Article: Twins Minor League Report (8/15): Pitching Paves the Way

[Ted Schwerzler]

On the day that Lewis Thorpe was promoted to Triple-A, both he and Brusdar Graterol turned in outstanding efforts. From the batter’s box, Alex Kirilloff and his 4-4 day stole the show. Read about the rest of the happenings from the farm today.Transactions:

Rochester Red Wings

Add LHP Lewis Thorpe promoted from Chattanooga

DEL OF Edgar Corcino placed on DL with right hand fracture

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Columbus 3, Rochester 2

Box Score

 

Lewis Thorpe was promoted from Double A Chattanooga to make his Triple A debut in this matinee. He lasted into the seventh inning, and earned himself a quality start. Allowing just three runs on seven hits, the Aussie punched out nine and didn’t allow a free pass.

 

Offense was hard to come by on the afternoon, as the Red Wings were able to muster a grand total of three hits. The Clippers scored three runs on their nine hits to grab the slight advantage. Byron Buxton sat out of this one, as Minnesota has decided they won’t yet play him on back to back days. Rochester travels to Toledo for another road series beginning tomorrow night.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Mississippi 3, Chattanooga 2 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

Getting the nod in this one for the Lookouts was Omar Bencomo. He twirled six frames of two-run baseball while striking out six and not walking anyone. Matching Mississippi evenly with eight hits, Chattanooga couldn't do more damage in the runs category and the found themselves walked off in the 10th.

 

The Lookouts got on the board first thanks to a Jordan Gore triple. His third three bagger at Double-A plated both Chris Paul and Brian Navarreto. That lead wouldn't last though, as Mississippi answered with two of their own in the top half of the third inning. Neither team was able to generate opportunities the rest of the way, and a bases-loaded walk from Tyler Jay allowed the winning run to score in the 10th.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 3, Charlotte 2

Box Score

 

Brusdar Graterol was on the bump to begin this one, and he was nothing short of dominant. Charlotte batters tallied only three hits off of him, and while they did score a run, he punched six tickets and issued only three free passes. Another strong outing for the Minnesota prospect will do little to slow his buzz.

 

The Miracle got out in front early in this one. Ben Rortvedt drove in Alex Kirilloff with an RBI single in the second, and a Caleb Hamilton sac fly allowed Ryan Costello to cross the plate. Up 2-0 in the sixth, Jose Miranda added some insurance with an RBI single to score Mark Contreras. Despite the Stone Crabs drawing within one, the 3-1 lead held up for the home team.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Game suspended due to rain

 

E-TWINS E-TALK

Scheduled Off Day

 

GCL TWINS TALK

GCL Twins 3, GCL Orioles 1

Box Score

 

Playing a doubleheader today, the GCL Twins got things started out on the right foot. Tyler Benninghoff worked five scoreless innings, while allowing just two hits, striking out four, and giving up two free passes. His efforts allowed him to pick up his second win of the season.

 

Runs were scored in the bottom halves of the third and fourth innings. Samuel Vasquez tallied an RBI single in the third, and then he and Gabe Snyder helped to push across another pair in the next half inning. The three runs wound up being enough to secure the game one victory.

 

GCL Twins 3, GCL Orioles 2 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

In the second game of the day Dylan Stowell was on the bump. He turned in three hitless innings and fanned a trio of Orioles hitters. Erik Cha grabbed the victory in this one as he worked the final three innings of a walk-off, extra-inning, contest.

 

Scheduled to be another seven inning contest, this one didn’t see runs on the board until the eighth inning. The GCL Twins allowed a pair of unearned runs to cross in both the eighth and ninth innings that forced necessary rallies. Tyler Webb scored on a wild pitch in the eighth, and Agustin Marte came home on a sac fly in the ninth. To walk things off in the 10th, Gabe Snyder drove in Charles Mack on a sac fly.

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Alex Kirilloff (FM): 4-4, R, 2 2B

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Lewis Thorpe (ROC): 6.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 9 K

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed.

