Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/25): Vargas Powers Wings

[Seth Stohs]

CEDAR RAPIDS - This report comes to you directly from Cedar Rapids where I will be the next few days. Tomorrow will be a busy day with some interviews and a double header, but it will be a fun day. On this night, Kennys Vargas and newcomer Chris Carter provided some power for the Red Wings. Chattanooga got a strong start, and so did the Kernels. There was a near cycle in Cedar Rapids too.Keep reading to find out more on the night in the Twins minor league system on Friday. As always, please feel free to discuss and ask questions.

 

TRANSACTIONS

• RHP Logan Lombana reinstated from the DL for Ft. Myers.
• LHP Paco Rodriguez promoted to Chattanooga.
• For Chattanooga, LHP Casey Crosby was placed on the DL with a left elbow impingement.
• The Lookouts also placed RHP Kohl Stewart on the temporary inactive list.
• IF Sean Miller was sent to Chattanooga from Rochester.
• The Red Wings added OF Jake Cave back to their roster.
• 1B Chris Carter reported to Rochester.
• 1B Brock Stassi was released by the organization.

RED WINGS REPORT

Game 1 - Rochester 8, Buffalo 9

Box Score

 

He was due for a rough one, and on Friday night, Aaron Slegers had a rough one. He came into the game with a shiny 1.97 ERA through his first eight starts. After giving up nine runs on 11 hits over just 4 2/3 innings on Friday night, his season ERA jumped to 3.27. Jake Reed and Gabriel Moya got the final four outs which gave the Red Wings a chance to come back.

 

The Red Wings had plenty of offense. Kennys Vargas went 2-for-4 with two, three-run home runs. He’s got five on the season now. Newcomer Chris Carter went 2-for-3 with a walk and a home run in his first game for the Red Wings. Zack Granite went 2-for-4 with his second double of the year. Jake Cave went 3-for-4 and added his second home run. He also made a couple of nice plays on defense.

 

Game 2 - Rochester 1, Buffalo 2

Box Score

 

Game 2 was much more of a pitcher’s game. Miles Jaye started and gave up two runs on just two hits. He did walk four and struck out three. Luke Bard worked a scoreless seventh inning.

 

Nick Gordon went 2-for-3 and, and Leonardo Reginnato hit his first home run of the season.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 5, Montgomery 1

Box Score

 

The Lookouts got strong pitching and enough hitting to come up with a nice win on this night.

 

Omar Bencomo improved to 4-0 with seven strong innings. He gave up one run on four hits. He gave up four hits, walked two and struck out seven. Todd Van Steensel picked up his fourth save with two scoreless innings. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck out tree.

 

Tanner English led the offense. He went 2-for-2 with two walks and stole his ninth base. Chris Paul was 1-for-3 with a walk and his 13th double.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers , Charlotte

Box Score

 

Rain in for Ft. Myers postponed this game.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 9, Clinton 2

Box Score

 

Bryan Sammons came into this game without a win despite a solid 2.91 ERA in his first seven starts of the season. On this night, he pitched his best game of the season, and his offense provided him with plenty of run support.

 

The 23-year-old lefty gave up just a solo home run over his six innings. He gave up a total of three hits, walked none and struck out eight. Nick Brown came on and recorded his first save with three innings of work. He gave up only a solo home run and struck out two. The two Clinton home runs were hit by first baseman Ryan Costello, who had three of the LumberKings’ five hits.

 

The Kernels scored nine runs on 13 hits. They were led by Jean Carlos Arias who was a home run shy of the cycle. He hit his third double and second triple of the season. Ben Rortvedt also had a strong night at the plate. The catcher went 3-for-3 with a walk and his second triple. Shane Carrier crushed his fourth and fifth doubles of the season. Royce Lewis had his fifth double and drove in three runs.

 

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Kennys Vargas, Rochester Red Wings (2-6, 2 home runs, 6 RBI)

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Bryan Sammons, Cedar Rapids Kernels (6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K)

 

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Cedar Rapids) - 1-4, 2B(5), 3 RBI, K

#2 - Fernando Romero (Minnesota) - Pitching late on Friday night.

