Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/19): All-Star Festivities and De La Cruz the Destroyer

[Steve Lein]

It was a busy night in the system on Tuesday, as the short season leagues have kicked off and two affiliate’s leagues played their All-Star games. The Minnesota Twins farm teams went 4-0 on the night, and a little-known player out of the Dominican Republic had an incredible game in the Gulf Coast League.To find out how Royce Lewis, Alex Kirilloff, and the rest of the organization’s All-Stars and prospects fared on Tuesday night, keep reading and be sure to add to the discussion in the comments!

 

TRANSACTIONS

 

There were a couple of transactions leading into the action on Tuesday:

 

-Felix Jorge was sent on a rehab assignment in the GCL from Chattanooga and started the game for the GCL Twins.

-Leonardo Reginatto was activated from the disabled list for the Red Wings.

-Byron Buxton began his rehab assignment with Rochester.

-Pitcher Josh Winder was assigned to the Elizabethton roster.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Syracuse 3, Rochester 4

Box Score

 

The Red Wings used a big third inning and a strong bullpen performance on Tuesday to pull out a victory despite being outhit 10-to-6.

 

In that third inning Jake Cave got the scoring started with a two-RBI double, and later in the inning RBI singles from Willians Astudillo and Cameron Rupp put them out front for good at 4-2. Nick Gordon and Kennys Vargas added doubles to the effort, and LaMonte Wade drew two walks to keep his Triple A on-base-percentage above .400 despite hitting just .219 thus far after his promotion. In 11 games he now has 10 walks compared to just four strikeouts.

 

Left-hander Dietrich Enns made the start and finished five innings to pick up his fifth win. He allowed three runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out two.

 

The bullpen went to work from there, as D.J. Baxendale, Luke Bard, and John Curtiss combined for four innings of scoreless ball to close the game. Baxendale went two innings, allowing two hits and striking out four. Bard allowed two hits in the eighth but no runs, striking out one. Curtiss slammed the door with a one-two-three ninth, striking out two. Baxendale and Bard each picked up holds, while Curtiss notched his fifth save.

 

Byron Buxton batted leadoff and went 0-4 with two strikeouts in his first rehab game as the DH.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Southern League All-Star Game: South 9, North 5

Box Score

 

With selections LaMonte Wade promoted to Rochester and Zander Wiel and Randy LeBlanc on the disabled list, the Lookouts were represented on the North squad by pitchers Omar Bencomo, Ryne Harper, Williams Ramirez, and Todd Van Steensel in the Southern League All-Star Game Tuesday Night in Birmingham, Alabama.

 

It was all them for the first six innings, as the North jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first and their pitchers held the South hitless. Bencomo got the fourth and delivered a one-two-three frame, striking out one. Harper got the sixth and did the same, setting all three hitters down in order.

 

Unfortunately, it was Ramirez who lost the no-hitter in the seventh when he gave up a leadoff single, and that was followed by a home run to tie the game at two. He got the next two hitters out before being lifted.

 

The teams traded blows in the eighth, each putting three runs on the board to head to the ninth tied at five. The North handed the ball to Van Steensel and his excellent 1.75 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in the first half. He was promptly greeted by a solo home run to put the South out front. Like Ramirez, he got the next two outs before he was replaced.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 8, Palm Beach 7

Box Score

 

Fort Myers fell behind 5-0 after the top of half of the third inning as starting pitcher Tyler Watson was knocked around by the Tarpons lineup. In 3 1/3 total innings, Watson surrendered seven runs on eleven hits. He struck out two.

 

Ryan Mason was able to settle it down, as he would finish the next 3 2/3 innings. He allowed no runs on five hits while striking out three. He was able to pick up the win as the Miracle offense woke up in the bottom of the third and scratched a couple more across while he was on the mound.

 

The lineup stormed back with six runs in that third inning to take the lead 6-5. Travis Blankenhorn got the scoring started with a 2-RBI double and later score on a wild pitch. After a series of walks, Caleb Hamilton delivered a bases-clearing triple to put Fort Myers out front.

 

Watson gave that lead back in the top of the fourth, but an RBI single from Jaylin Davis in the bottom half knotted it back up. With the game still tied in the sixth, Travis Blankenhorn led off with a single and then stole second base, his fifth of the year, to put himself in scoring position. Lewin Diaz drove him in with a one-out single and that was enough for the Miracle.

 

Logan Lombana struck out two in a scoreless eighth, working around a leadoff single. Tom Hackimer picked up his second save of the season with a scoreless ninth. He hit one batter and struck out one.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Midwest League All-Star Game: West 2, East 3 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

Like their double-A big brothers, the Midwest League also played their All-Star game, this one in Lansing, Michigan on Tuesday night.

