Article: Twins Minor League Report (4/15): Meyer Dominant In First Start

[Seth Stohs]

Yes, this is the Twins Minor League Report but I think today we can start with a Major League Update. The Twins Won!!

 

That may be the most important story, but down in Rochester, there was another very good and potentially very important story for the Twins. Right-hander Alex Meyer made his first start with the Miracle in almost a year. Nick Gordon had another big game and helped the Miracle to another win. It was a good night to be a Twins fan and a good night in the Twins system.TRANSACTIONS

 

Fernando Abad left the team to be with his family at his grandmother’s funeral in the Dominican Republic. He was put on the Bereavement List. Ryan O’Rourke will likely be summoned from Rochester before Saturday’s game, assuming he gets to the Twin Cities in time.

 

 

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 2, Buffalo 1

Box Score

 

The story of the night, without question, was the performance of right-hander Alex Meyer. It was just under a year ago that Meyer - who was one of the International League’s top starting pitcher in 2014 - was moved to the bullpen to work on control and command. 2015 was a tough year for the hard-thrower, but when he was sent down from big league spring training the decision was made to give him another shot as a starter. Then weather postponements delayed his first start of the season, but he worked on Saturday in the Red Wings home opener and recorded the save with four shutout innings following Jose Berrios.

 

On Friday night, he made his first start and it went quite well. The right-hander threw 6.1 innings of three-hit, shutout baseball. He struck out eight. Maybe the most important thing is that he walked zero. He also hit 99 mph on the radar gun a few times. He threw 87 pitches and 57 of them were strikes. It’s about as well as anyone could have hoped, and it’s certainly something he can build on. In his next start, he’ll be building upon 10.1 scoreless innings to start the year.

 

He left the game and Ryan O’Rourke ran in to the mound. He threw just one pitch and got the batter to fly out to left field. Loek Van Mil came on to get the final out of the seventh inning. Van Mil gave up a hit to start the eighth inning, and JR Graham came in to replace him. Graham allowed the runner to score on a double but buckled down and got out of the inning with a 2-1 lead. In the ninth, he did not allow a run and recorded his second save.

 

Jorge Polanco was batting third. With two outs in the first inning, Jorge Polanco hit a solo home run to give the Red Wings the lead. Newcomer David Murphy struck out in his first at-bat, but he hit singles off lefty Wade LeBlanc in his next two at-bats. Following one of his singles, John Hicks crushed a double off the wall in left field to advance Murphy to third base. Wilfredo Tovar came up and hit a slow bouncer down the third base line that hit the bag for a single and allowed the second run to score. Tovar was also 2-3 in the game.

 

The Red Wings improved to 4-4 on the season. They’ll send Jose Berrios to the mound on Saturday night in Lehigh Valley where we assume Thrylos will be in attendance and provide us with a report.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 3, Jackson 6

Box Score

 

Aaron Slegers struggled a bit early. The Lookouts fell behind and were unable to quite get back. The lanky right-hander went the first four innings. He gave up two runs on six hits. He walked three and struck out one. Alex Wimmers came on and gave up two runs on three hits over two innings. He struck out two. Mason Melotakis worked his third game and for the third time allowed at least one run. In this game, he gave up a run on four hits. Brandon Peterson came on and gave up one run on one hit and one walk over two innings.

 

The Lookouts scored their first run on a ground out from Zach Granite. In the sixth inning, Dalton Hicks hit his team-leading third home runs of the season. Mitch Garver added his first double.

The Lookouts are now 3-6 on the season. Ryan Eades will make his second start on Saturday.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 6, Daytona 5 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

The Miracle got ahead, then gave back the lead, but they found a way to get a win.

 

Tyler Jay made his second start of the season. He allowed a solo home run in each of the first two innings, but he settled down after that. In total, he went five innings. He gave up two runs on three hits. He walked one and struck out four. 48 of his 73 pitches were strikes.

