Article: Twins Minor League Report (8/30): Mejia Strong in Rehab Outing, Kernels Impress in Front of Hunter

[Tom Froemming]

Adalberto Mejia had been sidelined for nearly a month due to a biceps injury, but he was sharp in his first rehab outing for Rochester. Stephen Gonsalves didn’t fare quite so well. It wasn’t a great night for the Lookouts, either, but the Miracle turned their first triple play in franchise history and won in extras.

 

Cedar Rapids, who had Torii Hunter as a guest in their dugout, got a big game from the new-look Royce Lewis in a blowout victory. Both E-Town and the GCL Twins were victorious, as well.Transactions

Randy Dobnak was promoted to Cedar Rapids from Elizabethton. An undrafted free agent this year, Dobnak had a 2.39 ERA over 26.1 innings with the E-Twins.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Scranton 8, Rochester 4

Box Score

 

Mejia, seeing his first live game action since Aug. 8, struck out four batters over three scoreless innings. He gave up two hits and walked a batter. He only required 36 pitches, 23 of which were strikes (63.9 percent). While that performance was encouraging, Stephen Gonsalves didn’t have the best of nights.

 

Making his first relief appearance since 2013 (in order to accommodate Mejia’s rehab start), Gonsalves got just two outs and gave up four runs on four hits and a pair of walks. He’s up to 14 earned runs over 22.2 innings for the Red Wings (5.56 ERA).

 

Jake Reed managed to throw 2.1 shutout innings, and the Rochester bats battled back to within a run of the RailRiders, but Alex Wimmers also had a rough night. He gave up four runs in the bottom of the seventh, two coming on a Tyler Austin homer.

 

Niko Goodrum hit a two-run triple and J.B. Shuck was the only Wings player with two hits.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Jackson 4, Chattanooga 0

Box Score

 

The Lookouts just couldn’t get anything going. The game got off to an ominous start, as the Generals struck out the side in the top of the first. Chattanooga only got a runner as far as third base once.

 

Ryan Eades made the start, and gave up a run over four innings. Keaton Steele was the first man out of the pen and gave up two unearned runs over two innings thanks to errors by Nick Gordon and Brian Navarreto. Randy Rosario took care of the final two frames. He walked four batters and gave up a single in the eighth inning, but managed to give up just one run.

 

LaMonte Wade was 2-for-4 and Jonathan Rodriguez and Brian Navarreto each had a double.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 4, St. Lucie 3 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

The Miracle squandered a 3-0 lead, but ended up taking this one in extras. Sean Miller opened the 10th inning with a single, advanced to second on a Tanner English sac bunt, moved up to third on a passed ball and scored on a sac fly from Brandon Lopez. How’s that for small ball?

 

With the game tied in the bottom of the seventh, St. Lucie managed to get the first two batters of the inning on. But the Miracle went around the horn to complete the first triple play in their 26th year in existence. It went third baseman Brandon Lopez to second baseman Sean Miller to first baseman Chris Paul.

 

Clark Beeker gave up three runs over five innings, but he also hit Tim Tebow with a pitch. That’s gotta be worth something, right? Alex Robinson provided two scoreless innings of relief. Tyler Jay added two perfect innings of his own, striking out two batters in the process. Michael Kohn earned his first save with a scoreless bottom of the 10th inning.

 

Chris Paul was 2-for-5 with a three-run homer. Zander Wiel was 2-for-4 with a double.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 11, Burlington 1

Box Score

 

Torii Hunter had quite the impact on his visit to Cedar Rapids. Royce Lewis’ exaggerated leg kick is no more, and the Kernels scored seven runs in the first inning. OK, who knows if Torii had anything to do with either of those things, but it was pretty cool to see him in the dugout.

 

The big blow of that first inning was a Trey Cabbage bases-clearing double. Travis Blankenhorn drove in five runs, including two on his 13th homer of the season, and also stole his 12th base. Royce Lewis had three hits, including a triple, and a walk. Ben Rortvedt also had a three-hit night.

 

Tyler Watson, making his fifth start since coming over in the Brandon Kintzler trade, held the Bees to one run on three hits over 5.0 innings. He had six strikeouts and walked three batters. Max Cordy and Evan Sanders each pitched two scoreless innings of relief.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Elizabethton 7, Kingsport 3

Box Score

 

Yet another victory for the Appy League West division champs. Rainis Silva had four hits, Gorge Munoz hit a homer and Akil Baddoo was 2-for-5 with a double, a triple, two RBI and a run scored. Baddoo’s slash line is now an eye-popping .361/.484/.590 for Elizabethton.

