Article: Twins Minor League Report (8/25): Rochester Homer Party, Romero Rocks

[Cody Christie]

As August comes to a close, the minor league season is dwindling. For many of the Twins affiliates, playoff races are starting to heat up as teams try to stay in the hunt while holding off opponents.

 

Minnesota might not be playing the best baseball so let's turn our attention to the future of the Twins. Would contending teams be able to pick up wins on Thursday night? Or would other teams push Minnesota's affiliates closer to being eliminated?RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 6, Norfolk 2

Box Score

The home run party got started early for Rochester as Byron Buxton homered on the first pitch of the game. It was the second straight game Buxton has hit a home run. In the third, Buxton beat out an infield hit in front of a Tommy Field home run, his tenth of the season. One inning later, Daniel Palka blasted his 33rd home run of the season to push the lead to 4-1.

 

Any Rochester home run party would not be complete without a bomb from Adam Brett Walker. He hit his league-leading 26th homer of the season. Walker has now hit safely in 11 straight games, the longest streak by a Red Wings player this season.

 

Home runs were not the only story in this one. Omar Bencomo pitched into the seventh inning on the way to his second victory with the club. His final line read 6.2 innings pitched while allowing one earned run on six hits with four strikeouts. D.J. Baxendale and Alex Wimmers combined for 2.1 shutout frames to close out the game. Baxendale struck out three.

 

Even with the win, Rochester is four games away from being eliminated from earning first place in the International League North. However, the club also trails the Lehigh Valley IronPigs by four games for a wild card spot.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 7, Jacksonville 6

 

Box Score

After jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the middle innings, the Lookouts did their best to give this one back to the Suns. Chattanooga used an error and four singles to push across three runs in the top of the third. Zach Granite doubled to lead off the fifth frame and later came around on an Edgar Corcino two-run double.

 

Things got a little dicey from there as Jacksonville mounted their comeback. Ryan Eades had put up zeros through the first four frames but ran into a little trouble in the fifth and seventh innings. He ended the night after 6.2 innings and allowed four earned runs. Todd Van Steensel picked up his second hold since being promoted but he was charged with a run in 0.2 innings. Raul Fernandez blew the save in the eighth but earned the win after an interesting ninth.

 

Chattanooga capitalized on the opportunities they were given in the ninth. Niko Goodrum singled to start the frame. Tanner Witt sacrificed Goodrum to second before a wild pitch moved him to third. Levi Michael walked to put runners on the corners. Zach Granite singled to score Goodrum and move Michael into scoring position. A wild pitch moved both runners up a base and Engelb Vielma drove in Michael on a fielder's choice.

 

The Lookouts are 3.5 games out of first place in the Southern League North but there are currently two teams in front of them in the second-half standings (Jackson, the first half champs, and Montgomery).

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 1, Palm Beach 0

Box Score

Fernando Romero was masterful on the mound in this contest. In seven scoreless innings, Romero faced just two batters over the minimum while striking out nine and walking none. Both hits he allowed were infield singles and 60 of his 87 pitches were for strikes.

 

While Romero was pitching well, Fort Myers wasn't able to strike until the seventh inning. Joe Maloney knocked a one-out double to put a runner in scoring position. After a strikeout, Christian Ibarra hit one up the middle and Maloney cruised around to score the lone run of the game.

 

Luke Westphal allowed one batter to reach on a walk with one out in the eighth. Luckily, he got a strike-him-out, throw-him-out double play to end the frame and keep the Miracle on top. Confesor Lara earned his third save with a scoreless final frame.

 

Fort Myers is one game out of first place with 10 games remaining on the regular season schedule.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 12, Quad Cities 1

Box Score

Cedar Rapids supported their pitchers very well in this one. The team pounded out 12 runs on 12 hits on the way to their 72nd victory of the season. Travis Blankenhorn drove in three runs and hit his first triple with Cedar Rapids. Luis Arraez went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored. Jaylin Davis and Rainis Silva both had doubles to add to the scoring barrage.

 

Lachlan Wells had some control problems as he issued four walks in six innings. However, he limited the River Bandits to one hit and no earned runs on the way to his career-high sixth victory. Max Cordy collected strikeouts for five of the six outs he was called on to get. He walked one and allowed a run on two hits. Logan Lombana struck out the first two batters he faced in the ninth before back to back doubles pushed across a run.

