Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/22): Miracle Barrage, Duffey Deals

[Cody Christie]

Even without a scheduled game for Chattanooga, Max Kepler made headlines as he was named the Southern League player of the week. In the last week, he had consecutive four-hit games as well as a three-hit game and a two-hit outing. He went 14-for-22 with four triples, six runs, four RBI and three steals

 

Kepler is now batting .342 with a .972 OPS including legging out 17 doubles and eight triples. He also has 12 stolen bases this season. He leads the league in batting and ranks second in triples behind former teammate Byron Buxton.

 

The Lookouts were off on Monday but there was other action down on the farm.RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 3, Pawtucket 2

Box Score

 

Tyler Duffey took the mound for the Red Wings and gave quite the performance. Both runs scored against him were unearned and he scattered five hits with six strikeouts and one walk. After collecting one out in the eighth, Duffey surrendered back-to-back hits to leave runners on the corners. He'd have to rely on the bullpen to get out of this jam.

 

Ryan O'Rourke and Mark Hamburger both were brought in for one batter and each picked up huge strikeouts to keep the Red Wings lead at 3-2. AJ Achter made quick work in the ninth inning by striking out one for his 11th save.

 

Eric Farris led the way offensively with two doubles and a run scored. Danny Santana continued his hot-hitting ways with a double and an RBI. He's now hit safely in six straight games and nine of his last ten. Danny Ortiz and Reynaldo Rodriguez each drove in a run and Rodriguez stole his second base.

 

With the win, Rochester improved to three games over .500. The club has won four of their last six and they sit two games back in the International League wild card standings.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga- Scheduled Off Day

 

The Lookouts are in the midst of their mid-season All-Star break. Seven members of the Lookouts were named to the 2015 Southern League North Division All-Star Team. Pitchers DJ Baxendale, Jose Berrios and Zack Jones all made the squad. Outfielders Byron Buxton and Adam Brett Walker, along with infielders Jorge Polanco and Miguel Sano were scheduled to join them.

 

Buxton obviously won't be playing in the contest as he has been called up to the big leagues. One surprise name not on the list is Max Kepler who has been destroying the Southern League over the last few weeks. The game will be played in Montgomery, AL with a home run derby starting at 5 pm CST and the All-Star Game starting at 6:35 CST on Tuesday.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 10, Palm Beach 1

Box Score

 

Fort Myers had an offensive explosion on Monday night as they pounded out 10 runs in the first four frames. It was the first time in June that the club scored in double-digits and the club went an eye-popping 10-for-19 with runners in scoring position. The Miracle had won their last four games before the All-Star break so this makes it five straight victories.

 

Marcus Knecht cracked three doubles with three RBI and three runs scored. Engelb Vielma collected three hits and Bryan Haar went 4-for-5. Mitch Garver, Zach Granite, and Logan Wade all had multi-hit efforts, including two runs scored by Garver.

 

Boosted by the solid offensive output, Mat Batts was able to cruise to his second victory. He lasted seven innings and allowed one run on four hits. His eight strikeouts were the second most he's had all season. Matt Summers allowed a couple of runs in the final frame but the Miracle had more than enough insurance runs.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids - Scheduled Off Day

 

Roster Move: Kernels pitcher Miles Nordgren was optioned to Elizabethton of the Appalachian League. Cedar Rapids currently has 23 players on the roster.

 

Like the Lookouts, most of the Kernels are enjoying a few off days as part of the Midwest League All-Star break. Cedar Rapids is sending five All-Stars to the game, including four pitchers. The lone position player is first baseman Trey Vavra who is second in the MWL in hitting (.346 BA). Jared Wilson, Cam Booser, Felix Jorge, and Trevor Hildenberger were all selected to the pitching staff.

 

The game is being hosted by the Peoria Chiefs in Peoria, Illinois. The events will start with a home run derby at 5:30 pm and the game will follow.

 

 

GCL Twins Takes

GCL Twins 0, GCL Orioles 2

Box Score

 

The GCL Twins got off to a slow start to the season as the team was limited to three hits in their first game of the season. Travis Blankenhorn went 1-for-2 with a triple and a walk. Roberto Gonzalez and Tyree Davis each went 1-for-3 and Davis was able to swipe two bases. Overall, the team went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

 

Jose Martinez took the loss after tossing five frames and allowing two earned runs on six hits. He struck out five and walked one. Miguel Gonzalez allowed two base runners in two frames without allowing a run. Dallas Gallant and Yorman Landa each pitched a perfect frame with three combined strikeouts.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

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

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Marcus Knecht, Fort Myers Miracle

 

 

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Pawtucket (6:05 CST) – RHP Greg Peavey

Chattanooga- Southern League All-Star Game (6:35 CST)

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

Cedar Rapids- Midwest League All-Star Game (7:00 CST)

Elizabethton @ Bluefield (6:05 CST) - TBA

GCL Twins @ GCL Orioles (11:00 am CST)- TBA

 

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

 

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[Pitz]

Back to back sterling starts for Duffey. 15.1 IP; 0 ER; 11 H; 1 BB; 15 Ks

[twinssouth]

What's up with Arcia? 189 BA, is it attitude, players are passing him by in depth chart and this is how he responds.

