Article: Twins Minor League Report (4/27): Friday Night Under The Lights

[Seth Stohs]

If you’re looking for pitching prospects, Friday was a good night to see some of the Twins top prospects. In fact, three of the Twins Daily Top 12 Twins prospects made starts for the their team on Friday including the first full-season start for hard-throwing Brusdar Graterol. Another top pitching prospect earned a promotion. But, there were a few relievers who really pitched well on this night, and a couple of top hitting prospect had big, late-inning hits for their team too.It’s been a long week for the Twins and their fans, and it was a long night again on Friday night. It was also a long night for the Kernels as they needed 12 innings to decide their game. Extra innings were needed in Rochester’s game as well. For the Lookouts, there weren’t extra innings, but it was a long night. Fortunately, the Miracle scored late to make a long game not feel so long.

 

Keep reading to find out more on the night in the Twins minor league system on Friday. And as always, please feel free to discuss and ask questions.

 

 

TRANSACTIONS

• Rochester announced officially that Aaron Slegers had returned. Also, Stephen Gonsalves has been promoted from Chattanooga. Gonsalves was the Twins Daily #4 Prospect.
• Chattanooga also announced the promotion of Gonsalves. LH RP Sam Clay was activated from the disabled list while infielder Ryan Walker was placed on the DL.
• The Kernels announced that RHPs Nick Brown and Jared Finkel have been placed on the disabled list. RHPs Melvi Acosta and Brusdar Graterol have been promoted to Cedar Rapids. Graterol was the Twins Daily #9 Prospect.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 3, Syracuse 4 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

Fernando Romero was back on the mound for the Red Wings. The right-hander gave up three runs on six hits in five innings. He walked three and struck out three. Alan Busenitz made his return from the Twins and struck out two in his inning. Casey Crosby got two outs before handing the ball to John Curtiss. Curtiss went 2 1/3 innings of two-hit ball. He struck out five. With the game tied, DJ Baxendale got the 10th inning. He gave up just one hit and a walk, but since a runner starts at second, he gave up a run (which is unearned) and took the loss.

 

Willians Astudillo hit his second double and his first triple. Brock Stassi was 2-for-4 with his third double. Kennys Vargas walked twice.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 1, Tennessee 6

Box Score

 

Zander Wiel has had a fantastic first month of the season for the Lookouts. In the third inning, his eighth double of the year scored Brent Rooker to tie the game at one. Rooker had reached on his third double. Unfortunately, the Cubs scored the next five runs and won the game.

 

The Lookouts managed just five hits. Edgar Corcino was the lone Lookout with more than one hit. He went 2-for-4 with his first double. They also had six walks including two by LaMonte Wade.

 

Lewis Thorpe made the start. The lefty went the first 4 2/3 innings. He was charged with six runs, but just two were earned. He gave up ten hits, but he didn’t walk any and struck out seven. Cody Stashak came on and struck out four over 2 1/3 scoreless innings. That was followed by two scoreless innings from Anthony McIver who also struck out three.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 7, Daytona 5

Box Score

 

The Miracle fell behind 4-0 in the second inning, but worked their way back and ultimately won the game late.

 

Andro Cutura made his second Miracle appearance and his first start in almost two years. He gave up four runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings. He walked and struck out two. Max Cordy came on and gave up an unearned run on one hit over two innings. He struck out four without issuing a walk. Ryan Mason continues to pitch well. He gave up two hits over 2 2/3 scoreless innings. He struck out two.

Joe Cronin went 2-for-3 with a walk and is now hitting .375. Travis Blankenhorn went 2-4. Caleb Hamilton went 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBI. Alex Perez went 1-for-3 with a walk. Jimmy Kerrigan had two big RBI as well.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 5, Quad Cities 6 (13 innings)

Box Score

 

There was definitely an excitement around the Kernels on Friday. The Cedar Rapids roster is already filled with prospects, and the season debut of Brusdar Graterol was very exciting. Graterol was terrific through his first three innings. He gave up just one hit and struck out six batters. In the fourth, he gave up two hits and then hit a batter to load the bases with one out. He got the second out, and even had two strikes on the next batter before hitting him to score a run. Next, an error allowed two runs to score, and his night was over. But Graterol was impressive. His fastball was consistently sitting between 96 and 99 mph, and he showed the makings of a real good slider.

 

Jose Martinez came on and got the final out of the fourth and worked two more innings. He gave up three hits, walked one and struck out three. And then Kevin Marnon came on. He went two innings without allowing a run. He then continued into extra innings and didn’t allow a run - despite the innings starting with a runner on second base - in the 10th or 11th innings, either.

 

Tied at three going into the top of the 12th inning, Ben Rodriguez was sent to second base. With one out, Royce Lewis singled in Rodriguez and advanced to second base on the throw. Next, Alex Kirilloff singled to score Lewis. The Kernels had a two-run lead. For Lewis, it was his third hit of the game. It was the second RBI single of the game for Kirilloff.

Marnon was at just under 40 pitches in his four innings, so he went back out for the 12th inning. The first batter hit a home run off of him to tie the game at five.

 

So they went to the 13th. The Kernels didn’t score in the top of the inning. Jovani Moran, who got the final two outs of the 12th, struggled with control in the 13th and in the end, he issued a bases-loaded walk which ended the game.

 

With a doubleheader on Saturday, it may have been best for both teams for that game to come to an end.