1. Royce Lewis (FM): 0-4

2. Alex Kirilloff (FM): 4-4, R, 2 2B

3. Brusdar Graterol (FM): 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K

4. Nick Gordon (ROC): 0-3, BB

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

8. Akil Baddoo (CR): 1-1

12. LaMonte Wade (ROC): 1-3, R, BB

14. Lewis Thorpe (ROC): 6.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 9 K

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

18. Ryan Jeffers (CR): 1-1

20. Luis Arraez (CHAT): 0-3, BB

 

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Toledo (6:05 PM CST) – RHP Fernando Romero (4-4, 3.30 ERA)

Chattanooga @ Mississippi (7:00 CST) – LHP Dietrich Enns (1-5, 5.27 ERA)

Fort Myers vs. Charlotte (6:00 CST) – RHP Michael Pineda

Cedar Rapids vs. Peoria (6:35 CST) – RHP Blayne Enlow (2-5, 3.53 ERA)

Elizabethton @ Bluefield (6:05 PM CST) – RHP Tyler Palm (2-1, 4.63 ERA)

GCL Twins @ GCL Orioles (11:00AM CST) – TBD

Please feel free to ask any questions about Wednesday’s games.

 

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[nater79a]

Oooh...think I'd have to go with Graterol edging out Thorpe for pitcher of the day, but that's just me.

[FormerMinnasotan]

I am pleased to see Thorpe having a strong start in his AAA debut. The fact he pitched into the 7th and had 100 pitches (71 strikes) is awesome given how many innings he has pitched this year and he still looks strong!

 

Graterol was flat out dominant! It’s awesome seeing him improve in Ft Myers like he has. I’m still thinking Graterol will start next year in Ft Myers given he has yet to post dominant stats in Ft Myers. But I think he’ll be in Chattanooga by early June next year AT THE LATEST.

[nater79a]

Okay, here's my take on the playoff possibilities of all the Twins affiliates.  Correct me if I'm wrong on anything...

 

First, the top two affiliates  - Rochester and Chattanooga - appear to be out of luck for a post-season appearance this year.

 

In High-A,  the Miracle pulled to within a half game of the FSL South second half leaders Charlotte Stone Crabs with a win this evening.  Can take over 1st place with a win tomorrow (Thursday).

 

In Low-A, the Kernels remain in a virtual first place tie with the Peoria Chiefs after the suspended game.

Correction:

Quad Cities and Peoria qualified for the MWL West playoffs in the first half.  The Kernels currently lead the Beloit Snappers by 2 games, the Kane County Cougars by 4 games and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers by 4.5 games.  The top two teams of these four will make the playoffs for the second half.

 

In Appy Rookie Ball, the Elizabethton Twins are 5.5 games clear of the third place Bristol Pirates for a playoff spot.  The Twins   and 2nd place Kingsport Mets (2.5 GB) would make the playoffs if the season ended today.

 

The GCL Twins find themselves 1 game back of the GCL Red Sox for the GCL South title.

 

Sound about right?

 

 

[Danchat]

This Thorpe guy looks like he could be something special. I'm impressed with his numbers at AA, especially the number of strikeouts he's gotten. At his age and level of experience, I think he'll need plenty of seasoning in AAA. You could also say that about a lot of other Twins starters who are on the fringe.

 

I'm going to repost my list of 2019 Twins starters in the current pipeline ranked by arbitrary starter "numbers".

 

#1: None

#2: Berrios, Romero

#3: Gibson (up from #4), Thorpe (new)

#4: Odorizzi, Littell, Pineda, Gonsalves (down from #3),

#5: Mejia, Stewart (new)

AAAA: Slegers, others

 

I really like the depth here. I'm so very glad we can be done with the likes of P. J. Walters, Cole DeVries, Adam Wilk, and Tim Melville. 

 

There's a lot of talent that could use MLB auditions like Gonsalves, Littell, Romero, and Mejia's out of options next year. I don't feel like all of these guys are going to get their chances... perhaps we could see one or two packaged in a trade along with other prospects over the offseason? 

[TheLeviathan]

Atta boy Thorpe!

[carlito_b]

ive been on the thorpe bandwagon for years but at this point with what hes doing and where hes at in the minors he is a top ten prospect in my personal top five.. the injury concerns are no longer a valid reason to have him so low imo.. he had tj just like graterol and romero

[Han Joelo]

I continue to be wearing my rosey sunglasses with this group of minor leaguers.  Kirilloff is just killing it.  Thorpe and Graterol fulfilling their potential.  Most excellent.