#3 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - 2-7, 2 K

#4 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) - Did Not Pitch

#5 - Alex Kirilloff (Cedar Rapids) - 1-3, BB, R

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

#8 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) - Did Not Pitch

#9 - Brusdar Graterol (Cedar Rapids) - Did Not Pitch

#10 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) - Disabled List

#11 - Zack Littell (Rochester) - Did Not Pitch

#12 - Lewis Thorpe (Chattanooga) - Did Not Pitch

#13 - Lewin Diaz (Ft. Myers) - Rained Out

#14 - LaMonte Wade (Chattanooga) - Disabled List

#15 - Mitch Garver (Minnesota) - Late Game

#16 - Ben Rortvedt (Cedar Rapids) - 3-3, BB, 3B(2), R

#17 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) - Rained Out

#19 - Tyler Jay (Chattanooga) - Did Not Pitch

 

 

SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Buffalo @ Rochester (6:05 CST) - LHP Dietrich Enns (2-0, 2 6.03 ERA)

Montgomery @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) - LHP Anthony Marzi (0-2, 6.04 ERA)

Ft. Myers @ Charlotte (DH @ 3:00 CST) - RHP Tyler Wells (3-2, 3.09 ERA), TBD

Cltinton @ Cedar Rapids (DH @ 5:05 CST) - RHP Brusdar Graterol (2-0, 0.93 ERA)

 

 

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

 

Click here to view the article

[Rosterman]

So who is this Paco Rodriguez guy?

 

Looks like the Twins chose to part ways with Brock Stassi and that Kenny Vargas will be turning up the heat, to draw attention from the Twins, of perhaps another suitor.

 

Sad for Aaron Selgers. Ups and downs. Speaking of ups and downs, is Kohl Stewart still a prospect to watch?

 

[gil4]

Great write-up as usual. (I don't say it enough.) 

 

I vote yes on the new prospect summary. 

 

What is the "temporary inactive" list? (What are the criteria for using it.)

 

I never thought I'd be envious of someone getting to go to Cedar Rapids for a few days, but... Have a great time.

[D.C Twins]

Dear FO,

 

We've been watching Gordon from a far...

 

and our consensus opinion is....

 

Yes Please!

 

Love,

The Minnesota Twins Players

[D.C Twins]

Dear Twins FO,

 

We like promoting young talent.

 

We'll trade you a reliever for Gordon....trust us, this time will be different!

 

Your Friends, 

 

The Washington Nationals FO

[Seth Stohs]

 

So who is this Paco Rodriguez guy?

 

Looks like the Twins chose to part ways with Brock Stassi and that Kenny Vargas will be turning up the heat, to draw attention from the Twins, of perhaps another suitor.

 

Sad for Aaron Selgers. Ups and downs. Speaking of ups and downs, is Kohl Stewart still a prospect to watch?

 

Rodriguez has been written about on the site several times. Former high draft pick, very fast to the majors. Flamed out a bit, got hurt, took some time out. Twins signed him a month ago. LHP.

 

Slegers - I wouldn't say "sad." It's pretty meaningless in the big picture. None of the evaluators will suddenly now think any different of him.

 

Stewart - Yes. 

[Taildragger8791]

What’s the story with Stewart going on the temporary inactive list?

[mikelink45]

Seth you know our players best - and you know the Twins are in desperate need of runs.  If you could shuffle everyone from all the teams, not hampered by the roster rules - what nine would you put in the lineup for the TWINS right now. Don't think of contracts and formalities.  I just want to envision the best we could have because I think some are in the minors.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Seth you know our players best - and you know the Twins are in desperate need of runs.  If you could shuffle everyone from all the teams, not hampered by the roster rules - what nine would you put in the lineup for the TWINS right now. Don't think of contracts and formalities.  I just want to envision the best we could have because I think some are in the minors.

