Article: Twins Minor League Report (7/24): Gonsalves, Kirilloff, Rooker Continue Hot Stretches

[Steve Lein]

If you woke up this morning hoping to read about how amazing a bunch of the Minnesota Twins’ top prospects fared in yesterday’s games, I’m happy to report you’re definitely not going to be disappointed! There were huge games from three first-round draft pick hitters, and the best pitching performance amongst a long stretch of great ones for a top pitching prospect.To find out just how great each of those prospects were on Tuesday, keep reading and be sure to discuss in the comments!

 

TRANSACTIONS

 

There were some moves in the system before the games:

• Chattanooga (AA): Pitcher Casey Crosby was activated from the disabled list and sent to the Gulf Coast League on a rehab assignment. He made the “start” for the GCL squad in that game.
• Fort Myers (A+): Lewin Diaz was placed on the disabled list with a right thumb fracture. To take his place Ben Rodriguez was promoted from Cedar Rapids.
• Cedar Rapids (A): To take Rodriguez’s place, 2018 2^nd-round draft pick Ryan Jeffers was promoted from Elizabethton.
• GCL Twins (RK): In addition to Crosby, outfielder Christian Cavaness was also sent on a rehab assignment to the GCL.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 2, Indianapolis 0

Box Score

 

Top prospect Stephen Gonsalves took the mound for the Red Wings looking to improve even further on his six-start stretch where he had lowered his ERA from 5.89 all the way down to 3.34. He delivered his best of that bunch on Tuesday, tossing seven scoreless innings. He allowed just five hits, struck out four, and most importantly in that time frame, issued zero walks. He gave up a leadoff triple in the fifth, but his defense caught that runner at home on the next batter. Gonsalves then finished by retiring the final eight hitters he faced. Of his 98 pitches, 68 went for strikes (69%) and he improved to 7-3 on the year in Triple-A.

 

D.J. Baxendale earned his fifth hold with a scoreless eighth inning when he worked around two hits. In his first appearance since being optioned (again), Alan Busenitz picked up his fifth save with a one-two-three ninth, striking out the final two hitters to punctuate the win.

 

On offense the Red Wings got multi-hit efforts from leadoff man Gregorio Petit (2-for-4, R, 2B, K) and LaMonte Wade (2-for-4, R, 2 K). Willians Astudillo and Jeremy Hazelbaker added doubles to the effort. Miguel Sano finished 1-for-2 with an RBI, a strikeout and two walks.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Pensacola 10, Chattanooga 8 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

While the Triple A game was all about a top prospect pitcher, this one focused on a top prospect hitter who has been heating up as the season has gone on. Of course, I’m talking about Brent-He’s So Hot Right Now-Rooker.

 

In the first inning, Rooker got the Lookouts on the board with a two-run home run, his nineteenth of the season and his teammates added two more runs for the early 4-0 lead. He would follow a Zander Wiel single to lead off the second with one of his own, but both ended up stranded.

 

That’s when the Blue Wahoos pounced on starting pitcher Omar Bencomo. They tallied eight runs across the third and fourth innings to take the lead. Bencomo finished five frames, but his ten hits allowed came in quick succession to give up those runs (seven earned). He walked none and struck out five.

 

Chattanooga was able to tie the game in seventh inning, and again it was due in part to Rooker. After two runs had already crossed he came up with the bases loaded and delivered a two-run double, his 27^th of the season which tied him with fellow top prospect (and trade rumor target) Corey Ray for the Southern League lead (Ray also leads him by one in homers, Rooker now leads league in RBI though!). Rooker added another single in the ninth, but again would be stranded. Rooker finished his game 4-for-5 with a walk to go along with his extra-base hits and four RBI. His average is now up to .272 on the season and .366/.490/.805 over his last ten games, which includes FIVE home runs, FIFTEEN runs batted in, and a 10:12 base-on-balls to strikeouts ratio. I’d probably promote him soon.

