Article: Twins Minor League Report (7/8): Romero, Graterol Post Strong Outings

[Cody Christie]

It wasn’t long ago when Jose Berrios was a regular fixture on the Twins Daily Minor League Report. On Sunday, he found out he had been selected to his first All-Star Game. Top pitching prospects like Fernando Romero and Brusdar Graterol were both on the mound on Sunday and they hope to follow in Berrios’ footsteps in the years to come.

 

Did either of them have an All-Star performance on Sunday? Read on to find out...ROSTER MOVES

• OF Tanner English placed on the disabled list at Chattanooga with a lower back strain.
• INF Taylor Motter transferred to Chattanooga from Rochester.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 6, Lehigh Valley 7 (10 Innings)

Box Score

Rochester pitchers allowed five runs over the last three innings to end up on the wrong side of this one. Fernando Romero was strong for seven innings as he limited the Iron Pigs to two runs on four hits. He struck out six and didn’t walk any. His Triple A ERA is down to 2.04 for the season.

 

Every relief pitcher saw one run scored against them even if it wasn’t earned. Adalberto Mejia committed a throwing error in the eighth inning that eventually allowed an unearned run to be scored against him. John Curtiss ran into trouble in the ninth with two former Twins prospects, Trevor Plouffe and Danny Ortiz, starting the rally. Curtiss was charged with his second blown save after allowing two earned runs. Tyler Duffey took the loss after allowing the game-tying and winning run to score in extra-innings.

 

Rochester racked up 13 hits in this one but it wasn’t enough. Byron Buxton went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored. Kennys Vargas drove in a pair of runs as part of a three-hit effort. Nick Gordon also joined the hit parade by going 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 2, Jacksonville 5

Box Score

The Lookouts left nine men on base and went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position to take the loss on Sunday. Luis Arraez went 3-for-5 at the plate and Zander Wiel collected his fourth home run as part of a two-hit game. Ryan Walker also reached base three times. Of the team’s 10 hits, Wiel had the lone extra-base hit.

 

Omar Bencomo took his third loss but he allowed only one earned run over six frames. In the second inning, Taylor Motter committed a throwing error that allowed multiple unearned runs to score. Bencomo uncorked a wild pitch in the fourth inning that eventually lead to another run. He finished with four strikeouts and one walk. Paco Rodriguez pitched two shutout innings with a pair of strikeouts to end the game.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 4, Bradenton 6

Box Score

One big inning was all it took for Fort Myers to see the rubber game of this series slip through its fingers. The Miracle took a 3-0 first inning lead thanks to a two-out double from Taylor Grzelakowski that plated two runs. It was his 10^th double of the season and he would eventually score on a Caleb Hamiton single.

 

Top pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol made it through the first six frames relatively unscathed. He allowed one run in the third but he seemed to be sliding by nicely. The seventh inning was when he ran into a little trouble. Back-to-back one-out singles meant his day was done. Overall, Graterol went 6 1/3 inning, allowing three runs on six hits. He struck out five and walked two while hitting 101 mph multiple times during the game.

 

Unfortunately, Hector Lujan replaced Graterol and allowed both runners to score along with three other runs. Lujan wasn’t able to record an out. Adam Bray pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings to finish the game. His ERA lowered to 1.08 on the season.

 

Miguel Sano finished 2-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 4, Kane County 5

Box Score

Up one run in the final frame, it looked like Cedar Rapids would take a 2-1 series lead against Kane County. However, the Cougars flipped the script with back-to-back two-out RBI hits and ended up walk-off winners in the one. Bryan Sammons continued his strong pitching performance but he saw his 20-inning scoreless streak come to an end. He pitched into the sixth inning and limited Kane County to one earned run. Overall, he pitched 5 2/3 innings with six strikeouts and two walks.

 

Every batter in the Kernels line-up reached base at least once. Akil Baddoo went 3-for-5 with a triple and two runs scored. Jose Miranda drove in two runs as part of a two-hit day. Robby Rinn added his 11^th double and came around to score a run.

 

Calvin Faucher suffered his first blown save after allowing two earned runs on four hits in 1 1/3 innings. Ricky Ramirez took the loss and the blown save after allowing two runs over the last 1 2/3 innings. He struck out two and didn’t walk any.

 

E-TWINS E-TALK

Elizabethton 1, Danville 3

Box Score

Hits were few and far between for the E-Twins as the club only had five hits. Trevor Casanova reached base three times including two hits and a run scored. Yunior Severino and Alex Robles both went 1-for-4. Albee Weiss reached base twice.

 

Austin Schulfer allowed one run on five hits in 3 1/3 innings. He struck out two. Brian Rapp took over for Schulfer and pitched 3 2/3’s scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts. Juan Gamez allowed a pair of runs over the last two innings for his first loss.

