Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/7): Larnach Lift-Off

[Steve Lein]

Minnesota Twins affiliates combined to go an even 2-2 on Tuesday night, with one of those losses coming in the form of a walk-off home run in Mississippi. Miguel Sano continued his strong rehab work with a three-hit night, while a top hitting prospect in the Florida State League launched his first home run(s) of the year.

 

Keep reading to find out how everything went down on Tuesday in the Twins farm system!TRANSACTIONS

• Twins reliever Addison Reed was sent on rehab assignment with the Rochester Red Wings and made his season debut in their game.

RED WINGS REPORT

Toledo 10, Rochester 5

Box Score

 

Righthander Kohl Stewart got the start for the Red Wings, and although he gave up a run in the top of the first, he also struck out the last four batters he faced, and five total. That’s notable, as he only went the first two innings, which begs the question if he’ll be in line on Saturday for the Twins with a doubleheader on the schedule. 26 of his 39 pitches went for strikes, and he coaxed five swinging strikes.

 

Rochester took the lead in the second inning as Jordany Valdespin clubbed his third home run of the year, a two-run shot and that was followed in the third by an RBI single from Wilin Rosario to give them a 3-1 lead.

 

After Stewart was done, it was the 2019 debut for reliever Addison Reed to kick off his rehab assignment and he pitched a scoreless inning, walking one and striking out one. Ryan Eades then got the fourth inning and it went poorly, as he allowed three runs on five hits and a walk, raising his ERA to 8.47 on the year and ending up taking the loss. Jake Reed didn’t fare much better in the fifth and sixth as he surrendered four runs on three hits and three walks in 1 2/3 innings bringing his ERA to 6.75. Lefty Gabriel Moya came on in the seventh with two outs and the bases loaded but followed two of J-Reed’s walks with two of his own to allow a couple of those inherited runners to score. Back out for the seventh Moya was better, setting down the Mudhens hitters one-two-three including the first two via K’s. Preston Guilmet finished the final two innings, allowing two runs on four hits for Toledo’s final tally of 10 runs on the game. He struck out three.

 

The Red Wings offense got within three of the Mudhens in the seventh inning, as Luke Raley and Brent Rooker each delivered their sixth home run of the year in back-to-back fashion, but the team went quiet from there and they fall to 12-17 on the season. Nick Gordon finished the game 2-for-4 and Raley 2-for-5 for the only multi-hit efforts. Gordon and Drew Maggi each stole two bases.

 

 

BLUE WAHOOS BITES

Pensacola 3, Mississippi 5

Box Score

 

Pensacola jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the top of the second inning thanks to a Miguel Sano RBI-sac fly in the first, and a run scoring ground ball in the second off the bat of Taylor Grzelakowski.

 

It wouldn’t last though, as starter Jorge Alcala allowed a run in the second and two more in the third to put his team behind 3-2. Alcala settled in from there though, finishing with just those three runs allowed on eight hits and a walk in his five innings while striking out three.

 

In the top of the fifth his lineup tied the game back up at three thanks to a sacrifice fly from Travis Blankenhorn that scored Alex Kirilloff, who had led off the inning with a walk and reached third on a Sano double, but that would be it for the good guys the rest of the game. Sano finished 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles while Jaylin Davis also added two hits and two walks. As a team the Blue Wahoos were 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position, so it wasn’t like they lacked opportunities, they just weren’t able to cash them in with a big hit.

 

After Alcala left the game, Adam Bray went three scoreless innings, retiring seven men in a row to end his outing and striking out four in the process. Coach Ramon Borrego went to Alex Phillips with the score tied at three in the ninth, and the leadoff man was able to draw a walk after a foul pop-up was dropped by catcher Caleb Hamilton. Two batters later the Braves walked it off in dramatic fashion with a two-run homer.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 9, Charlotte 7

Box Score

 

The Miracle lineup got on the board early and often in this one, thanks to home runs off the bats of Trevor Larnach (his first HR of the year) and Lewin Diaz (his second). Those blasts made it 3-0 after the top half of the first, and they added two more in the second inning thanks to a couple of errors and the rare RBI-sacrifice-fly-double-play (can’t say I ever recorded one of those in a scorebook).