 

With a second-half record of 35-24, the Kernels are currently in second place in the Midwest League Western Division. If the playoffs started today, Cedar Rapids would be in based on finishing second. They are currently 3.5 games ahead of third place Burlington.

 

E-TOWN E-NOTES

Elizabethton 0, Johnson City 11

Box Score

Things got ugly in a hurry in this one and never improved from that. Elizabethton allowed runs in all but two innings and the team committed four errors. All but one batter in the E-Twins line-up reached base at least once but no one had multiple hits and there weren't any extra-base hits. Alex Kirilloff reached base twice with two walks. Amaurys Minier went 1-for-3 with a walk.

 

Jose Martinez took the bulk of the damage on the mound. Eight runs were scored while he pitched with six of them being earned. He allowed two home runs and struck out one. Austin Tribby was charged with two earned runs on five hits with three walks and a couple strikeouts. Johan Quezada pitched the last 2.2 frames and limited Johnson City to three hits and one earned run.

 

Even with the loss, the E-Twins would be in the playoffs if they started today. They currently sit in second place in the Appalachian League West and the top two teams in the division make the playoffs. Elizabethton is 5.5 games up on the third place Greeneville Astros.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins 2, GCL Orioles 9

Box Score

 

The GCL Twins found themselves down 6-1 after three innings in this one and they didn't have enough in the tank to make a comeback. Huascar Ynoa took his fifth loss of the season after not being charged with a loss since July 27. He allowed five earned runs in 2.2 innings with five strikeouts and two walks. Zach Strecker surrendered three earned runs on five hits in 4.1 innings with a pair of strikeouts. Juan Gamez ended the game with two scoreless frames.

 

No Twins batter had more than one hit and the team went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Aaron Whitefield reached base three times out of the lead-off spot and he is still batting over .300 for the season. Gorge Munoz had the team's only extra-base hit, a double. Akil Baddoo walked twice and scored a run.

 

Even with the loss, the GCL Twins only trail the GCL Red Sox by one game for first place in the GCL South Division.

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day – Fernando Romero, Fort Myers Miracle

Hitter of the Day – Byron Buxton, Rochester Red Wings

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Scranton/WB (6:05 CST) - LHP Adalberto Mejia (1-2, 4.66 ERA)

Chattanooga @ Jacksonville (6:05 CST) - RHP Felix Jorge (1-4, 4.38 ERA)

Fort Myers @ Jupiter (5:30 CST) - RHP Dereck Rodriguez (1-1, 1.83 ERA)

Cedar Rapids @ Clinton (6:30 CST) - RHP Tyler Beardsley (0-2, 3.60 ERA)

Elizabethton vs. Burlington (6:00 CST)- RHP Miguel De Jesus (0-2, 3.21 ERA)

GCL Twins vs. GCL Red Sox (11:00AM CST) - TBD

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

 

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[nytwinsfan]

Wow Fernando Romero refusing to cede the minor league pitcher of the year award to Stephen Gonsalves. What a run by those two these last few months.

[Squirrel]

A second 1-0 win in a row for the Miracle. Even though I'm in town, I wasn't able to go, but sounds like it was even a better game tonight than last night. Initially I had thought Romero was pitching last night and was sorry to miss him.

[Han Joelo]

I appreciate the mostly good news from the minor league affiliates tonight.  Great all around night.

 

While I try to be appreciative for any player who wins the player of the day, it is always nice to see a couple of top prospects (I'm going to give Buxton a mulligan and throw him back in that basket) with sterling performances.

 

[Deduno Abides]

Would like to see Romero make at least one AA start this year.

[FormerMinnasotan]

I think Romero is really comfortable pitching wise. I think his command of his is even better than earlier this year as his strike outs are higher now than earlier this year. Honestly, I think if we base our top prospect on potential alone Romero would easily be our best prospect. I honestly think Romero's upside is even greater than Tyler Jay's upside as a starter given Romero has an absolutely overpowering fastball and possibly a better slider than even Jay. It's a good thing, not a slight at Jay, I just think of all our pitching prospects the only one who has a ceiling as an ace is Romero.

[wsnydes]

Anyone able to opine on how they're approaching Buxton's swing?  I know it's a small sample, but with two homers in consecutive days it appears as though the pop is at least showing glimpses again.  Have they shortened up the swing?  Figured out his timing?  

[wavedog]

I sure wish we could switch this year and extend the minor league season to the end of September and end the major league season over labor day weekend.   These minor league reports are what keeps me going - thanks for a great job by all who put these together every day.  

