Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/2): Wade's World, Anderson Just Saving It

[Jeremy Nygaard]

If you’re just joining us for the first time in a few days, there’s plenty to catch up on. It’s all started at the big league level as the Twins have made numerous changes to their roster. Casey Fien is now a Dodger. Tommy Milone has been outrighted to Rochester. John Ryan Murphy has been optioned to Rochester. Eduardo Escobar was placed on the disabled list. Ryan O’Rourke and J.R. Graham wait in DFA limbo.

 

The Twins have welcomed #oldfriend Darin Mastroianni, Juan Centeno, Pat Dean and Brandon Kintzler and welcomed back Ervin Santana from the disabled list and Jorge Polanco - for the seventh time - from Rochester

 

Those moves have sent ripples through the system, as Rochester was forced to activate their bullpen catcher and both Chattanooga and Fort Myers have added indy ball players in the last few days.

 

And on Saturday night both Byung Ho Park and Kurt Suzuki left the game. It. Never. Ends.RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 0, Pawtucket 8 (Game 1)

Box Score

 

Yuck. There’s not much more to say. Kennys Vargas provided Rochester’s only hit and the team only took three at-bats with runners in scoring position. (And they obviously went “oh-fer”.)

 

The pitching of David Martinez was equally inept. In 4.2 innings, Martinez allowed 12 hits - including three home runs - and eight runs crossed the plate. He struck out three. Dan Runzler ended the fifth inning, stranding both inherited runners, but allowed a double in the scoreless final frame.

 

Luckily for the Red Wings, this game was done after six and half innings because it was the first leg of Saturday’s double-header.

 

Rochester 3, Pawtucket 2 (Game 2)

Box Score

 

The bats didn’t come roaring back in the second half of Saturday’s pair of games, but the four hits were just enough.

 

Max Kepler tripled for the third time of the season to start the fourth inning and later scored on a - you might want to sit down for this - John Ryan Murphy single. The Red Wings scored twice more in the fifth on a Kennys Vargas double that drove James Beresford (single) and Max Kepler (walk) in.

 

Byron Buxton went a combined 0-for-6 on Saturday, dropping his batting average in AAA to .278.

 

Jason Wheeler struck out six in five innings, but allowed three hits and walked four. The two earned runs pushed his ERA up to 1.80.

 

Marcus Walden was credited with the save. Walden allowed two hits in two scoreless innings, striking out three.

 

The 14-16 Red Wings finish their series with Pawtucket on Sunday afternoon.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 0, Mobile 1

Box Score

 

Though I don’t have research to back it up, what Chattanooga did on Saturday has to be some sort of statistical anomaly. Getting shut out happens. But how often does a team with nine hits get shut out? How many times does a team reach base in eight out of nine innings and never score? And how, with nine hits, did they manage only four at-bats with runners in scoring position?

 

The offense was led by Leo Reginatto and Travis Harrison, who each collected two hits. Zach Granite got a hit and stole his 13th base.

 

Aaron Slegers pitched well enough to give his team a good chance to win, allowing seven hits in six innings, the lone run of the game was charged to Slegers in the first inning. He struck out two. Corey Williams walked two and struck out two over the final two frames.

 

Chattanooga finishes their series in Mobile on Sunday before traveling home.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 5, St. Lucie 15

Box Score

 

The offense certainly did enough, but the pitching left a lot to be desired and the Miracle fell to 17-13 on the season.

 

Newcomer Tanner Witt took three games to figure out the Florida State League. It might not completely be that, as Witt did struggle in Baltimore’s system last year, but on Saturday Witt looked like he had completely adjusted. Witt went 3-for-4 with a triple and three runs scored.

 

Edgar Corcino continues to hit the ball really well, driving in four runs on two hits and adding a triple of his own. Kevin Garcia and Chad Christensen also had two-hit games.

 

Randy Rosario had his worst start as a professional. Failing to make make it out of the third inning, Rosario allowed more hits (9) and runs (10) than he got outs (7). Four of those runs were unearned as Fort Myers committed three errors.

 

Brandon Peterson allowed four runs in two innings. Luke Bard allowed a run in 1.2 innings. John Curtiss struck out three across the final three scoreless frames.

 

The Miracle can lick its wounds on Sunday before starting a road series in Bradenton.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 10, Great Lakes 7

Box Score

 

LaMonte Wade is a stud. He walked to the plate five times on Saturday and reached safely all five times. He drove in a run. He tripled and scored twice. His batting average is back up to .352 after dropping all the way to .329 after going hitless in two games (six at-bats) on Wednesday and Friday. Wade’s OBP is back up to 44%. It hasn’t been higher since his batting average dropped below .400. But that happens with you take 10 walks in the last nine games.

 

Luis Arraez (two runs), A.J. Murray (two runs, double, two RBI) and Zander Wiel (run, triple, 4 RBIs) all had two-hit games as well.

 

Despite walking six in four innings, Dereck Rodriguez was damaged only by a solo home run. The only run he allowed… on the only hit. He struck out six. Zach Tillery walked four and allowed two hits. He was chased after allowing five runs, all earned. C.K. Irby relieved Tillery, allowing two inherited runners to score and giving up his first run of the season. Irby still picked up the win though.

