Article: Twins Minor League Report (7/12): Bonus Baseball For Lookouts

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins two first-round draft picks this year both had strong days on Wednesday, making Twins fans start to wonder when they will move up a level. One Red Wings player participated in the AAA All-Star Game. The Kernels kept a streak going. A good or a bad one? The E-Twins got a big win, and the GCL Twins put together a complete team win (pitching, offense and defense).Find out everything and more that happened happened in the Twins system on Wednesday.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester

Box Score - AAA All Star Game

 

Wednesday marked the third and final day of the International League’s All-Star break. The AAA All-Star game was played in Tacoma, Washington. The Red Wings had two players named to the International League’s roster. Drew Rucinski is one, and Zack Granite was the other. However, with Granite’s call up to the Twins, he did not participate in the All-Star festivities as he remains on the big league roster.

 

Since the Twins DFAd him and sent him back to Rochester, Rucinski has been remarkable. Since the beginning of June, he has pitched in ten games for the Red Wings. He has given up zero runs in 16.2 innings. He has given up nine hits, walked none and struck out ten. In short, he’s been fantastic.

 

He started the sixth inning for the IL and got two outs. He gave up a hit before being replaced, though the runner was stranded.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 5, Pensacola 3 (12 innings)

Box Score

 

The Lookouts needed some bonus baseball to determine this one.

 

Down 2-0, the Lookouts scored three runs in the fifth inning. Nick Gordon singled in a run right before LaMonte Wade knocked in two runs with his 15th double.

 

Felix Jorge made his first Lookouts start in weeks. His past two starts have been in the big leagues for the Twins. On this night he gave up two runs (one earned) in six innings. He walked three and struck out three. Raul Fernandez came in next. He gave up the tying run on two hits and two walks over the next four outs. Todd Van Steensel was able to keep the game tied through the ninth inning. Nick Anderson struck out three batters over the next two innings.

 

Nick Gordon led off the 12th inning by being hit by a pitch. Wade bunted him to second. Jonathan Rodriguez walked to set up a double play, but Andy Wilkens came through with an RBI double. Max Murphy followed with sacrifice fly to score Rodriguez.

 

With a two-run lead, Luke Bard was brought into the game. A groundout was followed by a double. However, he got a line out and a strikeout to record the save.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers , Charlotte

Box Score

 

Game postponed by rain. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Thursday.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 0, West Michigan 2

Box Score

 

It’s safe to say that the Kernels offense is struggling right now. After being shut out on Wednesday night, they have not scored in 19 innings. On this night, they had just four hits. Trey Cabbage led the way with two hits, including his first double with the Kernels.

 

Lefty Domenick Carlini started and provided the Kernels with a quality start. He gave up two runs on six hits over the first six innings. He struck out five without issuing a walk. Patrick McGuff struck out five (and walked two) over two scoreless, hitless innings of relief.

 

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Elizabethton 9, Burlington 3

Box Score

 

The E-Twins used a five-run second inning to jump out to an early lead and held on throughout the game.

 

Brent Rooker’s sixth home run was the big hit early. He went 1-3 with two walks and his second stolen base. Jose Miranda also homered, his fourth of the season. Mark Contreras went 2-4 with a walk. Ariel Montesino went 2-4 with a walk, his first E-Twins double and first E-Twins stolen base in 2017.

 

Moises Gomez was the beneficiary of the offensive output. The right-hander went the first 5.1 innings. Despite giving up ten hits, he held Burlington to three runs (two earned). He struck out four, with no walks. Ricky Ramirez was the Twins 15th round pick this year out of Fresno State. He recorded his first pro save with 3.2 shutout innings. He gave up just one hit and struck out two.

 

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins 14, GCL Orioles 0

Box Score

 

It was a great all-around game for the GCL Twins.There was plenty of offense. There was some fantastic pitching. There was even a triple play.

 

Let’s start with the offense. Humberto Maldonado led the way. He went 3-4 with his first two doubles and his first home run. He drove in four runs. Royce Lewis had another strong game. He went 2-4 with two walks and three runs scored. He also stole his fifth and sixth bases. He is now hitting .340. Victor Tademo went 2-4 with two walks and his second double. Alex Robles and Ben Rodriguez each had two hits. Akil Baddoo added his fourth double. Darling Cuestro hit a double, his first hit in the States.

 

Carlos Suniaga started and gave up just two hits over six shutout innings. He struck out six without walking any. He improved to 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA with the GCL Twins. Matz Schutte threw the final three innings. He walked two and struck out two.