 

Unfortunately for the Lookouts, that effort wasn’t enough when this one got to extra innings. After Bencomo’s exit, Cody Stashak went the next two scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and struck out three. Tyler Jay worked out of a jam of his own making in the eighth, then got two outs in the ninth before handing it over to Williams Ramirez. Jay allowed one hit, walked one, and struck out one in 1 2/3 innings. Ramirez got the final out in the ninth and two K’s to start the tenth inning, but a home run to the next batter proved to be the end. The Lookouts got the tying run on base with no outs in their half, but couldn’t push any one across (Rooker didn’t get a chance, unfortunately).

 

Chattanooga got a hit from every batter in the starting lineup, and had four other hitters with two or more hits on the day. They included Zander Wiel (2-for-4, R, 2 BB, K), Chris Paul (2-for-6, R, 2B, 2 K), Jaylin Davis (3-for-6, R, 2 2B, RBI, K), and Ryan Walker (2-for-5, RBI, BB, 2 K). Jordan Gore also delivered two RBI.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 4, Jupiter 1

Box Score

 

For his second consecutive outing, lefty Charlie Barnes delivered an impressive performance. He left the game with two outs and runners on second and third in the seventh, but neither runner would score so he allowed just one run in his 6 2/3 innings. That came on six hits and one walk allowed, while striking out two. His ERA on the season now rests at a solid 2.82 for the Miracle.

 

He also evened his record at 5-5 as his offense backed him up with a couple of blasts to put crooked numbers on the board. In the second inning, it was a two-run shot from Travis Blankenhorn, his ninth of the season. In the eighth, it was Alex-He’s Been Hot All Year-Kirilloff with a two-run bomb to the opposite field, his third with Fort Myers and his sixteenth overall on the year. He also finished this game 3-for-3 with two runs scored and drew a walk and is now hitting .370 in the Florida State League.

 

 

Hector Lujan was the first man called in from the bullpen, and finished the seventh and eighth innings before running into some trouble in the ninth. With two runners on and the game-tying run at the plate, Ryan Mason came on to shut it down with one out. He got the next two hitters, including a strikeout, to do so. Lujan finished with no runs allowed on one hit, two walks, and four strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings. Mason picked up his fifth save on the year.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Scheduled Day Off

 

The Kernels had the day off on Tuesday as they finished a 5-1 road trip and head home for a five-game homestand versus the Clinton LumberKings and Quad Cities River Bandits. The series with the Bandits is of the two-game home-and-home variety, which they will repeat in August.

 

The Kernels currently lead the Midwest League Western Division with a 22-9 record in the second half.

 

E-TWINS E-TALK

Elizabethton 10, Burlington 3

Box Score

 

A late scoring burst from the Twins turned this one into another blowout, as they racked up ten runs on fifteen hits as a team. With the score tied at three going into the seventh, they put two runs on the board to take the lead and added on five more in the eighth.

 

First-round draft pick Trevor Larnach led the lineup with a 4-for-5 night at the plate. It included his first professional extra-base hit, a double. He tallied three runs scored, four RBI, and stole his first base. He has at least one hit in every game he’s played so far and his average is a SSS .450.

 

Elizabethton also got multiple hits from Yeltsin Encarnacion (2-for-5, 3 R, 2B, BB, K), Chris Williams (3-for-4, R, 2 2B, 3 RBI, BB, K), Alex Robles (2-for-5, RBI, K), and Lean Marrero (2-for-5, 2 R).

 

Austin Schulfer got the start and went the game’s first three innings. He allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out three. Brian Rapp then came on and went the next 2 2/3 innings. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk, along with racking up four strikeouts. Kody Funderburk then finished it with 3 1/3 scoreless. He walked in an inherited runner that charged him with a blown save, but also picked up his first professional win as he surrendered two hits, walked one and struck out four.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Rays 8, GCL Twins 3

Box Score

 

After being activated from the disabled list in AA, Casey Crosby made a rehab appearance to start this game. He got two outs with the help of a pickoff move to first base but walked two batters before his day was done. Frandy Torres then came on and gaveup a grand slam before recording the third out and the Twins were never able to recover. Torres added a scoreless second inning and finished with three earned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two.