 

The Kernels were well represented, with top prospects Royce Lewis starting at shortstop and batting leadoff and Alex Kirilloff batting third and starting in right field.

 

Lewis led off the game with a single and promptly stole second base but ended up stranded. In his second at-bat he would fly out to right field and then was replaced heading into the bottom of the fifth.

 

Kirilloff played the whole game, getting four at-bats, and actually ended up pushing the exhibition to extra innings with an RBI single in the top of the eighth to tie the game at two.

 

Cedar Rapids pitcher Jared Finkel was handed the fourth inning and pitched a scoreless frame. He allowed two singles and struck out one. Brusdar Graterol was on the roster, but according to Jeff Johnson of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, did not make the trip so he could rest his arm:

 

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Earlier in the day, Kirilloff participated in the Home Run Derby, but his 12 home runs fell one shy of making it into the final cut (notice the fence-spanning sign for him

[jun]

Both Ramirez and Van Steensel are overrated. Just my opinion.

[glunn]

Great writeup! Thanks, Steve.

[benji21]

Awesome for de la Cruz. I have another de la question though. Where is de la torre this year?

[launchingthrees]

I'm interested in hearing more about Blankenhorn's defense. His bat could play anywhere in the infield.

[Dman]

So De La Cruz could go 0 for 10 and still be batting .300, Wow, impressive night at the plate for him.  There is some serious talent on that GCL team this year.

 

Was happy to see Benninghoff pitch well his first time out.  Hoping that shoulder stays healed.  

[rdehring]

Nine RBI, WOW!  He will turn 21 next month, so he isn't a young prospect moving up from the DSL.  Will be interesting to see what his performance looks like a month from now.

 

See that Rortvedt continues hitting well at Hi-A, although it's still not that many at bats.

 

Although a 2 hit game is kind of an off day for Arraez, he continues his torrid pace.  My question for you and everyone is who is a good comparison for him?  I keep thinking Altuve, as both are small second basemen from Venezuela who hit for a high average.  But Altuve has more power and is quicker.  Any other good ideas?  

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Awesome for de la Cruz. I have another de la question though. Where is de la torre this year?

 

He started at shortstop for Elizabethton last night. He was mentioned in the Elizabethton Twins Roster Preview the other day. 

[Steve Lein]

 

Nine RBI, WOW!  He will turn 21 next month, so he isn't a young prospect moving up from the DSL.  Will be interesting to see what his performance looks like a month from now.

 

See that Rortvedt continues hitting well at Hi-A, although it's still not that many at bats.

 

Although a 2 hit game is kind of an off day for Arraez, he continues his torrid pace.  My question for you and everyone is who is a good comparison for him?  I keep thinking Altuve, as both are small second basemen from Venezuela who hit for a high average.  But Altuve has more power and is quicker.  Any other good ideas?  

 

I wouldn't go even close to Altuve, other than maybe you could say Arraez has potential for his hit tool to be comparable. Doesn't strike out much, puts the ball in play.

 

I don't think he's a great defender, potential for average in the future. Only doubles power, probably below average runner.

 

He'll likely always put up a nice average, but that might be it. Bat is one thing that can carry you if you have it, though! It was really unfortunate he tore his ACL last year!

[mikelink45]

I always enjoy these summaries and the look at the top prospects.  #15 is not performing like we expected.  I know he will come off the list for other reasons, but personally I would drop him from the top 20 at this stage.

[FormerMinnasotan]

I love Graterol but, is there a concern he isn’t all together that durable? I mean he’s been on 2 DL stints and didn’t pitch in the All Star game due to a “tired arm”. It seems he just can’t stay healthy.

[Seth Stohs]

 

So De La Cruz could go 0 for 10 and still be batting .300, Wow, impressive night at the plate for him.  There is some serious talent on that GCL team this year.

 

Was happy to see Benninghoff pitch well his first time out.  Hoping that shoulder stays healed.  

 

He had Tommy John surgery.  

[Seth Stohs]

 

Nine RBI, WOW!  He will turn 21 next month, so he isn't a young prospect moving up from the DSL.  Will be interesting to see what his performance looks like a month from now.

 

See that Rortvedt continues hitting well at Hi-A, although it's still not that many at bats.

 

Although a 2 hit game is kind of an off day for Arraez, he continues his torrid pace.  My question for you and everyone is who is a good comparison for him?  I keep thinking Altuve, as both are small second basemen from Venezuela who hit for a high average.  But Altuve has more power and is quicker.  Any other good ideas?  

