Article: Twins Minor League Report (4/10): Gordon Shows Off Power In Miracle Loss

[Steve Lein]

Ricky Nolasco was on the mound for the Twins on Sunday afternoon and gave them arguably his best start in a Minnesota uniform, going seven innings and allowing just one run against the defending World Champions. Unfortunately for the visiting team, those pesky Royals wouldn’t go down without a fight.

 

Glen Perkins blew his first save opportunity of the 2016 season and in extra innings an errant pickoff throw and wild pitch from Trevor May brought home the winning run. The Twins head north for their home opener tomorrow against the Chicago White Sox and will send Kyle Gibson to the mound, still looking for their first win of 2016.

 

In the minors on Sunday afternoon all four Twins affiliates were in action. Rochester got standout pitching performances from one current top pitching prospect and one (relatively) former one in a victory, Chattanooga and Fort Myers held late leads but fared much like the Twins in the final scores, and Cedar Rapids looked to remain undefeated on the young season.

 

To find out how it all went down, keep reading!RED WINGS REPORT

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 1, Rochester 4

Box Score

 

Jose Berrios took the mound for the Red Wings in their home opener at Frontier Field for his first start of the 2016 season. He was opposed as a starter by old friend Anthony Swarzak for the RailRiders. Berrios was effectively wild as he finished five innings and picked up the win, allowing one run on three hits, four walks and two hit batters while striking out nine. He threw 90 pitches with 53 going for strikes.

 

The one run allowed came in the second inning after a leadoff single was followed by a double for an early 1-0 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lead. Berrios then issued his first walk of the game to another old friend, Chris Parmelee, before getting a strikeout and two fly outs around another walk to escape with limited damage. Berrios would strike out two in the third, three more in the fourth, and two in the fifth around a few more walks before his day was done.

 

Rochester took the lead for good in the third inning after loading the bases with nobody out. Buck Britton delivered a two-run single and Jorge Polanco followed with a run-scoring single of his own to make it 3-1.

 

They added an insurance run in the sixth inning as Wilfredo Tovar singled in Adam Brett Walker, who led off the inning with a single of his own.

 

The Red Wings wound up not needing that run though as Alex Meyer came on in relief of Berrios and finished the game’s final four innings picking up the rare three-plus inning save in the process. He allowed three hits, walked two, and struck out four including the final hitter of the game for the home opener exclamation point.

 

Walker led the offense on the day going 3-4 with a run scored and a double out of the sixth spot in the lineup. Tovar was 2-3 with a run scored and the RBI.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 5, Biloxi 8

Box Score

 

Down 2-1 going into the seventh inning, Chattanooga took the lead after a bases- clearing double off the bat of Danial Palka to make the score 5-2. An errant throw from the shortstop on the play ended up in the Lookouts dugout, sending Palka across the plate for the fourth run on the play.

 

Left-handed reliever Mike Strong, who was in the running for the final bullpen spot on the Twins in spring training, came on to protect a two-run lead in the bottom of the eighth, but was greeted by back-to-back-to-back doubles that tied the game at five. He was able to get two outs after that before a walk and a single to make the score 6-5 ended his day. Brandon Peterson came on for the final out, but a double brought in the two inherited runners before he got out of the inning.

 

Aaron Slegers made the start for Chattanooga and put in a quality effort. In six innings, he allowed two-earned runs on six hits and three walks, with three strikeouts. The two runs allowed came in the second inning after two doubles and two singles from four straight batters. Slegers’ line was helped by inducing double plays in each of his innings except the first, for a total of five on the day.

 

The Lookouts offense got multiple-hit efforts form Zach Granite (3-5, R), Palka (2-5, R, 2B, 3 RBI), Travis Harrison (2-2, R, 2B, HR, RBI, 2 BB’s), and Engelb Vielma (2-4, R).

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 3, Bradenton 4 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

The Miracle took the early lead in the first inning after Tanner English led off the game with a single and later scored on a single from Alex Real. English was moved into scoring position on a double by Nick Gordon.

 

They went up 2-0 in the fifth inning behind the bats of the same players. Gordon smacked his second double of the game to start the frame, and scored on a Real sac fly. Unfortunately they also ended the inning with the bases loaded, unable to do any more damage.