 

Tyler Benninghoff toed the rubber next and delivered three scoreless frames. He struck out four and allowed two hits and a walk. Edit (box score updated on 7/25): Tyler Benninghoff finished three scoreless innings, but then ran into trouble to start the sixth inning. He would get one out due to a caught stealing, but an RBI single and RBI double ended his day. In total he pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out four. The Rays extended their lead against Petru Balan in the sixth inning, and in total he allowed four runs on five hits and three walks in two innings. He struck out one. Petru Balan then came on with Benninghoff responsible for two runners who would both score before getting out of the inning. He would add a scoreless seventh and in total allowed two hits, one walk, and struck out one in 1 2/3. Steven Cruz finished the game with two scoreless innings. He walked three and struck out four.

 

On offense the Twins managed just five hits and drew zero walks but were able to scratch three runs across thanks to going 2-for-3 with runners in scoring position and 2018 28^th round draft pick Austin Hale’s first professional home run. Kidany Salva added a double and Victor Tademo and pinch hitter Samuel Vasquez collected the other RBIs. Vasquez pinch hit for Christian Cavaness, who was making his first in-game appearance in almost a year.

 

STARS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day – Stephen Gonsalves, Rochester Red Wings (W, 7 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 4 K)

Twins Daily Hitter(s) of the Day – Brent Rooker, Chattanooga Lookouts (4-for-5, R, 2B (27), HR (19), 4 RBI, BB)

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) – 0-for-3, BB, 3 K

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Ft. Myers) – 3-for-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, BB

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

#4 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) – 0-for-4, K, SB (5)

#5 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) – W (7-3), 7 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 4 K (3.04 ERA in Triple-A)

#6 - Trevor Larnach (Elizabethton) – 4-for-5, 3 R, 2B (1), 4 RBI, SB (1), K

#7 - Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) – 4-for-5, R, 2B (27), HR (19), 4 RBI, BB

#8 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) – CR did not play.

#9 -Wander Javier – Out of for the season.

#10 - Zack Littell (Rochester) – Did not pitch.

#11 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – CR did not play.

#12 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) – 2-for-4, R, 2 K, 2 SB (5)

#13 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) – 1-for-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K

#14 - Lewis Thorpe (Chattanooga) – Did not pitch.

#15 - Ben Rortvedt (Ft. Myers) – Did not play.

#16 - Yunior Severino (Elizabethton) – 0-for-5, K

#17 - Lewin Diaz (Ft. Myers) – On disabled list with fractured thumb.

#18 - Ryan Jeffers (Cedar Rapids) – CR did not play.

#19 - Jacob Pearson (Cedar Rapids) – CR did not play.

#20 - Luis Arraez (Chattanooga) – 1-for-5, BB

 

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester @ Indianapolis (6:05PM CST) – RHP Kohl Stewart (0-2, 4.70 ERA)

Pensacola @ Chattanooga (10:15AM CST) – TBD

Fort Myers @ Jupiter (5:30PM CST) – RHP Tyler Wells (7-4, 2.97 ERA)

Clinton @ Cedar Rapids (6:35PM CST) – RHP Edwar Colina (3-3, 3.11 ERA)

Elizabethton @ Burlington (10:00AM CST) – TBD

GCL Twins @ GCL Rays (11:00AM CST) - TBD

 

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

 

Click here to view the article

[ScooterDance]

Damn. Rooker started out so slow this year. But wow has he made adjustments.

 

I know an offense that could use that.

[Einstein1]

Nice to see Ryan Jeffers get promoted to CR.  

[jsteve96]

This is awesome. This day of minor league action sums up how our farm system has been this year. Wander Javier is the only somewhat big prospect that has missed a considerable amount of time. We've had too many years where at least one top prospect has had tommy john. 