 

The best starting nine in the organization, or those that are able to play now (not urt or suspended):

 

C: Garver, 1B: Mauer, 2B: Dozier, 3B: Sano, SS: Polanco, LF: Rosario, CF: Buxton, RF: Kepler, DH: Morrison.

 

Not hurt/suspended:

 

C: Garver, 1B: Morrison, 2B: Dozier, 3B: Sano, SS: Gordon (maybe), LF: Rosario, CF: Buxton, RF: Kepler, DH: Escobar

[rdehring]

Another nice game for Rortvedt.  Seems like his bat is coming around.  Still a long way off, but gotta believe he can be the Twins starting catcher for a decade.

 

Any word on what is going on with Stewart?  Checked the local paper and didn't find anything.  Last outing was certainly bad and if that was do to a nagging injury he would have gone on the DL.  Could be lots of answers, some not what we would want to hear.

[nater79a]

 

Another nice game for Rortvedt.  Seems like his bat is coming around.  Still a long way off, but gotta believe he can be the Twins starting catcher for a decade.

 

Any word on what is going on with Stewart?  Checked the local paper and didn't find anything.  Last outing was certainly bad and if that was do to a nagging injury he would have gone on the DL.  Could be lots of answers, some not what we would want to hear.

 

Yeah, the first thing that comes to mind is that he's frustrated and is questioning whether he wants to keep pitching anymore.  Hopefully that's not the case.  Nothing that a solid outing his next time out couldn't cure.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Another nice game for Rortvedt.  Seems like his bat is coming around.  Still a long way off, but gotta believe he can be the Twins starting catcher for a decade.

 

Any word on what is going on with Stewart?  Checked the local paper and didn't find anything.  Last outing was certainly bad and if that was do to a nagging injury he would have gone on the DL.  Could be lots of answers, some not what we would want to hear.

 

Rortvedt is a good player. He'll be fine. Too early to know where he'll wind up in the big picture, but he's got a chance.

 

And, "Temporary Inactive List" could be anything that doesn't already have a more official name (Disabled List, Bereavement List, etc.) 

[Seth Stohs]

Lots of pictures from Friday can be found on the Twins Daily Twitter page (https://twitter.com/twinsdaily) or on the Twins Daily Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TwinsDaily/). 

 

I've also added a bunch on my personal Instagram page as well. 

[bluechipper]

 

The best starting nine in the organization, or those that are able to play now (not urt or suspended):

 

C: Garver, 1B: Mauer, 2B: Dozier, 3B: Sano, SS: Polanco, LF: Rosario, CF: Buxton, RF: Kepler, DH: Morrison.

 

Not hurt/suspended:

 

C: Garver, 1B: Morrison, 2B: Dozier, 3B: Sano, SS: Gordon (maybe), LF: Rosario, CF: Buxton, RF: Kepler, DH: Escobar

So Nick Gordon only "might" be better than Ehire Adrianza right now? That's sad to think about.

 

If you meant Gordon only might be a better option than Eduardo Escobar at SS, then I would agree with that.

[jorgenswest]

I think Seth’s maybe is reasonable.

 

Do we know if he can be close to an average shortstop defensively? Hitting major league pitching is incredibly difficult. We have seen several players do well in AA and struggle.

 

There is no way in looking at a stat line to know a player’s readiness in the field or at the plate. The staff seeing him every day is in a much position to better determine readiness. The Twins long term success relies on the skill of their staff.

 

He could easily struggle at the plate and be much worse in the field than Adrianza right now. Long term Gordon appears to be at least a starting 2B. I hope they keep developing his glove at SS where his bat will play much better.

[deanlambrecht]

Well dang, Seth.   Karen and I were in CR for Friday's game, too!   Wish I'd have known, I'd have looked for you

 

Regardless, surprised you didn't highlight Kirilloff's excellent night at the plate.   2 for 3 (unless one of his on-bases was based on an error - I see you have him 1 for 3) plus a HPB and BB.   Solid fielding, to boot.   He was really fun to watch.

 

I'll post some pics when I've got a bit more time.   Got some shots of Kirilloff and Lewis at the dish.