Article: Twins Minor League Report (4/7/16): Opening Night

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins fell for third straight time in Baltimore to start their season, but it was Opening Day in Minor League Baseball on Thursday. The Rochester Red Wings, Chattanooga Lookouts, Ft. Myers Miracle and Cedar Rapids all played their first game of the season on Thursday. It didn’t go well for two of the teams, but it was a great night in Iowa.

 

Here is the first Minor League Report of the season, and you’ll have another one every day on this site for the next five months.Any feedback would be welcomed. What are the key things you'd like to see from these reports? What's included that's good, and what more would you like to read?

 

TRANSACTIONS

There were several pre-Opening Night transactions to get rosters where they needed to be.

• Rochester placed Infielder Stephen Wickens on the DL.
• Chattanooga placed pitchers Nick Burdi, DJ Baxendale and Jason Adam on the DL. Also hitters Niko Goodrum, Shannon Wilkerson and Jairo Rodriguez were placed on the DL. (UPDATE - Despite the milb.com site showing DJ Baxendale placed on the DL, he was not.)
• For the Miracle, Aderlin Mejia and Alex Muren were placed on the DL.
• Cedar Rapids placed Michael Cederoth, Cam Booser, Lewis Thorpe and Fernando Romero on the DL.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 1, Scranton/Wilkes Barre 0 (SUSPENDED)

Box Score

 

This game was delayed a the start for over an hour, but they were able to get it started. They completed four innings before the rains came down again. Following a delay, the decision was made to suspend the game. It will start on Friday at 4:05 (Central Time) and they will complete this game. It will then be followed by a 7-inning game.

 

Tyler Duffey started and gave up no runs over four innings. He gave up two hits, walked two and struck out three. 40 of his 56 pitchers were strikes. Jorge Polanco was 2-2 including a first-inning triple. Kepler drove him in with a ground out to second base. In Kepler’s second at-bat, he singled to left field, his first AAA hit.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 0, Biloxi 4

Box Score

 

The last time the Lookouts played Biloxi, they were celebrating their Southern League championship. Jason Wheeler was named the series MVP. Wheeler was on the mound in this game as well. The tall left-hander gave up four runs (three earned) on seven hits. He walked one and struck out five. Three of the runs scored in the first inning. He was replaced by Marcus Walden who struck out two over two scoreless innings. Alex Wimmers pitched a scoreless ninth frame.

 

The Lookouts offense emulated the Twins offense in their opening series against the Orioles. They managed just three hits in being shut out and struck out 11 times. Stuart Turner gave the Lookouts their first hit, a double, in the second inning. Travis Harrison walked twice.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 1, Bradenton 3

Box Score

 

It’s not how you start, but how you finish that matters. In this game, Miracle Opening Night starter Stephen Gonsalves finished very strong, but it was the first inning that proved to matter most in the end result of this game. The southpaw from San Diego struggled early. In the first inning, he gave up two singles before allowing a three-run homer to Jordan Luplow. He was terrific after that. He gave up nothing over the final five innings and ended with a quality start. He went six innings and gave up just the three runs on six hits. He walked none and struck out six in the loss.

 

The Miracle brought on some power arms after Gonsalves to finish out the game. Brian Gilbert gave up a hit and walked one in a scoreless seventh. He was hitting 94-95. Then Luke Bard pitched the 8th. It was his first appearance in a Miracle uniform since one inning in 2013. He was perfect and struck one out. He sat 94-95 and hit 97 once. Raul Fernandez came on for the ninth. He was a member of the 40 man rosters of the Rockies and White Sox the last two seasons. He pitched a 1-2-3 inning, much thanks to Tanner English who made an incredible running catch deep in the left-center field gap. Fernandez consistently hit 96 and threw a mid-80s slider.