 

I could see us possibly having up to 7 or 8 top 100 prospects next year the way things are going. And that's not even including guys like Thorpe or Baddoo who could be making strides at becoming one soon.

 

This is fun guys

[nater79a]

Someone refresh my memory on the Christian Cavaness injury and rehab.  

Dates back to late last season, correct?

[nater79a]

 

This is awesome. This day of minor league action sums up how our farm system has been this year. Wander Javier is the only somewhat big prospect that has missed a considerable amount of time. We've had too many years where at least one top prospect has had tommy john. 

 

I could see us possibly having up to 7 or 8 top 100 prospects next year the way things are going. And that's not even including guys like Thorpe or Baddoo who could be making strides at becoming one soon.

 

This is fun guys

 

More fun than the big club anyway, right?

[tvagle]

$30 and you too can watch the best the Twins have to offer

 

http://www.milb.com/milb/multimedia/index.jsp?affiliateID=MiLBmenu

[rdehring]

Rooker-Kirilloff-Larnach.  Although Larnach has played in only a couple games, appears all three flat out mash.  Is it realistic to expect all three to be playing at Target Field by the end of 2020?  But are there enough positions for all three on the same team?

 

Don't know what the Twins will do with Rooker later this year.  At or near the lead in the Southern League in home runs, doubles and RBI in his first full season.  He doesn't need to be added to the 40-man this year, but could he be forcing the Twins to do so?

 

And another nice outing from Tyler Benninghoff.  That's three straight appearances (8 ip) with only 3 hits and nooooo runs!  Great seeing this kid get back into action.

[mikelink45]

This makes me excited for the Trade deadline events.  Please get rid of the players who are either blocking a promotion and are leaving soon as FA or just plain stink.  Time to move on and this looks like we have the potential to do it.  

 

I think it is time for Gonsalves to get his opportunity.  

 

Quick glances at top prospect stats has me wondering if both Lewis and Gordon are in slumps.  Can you give me a better prospective?

 

I also look at Gregorio Petit and I do not see him as a prospect, but is Taylor Motter really better?  Motter has a career -0.9 WAR, so far a -0.2 WAR this year with the Twins, OPS+ of 32, batting 147!  Give someone else a chance or am I missing something that this Stat conscious super smart FO sees?

[NDTimIrish]

What is Gordon hitting on the year? Is he close to a call up?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Someone refresh my memory on the Christian Cavaness injury and rehab.  

Dates back to late last season, correct?

 

He had something like a blood clot in one of his arms. Was a scary thing for a bit. Had surgery back in August. Just now getting back.

[jokin]

 

Damn. Rooker started out so slow this year. But wow has he made adjustments.

I know an offense that could use that.

 

You got that right. Lots of folks were pushing the early panic button.

 

The young man flipped the switch. Here's his slash since June 1:

 

.306/.388/.628/(1.016)

 

I doubt they add him to the 40-man this year... but it certainly seems like it's time to promo to AAA.

Edited July 25, 2018 by jokin

[gunnarthor]

Since May 9th, Rooker is hitting .292/.362/.594 with 28% k-rate and 10% walk rate. I'm still concerned about the strike outs but I hope they push him to AAA.

 

Kiriloff is just killing high A pitching. .370/.397/.571 in 29 games. Wow. And only a 15% k rate. He's not taking any walks right now but if you're hitting .370, that's not a problem. He's clearly taking good at-bats. Honestly, promote him to AA and see what happens.

[nicksaviking]

This is the second mention of Corey Ray being a trade target I've found on our site today. Is this flowing from some national report or is it just a TD theme because Milwaukee has pretty good OF depth?

 

He seems like an awfully good prospect for most of what the Twins have to offer.

[gunnarthor]

Three of our prospects made the Tuesday top prospect list at mlbpipeline.

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/stephen-gonsalves-leads-tuesdays-top-prospects/c-287240092?tid=151437456

[Otto von Ballpark]

You got that right. Lots of folks were pushing the early panic button.

