Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/6): Kirilloff Cranks, Wrong End of a No-No

[Cody Christie]

The Miracle nearly had a no-hitter on Sunday and now the Kernels find themselves on the wrong side of a contest on Monday. Minor league contests are tough when it comes to strong pitching performances. How long can a starter last? How close can a club get to history?

 

One team was able to make that happen on Monday night.TRANSACTIONS

INF Ronald Torreyes placed on the temporary inactive list, retroactive to May 4.

RHP Tom Hackimer promoted from Fort Myers to Pensacola.

RHP Edwar Colina reinstated from 7-day IL for Fort Myers.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester enjoyed an off-day on Monday. The club currently sits at 12-16 before starting a three-game series with the Toledo Mud Hens. Rochester is currently 6.5 games behind Lehigh Valley. The club has a sub-.500 record at home and on the road. Brent Rooker could be one of the hitters to provide a boost in Rochester. Other than that, there might continue to be some struggles for Minnesota’s Triple-A squad.

 

BLUE WAHOO BITES

Pensacola 6, Mississippi 2

Box Score

Pensacola used a five-run seventh inning to separate themselves from the Braves. Alex Kirilloff got things started for the Blue Wahoos with a run-scoring triple in the third frame. Tanner English got the scoring started in the seventh with a two-run double. Jordan Gore follow with a run-scoring single before Kirilloff drove him in with a single of his own. Kirilloff was able to score on fielding error.

 

Sean Poppen started and lasted five frames. He scattered two runs on three hits, but he struggled with five walks. He was able to punch out seven batters and he lowered his season ERA to 2.84. Jeff Ames took over for Poppen. He pitched 1 2/3 innings and allowed one run on three hits. He struck out one and walked one.

 

Cody Stashak continued to be tremendous in relief. He pitched 2 1/3 perfect innings by striking out three. He’s allowed only one run in his last five appearances while striking out 14 in 9 1/3 innings of work.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 1, Charlotte 6

Box Score

Fort Myers had won five straight games, but the club struggled to find any offense on this night. Especially when their opponent scored six runs in the first four innings. In his first appearance this season, Edwar Colina struggled. Colina allowed six earned runs on eight hits in less than five innings of work. He struck out five and walked three. He was making his first appearance since the Florida State League clinching game last September.

 

Rickey Ramirez did a great job in relief as he tossed 2 1/3 innings of shutout ball. He retired all seven batters he faced, and he struck out six, including the last five batters he saw. Joe Record also picked up the pitching staff with one perfect inning. He didn’t allow a hit and he struck out one. Overall, the pitching staff struck out 12 in eight innings of work.

 

Fort Myers nearly matched Charlotte in hits (7 to 8) but the club couldn’t come up with the big one. Jose Miranda tried his best with a 3-for-4 night including his seventh double. He had three of the club’s four hits against the opposing starter. Royce Lewis collected his second triple. Overall, the club was 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and the team left eight men on base.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 0, South Bend 2

Box Score

Cedar Rapids could literally muster nothing when it came to the offensive side of the ball. The Kernels found themselves on the wrong side of a no-hitter on Monday. Cedar Rapids had one base runner the entire night. Andrew Bechtold was able to break up the perfect game with a walk. Other than that, there was little to discuss on the offensive side of the ball.

 

Josh Winder did all he could to keep Cedar Rapids in the game. He pitched a complete game, the first of his career, and limited the Cubs to two runs on three hits. He struck out six and walked two. Winder has pitched a minimum of five innings in every start and he has yet to surrender more than two earned runs.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

TD Pitcher of the Day- Josh Winder, Cedar Rapids (8 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 6 K, 2 BB)

TD Hitter of the Day- Alex Kirilloff, Pensacola (3-5, 3B, 2 RBI, R)

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) – 1-4, 3B

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) – 3-5, 3B, 2 RBI, R

#3 - Brusdar Graterol (Pensacola) – Did not pitch

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Ft. Myers) – 0-3, BB, 2 K

#5 - Wander Javier (EST) - No Game

#6 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) – No Scheduled Game

#7 - Jhoan Duran (Ft. Myers) – Did not pitch

#8 - Lewis Thorpe (Rochester) – No Scheduled Game

#9 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – Did not pitch

#10 - Akil Baddoo (Ft. Myers) – 0-5, 4 K

#11 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - No Game Scheduled

#12 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) - Injured List

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Ft. Myers) – 1-4, RBI, R, K

#14 - Ben Rortvedt (Ft. Myers) – 2-4, 2B

#15 - Yunior Severino (Cedar Rapids) – Injured List

#16 - Gilberto Celestino (Cedar Rapids) – 0-3

#17 - Zack Littell (Rochester) – No Scheduled Game

#18 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) – No Scheduled Game

#19 - Jorge Alcala (Pensacola) – Did not pitch

#20 - Jose Miranda (Ft. Myers) – 3-4, 2B, R, K

 

