Article: Twins Minor League Report (4/12): Red Wings Play Extras To Gain First Win

[Seth Stohs]

It was a terrific night for the Twins and their fans on Thursday. Joe Mauer notched hit #2000 of his career, and Jose Berrios was fantastic in a Twins 4-0 win over the White Sox. It was also a fun night in the Twins minor league system. The Red Wings needed 14 innings to record their first win of the year. Stephen Gonsalves made the start for the Lookouts. The Miracle got a strong start, and a powerful prospect had a powerful game. And, the Kernels just keep on rolling.Keep reading to find out much more on the night in the Twins minor league system.

 

 

TRANSACTIONS

The Miracle announced following their Thursday night game that lefty Alex Robinson has been placed on the disabled list. A corresponding move will need to be made on Friday.

 

The Kernels announced that RHP Randy Dobnak has been placed on the 7-day DL. RHP Derek Molina has been promoted from extended spring training to take his place.

 

If the Twins play on Friday, they will have to make a roster move to add a starting pitcher. That would mean they’d need to option someone to Rochester. If the Twins are ‘weathered’ out on Friday, they could skip the fifth starter spot again.

 

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 7, Gwinnett 6 (14 innings)

Box Score

 

Minor league baseball announced before the season that they were making changes to the rules in extra innings under the “Pace of Play” category. Each inning after the ninth, teams start with a runner on second base. These teams did a lot of that as they went 14 innings. Both teams scored a run in the 10th and 13th frames, but the Red Wings scored two runs in the 14th inning - off of outfielder Jeff Decker - and Tyler Duffey came on to record the save for the Red Wings first win of the season.

 

Myles Jaye started for the Red Wings and went the first 5.2 innings. He gave up three runs on seven hits. He struck out just one, but he walked no one. Matt Magill got the next four outs. John Curtiss struck out four in his two perfect innings. Nick Anderson gave up an unearned run over his two extra innings innings. He gave up one hit, walked three and struck out one. Alan Busenitz worked the 12th and 13th innings. He gave up an unearned run on one hit and three walks. He struck out one. Tyler Duffey gave up an unearned run in the 14th, but he struck out three batters to record the save.

 

An interesting note, in a couple of the extra innings, the Red Wings manager had the pitcher intentionally walk the leadoff batter of the inning to set up a first and second situation. It worked the first two times.

 

Offensively, Jake Cave led the way with a 4-for-6 game. He also walked and provided the final RBI. Gregorio Petit went 2-for-5 with a walk. Nick Buss and Willians Astudillo each went 2-for-6. Zack Granite walked three times. Jermaine Curtis provided a sacrifice fly in the top of the 14th to give the Red Wings the lead.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 0, Pensacola 3

Box Score

 

The Lookouts drop to 4-3 on the season after a tough loss in northern Florida. Brent Rooker got the night off. For the second straight night and the second time this season, Nick Gordon started at second base. Rooker and LaMonte Wade both had the night off.

 

Stephen Gonsalves made the start for the Lookouts. The southpaw went four shutout innings. He gave up three hits, walked three and struck out five. He left the game with 71 pitches. Sam Clay came on and threw a scoreless fifth frame. However, he got two outs in the sixth inning before leaving .He was charged with two runs. Ryne Harper came on and gave up a hit to score Clay’s runners and another of his own. He struck out two over 1.1 innings. Omar Bencomo pitched a scoreless inning

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 8, Florida 2

Box Score

 

Tyler Wells and Lewin Diaz helped get the Miracle off to a fast start tonight, and the team added on to improve to 5-3 on the young season.

 

The 6-8 Wells started the game by throwing four perfect innings, 12 up, 12 down. He lost the perfect game, no-hitter and shutout to the first batter of the fifth inning on a solo home run, but he completed five innings to record his first win of the year. He walked one and struck out eight.