 

Starter Ryley Widell, the Twins seventh-round pick this year, gave up a pair of runs over four innings. With eight more strikeouts, he’s up to 41 in 29.2 innings pitched (12.6 K/9), but he also walked four batters, and is up to 20 on the season.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins 3, GCL Rays 1

Box Score

 

This game was scoreless heading into the eighth inning, but the Twins took advantage of a couple of errors committed by the Rays over the final two frames. In fact, none of the four runs scored in this game were credited to the pitcher as earned as the Rays committed four errors in the game. The Twins only committed three.

 

Carlos Suniaga gave up just two hits over 6.0 innings, lowering his ERA to 1.69. His catcher, Kirby Camacho, reached safely in three of his four plate appearances, recording a single and two walks. The 19-year-old hasn't shown much power yet, but his OBP is up to .394 and he has more walks (13) than strikeouts (9).

 

Humberto Maldonado had the Twins only extra-base hit, a double, and Ricky De La Torre had the team's only multi-hit game.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day: Carlos Suniaga, GCL Twins (6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K)

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day: Travis Blankenhorn, Cedar Rapids (2-for-5, HR, 5 RBI, 2 R, SB)

 

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester at Scranton, 6:05 pm CT, David Hurlbut (3.55 ERA, 1.42 WHIP)

Chattanooga vs. Montgomery, 6:15 pm CT, Zack Littell (3.03 ERA, 1.29 WHIP)

Fort Myers at Jupiter, 5:30 pm CT, TBD

Cedar Rapids vs. Burlington, 6:35 pm CT, Tyler Wells (2.21 ERA, 1.01 WHIP)

Elizabethton at Kingsport, 5:30 pm CT, TBD

GCL Twins vs. GCL Rays, 9:00 am CT, TBD

 

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

 

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[ThejacKmp]

Will Mejia have another rehab start? Maybe a relief moment so he's lined up to take over for Gee? I don't mind one more Gee start but more might be playing with fire. Santana, Berrios, Mejia, Gibson and Colon isn't awful to carry us to the finish line. I feel great two nights and relatively hopeful the other three (if always hoping for massive run support).

 

Also, speaking of run support, the Twins are down to a -16 run differential. A team that got blown out a lot in the first half has only lost by more than 4 runs twice since the second game after the break (both to the Indian). And won by more than 4 (randomly chosen number but not crazy since it's one swing?) 11 times since the break. What will the models that discount the Twins do if we get above the 0 mark?

[ThejacKmp]

Chris Gimenez hasn't pitched in over two months. There hasn't been a need.

[Tom Froemming]

 

Will Mejia have another rehab start?

I would assume so, since he only threw 36 pitches tonight. I'm sure they'd like to get him a bit more stretched out. After that, I'm not sure what'll happen. Rochester's last regular season game is Monday.

[Han Joelo]

 

Chris Gimenez hasn't pitched in over two months. There hasn't been a need.

 

That is the best use of statistics I've ever seen.

[Han Joelo]

Just read about Joe Nathan.  He wasn't much younger than Gibson when he finally put it together.  These things happen.  If Andrew Albers is still making starts, I'm sure Gibson would have little trouble finding a home.

 

But yeah, the next step is to have a good game against one of the better offenses.

[Taildragger8791]

 

Just read about Joe Nathan.  He wasn't much younger than Gibson when he finally put it together.  These things happen.  If Andrew Albers is still making starts, I'm sure Gibson would have little trouble finding a home.

 

But yeah, the next step is to have a good game against one of the better offenses.

 

Nathan was also primarily a shortstop through high school and college, and didn't convert to a pitcher until after he was drafted. Not really the same situation.

[ThejacKmp]

 

Nathan was also primarily a shortstop through high school and college, and didn't convert to a pitcher until after he was drafted. Not really the same situation.

 

But there's always Randy Johnson! If I had a dollar for every time someone brought up Randy Johnson when discussing a slow developing prospect . . . I'd have just given myself a dollar.

[Taildragger8791]

 

But there's always Randy Johnson! If I had a dollar for every time someone brought up Randy Johnson when discussing a slow developing prospect . . . I'd have just given myself a dollar.

 

Yeah, there's a reason exceptional players were exceptional. It's because they were the rare case of a guy floundered for a while before breaking out and becoming an all-time great. We like to forget about the 99 others who simply petered off and eventually disappeared.

 

Gibson has shown some good stuff lately but he'll need to reproduce it against some more potent lineups before anyone should get too excited. Even last year he'd occassionally shut down really bad teams before getting rocked again by a more competitive team.