 

The young man flipped the switch. Here's his slash since June 1:

 

.306/.388/.628/(1.016)

 

I doubt they add him to the 40-man this year... but it certainly seems like it's time to promo to AAA.

Still a 28.2% K rate in that time, though.

[Brandon]

Not to be a party pooper but Rooker does have 119 Ks in 375 ABs. Almost 1 every 3 ABs. Thats not gonna translate well in MLB. I bet this is why he is still in AA at this point, to improve this ratio some.

[slash129]

 

Not to be a party pooper but Rooker does have 119 Ks in 375 ABs. Almost 1 every 3 ABs. Thats not gonna translate well in MLB. I bet this is why he is still in AA at this point, to improve this ratio some.

 

His K-Rate is acceptable, if he gets the walk rate up and maintains his LD% and HR/FB rate.  It would be great for him to get it under 25%, but 28% is something they can work with given improvement in zone control.  Stanton, Judge, Nimmo, Aguilar and even Goldschmidt this year are producing at a high level with a comparable K-Rate, but most of them walk a couple to quite a few ticks more.

[Guest]

 

He had something like a blood clot in one of his arms. Was a scary thing for a bit. Had surgery back in August. Just now getting back.

Yeah, even with all the other great news in this report, the note on Caveness getting back into ballgames again was the personal highlight for me. Good guy and it's really good to see him playing ball again!

[slash129]

 

This makes me excited for the Trade deadline events.  Please get rid of the players who are either blocking a promotion and are leaving soon as FA or just plain stink.  Time to move on and this looks like we have the potential to do it.  

 

I think it is time for Gonsalves to get his opportunity.  

 

Quick glances at top prospect stats has me wondering if both Lewis and Gordon are in slumps.  Can you give me a better prospective?

 

I also look at Gregorio Petit and I do not see him as a prospect, but is Taylor Motter really better?  Motter has a career -0.9 WAR, so far a -0.2 WAR this year with the Twins, OPS+ of 32, batting 147!  Give someone else a chance or am I missing something that this Stat conscious super smart FO sees?

 

Gordon has been in a slump since he got to AAA.

[redstorm]

Sadly Benninghoff didn't have the great outing that was stated.

 

He actually gave up 5 hits and 4 runs in 3 innings. 

[Tibs]

Holy cow. Since June 16th, Stephen Gonsalves has only given up 2 ER. That's 41.1 IP in that span

[jeffn48]

I was looking through some DSL stats and noticed a couple of interesting players.

 

Victor Heredia (18) - slashing 366/404/611 in 131 ABs

Jeferson Morales (19) - 308/464/439

Brahiap Carrillo (19) - 313/398/475

Jesus Feliz (18) - 303/339/532

 

Anthony Escobar (17) - 49 IP, 1.10 ERA and 41/5 k/bb

 

Are any of these guys legit prospects? I don't specifically remember any of them as big bonus guys. Heredia, Feliz and Escobar seem promising given their ages and production.

 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

$30 and you too can watch the best the Twins have to offer

 

http://www.milb.com/milb/multimedia/index.jsp?affiliateID=MiLBmenu

I did not see Chattanooga Lookouts on the list of teams available to watch. Did I make a mistake?

[markos]

 

His K-Rate is acceptable, if he gets the walk rate up and maintains his LD% and HR/FB rate.  It would be great for him to get it under 25%, but 28% is something they can work with given improvement in zone control.  Stanton, Judge, Nimmo, Aguilar and even Goldschmidt this year are producing at a high level with a comparable K-Rate, but most of them walk a couple to quite a few ticks more.

Of the players you listed, only the 19-year-old Stanton had comparable K% in AA. Most of the others were much closer to 20%. 