 

The Miracle were unable to get much offense going all game. Four of their five hits were from the bats of players in their first Florida State League game. Nick Gordon, Trey Vavra, Edgar Corcino and Tanner English each had one hit. English added two walks and stole his first base of the year. (English led the Twins minor leagues in 2015 with 37 stolen bases and was named the top defensive outfielder in the system.) Trey Vavra went 1-3 with a walk.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 12, Quad Cities 4

Box Score

 

The Kernels hosted Quad Cities for Opening Night in Cedar Rapids. The River Bandits second and third hitters were 2015 first-round picks Kyle Tucker and Daz Cameron. On this night however, the Kernels dominated the game.

 

Randy LeBlanc started. The righty from Tulane went the first five innings. He gave up one run on three hits. He walked two, hit one and struck out two. Michael Theofanopoulos walked two and struck out one in the sixth inning. Zack Tillery gave up one run on one hit and two walks over the next two innings. He struck out two. Kuo Hua Lo threw the ninth inning, and it didn’t go well for him. The 2015 Appy League reliever of the year struggled with his control. On the inning, he gave up two runs on four hits and a walk.

 

The Kernels scored runs often, but a six-run eighth inning put this game well out of reach. Chris Paul led the offense. He went 3-4 with a walk and a bases-clearing triple in the eighth frame. AJ Murray had two hits including his first home run. Jermaine Palacios had two hits. Zander Wiel and LaMonte Wade each had two hits and a walk. Eight of the nine starters for the Kernels had at least one hit. Rafael Valera was the only one without a hit, and he walked twice.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Randy LeBlanc, Cedar Rapids Kernels

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Chris Paul, Cedar Rapids Kernels

 

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester @ Norfolk (4:05 CST) – LHP Pat Dean will start the full game. TBD on the resumption of the suspended game.

Chattanooga @ Mobile (7:05 CST) – RHP DJ Baxendale

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

Quad Cities @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) – RHP Andro Cutura

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

 

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[glunn]

These reports are one of the best things on TD.  Thanks in advance to the excellent writers who provide this for our community.

 

 

[jokin]

 

These reports are one of the best things on TD.  Thanks in advance to the excellent writers who provide this for our community.

 

Concur.

 

I'm wondering why Polanco played 2nd?

 

Is the Nick Burdi DLing an "injury" injury? All we need now is another TJ to a power arm.

 

Any reason why Palka was not in the starting lineup for the Lookouts- (Chatty started a journeyman in LF and Hicks at 1st)?

 

Raul Fernandez looks somewhat intriguing, is he filler or are the Twins giving him a serious look-see?

 

Is Tanner English a future MLB 4th OF (he was sure impressive in ST)? (I had a laugh when the Pirates broadcasting crew thought "USC" on his bio obviously meant "Southern Cal".)

[jokin]

One more:

 

Palacios and Wade didn't waste any time acclimating to cold weather ball (38 degree windchill at game time).

[Seth Stohs]

 

These reports are one of the best things on TD.  Thanks in advance to the excellent writers who provide this for our community.

 

I'm excited about these. Frankly, they are my favorite part of this site too, and they always create good discussions and questions.

 

Jeremy, Cody, Steve and Eric will also get rolling on these starting Monday. They all do a terrific job.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Concur.

 

I'm wondering why Polanco played 2nd?

 

Is the Nick Burdi DLing an "injury" injury? All we need now is another TJ to a power arm.

 

Any reason why Palka was not in the starting lineup for the Lookouts- (Chatty started a journeyman in LF and Hicks at 1st)?

 

Raul Fernandez looks somewhat intriguing, is he filler or are the Twins giving him a serious look-see?

 

Is Tanner English a future MLB 4th OF (he was sure impressive in ST)? (I had a laugh when the Pirates broadcasting crew thought "USC" on his bio obviously meant "Southern Cal".)

 

Polanco... Terry Ryan told Patrick Reusse recently that Polanco would play all over the infield and maybe even some in the outfield in Rochester. He said Tovar will be the main shortstop. I think they've acknowledged that Polanco probably isn't a full-time shortstop.

 

Burdi... that one's been talked about quite a bit. They shut him down in spring training for two weeks because he had some tightness in his forearm. He is throwing again. There doesn't seem to be a lot of concern about it, and yet, when someone throws that hard, it's definitely not natural.