 

Lewin Diaz knocked a long, two-run home run in the second innings, his first of the year. The next inning, he added another RBI on his second double of the season. Jimmy Kerrigan went 2-for-3 with a walk and was hit by a pitch. Mitchell Kranson was 1-for-3 with two walks and his second double. Nelson Molina and Caleb Hamilton were both 1-for-3 with a walk.

 

Cody Stashak replaced Wells and threw two scoreless innings. He gave up just one hit and struck out two. Max Cordy gave up one run on two hits over the final two innings. He struck out three.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 9, Peoria 5

Box Score

 

The Kernels fell behind early, but the bats warmed up and Toby Gardenhire improved to 6-0 as a manager of the Kernels.

 

Nick Brown started for the Kernels. The right-hander went 4.2 innings and was charged with four runs on six hits. He walked four and struck out three. Kevin Marnon came on and held Peoria to just one run on three hits over the next 2.1 innings. He walked one and struck out five. Jared Finkel pitched two scoreless innings to end the game.

 

Down 4-0, Royce Lewis came to the plate in the sixth inning and knocked a ball well over the wall in left centerfield. An inning later, Akil Baddoo came up with two on base. He drilled a ball off the wall in center field for a triple to give the Kernels their first lead of the game. After seven innings the game was tied at 5, but the Kernels scored the final four runs of the game.

 

Mark Contreras made another diving catch in the outfield, and he went 3-for-3 with a walk and his second double. Alex Kirilloff also went 2-for-5 and knocked his second double. After going 1-for-12 in his first three games this season, he has gone 7-for-15 in his last three games and is hitting .296 on the season. Lewis and Baddoo were each 2-for-5.

 

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Lewin Diaz, Ft. Myers Miracle

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Tyler Wells, Ft. Myers Miracle

 

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed:

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Cedar Rapids) - 2-5, HR (1), 3 RBI

#3 - Nick Gordon (Chattanooga) - 0-4

#4 - Stephen Gonsalves (Chattanooga) - 4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K

#5 - Alex Kirilloff (Cedar Rapids) - 2-5, 2B (2)

#10 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) - 2-5, 3B (1), 2 RBI, SB (3)

#13 - Lewin Diaz (Ft. Myers) - 2-4, 2B (2), HR (1), 3 RBI

 

 

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Gwinnett (6:05 CST) - LHP Adalberto Mejia

Chattanooga @ Pensacola (6:35 CST) - RHP Randy LeBlanc

Tampa @ Ft. Myers (6:00) - LHP Charlie Barnes

Clinton @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) - LHP Bryan Sammons

 

 

Please feel free to ask any questions about Thursday’s games, or ask any questions you may have.

 

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[Han Joelo]

It's worth clicking on that Cedar Rapids boxscore and looking at those top three hitters.  

 

Great night all around--lots of great performances.  Nice outing from Curtiss.

 

 

[108Stitches]

I watched the Cedar Rapids game and listened to the miracle. Nice to see Royce get going! And Kirilloff stayed pretty good too.
Tyler Wells is an absolute stud. I can’t believe he’s not in the top 30. He’s an incredibly intimidating looking guy, and looks WAY more buff than last season. He was consistently 93/94 mph, and was absolutely dominant. Again. Wells doing Wells things. He’s back up to 11k/9 already. Do you think he will get to Chattanooga by the break if this trend keeps up?

[jokin]

 

... but the Red Wings scored two runs in the 14th inning - off of outfielder Jaff Decker - and Tyler Duffey came on to record the save for the Red Wings first win of the season.

 

technicality point->

Duffey came on in the 13th and finished the 14th to record the win.

 

What is Duffey's projected role long-term for the Twins (if any)?

 

1) SP looks like a fading dream.

2) Closer?

3) Set-up?

4) (dreaded) Spot-Starter/Long Reliever?

