Article: Twins Minor League Report (7/22): Thorpe Strong, Kernels Hit Parade

[Cody Christie]

July is quickly flying by and it seems like a good time to check in on the playoff races for all of the organization’s affiliates. Rochester currently has a 44-53 record which puts them 14.5 games out of first in the International League North. Chattanooga sits at 12-18 in the second half and this means the club is five games out of first place in the Southern League North. With a .500 record, Fort Myers is in second place in the FSL South and only 1.5 games out of first.

 

Cedar Rapids has been on quite the roll and the club is up two games in the Midwest League Western Division. Like the Kernels, the E-Twins sit atop their division with a 18-11 record. They are three games up on their closest competition. The GCL Twins are 17-11 and up by one game in the GCL South.

 

Which team's could add to their lead or try and play catch-up on Sunday?RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 5, Norfolk 9

Box Score

Rochester began experimenting with a bullpen-style game on Sunday with Trevor May making the start and only pitching one inning. He walked one and allowed a hit but kept the Tides off the board. Zack Littell took over for May and allowed four runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings.. He struck out four and walked four so entering in the second inning might have thrown him off a little.

 

Nick Anderson and Gabriel Moya finished off the game and both ran into some issues that cost the team the game. Anderson allowed a solo home run in 1 1/3 innings. Moya surrendered three runs on three hits with a walk and a strikeout.

 

At the plate, the Red Wings had four players collect multiple hits. Alex Perez and Nick Gordon helped from the top of the line-up as each went 2-for-4 while scoring two runs apiece. LaMonte Wade and Juan Graterol both also joined the multiple hit club. Jon Kemmer pinch-hit for Wade and drove in a pair of runs with his second double.

 

Miguel Sano went 0-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 9, Mobile 4

Box Score

A big fifth inning allowed the Lookouts to jump out to a lead that wouldn’t be surmounted. Jordan Gore reached on an error and Tanner English singled to set up the biggest hit of the inning. Zander Wiel pounced for his seventh home run of the season. By the time the inning was done, the Red Wings had plated five runs.

 

Luis Arraez had a big game at the plate as he reached base four times and cracked two doubles. Mitchell Kranson went 2-for-5 with three RBI. With the exception of Brent Rooker, every batter collected at least one hit.

 

Lewis Thorpe picked up his fifth win after allowing two runs on four hits in six innings. He struck out five and didn’t allow a walk. Williams Ramirez struck out four over two innings and allowed one earned run. Paco Rodriguez finished off the game by allowing one run, an unearned run, on two hits

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 8, Lansing 5

Box Score

Five runs in the first two innings and 17 total hits allowed the Kernels to take this one from the Lugnuts. Four batters had three hits or more for Cedar Rapids. Jose Miranda was part of the hit barrage as he went 3-for-6 including a three-run home run in the second. Michael Davis led the team with four hits and he scored a pair of runs. Robby Rinn and David Banuelos both went 3-for-5. Jacob Pearson was the lone batter who failed to collect a hit.

 

Jordan Balazovic started and went 1 2/3 innings by allowing four runs on three hits. He struck out three and walked two. Derek Molina picked up his second win after he pitched 3 1/3 scoreless frames. He racked up five strikeouts and walked one. Calvin Faucher gave up a solo home run in three innings of work while striking out four. Jose Martinez earned the save after pitching a scoreless ninth.

 

E-TWINS E-TALK

Elizabethton --, Princeton – (Postponed)

Weather got in the way of this one. The two clubs will play a doubleheader on Monday so check back tomorrow night to see how the E-Twins came out in those contests.

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Jose Miranda, Cedar Rapids (3-for-6, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, K)

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Lewis Thorpe, Chattanooga (6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 5 K, 0 BB)

 

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): Did not play.

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

3. Brusdar Graterol (FM): Did not play.

4. Nick Gordon (ROC): 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI, K

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

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

7. Brent Rooker (CHAT): 0-for-5, 2 K

8. Akil Baddoo (CR): 1-for-6, 2B, R, K, SB

9. Wander Javier: Out of for the season

10. Zack Littell (ROC): 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 4 K, 4 BB

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

12. LaMonte Wade (ROC): 2-for-3, RBI, K

13. Travis Blankenhorn (FM): Did not play.

14. Lewis Thorpe (CHAT): 6.0 IP, 2 ER 4 H, 5 K, 0 BB)

15. Ben Rortvedt (FM): Did not play.

16. Yunior Severino (ET): Did not play.

17. Lewin Diaz (FM): Did not play.

18. Ryan Jeffers (ET): Did not play.

19. Jacob Pearson (CR): 0-for-5

20. Luis Arraez (CHAT): 2-for-3, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 BB

 

 

MONDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester- Scheduled Off Day

Chattanooga vs. Pensacola (6:15 CST) – TBD

Fort Myers @ Jupiter (5:30 CST) – LHP Bryan Sammons (FSL Debut)

Cedar Rapids @ Lansing (11:05 am CST) – RHP Randy Dobnak (7-2, 3.66 ERA)

Elizabethton vs Princeton (4:00 CST) – TBD

Elizabethton vs Princeton (Game 2) – TBD

GCL Twins @ 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.