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester vs. Toledo (5:35 CST) – RHP Kohl Stewart (2-2, 4.50 ERA)

Pensacola @ Mississippi (6:35 CST) – RHP Jorge Alcala (4-1, 4.71 ERA)

Fort Myers @ Charlotte (5:30 CST) – LHP Bryan Sammons (3-0, 0.40 ERA)

Cedar Rapids @ South Bend (6:05 CST) – RHP Luis Rijo (0-3, 3.43 ERA)

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Monday’s games.

 

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[carlito_b]

Kiriloff will be at first base for the twins by August

[Aerodeliria]

 

Kiriloff will be at first base for the twins by August

 

Let's hope!

[beckmt]

 

Kiriloff will be at first base for the twins by August

Are you discounting Sano??

[MikeW]

The player at AAA that’s advancing is Luke Raley (OF/1B) with a .275 average including 5 home runs. He’s been on a tear lately.

 

The talent pipeline is starting to blossom at AA and AAA levels. While I like the potential Rocker provides, don’t sleep on Raley.

 

Another return from the Dodgers for Dozier trade is Devin Smeltzer. He just advanced to AAA after carrying a .060 ERA at AA Pensacola

[h2oface]

All Alex Kirilloff (one r, two Ls, and two Fs) does is HIT! Doesn't matter when, doesn't matter where. He just hits. Hell, he is already 21...... he's getting old. Time to get him up here! We had a Killer on the team once, how about a Kiriller?

[rdehring]

Kirilloff goes 0 for 3 in his first game off the IL, then 7 for 15 in his last four games.  One game to shake off the rust and he is back to mid-season form.  Is this kid too good to be real?

 

Don't understand all of you calling for him to be at first base for the Twins this summer.  Cron has played excellent defense and is on track for another 25-30 home run season.  His average isn't all that high, but he has done a good job.  The spot I see for Kirilloff, hopefully by late summer, is as a rotational first baseman and fourth outfielder.  Giving four players rest should get Kirilloff nearly a full-time job.

 

You missed mentioning Rortvedt in the write-up, Cody.  He had another multi-hit night with a double.  Also like what I have been seeing from Josh Winder this spring.  May be someone to keep an eye on.

[Dman]

Was not initially a believer in Poppen but he is starting to change my mind.  He has a nice K rate and has continued to produce as he has advanced.  I thought he was known as a pitcher with good control but the only issue I have with him right now is his WHIP which seems to mainly be influenced by the walks he has given up.  14 of them in 19 innings.  So is he effectively wild or does he really have swing and miss stuff?  I guess time will tell but he won't make it to MLB with a WHIP that high so at some point he is going to have to gain better control.  At any rate he seems like a player to watch right now.

[dwood627]

 

Don't understand all of you calling for him to be at first base for the Twins this summer.  Cron has played excellent defense and is on track for another 25-30 home run season.  His average isn't all that high, but he has done a good job.  The spot I see for Kirilloff, hopefully by late summer, is as a rotational first baseman and fourth outfielder.  Giving four players rest should get Kirilloff nearly a full-time job.

I don't agree with bringing Kiriloff up as a rotational player. He needs regular at bats at a regular position. Keep it simple, wait until September call ups unless there is an injury or somebody is struggling for him to replace.

[clutterheart]

4 K's for Baddoo. Yikes

Why do they keep leading him off?It can't be great for Lewis to be batting behind an instant out. He needs a change, and a change of approach.

[gunnarthor]

Currently, the Twins minor leagues have given us a few pleasant surprises (Balozavic, Rortvedt, Jeffers, Arreaz) but a lot of injuries (Javier, Kiriloff, Gordon, Gonsalves, Severino) and some rough starts (Larnich .682 OPS in, Rooker .269 OBP, Thorpe 8.19 era, Enlow 6.94 era, Baddoo .198 avg, Celestino .458 OPS) among our top 20 prospects.