 

Jay was replaced by Luke Bard who has been unhittable early this season. It wasn’t his best outing. He gave up two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out one. Todd Van Steensel gave up one hit in his scoreless innings. Yorman Landa struck out three in the eighth. He also pitched the ninth inning, looking for the save. Unfortunately, after getting the first two outs, he walked two and gave up a game-tying single before Tanner English threw out a runner at third to end the inning.

 

When the Miracle grabbed the lead again in the 10th, Trevor Hildenberger came on and recorded his third save of the young season. He gave up a single but struck out two in the inning.

 

Nick Gordon led the offense. He went 3-5 with a couple of big hits. His two-run homer in the eighth inning gave the Miracle the lead. He also led off the 10th inning with a double and scored on a double off the bat of Trey Vavra. Earlier in the game, Vavra singled to extend his hitting streak to eight games. It was his first multi-hit game. Tanner English extended his hitting streak to five games. He went 2-5 with his first double of the season. Logan Wade had a big RBI triple. Alex Swim added a double and Edgar Corcino walked twice.

 

The Miracle improved to 6-3 on the season. Keaton Steele goes on Saturday.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 5, Clinton 11

Box Score

 

For the second straight game, Luis Arraez led off the bottom of the Kernels first inning with a home run. It was his second home run of the season and the second home run of the 19-year-old’s professional career. He went 2-4 with a walk in the game. Zander Wiel went 1-3 with two walks. Max Murphy and LaMonte Wade each had a walk and a double.

 

Sam Gibbons got off to a tough start. He gave up five runs in the first inning. He stayed in though and was charged with seven runs (four earned) on 11 hits and a walk in 4.2 innings. He struck out five. Mike Theofanopoulos came on and gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk in 1.2 innings. He struck out two. Kuo Hua Lo pitched well. He threw 2.2 scoreless innings and gave up three hits.

 

Jermaine Palacios committed two more errors and has five on the season already.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Alex Meyer, Rochester Red Wings

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Nick Gordon, Ft. Myers Miracle

 

 

SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester @ Lehigh Valley (5:35 CST) - RHP Jose Berrios

Jackson @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) – RHP Ryan Eades

Ft. Myers @ Daytona (6:05 CST) – RHP Keaton Steele

Clinton @ Cedar Rapids (4:05 CST) – Sam Clay

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

 

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[Pardon My Dinger]

If that's a recent picture, that arm angle is still too low for my liking.

[twinssouth]

Way to go Meyer, on the road, no walks, pitches into the 6th inning, firing on all cylinders. That's great news, he has to feel really good.

[Seth Stohs]

 

If that's a recent picture, that arm angle is still too low for my liking.

 

It's from last night. 

 

And, that may be the case, but it worked last night, so we'll see if that's part of his issue or part of his answer... 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Way to go Meyer, on the road, no walks, pitches into the 6th inning, firing on all cylinders. That's great news, he has to feel really good.

 

Pitched into the 7th. 

[AlwaysinModeration]

I'm still amazed that there was a purported 3-2 vote split on Meyer starting / relieving this year, with Molitor being one of the "bullpen" votes. If that vote had gone the other way and they had put him in the bullpen to start the season (**cough May**), the possibilities presented by the outing last night would have been completely missed, likely for months, if not all year.

 

It was just one start, I get it. But the TD community had really written Meyer off after last year, which I thought was unjustified. Players have bad years. Hopefully Meyer will build on this start and get a chance to crack the Twins rotation this year.

[Old Twins Cap]

I was going to say, "Did the Twins revamp his delivery or something?"  Any news of changes in his repetoire? 

 

What happened?  Twins look loaded with young arms in upper minors.  If their young hitters ever come around, they could be a perennial contender, for a few years.

 

 

[Deduno Abides]

Polanco and Gordon homer on the same night!!?

