Article: Twins Minor League Report (8/5): Romero Rocks, Lookouts Roll

[Cody Christie]

Where has summer gone? Here we are in the August heat with some playoff races heating up. Rochester is 19 games out of first place and nine games back in the wild card race. Chattanooga is in last place in the Southern League North Division but trail the leader by only 5.5 games.

 

Fort Myers is only percentage points behind Charlotte for first place in the Florida State League South Division. Cedar Rapids is in a virtual tie for first in the Midwest League Western Division. The top two teams in the division make the playoffs. Elizabethton is three games up in the Apply League West Division.

 

Let’s dive in and see how Sunday’s action played out.RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 6, Pawtucket 3

Box Score

With Rochester attempting to employ an “opener,” Pawtucket jumped out early against Alan Busenitz as he allowed a three-run home run in the first inning. From there, Fernando Romero had things on lock-down. Over eight shutout innings, he limited the Red Sox to four hits and struck out eight without walking a batter.

In the third inning, the Red Wings started their comeback. With one out in the frame, Gregorio Petit singled and that was followed by walks to Taylor Motter and Nick Gordon to load the bases. Newly acquired Tyler Austin drove in two with his 11th double on the season. Following a Willians Astudillo walk, Andy Wilkins singled to drive in Gordon and the game was tied at three.

 

The top of the ninth saw Rochester take the lead for good. Johnny Field singled before a walk to Jeremy Hazelbaker and a hit by pitch for Juan Graterol. Petit singled to drive in the go-ahead run. After a strikeout by Taylor Motter, Gordon laced a single off the shortstop’s glove to plate two insurance runs.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 9, Mississippi 2

Box Score

The Lookouts out-hit the Braves by only one but the team collected six hits with runners in scoring position including a big seven-run inning. Chattanooga loaded the bases in the second with an Alex Perez walk, a Jordan Gore walk, and a Zander Wiel single. Brent Rooker picked up an RBI after drawing a walk. Luke Raley pushed across another run with a force out to put the team up 2-0.

 

In the fourth inning, every batter in the line-up reached base with a walk, a hit or through a fielding error. Without the use of an extra-base hit, the club piled up six singles and a pair of walks to score seven runs. Every batter reached base safely at some point in the game. Alex Perez finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Luis Arraez and Jaylin Davis each reached base four times.

 

Sean Poppen earned his fifth victory after pitching five innings. He allowed two runs on six hits with four strikeouts and three walks. Andrew Vasquez and Cody Stashak each tossed two scoreless frames. Vasquez struck out four while allowing only one hit.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 3, Florida 7

Box Score

Florida was in the midst of a 10-game losing streak and Fort Myers had won five straight but both of those streaks came to an end on Sunday. Bryan Sammons ran into some early trouble as he allowed five runs on five hits including a three-run home run. He struck out four and walked two but he was able to pitch only three innings. Dylan Stowell went 2 2/3 innings but allowed a home run. Alex Robinson was strong in relief as he was asked to collect seven outs and he got six of them via strikeout.

 

Royce Lewis reached base three times out of the lead-off spot. Alex Kirilloff had another multi-hit game (2-for-5). Taylor Grzelakowski and Ryan Costello both went 2-for-4. Costello scored two runs and had his first double since joining the Twins organization.

 

Even with the loss, the Miracle won the series from Florida. Fort Myers has won six consecutive series.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 7, Beloit 10

Box Score

Cedar Rapids saw an early lead disappear in this one after the Snappers scored seven runs in the eighth inning. Jhoan Duran started and pitched into the seventh inning (6 1/3 IP). He struck out nine and scattered three runs on five hits.

Calvin Faucher and Rickey Ramirez ran into some issues out of the bullpen. Faucher allowed three runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning. Ramirez only collected one out and he allowed four runs on four hits. Moises Gomez stopped the bleeding as he allowed only one hit over 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

 

Gabriel Maciel had two doubles and two RBI. Jacob Pearson and Trey Cabbage each went 2-for-4 with a double. Akil Baddoo and Ben Rodriguez both went 2-for-5 with two RBIs each. Ryan Jeffers knocked his third home run.

 

E-TWINS E-TALK

Elizabethton 5, Pulaski 6 (10 Innings)

Box Score

Josh Winder took the mound for the E-Twins and pitched five innings. He struck out eight and allowed three runs on four hits. Juan Gamez coughed up a pair of runs and was credited with only one out. From there, things calmed down. Tanner Howell pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings. Johan Quezada was saddled with the loss after the runner starting at second scored in extra-innings.

 

Colton Burns led the offensive charge by going 3-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored. Chris Williams added to his home run total (12 HR) with a two-run shot in the third. He also reached base three times. Andrew Cosgrove drove in a run and added his third double on the season.

