Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/30): Romero Cruises

[Steve Lein]

The Rochester Red Wings played a double-header on Tuesday, and they along with the major league team had a lot of roster movement leading into it. A top pitching prospect twirled his best start of the season and got a ton of offensive support in a win, while a few other games had very little offense for the good guys.Keep reading to check out a more than full slate of action in the minors on Tuesday!

 

 

TRANSACTIONS

 

There were a bunch of transactions between the Twins and Rochester in anticipation of their games on Tuesday. Minnesota recalled Buddy Boshers while Drew Rucinski was optioned and Adam Wilk was outrighted to AAA. Daniel Palka went on the disabled list with a fractured index finger and Engelb Vielma was placed on the temporary inactive list. Pitchers Ryan Eades and Kam Mickolio were assigned to the Red Wings to be available for their double-header.

 

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Game 1: Rochester 6, Durham 1 (7 innings)

Box Score

 

In the regularly scheduled game the Red Wings jumped out to a 3-0 lead after three innings thanks to an RBI groundout in the second from Tommy Field and a two-run home run in the third off the bat of Niko Goodrum. Kennys Vargas led off the second with a walk and moved to third on a Byungho Park double that allowed him to score. Zack Granite was on first after a single before Goodrum’s blast.

 

Making the start and his AAA debut for Rochester, was Ryan Eades. He was pretty good, going the first five innings and allowing just one run on five hits and a walk while striking out five. The run he allowed came in the bottom of the fourth on a two-out double.

 

Rochester added to their lead in the sixth as doubles from Park, John Ryan Murphy and Leonardo Reginatto contributed to three insurance runs. Murphy’s drove in two, while Reginatto’s brought in the third.

 

Trevor Hildenberger pitched two perfect innings of relief to seal the victory, striking out three along the way.

 

Goodrum and Park were 2-4 on the game to lead the offense. Goodrum’s home run was his fifth on the year and he ended game one with a nine-game hitting streak.

 

 

Game 2 (makeup of 5/25 PPD): Durham 4, Rochester 0 (7 innings)

Box Score

 

In the makeup of their postponement on May 25^th in Rochester, the Red Wings took the field as the home team for the nightcap. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much to talk about in the loss.

 

As a team they managed just two hits and two walks, with J.B. Shuck’s double in the fifth inning being their biggest hit.

 

D.J. Baxendale made the start in a bullpen game, and he made it through 2.2 innings. He allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks. He struck out one.

 

Kevin Chapman went the next three innings, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out three. Newcomer Kam Mickolio made his AAA debut for the Twins organization and pitched the final 1.1 innings. He allowed a hit, a walk and struck out one.

 

Niko Goodrum’s hitting streak came to an end in this one, but over his last ten games he has hit .384 with seven runs scored, two home runs and eight RBI.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 11, Birmingham 0

Box Score

 

The Lookouts jumped out to an early lead and would never look back, as starter Fernando Romero delivered his best start of the season.

 

An RBI double from Travis Harrison gave them the lead 1-0 after one inning, and an RBI single from Nick Gordon made it 2-0 after two.

 

Romero was in control from the get go, finishing six innings and allowing just two hits and two walks. He racked up seven strikeouts, including three of the swinging variety for a true mow-em-down inning in the fifth. He threw 98 pitches, with 64 going for strikes to pick up his fourth win of the year.

 

Chattanooga went on to batter the Barons’ bullpen, adding a single run in the fifth, three in the sixth, and five in the ninth to reach their final blowout tally of eleven.

 

Gordon (2-5, R, 2B, 2 RBI), Ryan Strausborger (3-4, 3 R’s, 2B, RBI), Wade (2-5, R, 2 RBI), Harrison (2-4, 2B, 3 RBI) and Levi Michael (2-5, 2 R’s, SB) had multiple hit nights. Ryan Walker added a double and RBI to the effort while also walking three times.

 

Todd Van Steensel was brought in for the seventh inning and pitched two scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and two walks, but also got two strikeouts.

