Article: Minor League Report (8/6): Battle Of Top Picks, Round 1 To Lewis

[Seth Stohs]

It’s safe to say that the first Battle of #1 Picks went in favor of Royce Lewis. The Miracle were in Lakeland, the Florida State League affiliate of Detroit Tigers.On the mound to face the Miracle was 2018 #1 overall pick Casey Mize, a right-hander from Auburn. Lewis led off with a single, and in his second at-bat, he drilled a two-run homer. Mize went just three innings, and Lewis and the Miracle went on to a big win. Hopefully we'll be following Casey Mize/Royce Lewis at-bats for many years.Keep reading to find out more on the night in the Twins minor league system on Wednesday. As always, please feel free to discuss and ask questions.

 

TRANSACTIONS

• The Twins officially placed OF/DH Robbie Grossman on the disabled list. They recalled OF Johnny Field who they claimed last week from Cleveland. He had spent much of the first half with the Tampa Bay Rays.
• The Lookouts announced that RHP Jorge Alcala was activated from the DL. LHP Anthony Marzi was sent back to Ft. Myers.
• In moves that we mentioned here yesterday, the Cedar Rapids Kernels announced that infielder Jose Miranda had been promoted to Ft. Myers. Infielder and 2018 draft pick Michael Helman was promoted to the Kernels from Elizabethton.
• Ft. Myers announced the RHP Dylan Stowell was returned to the GCL Twins.
• Brandon Lopez was released by the Twins organization. The former 10th-round pick out of Miami was playing with the Miracle.
• Following the Elizabethton games, Dan Hayes reported on Twitter that OF Trevor Larnach has been promoted to Cedar Rapids.

 

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester

Box Score

 

The Red Wings had a day off before beginning a series at home against Toledo.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga, Mississippi

Box Score

 

Jorge Alcala was one of two quality prospects acquired by the Twins from the Houston Astros in the July trade. Upon being added to the Lookouts roster, he was placed on the 7-day DL with a right trapezius strain. Seven days later, he came off of the DL to start on Monday night. Likely limited to 60 pitches, he reached that number with two outs in the third inning. The hard-throwing right-hander gave up three runs on two hits, but both hits went over the outfield wall for home runs. He also walked three and struck out two. Here is a tweet-sized scouting report from Chris Blessing who was on hand.

 

 

Tyler Jay came on next. He got the final out of the third inning, but he gave up four runs on six hits over 1 2/3 innings. He struck out two. Williams Ramirez gave up one run on three hits over 2 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out three. Ryan Eades got four outs, two on strikeouts. Devin Smeltzer gave up a run on a hit and a walk in his inning.

 

The Lookouts had just five hits in the game. Luis Arraez drove in two runs. Jaylin Davis went 1-for-3 with a walk, his 11th double and an RBI.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 13, Lakeland 0

Box Score

 

In the first of what will hopefully be many, many meetings, Royce Lewis won Round 1 of the Battle of #1 PIcks tonight against Tigers 2018 top pick Casey Mize. In his first at-bat against Mize, Lewis hit a solid single to left field. In the next at bat, Lewis launched a two-run homer. Mize went just three innings on this night, his Florida State League debut, and gave up three runs on five hits. Taylor Grzelakowski followed Lewis’s homer with one of his own.

 

Lewis kept hitting. He went 4-for-6 with two home runs (he added a two-run homer in the ninth inning as well).

 

 

Grzelakowski went 2-for-5 with his seventh homer. Alex Kirilloff went 2-for-5 and drove in two runs. Caleb Hamilton went 2-for-4 with a walk. Travis Blankenhorn added his 11th homer of the season.

 

Charlie Barnes started and threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings. He gave up six hits, walked one and struck out three batters, but he was at 81 pitches when he came out. Hector Lujan came on and kept the shutout intact for the next 3 2/3 innings.He gave up one hit and struck out four. He has not allowed a run since July 8, a run of 19 scoreless innings. Ryan Mason struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 3, Beloit 2

Box Score

 

Edwar Colina had a tremendous start on Monday afternoon in Cedar Rapids. The right-hander threw eight innings and was charged with two unearned runs. He gave up four hits, walked none and struck out eight. He needed just 87 pitches as well. Kevin Marnon came on and struck out two in a perfect ninth to record his third Kernels save. Colina improved to 6-3.