[Guest]

 

Okay, here's my take on the playoff possibilities of all the Twins affiliates.  Correct me if I'm wrong on anything...

 

First, the top two affiliates  - Rochester and Chattanooga - appear to be out of luck for a post-season appearance this year.

 

In High-A,  the Miracle pulled to within a half game of the FSL South second half leaders Charlotte Stone Crabs with a win this evening.  Can take over 1st place with a win tomorrow (Thursday).

 

In Low-A, the Kernels remain in a virtual first place tie with the Peoria Chiefs after the suspended game.

 

In Appy Rookie Ball, the Elizabethton Twins are 5.5 games clear of the third place Bristol Pirates for a playoff spot.  The Twins   and 2nd place Kingsport Mets (2.5 GB) would make the playoffs if the season ended today.

 

The GCL Twins find themselves 1 game back of the GCL Red Sox for the GCL South title.

 

Sound about right?

Just a note concerning the MWL (low-A) playoffs:

 

When you look at the current 2nd half standings, you can just disregard Peoria and Quad Cities, since they qualified in the season's first half.

 

The Kernels currently lead Beloit by 2.5 games and Kane County & Wisconsin by 4.5 games. CR just needs to finish in the top 2 spots among those teams to qualify for the postseason. They have 19 games remaining.

[curt1965]

ive been on the thorpe bandwagon for years but at this point with what hes doing and where hes at in the minors he is a top ten prospect in my personal top five.. the injury concerns are no longer a valid reason to have him so low imo.. he had tj just like graterol and romero

I’ve been on the Gonsalves bandwagon for years, but at this point all that it’s got me is .................admiration for his persistence!

[nater79a]

 

Just a note concerning the MWL (low-A) playoffs:

 

When you look at the current 2nd half standings, you can just disregard Peoria and Quad Cities, since they qualified in the season's first half.

 

The Kernels currently lead Beloit by 2.5 games and Kane County & Wisconsin by 4.5 games. CR just needs to finish in the top 2 spots among those teams to qualify for the postseason. They have 19 games remaining.

 

Thanks for the correction!

Didn't look deep enough at the MWL playoff procedures.  Eight teams make the playoffs not four

[GameDay]

Ok, Kiriloff with another run of the mill night going 4-4. Would love to see him in the Arizona Fall League and he really should be starting the 2019 season in Chattanooga. 

[rdehring]

You all know that I too am on the Thorpe bandwagon.  It started for me back when he was 16 (or was it 17) and pitching in the Australian Winter League.  Remember checking his stats every game he started.  If memory serves, he had the second best ERA in the league up until the last game or two of the winter when he had a couple normal starts.  And all the other numbers, K, BB, WHIP supported his excellent ERA.

 

Was Seth psychic the other day with his post on the 2016 draft.  Very good night for Miranda and Rortvedt along with AK's monster.  And the #11 pick is also settling in very nicely, Tyler Benninghoff.  That pick was the type of move that really good organizations make, great to start seeing the results after his TJ rehab.

[brvama]

And the winning number is three!

Some excellent performances. Keeps the hope alive.

[diehardtwinsfan]

The only reason Thorpe didn't get pushed to Etown as a 17 year old was that he was completing high school... think about that. 

 

He was a very good prospect and had 2 years off. It's not surprising that he's regaining that form. Hoping that continues. He could be a very good ML pitcher for a long time. 

[mikelink45]

Has Advocate formerly promotions I'd like to see kirilloff and get some major league at-bats in September. And I really am tired of seeing Gonsalves get left behind without a chance to show what he really has.

[Elliot]

Late season promotions at the AA or AAA level often have to do with playoffs. Apparently not an issue this year, other than maybe preventing promotions from high A to AA. The big issue now will probably deal with offseason status in regards to 40 man roster, rule 5 draft eligibility, and minor league free agent standing. Moves like Kohl Stewart over Stephen Gonsalves are less about who deserves the promotion and more about a prospects future. Gonsalves is not going anywhere unless it is part of a trade. He is on the 40 man and not a milb FA. Stewart was rule 5 eligible last year but had not shown enough to be selected. Probably not the case this year. They need to find out what the have with him.

