Article: Twins Minor League Report (7/14): Big Games from Miranda, Jeffers on Uneven Evening Across the System

[Tom Froemming]

The Red Wings, Lookouts, Miracle and GCL Twins combined to score three runs. Meanwhile, both the Kernels and E-Twins scored in double-digits thanks to big games from Jose Miranda, Ryan Jeffers and many others.

 

Also, Royce Lewis made his debut in Fort Myers and Nick Gordon left the Lookouts' game with an injury. Check out what else happened across the system, here’s Saturday night’s Twins Minor League Report.TRANSACTIONS

This was announced last night, but the promotion of Royce Lewis become official today. To take his spot in Cedar Rapids, Michael Davis, the team’s 24th-round pick from this year’s draft, was promoted up from Elizabethton.

 

Also, Byron Buxton was placed on the seven-day DL in Rochester. The good news on Buxton is that he is suffering from a left wrist strain and not something more serious.

 

Lewis Thorpe (Chattanooga) and Alex Kirilloff (Ft. Myers) were placed on the Temporary Inactive Lists of their teams. Both will be participating in the Futures Game on Sunday.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Scranton/WB 4, Rochester 0

Box Score

 

SP: Kohl Stewart (6.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K)

HR: None

Multi-hit games: None

 

The Red Wings trailed 1-0 until Tyler Duffey gave up three runs in the eighth inning. Rochester had only four hits: a Jordan Pacheco double and singles from Taylor Motter, Gregorio Petit and Kennys Vargas.

 

The big news out of this one is that Nick Gordon left early due to an apparent hand injury after fouling off a pitch.

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Montgomery 5, Chattanooga 2

Box Score

 

SP: Omar Bencomo (4.2 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K)

HR: Mitchell Kranson (1)

Multi-hit games: None

 

Mitchell Kranson hit his first homer of the season, and that was the only extra-base hit for the Lookouts. Ryan Walker was 1-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base. Brent Rooker committed two errors in left field. Andrew Vasquez pitched two perfect innings out of the bullpen and struck out four batters.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Lakeland 3, Fort Myers 1

Box Score

 

SP: Brusdar Graterol (5.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K)

HR: None

Multi-hit games: Taylor Grzelakowski

 

Royce Lewis was 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout in his Florida State League debut. In his four trips to the plate, Miguel Sano struck out in two and walked in the other two. Taylor Grzelakowski was 2-for-4 with the lone Miracle RBI and Aaron Whitefield was 1-for-5 with a stolen base and the lone run scored.

 

Brusdar Graterol gave up two runs on eight hits and a walk. Over five innings, he had just two strikeouts. Tom Hackimer gave up another run over his two frames before Adam Bray pitched a scoreless eighth.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids

Box Score

 

W: Jordan Balazovic (5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K)

HR: Jose Miranda (10)

Multi-hit games: Jose Miranda, Andrew Bechtold, Robby Rinn, Jacob Pearson, Akil Baddoo, Ben Rodriguez

 

Ben Rortvedt, Alex Kirilloff, Brusdar Graterol and now Royce Lewis are all gone, so that means Cedar Rapids just isn’t worth watching anymore, right? HA!

 

Jose Mirada was the star of this one, going 4-for-5 with a homer, a double and five RBIs. Miranda has now hit 21 homers in 138 games over the past two seasons.

 

Andrew Bechtold also collected four hits and Robby Rinn had three hits and a walk. Akil Baddoo was 2-for-4 with a walk and Jacob Pearson filled up the stat sheet with a single, a double, two RBIs and two runs.

 

Jordan Balazovic, 19, improved to 5-1 and has a 2.37 ERA in 38 innings pitched for the Kernels. Calvin Faucher gave up a run over his two innings, racking up three strikeouts, before Kevin Marnon finished things out with two scoreless frames and three strikeouts of his own.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Elizabethton 15, Kingsport 5

Box Score

 

W: Austin Schulfer (5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K)

SP: Brian Rapp (4.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K)

HR: Ryan Jeffers (3)

Multi-hit games: Chris Williams, Alex Robles, Ryan Jeffers, Trevor Casanova, DaShawn Keirsey, Michael Helman

 

Ryan Jeffers hit the ground running as a pro, but through his first 18 games he hadn’t hit a homer. Well, Saturday he hit his third homer in the past five games. Jeffers went 2-for-4 with a double, a homer and two walks. He drove in a pair and scored three runs.

