Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/29): Baddoo, Lewis Ignite Kernels Sweep

[Seth Stohs]

Akil Baddoo has done a nice job as Cedar Rapids’ leadoff man throughout the year. While his batting average his not high, his on-base percentage has been on base between 35% and 40% through most of the season. Alex Kirilloff was promoted, but Royce Lewis is still around. Between the two Kernels on Friday, they went 10-16 with five doubles and a homer in the Kernels double-header sweep of Burlington.Keep reading to find out more on the night in the Twins minor league system on Monday. As always, please feel free to discuss and ask questions.

 

TRANSACTIONS

• Before the Twins game, they announced that utilityman Taylor Motter had been placed on the DL with concussion symptoms. To take his spot is 26-year-old catcher/third baseman/left fielder Willians Astudillo.

• To make room for Astudillo, the Twins DFAd RHP Felix Jorge who has made a few rehab appearances in the GCL this season.

• Following the Twins game, they announced that Adalberto Mejia was added to the roster with reliever Alan Busenitz again being shuttled back to Rochester.

• The Miracle announced that OF Shane Carrier was placed on the DL with a quad strain. Aaron Whitefield returns from the DL after missing two months with a broken hamate bone.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 1, Lehigh Valley 2 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

Stephen Gonsalves started and gave up one run on three hits over five innings. He struck out seven, but he also walked five batters. He got a lot of help from his bullpen. Tyler Duffey struck out five batters in three perfect innings. Jake Reed pitched a scoreless ninth. But he did give up a run in the 10th inning, an unearned run due to the inning starting with a runner on second base. He struck out three and didn’t issue a walk.

 

The Red Wings were unable to get much offense going. Gregorio Petit went 2-for-5 and drove in the team’s lone run. His single scored Chris Carter who was on with his sixth double. Of note, Byron Buxton went 1-for-5 with a double. He also threw out a runner at home. Jorge Polanco went 1-for-3 with a walk.

 

The winning pitcher for Lehigh Valley was former Gophers LHP Tom WIndle. Trevor Plouffe went 0-2 with two walks and two strikeouts. Danny Ortiz was 0-4.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 7, Tennessee 2

Box Score

 

The Lookouts had help throughout the lineup and got strong pitching to win on Friday night.

Jaylin Davis led the offense. He went 2-for-3 with his first double and drove in two runs. He was twice hit by a pitch. Brent Rooker was also hit by a pitch. He added a single and a walk and scored twice. Andy Wilkins provided some power with his fifth homer, a two-run shot. Alex Perez set the table with three walks.

 

Sean Poppen started and went the first four innings. He gave up two runs on three hits. He walked three and struck out four batters. Ryan Eades struck out three over two scoreless relief innings. Sam Clay struck out four over two scoreless innings. Tyler Jay struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 6, Lakeland 1

Box Score

 

Tyler Wells has been very good most of the 2018 season for the Miracle. He was again on Friday night. In 6 2/3 innings he gave up one run on five hits. He walked one and struck out eight batters to improve to 7-3 on the season. Tom Hackimer came on and threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings. He gave up one hit, walked two and struck out one.

 

Miguel Sano had a good game with the bat. He went 3-for-4 and drove in tree runs. (He did have one throwing error on defense.) Aaron Whitefield returned to the Miracle lineup after missing nearly two months with a broken hamate bone. He had a single and a walk and scored twice. Alex Kirilloff went 2-for-3 with a walk. Caleb Hamilton kept his hot streak going with an RBI double.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Game 1 - Cedar Rapids 7, Burlington 4

Box Score

 

The Kernels got off to a quick start and held on in Game 1 of their doubleheader. They got offensive contributions from several players. Akil Baddoo went 3-for-5 with his tenth double. Royce Lewis was 2-for-2 with a walk and his 17th double. He also stole his 19th base. Robby Rinn went 2-for-2 with two walks and his sixth double. David Banuelos had two hits, including his eighth double. Jordan Gore was also 2-for-4. Outfielder Jared Akins made his Midwest League and Kernels debut at DH. He went 0-for-4.

 

Bailey Ober was the beneficiary of the offensive support. He improved to 4-1 despite allowing four runs on six hits in five innings. He walked one and struck out five. Melvi Acosta picked up his second save with two scoreless innings. He struck out two.

 

Game 2 - Cedar Rapids 6, Burlington 3

Box Score

 

Akil Baddoo had a terrific day, and he got Game 2 started as well as anyone could hope for the Kernels. He launched his eighth homer of the year. He went 2-for-4 in the game. Royce Lewis hit three doubles in the second game, giving him four on the day and 20 on the season. Jean Carlos Arias hit his ninth double and fourth home run. Jordan Gore had two more hits. Ben Rodriguez hit his fifth homer, and Andrew Bechtold and Robby Rinn each contributed a double. Trey Cabbage added his third triple of the year.

