Article: Twins Minor League Report (4/23): Hunters Star In Cedar Rapids On Busy Night

[Seth Stohs]

Uffdah! After missing a lot of baseball due to postponements, Monday night was the first really busy night in the Twins farm system. Rochester played two games against Ronald Acuna, Jose Bautista and the Gwinnett Stripers. Chattanooga played two games in Jackson making up for their rain out on Sunday. The Miracle played. And Torii Hunter played two roles in Cedar Rapids on Monday night. Keep on reading for a bunch of transactions and stories and highlights and more.There were several transactions and six games in the Twins minor league system on Monday night. Keep reading to find out more on the night in the Twins minor league system. And as always, please feel free to discuss and ask questions.

 

 

TRANSACTIONS

• Following the Twins 14-1 loss on Monday night, the Twins optioned RH RP Alan Busenitz to Rochester. A corresponding move will be announced on Tuesday. (I don’t anticipate being terribly surprised… maybe has the same initials as Twins Daily, maybe?)
• LHP Gabriel Moya has now reported to Rochester.
• OF Aaron Whitefield was placed on the 7-Day disabled list in Ft. Myers.
• OF Mark Contreras has been promoted to Ft. Myers
• OF Jean Carlos Arias has been promoted to Cedar Rapids from extended spring training.

RED WINGS REPORT

Game 1 - Rochester 0, Gwinnett 1

Box Score

 

Baseball’s #1 overall prospect Ronald Acuna started the season slow, but he’s been heating up. In this game in Rochester, he went 1-for-2 with a walk and three stolen bases. He also scored on a Tyler Flowers groundout in the fourth inning. Why do I mention that? Well, it was the lone run of the game.

 

Dietrich Enns pitched much better in this start than he had in his first two starts, but he still fell to 0-3 on the season. He gave up just the one run on just two hits. He struck out four, but he was hurt by the four walks. As impressive as anything, he kept Braves minor leaguer - and long-time Twins killer - Jose Bautista in check. Bautista, who signed a minor league deal with the Braves late last week, went 0-for-3 with a strikeout.

 

The Red Wings managed just three hits in the game. Nick Buss and Kennys Vargas were both 1-for-2 with a walk. Brock Stassi had the other base hit.

 

Game 2 - Rochester 2, Gwinnett 1

Box Score

 

The Red Wings had a bullpen game in the second game. DJ Baxendale made the start and threw the first four innings. He gave up two hits, but no runs, and struck out two. John Curtiss came on. He gave up one run on one hit and one walk. He struck out two. Next in was lefty Casey Crosby who was just activated from the disabled list. He gave up one hit and struck one out in a scoreless inning to record the save.

 

 

Leonardo Reginnato led the offense. The infielder went 2-for-3 with a walk and his fifth double. Jermaine Curtis was 1-for-1, hit by a pitch, knocked his second double and stole his second base. Nick Buss walked twice.

 

Also, Jose Bautista went 0-for-3 in the second game. 0-for-6 with two strikeouts on the day which made the Frontier Field fans happy.

 

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Game 1 - Chattanooga 0, Jackson 7

Box Score

 

A year ago, Zack Littell went 19-1 between two levels and three teams. On Monday night, he made his fourth start of the 2018 season and is still looking for his first win and already has his second loss. In this game, he gave up six runs on seven hits and a walk in just 4 1/3 innings. He struck out four. Cody Stashak allowed an inherited runner to score and also one of his own. He recorded the final five outs.

 

In the doubleheader-shortened seven inning game, the Lookouts did not record a hit until LaMonte Wade singled with two outs in the sixth inning. Wade also walked in the first inning so there was no concern regarding a perfect game. Nick Gordon added a seventh-inning double, his third of the season.

 

Game 2 - Chattanooga 6, Jackson 7

Box Score

 

In the second game, the Lookouts fell behind, put together a big comeback, twice took the lead and ended up one run short of a win.

 

Ryan Eades started. He was charged with three unearned runs on four hits and a walk in four innings. He struck out seven. All three runs came in the first inning and were due, at least in part, to two passed balls. Anthony McIver came on and gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in his two innings struck out three.

 

The Lookouts fell behind early, but in the sixth inning, they scored four runs to take a 5-4 lead. With two outs, Zander Wiel and Chris Paul had RBI singles before TJ White knocked a two-run double. The game was tied at five going into the seventh inning. LaMonte Wade came up with two outs. He singled. Brent Rooker doubled him to third, and then Nick Gordon’s single gave the Lookouts another one-run lead going into the bottom of the seventh.

 

The Lookouts brought in Williams Ramirez who struck out the first batter he faced. However, he gave up three straight hits and two runs and the Lookouts took the loss.

