Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/27): Moves Making Waves on the Farm

[Ted Schwerzler]

Today was a rather light day for the Minnesota Twins farm system. With the Red Wings game postponed and neither the Lookouts or E-Twins having games, the action was muted at best. Despite some tough losses for both Cedar Rapids and the GCL club, arguably the most notable action came from the transactions yet to be made officialAs noted above, while affiliates have yet to make anything official, two huge moves took place on the lower rungs of the system today.

 

With Polanco moving up to Triple-A Rochester, the door is now wide open for Royce Lewis to join Graterol and Kirilloff at High-A Fort Myers.

 

Transactions:

Chattanooga Lookouts

OF James Ramsey released

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester @ Syracuse PPD

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 8, Tampa 5

Box Score

 

Clark Beeker toed the rubber in this one for the Miracle, and he found himself with a 2-0 deficit through two innings of work. His lineup would have his back however, as a five spot made its way onto the board in the third, and the Miracle were off and running.

 

After Luis Arraez, hitting machine, singled to drive in Ben Rortvedt, Mark Contreras decided to contribute. His 4th homer of the year with the Miracle was a grand slam, and the good guys had a three run lead, up 5-2.

 

The balls weren't done leaving the park for the Miracle however. Caleb Hamilton hit his second of the year, a two run shot. As Tampa drew closer, making it 7-5 through six innings, Fort Myers first basemen Lewis Diaz provided more cushion. His solo blast, 5th of the year, increased the lead back up to three. Ryan Mason would come on, and the 8-5 tally would stand. Picking up his 3rd save of the year, Fort Myers was able to even up the series.

 

Miguel Sano played in this one, making it his first back-to-back with the Miracle. He was 1-5 with 3 strikeouts and is batting .250 since his demotion back to Single-A. Fort Myers will have an opportunity to take the series tomorrow as they conclude the three game set.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Beloit 4, Cedar Rapids 3 (11 innings)

Box Score

 

Randy Dobnak got the nod in this one for the Kernels, and he nearly took it the distance. Going seven innings allowing just three runs on six hits, Cedar Raopids was in position to walk this one off in the 9th.

 

Jacob Pearson opened the scoring in this one early the first time the Kernels came to the plate. With Akil Kaddoo on third following a leadoff triple, Pearson’s ground out would drive in the first run. Jean Carlos Arias would then tack on another with a single that would allow Jose Miranda to cross the plate.

 

The Snappers would bite Dobnak in the top half of the second, getting one run back. Then again in the 3rd, the visitors would strike for two more on a Hunter Hargrove home run. Following up their first inning contributions, Arias would walk with the bases loaded allowing Pearson to score.

 

Extras would be in store as neither side could jump ahead late. The first scoring chance would come for the Kernels in the bottom of the 10th. With the bases loaded and one out, Ben Rodriguez would ground into an inning ending double play. The two sides would play on.

 

After working three innings of relief work, Jovani Moran would turn the ball over to Calvin Faucher. In the 11th, the Snappers would bring around their runner from second base and then go on to load the bases. Faucher would end the inning with just the one run crossing the plate. Cedar Rapids sent Trey Cabbage, Jordan Gore, and Akil Baddoo to the dish in the final frame, but they couldn’t push the necessary tally across.

 

The Kernels will now head out on the road for a four game set with Burlington.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Rays 6, GCL Twins 5

Box Score

 

This one saw the GCL Twins get behind early, but squander some opportunities to draw even, and eventually come up just one run short. With Kai-Wai Teng on the bump, the GCL club put up a run of support in both the first and second innings. Giving up a five spot in the home half of the inning though, the Rays made the lead stick.

 

In the first, it was Victor Tademo doing the damage for the good guys. A single to left field would drive in Yeltsin Encarnacion. The second inning started with a Rays error that would allow Estamy Urena to reach base. Austin Hale would elevate a pitch, and his sac fly to left would bring Urena across the plate.

 

With a two run lead, Teng would run into trouble during the bottom of the 2nd. After a balk and a handful of base hits, the Rays would jump out to a 5-2 lead. The Twins would do their best to come back however, answering with two runs in the top of the third. Alberoni Nunez would double in both Tyler Webb and Kidany Silva cutting the deficit to one.