 

Palka... I was surprised too, and yet, they have good depth. Maloney batted third. Of that group, he was the hitter that jumped out most to me in the 7-8 days that I was there. But my suspicion is that they're going to rotate 4-5 guys between 4 positions (DH, LF, RF, 1B)... Palka will play most days.

 

Fernandez ... he throws 96. They didn't sign him just to sign him. He's definitely intriguing. I'm surprised he's started way down in Ft. Myers though based on his time on 40 man rosters. Spent all of last year in AA. Guys become available as 6-year minor leaguers for a reason.

 

That was Blyleven that said USC was Southern California, even though a few sentences later when they were reading his bio, it said he was from South Carolina. Unfortunately, but is what it is. He can play outfield defense. Very good speed, but gets good reads and has great closing speed. Fourth OF is the possibility because he hasn't hit much to this point. He's not a big guy, but he's built pretty strong, so I think he can hit more than he has. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

One more:

 

Palacios and Wade didn't waste any time acclimating to cold weather ball (38 degree windchill at game time).

 

Those two are certainly hitters. No doubt about that. 

[Gagne Fan]

You listed DJ Baxendale as starting the season on the DL for Chattanooga.

The article from last night's game on the Lookouts website lists him as tonight's starting pitcher ?!?!?!?

[Gagne Fan]

http://m.milb.com/t498/2016_04_07_cngaax_blxaax_1/article/20160407171100916/lookouts_drop_first_game_of_the_year_to_biloxi_4-0?team=

[Gagne Fan]

 

The two clubs go back at it on Friday night, with the Shuckers looking to take a two-game lead in the five-game series to open the 2016 campaign. RHP Javi Salas will make his Biloxi debut and face off against Chattanooga's D.J. Baxendale. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and can be heard on the Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network starting at 6:50 p.m. with the Beau Rivage Biloxi Shuckers Pregame Show. Fans can listen to the game on WGCM 1240 AM, 100.9 FM and the TuneIn Radio App. The game is also available on MiLB.tv

[jokin]

 

Polanco... Terry Ryan told Patrick Reusse recently that Polanco would play all over the infield and maybe even some in the outfield in Rochester. He said Tovar will be the main shortstop. I think they've acknowledged that Polanco probably isn't a full-time shortstop.

 

Burdi... that one's been talked about quite a bit. They shut him down in spring training for two weeks because he had some tightness in his forearm. He is throwing again. There doesn't seem to be a lot of concern about it, and yet, when someone throws that hard, it's definitely not natural.

 

Palka... I was surprised too, and yet, they have good depth. Maloney batted third. Of that group, he was the hitter that jumped out most to me in the 7-8 days that I was there. But my suspicion is that they're going to rotate 4-5 guys between 4 positions (DH, LF, RF, 1B)... Palka will play most days.

 

Fernandez ... he throws 96. They didn't sign him just to sign him. He's definitely intriguing. I'm surprised he's started way down in Ft. Myers though based on his time on 40 man rosters. Spent all of last year in AA. Guys become available as 6-year minor leaguers for a reason.

 

That was Blyleven that said USC was Southern California, even though a few sentences later when they were reading his bio, it said he was from South Carolina. Unfortunately, but is what it is. He can play outfield defense. Very good speed, but gets good reads and has great closing speed. Fourth OF is the possibility because he hasn't hit much to this point. He's not a big guy, but he's built pretty strong, so I think he can hit more than he has. 

 

Those two are certainly hitters. No doubt about that. 

 

Thanks, Seth.

 

I watched a lot of ST ball and I mis-remembered on Tanner's alma mater gaffe, but being that it was Bert- it makes sense now... still surprising that Dick didn't correct him right away.

 

Sorry to see Ryan giving up on Polanco at SS- that diminishes his value somewhat as trade bait if the Twins are in a position for a major league upgrade in July. There now might be no position for him if Escobar and Danny Santana have strong seasons.