 

Right-hander Keaton Steele was on the mound for Fort Myers in his first start of the 2016 season and was fantastic through the first five innings. He retired the first eight hitters of the game before issuing a walk, and went 1-2-3 in each of the first, second and fifth innings. It was the sixth inning before the Marauders were able to muster any threats, and it came after Steele had retired the first two hitters of that inning. A single and double made the score 2-1 and Steele was lifted for Raul Fernandez who struck out the final hitter of the inning to keep the lead intact.

 

Fort Myers went up 3-1 in the top of the seventh after a one-out bases-loaded walk to Chad Christensen, but a double-play ball ended their efforts. Fernandez remained in the game and allowed one run in the bottom half to make the score 3-2 heading into the eighth.

 

The score remained 3-2 despite opportunities for the Miracle in each of their eighth and ninth inning at-bats, and the failure to capitalize again would come back to haunt them.

 

Trevor Hildenberger was brought on for the save opportunity in the ninth, but a relay throw from Gordon into third on a triple sailed past the third baseman allowing the tying run to score and sent the game to extra innings.

 

Hildenberger stayed in the game for the 10^th, but another error from his defense put the game-winning run in scoring position and Bradenton did not fail with the opportunity they were handed. A single off the bat of Connor Joe brought home the come-from-behind,walk-off winner for the Marauders and evened each team’s record in the Florida State League at 2-2.

 

Steele finished 5.2 innings in the game, allowing one earned run on two hits and two walks, while striking out two. Yorman Landa pitched a scoreless inning of relief, allowing one hit and striking out two. The blown save and loss were Hildenberger’s first of each on the year.

 

The Miracle offense got a standout game from top prospect Nick Gordon, who finished 4-6 with a run scored and three doubles. Real was 3-3 with 2 RBI and a walk. Ryan Walker also added two hits to the effort.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 3, Quad City 2

Box Score

 

Like their high-A brothers, Cedar Rapids went into the tenth inning on Sunday afternoon after blowing a late lead, and needed some heroics to remain undefeated on the season.

 

The Kernels got a strong start from Sam Clay who finished six innings. He allowed one unearned run on five hits and two walks. He struck out seven including the side in the first inning.

 

Cedar Rapids took the lead 1-0 in the top of the sixth when Rafael Valera led off the frame with a double. He scored on a single from Max Murphy.

 

An error on a pick-off throw from Clay allowed the unearned run to score in the bottom half of the sixth and the game remained tied until the ninth as C.K. Irby pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts of his own.

 

Two errors by the River Bandits defense brought in the go-ahead run for the Kernels in the top-half and Nick Anderson was summoned from the bullpen for the save opportunity. He was greeted by a triple that all but guaranteed free baseball. A batter later that guarantee was cashed in with a game-tying single. Anderson escaped with the game tied after a ground ball and two fly outs.

 

In the top of the tenth, a Lamonte Wade walk and a Murphy hit-by-pitch put the go-ahead run in scoring position, and Chris Paul knocked it in with a two-out single to center field.

 

Anderson stayed in the game looking to pick up the win, and after allowing two singles to start the inning got a double play ball for the first two outs and struck out the final batter with the tying run on third to preserve the zero in the loss column.

 

Paul went 4-5 on the day with a run scored and an RBI, and Wade added two hits and two walks, including a triple to pace the Kernels offense.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Pitcher of the Day – Jose Berrios, Rochester Red Wings (W, 5.0IP, 3 H’s, 1 ER, 4 BB’s, 9 K’s)

Hitter of the Day – Nick Gordon, Fort Myers Miracle (4-6, R, 3 2B’s)

 

MONDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Lehigh Valley @ Rochester (5:35PM CST) – LHP Logan Darnell (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Chattanooga @ Biloxi (6:40PM CST) – RHP Ryan Eades (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Brevard County @ Fort Myers (6:05PM CST) – LHP Randy Rosario (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Cedar Rapids @ Kane County (6:30 PM CST) – RHP Dereck Rodriguez (0-0, -.-- ERA)

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Sunday’s games.

