Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/11): LeBlanc, Albers, Jay Dominate

[Seth Stohs]

While Max Scherzer struck out 20 against the Tigers on Wednesday night, there were a few really impressive starting pitcher performances in the Twins minor leagues. Two pitchers extended streaks of over a dozen scoreless innings. Two pitchers threw nine-inning complete games on Wednesday. And also a top prospect returned to the field after missing about a week or game action.

 

Get Randy LeBlanc's thoughts on his complete game shutout.Continue to read all of the transactions, some potential next moves, and the highlights from all four Twins affiliates.

 

TRANSACTIONS

There were also a couple of minor league transactions:

• In some very good news, Nick Gordon came off of the concussion list and played on Wednesday night.
• Sean Miller was sent back down to Cedar Rapids with RHP Zach Tillery placed on the disabled list.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 7 Gwinnett 1

Box Score

 

Andrew Albers was signed by the Twins just a couple of weeks ago when three members of the Red Wings Opening Day starting rotation were up in the big leagues. Alex Meyer has been sent down, but now Pat Dean is up with the Twins.

 

On Wednesday night, Andrew Albers had an incredible night helping the Red Wings to their fifth consecutive win. The left-hander needed just 91 pitches to complete nine innings. He gave up just one run on three hits. He walked one and struck out six. He was working his cutter and his curveball to keep batters off balance.

 

The Red Wings had a balanced offense. The top eight batters each had at least one hit. Byron Buxton went 2-4 with a walk and his fifth double. Max Kepler went 2-4 with a walk and his IL-leading fourth triple. Buck Britton went 2-3 with a walk. Wilfredo Tovar went 1-2 with a walk. He stole his 10th base, and he turned in a couple of great defensive plays behind Albers.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 4, Pensacola 6

Box Score

 

David Hurlbut had a rough start to this game. He gave up three runs in the first inning. In all, he gave up four runs on eight hits. He walked two and struck out two. Mason Melotakis came on and was charged with one run on two hits and a walk in the seventh inning. Omar Bencomo pitched the final two innings. He gave up one run on one hit and two walks. He struck out two.

 

Dalton Hicks led the offense. He went 2-4 with a two-run double in the game. It was his sixth double of the season. Leonardo Reginnato went 1-3 with a walk and was also hit by a pitch. Daniel Palka was 1-5, but his one hit was his fifth home run.

 

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 5, Bradenton 2

Box Score

 

Tyler Jay had arguably his best start of the season. The southpaw threw seven shutout innings, extending his consecutive scoreless inning streak to 13.1. Jay gave up three hits, walked one and struck out six batters. The performance reduced his ERA to 3.03 on the year. Luke Bard came on in relief and threw a scoreless eighth inning. John Curtiss came in for the ninth and had his first rough outing. He gave up two runs on four hits and a walk and recorded just two outs. Brandon Peterson came in and got the final out to record his first save of the season.

 

Chris Paul went 2-4. Nick Gordon returned to the lineup. In his first plate appearance, he was hit by a pitch. He went 1-3 and scored two runs. Max Murphy’s hit was his second Florida State League home run. Trey Vavra went 1-3 with a walk and an RBI. Alex Real was 1-4, but he drove in three runs.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 9, Kane County 0

Box Score

 

The Kernels had six batters with multiple hits and scored nine runs but the story in this game was the performance of Randy LeBlanc. The right-hander threw a complete game (nine inning) shutout. He gave up just four hits, walked two, hit one and struck out six. He needed just 94 pitches. He now has a string of 22 consecutive scoreless innings and hasn’t given up a run in three straight starts.

 

Following the game, I had an opportunity to chat with LeBlanc for his thoughts on the performance. What helped LeBlanc to such success today? He said, “I had good command with my fastball today, especially early in the game. That was definitely the key, but I was able to bury some sliders when I needed to early on for some strikeouts. Getting early contact and letting the defense make plays in the field was the biggest factor. They made almost every play behind me, and AJ (Murray) worked hard (behind the plate) and called a great game. We were on the same page from the first pitch.”

 

The performance gives LeBlanc a 4-2 record with a 0.90 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP. Having spent the entire 2015 season with the Kernels (just five starts), he is definitely in line for a promotion to Ft. Myers. (Side Note - I have to believe that when Stephen Gonsalves is promoted to Chattanooga, LeBlanc will find his way to Ft. Myers.) So, what does LeBlanc think of the idea of a promotion?