 

Click here to view the article

[D.C Twins]

Wiel….just....keeps....going......that sample size is getting bigger by the day...at AA...by the way.....yay....oh kaaay?!

 

Good to see a player who is not a top-prospect busting his butt to maximize his skills to become one. 

 

He is my favorite twins story of the year so far.

 

I would really enjoy a detailed profile on him in TD (why has been so successful this year.....new swing, more patience, new batting stance, new launch angle, a bat with a lighting bolt etched in it?  inquiring minds want to know) 

 

I'm sure the TD writers have plenty of free time on their hands to make this happen

[Han Joelo]

Game log of Balazovic's day:

 

Lansing Bottom of the 1st
Samad Taylor strikes out swinging.
Kevin Vicuna grounds out, shortstop Michael Davis to first baseman Ben Rodriguez.
Chavez Young strikes out swinging.

 

Lansing Bottom of the 2nd
Ryan Noda grounds out softly, shortstop Michael Davis to first baseman Ben Rodriguez.
Ryan Gold doubles (5) on a fly ball to right fielder Jean Carlos Arias.
Freddy Rodriguez walks.
Reggie Pruitt walks. Ryan Gold to 3rd. Freddy Rodriguez to 2nd.
Jesus Navarro called out on strikes.
Reilly Johnson singles on a line drive to right fielder Jean Carlos Arias. Ryan Gold scores. Freddy Rodriguez scores. Reggie Pruitt to 3rd.
Samad Taylor triples (4) on a fly ball to right fielder Jean Carlos Arias. Reggie Pruitt scores. Reilly Johnson scores.
Pitching Change: Derek Molina replaces Jordan Balazovic.
Kevin Vicuna lines out to center fielder Akil Baddoo.

He was rolling.  Perhaps two long innings by the hitters threw him off?  Anyway, I just wanted to dig a little deeper on this one.  Maybe not as bad as it looks at first glance.

 

Good day for Thorpe; nice to see him pitch well after getting rocked in the Futures game.

 

For as disheartening as the Twins bullpen has been, I'm disappointed that Moya, Curtiss, Reed, and Duffey haven't seized the bull by the horns.  They might be useful pieces, but none of them look like answers to me.

[nater79a]

 

Game log of Balazovic's day:

 

Lansing Bottom of the 1st
Samad Taylor strikes out swinging.
Kevin Vicuna grounds out, shortstop Michael Davis to first baseman Ben Rodriguez.
Chavez Young strikes out swinging.

 

Lansing Bottom of the 2nd
Ryan Noda grounds out softly, shortstop Michael Davis to first baseman Ben Rodriguez.
Ryan Gold doubles (5) on a fly ball to right fielder Jean Carlos Arias.
Freddy Rodriguez walks.
Reggie Pruitt walks. Ryan Gold to 3rd. Freddy Rodriguez to 2nd.
Jesus Navarro called out on strikes.
Reilly Johnson singles on a line drive to right fielder Jean Carlos Arias. Ryan Gold scores. Freddy Rodriguez scores. Reggie Pruitt to 3rd.
Samad Taylor triples (4) on a fly ball to right fielder Jean Carlos Arias. Reggie Pruitt scores. Reilly Johnson scores.
Pitching Change: Derek Molina replaces Jordan Balazovic.
Kevin Vicuna lines out to center fielder Akil Baddoo.

He was rolling.  Perhaps two long innings by the hitters threw him off?  Anyway, I just wanted to dig a little deeper on this one.  Maybe not as bad as it looks at first glance.

 

Good day for Thorpe; nice to see him pitch well after getting rocked in the Futures game.

 

For as disheartening as the Twins bullpen has been, I'm disappointed that Moya, Curtiss, Reed, and Duffey haven't seized the bull by the horns.  They might be useful pieces, but none of them look like answers to me.

 

 

Yep, with a young pitcher like Balazovic a 34 pitch inning will be an automatic pull from the game.  Anything 30+ , really.

 

He almost got out of the jam though.  Bases loaded single with two outs really hurt.  Probably could have continued on otherwise.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Wiel….just....keeps....going......that sample size is getting bigger by the day...at AA...by the way.....yay....oh kaaay?!

 

Good to see a player who is not a top-prospect busting his butt to maximize his skills to become one. 

 

He is my favorite twins story of the year so far.

 

I would really enjoy a detailed profile on him in TD (why has been so successful this year.....new swing, more patience, new batting stance, new launch angle, a bat with a lighting bolt etched in it?  inquiring minds want to know) 

 

I'm sure the TD writers have plenty of free time on their hands to make this happen

 

Wiel was the TD Hitter of the month in April. Tom did a big article on him in January. Parker analyzed his swing last year sometime. He's a hitter. That's the one tool that could get him to the big leagues. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

For as disheartening as the Twins bullpen has been, I'm disappointed that Moya, Curtiss, Reed, and Duffey haven't seized the bull by the horns.  They might be useful pieces, but none of them look like answers to me.