 

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[brvama]

Thanks again Seth for these summaries. These write-ups help ease the pain. Won't quibble much, however, I would've tab Sam Clay as the Pitcher for the day.

[jokin]

 

Thanks again Seth for these summaries. These write-ups help ease the pain. Won't quibble much, however, I would've tab Sam Clay as the Pitcher for the day.

 

Let's give Steve some love for today's update!  Very well written article on short notice.

[brvama]

Let's give Steve some love for today's update!  Very well written article on short notice.

Thanks Jokin for setting me straight. Steve, I'm soooooooooooo embarrassed. Yes, it was a very well written article. What makes me so mad is I saw your name before I opened it and still got it wrong. Sorry for the mistake. Please don't tell my wife I'm getting forgetful.

[ExpectMorePayLess]

 

Seth Stohs ‏@SethTweets  Apr 8
Adam Brett Walker had an Adam Brett Walker game in his AAA debut... 1-3, walk, two strikeouts and a long home run.

 

 

This non typical Adam Brett Walker game works too.  Lol

 

Walker led the offense on the day going 3-4 with a run scored and a double out of the sixth spot in the lineup. 

 

 

 

This Rochester line up has a great combination of vets and youngsters, but why is Beresford batting 7th (International League All Star in 2015 / 2nd in IL in batting) and why is Walker still batting in back of line up (@ 6th) after leading organization in run production over the last 4 seasons?  He topped his AFL team in run production in the Fall and hit 7th there too so it must be something.  Mauer was the only coach to bat him in the heart of the order and he dropped K rate to 20%.  I am not making this an ABW thread, but just curious?  No more comments from this threader on topic.  [Agreed - Good stuff Steve]

Edited April 11, 2016 by ExpectMorePayLess

[Seth Stohs]

Yup, gotta give Steve the full credit for this one.

 

I would have probably gone with Keaton Steele and his 1 run in 5.2 innings and 12:1 groundout to flyout rate.

 

Berrios was definitely not on. 4 BB and 2 hit batters, but the 9 strikeouts were certainly impressive, especially in the weather!

[Seth Stohs]

Here are a couple of polls I posted on my twitter account. Feel free to vote:

 

 

 

 

 

[clutterheart]

Anyone know if Gordon's doubles were minor leauge "speed doubles" or were they hard hit balls?

[Nick Nelson]

 

Berrios was definitely not on. 4 BB and 2 hit batters, but the 9 strikeouts were certainly impressive, especially in the weather!

Berrios' command was off all spring, and now in his first turn he issues 4 walks in 5 innings, more than he had in any of his 15 starts at Rochester last year. I don't think we're at a point where we need to worry yet, but it'd be nice to see him start throwing more strikes in a hurry. 

[jokin]

 

Berrios' command was off all spring, and now in his first turn he issues 4 walks in 5 innings, more than he had in any of his 15 starts at Rochester last year. I don't think we're at a point where we need to worry yet, but it'd be nice to see him start throwing more strikes in a hurry. 

 

Not to mention the 2 HBPs, as well.

Edited April 11, 2016 by jokin

[FormerMinnasotan]

Ugh, what is up with Berrios? I get his control was off in spring training but 4 walks in 5 innings is seemingly very concerning for this top prospect with no real issues of control until now. So what's the deal? Just curious, but if Berrios can't start controlling his pitches it will be a while if at all if he makes the big league club and that would be disappointing for sure.

Edited April 11, 2016 by FormerMinnasotan

[Seth Stohs]

 

Anyone know if Gordon's doubles were minor leauge "speed doubles" or were they hard hit balls?

 

I know that at least two of them were crushed over the left fielder's head. He's got serious pop in his bat, and he's strong, and he's going to get stronger. I'm definitely not willing to say he can't be a 20-homer hitter guy yet. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Berrios' command was off all spring, and now in his first turn he issues 4 walks in 5 innings, more than he had in any of his 15 starts at Rochester last year. I don't think we're at a point where we need to worry yet, but it'd be nice to see him start throwing more strikes in a hurry. 