[Mike Sixel]

My favorite thing to read in the mornings! thanks in advance to all the writers. 

[Vanimal46]

Thanks for the updates Seth and others. I see Pat Dean's next in the rotation for Rochester. Berrios is Rochester's #3 in the rotation? 

[Seth Stohs]

 

You listed DJ Baxendale as starting the season on the DL for Chattanooga.
The article from last night's game on the Lookouts website lists him as tonight's starting pitcher ?!?!?!?

 

Which is why I put it as TBD... He was placed on the DL, according ot the league website, so I don't know what will happen. Maybe there was some mistake and he'll start. We shall see.

[Seth Stohs]

 

The two clubs go back at it on Friday night, with the Shuckers looking to take a two-game lead in the five-game series to open the 2016 campaign. RHP Javi Salas will make his Biloxi debut and face off against Chattanooga's D.J. Baxendale. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and can be heard on the Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network starting at 6:50 p.m. with the Beau Rivage Biloxi Shuckers Pregame Show. Fans can listen to the game on WGCM 1240 AM, 100.9 FM and the TuneIn Radio App. The game is also available on MiLB.tv

 

Javi Salas was the Twins 38th round pick in 2013 out of Miami. He went back for his senior season and was drafted in the 10th round by the Brewers the following year. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Thanks for the updates Seth and others. I see Pat Dean's next in the rotation for Rochester. Berrios is Rochester's #3 in the rotation? 

 

Yup, he's scheduled to start their home opener. 

 

Also, separating Duffey and Berrios with a lefty in between just makes sense. 

[FormerMinnasotan]

While it is a little dishearting to see Stephen Gonsalves struggle in the first inning of last nights game, it was good to see him pitch 5 scoreless innings after that, plus his 6 K's and 0 walks in 6 innings has to be a promising sign.

Edited April 8, 2016 by FormerMinnasotan

[jokin]

 

While it is a little dishearting to see Stephen Gonsalves struggle in the first inning of last nights game, it was good to see him pitch 5 scoreless innings after that, plus his 6 K's and 0 walks in 6 innings has to be a promising sign.

 

Yup, that's the proper take. He didn't let the poor start get him too rattled- the only thing he needs to show is improved command & control at the High A level- there's nothing else blocking him from a quick bump up to AA.  Success there and he'll be knocking on the major league door.  Great pick by Ryan- would love to see him challenging for a rotation spot by mid-2017.

[Seth Stohs]

Note - Despite milb.com saying yesterday Baxendale was placed on the DL, I just heard from someone who would know that he was not, and that he is pitching tonight (which is also what milb.com says). 

[Seth Stohs]

 

While it is a little dishearting to see Stephen Gonsalves struggle in the first inning of last nights game, it was good to see him pitch 5 scoreless innings after that, plus his 6 K's and 0 walks in 6 innings has to be a promising sign.

 

I chatted with Stephen for awhile this morning. They went into the first inning with the plan of being aggressive. Problem was, so were the hitters. The two singles were seeing-eye singles through the infield. He said  that the home run was just a really bad location on 1-2. 

 

Gonsalves is very smart, knows how to pitch and has good stuff... He's also accountable. 

 

Overall though, he should be real happy with his first outing.

[DJL44]

Good to let the home crowd in Rochester see Berrios. I have a feeling they won't see him much longer.

[Han Joelo]

Berrios' spot in Rochester's rotation coincides nicely with the back of Minnesota's...

[roger]

Thanks to Seth and everyone for what should be another exciting year down on the farm.  Don't know a lot of these kids at Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers as well as some of the older prospects we have all gotten to know well.  Looking forward to hearing about them daily guys, thanks!

[Seth Stohs]

 

Thanks to Seth and everyone for what should be another exciting year down on the farm.  Don't know a lot of these kids at Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers as well as some of the older prospects we have all gotten to know well.  Looking forward to hearing about them daily guys, thanks!

 

Definitely not as many hitting prospects as in upper levels, but plenty worth watching. Thanks Roger! Hope you're well!