 

With runners on first and second and nobody out in the seventh, there was a ground ball to Royce Lewis. He fielded it, tagged one runner, threw to second and the triple play was complete on the throw to first base.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Carlos Suniaga, GCL Twins

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Humberto Maldonado, GCL Twins

 

 

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester @ Lehigh Valley (6:05 CST) - RHP Bartolo Colon

Jacksonville @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) - LHP Stephen Gonsalves

Ft. Myers @ Charlotte (DH at 3:30 CST) - LHP Lewis Thorpe, RHP Brady Anderson

Wisconsin @ West Michigan (6:00 CST) - LHP Evan Sanders

Elizabethton @ Burlington (6:00 CST) - RHP Melvi Acosta

GCL Orioles @ GCL Twins (11:00 am CST) - TBD

 

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

 

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[jsteve96]

first of all gotta love what we have been seeing out of GCL and E-town Twins! system has weakened considerably hitting wise but it's looking like we have some big time hitters coming... Jose Miranda is surprising me with the power, Brent Rooker is dominating, Wander Javier is hitting well, Albanese is hitting .340... Badoo and Lewis killing GCL.. just fun to see. 

 

Gonna be a fun day full of pitching FTM on up

[jsteve96]

is this what was expected out of Jose Miranda? anyone think he had power coming?

[twinsfanstreif]

is this what was expected out of Jose Miranda? anyone think he had power coming?

Actually every scouting report around draft time noted raw power and said he could have more coming as he fills out, in fact our scouting director at the time Deron Johnson was quoted saying "He's a good-sized kid. He has a chance to have power for sure."

[Tommygun921]

Kernels offense is struggling? Looks like a good time to add Rooker.

[Bob Sacamento]

The newly called up to High A Fort Myers Dane Hutcheon and Humber Maldonado showing off their dance moves before a game 7/7/17.  Humber keeps the clubhouse very loose!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cRUpA-nikg

[Han Joelo]

I agree with above sentiments--there are some intriguing dudes in E-town and the GCL.

 

Without checking the logs, it seems/feels like Javier is only playing about half the games.  Gore starts a lot.  I assume that is because Wander spent a whole day working on his fielding, and he's tired...in all seriousness, does he play any less than anybody else, or all they all pretty much on the same rotation?

 

Was Miranda a second rounder?  Shoot, I should get the Handbook.  Sorry.

[Seth Stohs]

I can't remember off the top of my head whether the Twins took Baddoo or Miranda first in the 2016 draft. They were back-to-back picks following the 2nd round. That was a nice draft potentially. Kirilloff obviously is the top guy with the big bat potentially. But Rortvedt has had a nice six weeks after a rough 4-5 weeks to start his season in Cedar Rapids. Miranda is doing well in E-Town, and power will certainly be his calling card, I think. Baddoo has tons of tools, and I would think when Rooker moves up to Cedar Rapids (or maybe Ft. Myers,though I hope CR), Baddoo could move up to E-Town, probably should. Around that same time, I'm guessing we'll see Royce Lewis moved up to E-Town. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I agree with above sentiments--there are some intriguing dudes in E-town and the GCL.

 

Without checking the logs, it seems/feels like Javier is only playing about half the games.  Gore starts a lot.  I assume that is because Wander spent a whole day working on his fielding, and he's tired...in all seriousness, does he play any less than anybody else, or all they all pretty much on the same rotation?

 

Was Miranda a second rounder?  Shoot, I should get the Handbook.  Sorry.

 

You should get the Handbook. Ha!

 

Javier has started 11 games at Elizabethton. Gore has started 9. 

 

In those rookie leagues, there are priority guys that will play more than others, but they're going to play everyone to find out what they have in them.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Kernels offense is struggling? Looks like a good time to add Rooker. Kind of surprised the Twins called up Granite 2 games before the MLB all-star break. Seems they could've (Surprised they didn't) just wait to allow him to participate in the AAA all-star game first. Because it seems they must be planning to keep him up.

 

Yeah, I would like to see Rooker move up to Cedar Rapids. I get that people want him to go to Ft. Myers, and that can happen too, but I believe it would be in his best interest to work his way up there. He can use the CR time, and the Kernels can use him. Only makes sense.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Yeah, I would like to see Rooker move up to Cedar Rapids. I get that people want him to go to Ft. Myers, and that can happen too, but I believe it would be in his best interest to work his way up there. He can use the CR time, and the Kernels can use him. Only makes sense.

 

soon, hopefully. Pretty sure we are into week 2+ now

[Bob Sacamento]

 

is this what was expected out of Jose Miranda? anyone think he had power coming?