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Akil Baddoo, Cedar Rapids (3-for-5, 2B, 2 R)

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Fernando Romero, Rochester (7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 6 K, 0 BB)

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

#1 – Royce Lewis (Cedar Rapids) – 0-3, RBI, 2 BB

#2 – Fernando Romero (Rochester) – 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 K, 0 BB

#3 – Nick Gordon (Rochester) – 2-5, 2B, RBI, 2 R

#5 – Alex Kirilloff (Fort Myers) – 0-3, BB, K

#7 – Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) – 0-5, 2 K

#9 – Brusdar Graterol (Fort Myers) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 K, 2 BB

#10 – Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) – 3-5, 2B, 2 R

#14 – LaMonte Wade (Rochester) – 1-5, RBI, 2 K

#18 – Yunior Severino (Elizabethton) – 1-4, 2B, 2 K

 

MONDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Chattanooga @ Jacksonville (6:05 CST) – RHP Sean Poppen (2-4, 5.05 ERA)

Fort Myers vs. Palm Beach (6:00 CST) – RHP Andro Cutura (3-3, 3.62 ERA)

Cedar Rapids @ Kane County (12:00 CST) – RHP Randy Dobnak (6-2, 3.74 ERA)

Elizabethton vs. Danville (6:00 CST) – TBD

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

 

 

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

 

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[Danchat]

Can we get Romero back up to the majors? The team could really use him. 

 

I guess they're probably eyeing Ervin Santana to get Slegers' rotation spot... and they'll probably give him it even if he can't top 90 MPH.

[nater79a]

Anybody hear of a timeline for Trevor Larnach and his arrival in Elizabethton? 

I know he was going to take a few days off after signing and then head to Fort Myers for some orientation.   

 

Maybe later this next week?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Does anyone have any information about Buxton?

[scottz]

 

Does anyone have any information about Buxton?

Found some.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_Buxton

[Seth Stohs]

 

Anybody hear of a timeline for Trevor Larnach and his arrival in Elizabethton? 

I know he was going to take a few days off after signing and then head to Fort Myers for some orientation.   

 

Maybe later this next week?

 

I'm guessing a little bit longer... I 'THINK' I heard him say something like two weeks on either the telecast of the radio broadcast. Seemed like a long time, but I wouldn't blame him or the Twins for letting him take a little more time off after the long college run. If he gets to E-Town in another week, that'll give him about 6 weeks of pro game action this year, which is plenty. Get him to Instructs and then let him get ready for spring training. 

[h2oface]

Twins farm 0-5 on the day. A winning tradition. 

 

Hey, Buxton got some hits, and didn't strikeout! 

[Squirrel]

Found some.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_Buxton

Lol!

[rdehring]

As Vargas' bat heats up, I have to believe he would be more productive than Morrison.  And after three games to get settled into AA, Arraez gets a 3 hit game.  Really is one of the better stories from the organization this year.

 

Yesterday was Thorpe-Jax-Balazovic.  Today its Romero-Graterol.  Graterol's start wasn't perfect, but the kid is only 19 and pitching at Hi-A.  Is it realistic to expect/hope that at least two, or three, of these kids can develop into top line starters for the Twins?

 

Speaking of 19 year olds, there are four young men at Cedar Rapids who are either 19 or just turned 20...Baddoo, Pearson, Lewis and Miranda.  Its going to be fun watching this group move up the ladder, hopefully, all the way to the Twins in 2-3 years.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Hey, Buxton got some hits, and didn't strikeout! 

Encouraging, though worth noting that the starter for the other team has a pretty low K rate (15.8% or 6.6 K/9, versus league averages of 22.3% and 8.5), and 4 of Buxton's 5 PAs were against him.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Encouraging, though worth noting that the starter for the other team has a pretty low K rate (15.8% or 6.6 K/9, versus league averages of 22.3% and 8.5), and 4 of Buxton's 5 PAs were against him.

Good to know. I was curious if his hits were line drives or ground balls, if he is swinging out of the zone, etc., but this is helpful too.

[Vanimal46]

Soooo safe to say innings reduction isn't a concern for Romero?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Good to know. I was curious if his hits were line drives or ground balls, if he is swinging out of the zone, etc., but this is helpful too.

All I can tell about that is from the game log:

 

Byron Buxton doubles (4) on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Damek Tomscha. (1-2 count, 1 called strike and 1 swinging)

Byron Buxton lines out to third baseman Mitch Walding. (1-2 count again, 1 swinging strike and 1 foul)

Byron Buxton singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Damek Tomscha. (first pitch)

Byron Buxton grounds out softly, pitcher Tom Eshelman to first baseman Joey Meneses. (2-0 count)

Byron Buxton singles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Damek Tomscha. (1-2 count, 3 fouls)

 

I have no idea whether I can trust minor league Gameday, but according to that, all of his swings were on pitches in the zone (a couple were on the edge).

