Article: Twins Minor League Report (8/28): Rooker Homers Again

[Jeremy Nygaard]

The Twins were off Monday, but there was still good news: Byron Buxton was named American League Player of the Week. Buxton batted .333 with five home runs, 10 RBI, nine runs, two stolen bases and an OPS of 1.161. He is the third Twin (Miguel Sano, Eddie Rosario) to receive the honor this season.

 

The affiliates had a full slate, see how they did below.

 

Read about Monday’s action below.RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 3, Scranton W/B 5

Box Score

 

Felix Jorge gave up five runs in four innings on seven hits. He struck out two. Yohan Pino (two scoreless innings) and Buddy Boshers (two outs) both struck out two in relief. Drew Rucinski recorded the last four outs.

 

Leo Reginatto had two hits and scored two runs. Anthony Recker hit his 16th double of the season. Engelb Vielma doubled and drove in two runs.

 

With both the Red Wings and Lehigh Valley losing, Rochester’s magic number has been reduced to five.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 4, Jackson 5

Box Score

 

A walk-off win tonight for Jackson.

 

Andy Wilkins hit a three-run fourth inning home run and T.J. White doubled in Wilkins later to account for the fourth and final run. Nick Gordon, Edgar Corcino and LaMonte Wade each added a single.

 

D.J. Baxendale struck out four in five innings. He allowed six hits and one run. Alex Muren was tagged for three runs in a single frame, resulting in a blown save. Cody Stashak struck out two in two innings. Todd Van Steensel allowed the game-winning run.

 

Fernando Romero was placed on the DL with shoulder impingement.

 

Chattanooga has already clinched the first-half title and still has a magic number of three after their loss and Montgomery’s win.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 2, St. Lucie 3

Box Score

 

Brent Rooker continued to swing a big stick, homering in his third straight game. He now has 11 in the FSL and 18 since being drafted in June.

 

Unfortunately, the Miracle only managed a Brandon Lopez double and four other singles in the game.

 

Lewis Thorpe started and only pitched one inning, throwing 14 pitches. Unconfirmed reports suggest the team had him throw only one inning as he prepares for the playoffs.

 

Lachlan Wells pitched the next four innings allowing three runs on four hits and two walks. He struck out three and took the loss, dropping to 4-10.

 

Andrew Vasquez and Michael Kohn both had scoreless outings.

 

The Miracle didn’t play this weekend due to rainouts, but still have a nice cushion in the FSL. If they can’t wrap up the league by Sunday, they’ll potentially have to make up their rained out games on Monday.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 4, Quad Cities 2 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

Bryan Sammons struck out six in four innings. He allowed four hits and walked two. Two runs scored but only one was earned. Patrick McGuff struck out two in a hitless frame. Ryan Mason allowed a hit in one inning. Colton Davis struck out two in two innings.

 

Royce Lewis and Caleb Hamilton both had doubles and scored runs. Jordon Gore and Ben Rortvedt added hits. Rortvedt also had three more passed balls, running his total to 15.

 

Aaron Whitefield struck out to begin the 10th inning, but reached base anyway after the third strike was dropped. A passed ball advanced him to second, a sac bunt advanced him to third. He then scored on a wild pitch to compete the true middle school girls softball scoring play.

 

Shane Kennedy later homered.

 

Hector Lujan entered in the 10th to save the game. He allowed a hit. Rortvedt had a throwing error on a stolen base attempt and his last passed ball, but Lujan got a couple of groundballs and a foul pop out to end it.

 

The Kernels activated P Evan Sanders and placed P Tyler Beardsley on the DL.

 

Getting Royce Lewis was a shot in the arm and the Kernels are (32-31) in the second half. Regardless how this week plays out, they will be in the MWL playoffs.

 

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Elizabethton 2, Greeneville 3

Box Score

 

The E-Twins managed only six hits and two runs on Monday night. Andrew Cosgrove had a two-run double that scored J.J. Robinson and Andrew Bechtold. Akil Baddoo reached base three times, all by walk. Robinson and T.J. Dixon both had a stolen base.