 

After another Rays run would score in the 5th, Willie Joe Garry would come around to score after his first professional base hit (a double). Hale would pick up his second RBI on the afternoon, this time on a single.

 

The GCL Twins will look to exact revenge as the two teams match up again tomorrow. This time, the Twins will be the home team as they host the traveling Rays in Fort Myers.

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day – Randy Dobnak, 7.0 IP 6 H 3 R 3 ER 3 BB 4 K

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day – Luis Arraez, 4-5, R, RBI

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

5. Alex Kirilloff (Fort Myers) – 0-5

10. Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) – 1-6, R, K

13. Lewin Diaz (Fort Myers) – 1-4, R, RBI, HR(5)

16. Ben Rortvedt (Fort Myers) – 0-3, R, BB, K

17. Travis Blankenhorn (Fort Myers) – 1-4, 2B, K

 

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Syracuse (4:05PM CST) – RHP Fernando Romero (0-1, 2.57 ERA)/TBD

Chattanooga @ Tennessee (6:00PM CST) – TBD

Fort Myers @ Tampa (5:30PM CST) – LHP Charlie Barnes (2-5, 3.45 ERA)

Cedar Rapids @ Burlington (6:30PM CST) – RHP Bailey Ober (3-1, 5.16 ERA)

Elizabethton @ Danville (6:00PM CST) – TBD

GCL Twins vs GCL Rays (11:00AM CST) - TBD

 

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Wednesday’s games!

 

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[David HK]

Congrats to young Brusdar, he's rising quickly through the ranks.

 

Gee, we've got the potential for a fearsome young rotation in the coming years--

 

Now, if we can draft some hitters who don't become total busts....

[nater79a]

LaVelle E Neal indicated in his pre-game blog that Kohl Stewart was promoted to Rochester.

 Haven't been able to verify this anywhere else though. 

Anyone seen confirmation on this?

[FormerMinnasotan]

First off congrats to Graterol for moving up to Ft Myers! Secondly what’s the deal with Landon Leach? He’s on the DL? I was hoping to see him more this year.

[h2oface]

1-5 with 3 Ks. In A ball. Unbelievable.

[Rosterman]

Well, quite a few of those offensive minor league free agents didn't work out too well this season, Ramsay joining Buss, Heisey, Stassi, Featherstone, Myles Jay, Jermaine Curtis and the gone in spring training Aybar and Sanchez. Nice to see they are moving others into place.

[youngtwinsfan]

1-5 with 3 Ks. In A ball. Unbelievable.

 

I thought the same thing at first, but I am hoping it’s due to the fact that they are trying to fix his swing and he’s still uncomfortable in the box with the changes. Hopefully he can start to make good strides within a few weeks when he’s getting comfortable with the corrections.

[rdehring]

Looked at the last ten games for Arraez.  He has more games with at least 4 hits (3), than he does games with no hits (2).  With only three days left this month, his average is .442.  Does this kid stay at Fort Myers all year?  

 

Took a longer look at another name we often see having good results, Jovani Moran.  Found it interesting to see that all of his last ten games have ranged between 2.0 and 3.0 innings.  Are we seeing more of this throughout the organization?  Could this be another change being implemented by the new regime?

 

And add me to the list of those excited to see Graterol moving up! 

[Tomj14]

Isn't it time Kepler goes down to figure things out? He looked completely lost last night at the plate.

[Doctor Wu]

So many wonderful and memorable names among the new wave of Twins players, and Willie Joe Garry.is another one that just rolls off the tongue. Conversely, I also love the name Brusdar Graterol, but that one tend to wobble on my tongue and fall right off.

[071063]

Can someone offer a profile on Luis Arraez?  He is 21 and has been around for a few years but he is still just 21 years old.  He has hit at every level but is still "only" in High A ball and doesn't appear in any prospect list.  What does the future hold for this young man?

[jud6312]

 

Isn't it time Kepler goes down to figure things out? He looked completely lost last night at the plate.