 

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I watched the Cedar Rapids game and listened to the miracle. Nice to see Royce get going! And Kirilloff stayed pretty good too.
Tyler Wells is an absolute stud. I can’t believe he’s not in the top 30. He’s an incredibly intimidating looking guy, and looks WAY more buff than last season. He was consistently 93/94 mph, and was absolutely dominant. Again. Wells doing Wells things. He’s back up to 11k/9 already. Do you think he will get to Chattanooga by the break if this trend keeps up?

 

Wells has a chance to be really good. He'd probably be in my post-going-to-spring-training-Top 30. He was close before. But he lost like 25 pounds in the offseason and looks much different, and he did so without losing his stuff... He definitely has a chance, but I don't think they'll rush him at all. 

[Rosterman]

I was astonished they didn't walk Mauer to load the bases and set up a double play and pitch to Sano.

 

Of course, glad Joe got hit 2,000.

[clutterheart]

Wells doesn't get the attention of national prospect writers because of draft position and his age vs level. But 178 Ks in 145 IP says there is something there.

Hope he does well in Fort Myers and gets promoted mid year. It will be fun to see if he can do it vs more mature batsman.

 

And Baddoo has more SBs than Lewis? Despite his slow start he is still taking walks and getting on base. Hopefully as the weather warms his strike outs be come hits and he really gets going.

[FormerMinnasotan]

I think this is the year Tyler Wells truly makes his mark as a higher regarded prospect. As long as he’s healthy I think he’ll surprise a lot of scouts with how good he is. Now there is a pitching log jam in both Chattanooga and Rochester but I do think by the All Star break he could be promoted to Chattanooga and I think after an initial adjustment period he’ll be back to being dominant again.

 

On another hand I find it a head scratcher that the likes of Deitrich Enns and Myles Jaye occupy the last two spots in the rotation when you can argue that Stephen Gonsalves, Felix Jorge, and possibly Zack Littell would be better choices to round out the Rochester rotation than Enns and Jaye. To be honest we don’t need these “organizational depth” starters when we actually have depth with higher regarded starting pitching prospects.

[gunnarthor]

 

technicality point->

Duffey came on in the 13th and finished the 14th to record the win.

 

What is Duffey's projected role long-term for the Twins (if any)?

 

1) SP looks like a fading dream.

2) Closer?

3) Set-up?

4) (dreaded) Spot-Starter/Long Reliever?

4.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Now there is a pitching log jam in both Chattanooga and Rochester

It has been a while since one could say this with a straight face...  

[Andrew Thares]

"An interesting note, in a couple of the extra innings, the Red Wings manager had the pitcher intentionally walk the leadoff batter of the inning to set up a first and second situation. It worked the first two times."

 

I am very interested in seeing how this plays out over the course of the season. If you are the home team, I think it is smart to follow the run expectancy rules and not walk the leadoff hitter (Teams score an average of roughly 1.10 runs with a runner on 2nd and 0 outs, vs the roughly 1.50 runs with a runners on 1st and 2nd and 0 outs).

 

However, if you are the visiting team and you can't give up a single run or you lose, the best approach would be to use the best strategy to prevent giving up a single run. In terms of runner on 2nd and 0 outs vs 1st and 2nd and 0 outs, they are nearly identical at roughly a 61% chance of giving up a run.

[rdehring]

Is anyone else as upset as I that minor league baseball has decided to change the rules of the game beginning with the 10th inning.  

 

That decision is absolute horse 'you know what,' in my opinion.

[nicksaviking]

 

Is anyone else as upset as I that minor league baseball has decided to change the rules of the game beginning with the 10th inning.  

 

That decision is absolute horse 'you know what,' in my opinion.

 

It doesn't upset me, the affiliated minors are the laboratory for the majors, which I think is great. Most sports don't have the luxury of experimentation like baseball does.

 

If it doesn't look like a solution for the majors they'll abandon it.

[nicksaviking]

Gonsalves is still throwing way too many pitches. 

 

I understand why the front office still has him in AA, no matter the numbers, these are the types of pitchers who seem to struggle the most upon a MLB call up.