 

Michael Davis led off the bottom of the third with his third home run of his Kernels career. Ariel Montesino followed with a double. He later scored on a fielder’s choice.

 

Michael Helman, making his first Kernels start, singled in his first two at-bats and ended the day 2-for-4. Montesino went 2-for-3 with his fourth double and first triple. Akil Baddoo added his ninth triple of the year.

 

 

 

E-TWINS E-TALK

Game 1 - Elizabethton 1, Kingsport 5

Box Score

 

Kody Funderburk got the nod for the E-Twins in Game 1. The southpaw gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits in four innings. He struck out six and didn’t issue a walk. Blair Lakso went the final three innings. He gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits. He walked three and struck out three.

 

Alex Robles provided most of the Twins offense. He went 3-for-3 with his second home run of the season. Yunior Severino added his sixth double, while Trevor Larnach doubled for the fourth time.

 

Game 2 - Elizabethton 2, Kingsport 7

Box Score

 

In the second game, the E-Twins went hitless until Yunior Severino dropped a single to right field with two outs in the sixth inning.

 

Brian Rapp made the start and gave up two runs on seven hits and a walk in five innings. He struck out four. Seth Pinkerton gave up three runs on two hits and a walk in 1 2/3 innings.. He struck out four batters. Jacob Blank got the final out but not before allowing two runs on two hits and a walk.

 

Down 7-0, the E-Twins tried to mount a comeback in the seventh inning but fell short. Trevor Larnach led off with a single which was followed by a walk by Chris Williams. Gilberto Celestino singled in a run, their first. Trevor Casanova followed with a sacrifice fly. But that is where the rally ended.

 

 

GCL TWINS TALK

GCL Twins 4, GCL Rays 11

Box Score

 

The big story in this game was the return of Michael Pineda. The tall, burly right-hander signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Twins in the offseason despite having Tommy John surgery last summer. On Monday, he made his first rehab appearance in the Gulf Coast League game. In two scoreless innings, he gave up one hit, ,walked one and struck out three batters.

 

 

Andriu Marin came on and threw scoreless innings up in the third and fourth frames. In the fifth, he was charged with six runs. Osiris German got the final two outs of that inning but not before giving up two more runs. German did work a scoreless sixth inning. Erik Cha came on and gave up two runs on four hits over two innings. He struck out three. Petru Balan gave up one run on two hits in his inning. He struck out two.

 

Gabe Snyder led the offense. He hit his seventh double and third home run and drove in four runs. Janigson Vallalobos went 2-for-4 with his second triple. Victor Tademo was 2-for-4 with his fifth double. Hunter Lee had two hits, including his third double.

 

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Royce Lewis, Ft. Myers Miracle (4-6, 2 HR, 3 R, 5 RBI).

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Hector Lujan, Ft. Myers Miracle (3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K)

 

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 (Ft. Myers) - 4-6, 2 HR(3), 3 R, 5 RBI, K

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Ft. Myers) - 2-5, R, 2 RBI, K

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

#4 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - Did not play

#5 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) - Did not pitch

#6 - Trevor Larnach (Elizabethton) - 1-3, 2B(4), K | 1-2, HBP, R

#7 - Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) - 0-4, 2 K

#8 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) - 1-2, 2 BB, K, 3B(9)

#9 -Wander Javier - out of for the season

#10 - Zack Littell (Rochester) - Did not play

#11 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) - Did not pitch

#12 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) - Disabled List

#13 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) - 1-4, BB, HR(11), R, 2 K

#14 - Lewis Thorpe (Chattanooga) - Rained out.

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

#16 - Yunior Severino (Elizabethton) - 1-4, 2B(6),K | 1-3, K

#17 - Lewin Diaz (Ft. Myers) - will have surgery on his wrist soon. Out for season.

#18 - Ryan Jeffers (Cedar Rapids) - 0-4, 2 K

#19 - Jacob Pearson (Cedar Rapids) - Did not play

#20 - Luis Arraez (Chattanooga) - 1-4, 2 RBI, R

#21 - Jose Miranda (Ft. Myers) - 0-4, BB, R, K

*Since Wander Javier is out, I’d add #21 to the list.

 

 

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Toledo @ Rochester (6:05 CST) - RHP Zack Littell (3-4, 3.58 ERA)

Chattanooga - No Game Scheduled

Ft. Myers @ Lakeland (5:30 CST) - RHP Griffin Jax (2-1, 3.41 ERA)

Cedar Rapids - No Game Scheduled

Kingsport @ Elizabethton (6:00 CST) - TBD

GCL Twins @ GCL Rays (11:00 am CST) - No Game Scheduled

 

 

Please feel free to ask any questions about Monday’s games, or ask any questions you may have.

