Article: Twins Minor League Report (8/15): Benninghoff's Long-Awaited Debut

[Seth Stohs]

There were a lot of good stories in the Twins minor leagues on Tuesday. It started with the announcement in the morning that Clark Beekerwith his 33.2 innings scoreless streak has been promoted. The E-Twins and GCL Twins started their games in the morning too. The guy who pitched the first inning of the GCL game is quite the story, and we were able to talk to him after the appearance. The Kernels and Red Wings found ways to win, and a top prospect recorded his first AAA win and just might be pitching in a big league uniform next time out.Find out everything and more that happened happened in the Twins system on Tuesday.

 

Let’s start with the transactions of the day:

• RHP Clark Beeker - he of the 32.2 inning scoreless streak - has been promoted from Cedar Rapids to the Ft. Myers Miracle. RHP Eduardo Del Rosario is moving back to the Kernels from the Miracle.
• Keaton Steele was placed on the Miracle’s disabled list. Cody Stashak started his rehab assignment in the GCL.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 6, Columbus 2

Box Score

 

With Hector Santiago’s rehab put on hold, Stephen Gonsalves made the start for Rochester on his regular rest. He again performed very well. The southpaw went six innings and gave up just one run on four hits. He walked two and struck out eight. The run he gave up was on a double off the bat of the rehabbing Lonnie Chisenhall. Gonsalves struck out the side in both the second and fifth innings. With the help of the bullpen and the bats, Gonsalves recorded his first AAA win.

 

Could his next start be in Chicago as a member of the big league club? Stay tuned.

 

Drew Rucinski gave up a run on three hits in the seventh. John Curtiss pitched a perfect eighth. Michael Tonkin was given the ninth inning and finished off the win with a scoreless inning.

 

A lot of guys contributed to the offense. Matt Hague led the way. He went 3-5 with three RBI. Mitch Garver went 2-4 and his 28th double drove in a run. Kennys Vargas went 2-4, was intentionally walked, and contributed his ninth homer. JB Shuck went 2-3 with his 23rd double and a sacrifice. Daniel Palka was 2-5. Niko Goodrum was 1-2 with two walks and a very, very long home run. It was his 11th of the season.

 

Zack Granite went 1-3 before he left the game in the fifth inning. He is day-to-day.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga

Box Score

 

The Lookouts had an off-day on Tuesday before starting a five-game series against Tennessee on Wednesday.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers , Lakeland

Box Score

 

Rain won the day again in Florida and this game was postponed. The two teams will play two seven-inning games on Wednesday.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 5, Burlington 2

Box Score

 

The Kernels got ahead early and were able to hold it thanks to some strong pitching. Lefty Bryan Sammons started and gave up two runs on four hits over five innings. He walked one and struck out six. Ryan Mason provided two scoreless innings before Colton Davis and Hector Lujan each threw a scoreless frame. For Lujan, who struck out two, it was his 13th save of the season.

 

Caleb Hamilton provided the big blast in the first inning when he hit his ninth home run. Trey Cabbage went 2-4 with the seventh RBI. Aaron Whitefield knocked in a run with his sixth triple. He was 2-4 with a walk. He also stole his 29th base.

 

Royce Lewis was given a game off for the first time since joining the Kernels. Tommy Watkins told Steve Buhr the following for an article which appeared in the Star Tribune.

 

“‘I think the plan is to play him a couple of days, then give him a day or two (off),’ Watkins said. ‘Definitely not try to overload him with swinging every day. He’s coming from a high school season, first taste of pro ball, so we’ll ease him in.’”

 

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Elizabethton 4, Johnson City 11

Box Score

 

It was a rare afternoon games for the E-Twins, particularly leading up to a rare off day for the team on Wednesday (they have three off days all season). Things didn’t exactly go well for the Twins.

 

Edwar Colina started. He gave up four runs on five hits and three walks in just 3.2 innings. He struck out three. Juan Gamez came on next and the converted catcher struggled with his control. In two innings, he gave up five runs on one hit and five walks. He struck out one. Rickey Ramirez gave up two runs on three hits and a walk over the final 2.1 innings. He struck out two.

 

The Twins had seven hits. Ariel Montesino went 1-2 with two walks and his fourth double. He drove in two runs. Gorge Munoz went 2-3 and was hit by a pitch.

 

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins 1, GCL Rays 4

Box Score

 

Tyler Benninghoff was the Twins 11th-round pick last June out of high school. He fell to the 11th round because he wasn’t able to pitch much his senior year. The Twins signed him, for well over slot, and he immediately underwent Tommy John surgery. It was a gradual recovery, but on Tuesday, about 14 months following surgery, Benninghoff returned to a game mound. It went well. He threw one inning. He walked one and he struck out one. He was able to do what he wanted.

 

Benninghoff told Twins Daily, “I had one inning or 20 pitches today whichever came first, but for me I wanted to fill up the zone and get out of the inning in less than 20 pitches.”

 

Tyler Wells came on next and went the next five innings. He gave up four runs (two earned) on five hits, a walk and and a hit batter. He struck out four. Cody Stashak pitched the final two innings. He gave up one hit and hit a batter, but he did not allow a run. He struck out two batters.