 

Edwar Colina took the loss allowing three runs on four hits, two walks and two hit batters. He struck out one. Ricky Ramirez and Blair Lasko each pitched two innings in relief. Ramirez allowed one hit and struck out one. Lasko allowed one hit and struck out three.

 

E-town wrapped up the Appy League West on Sunday.

 

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

 

GCL Twins vs GCL Rays - rained out

 

The two teams will play a doubleheader (hopefully) on Tuesday.

 

The magic number for the GCL Twins remains three.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day – Bryan Sammons, Cedar Rapids

Hitter of the Day – Andy Wilkins, Chattanooga

 

 

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester at Scranton/WB (6:05 CST) - LHP Hector Santiago (REHAB)

Chattanooga at Jackson (6:05 CST) - TBA

Fort Myers at St. Lucie (5:30 CST) - RHP Sean Poppen (2-2, 3.45 ERA)

Elizabethton at Kingsport (5:30 CST) - TBA

GCL Twins at GCL Rays (11:00 AM CST - doubleheader) - TBA

 

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

 

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[AlwaysinModeration]

"Shoulder impingement?!?!!!#*%#*!?"

[Seth Stohs]

 

"Shoulder impingement?!?!!!#*%#*!?"

 

I was told that he experienced fatigue in his side session, so they are doing what they would normally do, miss 1-2 starts. Obviously since that's pretty much the end of the season, he's not likely to pitch again this season. I was told that innings-wise, he could have gone 3-4 more starts. 

[gman]

IMO, Rooker appears to be ready for Chattanoonga next year. I hope he gets off to great start and makes the Twins late in 2018. Or even early would be good too. Any chances he plays in Arizona this fall?

 

P.S.  I would put him at first base whereever he plays.

[rdehring]

Zander Wiel, who has been at Fort Myers all year, leads the team with 12 home runs. Rooker, who has been there a little over a month, has 11. He only needs one more than Wiel to tie, nor two more to lead the team.

 

What an amazing month plus for Rooker. Not certain what it says about the rest of the lineup?

[TRex]

In the never-ending search for bullpen arms, could Michael Kohn be a dark horse candidate? He is working his way back from injury, but has significant big-league experience. I don't know anything about his current arsenal, but he had an average fastball velocity of 95mph from 2011-2015. 

[mikelink45]

It is fun to see the exceptional players that move to the majors almost as soon as they are drafted - Griffey, Trout.. wouldn't it be fun if Rooker and Lewis can be on that kind of race track?  

 

By the way these two position players look great so far, but what about the pitchers we took in the early rounds?  Since they pitch every 4 - 5 days I am having a hard time keeping track of their promise or struggles.

[Seth Stohs]

 

IMO, Rooker appears to be ready for Chattanoonga next year. I hope he gets off to great start and makes the Twins late in 2018. Or even early would be good too. Any chances he plays in Arizona this fall?

 

P.S.  I would put him at first base whereever he plays.

 

My guess is he'll go to the AFL and start next year at Chattanooga. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Zander Wiel, who has been at Fort Myers all year, leads the team with 12 home runs. Rooker, who has been there a little over a month, has 11. He only needs one more than Wiel to tie, nor two more to lead the team.

What an amazing month plus for Rooker. Not certain what it says about the rest of the lineup?

 

I think it says more about Rooker than the rest of the lineup. Last year, the Miracle HR leader had like 7. That's more normal. Sano hit a bunch, but he was different. AB Walker hit like 27 or something. But even double digit homers is unusual.

[Seth Stohs]

 

In the never-ending search for bullpen arms, could Michael Kohn be a dark horse candidate? He is working his way back from injury, but has significant big-league experience. I don't know anything about his current arsenal, but he had an average fastball velocity of 95mph from 2011-2015. 