[Monkeypaws]

 

Twins farm 0-5 on the day. A winning tradition. 

 

Hey, Buxton got some hits, and didn't strikeout! 

Both Buxton and Sano are still averaging over 1 strikeout a game....

 

This looks weird: http://www.milb.com/images/621439/t534/180x270/621439.jpg

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Soooo safe to say innings reduction isn't a concern for Romero?

That appears to be the case. 94, 98, and 95 pitches in 3 starts since his demotion.

 

No extra rest so far either, basically on a regular 5 man rotation. (Should get some extra rest this week, with the AAA all-star break... although he would have gotten that next week too in MLB.)

 

I am skeptical of this factor, but if they keep him down until at least July 27, he will finish the season with fewer than 120 days service time, which would suggest he misses super-2 arbitration status down the road. (And if Rochester sticks with the same 5 man rotation out of the AAA all-star break, Romero could be in line to start on July 27.)

[Taildragger8791]

 

That appears to be the case. 94, 98, and 95 pitches in 3 starts since his demotion.

 

No extra rest so far either, basically on a regular 5 man rotation. (Should get some extra rest this week, with the AAA all-star break... although he would have gotten that next week too in MLB.)

 

I am skeptical of this factor, but if they keep him down until at least July 27, he will finish the season with fewer than 120 days service time, which would suggest he misses super-2 arbitration status down the road. (And if Rochester sticks with the same 5 man rotation out of the AAA all-star break, Romero could be in line to start on July 27.)

 

At this point there isn't any value in stretching him to the end of the season. Just let him keep throwing per usual to build him up for next year. Wind him down once he starts wearing down or hits his innings cap. If he's still going strong in mid-July that should bode well for pitching a full season next year.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

At this point there isn't any value in stretching him to the end of the season. Just let him keep throwing per usual to build him up for next year. Wind him down once he starts wearing down or hits his innings cap. If he's still going strong in mid-July that should bode well for pitching a full season next year.

We were slightly closer, and our playoff odds slightly better, at the time of his demotion. At the time, we were just a few days removed from being within 5 games of first place, with 25+% playoff odds (per Fangraphs "season to date stats" mode).

 

Also, I'm not sure there wouldn't be benefit to stretching him through the end of the MLB season, if he is capable. If we shut him down before September again, I am sure we will hear about it next year as another reason to be cautious with him. Getting him accustomed to the longer MLB season might have as much verifiable benefit as keeping him on an innings limit, etc.

 

Frankly I don't even care, I think they could have probably kept him on his regular MLB turn until it was time to shut him down.

Edited July 9, 2018 by spycake

[Taildragger8791]

 

We were slightly closer, and our playoff odds slightly better, at the time of his demotion. At the time, we were just a few days removed from being within 5 games of first place, with 25+% playoff odds (per Fangraphs "season to date stats" mode).

 

Also, I'm not sure there wouldn't be benefit to stretching him through the end of the MLB season, if he is capable. If we shut him down before September again, I am sure we will hear about it next year as another reason to be cautious with him. Getting him accustomed to the longer MLB season might have as much verifiable benefit as keeping him on an innings limit, etc.

 

His demotion was because he was struggling a little and they wanted to get him sorted out. Maybe they saw a couple things they wanted him to focus on in a lower pressure environment before they got worse. I don't see the problem with that.

 

As far as innings go, does it make much of a difference if he throws 60-70 pitches per game through the end of the year vs 95 and is shut down in mid-August? Either way I think it sets him up with the same potential for a full season next year. The latter at least keeps his rhythm and routine consistent.

Edited July 9, 2018 by Taildragger8791

[Blackjack]

What is Trevor Plouffe (Red Wings report) doing, 32 and still kicking around in the minors?  You'd think he'd take the hint, either become a coach or get a real job.

[MN_ExPat]

We were at the Chattanooga game last night, and as Cody mentioned... they weren't clutch with RISP.   Although the one caveat to that is Rooker.   He absolutely scorched a groundball to the left side that the 3B for Jax had to make a ridiculous diving stop to grab and just barely beat the runner at second for the force (when Rooker makes solid contact, wow...).

 

Bencomo didn't pitch all that poorly, but nothing he threw really jumped off the table though.   He was sitting between 88-90 all night, although he did seem to have a fair changeup working.   Other than that... he looks like your typical journeyman innings eater.  

