Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/17): Kernels Bullpen Shines

[Cody Christie]

Bullpens can be fickle creatures. These pitchers can't really have a set routine because each player doesn't know when he will be used in a game. It takes a special type of player to be ready at the tip of a hat to jump into the middle of a game that could have playoff implications for a club.

 

Minor league players aren't playing for big money. They are playing for the team, they are playing for themselves, and they are playing to move up the ladder. The dream is to make it to the big leagues but that won't come true for all of the players mentioned below.

 

One team's bullpen was vital for a Friday night victory. Who was able to shine under the Friday night lights? Read on to find out.RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 0, Toledo 2

Box Score

The Red Wings couldn't get anything going on the offensive side of the ball against Mud Hens pitcher Daniel Norris. Only four Rochester players had hits and three of the team's six hits were off the bat of Eddie Rosario. Jorge Polanco and John Ryan Murphy managed both hit doubles and they stood as the team's only extra-base knocks. Logan Schafer and Adam Brett Walker both struck out three times.

 

Jose Berrios did his best to keep the game close. The first run scored against Berrios came after a two-out error by shortstop Wilfredo Tovar. Toledo used a pinch hitter in the sixth, Tyler Bortnick, who hit his first home run of the season to put the team up 2-0. Berrios ended up pitching six innings and allowed one earned run on two hits with seven strikeouts and three walks. Dan Runzler, David Martinez, and Ryan O'Rourke put up zeros the rest of the way but it still wasn't enough to spur a Rochester comeback.

 

The loss drops Rochester to 40-28 on the season as they sit a game and a half up in the International League North. Over their last 10 games, the club is 7-3 and this was their first loss since last Friday. The Red Wings continue their three-game series with Toledo tomorrow night.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 8, Montgomery 5

Box Score

Even though the Lookouts were out-hit in this game, the club used some clutch hitting (4-for-8 with RISP) to come out on top. Daniel Palka helped lead the charge for the Lookouts with a 2-for-3 night along with scoring a pair of runs. Zach Granite continues to be a threat on the bases as he stole his 30th base and scored twice. Mitch Garver drove in four runs and went 2-for-3 with his 12th double.

 

David Hurlbut started for the Lookouts and put together a solid effort. He scattered seven hits over six innings with three strikeouts and no walks. Mike Strong allowed two runs in his inning of work. Luke Westphal struggled with control as he walked three and allowed a run while only collecting one out. Omar Bencomo allowed a pair of runs to score in the bottom of the ninth but he still was able to strike out the side to preserve the victory.

 

With the win, the Lookouts have won nine of their last 12 games and are currently two games over .500.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 2, Quad Cities 1 (14 Innings)

Box Score

This game would stretch long into the night as both bullpens continued to put zeros on the board. Cedar Rapids finally broke through in the 14th frame. Brad Hartong started the two-out rally by being hit by a pitch. Luis Arraez followed with a double and an errant throw allowed Hartong to come all away around to score the winning run.

 

Eduardo Del Rosario hadn't made it out of the fifth inning in either of his starts in Cedar Rapids before this night. After tossing six innings and only allowing one earned run, he lowered his season ERA from 8.64 to 5.65. He gave up three hits (one home run) while striking out five and walking two.

 

The bullpen deserves a lot of the credit for this victory as they didn't allow a run in seven innings of work. Michael Cederoth didn't allow a hit and all five of the outs he collected were by strikeout but he walked three. William Ramirez struck out three over 2.1 innings. Michael Theofanopoulos improved to 3-0 after he pitched three innings and struck out four. Anthony McIver earned his second save with a perfect final frame.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day- Cedar Rapids Bullpen

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day- Mitch Garver, Chattanooga Lookouts

 

SATURDAY'S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Toledo (6:05 CST)- LHP Logan Darnell (7-5, 3.25 ERA)

Chattanooga @ Montgomery (6:35 CST)- TBD

Cedar Rapids@ Quad Cities (6:00 CST)- RHP Dereck Rodriguez (1-8, 7.33 ERA)

 

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

 

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[Rosterman]

And the call went to Rochester and looks like Milone is on his way back with Pat Dean moving somewhere (is he being waived off the 40-man?).

 

[Cody Christie]

 

And the call went to Rochester and looks like Milone is on his way back with Pat Dean moving somewhere (is he being waived off the 40-man?).

No, he will still be on the 40-man. He had options left.

[Seth Stohs]

Yeah, he was only added to the 40 man last November. This is his first option year.

[FormerMinnasotan]

And the call went to Rochester and looks like Milone is on his way back with Pat Dean moving somewhere (is he being waived off the 40-man?).