 

He had been a little better late in camp, from what I've heard, but not great command yet. I'm not worried... I heard that the game-time temp was 34 and it got up to 37, so I imagine it's somewhat related. I know we all hoped that he would be up in a couple of weeks but until he gets that command back, patience is wise. The strikeouts are nice, a few of them came in really clutch situations.

[jokin]

 

Ugh, what is up with Berrios? I get his control was off in spring training but 4 walks in 5 innings is seemingly very concerning for this top prospect with no real issues of control until now. So what's the deal? Just curious, but if Berrios can't start controlling his pitches it will be a while if at all if he makes the big league club and that would be disappointing for sure.

 

You can't put much salt to any results in April in Rochester, NY.  The gametime temp was 33.1 degrees, with a windchill temp of 27.2 degrees. Hard to ask for much better from a kid from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, where the average winter low temperature is 72 degrees, and all-time record low temps are in the 60s.

 

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KROC/2016/04/10/DailyHistory.html?req_city=Rochester&req_state=NY&reqdb.zip=14627&reqdb.magic=4&reqdb.wmo=99999

[Mr. Brooks]

What's up with Meyer? I thought the Twins said he'd be starting?

Is this a reaction to what's going on with the big league bullpen?

[jimbo92107]

Thanks for the great reports, Seth.

 

You know, reading about the Twins farm system is a bit like gazing out upon a freshly planted garden of mixed vegetables. Sure, they are just little sprouts now, but someday, with patience and proper nurturing, they will grow to become big, healthy vegetables, bursting with vitamins. 

 

And then we will eat them!

 

Okay, the analogy breaks down a bit towards the end...

[markos]

One thing I've been closely watching is Lamonte Wade's plate discipline. Last year he finished the year with 11 more walks than strikeouts, which is a really strong indicator of future success for later-round draftees. So far this year he is +2. He is a little old for low-A, but one to keep an eye on. 

[roger]

Could most of the questions about Berrios and Meyer be answered by all the cancellations Rochester had this first weekend?  Not pitching for both could be part of the reason Berrios was wild and Meyer was used in 'long' relief.

[Mike Sixel]

 

What's up with Meyer? I thought the Twins said he'd be starting?
Is this a reaction to what's going on with the big league bullpen?

 

He effectively got a minor league start, pitching 4 innings. I'm not thinking this is inconsistent, yet.

[FormerMinnasotan]

You can't put much salt to any results in April in Rochester, NY. The gametime temp was 33.1 degrees, with a windchill temp of 27.2 degrees. Hard to ask for much better from a kid from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, where the average winter low temperature is 72 degrees, and all-time record low temps are in the 60s.

 

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KROC/2016/04/10/DailyHistory.html?req_city=Rochester&req_state=NY&reqdb.zip=14627&reqdb.magic=4&reqdb.wmo=99999

Ok, that does sound reasonable. I guess it seemed concerning to me because Berrios had some issues with control in spring training. I just hope it isn't a mental thing but just that it was so cold. I really hope to see him with the big league club soon. I do like him, and just really hope he has a lot of success this year.

[Steve Lein]

 

Thanks Jokin for setting me straight. Steve, I'm soooooooooooo embarrassed. Yes, it was a very well written article. What makes me so mad is I saw your name before I opened it and still got it wrong. Sorry for the mistake. Please don't tell my wife I'm getting forgetful.

 

Haha, no worries!  All the MiLB writers here do a great job, and we know you guys love it! Thanks for reading!

 

It was definitely the K's for me on the Pitcher of the day pick. It was between Clay and Berrios for me. If it's close on a couple starting pitchers, I try to use the "game score" in the MiLB boxscores as a tie-breaker. Nobody's stood out in comparison so I took the K's. I can't complain if you guys disagree. A lot of pretty good pitching performances yesterday!

[Seth Stohs]

 

What's up with Meyer? I thought the Twins said he'd be starting?
Is this a reaction to what's going on with the big league bullpen?

 

He was scheduled to start on Sunday for the Red Wings, with Berrios starting on Saturday. But when they postponed Saturday's game, they kept Berrios as the Home Opener starter and kept the rest of the rotation on schedule by having Meyer work extended pitches out of the bullpen. It really worked out perfectly.