 

Tyler Jay was summoned to finish the game in the ninth, his second appearance since being activated. He walked the leadoff man but picked up two K’s around a groundout to close it out.

 

The Lookouts improve to 29-22 on the season and end the night in second place in the Southern League North Division.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Bradenton 8, Fort Myers 4

Box score

 

Lachlan Wells took the mound for the Miracle in this one, and the Marauders pounced in the first inning due in part to a couple of errors. Shortstop Sean Miller and Wells each had a throwing error that put runners on second and third and the Florida State League’s home run leader, Logan Hill, added to his total with his fourteenth of the season to make it 3-0.

 

The Miracle got those back and more in the bottom of the second as Miller led off the inning with a single, Alex Perez drew a walk and Tanner English brought them both home with his first triple of the season. He scored on a Nelson Molina single, and Molina later scored on a single off the bat of Bradley Strong to put the home team up 4-3.

 

Wells made it through the fourth inning, but not before another home run put his team back behind 5-4. He allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and a walk in his outing. He struck out just one.

 

The Fort Myers bullpen surrendered single runs in each of the sixth, seventh and ninth innings to put the game out of reach. Anthony McIver allowed one run on three hits in two innings while striking out one. Alex Muren allowed one run while striking out three in the seventh. Williams Ramirez worked around a walk and another Miller error in the eighth to pitch a scoreless frame. Cam Booser had trouble with his control and walked five in the ninth but managed to allow just one run as after the first walk the next batter lined into a double play. Michael Theofanopoulos got the final out to finish the game.

 

English’s triple was the team’s only extra-base hit, and Strong stole his fifth base. They did go 3-5 with runners in scoring position as a team, but with just six hits and one walk on the game they didn’t generate enough chances.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Quad Cities 8, Cedar Rapids 2

Box Score

 

Eighteen hitters went down in order before the Kernels finally ended River Bandits’ starter Carlos Sanabria’s perfect game bid in the seventh inning. They would chase him later in the frame, but it was too little too late by then.

 

Quad Cities took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with a two-out rally against Cedar Rapids Starter Eduardo Del Rosario. A double was followed by a walk and run-scoring single to start the game’s scoring.

 

Del Rosario made it into the fifth inning before getting chased after a two-out single to make the score 6-0 in favor of the visiting team. Ryan Mason came on for his second appearance of the season and allowed an inherited runner to score before getting the final out of the frame. In the sixth Mason allowed two more runs after two singles and a double led off the inning.

 

The Kernels finally got to Sanabria in the seventh when Arial Montesino led off the inning with a double and was followed by a Jermaine Palacios home run, his seventh of the year. Lewin Diaz would also doubled in the inning but was left stranded.

 

Zack Tillery came out of the bullpen for the seventh inning and worked around two walks with a couple of strikeouts for a scoreless inning. He also pitched a scoreless eighth, striking out two more. Max Cordy pitched a scoreless ninth, allowing a single and striking out one.

 

Cedar Rapids was outhit 16-3 on the game and left just two men on base. They fall to 29-23 on the season.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Pitcher of the Day – Fernando Romero, Chattanooga Lookouts (W, 6 IP, 2 H’s, 2 BB’s, 7 K’s)

Hitter of the Day – Ryan Strausborger, Chattanooga Lookouts (3-4, 3 R’s, 2B, RBI)

 

 

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester @ Durham (6:05PM CST) – RHP Yohan Pino (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Chattanooga @ Birmingham (7:05PM CST) – LHP Stephen Gonsalves

Fort Myers @ Bradenton (5:30PM CST) – RHP Brady Anderson (2-0, 3.45 ERA)

Quad Cities @ Cedar Rapids (6:35PM CST) – RHP Tyler Wells

 

 

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games!

 

Click here to view the article

[Old Twins Cap]

Any word on Jay's velocity? 

 

Let there be helium.

[rdehring]

I have been out of town for awhile (although I read TD daily) and on the road the last two...but when did Vargas go back to Rochester? And what did he do to deserve the demotion?