The same Milone that was put on waivers about a month ago? I just wish they got rid of him when they had the chance.

[terrydactyls]

The same Milone that was put on waivers about a month ago? I just wish they got rid of him when they had the chance.

 

However, if he comes up, pitches a couple good games, he can be dealt to a contender. There are teams that need help right now and we might be able to get a prospect. Or package Milone with Plouffe/Dozier/Nolasco/Santana for a couple prospects.

[diehardtwinsfan]

yeah, there's a shot there, but I'm not holding my breath.  Those same teams could have had Milone for free a month ago.  If they wouldn't DFA/60 day DL someone then to make room on their 25 man for a guy they could have had for no prospect, I don't see them doing that now.  If they would trade for him, it won't be much.  Not even certain you'd see a lottery ticket, most likely org filler or a utility guy ceiling.

[Halsey Hall]

 

However, if he comes up, pitches a couple good games, he can be dealt to a contender. There are teams that need help right now and we might be able to get a prospect. Or package Milone with Plouffe/Dozier/Nolasco/Santana for a couple prospects.

There are no teams that need help right now more than the Twins. 

[DocBauer]

Don't look now, and he's probably still a year away, but Garver just may be the next solid Twins starting catcher.

[ashbury]

Don't look now, and he's probably still a year away, but Garver just may be the next solid Twins starting catcher.

Age 25 and still a year away doesn't add up to a great shot at a starting role. Stranger things have happened, but...

[AKTwins]

What are everyone's thoughts on Granite?  Is his ceiling a 4th outfielder or can he be a solid everyday player?

[Badsmerf]

Yeah it's tough to get excited about garver. He might have a future in the MLB, but I'd hardly consider him a cornerstone piece.

[Platoon]

Don't look now, and he's probably still a year away, but Garver just may be the next solid Twins starting catcher.

They seem to have a couple catchers, I think Turner is the other, in MiLB who are MLB ready defensively. Right now we are playing two who aren't, and certainly aren't making up for it with the stick.

[benji21]

While it's nice to think other teams' GM's will look at "a couple good games" and want to trade for a player, that's not really how it works.  GM's can look at track record and such just as easily as we can.  Not every front office is the DBacks.  Milone will fetch nothing at the deadline no matter what he does until then.  The only MLB player we have that may fetch anything at all may be Abad, and don't count on JR to capitalize on him.  He is of the buy high sell low school of investing.

[DocBauer]

Age 25 and still a year away doesn't add up to a great shot at a starting role. Stranger things have happened, but...

John, I have seldom, if ever, disagreed with you before, but I'm going to here. (Even though you didn't actually "disagree" with me) ☺

 

Being 25, in AA, and being a college drafted player...and being a catcher...doesn't speak of being old or late developing to me. The Mauer's and Rodriguez's of the world are pretty rare. I am nothing more than a rank amateur when it comes to evaluating players, but I have yet to read anything negative, only positives, as to his work behind the plate, and his throwing.

 

Thus far, after being drafted in 2013, he has never repeated a level, nor has he even begun a season at his previous level, even for a short time, before being promoted. Positive "rookie" season stats that look good are nice, to be certain, but seldom mean a great deal, overall, in the future development of a player. But Garver's first half season of rookie ball was OK. He raked his second year in 2014. 2015 was again OK, but he started pretty slow and finished his second half much stronger. Thus far, he's enjoying a very solid AA season. While I don't have his full breakdown, from the TD reports, sure seems like he's been picking it up lately.

 

I don't know if he's a second half promotion candidate or not...could be if he keeps things up, and would again allow for a "separation" between he and Turner...but he absolutely seems like a Rochester player in 2017. From there, anything can happen at any point.

[ashbury]

 From there, anything can happen at any point.

We can agree on this, if nothing else.

 

"Solid... starting catcher" is a pretty high bar for any prospect. Right now I forecast him as under 700 OPS at the major league level, which means even if he is at some point installed as a starter there will be constant searching for someone better to take over. In this view, he might manage one "solid" season, above .700 OPS and good defense, where everyone relaxes and enjoys his contributions, if EVERYTHING breaks right for him and his team.

 

I'm mainly just taking the more cautious position. I hope your bet proves the winning one.

 

/ edit - and yeah, I undersold my opinion of him when I phrased it more tersely as "doesn't add up to a great shot at a starting role".  Odds against, but not a super longshot.

[Badsmerf]

A .700 ops is optimistic. Guys like Buxton, that have a load of talent and destroy the minors have trouble in the mlb. Defense is his best shot. Play great defense, hit a little, and he'll get some time in the show. College players should destroy the low minors, not have ok seasons.