 

Blayne Enlow started the second game. He gave up one run on four hits and two walks in four innings. He struck out three. Jared Finkel came on and worked the next 2 2/3 innings. He gave up two runs on two hits, He struck out two and didn’t walk a batter. He left with just one more out to get. Jose Martinez was successful and earned the one-out save.

 

E-Twins E-Talk

Elizabethton 5, Danville 6

Box Score

 

The E-Twins had plenty of base runners, but on this night, it wasn’t enough. The team had nine hits and seven walks, but their five runs came up one short. Ryan Jeffers led the way. He went 3-for-5 with an RBI. Trevor Casanova was 2-for-4 with his third double. Chris Williams walked twice.

 

Carlos Suniaga started and went the first 2 2/3 innings. He gave up three runs on four hits. He walked three and struck out three. Andrew Cabezas came on and gave up three runs on four hits and three walks as well, but he struck just one out. Moises Gomez struck out six over three, one-hit, no-run innings. He walked two, but he made up for it somewhate by picking off two. Derek Molina struck out one in a scoreless final inning

 

GCL Twins Talk

GCL Twins , GCL Red Sox

Box Score

 

Game postponed by rain.

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day:

Akil Baddoo, Cedar Rapids Kernels (5-9, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI)

Royce Lewis, Cedar Rapids Kernels (5-7, BB, 4-2B, 3 R, 2 RBI)

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Tyler Wells, Ft. Myers Miracle (6.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed. Please note that we will be updating our Top Prospect rankings so this list will be updated soon.

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Cedar Rapids) - 5-7, BB, 4-2B(20), 3 R, 2 RBI, SF

#2 - Fernando Romero (Rochester) - Did Not Pitch

#3 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - 0-4, K, SH

#4 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) - 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 7 K

#5 - Alex Kirilloff (Ft. Myers) - 2-3, BB

#6 - Wander Javier - out of for the season

#7 - Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) - 1-3, BB, 2 R, K, SB(2), HBP

#8 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) - 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

#9 - Brusdar Graterol (Ft. Myers) - Did not pitch

#10 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) - 5-9, 2B(10), HR(8), 2 R, 2 RBI

#11 - Zack Littell (Rochester) - Did not pitch

#12 - Lewis Thorpe (Chattanooga) - Did not pitch

#13 - Lewin Diaz (Ft. Myers) - 1-4, R, K

#14 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) - 1-3, BB

#16 - Ben Rortvedt (Ft. Myers) - 0-3, BB

#17 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) - Did Not Play

#18 - Yunior Severino (Elizabethton Twins) - Did Not Play

#19 - Tyler Jay (Chattanooga) - 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

#20 - Felix Jorge (Chattanooga) - Disabled List, began rehab on June 19. DFAd on Friday, June 29.

 

 

SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Lehigh Valley @ Rochester (6:05 CST) - RHP Aaron Slegers (5-5, 3.36 ERA)

Chattanooga @ Tennessee (6:00 CST) - LHP Anthony Marzi (0-4, 7.51 ERA)

Lakeland @ Ft. Myers (5:00 CST) - RHP Ervin Santana (Rehab)

Cedar Rapids @ Burlington (6:30 CST) - RHP Jordan Balazovic (2-1, 3.05 ERA)

Elizabethton @ Danville (6:00 CST) - TBD

GCL Red Sox @ GCL Twins (9:00 am CST) - TBD

 

 

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

 

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[Han Joelo]

Superior, splendiferous stat sheet stuffing.

 

I've always had  perhaps unfounded hope in Jorge's potential.  Maybe he'll make it through waivers...

 

Nah.  The Dodgers will have him in AAA in three weeks.  (I joke)

[curt1965]

Unbelievable! Busenitz back to Rochester? And Belisle still with the team?

Losses are understandable, injuries happen, but decisions like this leave me speechless!

What’s your take, Seth?

[jokin]

Superior, splendiferous stat sheet stuffing.

 

I've always had  perhaps unfounded hope in Jorge's potential.  Maybe he'll make it through waivers...

 

Nah.  The Dodgers will have him in AAA in three weeks.  (I joke)

When it comes to the Twins, truth can be stranger than humor.

 

Unless Jorge is permanently damaged goods, I bet more than just the Dodgers will be ready and willing to try to restore his MLB potential.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Is Tyler Wells close to a promotion to AA?