 

Makes no sense to me.

[Jeff A]

I see that Chris Paul left last night's game in the first inning with an injured hand. Any word on how serious it is?

[jud6312]

 

I have been out of town for awhile (although I read TD daily) and on the road the last two...but when did Vargas go back to Rochester? And what did he do to deserve the demotion?

Makes no sense to me.

 

After the 15-inning game the other night they shipped him to Rochester and DL'd Haley to make room for Rucinski and Wheeler - the "reinforcements."

 

I'm hopeful it doesn't last much longer than the required 10 days. People can talk about his eye and plate discipline all they want, I prefer to focus on the run he was driving in every 5 PAs.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I have been out of town for awhile (although I read TD daily) and on the road the last two...but when did Vargas go back to Rochester? And what did he do to deserve the demotion?

Makes no sense to me.

 

As mentioned, it was after the 15 inning game. 

 

Did he deserve it? Not really. He was 0-8 that game, but he'd been doing fine. However, he was the only real option with an option remaining. 

[rdehring]

As mentioned, it was after the 15 inning game. 

 

Did he deserve it? Not really. He was 0-8 that game, but he'd been doing fine. However, he was the only real option with an option remaining.

I've heard of double negatives, Seth. But had never seen a double option...got a good smile, thanks.

 

I also am a fan of Vargas' bat and believe it belongs in the lineup nearly every day, certainly at least 5 days a week.

[clutterheart]

Ryan Eades in AAA!  That name is a blast from the past.  Just glancing through Twins draft history and I see the last time the Twins got any meaningful production from a 2nd round pick was Kevin Slowey way back in 2005.  

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

Gonsalves vs Kopech tonight. 

[SirLoin]

I hate to even say it....but could Wade be a potential trade chip for the big club?

 

And seriously, what does Hildenberger have to do to get a shot in the Twins bullpen? Or, as I mentioned yesterday, is he just Slama 2.0?

[Kernels Fan]

Great to see Tyler Wells back to the mound tonight!

[Seth Stohs]

 

Ryan Eades in AAA!  That name is a blast from the past.  Just glancing through Twins draft history and I see the last time the Twins got any meaningful production from a 2nd round pick was Kevin Slowey way back in 2005.  

 

Most likely a 1-2 start stint. Maybe until Wheeler comes back.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I hate to even say it....but could Wade be a potential trade chip for the big club?

 

And seriously, what does Hildenberger have to do to get a shot in the Twins bullpen? Or, as I mentioned yesterday, is he just Slama 2.0?

 

I would rather give Wade a chance to play LF....as Rosario, imo, just can't seem to hit enough.

[Yoke]

Here's an article with some Molitor quotes on Vargas being sent down: http://www.twincities.com/2017/05/29/kennys-vargas-mn-twins-casualty-bullpen-troubles/

[Vanimal46]

 

I hate to even say it....but could Wade be a potential trade chip for the big club?

 

And seriously, what does Hildenberger have to do to get a shot in the Twins bullpen? Or, as I mentioned yesterday, is he just Slama 2.0?

 

I'm a big fan of Wade, but wouldn't be opposed to making him a potential trade chip. Not sure if his value is higher or lower than Rosario at this point. If Wade is more sought after, then yeah, I'd probably do it. 

[drjim]

 

After the 15-inning game the other night they shipped him to Rochester and DL'd Haley to make room for Rucinski and Wheeler - the "reinforcements."

 

I'm hopeful it doesn't last much longer than the required 10 days. People can talk about his eye and plate discipline all they want, I prefer to focus on the run he was driving in every 5 PAs.

 

I would be surprised if it did last that long. Bullpen is already back to rested. Wouldn't anticipate a series with the Angels to crush it that bad, barring another 15 inning game.

[drjim]

 

I'm a big fan of Wade, but wouldn't be opposed to making him a potential trade chip. Not sure if his value is higher or lower than Rosario at this point. If Wade is more sought after, then yeah, I'd probably do it. 

