

[jokin]

 

Yeah, well let's wait and see. Buxton certainly had the "injury bug" all last year. But he's recovered as well this year.

 

 

But just one season for Buck.  I'm thinking it's going to be an ongoing issue for Kepler- he missed more time again this year in April- until it isn't.  It could simply be a matter of growing into his body and  additional weight training that helps make the difference.

Edited June 18, 2015 by jokin

[Steve Lein]

You guys know Kepler's "natural position" is 1B, right? q:)

 

He didn't play OF until the Twins drafted him. As mentioned, he's more than athletic enough to do it though, so why wouldn't they develop him at multiple spots?

 

I think he'd take offense to being called a "waste" at his best position.

 

 

[Steven Buhr]

I think sometimes we exert an awful lot of energy on the positions these guys are playing during their minor league years. The Twins (and I assume other organizations) move players around the field a lot in an attempt to get them exposed to multiple positions. They do it because there simply is no way to predict what positions will be open or blocked when the guys get to the point where their bats will play at the big league level. So they try to identify a "primary" position and then develop as much versatility as they can.

 

Of course, if you're a Buxton, you get to focus on one spot because they know they'll make room for you at that position when you're ready and let other people show some versatility. But for the Keplers, Harrisons and Polancos of the world, you want to know you have some options when their times come.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm curious about Danny Santana.  How do I get a list of what positions he's been play in MiLB? 

 

Baseball-Reference.

[nytwinsfan]

 

You guys know Kepler's "natural position" is 1B, right? q:)

 

He didn't play OF until the Twins drafted him. As mentioned, he's more than athletic enough to do it though, so why wouldn't they develop him at multiple spots?

 

I think he'd take offense to being called a "waste" at his best position.

 

First, it is his "natural position" according to who? Second, they didn't draft him, they signed him as an international free agent . . . at 16 -- an age when it is hard to know what it would even mean for a player to have a "natural position." Are you saying because a couple of German middle and high school baseball coaches put him at 1B for reasons that probably have nothing to do with his potential long-term development, he should play that position 6 years later when he reaches the majors?

 

Yes, I agree he is more than athletic enough to play 1B, as I noted above, and I am fine with them giving him time there, and it is great that he has defensive versatility, but as I and others have noted above, what matters is where they plan to have him play most of the timewhen he gets to the majors, which I think should be corner outfield. Sure, things could change.  Mauer could retire or be benched, Vargas could continue to flounder at the plate, Plouffe might be traded, and Walker could continue to hit and cut his strikout rate. Anything is possible. Under those circumstances, sure, Kepler might make sense at 1B. But under the most likely circumstances, as I discussed above, I've made an argument for why I think Kepler fits in the corner outfield.

 

I've made my case above, and in other threads, as has SD Buhr. How about making an argument to the contrary, rather than just asserting in conclusory fashion that his "best" or "natural" position is 1B. Based on what? Even if that were true, it might be an even "better" or "more natural" position for someone else, like Mauer, Vargas or Sano. I don't think Kepler would be offended at all to be told that his talents would be wasted at a less demanding defensive position. I'm not saying 1B defense isn't important or demanding (that's another straw man), I'm saying it isn't as important or demanding as corner outfield.

Edited June 18, 2015 by nytwinsfan

[twinssouth]

If you look thru the system, we have a shortage of quality 1st baseman. Sure, you can plug guys in but sooner or later, you have to have someone who knows the nuances, makes the routine plays, holds runners, be a big target, scoop balls out of the dirt, etc. and can hit. That's why I hope Kepler continues to play 1st. He already is a good outfielder. That combo with his bat is perfect for the Twins. His role could be similar to Cuddyer's with the Twins - Rf & 1st

 

As mentioned, at last night's game, he was clearly the best player. If it was me, I'd send him up to AAA for a Fall call up.