 

I'm still a believer in most of our struggling guys but Enlow is a head scratcher. He's never looked good. I think Kiriloff is going to be a Mauer-like bat for us for a decade. Maybe a few more homers but huge avg/obp guy. Really nice to see him hitting and taking walks in AA.

 

 

[rdehring]

 

I don't agree with bringing Kiriloff up as a rotational player. He needs regular at bats at a regular position. Keep it simple, wait until September call ups unless there is an injury or somebody is struggling for him to replace.

There isn't a spot for him in this outfield, this year and probably beyond.  So his position with the Twins will be first base.  As long as Cron is playing as good as he is, he isn't going to be permanently benched.  

 

But remember Jason Kubel, who was hitting like this in the minors and the Twins got him up before September so he would be available in the playoffs.  See something similar happening with Kirilloff as we get into August.

 

But like most of you, I see a bat the Twins should get into their lineup before the end of August.  So unless an injury opens a spot, the only way that is going to happen is something like I described.  And yes, I agree he needs to have regular at bats, which this arrangement would get him. 

[caninatl04]

Who is Jeff Ames?  He's not in the 2019 Prospect Handbook.

[gunnarthor]

Right now, CJ Cron is posting a 81 OPS+. He's not getting it done. His defense is good but he's not going to stop the Twins from bringing up an uber-prospect, much like Dougie Baseball didn't stop us from bringing up Morneau.

[carlito_b]

Cj cron is batting 206 with three errors at first base. You can't seriously think the twins would block a top ten prospect in Baseball for that production.

[PDX Twin]

You didn't mention that Sr. Sano was 0-5 with 2 Ks. Average is now at .091.

[segagenesisgenius]

 

You didn't mention that Sr. Sano was 0-5 with 2 Ks. Average is now at .091.

 

While true, that only includes his 3 games at AA.  Include his 2 games at high A, and his 2019 average is .313.  Obviously, competition at AA is better than high A, but generally we shouldn't read too much into Sano's stat line after 3 games.  Heck, if he goes 2 for 3 for the next two games (e.g., he does fine, but not outstanding), his batting average will be up to .294.  He is neither out of the woods nor up the river without a paddle.  Too early to tell. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Who is Jeff Ames?  He's not in the 2019 Prospect Handbook.

 

He was signed as a minor league free agent. We have never included those signings in the handbook... often they happen after we publish. 

[Cap'n Piranha]

 

Right now, CJ Cron is posting a 81 OPS+. He's not getting it done. His defense is good but he's not going to stop the Twins from bringing up an uber-prospect, much like Dougie Baseball didn't stop us from bringing up Morneau.

 

He also has a .200 babip, well below his career norm of .291.  Give him 9 more hits on the year, and all of the sudden he's batting .294 with a .351 OBP and at worst a .500 SLG (assuming all 9 hits are singles.  Since Cron averages 2 bases per hit, his SLG would more likely be .526).  This puts him at an OPS in the .850 to .875 range, which puts him in the mid 40's to mid-50's in the league (somewhere between Yoan Moncada and Kris Bryant), and in the top half of first basemen.

 

That being said, he is making less hard contact, and more soft contact, which suggests a lower babip might not be an outlier.  I'm in favor of upgrading our first base spot, but it's still possible the upgrade is simply Cron progressing to the mean.

[puckstopper1]

The Prospect Summary has Gordon on the Injured List.   Is that a typo or did he get hurt again?

[puckstopper1]

 

While true, that only includes his 3 games at AA.  Include his 2 games at high A, and his 2019 average is .313.  Obviously, competition at AA is better than high A, but generally we shouldn't read too much into Sano's stat line after 3 games.  Heck, if he goes 2 for 3 for the next two games (e.g., he does fine, but not outstanding), his batting average will be up to .294.  He is neither out of the woods nor up the river without a paddle.  Too early to tell. 

 

I hope you are right Sega, but 6 whiffs in 16 plate appearances against inferior arms is very disconcerting.

[cmoss84]

Does Kiriloff's service time come into play for this year, and if so, what is the date we can bring him up? 

[Mr. Brooks]

Does Kiriloff's service time come into play for this year, and if so, what is the date we can bring him up?

It's already late enough to gain a 7th year of team control.