 

I always assumed his high pitch count and his good K numbers despite low velocity were due to him intentionally throwing out of and on the fringes of the zone to get the undisciplined minor leaguers to chase. Maybe that is not the case, maybe his control actually is an issue.

 

[108Stitches]

 

Wells doesn't get the attention of national prospect writers because of draft position and his age vs level. But 178 Ks in 145 IP says there is something there.
Hope he does well in Fort Myers and gets promoted mid year. It will be fun to see if he can do it vs more mature batsman.

And Baddoo has more SBs than Lewis? Despite his slow start he is still taking walks and getting on base. Hopefully as the weather warms his strike outs be come hits and he really gets going.

He is 23, the exact average age of A+. So I am not sure where this "age vs level" thing is coming from. I suppose if you're comparing his age to top 3 rounders at this level, then yeah, by a year or 2. But everyone knows he was a bargain and should have gone top 10, but he missed some time his junior year of college. Either way, he's damn good and if he stays healthy he will be a top prospect. I don't know if I have seen such smooth, repeatable mechanics on a 6'8" guy before. It's exciting though. Andy Pettite was a 22nd rounder. Late bloomers are my favorite! I just love their underdog, watch my prove it mentality. I like Andrew Vaquez and Poppen for this reason too

[rghrbek]

 

It doesn't upset me, the affiliated minors are the laboratory for the majors, which I think is great. Most sports don't have the luxury of experimentation like baseball does.

 

If it doesn't look like a solution for the majors they'll abandon it.

 

Do we know how MiLB is treating stats in the 10innings and beyond?  If a pitcher comes in, in the 10th and gives up a hit, does that run count agains his ERA?  I am not sure that is fair.  

[Seth Stohs]

 

Do we know how MiLB is treating stats in the 10innings and beyond?  If a pitcher comes in, in the 10th and gives up a hit, does that run count agains his ERA?  I am not sure that is fair.  

 

It appears that those runs are considered unearned. 

[Mike Sixel]

Minor league players already have a tough day. Little is gained from long games, I have no issue with the change at all. It literally hurts no one

[Mr. Brooks]

He is 23, the exact average age of A+. So I am not sure where this "age vs level" thing is coming from. I suppose if you're comparing his age to top 3 rounders at this level, then yeah, by a year or 2. But everyone knows he was a bargain and should have gone top 10, but he missed some time his junior year of college. Either way, he's damn good and if he stays healthy he will be a top prospect. I don't know if I have seen such smooth, repeatable mechanics on a 6'8" guy before. It's exciting though. Andy Pettite was a 22nd rounder. Late bloomers are my favorite! I just love their underdog, watch my prove it mentality. I like Andrew Vaquez and Poppen for this reason too

Because the average player at any milb level is not a legit prospect, and will never sniff the major leagues.

Therefore, legit prospects should hopefully move along faster than an average player at each level.

 

It's certainly not a deal breaker , but it's a legitimate point of data to consider.

[ashbury]

It appears that those runs are considered unearned. 

Indeed. Here's why:

For purposes of calculating earned runs under Rule 9.16, the runner who begins an inning on second base pursuant to this rule shall be deemed to be a runner who has reached second base because of a fielding error, but no error shall be charged to the opposing team or to any player.

 

https://www.milb.com/drillers/news/minor-league-baseball-announces-pace-of-play-regulations-for-2018/c-268703358

[cmoss84]

 

Minor league players already have a tough day. Little is gained from long games, I have no issue with the change at all. It literally hurts no one

This is what I was going to mention. What is the point of playing extra innings for these guys? You want to keep them healthy, and being in a demanding, grinding schedule doesn't mix well with 15 inning games. Also, what happens if they run of out pitchers or overextend someone in extras? The rule makes sense...as long as it stays in the minors. 

[ashbury]

This is what I was going to mention. What is the point of playing extra innings for these guys? You want to keep them healthy, and being in a demanding, grinding schedule doesn't mix well with 15 inning games. Also, what happens if they run of out pitchers or overextend someone in extras? The rule makes sense...as long as it stays in the minors. 