 

Both Chris Williams and Alex Robles had three hits, a walk and scored three runs. Robles also had three RBIs. The E-Twins lead the Appy League West division with a 15-8 record.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Red Sox 1, GCL Twins 0

Box Score

 

SP: Tyler Benninghoff (4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4K)

HR: None

Multi-hit games: None

 

Tyler Benninghoff and six relievers combined to give up just one run, but the Twins could muster only three singles. Their hits came from catcher Kidany Salva, 2018 draftee Charles Mack and Agustin Marte.

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day: Tyler Benninghoff, GCL Twins

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day: Jose Miranda, Cedar Rapids

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed. Please note that this Prospect Summary has been updated.

 

1. Royce Lewis (FM): 0-for-3, BB, K

2. Alex Kirilloff (FM): Did not play.

3. Brusdar Graterol (FM): 5.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, BB, 2 K

4. Nick Gordon (ROC): 0-for-2, left with an injury

5. Stephen Gonsalves (ROC): Did not play.

6. Trevor Larnach (ET): Did not play.

7. Brent Rooker (CHAT): 1-for-4, 2 K

8. Akil Baddoo (CR): 2-for-4, BB, 2 R

9. Wander Javier: Out of for the season

10. Zack Littell (ROC): Did not play.

11. Blayne Enlow (CR): Did not play.

12. LaMonte Wade (ROC): 0-for-3, BB, K

13. Travis Blankenhorn (FM): 1-for-3, BB

14. Lewis Thorpe (CHAT): Did not play.

15. Ben Rortvedt (FM): 1-for-4

16. Yunior Severino (ET): 0-for-5, BB, R, K

17. Lewin Diaz (FM): 0-for-4, K

18. Ryan Jeffers (ET): 2-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 BB, 2 RBI, 3 R

19. Jacob Pearson (CR): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R

20. Luis Arraez (CHAT): 1-for-4

 

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester at Scranton/WB, 12:05 pm CT: Ervin Santana

Chattanooga vs. Montgomery, 1:15 pm CT: Sean Poppen

Fort Myers at Lakeland, 12:00 pm CT: Andro Cutura

Cedar Rapids vs. Lake County, 2:05 pm CT: Bryan Sammons

Elizabethton at Kingsport, 3:00 pm CT: Kody Funderburk

GCL Twins OFF

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the games.

 

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[slash129]

Miranda sure answered the call in the 3-hole after the Lewis promotion.

 

Is Michael Davis the first draft pick to graduate past rookie ball? That's some early success for a 24th round pick, and he had the big shoes of Lewis to fill at SS.

[D.C Twins]

E-Twins seem to bring it every year. Kudos to the manager and coaches there. Good Lord is Jefferes making a mockery of that league. I know his is old for the competition but still fun to see!

[Seth Stohs]

 

Miranda sure answered the call in the 3-hole after the Lewis promotion.

Is Michael Davis the first draft pick to graduate past rookie ball? That's some early success for a 24th round pick, and he had the big shoes of Lewis to fill at SS.

 

Davis is the first 2018 pick to move out of the rookie leagues. He really didn't sign early either, but he was playing SS and they had Michael Helman (11th round pick) play 2B . Now they both can play SS. 

[benji21]

Do you suppose Grz will eventually get prospect love, or be the type to just slowly work his way up without much fanfare? I know it’s a lot to ask for an I drafted guy, but it would be cool for him to succeed.

Also, Badoo seems to be on a second half tear! Anyone want to research a “he’s been hitting ___ since x date”?

[ashbury]

Also, Badoo seems to be on a second half tear! Anyone want to research a “he’s been hitting ___ since x date”?

Sure. Since July 14 he's batting .500 with an 1.100 OPS!

 

OK, cherry-picking just a little farther back: since June 26 his BA is .362, with enough walks to account for a .423 on-base percentage, and with extra-base power for a .594 slugging average.

