Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/2): Starters Toss Zeroes

[Seth Stohs]

Maybe there is something in a name. Or maybe they were inspired by the Major League debut of top pitching prospect Fernando Romero. Tyler Wells and Tyler Watson combined for 11 1/3 scoreless innings in their starts tonight. Add in four scoreless innings for Lewis Thorpe is his Wednesday start and that’s a lot of levels getting the message that it all starts with starting pitching. Find out how the four Twins affiliates did and who were the top performers.Keep reading to find out more on the night in the Twins minor league system on Wednesday. And as always, please feel free to discuss and ask questions.

 

 

TRANSACTIONS

• On Wednesday, the Twins officially announced that John Curtiss was optioned to Rochester and RHP Fernando Romero was promoted to the Twins. Romero had a pretty strong MLB debut!
• OF Jimmy Kerrigan was promoted from Ft. Myers to Rochester.
• 1B Robbie Rinn was promoted from extended spring training to Ft. Myers. He was acquired in a minor league trade during spring training.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 6, Pawtucket 7

Box Score

 

Down 1-0 in the top of the fifth inning, Jermaine Curtis stepped up with a couple of runners on and hit his first home run of the season to give the Red Wings a 3-1 lead.

 

Miles Jaye started for the Wings and gave up just one run through the first four innings. However, given the lead, Jaye gave up a four-spot in the bottom of the fifth frame. In total, he gave up five runs on eight hits and a walk in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out three. Ryne Harper came on and gave up two runs on three hits over 1 2/3 innings. Ryne Harper came on and gave up two runs on three hits over 1 2/3 innings. He got five outs, all of them on strikeouts. Casey Crosby got the final five outs for the Red Wings without any further damage.

 

Curtiss added another RBI later in the game. He was 2-for-5 with four RBI. James Ramsey was 2-for-2 with a walk and was hit by a pitch. Willians Astudillo added his second home run of the year.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 7, Mobile 6 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

Lewis Thorpe made the start for the Lookouts. The southpaw from Australia threw four scoreless innings. He gave up just two hits, but he walked five and struck out six. That led to a high pitch count. He was done after four innings having already thrown 89 pitches.

 

Ryan Eades went the next two innings and gave up three runs on two hits and three walks. He struck out two. Cody Stashak worked the next two innings. He gave up two runs on three hits and a walk. He struck out three. Fellow Australian, Todd Van Steensel, came on to protect a one-run lead in the ninth. He gave up one run and the game went to overtime, or extra innings, if you prefer.

 

In the top of the tenth, LaMonte Wade started the inning on second. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Brent Rooker sacrifice fly. Van Steensel was back on the mound for the bottom of the 10th. The first batter reached on an error, putting runners at first and third. But Van Steensel got a strikeout and then coaxed a double play to end the game.

 

Edgar Corcino led the offense by going 2-4 with his third and fourth doubles. He drove in two runs. Zander Wiel went 2-5. Alex Perez was 1-2 with three walks. Nick Gordon drove in a run with his fifth double.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 5, Tampa 0

Box Score

 

If you’re looking for a Twins minor league starting pitcher who could move up prospect rankings throughout this season, look no further than Tyler Wells. The 6-8 right-hander got himself in very good shape in the offseason and has taken his performance to a new level. On this night, Wells threw six shutout innings. He gave up just two hits, walked one and struck out four. He improved to 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA.

 

After Wells left, the Westmont Duo took over and combined for the final three innings. Andrew Vasquez worked two innings and was charged with an unearned run. Hector Lujan threw a perfect ninth inning.

 

Joe Cronin continued his hot stretch to start the season. The infielder went 2-for-4 with a walk and his first triple. He drove in three runs and stole a base. Robbie Rinn made his Twins and Florida State League debuts on Wednesday night. He went 1-2 with a walk and a double. Nelson Molina went 1-3 with a walk and his first stolen base of the year.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 5, South Bend 0 (6 innings, rain)

Box Score

 

There was a threat of some serious weather, but the game was able to get through the necessary five innings to be complete. Tyler Watson did his part to keep the game rolling. The left-hander threw all 5 1/3 innings without allowing a run. He gave up just three hits and walked none. He struck out six.

 

Jean Carlos Arias led the offense. He went 3-for-3 with two RBI. Alex Kirilloff scored twice and drove in one with his seventh double. Andrew Bechtold added his third double.

 

For South Bend, their second pitcher of the game was Rollie Lacy. He was a Cubs draft pick last year out of Creighton. He played his high school baseball at Holy Family High School in Victoria, Minnesota. In 18.1 innings this season, he has a 1.93 ERA.

 

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Jermaine Curtis, Rochester Wings (2-5, HR(1), 4 RBI)

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Tyler Wells, Ft. Myers Miracle (6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K)

 

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#2 - Fernando Romero (Minnesota) - 5.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K (MLB Debut)

#3 - Nick Gordon (Chattanooga) - 1-5, 2B(5), R, RBI, BB, K

#5 - Alex Kirilloff (Cedar Rapids) - 1-3, 2B(7), 2 R, 1 RBI

#7 - Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) - 0-4, BB, SF, RBI, 4 K

#10 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) - 0-2, R, 1 BB, 1 K

#12 - Lewis Thorpe (Chattanooga) - 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 6 K

#14 - LaMonte Wade (Chattanooga) - 0-5, 2 R, BB, 2 K

#16 - Ben Rortvedt (Cedar Rapids) - 0-2, K

#17 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) - 0-4, 2K

 

 