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Gabriel Maciel, Cedar Rapids (2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, R)

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Fernando Romero, Rochester (8.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 8 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): 1-for-3, 2 BB

2. Alex Kirilloff (FM): 2-for-5

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

4. Nick Gordon (ROC): 1-for-4, BB, 2 RBI, R

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

6. Trevor Larnach (ET): 0-for-4, BB, 2 R, 2 K

7. Brent Rooker (CHAT): 1-for-3, R, RBI, BB, K

8. Akil Baddoo (CR): 2-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 K

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): Did not play.

13. Travis Blankenhorn (FM): 0-for-4, K

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

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

16. Yunior Severino (ET): 1-for-4, BB, 3 K

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

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

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

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

 

MONDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester – Scheduled Off-Day

***Rochester Red Wings players will join groups of golfers at the third annual Swing with the Wings golf tournament to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association***

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

Fort Myers @ Lakeland (5:30 CST) – LHP Charlie Barnes (5-5, 2.81 ERA)

Cedar Rapids vs. Beloit (12:05 CST) – RHP Edwar Colina (5-3, 2.93 ERA)

Elizabethton vs. Kingsport (6:00 CST) – LHP Kody Funderburk (1-0, 4.58 ERA)

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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[Seth Stohs]

Jose Miranda was promoted to Ft. Myers.

Michael Helman from E-Town to Cedar Rapids. 

[SF Twins Fan]

The Twins rotation next year looks like it will have a lot of competition with Berrios, Romero, Gibson and Odorizzi. Potential starters: Santana (Depending if they pick up his option or just resign him), Pineda, Mejia, Gonsalves and Littell. Then you have Lewis Thorpe who should be moving up to AAA and Brusdar Gaterol in AA. This is very exciting!!

[Danchat]

I love ya, Ervin, but I think Romero needs your rotation spot. He needs to learn how to beat MLB hitting and I'm not sure he'll be able to learn that in AAA. Twins rookie starters seem to need to take their lumps before they take off.

[nater79a]

 

Jose Miranda was promoted to Ft. Myers.

Michael Helman from E-Town to Cedar Rapids. 

 

Will be interesting to see how Miranda fits into the 2B/3B rotation down at the Fort.

Already have Costello, Blankenhorn, Perez and even Caleb Hamilton   at times manning   either the hot corner or second base,  

 

At least Blankenhorn can play all over - 3B, 2B, LF, DH.  Costello can play some first base as well as 3B. 

 

Bottom line  - if Miranda is going to get promoted it would be ideal for him to play most days.

 

[nater79a]

Starting to wonder if the Twins might need to get Bryan Sammons back to Rapids.  Has really struggled in his three starts to the tune of a 12.50 ERA.  Tyler Watson had some issues also after his promotion to the Miracle and was eventually sent back to the Kernels.

 

Sammons was pitching so well in the Midwest League too, so I'm kind of surprised that he would get knocked around like this.  At least to this point.

[nclahammer]

Great stuff as always, love catching up on our future Twins.  Road-tripping it to Cedar Rapids today to catch their 12:05 game and excited to see Ryan Jeffers and the Kernels.

 

[rdehring]

See that Romero has now pitched the same # of innings as last year, 125.  Great seeing yesterday's type of performance this late in his season.  Expect he will be back with the Twins by September, at the latest.  

 

Great seeing Arraez with another multi-hit game.  He has a five game hitting streak with 3 of the 5 multi-hit games.  Has also hit safely in 9 of his last 10.  Looks like he is back hitting like the player we know and at a new level.  

 

I doubt Miranda is going to sit much at Fort Myers.  He has about four weeks left to react to this new level of pitching.  Hopefully, there will also be a playoff run for him to experience.

[Han Joelo]

I looked at the game log to see what happened with Moran and the 3 runs.  I've actually been doing that more to try and get context.  Seemed like a pretty dominant game.  Gave up a run somehow somewhere, and then I think a single and a walk or HBP in the top of the 7th and got pulled; the runs scored later.  Pretty much what was said above.  Just elaborating slightly.  Nice game.

 

With all of the speedy OF types the FO has acquired in the last year--Pearson, Cave, Celestino, Masiel, it seems like they were watching Buxton's defense thinking "this is great, but dangerous. We need more of those guys."

[slash129]

Good to see a decent game from Gordon .... He needs to build on that and really pick it up the rest of the month.  Arraez looks to be making a run at being the Twins top MIF prospect (at least on the offensive side), so hopefully that pushes Gordon to improve.

 

I would be interested in the odds of the following keystone combos a year from now:

 

1) Polanco/Gordon

2) Polanco/Arraez

3) Polanco/Other 

 

#3 probably has the best odds until you plug an actual name in there.

 

EDIT:  I should qualify "Twins top MIF prospect" as who will be ready first.  I don't want to imply that I think Arraez is a better prospect than Lewis.

[clutterheart]

I would hope Miranda gets a chance to stick at 3B at FM.

