Article: Twins Minor League Report (4/19): Gonsalves Keeps Rolling

[Cody Christie]

There were multiple streaks to keep an eye on during Tuesday's action in the Twins farm system. Stephen Gonsalves entered his start tonight with a streak of 11 straight scoreless innings. LaMonte Wade entered play today with a 12-game hit streak, the longest currently active streak in affiliated baseball.

 

Would either of these streaks continue? You'll have to read on to find out.RED WINGS REPORT

 

 

Rochester 4, Pawtucket 9

 

Box Score

 

Pat Dean and Loek van Mil ran into some tough times on the mound on Tuesday night. Dean earned his third loss after allowing four earned runs over five frames. He struck out four and walked two. Van Mil didn't do much better in relief as he gave up four runs in 1.2 innings with a strikeout. Dan Runzler and Buddy Boshers put zeros up the rest of the way but the Wings were in a deep hole.

 

As a team, Rochester was held to four hits but three of the four hits were for extra-bases. David Murphy hit his first home run since signing with the Twins. James Beresford and Kennys Vargas both collected their second double of the season. Wilfredo Tovar doubled his stolen base total on the year by swiping second twice in the game. The team was 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left five runners on base.

 

 

With the loss, the Red Wings drop to 4-8 on the season as the team has lost six of their last eight games. They are currently in last place in the International League North and trail the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders by four games.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

 

Chattanooga 4, Mississippi 7

 

Box Score

 

David Hurlbut started for the Lookouts and he couldn't make it out of the fourth inning. In 3.1 innings, he allowed four earned runs on nine hits with three strikeouts. Corey Williams took over for Hurlbut and allowed one run, a solo home run, across two innings with three strikeouts. Marcus Walden and Jake Reed finished off the last 2.2 innings by allowing one run, a home run given up by Reed.

 

Joe Maloney and Levi Michael each went 1-for-3 with a run scored, an RBI, and a walk. Leonardo Reginatto had the team's lone extra-base hit, his third double of the season. Shannon Wilkerson reached base three times but also struck out twice. The team left nine men on base and went 4-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

 

The loss drops Chattanooga to 4-9 on the season as the team has lost four of their last five games. They are currently in last place in the Southern League North and sit 4.5 games behind the Jackson Generals. These two teams will square off again tomorrow in game four of a five game series.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

 

Ft. Myers 2, Jupiter 1

 

Box Score

 

Stephen Gonsalves has been on quite the roll to start the season. He gave up three runs in his first inning this season and he entered the night with 11 straight scoreless frames. He carried that streak into the fifth inning tonight before allowing a leadoff home run. Gonsalves wouldn't factor into the decision but he made it through seven innings by allowing the one earned run with eight strikeouts and a walk. Trevor Hildenberger earned his first victory of the year as he pitched two scoreless innings to close out the contest.

 

Alex Swim was the lone Miracle batter with multiple hits as he finished the night 2-for-4 before being pulled for a pinch runner in the late innings. Tanner English walked to start the bottom of the sixth inning and followed this up by stealing second. Swim grounded out to advance him to third and Nick Gordon drove him in with another ground out. English was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the eighth and this was followed by a Swim single. One batter later, Trey Vavra walked to load the bases for Chris Paul who used a sacrifice fly to score the winning run.

 

With the victory, the Miracle have won six of their last eight games. Their six-game homestand continues tomorrow with the second game of their series with Jupiter. Former first-round pick Kohl Stewart is scheduled to take the mound.

 

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

 

Cedar Rapids 1, Burlington 5

 

Box Score

 

The Kernels struggled to get any offense going against Bee's starter Jamie Barria as he took a perfect game into the fifth inning. However, the Kernels were right in the game behind a solid start from Randy LeBlanc. He lasted a career-high seven innings and limited the Bees to two runs (one earned) on four hits with four strikeouts and no walks. Logan Lombana allowed three earned runs in his one inning on the mound to allow the Bees to add to their late inning lead.

 

 

Seven of the nine batters in the Kernels line-up had a hit but the team only had four at-bats with runners in scoring position. Rafael Valera cracked his fourth double of the season as he drove in the team's lone run. In the seventh inning, J.J. Fernandez tried to score from first on a double from Jermaine Palacios but he was gunned down at the plate and the Kernels were out of scoring opportunities.

 

 

LaMonte Wade's 12-game hit streak was snapped with an 0-for-4 day. The Kernels and the Bees are tied at 1-1 in this three game series with the rubber match scheduled for Wednesday evening.

