Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/19): Rochester Dominates

[Jeremy Nygaard]

The Twins and all but two of the affiliates were off on Monday, but there was still some news.

 

Left-handed reliever Cameron Booser was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for a drug of abuse. He was currently in extended spring training, so his suspension will begin when the short season leagues start.

 

Jake Reed was promoted from Chattanooga to Rochester. Matt Tracy was sent the opposite way to make room. The Twins also announced that both Hector Santiago and Phil Hughes will begin rehab assignments on Wednesday. Santiago will start, Hughes will relieve.

 

Let’s check the only two affiliates in action on Monday.RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 7, Buffalo 0

Box Score

 

The offense exploded early and the pitching staff threw a shutout as the Red Wings improved to 33-33

 

Zack Granite continues his dominance of AAA pitching as he went 3-5 with a double and an RBI. He is now batting .349 on the season. Matt Hague and John Ryan Murphy also contributed three-hit games. Hague doubled once and drove in a run. Murphy drove in two runs and doubled twice. Four other Red Wings, Mitch Garver, J.B. Shuck, ByungHo Park and Tommy Field, had two-hit games. All but Shuck doubled. All told, there were seven doubles and 17 total hits.

 

David Hurlbut twirled seven shutout innings, striking out seven and walking two. He allowed four hits. Mason Melotakis and Kam Mickolio each worked hitless frames, each striking out one.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 3, Jupiter 4 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

Tanner English provided half of the team’s six hits with two doubles and a single. He also swiped his fifth base of the season. English scored and drove in a run. Sean Miller, Brian Navarreto and Max Murphy accounted for the other three hits (singles). Murphy stole two bases and drove in a run.

 

Brady Anderson gave up three run in five innings on eight hits and two walks. He struck out three and gave up two home runs. Jonny Drozd pitched two scoreless innings and Michael Theofanopoulos struck out three in two innings. Williams Ramirez took the loss, giving up the winning run while recording only one out in the 10th inning.

 

Fort Myers drops to 32-34.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day – David Hurlbut, Rochester

Hitter of the Day – John Ryan Murphy, Rochester

 

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester vs Buffalo (6:05 CST) - RHP Aaron Slegers (5-4, 4.06 ERA)

Fort Myers vs Jupiter (5:30 CST) - RHP Anthony McIver (1-2, 2-53 ERA)

 

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

 

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[SirLoin]

How is it that the Twins keep sending waiver wire re-treads out here when a guy like Hurlbut has appeared to be nothing short of consistent throughout his Minor League career?  Are they afraid of the bad publicity once Meatsauce gets a hold of his last name?

[BenB]

Will we see Granite join the Twins this year as a 4th outfielder so we can keep Grossman out of the outfield?

[PDX Twin]

 

Will we see Granite join the Twins this year as a 4th outfielder so we can keep Grossman out of the outfield?

 

Seems like he will need an injury to one of Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, Grossman, Vargas, or Mauer to find a spot. I don't think Grossman and Vargas can coexist on the roster as essentially pure DHs.

 

Actually, it's pretty amazing that all six of those guys have been healthy all season and we're already into June. (Or was Vargas hurt for a bit?)

[dbminn]

 

Seems like he will need an injury to one of Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, Grossman, Vargas, or Mauer to find a spot. I don't think Grossman and Vargas can coexist on the roster as essentially pure DHs.

 

Actually, it's pretty amazing that all six of those guys have been healthy all season and we're already into June. (Or was Vargas hurt for a bit?)

 

He also might be called up if the Twins fall out of contention and trades are made. Grossman and Escobar should be in demand as specialty pieces on a contending team. 

[Jeremy Nygaard]

 

How is it that the Twins keep sending waiver wire re-treads out here when a guy like Hurlbut has appeared to be nothing short of consistent throughout his Minor League career?  Are they afraid of the bad publicity once Meatsauce gets a hold of his last name?

 

 

Good question. The Twins seem to be using their 39th and 40th spots on their 40-man roster with guys - like Wilk, Heston and Rucinski - that just aren't very good. I like how they're using their roster and shuffling through guys. You lose some of that flexibility if you add Slegers, cause you're not taking him off. Is he better than those guys? I don't know.

 

I don't know if that's what they're thinking... but it might be.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

 

Will we see Granite join the Twins this year as a 4th outfielder so we can keep Grossman out of the outfield?

 

If the pitching staff was ever good enough that the Twins could actually employ a 4th outfielder, Granite would be great in that role. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

Good question. The Twins seem to be using their 39th and 40th spots on their 40-man roster with guys - like Wilk, Heston and Rucinski - that just aren't very good. I like how they're using their roster and shuffling through guys. You lose some of that flexibility if you add Slegers, cause you're not taking him off. Is he better than those guys? I don't know.

 

I don't know if that's what they're thinking... but it might be.

 

It isn't working. Is anyone surprised it isn't working?

 

Also, if they never add Slegers out of fear of losing him, uh, I don't get how keeping him around helps. 

Edited June 20, 2017 by Mike Sixel

[Rosterman]

And then you have Boshers come in and screw everything up by being one of your better pitchers.

 

Of course, we said that about Breslow earlier.

 

What kills is the spots held by guys who won't get a call-up, probably even in September, that are tying up roster spots. Granted, you might've risked losing Jorge or Romero or even Rosario if you didn't protect them.

 

Who else will get a call to the majors? Paul Clemens will advance. Yohan Pino get a swan song? The question is, who in the minors is better than Santiago (who will be a free agent), Hughes or Gibson...and if there is someone, why aren't they here...or at least pitching on par and getting experience BECAUSE they will probably be here in 2018 and beyond!

 

But you still have Palka, and John Ryan Murphy, in 40-man limbo. Should they stay or go, that is the question. Danged Aaron Hicks making that trade look really bad for the Twins!