 

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[nater79a]

Tyler Jay.

 

Sigh...

[nater79a]

Casey Mize

 

Larry Mize

 

Three Blind Mize.

 

Didn't really matter who was on the bump pitching to the Miracle lineup on this particular evening.   They were going to get drilled.    Relentlessly.

[jokin]

Pineda.... Velo report?

[Danchat]

OK, so Alcala's seemingly fine on the injury front. I'm thinking he's going to end up in the bullpen in the majors, at least that's the impression I got when I read some scouting reports. 

 

And Larnach getting promoted is good news too, hopefully we can see him have a similar trajectory as Rooker has had so far. AA next year, perhaps?

 

And boy, Royce Lewis just continues to rake. So glad the Twins took this guy even though nobody thought he was worth the first overall pick - except for the front office, and that's all that matters. 

[jokin]

Johnny (Out)Field.

 

His name may say baseball, but his stats say another suspect ex-Tampa Ray org player on the Twins roster (now at 5). Why?

[carlito_b]

with lewis playing like this id be more than willing to move gordon in a trade..him kiriloff and rooker might(MIGHT) all be in minnesota by next season... crazy to think a third of the lineup could be made up of players with only one full season of minor league ball but its a definite possibility

[curt1965]

Seth- what’s the outlook for Jay? He has faded into oblivion in the Twins organization. Thoughts?

[nater79a]

 

Pineda.... Velo report?

 

Tweet from Mike Berardino:

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Pineda.... Velo report?

 

Added a tweet from Rhett Bollinger that answers that question.  

[Seth Stohs]

 

Seth- what’s the outlook for Jay? He has faded into oblivion in the Twins organization. Thoughts?

 

He had a bad game, but he's occasionally flashed the stuff that got people excited before the draft. He can still be a successful big league reliever. It's just taken longer because of the various arm injuries. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Johnny (Out)Field.

 

His name may say baseball, but his stats say another suspect ex-Tampa Ray org player on the Twins roster (now at 5). Why?

 

Why not? A 26-year-old outfielder who showed a little pop in his 60ish games with the Rays this year. Maybe he's like Cave and a late developer? Maybe he's a really good defender, capable of playing three outfield positions. Maybe he's a legit 4th or 5th outfielder candidate for 2019? Also, with Grossman out, Field probably made a little more sense than Austin from a defensive standpoint... especially since the Twins would likely love to trade Logan Morrison, so they're going to want to get him as many at bats as possible, hoping to be able to get anything for him. Austin will likely be up about the minute that Morrison is dealt. 

[jimbo92107]

 

Pineda.... Velo report?

Three strikeouts. He's throwing even harder than...Mitch Garver!

 

Seriously, the signing of Michael Pineda could be huge for the Twins next season. If he's healthy, he dominates as a starter. High 90's, oh my...!

[70charger]

Why not? A 26-year-old outfielder who showed a little pop in his 60ish games with the Rays this year. Maybe he's like Cave and a late developer? Maybe he's a really good defender, capable of playing three outfield positions. Maybe he's a legit 4th or 5th outfielder candidate for 2019? Also, with Grossman out, Field probably made a little more sense than Austin from a defensive standpoint... especially since the Twins would likely love to trade Logan Morrison, so they're going to want to get him as many at bats as possible, hoping to be able to get anything for him. Austin will likely be up about the minute that Morrison is dealt.

I can think of a way to get rid of Logan Morrison today...

 

But seriously, if anyone gives the Twins anything at all for him it’ll be a few thousand bucks or some 25 year old org filler in low A. It’s not worth the at bats to showcase a guy who’s had the kind of season Morrison has had. Best case scenario the return goes from nothing to slightly more nothing.

 

If I ran the show, I’d DFA him yesterday and start seeing what we have in Austin.

[puckstopper1]

Good to see the upward movement of Larnach.  He and Jeffers can be the "Bash Brothers" in Cedar Rapids.

[rdehring]

Great seeing the promotions for Larnach and Helman.  Looks like Helman may be an 11th round pick to watch.  Also good seeing Miranda at 3B at the Fort last night.