 

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day- Stephen Gonsalves, Fort Myers Miracle

 

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day- Alex Swim, Fort Myers Miracle

 

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY'S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester vs. Pawtucket (12:35 CST)- RHP Alex Meyer (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

 

Chattanooga @ Mississippi (10:35 am CST)- RHP Aaron Slegers (0-1, 3.60 ERA)

 

Fort Myers vs. Jupiter (6:05 CST)- RHP Kohl Stewart (1-0, 1.50 ERA)

 

Cedar Rapids @ Burlington (6:30 CST)- RHP Andro Cutura (2-0, 2.45 ERA)

 

 

 

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

 

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[jsteve96]

sad  day for the hitting in the minors at least we have Gonsalves

[AlwaysinModeration]

"David Murphy hit his first home runs since signing with the Twins."

 

One wonders, exactly how many did he hit?

[clutterheart]

Any idea why Mientkiewicz would have Michael bat 9th?  The offensive talent on that team is shaky and if Michael has proven one thing, he can take get on base and hit for a little power.  

9th seems odd for a like Michael.  

[Seth Stohs]

 

sad  day for the hitting in the minors at least we have Gonsalves

 

There are not a ton of hitting prospects in the system right now. Most of them are with the Twins at this point.  

[Dman]

Well at least we have the fabulous five in High A to keep an eye on this year.  Given how the guys in double A have been pitching they should move one or two of the fabulous five up there. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Well at least we have the fabulous five in High A to keep an eye on this year.  Given how the guys in double A have been pitching they should move one or two of the fabulous five up there. 

 

I think one or two of them will get up there about midseason. Sure, a  couple of the FM pitchers may be better than a couple of the Chattanooga starters, but more important than just getting them there is making sure they're ready when the get there. 

[DocBauer]

The entire milb segment is pretty much the sports hilight of my day, but Meyer, Berrios, Duffey, Gonsalves and Stewart are absolute "page turners" at this point

[Seth Stohs]

 

The entire milb segment is pretty much the sports hilight of my day, but Meyer, Berrios, Duffey, Gonsalves and Stewart are absolute "page turners" at this point

 

I would agree with this... They are certainly all guys that need to be followed along with Tyler Jay and Felix Jorge... 

[FormerMinnasotan]

I wonder what Stewart is going to do tonight, you know he's got to keep pace with Gonsalves. But IMO both Gonsalves and Stewart better be in Chattanooga by around the middle of the season. Now I am curious, Gonsalves had a fine season in Ft Meyers last year (7-2 2.61 ERA), is his higher K rate and lower walk rate a sign that he has improved that much from last year or is it more that he has had experience in A+ ball?

[Dman]

 

I think one or two of them will get up there about midseason. Sure, a  couple of the FM pitchers may be better than a couple of the Chattanooga starters, but more important than just getting them there is making sure they're ready when the get there. 

 

Yeah that HIgh A to Double A jump does seem to be a tough for pitchers.  Probably best to make sure they have their pitches as refined as possible.  It is early but they all seem to have been dominant so far this season.  Can't wait to see them move up and see if they are for real or not.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Yeah that HIgh A to Double A jump does seem to be a tough for pitchers.  Probably best to make sure they have their pitches as refined as possible.  It is early but they all seem to have been dominant so far this season.  Can't wait to see them move up and see if they are for real or not.

 

I agree... I do think that is the biggest jump in terms of whether a guy is a prospect or a suspect of the levels below it. 

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

Meyer has another great outing today. 7 innings and 7 k's, 2 bb's, 5 hits, and 2 er, 98 pitches.

 

WHIP is stil under 1 and era pretty much right at 1. Getting a lot of ground all outs too. He has to be the next man up at this point I would think? 

 

I wonder if this success has the FO wanting to continue in the rotation or if the plan is to move him back to the bp when they call him up? There is bound to be a SP go down with an injury at some point soon, but Fien can't stick around too much longer either. 

 

Who gets the first, second, and third call between Meyer, Duffey, and Berrios...IF...they all continue to show good to moderate success if a spot opens up? I will say Twins go Duffey, Meyer, Berrios for some gut feeling.

[FormerMinnasotan]

Meyer has another great outing today. 7 innings and 7 k's, 2 bb's, 5 hits, and 2 er, 98 pitches.

 

WHIP is stil under 1 and era pretty much right at 1. Getting a lot of ground all outs too. He has to be the next man up at this point I would think?

 

I wonder if this success has the FO wanting to continue in the rotation or if the plan is to move him back to the bp when they call him up? There is bound to be a SP go down with an injury at some point soon, but Fien can't stick around too much longer either.

 

Who gets the first, second, and third call between Meyer, Duffey, and Berrios...IF...they all continue to show good to moderate success if a spot opens up? I will say Twins go Duffey, Meyer, Berrios for some gut feeling.