 

*** Just remembered this... my son (who is a 14 y.o. pitcher just entering his Freshman year of HS) noticed this as soon as Bencomo through his first pitch.   In his exact words, "Wow, see how flat his ball looks.   It's almost like he has no movement on his FB."***

 

The real killer was the throwing error by Motter with two outs.   It was a fairly hard hit grounder to short, and he would have had time to set his feet... but he rushed, and uncorked a throw that was two to three feet outside of Rooker's reach up the first base line.

 

Wiel's homerun was a scorching line drive to left center that exited the park in a real hurry and was never in doubt.  

[BJames]

AA- Wiel, Rooker, Arraez,  Three guys to watch.  Vargas,Buxton,Wade at AAA.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

As far as innings go, does it make much of a difference if he throws 60-70 pitches per game through the end of the year vs 95 and is shut down in mid-August? Either way I think it sets him up with the same potential for a full season next year. The latter at least keeps his rhythm and routine consistent.

I was thinking more giving him a break, like the Astros did with McCullers back in 2015. I wouldn't want to be pulling him at 60 pitches every game.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

His demotion was because he was struggling a little and they wanted to get him sorted out. Maybe they saw a couple things they wanted him to focus on in a lower pressure environment before they got worse. I don't see the problem with that.

I don't necessarily see a problem with that either, although the fact that they waited until after Odorizzi had a bad start to send down Romero suggests that maybe their priorities and reasoning weren't quite so clear as you claim.

[Taildragger8791]

 

I was thinking more giving him a break, like the Astros did with McCullers back in 2015. I wouldn't want to be pulling him at 60 pitches every game.

 

I suppose. The overall workload doesn't change much either way. I guess I just place extra value keeping the routine and practicing the same way you play (assuming playoffs are out of the question this year).

[slash129]

 

What is Trevor Plouffe (Red Wings report) doing, 32 and still kicking around in the minors?  You'd think he'd take the hint, either become a coach or get a real job.

 

If he loves the game and his family is cool with it, why? He's already made enough money (about $20M per Baseball Reference) to live comfortably for the rest of his life (unless he's been dumb with money, which he doesn't strike me as that type).

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I suppose. The overall workload doesn't change much either way. I guess I just place extra value keeping the routine and practicing the same way you play (assuming playoffs are out of the question this year).

Honestly, in the modern game, you don't really have to limit his pitch counts or give him much extra rest to control his innings. A lot of guys are only averaging 5 IP per start anyway.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Soooo safe to say innings reduction isn't a concern for Romero?

 

Raising the question....what is the plan? I think it is showing Lynn and Odo for trade.....

 

As for "working on things", he can do that in the majors....though maybe psychologically that is hard.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

If he loves the game and his family is cool with it, why? He's already made enough money (about $20M per Baseball Reference) to live comfortably for the rest of his life (unless he's been dumb with money, which he doesn't strike me as that type).

Agreed. Also, Plouffe and his wife just had their first child this past winter, so they probably still had some flexibility to move around this season. I imagine as the child grows, that will change. This was the first time in 7 years where he had to open the year in the minor leagues, so it's not like he's been barnstorming a lot.

 

FWIW, this article mentions the date that his family moved with him to Lehigh Valley, and Plouffe has hit .273/.414/.598 for a 1.013 OPS in 169 PA since then (after starting the season .187/.287/.293 for a .581 OPS in his first 87 PA):

 

http://www.mcall.com/sports/baseball/ironpigs/mc-spt-ironpigs-rochester-0523-story.html

 

He might only be a Maikel Franco injury away from joining the Phillies, or maybe they would release him to pursue a similar opportunity elsewhere.

[slash129]

 

Speaking of 19 year olds, there are four young men at Cedar Rapids who are either 19 or just turned 20...Baddoo, Pearson, Lewis and Miranda.  Its going to be fun watching this group move up the ladder, hopefully, all the way to the Twins in 2-3 years.

 

Getting Pearson for monopoly money looks to be a savvy move for the FO.  

[Seth Stohs]

 

Raising the question....what is the plan? I think it is showing Lynn and Odo for trade.....

 

As for "working on things", he can do that in the majors....though maybe psychologically that is hard.

 

And Gibson too, probably... Romero will be back, but I 100% agree that getting him the MLB experience early was a good thing,, but he really struggled in his latest 4-5 outings, so I think letting him work on some things back at AAA is a good thing. Psychologically, mentally, etc. 

 

Then again, I think that NFL teams should do things like... If the starting QB is struggling for a half, put in the backup for one series and let the starter watch from a different angle, then get him right back up there to work on that thing. I think a pitcher can learn a lot from a short demotion and then get him back. Right after the trade deadline makes sense as there may be an opening or two at that time.