Waiting until a week into June would avoid Super 2 status.

[Mr. Brooks]

Kirilloff goes 0 for 3 in his first game off the IL, then 7 for 15 in his last four games. One game to shake off the rust and he is back to mid-season form. Is this kid too good to be real?

 

Don't understand all of you calling for him to be at first base for the Twins this summer. Cron has played excellent defense and is on track for another 25-30 home run season. His average isn't all that high, but he has done a good job. The spot I see for Kirilloff, hopefully by late summer, is as a rotational first baseman and fourth outfielder. Giving four players rest should get Kirilloff nearly a full-time job.

 

You missed mentioning Rortvedt in the write-up, Cody. He had another multi-hit night with a double. Also like what I have been seeing from Josh Winder this spring. May be someone to keep an eye on.

CJ Cron's batting line would be bad for a utility infielder. For a starting first baseman, it's terrible.

[Darius]

I’ve never been more convinced that a player could stroll into a major league clubhouse and yield positive results than with Kiriloff. The more time passes, the more I believe he could’ve done that from day 1. He’s a natural.

 

I don’t really buy that you can’t find a spot for him. Between days off in the outfield, first base, and DH, there would be plenty of at-bats to be had in place of Cave/Adrianza and in some cases Gonzalez/Garver/Astudillo. I’m fine with that upgrade across the Board (unless you believe Garver and Astudillo with continue being the bash brothers).

 

He could be a real game changer down the stretch, and really set this lineup over the top. Kepler, Polanco, Cruz, Rosario, Sano, Schoop, Buxton, Kiriloff, Garver (not necessarily in that order) is scary. He also adds another solid lefty to balance things out.

 

I’m fine keeping him down for a couple more months to maximize ABs. But, if he keeps this up, get him up in July/August and get him accustomed to big league pitching before September.

[Mr. Brooks]

I’ve never been more convinced that a player could stroll into a major league clubhouse and yield positive results than with Kiriloff. The more time passes, the more I believe he could’ve done that from day 1. He’s a natural.

 

I don’t really buy that you can’t find a spot for him. Between days off in the outfield, first base, and DH, there would be plenty of at-bats to be had in place of Cave/Adrianza and in some cases Gonzalez/Garver/Astudillo. I’m fine with that upgrade across the Board (unless you believe Garver and Astudillo with continue being the bash brothers).

 

He could be a real game changer down the stretch, and really set this lineup over the top. Kepler, Polanco, Cruz, Rosario, Sano, Schoop, Buxton, Kiriloff, Garver (not necessarily in that order) is scary. He also adds another solid lefty to balance things out.

 

I’m fine keeping him down for a couple more months to maximize ABs. But, if he keeps this up, get him up in July/August and get him accustomed to big league pitching before September.

No need to get so creative. We have a starting first baseman just barely scraping replacement level.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Just last summer, the front office scoffed at the idea of even promoting Kirilloff up to AA.

 

So, I'm not sure what makes people think Kirilloff should be promoted to MLB soon. Give the kid as much time as he needs.

 

...got link http://twinsdaily.com/articles.html/_/minnesota-twins-news/twins-minor-league-report-830-big-names-go-yard-relievers-lock-it-up-r7182

comment #5/6

Edited May 7, 2019 by Hosken Bombo Disco

[Mike Sixel]

I don't agree with bringing Kiriloff up as a rotational player. He needs regular at bats at a regular position. Keep it simple, wait until September call ups unless there is an injury or somebody is struggling for him to replace.

Why does he need regular at bats, if he can help the team this year?

[Major League Ready]

 

I’ve never been more convinced that a player could stroll into a major league clubhouse and yield positive results than with Kiriloff. The more time passes, the more I believe he could’ve done that from day 1. He’s a natural.

 

 

So is Guerrero Jr. and the expectation for him is instant success. Of course, he is just getting started but his wRC+ so far is 22.

[cmoss84]

 

It's already late enough to gain a 7th year of team control.
Waiting until a week into June would avoid Super 2 status.

If he is hitting .330+ by the time early June rolls around, you have to bring him up. Even if he plays 2 out of every 3 games, either at 1B or OF, he makes a nice impact. 

 

This might be the perfect situation for it. He can help the Twins make a playoff push, while not being thrown into the fire all together. With so much depth, they can pick and choose when and where to play him and keep everyone fresh.