 

Starter Bryan Sammons, who carried a 0.40 ERA into the game, went five innings and despite allowing four runs, only raised his ERA to 0.66 as three of those runs were of the unearned variety after consecutive errors from third baseman Ryan Costello in the second inning. Sammons improved to 4-0 on the season with his effort that included ten strikeouts, a new career high for the lefthander.

 

With the score 5-4 in favor of Fort Myers heading into the seventh inning, Larnach added some needed insurance with his second home run of the game, this one a three-run shot.

 

After Sammons exited after five, Hector Lujan delivered two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out two. Johan Quezada came on for the eighth and ran into some trouble, allowing three runs (two earned) on three singles and a throwing error from Royce Lewis.

 

Akil Baddoo added an RBI single in the eighth to make it 9-7 for the Miracle before Charlotte’s last chance. Quezada came out to start the inning and gave up a leadoff single before getting the next two hitters out, but another single brought the winning run to the batter’s box and Calvin Faucher was brought in to get the final out. He struck out his man to end the game and pick up his first save of the year, while Quezada ended his day with 1 2/3 innings with two K’s.

 

The offense was led by Larnach who finished 3-for-5 with the two home runs and four RBIs, but Baddoo (2-for-4, 2 RBI, K), Lewis (2-for-5, R, K), Diaz (2-for-5, R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), and Trey Cabbage (2-for-5, 2 R) also provided multiple hits on the game.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 8, South Bend 5

Box Score

 

The offense for the Kernels popped early and late in this one to secure a victory against the Cubs, but in between it was closely contested.

 

They took an early lead by putting up four runs in the top of the second thanks to a pair of sacrifice flies and multiple errors from the South Bend defense. Starting pitcher Luis Rijo gave them all back in the third but managed to finish 5 2/3 innings. He allowed four earned runs on six hits and a walk, striking out three. 62 of his 92 pitches went for strikes in the outing. Brian Rapp got the final out of the sixth and came back out for the seventh, but when it was done he was charged with a blown save as the Cubs tied it back up at five.

 

Luckily for Rapp, he also got the win as in the top of the eighth Gilberto Celestino delivered a two-run bases loaded single to take back the lead, and a wild pitch would allow another insurance run to score for the final score of 8-5.

 

Derek Molina closed out the game with two perfect innings, striking out one and picking up his third save.

 

Outfielder Jacob Pearson finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and a walk, and while nobody else got multiple hits on the day, they did record 10 walks as a team and finished 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day – Bryan Sammons, Fort Myers Miracle (5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 10 K)

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day – Trevor Larnach, Fort Myers Miracle (3-for-5, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI)

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

 

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) - 2-for-5, R, K

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) - 1-for-4, R, BB, K

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

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Ft. Myers) - 3-for-5, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI

#5 - Wander Javier (EST) - No Game

#6 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) - 1-for-4, R, HR, RBI, BB, K

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

#8 - Lewis Thorpe (Rochester) - Did not pitch

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

#10 - Akil Baddoo (Ft. Myers) - 2-for-4, 2 RBI, K, SB

#11 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - 2-for-4, 2B, BB, K, 2 SB

#12 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) - Injured list

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Ft. Myers) - 1-for-5, 3 K

#14 - Ben Rortvedt (Ft. Myers) - 1-for-5, R, 2B, 3 K

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

#16 - Gilberto Celestino (Cedar Rapids) - 1-for-4, 2 RBI, BB

#17 - Zack Littell (Rochester) - Did not pitch

#18 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) - 1-for-4, R, 2B, BB, K

#19 - Jorge Alcala (Pensacola) - 5 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, BB, 3 K

#20 - Jose Miranda (Ft. Myers) - 1-for-4, R, 2B, K

 

