Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/9): Rortvedt Produces in Miracle Debut

[Tom Froemming]

The Twins made a few promotions of note recently, one being catcher Ben Rortvedt getting the call up to Fort Myers. He made his Miracle debut tonight and went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Check out what else happened across the system on Saturday.TRANSACTIONS

-Jake Cave promoted to Minnesota with Tyler Duffey optioned to Rochester.

-LaMonte Wade promoted to Rochester.

-Jordan Balazovic and Robert Molina promoted to Cedar Rapids.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Durham 3, Rochester 1

Box Score

 

SP: D.J. Baxendale (3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K)

HR: None

Multi-hit games: Willians Astudillo

 

The Willians Astudillo saga continues. He made his first appearance of the season at third base tonight, was 2-for-3 with an RBI and stolen base. You wouldn’t figure a guy listed at 5-foot-9, 225 pounds who’s primarily a catcher would be a threat on the bases, but that was Astudillo’s fifth steal of the season.

 

Unfortunately, the Red Wings could muster only one run. This ended up being a bullpen game for Rochester, and the pitching staff performed admirably, all things consideed. D.J. Baxendale gave up one run over 3 2/3 innings and struck out five batters.

 

Maybe the biggest item of note was the fact that Trevor May only pitched 1 2/3 innings in a night that Rochester could have used some length. He gave up a run on two hits and walked three batters. Gabriel Moya pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings and John Curtiss gave up a run in two frames of work.

 

This was the seventh-straight loss for the Red Wings, who have now fallen below .500. LaMonte Wade was 0-for-4 in his Triple-A debut.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 7, Montgomery 4

Box Score

 

W: Omar Bencomo (8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K)

HR: James Ramsey (2)

Multi-hit games: Brian Navarreto, Chris Paul

 

The Lookouts had a 2-0 lead before they even recorded an out. This game opened with back-to-back singles which were followed by a two-run triple from Edgar Corcino. Catcher Brian Navarreto had a big night, going 3-for-4 with a couple of doubles and two RBIs. He now has 11 doubles on the season, which is just two shy of his career high.

 

Omar Bencomo held the Biscuits to one run over eight innings. He improved his Southern League record to 5-0 and he now has a 1.94 ERA for the Lookouts. Left fielder James Ramsey hit a two-run homer.

 

Chattanooga had a 7-1 lead heading into the ninth, but Tyler Jay surrendered three runs, two of which were earned.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Dunedin 6, Fort Myers 4

Box Score

 

SP: Andro Cutura (5.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K)

HR: None

Multi-hit games: Luis Arraez, Brandon Lopez, Ben Rortvedt

 

Fort Myers fell behind 6-0 in this one thanks in part to three errors in the field. They battled back to get the go-ahead run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning, but could not complete the comeback.

 

Ben Rortvedt went 2-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs in what was his Florida State League debut. Luis Arraez led the team with three hits.

 

Starter Andro Cutura gave up four runs, though only two were earned, over five innings. Andrew Vasquez gave up yet another unearned run in his two innings of work. Logan Lombana gave up an earned run over the final two innings.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Wisconsin 4, Cedar Rapids 0

Box Score

 

SP: Edwar Colina (5.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K)

HR: None

Multi-hit games: Royce Lewis

 

The Kernels just could not get anything going on offense, as they combined for four hits, two of which came off the bat of Royce Lewis. Edwar Colina gave up four runs over five innings, though one run was unearned due to Lewis’ 10th error of the season.

 

The Cedar Rapids bullpen provided three no-hit innings, as Carlos Suniaga handled the sixth and seventh innings and Jared Finkel covered the ninth. Trey Cabbage was 1-for-2 with a double and a walk. It’s only been six games, but Cabbage is hitting .389/.455/.722 so far this month.

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day: Omar Bencomo, Chattanooga

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day: Brian Navarreto, Chattanooga

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

1. Royce Lewis, CR: 2-for-4, 2B

2. Fernando Romero, MIN

3. Nick Gordon, ROC: 0-for-4

4. Stephen Gonsalves, ROC: Did not pitch

5. Alex Kirilloff, CR: 0-for-3, BB

6. Wander Javier: Out for the season with a shoulder injury.

7. Brent Rooker, CHAT: 1-for-5, R

8. Blayne Enlow, CR: Did not pitch.

9. Brusdar Graterol, CR: Did not pitch.

10. Akil Baddoo, CR: 0-for-4

11. Zack Littell, ROC: Did not pitch.

12. Lewis Thorpe, CHAT: Did not pitch.

13. Lewin Diaz, FM: 1-for-5, 2B

14. LaMonte Wade, ROC: 0-for-4

15. Mitch Garver, MIN

16. Ben Rortvedt, FM: 2-for-4, 2 RBI

17. Travis Blankenhorn, FM: 0-for-1

18. Yunior Severino: Expected to join E-Town this month.

19. Tyler Jay, CHAT: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

20. Felix Jorge: Out with injury.

 

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester vs. Durham, 12:05 pm CT - Zack Littell

Chattanooga at Montgomery, 5:05 pm CT - Kohl Stewart

Fort Myers vs. Dunedin, 3:00 pm CT - Tyler Wells

Cedar Rapids at Wisconsin, 1:05 pm CT - Melvi Acosta

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the games.