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Lehigh Valley @ Rochester (6:05 CST) - RHP Aaron Slegers (2-0, 1.50 ERA)

Chattanooga @ Mobile (6:35 CST) - RHP Kohl Stewart (2-1, 5.82 ERA)

Ft. Myers @ Tampa (5:30 CST) - LHP Charlie Barnes (0-2, 4.24 ERA)

South Bend @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) - RHP Bailey Ober (0-1, 81.00 ERA)

 

 

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

 

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[FormerMinnasotan]

I feel optimistic on Thorpe after this outing. Sure 5 walks in 4 innings isn’t good, but up till today Thorpe had only issued 1 walk. But he only gave up 2 hits and 0 runs. That is signs of improvement and he still had more k’s (6) than innings pitched (4). If I remember right Fernando Romero didn’t start getting in a groove in Chattanooga till May of last year.

 

Speaking of Romero that was an outstanding debut. If he stays healthy and keeps his stamina I think he could be something special as he has the attitude it takes to be successful.

[RaoulDuke]

I want to see Rooker start to mash, he seems to be off to a slow start.

[SydneyTwinsFan]

How come Kerrigan goes from Ft Myers to Rochester? Would have preferred to see Wade to Rochester and Kerrigan to Chattanooga

[Han Joelo]

Jimmy's up!

 

https://youtu.be/G7p3RXLMGH8

[Doctor Wu]

 

How come Kerrigan goes from Ft Myers to Rochester? Would have preferred to see Wade to Rochester and Kerrigan to Chattanooga

I'm puzzled by that move also. Seems like a big jump in levels for a player who is not a top prospect.

[USNMCPO]

Rochester's rotation must be pretty thin after Romero was called up. Who do they have besides Sieger?

[rdehring]

I'll second the comments about Thorpe, Seth.  Especially the fact that he had given up only one walk in his previous four starts.

 

Five walks and two hits means he probably faced 19 batters.  With six K's and five walks, that means 11 of the 19 didn't put the ball in play.  That seems unusually high, so might have something to do with the Mobile lineup.  Maybe they were fouling off a lot of balls to drive up the pitch count.  

 

Still waiting for Thorpe to take that next step and begin dominating.  But we all know the move up to AA may be the biggest step prospects face.  He is still very young without a lot of experience after missing two years.  Although he has struggled a bit, I find his start to AA very encouraging.  But then I would as I have loved this kid since his performance in winter ball down under when he was 17 or 18 years old.  

 

[Oldgoat_MN]

I was looking up stats on Thorpe just yesterday. He has given up a high number of hits in his previous outings this year, leading to an unusually high ERA. Glad to see he appears to be coming around.

For years I've thought he could be something special if he can get to the Show. If he can pull it together and dominate AA like he has dominated other levels we could see him with the Twins next year.

[SF Twins Fan]

 

Rochester's rotation must be pretty thin after Romero was called up. Who do they have besides Sieger?

 

Gonsalves

[Tom Froemming]

Rochester was probably just looking for an extra bat while Brock Stassi is on the temporary inactive list. Kerrigan is a guy who can play all three outfield positions, so he's well suited to serve in a reserve role.

[Seth Stohs]

 

How come Kerrigan goes from Ft Myers to Rochester? Would have preferred to see Wade to Rochester and Kerrigan to Chattanooga

 

Probably the same thing as yesterday the non-Gordon promotion. I assume this is a very short-term thing until a couple of players are eligible to come off of the DL. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Rochester's rotation must be pretty thin after Romero was called up. Who do they have besides Sieger?

 

Gonsalves, Jaye. Baxendale is making another spot start. I'm sure Adalberto Mejia will be back soon. If Enns clears waivers, he could be back in time to make his next start. 

[2wins87]

 

Rochester's rotation must be pretty thin after Romero was called up. Who do they have besides Sieger?

Gonsalves

 

Also Adalberto Mejia, who's yet to find his command this year.

 

Actually at the beginning of the season the discussion was about the logjam of AAA quality pitching, with Gonsalves and Littell being sent to AA.  There have been some underperformances with Mejia and Enns especially.  Their rotation is fine for AAA, it's just a question of how well they'll perform in the majors if called upon.

[2wins87]

 

I was looking up stats on Thorpe just yesterday. He has given up a high number of hits in his previous outings this year, leading to an unusually high ERA. Glad to see he appears to be coming around.

For years I've thought he could be something special if he can get to the Show. If he can pull it together and dominate AA like he has dominated other levels we could see him with the Twins next year.

 

The problem wasn't just hits but that everything that was hit was being hit hard.  Only one XBH today is an encouraging sign.  The 5 HR in his first 18 or so innings was a little worrying.

[T_J]

MIRACLE MATTERS
Ft. Myers 5, Tampa 0

 

After Wells left, the Westmont Duo took over and combined for the final three innings. Andrew Vasquez worked two innings and was charged with an unearned run. Hector Lujan threw a perfect ninth inning.

 

This might be the largest story of the day! Being charged with a run but not giving a run!!!

[108Stitches]

Tyler Wells needs to be in the top 30 now. He has proven himself over and over again. And we still have Lachlan in the top 30 and the guy hasn’t played in 9 months or something. And frankly Tyler is substantially better in every metric. Seems the only guys who make top 30 are guys who they have a lot of money into. Otherwise, when people like non bonus guys like Jimmy Kerrigan EARN it, people go “Why did he get a promotion, he’s not even a top prospect”.

[USNMCPO]

 

Gonsalves

Damn brain farts!