If it became a permanent difference between the majors and minors, it could harm the perception by local fans that the games are being played competitively. That's already a problem IMO, with obvious strategic moves (lefty-vs-righty pinch hitters for example) not being employed in critical situations, and pitching moves or non-moves made with apparent orders from higher up to allow a certain number of pitches to a starter no matter what. Gimmicky extra-innings rules won't by themselves cause fans to tune out and not show up at the ball park, unless they happened to be the tipping point on top of everything else.

[Mr. Brooks]

If it became a permanent difference between the majors and minors, it could harm the perception by local fans that the games are being played competitively. That's already a problem IMO, with obvious strategic moves (lefty-vs-righty pinch hitters for example) not being employed in critical situations, and pitching moves or non-moves made with apparent orders from higher up to allow a certain number of pitches to a starter no matter what. Gimmicky extra-innings rules won't by themselves cause fans to tune out and not show up at the ball park, unless they happened to be the tipping point on top of everything else.

But affiliated minor leagues ARE for development. If the local fans don't realize that, then that's on them.

[clutterheart]

He is 23, the exact average age of A+. So I am not sure where this "age vs level" thing is coming from. I suppose if you're comparing his age to top 3 rounders at this level, then yeah, by a year or 2. But everyone knows he was a bargain and should have gone top 10, but he missed some time his junior year of college. Either way, he's damn good and if he stays healthy he will be a top prospect. I don't know if I have seen such smooth, repeatable mechanics on a 6'8" guy before. It's exciting though. Andy Pettite was a 22nd rounder. Late bloomers are my favorite! I just love their underdog, watch my prove it mentality. I like Andrew Vaquez and Poppen for this reason too

We all enjoy late bloomers. They are part of what makes prospect wacthing fun, but Wells is either a Baxendale type of pitcher or there is something more there. Hope he gets to AA this year so we can see.

[gagu]

 

"An interesting note, in a couple of the extra innings, the Red Wings manager had the pitcher intentionally walk the leadoff batter of the inning to set up a first and second situation. It worked the first two times."

 

I am very interested in seeing how this plays out over the course of the season. If you are the home team, I think it is smart to follow the run expectancy rules and not walk the leadoff hitter (Teams score an average of roughly 1.10 runs with a runner on 2nd and 0 outs, vs the roughly 1.50 runs with a runners on 1st and 2nd and 0 outs).

 

However, if you are the visiting team and you can't give up a single run or you lose, the best approach would be to use the best strategy to prevent giving up a single run. In terms of runner on 2nd and 0 outs vs 1st and 2nd and 0 outs, they are nearly identical at roughly a 61% chance of giving up a run.

Great post, Andrew. I assume the scoring % stats used are for the major league play. I'm relatively clueless about MiLB nuances. Never been to a game, but with having less experienced and talented infielders are grounded into double plays less common in the minors? Plus, I assume MiLB pitchers tend to give up more walks than major leaguers with first base already occupied. The logical strategy might be much different for A ball in comparison to AAA. Just spitballing. Anyway, it's another interesting thing to think about when scanning the box scores.

[Doctor Wu]

 

This is what I was going to mention. What is the point of playing extra innings for these guys? You want to keep them healthy, and being in a demanding, grinding schedule doesn't mix well with 15 inning games. Also, what happens if they run of out pitchers or overextend someone in extras? The rule makes sense...as long as it stays in the minors. 

You make a good point. On one level, I agree. But I also am an "old school" guy who used to hold season tickets to Orlando Twins games and always was of the mindset that baseball is baseball. Extra innings? No problem. Play 10, play 20. I always liked the drama of extra inning games, even in the minor leagues. It's the way the game has always been played. In any case, I'm still on the fence regarding this new extra innings rule, or whatever they are calling it. Not crazy about it, but not saying I won't change my mind at some point.