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Toledo @ Rochester (6:05PM CST) – RHP Zack Littell (1-2, 4.67 ERA)

Pensacola @ Mississippi (10:35AM CST) - RHP Brusdar Graterol (3-0, 2.23 ERA)

Charlotte @ Fort Myers (5:30PM CST) – RHP Jhoan Duran (0-3, 4.03 ERA)

Cedar Rapids @ South Bend (9:35AM CST) – RHP Andrew Cabezas (0-3, 5.21 ERA)

 

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

 

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[jkcarew]

So here’s the question...batter gets no credit for RBI when grounding into a double play. Does he get the RBI when flying into a double play? If not, I’d make the goofball that got himself thrown out trying to advance buy me dinner after the game.

[AlwaysinModeration]

“The offense for the Kernels popped”

 

Nicely played. Looking like Sano is ready for Rochester.

[wabene]

Some bats are heating up!

[rdehring]

Really concerned about the position players at Cedar Rapids.  Six of today's nine starters are hitting under .200 average, with many way under.  They are going to need more than Javier for a second half playoff run.  Hopefully the Twins get a couple college bats that can play in low-A immediately after the draft.

 

Great seeing Larnach get his first two home runs.  Has been swinging the bat real well for awhile now as have several other guys in the Miracle lineup, including Lewis with six multi-hit games in his last ten.  Does anyone know why Arraez left the game after two at bats last night?

 

As we all look for the Twins to improve their bullpen, could a healthy Addison Reed be part of the answer?  Sure would be nice!

 

How long does Sano stay in Pensacola?  Will it be through the weekend, then on to New York? 

[Vanimal46]

A telling tale for Reed is his velocity numbers. Any tweet/report showing how fast he's throwing?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Really concerned about the position players at Cedar Rapids.  Six of today's nine starters are hitting under .200 average, with many way under.  They are going to need more than Javier for a second half playoff run.  Hopefully the Twins get a couple college bats that can play in low-A immediately after the draft.

 

Great seeing Larnach get his first two home runs.  Has been swinging the bat real well for awhile now as have several other guys in the Miracle lineup, including Lewis with six multi-hit games in his last ten.  Does anyone know why Arraez left the game after two at bats last night?

 

As we all look for the Twins to improve their bullpen, could a healthy Addison Reed be part of the answer?  Sure would be nice!

 

How long does Sano stay in Pensacola?  Will it be through the weekend, then on to New York? 

 

Hearing that Javier could be in Cedar Rapids this week. That will help. But yes, aside from Cabbage (now moved up) and Chris Williams and Gabe Snyder, they just aren't getting much consistent offense. 

 

Arraez - I haven't heard specifics but told it was believed to be minor. Guessing whatever it is will be a day-to-day thing. 

 

When healthy Addison Reed has been one of the best, most consistent relieves in baseball in the last decade. Last year was the first year he got hurt. So if he is healthy and back to 100%, that is a guy who could be a strong 8th-9th inning guy. 

 

He was 0-for-11 and then 3-for-4 last night. That's four games. I would guess that he'll play 1-2 more with Pensacola before moving up. The Blue Wahoos have been in a series in Mississippi and then go to Chattanooga, so it's not like they need or want to make him wait until Pensacola gets home. Rochester is at home now and will remain home over the weekend. My point is that those things probably won't be a factor in that timing. 

[gunnarthor]

Glad to hear that Stewart will get another start. I still think he can help the ML club.

 

Good that Cabbage is hitting in A+ (SSS). Kiriloff and Sano might be on the same team at the end of the year, too.

[rdehring]

 

Hearing that Javier could be in Cedar Rapids this week. That will help. But yes, aside from Cabbage (now moved up) and Chris Williams and Gabe Snyder, they just aren't getting much consistent offense. 

 

Arraez - I haven't heard specifics but told it was believed to be minor. Guessing whatever it is will be a day-to-day thing. 