[Bob Sacamento]

I was at the game (bobblehead election night) and Romero was just plain filthy.   His fastball was sitting 95-97mph thru the game and his slider was 87-92mph.  What contact the Cardinals did have were weak grounders.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I think Romero is really comfortable pitching wise. I think his command of his is even better than earlier this year as his strike outs are higher now than earlier this year. Honestly, I think if we base our top prospect on potential alone Romero would easily be our best prospect. I honestly think Romero's upside is even greater than Tyler Jay's upside as a starter given Romero has an absolutely overpowering fastball and possibly a better slider than even Jay. It's a good thing, not a slight at Jay, I just think of all our pitching prospects the only one who has a ceiling as an ace is Romero.

 

There is no question whatsoever that Romero's ceiling is the highest... 

[amjgt]

 

Would like to see Romero make at least one AA start this year.

 

From: http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20160825&content_id=197703456&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb

 

 

Minnesota's sixth-ranked prospect allowed two hits and struck out nine over seven innings to lead Class A Advanced Fort Myers past Palm Beach, 1-0, on Thursday. After missing all of 2015, Romero will be shut down for the rest of the season after reaching his organization-imposed innings limit

[FormerMinnasotan]

From: http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20160825&content_id=197703456&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb

 

 

Minnesota's sixth-ranked prospect allowed two hits and struck out nine over seven innings to lead Class A Advanced Fort Myers past Palm Beach, 1-0, on Thursday. After missing all of 2015, Romero will be shut down for the rest of the season after reaching his organization-imposed innings limit

As long as Romero starts next year in Chattanooga not Ft Myers. There is nothing more Romero needs to do in A+ ball next year. He doesn't walk anyone, his k rate is going up, and a 1.88 ERA in 11 starts and his 20 inning scoreless streak to end the season prove its time to pitch at the next level next spring. Hopefully he will split time in AA and AAA next year and be ready for the bigs in 2018.

[amjgt]

If they deemed 90 innings to be his limit this year, I wonder what their plan is for next year.... 120?

 

Then, 2018.... 150?

 

[Mike Sixel]

There isn't a ton of evidence innings' limits matter........but I guess I'm ok with a limit this year. Next year, I'd want 150, not 120, if there is a limit.

[gunnarthor]

 

If they deemed 90 innings to be his limit this year, I wonder what their plan is for next year.... 120?

 

Then, 2018.... 150?

I imagine that's somewhat close, actually.

[jimmer]

 

There isn't a ton of evidence innings' limits matter........but I guess I'm ok with a limit this year. Next year, I'd want 150, not 120, if there is a limit.

At this point, I think it's more of a cover your behind thing.  Enough have bought into it and if you do something away from the norm, and a player gets hurt, you have a lot of splainin    to do :-)

Edited August 26, 2016 by jimmer

[Mike Sixel]

 

At this point, I think it's more of a cover your behind thing.  Enough have bought into it and if you do something away from the norm, and a player gets hurt, you have a lot of splainin  to do :-)

 

Agreed.

[Seth Stohs]

 

If they deemed 90 innings to be his limit this year, I wonder what their plan is for next year.... 120?

 

Then, 2018.... 150?

 

I'm certain they kept track of all of the innings he threw for 6-7 weeks in Extended Spring Training. He likely went 3-4 innings 7-8 times, so that's another 30ish innings which really puts him at about 120 innings this year. 

 

Also, in reality, Romero is going to miss one, maybe two starts. 

[Bob Sacamento]

 

If they deemed 90 innings to be his limit this year, I wonder what their plan is for next year.... 120?

 

Then, 2018.... 150?

One interesting piece I found out today on the backfields of the GCL is that Romero's replacement for his ulnar collateral ligament came from his left knee (a portion of his infrapatellar tendon) instead of his palmaris longis on his left hand (15% of the population doesn't have a palmaris longis) which is more common for the Tommy John surgery.

 

Side note, he's not happy to be shut down either but if you want to count all his EXST innings this year before joining CR he probably threw 120 IP or so as he didn't pitch in LoA until May 20th yet was throwing every 5th day in EXST up until then.

 

 

[FormerMinnasotan]

What makes me excited for Romero is that he ended the year strong and injury free. Now he can go into an off season program and come into spring training looking even more prepared and knowledgable than the year before. That's a good thing. I will also say, he will generate a lot more attention from pro scouts next year.