 

I've written about him quite a bit, and I just really like that signing. Not just for rehabbing this year, but a spring invite next year. I like flyers like that.

[DocBauer]

I believe these stats on Rooker should be updated through last night's game.

 

Fort Meyers:

 

37Games/ 132AB/ .288AVG/ .377OB/ .583SLG/ .961OPS/ 6-0-11XBH/ 22R/ 35RBI/ 16BB-43SO

 

Obviously the SO are a little high, but entirely unexpected. But those numbers, even in relatively SSS sure look promising. I agree AA for 2018 looks like a strong posibility.

[carlito_b]

Assuming Romero is done for the year.. Will rooker be to the big leagues by next summer? If Lewis weren't blocked by Buxton at center I think it would be interesting how aggressive they'd push him is he has a big postseason.. This year's draft class has been a lot of fun to watch already

[rdehring]

I think it says more about Rooker than the rest of the lineup. Last year, the Miracle HR leader had like 7. That's more normal. Sano hit a bunch, but he was different. AB Walker hit like 27 or something. But even double digit homers is unusual.

Didn't Matt LeCroy hit the most home runs of any Twins player at Fort Myers? Wasn't it 20 something? Or was there someone else?

[ThejacKmp]

Is Rochester's playoff run going to interfere with the Twins September call-ups? It seems like they shouldn't but with every level making the playoffs, it's hard to even move guys up a level to combat the personnel losses.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Didn't Matt LeCroy hit the most home runs of any Twins player at Fort Myers? Wasn't it 20 something? Or was there someone else?

 

Lecroy had 12 homers in 51 games in Ft. Myers in 1998 (year after he was drafted). 

 

Then he had 20 in 89 games there in 1999. 

 

Sano had 16 in 56 games in Ft. Myers as a 20-year-old in 2013 before moving up to AA for the 2nd half.

 

Walker had 25 there in 132 games as a 22-year-old in 2014 (Full season).

[ThejacKmp]

 

IMO, Rooker appears to be ready for Chattanoonga next year. I hope he gets off to great start and makes the Twins late in 2018. Or even early would be good too. Any chances he plays in Arizona this fall?

 

P.S.  I would put him at first base whereever he plays.

 

If he can play a decent corner OF, they should definitely keep him there. He'd be an ideal 4th OF with Kepler/Rosario in a way that Granite (a LH) can't be. And he can also play some DH and 1B to keep his bat in the lineup.

 

You should almost never move a guy from OF to 1B unless you have to - or 3B to 1B. Or C to 1B.

[gman]

 

If he can play a decent corner OF, they should definitely keep him there. He'd be an ideal 4th OF with Kepler/Rosario in a way that Granite (a LH) can't be. And he can also play some DH and 1B to keep his bat in the lineup.

 

You should almost never move a guy from OF to 1B unless you have to - or 3B to 1B. Or C to 1B.

They wouldn.t push him through the minors to be a 4th outfielder. By definition that would be someone who plays occasionally. By the end of next year they will need a firstbaseman who can hit and referably hit with power for a change. Be a run producer. The firstbase position should be opening up. Do we really want to put someone at a position that hasn't played there much in a couple of years? I don't think so. Therefore you move him to first.

[David HK]

Thanks for an entertaining update, Jeremy.  

 

I fired up TwinsDaily as I sat down to a nice dinner of roasted salmon and veggies, with a lovely white grenache to accompany--- which I promptly passed through my nose when reading the line about "the true middle school girls softball scoring play..."

 

Heh.....

[Taildragger8791]

 

They wouldn.t push him through the minors to be a 4th outfielder. By definition that would be someone who plays occasionally. By the end of next year they will need a firstbaseman who can hit and referably hit with power for a change. Be a run producer. The firstbase position should be opening up. Do we really want to put someone at a position that hasn't played there much in a couple of years? I don't think so. Therefore you move him to first.

 

I think he was saying Rooker should keep training in the OF so he can fill in out there as a 4th OF, but would otherwise be a full-time player between 1B/DH/OF.