 

There wasn’t much offense for the Twins either. Shane Kennedy, also rehabbing, went 1-2 with two walks and a stolen base. Ben Rodriguez drove in the team’s lone run with his second home run. Emmanuel Morel was 1-4 with his ninth double.

 

The big story of the game was the return (is it a return if it’s also his first pro appearance). It meant a lot to the right-hander, an end to one phase and a start to another. “It was a weight lifted of my shoulder being able to throw my first inning and get that under my belt. Now instead of focusing on rehab, I can focus on furthering my baseball career with the Twins.”

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Stephen Gonsalves, Cedar Rapids Kernels

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Aaron Whitefield, Cedar Rapids Kernels

 

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Columbus (6:05 CST) - LHP David Hurlbut

Chattanooga @ Tennessee (6:00 CST) - RHP Kohl Stewart

Lakeland @ Ft. Myers (DH at 4:00 CST) - LHP Anthony McIver, RHP Randy LeBlanc

Cedar Rapids @ Burlington (6:30 CST) - LHP Tyler Watson

Elizabethton - No Game Scheduled

GCL Rays @ GCL Twins (9:00 CST) - TBD

 

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

 

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[jud6312]

Is Romero getting extra rest or what? Looks like it's gonna be at least 9 days between starts. 

[DocBauer]

Is it just me, or does the 20yo Whitefield look like a tremendous story and possible top 20 prospect?

 

Is he a RH Kepler? Everything I read says he plays good defense, he hits, he runs, his OB is quality, he has power, and he seems to keep getting better and better.

[DocBauer]

Benninghoff: Great! "Go get 'em kid!"

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Is Romero getting extra rest or what? Looks like it's gonna be at least 9 days between starts. 

 

He is pretty much at his innings limit for the season. Not sure what the plan is, but he could be shut down.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Is Romero getting extra rest or what? Looks like it's gonna be at least 9 days between starts. 

 

Just skipping a start... There are no plans to shut him down. I don't know what the big picture plans as far as the Southern League playoffs and/or a September call up, but this is just a skipped start.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Is it just me, or does the 20yo Whitefield look like a tremendous story and possible top 20 prospect? Is he a RH Kepler? Everything I read says he plays good defense, he hits, he runs, his OB is quality, he has power, and he seems to keep getting better and better.

 

I have him just outside my top 20, but he's pretty impressive. He's got size, strength, power, speed, youth... I mean, then consider the numbers he's putting up in the Midwest League having less than 3 years of baseball experience. Defensively, he's got great range, and a good arm... He's kind of natural out there in CF. He's impressive. 

[gunnarthor]

I liked the logic of the Benninghoff pick. I don't know if he'll make it but it's a nice gamble. Good luck to the kid in coming back.

[clutterheart]

 

I liked the logic of the Benninghoff pick. I don't know if he'll make it but it's a nice gamble. Good luck to the kid in coming back.

 

Agree.  Its a great use of Dollars.

There is a lot I like about the whole 2016 draft.  Lots of high upside HS'ers taken and so far so good

[Yoke]

 

I have him just outside my top 20, but he's pretty impressive. He's got size, strength, power, speed, youth... I mean, then consider the numbers he's putting up in the Midwest League having less than 3 years of baseball experience. Defensively, he's got great range, and a good arm... He's kind of natural out there in CF. He's impressive. 

Do you think his inexperience in baseball is going to make him the kind of prospect that plays an entire year at each level?

[mikelink45]

Garver should have been with the team all season, but Giminez is from Cleveland and that counts. The pitching staff with the new catchers are 13 in ERA vs. 15 last year, 12 in runs allowed vs 15 last year (both a result of defense more than framing). K they were 12 last year and this year they are last - 15 - with their new pitch framers.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Do you think his inexperience in baseball is going to make him the kind of prospect that plays an entire year at each level?

 

For now I think that makes the most sense... but obviously that could change... Or, like Kepler, you could go one level at a time, and then (basically) come up from AA.

 

To note... Kepler played 1 year in the GCL and 2 years in E-Town before getting to Cedar Rapids. Of course, Kepler signed at 16 and Whitefield signed at 18, so it's not apples to apples, but both were raw, incredible athletes. 

[drjim]

 

Agree.  Its a great use of Dollars.

There is a lot I like about the whole 2016 draft.  Lots of high upside HS'ers taken and so far so good

 

I agree. Looking back at Ryan 2.0, I think we'll see 2012 as a great draft, 2013 as very solid (even with the Stewart miss), 14 and 15 as pretty weak, and 16 as a nice final effort, with 17 looking solid too. The fruits of these will really start to show in depth, if not exactly impact.

[drjim]

Did anyone know this was happening today?

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Did anyone know this was happening today?

 

 

I really didn't, not until it was happening... 

[clutterheart]

I thought Jay was out with that Thoratic thing-a-ma-jig?

glad he is not

[gunnarthor]

Yeah, what the heck? I'm going to be really pissed if they shut him down for a couple months, let him pitch and then have him have major surgery that pushes him back to 2019 to pitch again.