[jokin]

 

I'm still amazed that there was a purported 3-2 vote split on Meyer starting / relieving this year, with Molitor being one of the "bullpen" votes. If that vote had gone the other way and they had put him in the bullpen to start the season (**cough May**), the possibilities presented by the outing last night would have been completely missed, likely for months, if not all year.

It was just one start, I get it. But the TD community had really written Meyer off after last year, which I thought was unjustified. Players have bad years. Hopefully Meyer will build on this start and get a chance to crack the Twins rotation this year.

 

Not all of us. I had a chance to see him in 2014 in a dominant performance against Louisville in August... and like many more of us... were wondering how it was possible that an inept major league pitching staff wouldn't have benefited from Meyer's presence- even Gardy had made comments, starting in spring training that year. that he would have preferred giving Meyer a major league look-see over some of the dregs that threw that season.

[RedBull34]

Meyer dominating, Gordon showing some power (2 XBH's!), Tyler Jay only allowing three hits (albeit with a Hughes like line).  Kohl dominating yesterday.  Not a bad sign from the big prospects.  Now only if Buxton and Sano can get it together!

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm still amazed that there was a purported 3-2 vote split on Meyer starting / relieving this year, with Molitor being one of the "bullpen" votes. If that vote had gone the other way and they had put him in the bullpen to start the season (**cough May**), the possibilities presented by the outing last night would have been completely missed, likely for months, if not all year.

It was just one start, I get it. But the TD community had really written Meyer off after last year, which I thought was unjustified. Players have bad years. Hopefully Meyer will build on this start and get a chance to crack the Twins rotation this year.

 

More important, a couple of people, decision makers in the front office choose to say that they think he can get back to 2014 form. Whether that means he starts for the Twins or works out of the bullpen, letting him start in AAA is a good decision.

[Dman]

I was one of the posters to write Meyer off last year.  He seemed such a mess I didn't see him ever getting things back together.  I mean even from the bullpen he couldn't seem to miss bats or find the plate.  He looked done to me even though the stats guys on here said things didn't look quite as bad as they appeared it was tough to watch him last year.

 

These past two outings are encouraging and I never thought I would ever in my lifetime see a game where Alex had zero walks.  He typically has to give up at least three free passes a game if not more.  My mind can't fathom the Zero walks and no runs allowed from Meyer.  Hope he keeps it up.  

 

Looks like Alex wants first crack at a Major league spot right now.  If he has those demons behind him look out.

[Jham]

 

If that's a recent picture, that arm angle is still too low for my liking.

Of course, the lefty HOF, WS MVP who shall remain nameless that Meyer is oft compared to had a devastating 3/4 delivery.  He seemed to lose arm angle and movement after the shoulder, likely dropping down to protect the shoulder.  This was blamed for struggle.  But he went over-the-top and the results were worse.  The bigger story to me, was an apparent loss of velocity and likely spin.  Flat sliders and straight 94 gets hit.  If he's hitting 99 on the gun, and not walking guys, I'll take my chances whatever the arm slot.  In fact, I think much of RJ's success was releasing heat basically straight at a lefty's face.  Most of the time the ball angles over the plate, often low and away, but if he's coming inside, well you saw John Kruk.

[Arak30s]

Finally Twins win ...Braves win...all MLB teams have finally won a game. Meyer pitches well for AAA. Nice to see Nunez get in and help motivate the team with 3 for 3 and a hit by pitch.Positives at last.

A lot of negativity from bloggers. Over the years people could not wait for the arrival of the youth Sano, Rosario, Buxton and a multitude of pitchers. Now they are there and they are not hitting. The bats are not working. They are losing self confidence as they are playing positions they have not been groomed for.

 I blame the organization. These prospects had to move up each year through the organization based on there offence seldom on their defense. They never became skilled at a particular position. There are many players who are now in AAA and MLB who do not play a position well but there bat is needed. The Twins already have a problem with players who can only play DH or first and they are still learning new positions. Many of these players are running out of options.