 

 

[BJames]

is it not time to move Sano to AA-AAA?  Seem the guys at A+ don't want to pitch to him and I don't blame them.  I know he's working on other things before the game, but can't he do that at a higher level. Also, Vargas has been hitting better over the last months time.  If Morrison ends up at AAA for rehab, will he have to outplay Vargas to get promoted?  He should, also Molitor loves Grossman and he's been hitting of late, so he wouldn't play Vargas.  Myself, I'd just as soon see Vargas on the Bench as Astudillo.  

[rdehring]

Same thought I had about Sano, Bjames.

 

I have been more critical of Stewart than most here for the last couple years.  Wanted to see him get it done on the field before getting excited about him again.  When I saw his performance yesterday, thought maybe he is turning it around.  Checked his last ten starts, saw that he gave up 5 or more runs in four of them.  Guess that time isn't yet here.

 

And there still is room on the Miranda bandwagon for those who haven't jumped on board yet.  But speaking of Kernels third basemen, what about Bechtold.  Hasn't gotten the hype that Miranda has, but has hit for about a .300 average since June 1.  And Seth and others tell us that his defense at third base is awesome.  Certainly should keep his name on the list of those we need to watch closely.

 

And what a nice day for two 19-year old starters, Balazovic and Benninghoff.  Has to be especially encouraging for Benninghoff after missing all of his draft year and almost all of last year following surgery.  Could turn out to be another real smart move for this front office.  That 2016 draft could turn out to be real special and may put them over the top four or five years from now.  Why can't baseball be like all those other sports where you can get a return on draft picks the year they are drafted?

[Seth Stohs]

 

E-Twins seem to bring it every year. Kudos to the manager and coaches there. Good Lord is Jefferes making a mockery of that league. I know his is old for the competition but still fun to see!

 

Jeffers is playing well so far. As I've stated many times, I think the Twins do the right thing and put their college guys in E-Town and let them move up from there. Jeffers will likely get up to Cedar Rapids relatively soon.

 

Earlier today, I went through the Twins affiliate's rosters and found the 8 youngest players. Then I noted the league's average age. Here is the E-Town roster, and Jeffers is the 6th youngest, and he's almost a year older than the league average. For instance, I think it's the Royals that don't have a GCL/AZL team, so their kids come from the DSL at 18 and play in the Appy League. 

 

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Do you suppose Grz will eventually get prospect love, or be the type to just slowly work his way up without much fanfare? I know it’s a lot to ask for an I drafted guy, but it would be cool for him to succeed.
Also, Badoo seems to be on a second half tear! Anyone want to research a “he’s been hitting ___ since x date”?

 

Most likely won't turn up on prospect reports due to age, draft status and stuff. Unfair, but probably real... But, because of his ability to play LF, 1B, hit and maybe most important, catch, he definitely has a chance to keep on moving up and see what happens. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

is it not time to move Sano to AA-AAA?  Seem the guys at A+ don't want to pitch to him and I don't blame them.  I know he's working on other things before the game, but can't he do that at a higher level.

 

Also, Vargas has been hitting better over the last months time.  If Morrison ends up at AAA for rehab, will he have to outplay Vargas to get promoted?  He should, also Molitor loves Grossman and he's been hitting of late, so he wouldn't play Vargas.  Myself, I'd just as soon see Vargas on the Bench as Astudillo.  

 

Re: Sano, I'm sure he is purposely trying to take a ton of pitches to work on his strike zone judgment. That can probably happen elsewhere, but doesn't really matter either way. They're not going to rush it. 

 

As for Morrison needing to do something in his rehab, that's not really how it works. I'm sure he'll get activated as soon as possible and back in the Twins lineup, and then they hope he has a hot week and some team is willing to give up a "C" prospect for him. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Same thought I had about Sano, Bjames.

 

I have been more critical of Stewart than most here for the last couple years.  Wanted to see him get it done on the field before getting excited about him again.  When I saw his performance yesterday, thought maybe he is turning it around.  Checked his last ten starts, saw that he gave up 5 or more runs in four of them.  Guess that time isn't yet here.

 

And there still is room on the Miranda bandwagon for those who haven't jumped on board yet.  But speaking of Kernels third basemen, what about Bechtold.  Hasn't gotten the hype that Miranda has, but has hit for about a .300 average since June 1.  And Seth and others tell us that his defense at third base is awesome.  Certainly should keep his name on the list of those we need to watch closely.