Yes, they did.  Here's what BA had to say about him before the draft:

 

 

 

Miranda has a good approach at the plate and has an advanced feel for hitting, enabling him to make a lot of contact. He also shows some pop and projects to hit for average power as he physically matures. While Miranda plays shortstop now, his footwork and lower half will lead him to move off the position as a professional. He has an average arm and a good enough glove to stay in the infield, either at second or third base. There is still some rawness to the 17-year-old's game, but Miranda provides significant upside thanks to his offensive profile.

 

And what they said about him after the the 2016 season:

 

The 18-year-old struggled offensively in his debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, but the Twins view his hit tool as one of the best in their draft class, envisioning him in a similar vein as Travis Blankenhorn. Like Blankenhorn, Miranda has a smooth swing and advanced bat-to-ball skills and the chance for average or better power as he physically develops. And also like Blankenhorn, Miranda faces a likely move off shortstop. Though Miranda showed smooth actions and hands at short in the GCL, most evaluators project him to outgrow the position and slide over to third base, where his average arm should be sufficient. His carrying tool is his bat, and he will try to rebound in 2017.

 

In my opinion, Miranda at this time last year (in GCL) was a better defensive SS than what Lewis is, if that gives you an indication on either's defensive abilities.

[TRex]

 

Yeah, I would like to see Rooker move up to Cedar Rapids. I get that people want him to go to Ft. Myers, and that can happen too, but I believe it would be in his best interest to work his way up there. He can use the CR time, and the Kernels can use him. Only makes sense.

For me, the tell-tale sign that Rooker is ready is that he has only struck out 4 times in his last 8 games (with 8 walks). I guess the Slg% of ~1.000 over that period isn' too bad either !

[gunnarthor]

I've mentioned this before but I really loved last years picks of Miranda and Baddoo back to back. Really young guys (both were 17 on draft day) but already had solid tools. Both added some muscle per Bob this offseason.  They are a long way off but there's a lot to be excited about for both of them.

[nicksaviking]

 

Yeah, I would like to see Rooker move up to Cedar Rapids. I get that people want him to go to Ft. Myers, and that can happen too, but I believe it would be in his best interest to work his way up there. He can use the CR time, and the Kernels can use him. Only makes sense.

 

I'm willing to compromise for the Kernels. Rooker goes to Ft. Myers, but CR gets a consolation prize in Lewis
 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

I can't remember off the top of my head whether the Twins took Baddoo or Miranda first in the 2016 draft. They were back-to-back picks following the 2nd round. That was a nice draft potentially. Kirilloff obviously is the top guy with the big bat potentially. But Rortvedt has had a nice six weeks after a rough 4-5 weeks to start his season in Cedar Rapids. Miranda is doing well in E-Town, and power will certainly be his calling card, I think. Baddoo has tons of tools, and I would think when Rooker moves up to Cedar Rapids (or maybe Ft. Myers,though I hope CR), Baddoo could move up to E-Town, probably should. Around that same time, I'm guessing we'll see Royce Lewis moved up to E-Town. 

 

The decision to use the saved slot money and draft a bunch of HS kids right now is looking very smart. A lot of picks in this draft are looking good.

[nicksaviking]

 

You should get the Handbook. Ha!

 

Javier has started 11 games at Elizabethton. Gore has started 9. 

 

In those rookie leagues, there are priority guys that will play more than others, but they're going to play everyone to find out what they have in them.

 

And the fact that a 2016 2nd round draft pick doesn't have "priority" in the Appy League really speaks volumes about how many exciting SS capable prospects there are in the system.

[Seth Stohs]

 

And the fact that a 2016 2nd round draft pick doesn't have "priority" in the Appy League really speaks volumes about how many exciting SS capable prospects there are in the system.

 

Are you talking about Miranda? Cuz he's started 10 games at 2B, once at 3B, and three times at DH. He's definitely a 'priority' prospect.

[Deduno Abides]

Humberto Maldonado is a great name! It would have looked great on a 1960 Topps card.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Humberto Maldonado is a great name! It would have looked great on a 1960 Topps card.IMG_0381.JPG

Well Topps does have it available where you can make your own custom cards, unfortunately the 1960 regular card is not an option.  I actually have played around with the idea of making a GCL set or two and getting the guys to sign them as I have portrait pics of pretty much all of t hem, I know they'd love it but it's actually more coin than what one would think unless it's mass ordered.

 

 

[ashbury]

Humberto Maldonado is a great name! It would have looked great on a 1960 Topps card.IMG_0381.JPG

http://www.vintagecardprices.com/pics/1792/416/164185.jpg

 

_{^{Not a 1960 of course.}}