 

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Willians Astudillo, Rochester Red Wings

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Kevin Marnon, Cedar Rapids Kernels

 

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Cedar Rapids) - 3-6, 2 R, RBI, K, SB(5)

#2 - Fernando Romero (Rochester) - 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K (83 pitches, 51 strikes)

#3 - Nick Gordon (Chattanooga) - 0-5, 2 K

#5 - Alex Kirilloff (Cedar Rapids) - 2-6, R, 2 RBI, 2 K

#7 - Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) - 1-4, BB, R, RBI, 2B(3), K

#9 - Brusdar Graterol (Cedar Rapids) - 3.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 2 HBP (61 pitches, 40 strikes)

#10 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) - 0-4, 2 BB, 5 K, SB(5)

#12 - Lewis Thorpe (Chattanooga) - 4.2 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K (87 pitches, 62 strikes)

#13 - Lewin Diaz (Ft. Myers) - 1-4, RBI, K

#14 - LaMonte Wade (Chattanooga) - 0-3, 2 BB

#16 - Ben Rortvedt (Cedar Rapids) - 1-6, 2B(4), 4 K

#17 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) - 2-4, R

 

 

SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Syracuse (12L95 CST) - RHP Aaron Slegers

Tennessee @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) - RHP Kohl Stewart

Daytona @ Ft. Myers (5:00 CST) - RHP Brady Anderson

Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities (DH @ 2:15 CST) - RHP Randy Dobnak, RHP Melvi Acosta

 

 

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

 

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[FormerMinnasotan]

I’m torn on Lewis Thorpe. He gives up way too many hits and homeruns. I thought he’d adapt far better than he’s shown to this point, especially for a pitcher with 3 good pitches and potentially a 4th at least MLB average pitch. Don’t get me wrong, Thorpe has shown that he definitely has an above average K ability and has really improved control wise. I just wonder when he will start pitching better and look more like a top prospect.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I’m torn on Lewis Thorpe. He gives up way too many hits and homeruns. I thought he’d adapt far better than he’s shown to this point, especially for a pitcher with 3 good pitches and potentially a 4th at least MLB average pitch. Don’t get me wrong, Thorpe has shown that he definitely has an above average K ability and has really improved control wise. I just wonder when he will start pitching better and look more like a top prospect.

 

I mean, he's so young for the level. He didn't return from missing two full seasons until last June, and he moved up to Ft. Myers (where he hadn't played), and after just a dozen starts, he's now so young in AA. That's a lot to overcome... He's holding his own right now and learning. He's smart. He'll (probably) be fine. Certainly nothing to worry about. 

[rdehring]

Looking at the box score doesn't tell how Thorpe's night went.  The inning he gave up four runs, all were unearned.  Had a lead off infield single, followed by an error.  Can't tell, but it looks like it was a double play ball that got no outs.  Next guy gets a groundball single to right and the bases are loaded.  He then struck out two before the roof fell in.  

 

OK, he wasn't able to work out of a jam.  But none of the first five hitters hit anything hard...so I would call it tough luck. 

 

Again had zero walks, which is encouraging for any pitcher looking to be part of the Twins staff in the future.

[jrod23]

We can all see the plan written on the wall for Lewis & Javier.  Move Lewis up to Fort Myers.  Promote Javier to Cedar Rapids.  It'll be no surprise when it happens.  Trouble is, Joe Cronin is more than holding his own at SS right now for the Miracle.  Now, I highly doubt Cronin is the factor holding back Lewis, but you can't argue Cronin is rolling right now.

Selfishly, I want Lewis to stay in a Kernels uniform to win the first half.  Love seeing all these prospects playing together.  I'm confident they'll all find their groove and start winning again shortly.

[Doctor Wu]

 

I mean, he's so young for the level. He didn't return from missing two full seasons until last June, and he moved up to Ft. Myers (where he hadn't played), and after just a dozen starts, he's now so young in AA. That's a lot to overcome... He's holding his own right now and learning. He's smart. He'll (probably) be fine. Certainly nothing to worry about. 

I didn't realize that Thorpe was still a bit "too young" for the level he's at. Good to factor that into the equation. After missing most of 2 seasons, I just assumed he had regressed as far as age to level was concerned. Thanks for the reminder, Seth.

[FormerMinnasotan]

Looking at Graterol‘s night I still came away impressed and hopeful that he’ll do well this season. 7 K’s no walks in 3.2 innings is pretty impressive for an A ball debut. I think as the season progresses he’ll continue to pitch better. As long as he gets consistentsey in his control/command the rest will work its self out.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Good debut for Graterol. He was impressive.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Looking at Graterol‘s night I still came away impressed and hopeful that he’ll do well this season. 7 K’s no walks in 3.2 innings is pretty impressive for an A ball debut. I think as the season progresses he’ll continue to pitch better. As long as he gets consistentsey in his control/command the rest will work its self out.

 

Graterol was FAR more impressive to watch than the box score indicates. He absolutely dominated the first three innings. 

[TRex]

 

Graterol was FAR more impressive to watch than the box score indicates. He absolutely dominated the first three innings. 

Not sure if pitch location for low-A games has Trackman-like accuracy, but scrolling through Graterol's pitches through those 3.2 innings was very impressive. He was around the strike zone the whole time, and the second 'hit batter' was only a baseball-width off the plate.