 

Wade went 2-for-4 with his second home run of the year. Nick Gordon was 3-for-4.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 3, Clearwater 5

Box Score

 

Byron Buxton was originally in the lineup, batting second and in centerfield, but a couple of hours before the game, he was removed from the lineup. Here is Rhett Bollinger with the explanation:

 

 

Travis Blankenhorn got things going for the Miracle early with a two-run home run in the second inning. It was his second homer of the season.

 

Sean Poppen got the start for the Miracle. He worked 4 2/3 scoreless innings. He gave up five hits, walked one and struck out five. Max Cordy came on and gave up four runs on five hits in just an inning. Logan Lombana finished the final 2 2/3 innings. He gave up a run on two hits.

 

The Miracle tried to make a comeback in the ninth. Joe Cronin hit his fourth double with one out. Lewin Diaz tripled him in to cut the deficit to 5-3, but they were unable to keep the scoring going. Jimmy Kerrigan added his eighth double. Mark Contreras had a bunt single in three at-bats in his Florida State League debut.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 5, Burlington 13

Box Score

 

Twins Hall of Famer Torii Hunter was in attendance at the Kernels game on Monday night. He was fulfilling two roles. Part of his job as a special assistant to baseball operations is to go to the Twins affiliates and work with players, talk to players, and in games, get in uniform and be an extra coach and an extra voice.

 

 

However, he was also in attendance in his other, more important role. He was there as a father. While he was in the Kernels dugout, his son, Torii Hunter, Jr., was playing for Burlington. On this night, Junior went 2-for-4 with his first home run of the season and four RBI.

 

 

As you can see from the score, it wasn’t a great game for the Kernels. Lefty Bryan Sammons started. He went the first 4 1/3 innings and gave up six runs (five earned) on eight hits. He struck out five without issuing a walk. Jovani Moran got the next five outs. He was charged with three runs on five hits and two walks in that time. He did record two strikeouts. Moises Gomez threw the next two innings. He gave up two runs on two hits and two walks. Guess how many strikeouts he had? Yup, two. Derek Molina worked the final inning. He gave up two runs on a hit and a walk. He also threw three wild pitches.

 

The offense was carried, for the most part, by two hitters. Leadoff man, Akil Baddoo, went 4-for-5 in the game. Alex Kirilloff went 3-for-5 including a three-run homer, his third homer of the season.

 

 

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: LaMonte Wade, Chattanooga Lookouts

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Dietrich Enns, Rochester Red Wings

 

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Cedar Rapids) - 1-5, R, RBI, K, SB(3)

#3 - Nick Gordon (Chattanooga) - 4-7, 2B(3), R, RBI, 2 K, SB(3)

#5 - Alex Kirilloff (Cedar Rapids) - 3-5, HR(3), 3 RBI, K

#7 - Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) - 1-7, 2B(2), 4 K

#10 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) - 4-5, 2 R, RBI

#11 - Zack Littell (Chattanooga) - 4.1 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

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

#14 - LaMonte Wade (Chattanooga) - 3-6, BB, 2 R, RBI, HR(2), K

#17 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) - 1-3, HR(2), 2 RBI, 2 K

 

 

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Gwinnett @ Rochester (5:35 CST) - RHP Myle Jaye

Chattanooga @ Jackson (6:05 CST) - LHP Stephen Gonsalves

Ft. Myers @ Clearwater (6:00 CST) - LHP Anthony Marzi

Burlington @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) - RHP Edwar Colina

 

 

Please feel free to ask any questions about Monday’s full schedule of games, or ask any questions you may have.

 

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[Mike Sixel]

Is there a single hitter at AAA right now, with Granite hurt?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Is there a single hitter at AAA right now, with Granite hurt?

 

No. They are a typical AAA team right now. Granite and Cave are the only "Prospects" among hitters. For pitchers, it's Romero and Slegers, maybe Enns, Reed when healthy. They are definitely a normal AAA team right now. 

 

Nick Buss is a professional hitter. Gregorio Petit's solid. The others, like Stassi, Featherston, Wilson, are just veteran fillers who could come up if there is a short-term need and then be DFAd when not needed and likely clear and go back to Rochester. Vargas probably fits into that category as well. 

[Tommygun921]

Is that Torii Jr the one that played football for Notre Dame? I knew he also played baseball but didn't know he was drafted. Hopefully he plays well and reaches the majors someday.

[clutterheart]

Nice to see Wade hit for some power.  I dream of a LaMonte Wade who can slug .500

[rdehring]

Check the score in the write-up for Cedar Rapids, Seth.

 

Have a question about Joe Cronin.  I see he played at BC and has New England ties.  Is he related to Joe Cronin, the former Red Sox Hall of Famer and ex AL President?

 

Baxendale just keeps pitching well, as he has for the past few years.  Does your crystal ball show him making it to the Twins this year?  And do you think he could contribute at that level?