 

When healthy Addison Reed has been one of the best, most consistent relieves in baseball in the last decade. Last year was the first year he got hurt. So if he is healthy and back to 100%, that is a guy who could be a strong 8th-9th inning guy. 

 

He was 0-for-11 and then 3-for-4 last night. That's four games. I would guess that he'll play 1-2 more with Pensacola before moving up. The Blue Wahoos have been in a series in Mississippi and then go to Chattanooga, so it's not like they need or want to make him wait until Pensacola gets home. Rochester is at home now and will remain home over the weekend. My point is that those things probably won't be a factor in that timing. 

That is fantastic news, Seth.  Getting Javier on the field is as big as getting Kirilloff back.  Kirilloff is closer to helping the Twins, but Javier could be special, real special.  Although I guess we really don't know because he has played so little.

[Mr. Brooks]

Hearing that Javier could be in Cedar Rapids this week. That will help. But yes, aside from Cabbage (now moved up) and Chris Williams and Gabe Snyder, they just aren't getting much consistent offense.

 

Arraez - I haven't heard specifics but told it was believed to be minor. Guessing whatever it is will be a day-to-day thing.

 

When healthy Addison Reed has been one of the best, most consistent relieves in baseball in the last decade. Last year was the first year he got hurt. So if he is healthy and back to 100%, that is a guy who could be a strong 8th-9th inning guy.

 

He was 0-for-11 and then 3-for-4 last night. That's four games. I would guess that he'll play 1-2 more with Pensacola before moving up. The Blue Wahoos have been in a series in Mississippi and then go to Chattanooga, so it's not like they need or want to make him wait until Pensacola gets home. Rochester is at home now and will remain home over the weekend. My point is that those things probably won't be a factor in that timing.

Reed was not good last year before he got hurt.

[Steve Lein]

 

So here’s the question...batter gets no credit for RBI when grounding into a double play. Does he get the RBI when flying into a double play? If not, I’d make the goofball that got himself thrown out trying to advance buy me dinner after the game.

 

Yes, Baddoo was credited with an RBI on the play. Probably comes down to the fact the run scored well before the second out of the play was recorded. On a double play grounder, it's really the fielder's choice where they go for the play, so the run didn't score based on the batted ball.

[Cap'n Piranha]

 

Reed was not good last year before he got hurt.

 

3.3 FIP in March/April suggests otherwise.  He also had a 2.22 FIP in September when he returned.  Reed's not prime Andrew Miller or anything, but he certainly represents an upgrade to our bullpen.

[Seth Stohs]

Luis Arraez is back in in the Blue Wahoos lineup this morning, so that's good.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Reed was not good last year before he got hurt.

 

He was pretty good from 2012-2017... 

 

Also, in his first 25 games pitched last year, he had a 2.36 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings. Those came in the team's first 48 games. Overuse, or just lost it?

 

Obviously that's still to be determined, but I like track record over his struggles for a month before going on the DL last year. 

[Mr. Brooks]

3.3 FIP in March/April suggests otherwise. He also had a 2.22 FIP in September when he returned. Reed's not prime Andrew Miller or anything, but he certainly represents an upgrade to our bullpen.

Nearly every player looks good if you throw out their bad months and only count their good months.

[ashbury]

 

He was pretty good from 2012-2017... 

 

Also, in his first 25 games pitched last year, he had a 2.36 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings. Those came in the team's first 48 games. Overuse, or just lost it?

 

Obviously that's still to be determined, but I like track record over his struggles for a month before going on the DL last year. 

Stats are useful, of course, but early in the season I thought Reed had good movement on his pitches. By the time his stats had gone bad, his pitches were either straight or else not for strikes. That's my subjective recollection. I assume that "something" happened, whether or not he immediately went on the DL^* right away.

 

^{* _{I know it's IL now. It's 2018 I'm talking about.}}

[nicksaviking]

 

He was pretty good from 2012-2017... 