 

What a night for L-K for the Miracle.  Although less at bats, both are hitting better at the higher level...although Kirilloff's power is down a bit.  That's almost hard to believe.  

 

Will be great if Pineda gets enough work the next two months so the Twins know he will be one of five for 2019.  Sure had a good first look!

[Pitz]

Any word on a corresponding move for the Kernels? With Larnach, they've got 5 outfielders in need of playing time and Jeffers occupies the DH pretty regularly.

[gunnarthor]

Kiriloff actually lowered his krate in A+. Sure, he's walk rate is only 4% but if you're hitting .370, that's ok. I'd be worried if he was striking out 20% but it's only 15% so I really think the Twins should challenge him over the last month or so and push him to AA. 

[LimestoneBaggy]

 

Kirilloff + Lewis=

 

 

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I can think of a way to get rid of Logan Morrison today...

But seriously, if anyone gives the Twins anything at all for him it’ll be a few thousand bucks or some 25 year old org filler in low A. It’s not worth the at bats to showcase a guy who’s had the kind of season Morrison has had. Best case scenario the return goes from nothing to slightly more nothing.

If I ran the show, I’d DFA him yesterday and start seeing what we have in Austin.

 

The other side of that is that Morrison is a mini-hot streak away from a 25-home run season. His option for next year is only at like $6 million or so. Maybe they are evaluating that too. I don't claim to know what they're' thinking. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

Todd Van Steensel released from AA Chattanooga:

 

[Seth Stohs]

A couple of Twins minor league notes from this morning...

 

First, from Darren Wolfson, Todd Van Steensel has been released.

 

https://twitter.com/DWolfsonKSTP/status/1026839335956557830 

 

Second, from Mariana Guzman, Lewin Diaz has had successful thumb surgery. 

 

https://twitter.com/MarianaGuzzy/status/1026859824561061893 

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

The other side of that is that Morrison is a mini-hot streak away from a 25-home run season. His option for next year is only at like $6 million or so. Maybe they are evaluating that too. I don't claim to know what they're' thinking.

Morrison's 2019 option is $8 mil, or a $1 mil buyout. Technically, he is also on pace for 506 PA which would increase the option to $8.5 mil. So, net $7 mil or $7.5 mil.

 

Given he only got $6.5 mil guaranteed (including the buyout) in late February coming off a career year last year, I think we can safely conclude he would get much less this winter, even if he goes on a "mini hot streak".

[jokin]

 

Why not? A 26-year-old outfielder who showed a little pop in his 60ish games with the Rays this year. Maybe he's like Cave and a late developer? Maybe he's a really good defender, capable of playing three outfield positions. Maybe he's a legit 4th or 5th outfielder candidate for 2019? Also, with Grossman out, Field probably made a little more sense than Austin from a defensive standpoint... especially since the Twins would likely love to trade Logan Morrison, so they're going to want to get him as many at bats as possible, hoping to be able to get anything for him. Austin will likely be up about the minute that Morrison is dealt. 

 

Sounds like more questions than answers.... Why not just keep Ryan LaMarre around? (He's up with the White Sox now.)

 

When everyone's healthy there's already an OF logjam in the organization, and seems like there's more than enough 4th/5th OF types in that group.

Edited August 7, 2018 by jokin

[launchingthrees]

 

Sounds like more questions than answers.... Why not just keep Ryan LaMarre around? (He's up with the White Sox now.)

 

When everyone's healthy there's already an OF logjam in the organization, and seems like there's more than enough 4th/5th OF types in that group.

 

Lamarre is 29 with a .506 career OPS and has no future with the twins, or any winning team. Almost anyone would be better than him right?

Edited August 7, 2018 by launchingthrees

[jokin]

 

Lamarre is 29 with a .506 career OPS and has no future with the twins, or any winning team. Almost anyone would be better than him right?

 

TBD.

 

Field was a 5th round pick. LaMarre a 2nd round pick- presumably more demonstrable athleticism?

Field's AAA hitting is very slightly better than LaMarre's. LaMarre has much more major league experience.

 

Field does have going for him his 3 years younger advantage- and an extra option. But neither pick-up moves the needle for me with some stand-out tool worth taking a gamble on.

 

The larger point is just: why not promote from within? There's no playoff chase hole in the lineup to fill here. I'd prefer to use the waiver wire when an immediate need must be filled, or, if the waiver pick-up has flippability potential down the road.

 

Field will likely end up on the same course as LaMarre- serving the club no added benefit.