Article: Twins Minor League Report (7/11): Elizabethton Stays Hot, While Kernels Stars Pop

[Ted Schwerzler]

Only the Rochester Red Wings were off today across the Minnesota Twins affiliates. Runs were put up in bunches across the lower three levels of the farm, and the long ball continued to be a fun theme across multiple lineups. Wednesday saw a professional first for a 2018 draftee, and Miguel Sano even got in on the action for Fort Myers. Read about all the action below.TRANSACTIONS

Rochester Red Wings

RHP Alan Busenitz recalled by Twins

C Cameron Rupp released

Fort Myers Miracle

RHP Brady Anderson released

LHP Kevin Marnon reinstated from the DL and sent to Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids Kernels

LHP Jovani Moran promoted to Fort Myers

 

RED WINGS REPORT

The Red Wings were off tonight for the Triple-A All-Star game. However, Rochester representative Nick Anderson got in the contest and threw one inning of relief. He gave up one hit and struck out one for the International League All-Stars.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Jacksonville 8, Chattanooga 1

Box Score

 

Looking to salvage a game in the series, the Lookouts sent Dietrich Enns to the bump. After trading zeroes with the Jumbo Shrimp through four innings, the scoring began in the fifth and not stop. Unfortunately for Chattanooga, the final tally saw them fall 8-1.

 

Trailing by eight runs, the Lookouts needed a ninth inning rally to spark some sort of a comeback effort. Having quickly given up the first two outs, they found themselves backed against a wall. Taylor Motter drew a walk, and Zander Wiel then was put on intentionally. Given a scoring opportunity Mitchell Kranson camethrough with a single to center.

 

After Motter crossed the plate, Chattanooga faced long odds to keep the rally going. A Jimmy Kerrigan strikeout on the next at-bat ended this one, and the Lookouts will head home and await the Biscuits. Having dropped to 5-15 in the second half, the Twins Double A squad will be hoping to right the ship in short order.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 7, Palm Beach 4

Box Score

 

Called up today from Cedar Rapids, Jovani Moran found himself in the game after four innings from starter Charlie Barnes. Working one out shy of the innings in relief, Moran blanked the Cardinals and secured his first High A win.

 

By the time Fort Myers came to the plate in the fourth inning, they faced a four-run deficit. Needing to climb back in the contest, Miguel Sano stepped to the plate and delivered in a big way. His second home run since joining the Miracle was a three-run blast that cut the Cardinals lead to one.

 

In the sixth, Fort Myers drew even, and then took the lead. Mark Contreras ripped a solo shot, his fifth for the Miracle, and then Caleb Hamilton drove in Joe Cronin on a sac fly. Thanks to an errant throw from the shortstop, Alex Kirilloff would also score on the play. Not done yet, a Travis Blankenhorn single drove in Sano, and the sixth inning ended with Fort Myers holding onto a 7-4 lead.

 

That would be enough to get the job done, and Adam Bray worked 2 1/3 innings to pick up his first save of the season. He lowered his ERA to 0.84 with the effort. The Miracle wrap up the series with Palm Beach tomorrow and need a win to grab a split.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Fort Wayne 8, Cedar Rapids 4

Box Score

 

Tyler Watson was on the bump for the Kernels in this one, and while he lasted just shy of six innings, eight runs (six earned) crossed the plate. Despite getting 10 hits from the lineup, Cedar Rapids was only able to plate four runs on the evening and fell short in this one.

 

Fort Wayne did their damage early and often. By the end of the fourth inning, the home team trailed 6-0. The Tin Caps would also add two in the sixth, and the deficit reached 8-0 before the Kernels found themselves pushing a run across the plate.

 

Looking for a rally, the scoring came in the seventh inning for Toby Gardenhire’s squad. David Banuelos plated the first run, driving in Trey Cabbage on a sacrifice fly. Royce Lewis got in on the action blasting his ninth long ball of the season; a two-run shot that scored Jacob Pearson. Jose Miranda went back-to-back with his ninth as well, and the Kernels found themselves quickly halving the deficit. Unfortunately, that’s where the scoring ended.

 

These same two clubs will square off tomorrow night in Iowa for game two of the series.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Elizabethton 10, Johnson City 6

Box Score

 

Just a night after scoring 15 runs, the Twins put up 10 runs on 15 hits against Johnson City in another offensive outburst. Tyler Palm did his part on the mound, blanking the opposition over five strong innings to get his second win of the season.