 

And what a nice day for two 19-year old starters, Balazovic and Benninghoff.  Has to be especially encouraging for Benninghoff after missing all of his draft year and almost all of last year following surgery.  Could turn out to be another real smart move for this front office.  That 2016 draft could turn out to be real special and may put them over the top four or five years from now.  Why can't baseball be like all those other sports where you can get a return on draft picks the year they are drafted?

 

Stewart's only made a few starts at AAA... Give him a little time and see what happens. Reality is they can always move him to the bullpen if needed and he could be good there because the stuff is good.

 

I don't think I've ever said Miranda's defense at 2B or third base is "awesome." Average, maybe at best. But not bad. He is intriguing though. I probably rank him higher than many. I think he's got talent and size to potentially add a lot of power.

 

Because those high upside guys are 18 and 3-5 years away from being as good as they need to be to compete. But yes, I did talk to Deron Johnson this spring and they were incredibly excited about his last draft class. Kirilloff, Rortvedt, Baddoo, Miranda, Balazovic, Benninghoff. Upsides on each of them. Plus college guys like Jax, Hackimer, Kranson, Mason, Wells and Poppen. Not that they'll all become stars (they won't all), they all have a chance to get there. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

Stewart's only made a few starts at AAA... Give him a little time and see what happens. Reality is they can always move him to the bullpen if needed and he could be good there because the stuff is good.

Isn't that what they said about Tyler Jay too?

[rdehring]

 

Stewart's only made a few starts at AAA... Give him a little time and see what happens. Reality is they can always move him to the bullpen if needed and he could be good there because the stuff is good.

 

I don't think I've ever said Miranda's defense at 2B or third base is "awesome." Average, maybe at best. But not bad. He is intriguing though. I probably rank him higher than many. I think he's got talent and size to potentially add a lot of power.

 

Because those high upside guys are 18 and 3-5 years away from being as good as they need to be to compete. But yes, I did talk to Deron Johnson this spring and they were incredibly excited about his last draft class. Kirilloff, Rortvedt, Baddoo, Miranda, Balazovic, Benninghoff. Upsides on each of them. Plus college guys like Jax, Hackimer, Kranson, Mason, Wells and Poppen. Not that they'll all become stars (they won't all), they all have a chance to get there. 

Was talking about Bechtold, Seth, when I said that you and others had talked about his defense as being 'awesome.'

[Seth Stohs]

 

Isn't that what they said about Tyler Jay too?

 

Sure, but the differences are fairly big. High School pitcher who has been starting for each of his six minor league seasons. Jay was in his second full season when they moved him to the bullpen since he had so few innings. So similar but plenty different situations. 

[nater79a]

 

Jeffers is playing well so far. As I've stated many times, I think the Twins do the right thing and put their college guys in E-Town and let them move up from there. Jeffers will likely get up to Cedar Rapids relatively soon.

 

Earlier today, I went through the Twins affiliate's rosters and found the 8 youngest players. Then I noted the league's average age. Here is the E-Town roster, and Jeffers is the 6th youngest, and he's almost a year older than the league average. For instance, I think it's the Royals that don't have a GCL/AZL team, so their kids come from the DSL at 18 and play in the Appy League. 

 

 

 

No doubt the Appy League is not turning out to be that challenging for Jeffers hitting-wise.

 

One thing to keep in mind - if the Twins want to try and have Jeffers stick at catcher (which appears to   be the case) he has some work to do defensively.  And of course the hitting coach at E-Town is former major league catcher Jeff Reed.  Makes some sense to have the two work on that part of Ryan's game for awhile.

[MN_ExPat]

E-Twins seem to bring it every year. Kudos to the manager and coaches there. Good Lord is Jefferes making a mockery of that league. I know his is old for the competition but still fun to see!

He’s only 21. Most of the Twins college players have started in E Town. But I do agree, it’s great to see him tear it up thus far.

[Doctor Wu]

The good news on Buxton is that he is suffering from a left wrist strain and not something more serious.

 

I'm not sure if that's good news or not. Every year, over and over again, we are seeing these nagging injuries with Buxton. Granted, some are minor, but some that require extended DL stints. Is it just bad luck or is the guy simply injury prone?