 

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[Danchat]

Oh good, they listened to me and promoted Wade. Hopefully we won't have to wait another year and a half for his next promotion.

[jun]

Bencomo should take Enns's rotation spot in Rochester, there is nothing left for Bencomo to prove in AA. He is absolutely a much better starter than Enns.

[Rosterman]

 

Bencomo should take Enns's rotation spot in Rochester, there is nothing left for Bencomo to prove in AA. He is absolutely a much better starter than Enns.

Can agree, but unless Bencomo is a sure thing for a call up, Enns may still have some lefty vibes in his arm. Neither are on the 40-man, so it is somewhat moot. But, yes...Bencomo might be a better short-term investment.

[jkcarew]

Bencomo should take Enns's rotation spot in Rochester, there is nothing left for Bencomo to prove in AA. He is absolutely a much better starter than Enns.

 

Fair amount of evidence to suggest the opposite. Also Bencomo’s a 29 year-old pitch to contact right handed that was just moved back down to AA after he DID take Enn’s turn in Rochester. Guys at Rochester ahead of him: May, Slegers, Gonsalves, Mejia, Littell....and probably also Jaye, maybe Baxendale...and then there’s Enns.

[jun]

 

Fair amount of evidence to suggest the opposite. Also Bencomo’s a 29 year-old pitch to contact right handed that was just moved back down to AA after he DID take Enn’s turn in Rochester. Guys at Rochester ahead of him: May, Slegers, Gonsalves, Mejia, Littell....and probably also Jaye, maybe Baxendale...and then there’s Enns.

 

Fair amount of evidence to suggest the opposite? Slegers, Gonsalves, Mejia and Littell are certainly ahead of Bencomo. May has been struggling, he might be viewed as a reliever at this point. Baxendale has been a long reliever for a while. Jaye was traded for cash. The only thing that works against Bencomo is really his age. Bencomo has been doing way better than Enns so far. I don't care if Enns has better stuff or better future. Right now Bencomo is a better player and he gives a team better chance to win.

Edited June 10, 2018 by jun

[jkcarew]

Fair amount of evidence to suggest the opposite? Slegers, Gonsalves, Mejia and Littell are certainly ahead of Bencomo. May has been struggling, he might be viewed as a reliever at this point. Baxendale has been a long reliever for a while. Jaye was traded for cash. The only thing that works against Bencomo is really his age. Bencomo has been doing way better than Enns so far. I don't care if Enns has better stuff or better future. Right now Bencomo is a better player and he gives a team better chance to win.

Aside from the SSS that is this year, Enns minor league numbers are significantly better than Bencomo’s...and he’s younger...and he’s left handed. It’s a moot point regardless, as the Twins literally just move Bencomo back to AA...so that pitchers they consider prospects (or in May’s case rehabbing) can get the ininnings available at Rochester.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Fair amount of evidence to suggest the opposite. Also Bencomo’s a 29 year-old pitch to contact right handed that was just moved back down to AA after he DID take Enn’s turn in Rochester. Guys at Rochester ahead of him: May, Slegers, Gonsalves, Mejia, Littell....and probably also Jaye, maybe Baxendale...and then there’s Enns.

I don't think Enns has missed a rotation turn yet this season, with the possible exception of his time in DFA limbo over a month ago.

 

Jaye was sold to Cleveland a couple weeks ago, May has been in relief the last couple weeks, and Baxendale is a reliever too who has just led off some bullpen games (a lot of doubleheaders?).

 

Bencomo is no great shakes, but he's on a roll and there is certainly an argument to be made that he is better than Enns right now -- keep in mind Enns is 27, with a 7.1 career K/9 at AAA, and just cleared waivers earlier this season. He's much closer to Bencomo's journeyman status than the prospect status of his Rochester rotation mates right now.

[Doctor Wu]

Good to see Ben Rortvedt off to a good start in Fort Myers. I've always thought that he was going to be a keeper, one that could/should reach the majors eventually. I'll be watching his progress and wish him luck.

[Einstein1]

Who's got a scouting report on Brian Navareto for me?   He seems to be holding his own at AA.