 

Trevor Casanova started things off in the first inning, scoring Lean Marrero on a groundout to short. Michael Davis then followed up his strong Tuesday game with an RBI single to drive in Yunior Severino.

 

While his first took some time, Ryan Jeffers homered for the second straight night. His solo shot in the third inning put the Twins up 3-0. Another crooked number came in the top of the 4th. Colton Burns singled in Michael Davis, and then Hunter Lee drove in Albee Weiss. A wild pitch during Severino’s at-bat then allowed Burns to come around and touch the plate for himself. Going into the bottom half of the fourth, it was 6-0 good guys.

 

Not done adding, Severino launched a homer for his second of the season. This one was of the three-run variety, plating both Lee and Marrero. Up 9-0 after six, this one looked to be well in hand. In case there were any doubts however, Ricky De La Torre picked up his first bomb of the year to make it 10-0 in the seventh. Johnson City answered with one in the seventh, and pushed across another five in the 9th, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

 

Up two games to none in the series Elizabethton will look to secure the series victory in game three of four tomorrow night.

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins 7, GCL Rays 6

Box Score

 

Down three going into the bottom half of the third inning, the Twins needed to find a way to claw back. With Rays top prospect Brendan McKay on the bump for a rehab start, this wasn’t going to be an easy task from the get go. The Twins got to him for one run however, and they’d mount a comeback after his departure.

 

Janigson Villalobos got the GCL Twins on the board with a groundout to short, scoring Yeltsin Encarnacion. Later in the inning, Gabe Snyder doubled for the third time this season, and Samuel Vasquez scored on the play. Heading into the fourth, the Twins trailed by just one.

 

In the sixth inning, it was time for the Twins to start doing some damage. Erick Rivera singled to drive in Edgar Herrera and knot the game at three. From there an Encarnacion single scored Victor Tademo, and a Vasquez single plated Rivera from third. Thanks to a throwing error from the right fielder, Encarnacion was also able to score on the play. Kidany Silva capped off the inning with his second double, driving in Vasquez and pushing the lead to a 7-3 tally.

 

The Rays attempted to pull out the rally caps in the ninth, but their efforts fell just short. Despite the three-run inning, they came one shy of tying things up and forcing the Twins to their last raps.

Regi Grace came on in relief for the GCL Twins in this one, and his three scoreless innings were enough to secure his first professional win. He’s now turned in five scoreless innings to begin his career.

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day – Tyler Palm 5.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day – Yunior Severino (Elizabethton Twins) – 2-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR(2)

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

1. Royce Lewis (Cedar Rapids) – 2-5, R, 2 RBI, HR(9)

5. Alex Kirilloff (Fort Myers) – 2-4, 2 R, 2B

7. Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) – 0-4

10. Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) – 1-4, BB, 2 K

17. Travis Blankenhorn (Fort Myers) – 1-3, RBI

18. Yunior Severino (Elizabethton Twins) – 2-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR(2)

19. Tyler Jay (Chattanooga) – 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR

 

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Scranton Wilkes-Barre (6:05PM CST) – LHP Adalberto Mejia (4-2, 2.68 ERA)

Montgomery @ Chattanooga (6:15PM CST) – TBD

Palm Beach @ Fort Myers (6:00PM CST) – RHP Tyler Wells (7-3, 2.58)

Fort Wayne @ Cedar Rapids (6:35PM CST) – RHP Bailey Ober (5-1, 4.87 ERA)

Elizabethton @ Johnson City (6:00PM CST) – TBD

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

 

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[108Stitches]

Brady Anderson was overdue for release. And what is happening to Tyler Watson? And it FEELS like Sano is starting to get it back... just a little anyway! Welcome to FM Moran!

[h2oface]

Every time I see Tyler Jay's name I think about Walker Buehler from Vanderbilt, who was not taken until #24 in the same 2015 draft, and is already helping the Dodgers in the show. Both college juniors. C'est la vie.

[ThejacKmp]

A suggestion. When there are minor league transactions, it would be useful to know how important they are. I'm not saying a paragraph on each but is Cameron Rupp's release expected? Was he organization filler or a prospect who flamed out?

[ThejacKmp]

 

Every time I see Tyler Jay's name I think about Walker Buehler from Vanderbilt, who was not taken until #24 in the same 2015 draft, and is already helping the Dodgers in the show. Both college juniors. C'est la vie.