[bluechipper]

Akil Baddoo is looking like Lamonte Wade, but with much more upside. Baddoo has a .441 OBP this year, and in his last 10 games, 14 walks and 7 strikeouts. He'll be one to watch for sure.

[the blade]

 

If he can play a decent corner OF, they should definitely keep him there. He'd be an ideal 4th OF with Kepler/Rosario in a way that Granite (a LH) can't be. And he can also play some DH and 1B to keep his bat in the lineup.

 

You should almost never move a guy from OF to 1B unless you have to - or 3B to 1B. Or C to 1B.

Absolutely, let him prove he cannot play anywhere else before relegating to first, where the offensive threshold for production is much higher.   

[ThejacKmp]

 

They wouldn.t push him through the minors to be a 4th outfielder. By definition that would be someone who plays occasionally. By the end of next year they will need a firstbaseman who can hit and referably hit with power for a change. Be a run producer. The firstbase position should be opening up. Do we really want to put someone at a position that hasn't played there much in a couple of years? I don't think so. Therefore you move him to first.

 

A 4th OF does not by definition play occasionally. You know how I know that? The Twins 4th OF this year was Grossman and he played almost every day.

 

Rooker can be the 4th OF and play DH and 1B as well. No reason he can't be playing almost every day unless the Twins go out and get a big money 1B/DH type. That seems unlikely.

 

Mauer will be resigned. He's going to give a hometown discount and the Twins don't have anyone who needs to play 1B every day (they have DH open and Rooker can play OF) in the pipeline.

 

There's also no reason that 1B needs to be a run producer. That's outdated thinking. Guys are either MLB hitters or not. You try to put a lineup of the best hitters you can without screwing your defense. Mauer is an MLB hitter - who cares if his value is OBP instead of SLG? The Twins don't have a better player that they need to slot in at 1B.*

 

* All of this can change if they dip into free agency at the position. I just don't see that happening - doesn't seem like a Pohlad thing or a Flavey/Lavine thing. Especially since with Garver and Vargas and Rooker and Sano they may want some flexibility to use the 1B/DH in a more committee fashion. But I could be wrong - maybe they go get someone.**

** I don't love a lot of names on the list though. Carlos Santana is interesting but in a weak group, the years may be longer than expected. Pedro Alvarez is interesting but he bats lefty and doesn't fit well. From there you're in one-year guys like Mike Napoli, Jayson Werth or Bautista. No thanks.

 

[ThejacKmp]

 

Absolutely, let him prove he cannot play anywhere else before relegating to first, where the offensive threshold for production is much higher.   

 

Agree with the first half, not the second. Positional stereotypes should be outdated. 1B can be a place where you get power production but it doesn't need to be. Production is production. A team tries to put together the best lineup they can without screwing their defense.

 

Outside of the Twins doing the unexpected and signing a top-end FA DH/1B, I don't see how Mauer isn't the Twins best option at 1B for the next few years. Yeah you can stick Rooker/Sano there full-time but you don't have to for either one. Plus, Mauer allows you to platoon them at 1B against lefties.

[nicksaviking]

 

I believe these stats on Rooker should be updated through last night's game.

Fort Meyers:

37Games/ 132AB/ .288AVG/ .377OB/ .583SLG/ .961OPS/ 6-0-11XBH/ 22R/ 35RBI/ 16BB-43SO

Obviously the SO are a little high, but entirely unexpected. But those numbers, even in relatively SSS sure look promising. I agree AA for 2018 looks like a strong posibility.

 

For me:

 

High strikeouts + High OBP = ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[ThejacKmp]

 

For me:

 

High strikeouts + High OBP = ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

I guess I worry that the AVG and OBP are being held up by a high BABIP but agreed, the strikeouts are not as worrisome in his first professional season.

 

I'm excited to see what the AFL might do for him. It'd be aggressive to send him there but it might really accelerate him into AA next year.