[rdehring]

 

Good to see a decent game from Gordon .... He needs to build on that and really pick it up the rest of the month.  Arraez looks to be making a run at being the Twins top MIF prospect (at least on the offensive side), so hopefully that pushes Gordon to improve.

 

I would be interested in the odds of the following keystone combos a year from now:

 

1) Polanco/Gordon

2) Polanco/Arraez

3) Polanco/Other 

 

#3 probably has the best odds until you plug an actual name in there.

A year from now I want to see Polanco/Escobar.  Then Polanco/Arraez when Esco is playing 3B.  Two years from now, Lewis/Polanco.

[rdehring]

 

I looked at the game log to see what happened with Moran and the 3 runs.  I've actually been doing that more to try and get context.  Seemed like a pretty dominant game.  Gave up a run somehow somewhere, and then I think a single and a walk or HBP in the top of the 7th and got pulled; the runs scored later.  Pretty much what was said above.  Just elaborating slightly.  Nice game.

 

With all of the speedy OF types the FO has acquired in the last year--Pearson, Cave, Celestino, Masiel, it seems like they were watching Buxton's defense thinking "this is great, but dangerous. We need more of those guys."

 

Did you mean Duran?

[SF Twins Fan]

 

A year from now I want to see Polanco/Escobar.  Then Polanco/Arraez when Esco is playing 3B.  Two years from now, Lewis/Polanco.

 

 

This offseason I hope the Twins sign Escobar to a 3 / 4 year deal, which would take him through his age 32 / 33 season. He could easily be the Twins 2nd Basemen for the next 2 - 3 seasons until Royce Lewis is ready for SS and he pushes Polanco to 2nd. After that he could just be a utility player at that point.

[rdehring]

 

This offseason I hope the Twins sign Escobar to a 3 / 4 year deal, which would take him through his age 32 / 33 season. He could easily be the Twins 2nd Basemen for the next 2 - 3 seasons until Royce Lewis is ready for SS and he pushes Polanco to 2nd. After that he could just be a utility player at that point.

I think we need a different term to describe Escobar as a utility player the last few years with the Twins.  When I think of utility player, I think of someone who can play multiple positions.  Someone who is a backup at all of those positions, maybe starting a few weeks at a time when player X is on the DL.

 

Yes, Escobar seems to play several positions...three infield positions quite well.  But he isn't a backup, rather a starter.  Its just we don't know when he will be starting where...2B, SS, 3B, DH?  When you think of utility player, that doesn't describe him.  Maybe super utility player?  Is there some other term?

[Han Joelo]

Did you mean Duran?

Yes! Moran is no slouch either. Seems like he is a lot like Alcala. But Duran is who I was talking about.

[SF Twins Fan]

 

I think we need a different term to describe Escobar as a utility player the last few years with the Twins.  When I think of utility player, I think of someone who can play multiple positions.  Someone who is a backup at all of those positions, maybe starting a few weeks at a time when player X is on the DL.

 

Yes, Escobar seems to play several positions...three infield positions quite well.  But he isn't a backup, rather a starter.  Its just we don't know when he will be starting where...2B, SS, 3B, DH?  When you think of utility player, that doesn't describe him.  Maybe super utility player?  Is there some other term?

 

A super utility player typically describes a player who can play multiple positions both in the infield and outfield.

[jokin]

 

 

1) Polanco/Gordon

2) Polanco/Arraez

3) Polanco/Other 

 

#3 probably has the best odds until you plug an actual name in there.

 

 

 

Good gracious... I hope the actual name they plug in there @ 2B in 2019 isn't LoFor!

[jokin]

 

 

Great stuff as always, love catching up on our future Twins.  Road-tripping it to Cedar Rapids today to catch their 12:05 game and excited to see Ryan Jeffers and the Kernels.

 

Speaking of "catching", please holler back afterwards, especially if Jeffers is behind the plate.

 

Kudos to the Twins scout who pushed for Jeffers. "He" correctly identified an advanced hitting tool in the youngster.

 

Jeffers in his first 50+ PAs in A ball is now sporting a .356 BA/1.164 OPS/.356 ISO/1.17 BB/K. (His A-level numbers so far in this [admittedly] small data size vastly outstrip the glammer twin's- Lewis and Kiriloff- production #s from earlier this year.)

 

Hope they move him to Ft Myers and really focus on a crash-course, fast-track, advanced MLB Catchers program.

Edited August 6, 2018 by jokin

[jimbo92107]

 

I love ya, Ervin, but I think Romero needs your rotation spot. He needs to learn how to beat MLB hitting and I'm not sure he'll be able to learn that in AAA. Twins rookie starters seem to need to take their lumps before they take off.

What if old Erv finds that extra couple mph before the end of the season? If he's topping out at 95 or more, that would make him pretty effective for the upcoming season. We can already see that Santana's command is still good.