[Tibs]

Somehow Max Kepler was left off the prospect hot list for last week. Now he is left off the Southern League all star roster? What the heck?

 

Mat Batts hasn't skipped a beat at Fort Myers. The Miracle have a pretty good rotation down there

[Seth Stohs]

 

Back to back sterling starts for Duffey. 15.1 IP; 0 ER; 11 H; 1 BB; 15 Ks

 

He was very good last year, but he has definitely made some big strides, in my opinion, in 2015. He's taken that next step. He's a legit starting pitching prospect at this point, mid-to-back end of the rotation type.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Somehow Max Kepler was left off the prospect hot list for last week. Now he is left off the Southern League all star roster? What the heck?

Mat Batts hasn't skipped a beat at Fort Myers. The Miracle have a pretty good rotation down there

 

Kepler replaced Buxton on the Southern League All Star roster. He was also named Southern League Player of the Week for the 2nd time this year (we have a thread in the minor league forum with the awards). 

 

Batts has been really impressive. He's got a bunch of deception in his delivery that he could keep guys off balance. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

What's up with Arcia? 189 BA, is it attitude, players are passing him by in depth chart and this is how he responds.

 

To be fair, results and process are two different things. Results have not been good, though he's been better again in the last week. We can't see the process. he was pretty messed up when he was sent down, so no surprise it's taking awhile. Still has the world of potential, and there have always been attitude concerns, but we should definitely not give up on him.

[jokin]

 

What's up with Arcia? 189 BA, is it attitude, players are passing him by in depth chart and this is how he responds.

 

He's crushed AAA pitching in the past.  Two possibilities besides "attitude":  

1) tinkering with his approach at the plate

2) something still physically bothering him

[clutterheart]

I am  surprised Minier is still at the GCL.  Last year he hit .292/.405/.520 in 53 games and I am not sure what else he has to prove there.  

 

I would've thought he would be in E-town this year with a chance to end the year at CR.  

 

[clutterheart]

Kolton Kendrick starts his pro career on the DL?  

[Trov]

How deep are the gaps in the AA?  The amount of triples being hit is crazy, Kepler is not known for his speed.  I know he is not slow, but that many triples is pretty crazy.  Might be seeing Rosario, Buxton, Kepler in the outfield next year.  Now that Kepler is healthy he is showing the promise that made him a top prospect years ago.

[nytwinsfan]

 

I am  surprised Minier is still at the GCL.  Last year he hit .292/.405/.520 in 53 games and I am not sure what else he has to prove there.  

 

I would've thought he would be in E-town this year with a chance to end the year at CR.  

 

I wouldn't read too much into that. He just had a hand/arm injury, so they are probably starting him slow.

[nytwinsfan]

 

 

How deep are the gaps in the AA?  The amount of triples being hit is crazy, Kepler is not known for his speed.  I know he is not slow, but that many triples is pretty crazy.  Might be seeing Rosario, Buxton, Kepler in the outfield next year.  Now that Kepler is healthy he is showing the promise that made him a top prospect years ago.

Pretty sure Kepler is known for being on the faster side, especially for his size (and gap power). He also has a decent number of SB and a good success rate. So yes, he is hitting a surprising number of triples, but its not like it is an absolutely crazy number (like Buxton).

[ashbury]

 

Roster Move: Kernels pitcher Miles Nordgren was optioned to Elizabethton of the Appalachian League.

 ...
Elizabethton @ Bluefield (6:05 CST) - TBA
 

Haven't seen much mention of Elizabethton and the buildup to their season, but (as mentioned above) they start their games tonight.

 

I note that one of my Adopt A Prospects, Tyler Kuresa, was demoted from Cedar Rapids at the end of May, and will be on the E-Twins' roster, as the only player listed at 1B, so I presume he'll get plenty of opportunity to straighten his game back out.

 

You can see the entire roster at http://www.milb.com/roster/index.jsp?sid=t576

[Seth Stohs]

 

I am  surprised Minier is still at the GCL.  Last year he hit .292/.405/.520 in 53 games and I am not sure what else he has to prove there.  

 

I would've thought he would be in E-town this year with a chance to end the year at CR.  

 

Yeah, he just got the cast off his hand from a broken hand within the last 2 weeks, I think. They're getting him some ABs before he moves up to ET.

[TRex]

 

Haven't seen much mention of Elizabethton and the buildup to their season, but (as mentioned above) they start their games tonight.

 

I note that one of my Adopt A Prospects, Tyler Kuresa, was demoted from Cedar Rapids at the end of May, and will be on the E-Twins' roster, as the only player listed at 1B, so I presume he'll get plenty of opportunity to straighten his game back out.

 

You can see the entire roster at http://www.milb.com/roster/index.jsp?sid=t576

Wow, I know we like to root for them all, but that is a rather un-inspiring bunch!

 

I think this year's opening day roster at Chattanooga has permanently warped my sense of a 'normal' minor league team.

[clutterheart]

That GCL team has a lot of interesting talent - especially position players.  The next next prospect wave might be there

[nater79a]

 

He was very good last year, but he has definitely made some big strides, in my opinion, in 2015. He's taken that next step. He's a legit starting pitching prospect at this point, mid-to-back end of the rotation type.

 

Yes, wouldn't hesitate to bring Duffey up to the big club if needed.