 

I think all four of them, plus Busenitz and Anderson can all be  useful MLB arms. Just need an opportunity and some time. 

 

It's been unfortunate that wen Busenitz has had opportunity this year, he's hung some sliders, a bunch of them, and hasn't been able to gain the confidence of the manager (understandably so).  

[mikelink45]

I am turning the corner like so many Twins fans and trying to look at the future.  So right now - who are the most MLB ready players in our minor league system.  Who can we call up and make a difference for next year when the Twins finally clear the roster?  

 

I would love to see Kiriloff and Lewis be teen phenoms, but I assume they are not ready for that push. 

[rdehring]

This daily post is the most exciting place to go, at least for Twins fans.

 

Great seeing Thorpe have another very good game.  Noticed that he has given up 2 or less runs in each of his last ten games, except that clunker back on June 8.  Also good getting another sniff of the real Luis Arraez.  Come on Luis, the Twins need an on base guy like you.

 

Not concerned with Balazovic.  He is very young and games like yesterday will happen.  Could Miranda's season been better?  I think not.  If he keeps hitting like he has he will finish the year around .300. 

 

Can't wait for this next group of prospects to arrive!

[Steve Lein]

 

Wiel….just....keeps....going......that sample size is getting bigger by the day...at AA...by the way.....yay....oh kaaay?!

 

Good to see a player who is not a top-prospect busting his butt to maximize his skills to become one. 

 

He is my favorite twins story of the year so far.

 

 

[gunnarthor]

 

I am turning the corner like so many Twins fans and trying to look at the future.  So right now - who are the most MLB ready players in our minor league system.  Who can we call up and make a difference for next year when the Twins finally clear the roster?  

 

I would love to see Kiriloff and Lewis be teen phenoms, but I assume they are not ready for that push. 

Pretty much the AAA relief arms plus Gonsalves and Romero are all ML ready right now. Gordon will probably be up 2019 and maybe Rooker if things go right.  

[blindeke]

I wonder what Sano and Vargas talk about when they're sitting in the dugout together?

[John Kelsey]

 

I wonder what Sano and Vargas talk about when they're sitting in the dugout together?

 

Pizza

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I wonder what Sano and Vargas talk about when they're sitting in the dugout together?

 

 

Pizza

 

Or cheeseburgers?

 

https://sports.theonion.com/c-c-sabathia-prince-fielder-keep-imagining-each-other-1819569949

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Wiel….just....keeps....going......that sample size is getting bigger by the day...at AA...by the way.....yay....oh kaaay?!

Zander Wiel, stats-wise, is reminding me of Vargas at A+ and AA. Of course, Vargas was a little younger, and got protected on the 40-man after his A+ season.

 

Wiel is Rule 5 eligible this winter. At this point, I am guessing they let him finish at AA, leave him unprotected, and hope he can show more power next year at AAA before they add him. Hoping for development like Jesus Aguilar?

[bluechipper]

 

Pretty much the AAA relief arms plus Gonsalves and Romero are all ML ready right now. Gordon will probably be up 2019 and maybe Rooker if things go right.  

Lamonte Wade should get a shot sometime soon too.

[caninatl04]

I am turning the corner like so many Twins fans and trying to look at the future.  So right now - who are the most MLB ready players in our minor league system.  Who can we call up and make a difference for next year when the Twins finally clear the roster?  

 

I would love to see Kiriloff and Lewis be teen phenoms, but I assume they are not ready for that push.

Yes, Kirilloff with a cup of coffee this September, Gordon early to mid 2019 and a fourth and maybe fifth starter for opening day 2019

I stopped making predictions about relievers as I believe front offices use a combination of chicken bones and moon cycles to decide on the back end (lowest ranked as opposed to set up / closer) of the bullpen, but history suggests one or two high minor relievers might make it to the opening day roster

[laloesch]

 

Or cheeseburgers?

 

https://sports.theonion.com/c-c-sabathia-prince-fielder-keep-imagining-each-other-1819569949

 

1-800-94-Jenny

[nater79a]

 

 

 

Just noticed TJ White's name on this lineup and wondered where he ended up.

 

Looks like he's in an independent league in Quebec.   Slashing .274/.325/.466   so not bad.

Hopefully he can impress and hook up with another minor league organization at some point.

[Doctor Wu]

 

Pizza

Or maybe pollo loco?

[Doctor Wu]

 

Hoping for development like Jesus Aguilar?

That would be more than acceptable!

[Doctor Wu]

At least there is something to be excited about in the Twins' minor league system lately. As much as we'd all love to see Kiriloff and Lewis make their MLB debuts ASAP, I think it's wise to be patient for another year or two. Meanwhile, sign me up for a seat on the Thorpe bandwagon. Great to see him pitching so consistently well lately.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Or maybe pollo loco?

A biiiiiiig lunch!

 

Mofongo, wasakaka con questo frito...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luWBghJpx9I