[108Stitches]

I honestly don’t know what they are waiting for with Wells. Other guys who were promoted aren’t exactly killing it and well, there’s Enns

[cmoss84]

Is it sad that it is more fun to read these reports for five minutes than to watch the Twins full game? 

 

Go farm clubs!

[Seth Stohs]

 

Unbelievable! Busenitz back to Rochester? And Belisle still with the team? Losses are understandable, injuries happen, but decisions like this leave me speechless! What’s your take, Seth?

 

I don't know. I don't get it either... 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Is Tyler Wells close to a promotion to AA?

 

I would think he could be. He's been pretty good all year and really good the last month. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

Jeffers is down to .457.  Release him. 

[benji21]

Could someone remind me of this. I seem to remember the twins signing a minor league catcher this offseason who literally never strikes out. What was his name and how’s he doing?

 

Also, it must feel awesome for Kiriloff to come in after a year and RIP IT UP. Guy can’t be stopped!

 

Finally, remember when Royce had like no power and now he’s up to 20 doubles??! I like that kid. Good day on the farm.

[chamoman]

 

Could someone remind me of this. I seem to remember the twins signing a minor league catcher this offseason who literally never strikes out. What was his name and how’s he doing?

 

Willians Astudillo (.290/.321/.489 with 9 Ks, 5 BBs, and 7 HRs at Rochester in 176 ABs), who is now on the 25-man and played yesterday for the Twins.

[mikelink45]

The farm clubs have been more fun that the big league team for most of the last 7 years, so why don't they translate to a great MLB team?  

 

Tell my why Jorge was dfa'd?  I am confused.  A number 20 prospect dropped, Belisle kept, a young reliever - Busenitz sent done, Belisle kept up.  Do I need more than this to complain about the FO?

 

In the mean time I do hope our young stars maintain their potential through the majors. 

[rdehring]

Thanks Seth, and good morning!

 

Two things stood out to me as I read this.  One, is great seeing Whitefield back on the field at Fort Myers.  Also noticed that De la Torre is off to a great start with his bat early in the season.  And doing so at Elizabethton while still only 18 years old.  We all know his defense plays, if the bat comes along he could be a very exciting prospect at shortstop.

[Doctor Wu]

Happy to see Astudillo finally promoted and given a chance. But how much will he actually play? I don't understand why Wilson is still being given so many starts behind the plate.

[benji21]

Quote won’t activate on mobile for me, but thanks chamoman for the reminder!

[jkcarew]

Cool photo! Could we see that photo with Target Field as the backdrop some day?

[Brandon]

How many starters are above Jorge? Sledgers, Mejia, Gonsalvez, Romero, Kohl Stewart, Thorpe with others including Graterol comming along too. That is why Jorge was DfAd. Not saying it was the right move just we have depth there. He is comming back from injury so now is the best time to try to sneak him through waivers.

[caninatl04]

I don't understand baseball at all.

 

The article began with:

 

"Akil Baddoo has done a nice job as Cedar Rapids’ leadoff man throughout the year. While his batting average his not high, his on-base percentage has been on base between 35% and 40% through most of the season"

 

I agree that this is good-- he has a good eye. But are opposing pitchers disproportionately throwing balls?

[Darius]

Wjat exactly had Belisle earned that Duffey and Buzenitz have not?

 

All were decent to good pitchers for this team at one point. Buzenitz was arguably just as valuable as Belisle last year down the stretch. The thing that sets them apart is that Belisle's career is over, Duffey and Buzenitz still may have a future.

 

I really wish a reporter would flat out ask Falvine why Belisle is bullet proof in terms of a 25 man spot right now. Everyone and their mother is thinking it. Are reporters that scared of wiping some of the brown off of their nose?

[jokin]

Happy to see Astudillo finally promoted and given a chance. But how much will he actually play? I don't understand why Wilson is still being given so many starts behind the plate.

Maybe because Wilson can actually catch, they don't particularly have much confidence yet in Garver behind the plate... and that Astudillo is a man without a true position?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[jkcarew]

I don't understand baseball at all.The article began with:"Akil Baddoo has done a nice job as Cedar Rapids’ leadoff man throughout the year. While his batting average his not high, his on-base percentage has been on base between 35% and 40% through most of the season"I agree that this is good-- he has a good eye. But are opposing pitchers disproportionately throwing balls?

 

I think he has some pop. Pretty high percentage of his hits have been for extra bases...for instance, has more combined HR and triples than Lewis despite significantly fewer hits. So, I suppose that, along with the patient approach earns a lot of walks. (And a lot of deep counts and resulting K’s). It will really be interesting to watch his development.