Are they going to do the same thing to the next generation of players who are doing well in Fort Myers and Cedar Rapid???

[James Richter]

4 more like that please, Meyer! Consistency is key...

[Deduno Abides]

Is ABW2 injured? He's played only 3 of 8 games, while ABs are going to Murphy and other older non-roster players?

[nater79a]

 

4 more like that please, Meyer! Consistency is key...

 

Consistency is the key, yes.  I'm hoping that Stu Cliburn helped make some mechanical changes so that this outing doesn't turn out to be a one-time fluke. Guess we'll find out in his subsequent turns in the rotation. Really good sign though.

[jokin]

 

Is ABW2 injured? He's played only 3 of 8 games, while ABs are going to Murphy and other older non-roster players?

 

Is ABW2 injured? He's played only 3 of 8 games, while ABs are going to Murphy and other older non-roster players?

 

Yes

[Bill Tanner]

 

It's from last night. 

 

And, that may be the case, but it worked last night, so we'll see if that's part of his issue or part of his answer... 

The photo was not from last night's game.  Red Wings were wearing their black road jerseys last night.  

 

Here is an MiLB article about Meyers' performance, with video of his 8th strikeout pitch.  Looks to me that his arm angle is higher than the older photo.  http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20160415&content_id=172558268&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb&sid=milb

[nater79a]

Jermaine Polacios.  Love his stick, but man...his glove is turning into Jorge Polanco right before our eyes.  He had a .960 fielding percentage in the GCL last year at SS and then it dropped to around .890 when was promoted to E-Town. Now at Cedar Rapids it's dropped another 10 to .880.

 

Anyone know whether his defensive issues are fielding the ball or throwing? If fielding, are the infields in the GCL in more of a pristine condition than in the Appy League or Midwest League?  Not making excuses for him, just trying to come up with a reason why his defense has faltered.

 

 

[Trov]

I know small sample size but looks like Gordon is building off of what he did second half of last year, and finally building the strength the scouting reports said he needed to build and expected him to build.  Maybe his brother gave him some tips after winning the batting title last year.

[DocBauer]

I was very happy to see the decision to keep Meyer in the rotation. Could he still ultimately end up in the pen? Sure. And he could do great things like other power arms before him. But that is way too big of an arm, way too much potential to move him after one down year.

 

It would be an awesome problem to have if Duffey would get back on track, and by mid season we would have a log jam of he, Berrios and Meyer pounding on promotion's door, threatening to kick it in.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Is ABW2 injured? He's played only 3 of 8 games, while ABs are going to Murphy and other older non-roster players?

 

Yup, he's had an oblique strain for 4-5 days. Hasn't played.

 

Murphy is also getting a few at bats before joining the big league team. He's not there to play AAA. He's there to get himself ready for MLB. 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Jermaine Polacios.  Love his stick, but man...his glove is turning into Jorge Polanco right before our eyes.  He had a .960 fielding percentage in the GCL last year at SS and then it dropped to around .890 when was promoted to E-Town. Now at Cedar Rapids it's dropped another 10 to .880.

 

Anyone know whether his defensive issues are fielding the ball or throwing? If fielding, are the infields in the GCL in more of a pristine condition than in the Appy League or Midwest League?  Not making excuses for him, just trying to come up with a reason why his defense has faltered.

 

He was really bad at SS last year too. He's young. I actually thought he looked alright there this spring. The errors are obviously not ideal (neither is his sub-.200 average). We're not worried about the bat yet, so let's not jump overboard on the glove either.

 

Sounds like an excuse, but guys from Latin America and from the southern half of hte US have never experienced weather like there was. It is an excuse, but it's also a legit thing. Have to adjust to so many things. At least a couple were throws. 

 

Also, the conditions of the GCL Twins field are pristine... Etown field known for being bad. Cedar Rapids has a very good grounds crew. The best field they'll play on is Hammond Stadium though.