 

I have a hard time getting worried about guys taken 19 picks later. Realistically, Walker Buehler wasn't on the Twins list at the top of the draft. I get FOMO when the guy taken right after or two picks later is amazing. That feels more like something that could have happened.

[rdehring]

Its great seeing Moran getting a promotion and immediately stepping in and putting up zeroes.  Maybe he will be one reliever who actually pans out and gets it done for the Twins a couple years from now.

 

Am ready to jump on the Yunior Severino bandwagon when it comes around.  This kid looks like a great signing.  Thanks to the Atlanta Braves!

 

 

 

[Dman]

That is some massive regression for Watson.  Is he hurt or working on something?

 

Glad they finally moved Jovani up a level.  There are several other players that should move up as well.  I hope they get a call soon.

[jud6312]

I'm actually equal parts shocked and confused as to why Lewis is still in Cedar Rapids. It feels like every time I look at a box score he's doing something positive.

 

Is his defense such a work-in-progress that it outweighs his bat?

 

The time seems like it would be perfect, as would anyone really mind if Brandon Lopez didn't get any more run?

[2wins87]

 

Its great seeing Moran getting a promotion and immediately stepping in and putting up zeroes.  Maybe he will be one reliever who actually pans out and gets it done for the Twins a couple years from now.

 

Agreed.  He seems to have ironed out his early season walk issues to the point where his peripherals are starting to look pretty crazy good again.  He should be moving up lists quickly.

[Seth Stohs]

 

A suggestion. When there are minor league transactions, it would be useful to know how important they are. I'm not saying a paragraph on each but is Cameron Rupp's release expected? Was he organization filler or a prospect who flamed out?

 

Cameron Rupp likely had an opt-out and took it. He's been in the big leagues the last five years for the Phillies and hit a combined 30 home runs over the last two years. He was let go earlier this season and the Twins signed him as catcher depth. 

[2wins87]

 

I'm actually equal parts shocked and confused as to why Lewis is still in Cedar Rapids. It feels like every time I look at a box score he's doing something positive.

 

Is his defense such a work-in-progress that it outweighs his bat?

 

The only thing I can think of would be that they want him working with a specific coach on defense.  I was fine when they left him behind and promoted Kirilloff a month ago since his power and plate discipline numbers seemed to be a bit behind his high batting average at that point.  But since then he's really been driving the ball a lot more with more walks and fewer Ks to go along with it.  I have to believe his promotion is coming any day now.

[slash129]

 

I'm actually equal parts shocked and confused as to why Lewis is still in Cedar Rapids. It feels like every time I look at a box score he's doing something positive.

 

I was thinking that knee was still not all the way back, but he's started 8 of the last 10 at SS.  He DH'd one, and he came in and PH'd the other.  He hasn't been unavailable, so I would think that rules out the knee.

 

He's been really raking since the AS break, so I would expect that promotion.

 

I do hope they wait until at least Sunday, so I can watch him this weekend .  I'll already miss Moran (if he was called), but I'm happy he was promoted.

[slash129]

Rochester @ Scranton Wilkes-Barre (6:05PM CST) – LHP Adalberto Mejia (4-2, 2.68 ERA)

 

Slegers may get that extra look after all on Sunday.  Maybe Wilson should catch that one.

[h2oface]

 

I have a hard time getting worried about guys taken 19 picks later. Realistically, Walker Buehler wasn't on the Twins list at the top of the draft. I get FOMO when the guy taken right after or two picks later is amazing. That feels more like something that could have happened.

 

Like Andrew Benintendi? Taken #7? Or Ian Happ? #9. 

I guess the fact that Buehler wasn't even on the list is somewhat telling. No conversion in the mix, either. Hey, I get that it is a crap shoot, the draft. No worries here, either. That doesn't mean I don't think of it, especially living in LA, and watching his quick rise and great help to the Big League club. Especially since I am beginning to think that Jay may never make it to the Bigs.

[MangLitch]

Why is Lewis still in CR? I thought they were moving him up after the All-Star break for them...... 

[caninatl04]

I want to point out an obvious typo: you have Sano getting two BB’s. Miguel Sano... two BB’s. The Twins’ Miguel Sano. You have the right guy, right?

[108Stitches]

 

Why is Lewis still in CR? I thought they were moving him up after the All-Star break for them...... 

Same with Wells. It is TIME to challenge these guys. Not a lot of call ups or send downs happening