[Seth Stohs]

 

One thing I've been closely watching is Lamonte Wade's plate discipline. Last year he finished the year with 11 more walks than strikeouts, which is a really strong indicator of future success for later-round draftees. So far this year he is +2. He is a little old for low-A, but one to keep an eye on. 

 

Ah yes, jumping on one of my biggest minor league pet peeves right away. Ha! I HATE when someone who is in their first full season is considered old for the level if they are in the Midwest League. He's 21. He's where he should be.

 

But to your bigger point, he has definitely shown a tremendous approach at the plate, and a willingness to take walks. He also has a lot of pop. As I wrote in a report a few days ago, talking to Mike Radcliff a bit about Wade, they really like him and note that he doesn't have any great, eye-popping tools, but he doesn't have any real weaknesses and they say his character is off the charts.

[Cap'n Piranha]

 

 they say his character is off the charts.

 

Well, then get a bigger chart.

[clutterheart]

 

Ah yes, jumping on one of my biggest minor league pet peeves right away. Ha! I HATE when someone who is in their first full season is considered old for the level if they are in the Midwest League. He's 21. He's where he should be.

 

 

He played 64 games at E-Town last year. It was odd they didn't pushed him up to CR after 30 games or so.  If he did well there, and had a good spring they could've considered having him start at FM.   

 

Its fine he is there, but he is old for Low A baseball and his success needs to be put into that context.

 

(Also hie is 22, not 21)

[jokin]

 

Ok, that does sound reasonable. I guess it seemed concerning to me because Berrios had some issues with control in spring training. I just hope it isn't a mental thing but just that it was so cold. I really hope to see him with the big league club soon. I do like him, and just really hope he has a lot of success this year.

 

I think he's with the Twins by July 31.

[Seth Stohs]

 

He played 64 games at E-Town last year. It was odd they didn't pushed him up to CR after 30 games or so.  If he did well there, and had a good spring they could've considered having him start at FM.   

 

Its fine he is there, but he is old for Low A baseball and his success needs to be put into that context.

 

(Also hie is 22, not 21)

 

My main point is that if we solely go by age and level, then no player who goes to college has a chance to be a prospect. OK, he turned 22 at the beginning of the year. My bad. 

 

How he performs in CR will determine his prospect status more than last year. Consider Max Murphy the year before and how much he dominated in E-Town and then he moved up to CR, and he's back in CR in 2016 after struggling in 2015. 

 

I guess my point is that LaMonte Wade is the prospect he is. There are lots of facets to a prospect ranking and one of them is age-to-level. But it's just one part of it. To me, prospect status is more on the other end of this... Luis Arraez is young for CR, so his prospect status is likely to be based on age much more than a college guy in his first full season of pro ball is. Now, if he is still in CR next year at 23, then I'll worry about it. OK, I won't worry about it even a little bit, but the prospect status will be affected.

[ashbury]

Well, then get a bigger chart.

Approves:

[tobi0040]

 

I think he's with the Twins by July 31.

 

I hope so.  But I am getting out of the prediction business, both of when a guy comes up and what he does when he gets there.  Been drastically wrong on Meyer, Burdi, Buxton, and 2016 Sano.

[Cap'n Piranha]

 

My main point is that if we solely go by age and level, then no player who goes to college has a chance to be a prospect. OK, he turned 22 at the beginning of the year. My bad. 

 

How he performs in CR will determine his prospect status more than last year. Consider Max Murphy the year before and how much he dominated in E-Town and then he moved up to CR, and he's back in CR in 2016 after struggling in 2015. 

 

I guess my point is that LaMonte Wade is the prospect he is. There are lots of facets to a prospect ranking and one of them is age-to-level. But it's just one part of it. To me, prospect status is more on the other end of this... Luis Arraez is young for CR, so his prospect status is likely to be based on age much more than a college guy in his first full season of pro ball is. Now, if he is still in CR next year at 23, then I'll worry about it. OK, I won't worry about it even a little bit, but the prospect status will be affected.

 

Agree.  A 23 year old crushing High A is preferable to a 20 year old that gets demoted to E-Town after being awful in Low A.

 

That being said, age does need to be taken into account in every situation.