 

“I’d be lying if I said promotions are not something me, or any other player, thinks about. The goal is to move up in the organization. I’m just trying to give my team a chance to win in each outing. Hopefully we can keep it rolling.”

 

A year ago, LeBlanc pitched well out of the Kernels bullpen. In fact, he had a streak of 26 consecutive scoreless innings. He worked out of the bullpen, and did so happily, but he has always wanted an opportunity to start.

 

“Starting was something we’ve talked about since I first got drafted. I think I’m better suited as a starting, and I have a good idea of what I’m doing since I was a starter for four years in college. But, I’ve told them I’m comfortable starting or relieving. Whatever they need me to do, I’ll do.”

Part of that willingness to fill a role comes from the calming influence of manager Jake Mauer. “Jake’s a great manager and has been steady throughout. He’s definitely cool, calm and collected in the dugout and clubhouse. I think that’s why so many guys like playing for him. I’ve definitely enjoyed playing for him this season and last.”

 

The first five hitters each had two hits. Number nine hitter Nelson Molina went 2-4 with his first stolen base. Luis Arraez went 2-4 with a walk and scored three runs. Rafael Valera went 3-4 with a walk and his ninth double. LaMonte Wade went 2-4 and drove in three runs. AJ Murray went 2-4 with a walk. Zander Wiel went 2-5 with his fourth triple.

 

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 – Rafael Valera, Cedar Rapids Kernels

 

SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Gwinnett @ Rochester (1:35 CST) - RHP David Martinez

Pensacola @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) - RHP Aaron Slegers

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

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

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

 

Click here to view the article

[nytwinsfan]

Byron Buxton, last 10 games: .385/.455/.692 (1.147), 6K, 5BB

[clutterheart]

Is Palka going back to his former self?

May: 176 .293 .353

[Ncgo4]

It'll be tempting for the Twins to move him up real wuickly given the dumpster fire at Target Field. I hope they don't over rush it. Give him at least a full month in Rochester.

[tobi0040]

Agreed. Buck needs a month in AAA

[Seth Stohs]

 

Is Palka going back to his former self?

May: 176 .293 .353

 

His former self was pretty good... It's only 10 games or so... that's why I always warn people when a guy has a good month to remember it's a long season and there will be good and bad... He'll be fine.

[Seth Stohs]

 

It'll be tempting for the Twins to move him up real wuickly given the dumpster fire at Target Field. I hope they don't over rush it. Give him at least a full month in Rochester.

 

Assuming you mean Buxton, I agree... I think he should spend another month there, just to make sure any adjustments stick.

[Pitz]

For whatever reason, I was anticipating a great start from Jay and he didn't disappoint. Nice to see him bounce back strong after a rough start on April 28.

In looking at the recap, the three hits he gave up were all ground balls and two of them were infield hits (one being a bunt). Seems like he was in a pretty good groove last night.

[Vanimal46]

Lots of positive nuggets on this thread today. Buxton once again with multiple hits in a game; his 3rd game in a row doing that. 

Jay seems to be finding his groove over the last couple of starts. Hope he can keep it up! 

 

And LeBlanc has one of the best mustaches on the team! 

[Thrylos]

Today's report shows well what is wrong in the Twins' World:

Randy LeBlanc has nothing to prove in a league that he is 2 years older than the average player.  He should be at Fort Myers.  The problem is that the Twins' system is so congested in the upper levels with starters who belong in the Independent Leauges, like Andrew Albers (and David Martinez and Omar Bencomo) or the pen, like David Hurlbut (and Logan Darnell and Ryan Eades) to bring up the high A phenoms so players like LeBlanc will play at the levels they belong.  

 

This is LeBlanc's 3rd season with the Twins.  He will need to be added to the 40-man roster after the next season.  He better play in competitive levels for the Twins to assess whether he should be added.  So far he has not.  And he is just an example.

[Loosey]

Buxton has been pretty great in AAA from what I have seen.  Outside of the Saturday double header where I think he went hitless in both games, he has had at least a hit in every game.  He has had at least 2 hits in 7 of his last 10 games with 3 doubles and 3 home runs.  Best of all his K/BB ratio is 6/5.  .455 OBP.

 

I hope they keep him down there until June still to let him really get this confidence engrained in his mind and let the adjustments sink in.