I believe he's out of options, so they'd need to DFA him to send him down.

[Blackjack]

When Sano plays at Fort Myers, is it only at home or is he also going on the bus trips with them?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Can someone offer a profile on Luis Arraez?  He is 21 and has been around for a few years but he is still just 21 years old.  He has hit at every level but is still "only" in High A ball and doesn't appear in any prospect list.  What does the future hold for this young man?

 

He was one of the youngest players in the Midwest League in 2016 and led the league in hitting. He was one of the youngest guys in the Florida State league in 2017, but in the third game, he blew out his knee beating out a hit and missed the rest of the year. So he came back this year and got off to a very slow start, but in the last 3-4 weeks, he's been back on fire. 

 

He''s not a big guy. He's not terribly fast or athletic. He doesn't' really have a position, though 2B would be his best spot. But he can hit, and he can put the ball in play. 

 

He's still very young and will continue to move up. He's got a chance. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

When Sano plays at Fort Myers, is it only at home or is he also going on the bus trips with them?

 

He's played in some road games. I'm not totally sure of his complete travel schedule. 

[MN_ExPat]

 

LaVelle E Neal indicated in his pre-game blog that Kohl Stewart was promoted to Rochester.

 Haven't been able to verify this anywhere else though. 

Anyone seen confirmation on this?

Hmmm... that's the first I've heard of it too.   Good to see the FO reward/challenge him for making actual strides this year (if that's actually the case).

[caninatl04]

 

Looked at the last ten games for Arraez.  He has more games with at least 4 hits (3), than he does games with no hits (2).  With only three days left this month, his average is .442.  Does this kid stay at Fort Myers all year?  

 

Took a longer look at another name we often see having good results, Jovani Moran.  Found it interesting to see that all of his last ten games have ranged between 2.0 and 3.0 innings.  Are we seeing more of this throughout the organization?  Could this be another change being implemented by the new regime?

 

And add me to the list of those excited to see Graterol moving up! 

It makes me all the more anxious to see the midseason top prospects list (hint, hint)

[David HK]

 

When Sano plays at Fort Myers, is it only at home or is he also going on the bus trips with them?

He'd better be on that damn bus, for incentive's sake, if nothing else.

 

As long as his seat-mate isn't a pizza...

[Danchat]

 

Hmmm... that's the first I've heard of it too.   Good to see the FO reward/challenge him for making actual strides this year (if that's actually the case).

It's been reported that Stewart has indeed been promoted to AAA. With a 4.76 ERA and 1.54 WHIP, you can't really say he's deserved it, but I guess they might as well give him a shot. He's at least had the ability to strike guys out back (9.4 K/9), but I have no idea what he projects as a major leaguer. I know it's early, but maybe his future is in the bullpen?

[MN_ExPat]

 

It's been reported that Stewart has indeed been promoted to AAA. With a 4.76 ERA and 1.54 WHIP, you can't really say he's deserved it, but I guess they might as well give him a shot. He's at least had the ability to strike guys out back (9.4 K/9), but I have no idea what he projects as a major leaguer. I know it's early, but maybe his future is in the bullpen?

True, I agree that it most likely wasn't a "deserved it" promotion, but it's still nice to see him get called up to AAA.   Who knows, you might be on to something there with a move to the bullpen for him.

[Ncgo4]

Just did some manual calculations on Arraez.

 

1st 20 games:       75 AB's   14 Hits   .186 BA.

Next 56 games:  141 AB's    55 hits   .390 BA.

 

Season:               216 AB's    69 hits   .319 BA

 

I apologize if I missed counted (but don't think I did).  Looks like we've got a 2nd baseman.

Edited June 29, 2018 by Ncgo4

[kvothe]

True, I agree that it most likely wasn't a "deserved it" promotion, but it's still nice to see him get called up to AAA. Who knows, you might be on to something there with a move to the bullpen for him.

Check out his peripherals: Respectable 16.2% K-BB% with a hefty 57.6% ground ball rate. Good for a 3.14 FIP / 3.24 xFIP. He's actually having a really nice season behind the unlucky ERA. I think he did earn the promotion.