[RaymondLuxuryYacht]

 

Is there a single hitter at AAA right now, with Granite hurt?

They're all married?  And what's your interest, anyway?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Is that Torii Jr the one that played football for Notre Dame? I knew he also played baseball but didn't know he was drafted. Hopefully he plays well and reaches the majors someday.

 

It is... He played baseball minimally at Notre Dame. The Angels drafted him later on because of his athleticism and bloodlines. He's a little older because of the football, but that shouldn't matter at all since he's just so raw in terms of baseball. I think even after last night, he's hitting like .180. But clearly the talent is there. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Nice to see Wade hit for some power.  I dream of a LaMonte Wade who can slug .500

 

No question he's got the power. He can drive the ball and he can hit it a long ways... 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Check the score in the write-up for Cedar Rapids, Seth.

 

Have a question about Joe Cronin.  I see he played at BC and has New England ties.  Is he related to Joe Cronin, the former Red Sox Hall of Famer and ex AL President?

 

Baxendale just keeps pitching well, as he has for the past few years.  Does your crystal ball show him making it to the Twins this year?  And do you think he could contribute at that level?

 

I updated that Kernels score. Thanks!!

 

Regarding Cronin... I can't remember exactly, but my memory is telling me that if he is related, it's quite distant.

 

Baxendale's been solid in the bullpen and as a spot starter. The fact that he was sent down to Chattanooga at the end of last season speaks a bit about his role in the organization. But, he's pitched well enough that if the Twins are ever again in need of a guy that can come up and work 3-4 innings out of the bullpen, and a guy that they could DFA the next day and probably clear, Baxendale could be that guy. That sounds negative, I'm sure... but he's a guy they call over in spring, and he's got a good slider. He could be OK for a game or three. I wouldn't count him out. 

[David HK]

Thanks again, Seth!  

 

I know they all lost, but still this was a much more entertaining read than the 'big club' rolling over and taking it from the Yankees yet again...

[gunnarthor]

Nice to see Baddoo and Kiriloff get more hits. But for the most part, the minors have started a bit flat. 

[Steve Lein]

Love to see Wade, Gordon, and Kirilloff all starting off well!

 

Just some minor editing: Littell's Top Prospect recap is from his prior start, not this one

 

Nice to see Wade hit for some power.  I dream of a LaMonte Wade who can slug .500

 

He's an all-star if he slugs .450, so heck yeah that would be awesome!

[Seth Stohs]

 

 

Just some minor editing: Littell's Top Prospect recap is from his prior start, not this one

 

 

Updated... thank you!

[Mike Sixel]

No. They are a typical AAA team right now. Granite and Cave are the only "Prospects" among hitters. For pitchers, it's Romero and Slegers, maybe Enns, Reed when healthy. They are definitely a normal AAA team right now.

 

Nick Buss is a professional hitter. Gregorio Petit's solid. The others, like Stassi, Featherston, Wilson, are just veteran fillers who could come up if there is a short-term need and then be DFAd when not needed and likely clear and go back to Rochester. Vargas probably fits into that category as well.

So other AAA teams have no hitting prospects? That's typical?

[Mike Sixel]

They're all married? And what's your interest, anyway?

I love this post!

[Seth Stohs]

Who would you vote for as Hitter of the Day? Four pretty strong choices.

 

 

[USNMCPO]

Rooker with another 4k's. It looks to me that he is getting almost Sano-esque on the k-rate.

[Seth Stohs]

 

So other AAA teams have no hitting prospects? That's typical?

 

I don't know about "typical" but from following Red Wings box scores and some other AAA teams as well, it's normal for most of the team to be comprised of older players. Maybe a prospect or two sprinkled in. 

[bird]

 

They're all married?  And what's your interest, anyway?

 

"Asking for a friend."  Yeah, right.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Have a question about Joe Cronin. I see he played at BC and has New England ties. Is he related to Joe Cronin, the former Red Sox Hall of Famer and ex AL President?

They are not related. Here is a newspaper article from a few years ago, the writer dances around the question for effect, but no, they aren't related:

https://www.pressherald.com/2014/05/14/steve_solloway__joe_cronin_lives_with_joe_cronin_/

Edited April 24, 2018 by spycake

[caninatl04]

As your Atlanta-based correspondent, I should point out that, in perhaps one of the worst marketing-based decisions ever, the owners of the Gwinnett Braves chose to rename their team the Gwinnett Stripers.

 

The new name, meant to be pronounced strYpers, is to recognized striped bass fishing in the nearby "Lake".

 

Unfortunately, the Atlanta area has had another reputation (see: https://www.thrillist.com/sex-dating/atlanta/why-atlanta-is-the-strip-club-capital-of-america), and, well:

https://twitter.com/gdpsports/status/939165013599760384