 

If he can do anything close to this at the MLB level I think everyone in Minnesota will collectively breathe a sigh of relief.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Today's report shows well what is wrong in the Twins' World:

Randy LeBlanc has nothing to prove in a league that he is 2 years older than the average player.  He should be at Fort Myers.  The problem is that the Twins' system is so congested in the upper levels with starters who belong in the Independent Leauges, like Andrew Albers (and David Martinez and Omar Bencomo) or the pen, like David Hurlbut (and Logan Darnell and Ryan Eades) to bring up the high A phenoms so players like LeBlanc will play at the levels they belong.  

 

This is LeBlanc's 3rd season with the Twins.  He will need to be added to the 40-man roster after the next season.  He better play in competitive levels for the Twins to assess whether he should be added.  So far he has not.  And he is just an example.

 

This. 10000000000x this.

[LimestoneBaggy]

 

And LeBlanc has one of the best mustaches on the team! 

 

With a stache like that, why don't we just go ahead and call the plumber?

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Today's report shows well what is wrong in the Twins' World:

Randy LeBlanc has nothing to prove in a league that he is 2 years older than the average player.  He should be at Fort Myers.  The problem is that the Twins' system is so congested in the upper levels with starters who belong in the Independent Leauges, like Andrew Albers (and David Martinez and Omar Bencomo) or the pen, like David Hurlbut (and Logan Darnell and Ryan Eades) to bring up the high A phenoms so players like LeBlanc will play at the levels they belong.  

 

This is LeBlanc's 3rd season with the Twins.  He will need to be added to the 40-man roster after the next season.  He better play in competitive levels for the Twins to assess whether he should be added.  So far he has not.  And he is just an example.

 

So, using your point... who pitches at Rochester then if you get rid of those guys that aren't prospects or future big leaguers in your opinion? Gonsalves and Stewart and maybe even Jorge could move up to AA, but then who would pitch at AAA? 

 

I guess they could just forfeit games so that non-prospects don't clog up spots.

 

Of course LeBlanc should move up, but he's moving back to starting, so I have no problem with him getting 5-7 starts in CR before moving up, and again, I assume he moves up when Gonsalves moves up. 

[nytwinsfan]

Anyone know what Jay's velocity is at, especially late into games? I know there was a comment earlier in April about him pitching in low-90s late into a game.  Other than one bad start out of six starts, he's been fantastic for a first-time starter this year.

 

So far he is .232/.294/.304 (.598) with 30 K and 10 BB in 32.2 IP.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Buxton has been pretty great in AAA from what I have seen.  Outside of the Saturday double header where I think he went hitless in both games, he has had at least a hit in every game.  He has had at least 2 hits in 7 of his last 10 games with 3 doubles and 3 home runs.  Best of all his K/BB ratio is 6/5.  .455 OBP.

 

I hope they keep him down there until June still to let him really get this confidence engrained in his mind and let the adjustments sink in.

 

If he can do anything close to this at the MLB level I think everyone in Minnesota will collectively breathe a sigh of relief.

 

He crushed the double in his last at bat, hit it almost as hard as Kepler hit his triple. But the Buxton at bat that impressed me the most was the one in which he walked. He fell behind 0-2 and worked the count until he walked. That was impressive to me.

[SirLoin]

 

Byron Buxton, last 10 games: .385/.455/.692 (1.147), 6K, 5BB

6 K's though....I don't know.....That's got "bust" written all over it.....

[Vanimal46]

 

With a stache like that, why don't we just go ahead and call the plumber?

Or the pizza delivery guy... depending on your preference in NSFW entertainment! 

[Thrylos]

 

So, using your point... who pitches at Rochester then if you get rid of those guys that aren't prospects or future big leaguers in your opinion? Gonsalves and Stewart and maybe even Jorge could move up to AA, but then who would pitch at AAA? 

 

I guess they could just forfeit games so that non-prospects don't clog up spots.

 

Of course LeBlanc should move up, but he's moving back to starting, so I have no problem with him getting 5-7 starts in CR before moving up, and again, I assume he moves up when Gonsalves moves up. 

 

 

My count as far as Rochester goes:

 

Meyer

Wheeler

Milone

---

Baxendale (has been at AA for 2 seasons)

 

Slegers (until Berrios or Duffey return from the majors when Gibson gets activated)

 

 

That would pop all the Fort Myers rotation to Chattanooga

(forgot to add the newest Ryan/Steil scrub, Nick Longball, to the get rid of list)

 

Keeping Steele at Fort Myers, with Rosario going back when Slegers returns, adding LeBlanc, Clay (another guy who has nothing to prove at Cedar Rapids) and Stashak to Fort Myers.  John Curtiss there can be the 5th starter until Slegers returns.