Don’t count on seeing anyone brought up for a September look if they are not already on the 40 man or have to be added this winter. Also be aware that they starting of the major league clock is a big issue as well. As much as I would like to see what Lewis, Rooker, or Kirilloff could do against MLB pitching, it is not going to happen. As painful as it will be to watch Stewart, Slegers, Enns, Littel ... take their lumps, it is proabably the smart route for those that need to make offseason decisions.

[Loosey]

My goodness!  Where would Kiriloff be if he hadn't missed ALL of last season?  Would he be in Minnesota right now, AAA?

 

Kid is downright an excellent hitter.  I can't wait to see how he continues to develop.

[Steve Lein]

Interesting fun with numbers comparison. In their MiLB careers:

 

Pitcher A (23 years old):  377.0 IP, 2.94 ERA, 2.8 BB/9IP, 8.3 K/9IP, 1.17 WHIP

 

Pitcher B (22 years old): 313.0IP, 3.19 ERA, 3.0 BB/9IP, 10.8 K/9IP, 1.21 WHIP

 

Pitcher C (24 years old): 591.2 IP, 2.77 ERA, 2.5 BB/9IP, 9.6 K/9IP, 1.08 WHIP

 

Pitcher D (24 years old): 599.0 IP, 2.46 ERA, 3.6 BB/9IP, 9.5 K/9IP, 1.10 WHIP

 

.......................

 

Pitcher C is Jose Berrios and pitcher A is Fernando Romero.

 

Stephen Gonsalves is pitcher D.

 

Lewis Thorpe is pitcher B.

 

There's a nice future here in my opinion, and I'd probably project them as a rotation like this:

 

-Staff Ace: Jose Berrios

-#2 Starter: Lewis Thorpe

-#3 Starter: Fernando Romero

-#4 Starter: Stephen Gonsalves

[clutterheart]

Id like Kirilloff to stay at FM and play some 1B. As he moves up, he will need versatility because Rooker isn't going away and I am not thrilled about dumping Kepler.

 

If Kirilloff and Rooker stay hot next year it will be interesting to see what happens next year.

 

Not a bad problem to have...

[jmlease1]

 

Ok, Kiriloff with another run of the mill night going 4-4. Would love to see him in the Arizona Fall League and he really should be starting the 2019 season in Chattanooga. 

 

I think both things are pretty much a lock. Only thing that will keep him out of the AFL is the team deciding he needs a break after playing a full season coming off a significant injury. And he's definitely not going back to Ft. Myers after the way he's torn the cover off the ball. Next year will be a good test for him, facing pitchers that should have a more refined approach.

[ThejacKmp]

 

Id like Kirilloff to stay at FM and play some 1B. As he moves up, he will need versatility because Rooker isn't going away and I am not thrilled about dumping Kepler.

If Kirilloff and Rooker stay hot next year it will be interesting to see what happens next year.

Not a bad problem to have...

 

Sometimes I wish we were an NL team. They do such a good job of having guys who can play multiple positions. Look at the Cubs. Bryant can play OF and 3B, Baez plays all three IF positions, Bote plays 2B and 3B, La Stella plays 2B and 3B, etc. The Twins never seem to do that. Rosario's cameo shows he's probably capable of playing a bit of IF, it would be nice to see the Twins pursue that more assiduously in the minors

[rdehring]

 

Interesting fun with numbers comparison. In their MiLB careers:

 

Pitcher A (23 years old):  377.0 IP, 2.94 ERA, 2.8 BB/9IP, 8.3 K/9IP, 1.17 WHIP

 

Pitcher B (22 years old): 313.0IP, 3.19 ERA, 3.0 BB/9IP, 10.8 K/9IP, 1.21 WHIP

 

Pitcher C (24 years old): 591.2 IP, 2.77 ERA, 2.5 BB/9IP, 9.6 K/9IP, 1.08 WHIP

 

Pitcher D (24 years old): 599.0 IP, 2.46 ERA, 3.6 BB/9IP, 9.5 K/9IP, 1.10 WHIP

 

.......................

 

Pitcher C is Jose Berrios and pitcher A is Fernando Romero.

 

Stephen Gonsalves is pitcher D.