 

For all the excitement about Rooker right now, patience is key. Yes, he is having a good stretch here, but he still has some warning flags and is potentially a long way from the majors. For example, look at Aaron Judge's progression. He was in AA in 2015 at a similar age to Rooker, and he was putting up better overall numbers than Rooker. He moved up to AAA mid-season, and was merely league average for the rest of the season. In 2016, he started in AAA and spent almost the entire season there. He was called up late in the year and went ahead and hit only a .608 OPS in 95 PAs. Then in 2017 he was one of the best hitters in all of baseball. So I think the best estimate is for Rooker to be a legitimate contributor for the big league team starting in 2020. Also, it is important to remember that for every AA bat-only slugger that ends up becoming an above-average players in the big leagues, there are two or more that don't.

[gunnarthor]

 

I was looking through some DSL stats and noticed a couple of interesting players.

 

Victor Heredia (18) - slashing 366/404/611 in 131 ABs

Jeferson Morales (19) - 308/464/439

Brahiap Carrillo (19) - 313/398/475

Jesus Feliz (18) - 303/339/532

 

Anthony Escobar (17) - 49 IP, 1.10 ERA and 41/5 k/bb

 

Are any of these guys legit prospects? I don't specifically remember any of them as big bonus guys. Heredia, Feliz and Escobar seem promising given their ages and production.

Too early to tell but Feliz got 260k in 2016 to sign. Heredia signed the same year but his bonus isn't listed. I couldn't find anything on the other two guys but most of these guys are Venezuelan. Twins have had good in-roads to Venezuela for years now and that country is going through a lot of rough things so I think - and this is just a guess - that the Twins are probably nabbing a bunch of bodies from Venezuela, hoping that a few end up sticking.

[slash129]

 

I did not see Chattanooga Lookouts on the list of teams available to watch. Did I make a mistake?

 

No, you didn't. The Lookouts aren't part of the package. 

[jmlease1]

Rooker's K rate is something to watch and you'd like to see him bring it down in AA, a level where he's raking it. Because it could easily shoot up even higher when he gets promoted. but he's having a very nice season. (note: Corey Ray is similarly strikeout prone) If he can cut down the Ks a bit and up the walks he's going to have a very bright future.

 

Kirilloff just amazes. We always talk about how the Florida State league is a pitcher's league, what a tough environment it is for hitters...and he just keeps on rolling. I know it's only 29 games, but dude is hitting .370! Part of me wants to push him up to AA, but that might be crazy talk. He's only 20, he's significantly younger than his level, and he's rolling. Whatever whisky he's drinking, buy a case for our other hitters...

[twinstalker]

 

Damn. Rooker started out so slow this year. But wow has he made adjustments.

I know an offense that could use that.

Forgive me, but I'm going to respond to a few posts to try to give perspective. Rooker is by no means a bad prospect, but he is just about 24 playing in AA. If MLB throws him only fastballs, he might be of use, but that's not going to happen beyond the first bit of playing time. He has holes, he has no defensive value. He MIGHT be decent with the bat if he continues to improve. Interesting? Yes Get excited? No.

[slash129]

 

Of the players you listed, only the 19-year-old Stanton had comparable K% in AA. Most of the others were much closer to 20%. 

 

For all the excitement about Rooker right now, patience is key. Yes, he is having a good stretch here, but he still has some warning flags and is potentially a long way from the majors. For example, look at Aaron Judge's progression. He was in AA in 2015 at a similar age to Rooker, and he was putting up better overall numbers than Rooker. He moved up to AAA mid-season, and was merely league average for the rest of the season. In 2016, he started in AAA and spent almost the entire season there. He was called up late in the year and went ahead and hit only a .608 OPS in 95 PAs. Then in 2017 he was one of the best hitters in all of baseball. So I think the best estimate is for Rooker to be a legitimate contributor for the big league team starting in 2020. Also, it is important to remember that for every AA bat-only slugger that ends up becoming an above-average players in the big leagues, there are two or more that don't.

 

Excellent take and I agree that patience is the way to go.  The one difference between Rooker and those players that I mentioned is that he was shot up to AA after only 261 PAs as a pro.  Yes, he's a college prospect and is a bit older to start, but he's been drinking from a fire hose since he signed, and I think the results show he's up to the challenge.