 

It would be lower than Rosario, but pretty much nothing for either of them.

[Vanimal46]

 

It would be lower than Rosario, but pretty much nothing for either of them.

 

If they were headline pieces, then yeah I agree. As a 2nd or 3rd piece, either or would work. 

[Steve Lein]

 

I hate to even say it....but could Wade be a potential trade chip for the big club?

 

I don't know, he's reminding me a lot of Denard Span as a hitter. I'd like that on this Twins club eventually.

 

Probably not much value in a trade for him at this point, though. He wouldn't be someone a team would target as their top return, anyway.

[rghrbek]

 

If they were headline pieces, then yeah I agree. As a 2nd or 3rd piece, either or would work. 

But I would try to push Rosario first over Wade...

[108Stitches]

Oh Wells is back? Sweet.

[bird]

 

Ryan Eades in AAA!  That name is a blast from the past.  Just glancing through Twins draft history and I see the last time the Twins got any meaningful production from a 2nd round pick was Kevin Slowey way back in 2005.  

 

 

Given the 80% plus bust rate for second round selections, I'd suggest that the Twin's record involving the 13 second round decisions since 2005 isn't that bad if you're judging the quality of the decisions themselves. Nine of them are still putting on a uniform somewhere. Obviously, it's too early to judge Rortvedt, Miranda, and Badoo, but the reports are pretty good, excepting Rortvedt's struggles with the bat. We've been unlucky with Burdi, Melotakis, and Chargois, all of whom were expected to arrive by now and be impactful. Joe Benson eventually petered out, and Tyler Ladendorf fetched us RA Dickey I think, and got a cuppa joe with the A's. Bullock got hurt, Madison Boer I believe had struggles with addiction. Eades and Goodrum probably never make it past AAA, and that leaves good old Danny Rams.

 

But yes, Slowey was an excellent pick back in 2005.

[SirLoin]

 

But I would try to push Rosario first over Wade...

 

I don't hate that idea....

[jimbo92107]

I wonder how Fernando Romero would look in a Twins uniform... next week.

[Vanimal46]

 

I wonder how Fernando Romero would look in a Twins uniform... next week.

 

Probably similar, if not worse, than 2016 Jose Berrios. The dude's not ready, and probably won't be ready for 12-18 months. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Tyler Ladendorf fetched us RA Dickey I think, and got a cuppa joe with the A's. Bullock got hurt, Madison Boer I believe had struggles with addiction. Eades and Goodrum probably never make it past AAA, and that leaves good old Danny Rams.

 

But yes, Slowey was an excellent pick back in 2005.

 

Ladendorf - fetched Orlando Cabrera.

Bullock was traded for Scott Diamond, then got a 50-game suspension.

Boer just wasn't very good... no addiction issues.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

I wonder how Fernando Romero would look in a Twins uniform... next week.

 

 

Probably similar, if not worse, than 2016 Jose Berrios. The dude's not ready, and probably won't be ready for 12-18 months. 

As President of the Fernando Romero fan club even I will say he's not ready for the show yet especially as a SP.  If you just needed a few innings of RP then he's probably close but no need to move him off starting yet.

[whydidnt]

 

As President of the Fernando Romero fan club even I will say he's not ready for the show yet especially as a SP.  If you just needed a few innings of RP then he's probably close but no need to move him off starting yet.

Could you provide some detail on why you feel this way? Lack of command, not enough variety in pitches, etc. Just curious.

 

[Rhino and Compass]

With the daily moves of late, this is an important series to spend time reading. Thanks for the updates! We'll see 75% of the people mentioned here by the tie the week is through. 

[DocBauer]

Just thinking about 2018 and beyond, if you were to look at the top Twins minor leaguers, and you had to make a list of the most important guys to have good season's, and move up, not necessarily directly to the Twins, but move up....how would that list look?

 

I would almost say Romero and Gonsalves would be your top two.

 

Would this be a good thread idea?