 

It's hard to find a comp for Arraez. He is a singles-hitting machine with little speed, little athleticism, little power,, no real defensive position... But he can take terrific at bats and single all over the field. He's to watch. 

[Aerodeliria]

I love reading these reports.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I love Graterol but, is there a concern he isn’t all together that durable? I mean he’s been on 2 DL stints and didn’t pitch in the All Star game due to a “tired arm”. It seems he just can’t stay healthy.

 

I wouldn't worry about DL trips in these lower levels of the minors. Only worth really noticing if they go more than like 8-9 days. The Twins do an incredible job of manipulating rosters with DL usage. 

[slash129]

 

Although a 2 hit game is kind of an off day for Arraez, he continues his torrid pace.  My question for you and everyone is who is a good comparison for him?  I keep thinking Altuve, as both are small second basemen from Venezuela who hit for a high average.  But Altuve has more power and is quicker.  Any other good ideas?  

 

Pete Rose? 

[puckstopper1]

Any idea why Sano did not play in FTM yesterday?

 

[jkcarew]

 

Pete Rose? 

That's funny.  But also, not inaccurate.  Rose was not good at anything...didn't have a defensive position he was even average at.  But he could put the ball in play and slap singles all over the place.  Benefited from playing on turf almost his entire career and saw many ordinary ground balls shoot through the infield for singles, and many ordinary singles shoot through the gaps for doubles and triples.  Incredibly over-rated in his day...but he what the media wanted a baseball player to look and act like...what with being the first player in history to 'hustle' and all.

 

To be fair, he was a switch hitter and was a better-than-average base-runner...something I don't think we'd be able to say about Arraez.

[jkcarew]

 

Both Ramirez and Van Steensel are overrated. Just my opinion.

Overrated?  That's something not often uttered about prospects ranked in the 60's, 70's, 80's or 90's within their own organization.

[Mr. Brooks]

That's funny. But also, not inaccurate. Rose was not good at anything...didn't have a defensive position he was even average at. But he could put the ball in play and slap singles all over the place. Benefited from playing on turf almost his entire career and saw many ordinary ground balls shoot through the infield for singles, and many ordinary singles shoot through the gaps for doubles and triples. Incredibly over-rated in his day...but he what the media wanted a baseball player to look and act like...what with being the first player in history to 'hustle' and all.

 

To be fair, he was a switch hitter and was a better-than-average base-runner...something I don't think we'd be able to say about Arraez.

Rose had a career babip of .319. He didn't benefit from any substantial luck.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Kirilloff should be going to Fort Myers now, right?

[rdehring]

 

Kirilloff should be going to Fort Myers now, right?

Expect we won't see his promotion until the kid from Oregon State signs.

[jkcarew]

 

Rose had a career babip of .319. He didn't benefit from any substantial luck.

Didn't mean to insinuate luck.  Rose didn't drive the ball...he slapped at it.  But he put the all in play a ton...and he put the ball in play in the infield a ton.  He was very good at it.  Without the turf...and we're talking about the old 'carpet on cement' turf at Riverfront in that era (and a few other 'stadiums'...especially in the NL)...his babip probably would have been still a notch lower, and he definitely would've had fewer doubles and triples.  It was the same for all the singles/contact guys that had a turf home field in that era.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Expect we won't see his promotion until the kid from Oregon State signs.

That seems an even sillier criteria than waiting until the MWL all-star break, at least that gives the kid an honor/experience.

[jkcarew]

Any idea why Sano did not play in FTM yesterday?

 

I’m guessing it has to do with why they sent him to Fort Myers and not to Rochester. They’re working on the entire process, not just game hitting/results. I see in today’s game he hit two fly balls to right field. Hopefully those were not accidents.

[Thrylos]

 

It's hard to find a comp for Arraez. He is a singles-hitting machine with little speed, little athleticism, little power,, no real defensive position... But he can take terrific at bats and single all over the field. He's to watch. 

 

Arraez hit 31 doubles in 114 games in his last healthy season, so not quite a singles machine.

 

As far as comparables go,  I think that Carlos Baegra might be a close one both with the bat (from the left side) and with the glove...

Edited June 21, 2018 by Thrylos

[Seth Stohs]

 

Kirilloff should be going to Fort Myers now, right?

 

I subtly suggest in tonight's Minor League Report that it's happening tomorrow. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Any idea why Sano did not play in FTM yesterday?

 

He won't be playing every day. They've said all along it'll be more of a spring training schedule where he's working on a ton of things.