Then get 3 arms from EST up to Cedar Rapids.

 

 

No games to forfeit, just forfeiting the mind set of getting never have beens from the Independent Leagues instead of promoting within and finding out what they have.

Simple.

 

Edited May 12, 2016 by Thrylos

[Mike Sixel]

 

So, using your point... who pitches at Rochester then if you get rid of those guys that aren't prospects or future big leaguers in your opinion? Gonsalves and Stewart and maybe even Jorge could move up to AA, but then who would pitch at AAA? 

 

I guess they could just forfeit games so that non-prospects don't clog up spots.

 

Of course LeBlanc should move up, but he's moving back to starting, so I have no problem with him getting 5-7 starts in CR before moving up, and again, I assume he moves up when Gonsalves moves up. 

 

wow, what a terrible straw man.

 

No one is saying cut every non-prospect. But, we are saying, for a team that has developed almost no on in years, for a league that is getting younger and younger, maybe they should promote players faster. Pick the guys you don't want around in a year or two, and if they get bumped, they get bumped.

 

but, don't keep doing things the terrible way you've been doing them for years.

[HitInAPinch]

 

Assuming you mean Buxton, I agree... I think he should spend another month there, just to make sure any adjustments stick.

Yeah, statistics from the last 10 games only don't mean that much to me.  Being the stubborn guy that I am, I need to see a seasons worth. 

[nytwinsfan]

 

6 K's though....I don't know.....That's got "bust" written all over it.....

 

I'm gonna go ahead and assume you are just kidding/trolling.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

So far he is .232/.294/.304 (.598) with 30 K and 10 BB in 32.2 IP.

The FSL as a whole is hitting .241/.314/.344 (.657), and averaging 29 K and 12 BB per 32.2 IP.  The teams that Jay has faced are collectively hitting even worse than that, ranking 6th, 8th, 9th, and 11th out of 12 in raw OPS.

[Dman]

I am a big Jay fan but I was worried about early this year.  he seemed to giving up really good contact early in the season. Maybe he was working on stuff but he was very hit-able.  Lately his result seem more in line with Stewart and Gonsalves.  Hoping he has turned a corner but he still has me concerned.  It is just his first year in pro ball but he was a high first round pick so am expecting great things.

[Dman]

 

So, using your point... who pitches at Rochester then if you get rid of those guys that aren't prospects or future big leaguers in your opinion? Gonsalves and Stewart and maybe even Jorge could move up to AA, but then who would pitch at AAA? 

 

I guess they could just forfeit games so that non-prospects don't clog up spots.

 

Of course LeBlanc should move up, but he's moving back to starting, so I have no problem with him getting 5-7 starts in CR before moving up, and again, I assume he moves up when Gonsalves moves up. 

 

I think you took what he said the wrong way.  it seems to me he is simply stating those types of players shouldn't stand in the way of the young pitchers that are showing potential to be number 1, 2 or 3 starters.  I don't think he was saying get rid of every pitcher who is a non-prospect.

 

Right now the only interesting prospect pitcher at AA is Slegers and even he looks like a four or five to me.  You could say Eides but really in the end he is just too hittable.  They really should move him to the pen unless they just want him to be filler.  The rest of the spots appear to filled by guys that have peaked and at best would be number 5's.  Why have those guys block the prospects with greater potential?

 

You can say it is early in the season and it doesn't matter but these guys are only going to throw so many pitches\innings this year and it makes more sense to challenge them and acclimate them to a new level as soon as possible so that you can decide what they can do at the upper levels and if they are worthy of being added to the forty man or helping the Big club ASAP.

 

A lot of us don't see the point in delaying the young pitchers when there is no one of note blocking them.

[nytwinsfan]

 

The FSL as a whole is hitting .241/.314/.344 (.657), and averaging 29 K and 12 BB per 32.2 IP.  The teams that Jay has faced are collectively hitting even worse than that, ranking 6th, 8th, 9th, and 11th out of 12 in raw OPS.

Fair enough. Important context.