[Dantes929]

 

 

 

Also, speaking of run support, the Twins are down to a -16 run differential. A team that got blown out a lot in the first half has only lost by more than 4 runs twice since the second game after the break (both to the Indian). And won by more than 4 (randomly chosen number but not crazy since it's one swing?) 11 times since the break. What will the models that discount the Twins do if we get above the 0 mark?

I am guessing they would comment about the lousy competition that only the Twins seem to face.

[mikelink45]

I am anxious to hear about September call ups.  There has been some nice things in the minors - only the newest top two draftees look like fast rising - potential stars.

 

I am still looking for the pitchers we drafted. I see Enlow is 3 - 0 with a great ERA, lets hope he is also a fast track signee. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

I am guessing they would comment about the lousy competition that only the Twins seem to face.

 

Ya, the models are so bias!

[nicksaviking]

Lewis already ditched his leg kick? It seemed to be working for him, not that I'm an expert. I thought adjustments don't typically happen until after the first season of pro ball. I guess there is a new sheriff in town.

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

 

Lewis already ditched his leg kick? It seemed to be working for him, not that I'm an expert. I thought adjustments don't typically happen until after the first season of pro ball. I guess there is a new sheriff in town.

 

I have no idea what the right idea is, I just hope they aren't falling into the one size fits all problems of the past.....which I doubt they are.

[bluechipper]

Nick Gordon followed up a .217 July with a .211 August. Against left handers for the year, he's hitting .176. Not good. I don't really know what to think of him as a prospect.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Nick Gordon followed up a .217 July with a .211 August. Against left handers for the year, he's hitting .176. Not good. I don't really know what to think of him as a prospect.

 

Definitely less thrilled as the year has gone on. I'm not worried about the splits yet, but the overall results are disappointing. 

[70charger]

 

Ryan Eades made the start, and gave up a run over four innings. Keaton Steele was the first man out of the pen and turned in two scoreless innings. Randy Rosario took care of the final two frames. He walked four batters and gave up a single in the eighth inning, but managed to give up just one run.

 

This didn't add up, so I checked the box, and it looks like Keaton Steele went two, but they weren't scoreless. He gave up 2 in 2.

[Tom Froemming]

 

This didn't add up, so I checked the box, and it looks like Keaton Steele went two, but they weren't scoreless. He gave up 2 in 2.

You are correct. Fixed. I must've had some space dust on my computer screen that only allowed me to see the earned runs column. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

You are correct. Fixed. I must've had some space dust on my computer screen that only allowed me to see the earned runs column. 

 

You spit beer on your computer screen?

[laloesch]

 

Nick Gordon followed up a .217 July with a .211 August. Against left handers for the year, he's hitting .176. Not good. I don't really know what to think of him as a prospect.

 

So the almighty Nick Gordon, shortstop of the future for the Twins has stumbled and fallen flat on his face.  Perhaps he isn't the prospect we thought he was once going to be.  OMG hold your breath and pray.

[drjim]

 

So the almighty Nick Gordon, shortstop of the future for the Twins has stumbled and fallen flat on his face.  Perhaps he isn't the prospect we thought he was once going to be.  OMG hold your breath and pray.

 

He'll almost certainly be fine. Just a little later to the show than it might have seemed a couple of months ago. Also means Dozier isn't going anywhere.

[Taildragger8791]

 

Nick Gordon followed up a .217 July with a .211 August. Against left handers for the year, he's hitting .176. Not good. I don't really know what to think of him as a prospect.

 

It's a little disappointing but I'm not overly concerned yet seeing as he's a 21-year old in AA and showed some quite a few good things this year. That alone was pretty impressive. Maybe he's worn down, particularly after having his offseason cut short by the AFL. Maybe pitchers have adjusted to him and he needs to adjust back. Who knows. 

[Tomj14]

 

It's a little disappointing but I'm not overly concerned yet seeing as he's a 21-year old in AA and showed some quite a few good things this year. That alone was pretty impressive. Maybe he's worn down, particularly after having his offseason cut short by the AFL. Maybe pitchers have adjusted to him and he needs to adjust back. Who knows. 

All it says to me is that he probably shouldn't be thought of as a piece of the major league club until 2019. Not sure how a 21 year old would wear down in AA and not have the same issue the next year in the majors.

[Taildragger8791]

 

All it says to me is that he probably shouldn't be thought of as a piece of the major league club until 2019. Not sure how a 21 year old would wear down in AA and not have the same issue the next year in the majors.

 

He could mitigate that by having a full offseason to recover and train, another year of physical maturity, and rotating with Polanco/Escobar/Dozier if a little time off is needed. Assuming that was even the issue. But yes, I wouldn't set my middle infield plans next year dependent on Gordon contributing significantly. That's just common sense with all prospects.