 

Lewis Thorpe is pitcher B.

 

There's a nice future here in my opinion, and I'd probably project them as a rotation like this:

 

-Staff Ace: Jose Berrios

-#2 Starter: Lewis Thorpe

-#3 Starter: Fernando Romero

-#4 Starter: Stephen Gonsalves

And when you consider that Thorpe lost two full years of development, his future is very bright!

[twinstalker]

I highly doubt Romero is going to be a #2 starter in the big leagues. He's an Andrew Miller-like reliever waiting to happen, and I wouldn't even mess around with the starter thing. He could be dominant for the next six years in that role prior to free agency. Romero lacks fastball command (always has) and certainly lacks an MLB changeup. He certainly needs to improve command (possible) for whatever role, but we do not need to waste years trying to get him to develop a changeup only to figure out it's never going to get there. High leverage the hell out of him in late innings.

[caninatl04]

"Ben Rortvedt drove in Alex Kirilloff".

 

Now there's a sentence I'd like to read for the next ten years!

[caninatl04]

 

Okay, here's my take on the playoff possibilities of all the Twins affiliates.  Correct me if I'm wrong on anything...

 

First, the top two affiliates  - Rochester and Chattanooga - appear to be out of luck for a post-season appearance this year.

 

In High-A,  the Miracle pulled to within a half game of the FSL South second half leaders Charlotte Stone Crabs with a win this evening.  Can take over 1st place with a win tomorrow (Thursday).

 

In Low-A, the Kernels remain in a virtual first place tie with the Peoria Chiefs after the suspended game.

Correction:

Quad Cities and Peoria qualified for the MWL West playoffs in the first half.  The Kernels currently lead the Beloit Snappers by 2 games, the Kane County Cougars by 4 games and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers by 4.5 games.  The top two teams of these four will make the playoffs for the second half.

 

In Appy Rookie Ball, the Elizabethton Twins are 5.5 games clear of the third place Bristol Pirates for a playoff spot.  The Twins   and 2nd place Kingsport Mets (2.5 GB) would make the playoffs if the season ended today.

 

The GCL Twins find themselves 1 game back of the GCL Red Sox for the GCL South title.

 

Sound about right?

So, might we expect all 15 players who are on the 40 man but not currently on the 25 man MLB roster to be called up by September 8th?

[howieramone2]

 

This Thorpe guy looks like he could be something special. I'm impressed with his numbers at AA, especially the number of strikeouts he's gotten. At his age and level of experience, I think he'll need plenty of seasoning in AAA. You could also say that about a lot of other Twins starters who are on the fringe.

 

I'm going to repost my list of 2019 Twins starters in the current pipeline ranked by arbitrary starter "numbers".

 

#1: None

#2: Berrios, Romero

#3: Gibson (up from #4), Thorpe (new)

#4: Odorizzi, Littell, Pineda, Gonsalves (down from #3),

#5: Mejia, Stewart (new)

AAAA: Slegers, others

 

I really like the depth here. I'm so very glad we can be done with the likes of P. J. Walters, Cole DeVries, Adam Wilk, and Tim Melville. 

 

There's a lot of talent that could use MLB auditions like Gonsalves, Littell, Romero, and Mejia's out of options next year. I don't feel like all of these guys are going to get their chances... perhaps we could see one or two packaged in a trade along with other prospects over the offseason? 

Pineda is at worst a 3.

[howieramone2]

 

I highly doubt Romero is going to be a #2 starter in the big leagues. He's an Andrew Miller-like reliever waiting to happen, and I wouldn't even mess around with the starter thing. He could be dominant for the next six years in that role prior to free agency. Romero lacks fastball command (always has) and certainly lacks an MLB changeup. He certainly needs to improve command (possible) for whatever role, but we do not need to waste years trying to get him to develop a changeup only to figure out it's never going to get there. High leverage the hell out of him in late innings.

Nope, he's a starting pitcher until he isn't.

[Danchat]

 

Pineda is at worst a 3.

I certainly don't see that in his stats from 2015-17 (4.56 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 9.6 H/9, 1.4 HR/9) plus he's also coming off of Tommy John surgery, which can take a full year after rehab to gain top form. I think he's a 3 at best.