[Seth Stohs]

 

The FSL as a whole is hitting .241/.314/.344 (.657), and averaging 29 K and 12 BB per 32.2 IP.  The teams that Jay has faced are collectively hitting even worse than that, ranking 6th, 8th, 9th, and 11th out of 12 in raw OPS.

 

Maybe they're hitting worse than that because they're facing the Miracle pitchers? 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I think you took what he said the wrong way.  it seems to me he is simply stating those types of players shouldn't stand in the way of the young pitchers that are showing potential to be number 1, 2 or 3 starters.  I don't think he was saying get rid of every pitcher who is a non-prospect.

 

Right now the only interesting prospect pitcher at AA is Slegers and even he looks like a four or five to me.  You could say Eides but really in the end he is just too hittable.  They really should move him to the pen unless they just want him to be filler.  The rest of the spots appear to filled by guys that have peaked and at best would be number 5's.  Why have those guys block the prospects with greater potential?

 

You can say it is early in the season and it doesn't matter but these guys are only going to throw so many pitches\innings this year and it makes more sense to challenge them and acclimate them to a new level as soon as possible so that you can decide what they can do at the upper levels and if they are worthy of being added to the forty man or helping the Big club ASAP.

 

A lot of us don't see the point in delaying the young pitchers when there is no one of note blocking them.

 

I'd never say that top prospects should be blocked. I'd also say that keeping a top prospect at the right level isn't always a bad thing either. 

 

I've said many times that I think Gonsalves is ready to move up. I think a case could be made for Stewart. Those two are top prospects. When they deem them ready, they'll make room for those guys. Jay needs to be more consistent. Jorge just needs another 5-6 starts at the level to see how it goes. Pushing guys can be good, or it can be completely detrimental, and I certainly won't pretend to know when the perfect time to promote a pitcher (or hitter, for that matter) is. 

 

LeBlanc and Clay likely move up when Gonsalves and Stewart move up. I'm comfortable with that. But Andrew Albers isn't keeping anyone from pitching at Rochester. Slegers has had mixed success in about 8-10 AA starts. There's no need for him to jump to AAA right now. Giving up on Eades at this point would be silly. Maybe he becomes a long reliever. Maybe he flames out in AA. Maybe he becomes a solid #3 starter, and if Berardino's reports of him hitting 97 this spring was accurate, and he does have 4-pitches, it may click for him in July, or next May... or not at all, but to say at this point he'll never make it isn't right... Pushing him to a level that doesn't put him in a good position to succeed doesn't make sense. 

 

I just think it's silly to say that there is no value in having some organizational filler in the upper levels allowing the organization to be more patient with prospects that they believe in. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

wow, what a terrible straw man.

 

No one is saying cut every non-prospect. But, we are saying, for a team that has developed almost no on in years, for a league that is getting younger and younger, maybe they should promote players faster. Pick the guys you don't want around in a year or two, and if they get bumped, they get bumped.

 

but, don't keep doing things the terrible way you've been doing them for years.

 

Of course it was a little over the top, but simply put, not all prospects move up at the same pace. You can't make a judgment on every pitcher within 1-2 years. There are fast-risers and there are some that move at a slower pace. The Twins have pushed Berrios to the big leagues at 21. The thought that they don't push their top prospects is silly at this point. But to think that guys like Slegers and Eades and Stewart should be promoted at the same pace isn't fair to the players or the organization. To think that Cody Stashak should be at Ft. Myers just isn't fair to him. He's made 4 starts in Cedar Rapids. 

 

There will be guys like Thorpe and Romero coming up from EST at some point in the next 4-6 weeks, and there will be changes. But to think that guys like Albers don't provide some value to Rochester's roster when 3-4 of their Opening Day starters are in the big leagues isn't fair either. And no, Slegers isn't ready for AAA (and that doesn't make him a lesser prospect because of it)... I can go with DJ Baxendale moving up. I have no problem with that. But teams also need depth. I don't necessarily understand the Nick Greenwood signing, but he's left-handed and pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals (including in the big leagues) the last two years. Why not try to find lightning sometimes? 

[Mike Sixel]

All fair, Seth. They have been aggressive with Berrios, why not the others? And, no, given their "success" lately, I don't fully trust them on this stuff.

 

Hopefully they promote Gonsalves and Wade and Chargois (I don't think he's in AAA) soon. Then Stewart shortly after that. 

 

This is an area you and I have (politely) disagreed about on line for some time.....and I'm cool with that disagreement.