IMO if Meyer keeps this up as a starter in Rochester I think the Twins still might consider him a starter at the big league club. His arsonal of pitches is too good to keep him in the bullpen (if he's on he's better than Duffey and around the same level as Berrios). I still think Duffey gets called up first, but at the same time if Meyer dominates and shows even good control how could he not be called up even before Duffey (again this hinges on his control). Only maybe sad thing to come of it is Jose Berrios debut might be delayed longer than Twins fans hope.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

 

IMO if Meyer keeps this up as a starter in Rochester I think the Twins still might consider him a starter at the big league club. His arsonal of pitches is too good to keep him in the bullpen (if he's on he's better than Duffey and around the same level as Berrios). I still think Duffey gets called up first, but at the same time if Meyer dominates and shows even good control how could he not be called up even before Duffey (again this hinges on his control). Only maybe sad thing to come of it is Jose Berrios debut might be delayed longer than Twins fans hope.

If it's a spot in the pen that opens up I think Meyer takes it. If a spot in the rotation opens up I think it is between Duffey and Meyer, depending at what point it is in the season. I think the Twins will be hesitant to have Meyer pitch in the rotation at the the big leagues due to wanting him to have sustained rotation success at AAA for both confidence and refinement. With continued success a month or two in, I think the nod then goes to Meyer due to more upside. 

 

I think the Twins would love to keep Berrios down as long as they can.

[FormerMinnasotan]

I agree with your assessement. In a way over all I can still see the Twins want Meyer to be a starter rather than a reliever. As far as their approach with Berrios I agree this is what the Twins want, but to keep Berrios in AAA for most of the season will do Berrios next to no good as he NEEDS to learn how to pitch to MLB talent. AAA is filled with failed major leaguers (especially as the season goes by) and to have a protential near to top of the rotation starter doing nothing than pad his stats at AAA does nothing for his over all development. Then again so far Berrios hasn't wowed anyone yet.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

 

I agree with your assessement. In a way over all I can still see the Twins want Meyer to be a starter rather than a reliever. As far as their approach with Berrios I agree this is what the Twins want, but to keep Berrios in AAA for most of the season will do Berrios next to no good as he NEEDS to learn how to pitch to MLB talent. AAA is filled with failed major leaguers (especially as the season goes by) and to have a protential near to top of the rotation starter doing nothing than pad his stats at AAA does nothing for his over all development. Then again so far Berrios hasn't wowed anyone yet.

 

 

I think in an ideal situation would be for Meyer to continue to pitch very well as SP, and replace the weakest link in the MLB rotation sometime after his super-2 date, then Duffey to replace the next weakest link in the mlb rotation or BP, then for Berrios to come up after super-2 lapses and pitch mostly out of bp to limit innings, but to stretch back out and start the last month of the season. 

 

This would all be due to factoring in age, clocks, history, need, injuries/protection, and future upside to our club. 

 

I am sure it will go nothing like this though, and of course this all would be based off Meyer pithing the way he currently is, with Berrios and Duffey pitching how they did last year. Odds are one or two fall off or get hurt. That is just the reality of pitching these days.

 

 

[DocBauer]

IMO if Meyer keeps this up as a starter in Rochester I think the Twins still might consider him a starter at the big league club. His arsonal of pitches is too good to keep him in the bullpen (if he's on he's better than Duffey and around the same level as Berrios). I still think Duffey gets called up first, but at the same time if Meyer dominates and shows even good control how could he not be called up even before Duffey (again this hinges on his control). Only maybe sad thing to come of it is Jose Berrios debut might be delayed longer than Twins fans hope.

 

I think I would agree with you here. After a rough season last year, I could easily see the Twins being in a "prove it over some time so we KNOW you are ready" and not just having a couple good games. But really, don't the Twins have to be absolutely giddy at this time to see the rebound Meyer has made?

 

As to Meyer's part in this, he needs to just keep focusing on what he's doing and not get caught up in any promotion thoughts, or despair if someone like Duffey were to go up before him. After all, Duffey was up ,at season, and did have real success. Meyer just needs to keep marching out there, be himself, and keep grinding. The opportunity will come.

[DocBauer]

I would agree with this... They are certainly all guys that need to be followed along with Tyler Jay and Felix Jorge...

 

Absolutely. Both very intriguing talents, though further away.

 

Seth, I had a post recently concerning the Twins actually being sellers at some point this season, winning record or not, possible contention or not, as I felt guys like Nolasco, (only 1 year left on his deal and pitching healthy now it appears), and Milone could be dealt to make room for a Duffey return, and promotion for Berrios and Meyer, assuming he keeps it up. (Hughes and Santana would probably prove much harder to move with longer term deals).

 

My arguement being that the Twins, FO on down, would feel the need and pressure, for long term success, if not short term, to make such moves even if the Twins are not, and supposedly have never been, in actual "rebuild" mode. I'd be very curious on your take on this.

[jsteve96]

 

I would agree with this... They are certainly all guys that need to be followed along with Tyler Jay and Felix Jorge... 

hey seth dont forget Rosario!