 

Nick Anderson closed the game, picking up the save and was absolute garbage. Not bad garbage... but nasty garbage. Six batters faced. Six strikeouts. (Four swinging, one called, one foul-tip.) 25 pitches, 20 strikes. Not a bad way to end it.

 

The Kernels return home to host Kane County starting on Monday.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Pitcher of the Day – Nick Anderson, Cedar Rapids

Hitter of the Day – LaMonte Wade, Cedar Rapids

 

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Pawtucket @ Rochester (12:05PM CST) – LHP Logan Darnell (2-3, 4.66 ERA)

Chattanooga @ Mobile (2:05PM CST) – RHP Ryan Eades (0-2, 7.43 ERA)

 

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

 

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[nytwinsfan]

Yikes, other than Wade and Cedar Rapids, one of the most depressing days in the Twins system.

[Mike Sixel]

Still waiting for prospects to be promoted within the minors.....

[Seth Stohs]

 

Still waiting for prospects to be promoted within the minors.....

 

Such as?? There have been a lot of promotions already this year. Aside from LaMonte Wade, and maybe Stephen Gonsalves, who else should be promoted?

[Mike Sixel]

Wade, Chargois, Gonsalves for starters. Those are obvious.

[jokin]

Add possibly add Jorge to the list. And maybe Sam Clay.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Wade, Chargois, Gonsalves for starters. Those are obvious.

 

 

That was before today's HR... He's doing "fine" but not jumping out as much promote right now... I probably still would. 

 

I won't argue with Wade or Gonsalves. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Add possibly add Jorge to the list. And maybe Sam Clay.

 

Jorge has been terrific, but (for me) I wouldn't move a starting pitcher up based on 5 starts. I'd give him at least 12-15 starts before doing that. 

 

I think Clay's promotion to Ft. Myers is probably tied to Gonsalves moving up to Chattanooga (which I have to think is within the next 1-2 starts).

[jokin]

 

Jorge has been terrific, but (for me) I wouldn't move a starting pitcher up based on 5 starts. I'd give him at least 12-15 starts before doing that. 

 

I think Clay's promotion to Ft. Myers is probably tied to Gonsalves moving up to Chattanooga (which I have to think is within the next 1-2 starts).

 

I don't know enough about Jorge's stuff. But the stat that stands out to me is the K/BB... 29/4. This stunning improvement over his career norms seems to be independent of the FSL rep as a "pitcher's league." This doesn't seem to be a mirage. Is he in the process of making the big move forward in his career that sets him on a fast track to the majors?

[Seth Stohs]

 

I don't know enough about Jorge's stuff. But the stat that stands out to me is the K/BB... 29/4. This stunning improvement over his career norms seems to be independent of the FSL rep as a "pitcher's league." This doesn't seem to be a mirage. Is he in the process of making the big move forward in his career that sets him on a fast track to the majors?

 

I mean, he was really good in Cedar Rapids last year, and he's off to a great start. Having watched him pitch several times, I don't see that as a mirage but again, lots of guys will have good 5 game stretches. Getting him even 10-12 starters there (4-6 weeks) isn't going to affect his timeline to the big leagues and it allows us (and the Twins decisions makers) a little more comfort in the decision to move him up. 

 

The other factor, of course, is that in terms of guys moving up to Chattanooga, Gonsalves and Stewart are ahead of him. That obviously will affect the timeline as well. 

[jokin]

 

I mean, he was really good in Cedar Rapids last year, and he's off to a great start. Having watched him pitch several times, I don't see that as a mirage but again, lots of guys will have good 5 game stretches. Getting him even 10-12 starters there (4-6 weeks) isn't going to affect his timeline to the big leagues and it allows us (and the Twins decisions makers) a little more comfort in the decision to move him up. 

 

The other factor, of course, is that in terms of guys moving up to Chattanooga, Gonsalves and Stewart are ahead of him. That obviously will affect the timeline as well. 

 

I would think if anyone is deserving of the "go slow", step-by-step approach on the MIracle staff, it would be both Stewart and Jay. In terms of demonstrating dominating-type success, their experiences are fewer and more fleeting than Gonsalves and Jorge.

[TRex]

 

I mean, he was really good in Cedar Rapids last year, and he's off to a great start. Having watched him pitch several times, I don't see that as a mirage but again, lots of guys will have good 5 game stretches. Getting him even 10-12 starters there (4-6 weeks) isn't going to affect his timeline to the big leagues and it allows us (and the Twins decisions makers) a little more comfort in the decision to move him up. 

 

The other factor, of course, is that in terms of guys moving up to Chattanooga, Gonsalves and Stewart are ahead of him. That obviously will affect the timeline as well. 

The other thing to note is that, unlike Gonsalves and Stewart, this is Jorge's first go-round in the FSL. I think the 12-15 start standard is also there because it increases the likelihood of facing the same team multiple times (as opposed to 5 starts). There is no 'advanced scouting team' in the minors, but I imagine the teams coaches and managers will remember a pitcher's stuff and tendencies from last year.