 

Also, in his first 25 games pitched last year, he had a 2.36 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings. Those came in the team's first 48 games. Overuse, or just lost it?

 

Obviously that's still to be determined, but I like track record over his struggles for a month before going on the DL last year. 

 

He was good in the past, but that just emphasizes that he's getting older. Seeing as his early season games last year coincided with his just barely acceptable FB velocity and his statistical decline coincided with his velocity drop, I don't think we should evaluate him on his track record from 2012-17 so much as his velocity. From my view, if he's not back up to at least 92 MPH on the four seamer, the track record indicates he's going to get shelled.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Through May of last season, Addison Reed was very good and very overworked. (As was Pressly)

 

I am more than comfortable drawing a direct line between Reed’s overuse and his lack of effectiveness/ DL stint. That little bit of extra rest he was denied in early 2018 might have been enough to keep him healthy and effective. I’m looking forward to his return.

[nicksaviking]

 

Through May of last season, Addison Reed was very good and very overworked. (As was Pressly)

I am more than comfortable drawing a direct line between Reed’s overuse and his lack of effectiveness/ DL stint. That little bit of extra rest he was denied in early 2018 might have been enough to keep him healthy and effective. I’m looking forward to his return.

 

If it all correlates, then the same direct line that runs through the proper amount of rest and his effectiveness should also run through what is a velocity that is capable of success, which when he was rested last year appears to be 92 MPH. Since rest is pretty arbitrary and his effectiveness can't be determined until after the fact, shouldn't we just determine if we want to go forward with him based on his velocity which has already shown to be an effective gauge of his success?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Through May of last season, Addison Reed was very good and very overworked. (As was Pressly)

I am more than comfortable drawing a direct line between Reed’s overuse and his lack of effectiveness/ DL stint. That little bit of extra rest he was denied in early 2018 might have been enough to keep him healthy and effective. I’m looking forward to his return.

As of this date last year, Reed had faced 70 batters; Pressly 73. Rogers has faced 71 so far in 2019. Do you think he has been overused? I guess Rogers has 2 less appearances, so that's a few less warm-up pitches. But I'd hesitate to draw any direct lines about these usage patterns.

[Vanimal46]

If it all correlates, then the same direct line that runs through the proper amount of rest and his effectiveness should also run through what is a velocity that is capable of success, which when he was rested last year appears to be 92 MPH. Since rest is pretty arbitrary and his effectiveness can't be determined until after the fact, shouldn't we just determine if we want to go forward with him based on his velocity which has already shown to be an effective gauge of his success?

I'm right there with you Nick. The only thing I care about during his rehab stint is velocity readings. Getting AAA hitters out shouldn't be much of a challenge for an 8 year MLB vet... I don't think his outcome is a good indicator whether he's ready or not. If the velocity doesn't come back, I'm afraid we have another Phil Hughes situation. Reed's secondary offerings aren't good enough to overcome a straight 90 MPH fastball.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

If it all correlates, then the same direct line that runs through the proper amount of rest and his effectiveness should also run through what is a velocity that is capable of success, which when he was rested last year appears to be 92 MPH. Since rest is pretty arbitrary and his effectiveness can't be determined until after the fact, shouldn't we just determine if we want to go forward with him based on his velocity which has already shown to be an effective gauge of his success?

Yes. Good point. We’ve seen that drop in velo really hurt some guys’ effectiveness. I wouldn’t want to see Reed right away in a big leverage spot if he’s not at max with his fastball yet (or ever).

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

As of this date last year, Reed had faced 70 batters; Pressly 73. Rogers has faced 71 so far in 2019. Do you think he has been overused? I guess Rogers has 2 less appearances, so that's a few less warm-up pitches. But I'd hesitate to draw any direct lines about these usage patterns.

For this discussion, yes I would consider game appearances more meaningful than batters faced (or innings, pitches, or whatever). I am also trusting the “sixth sense” of folks who followed the games last spring, day after day, and thought Reed was being overused at that time. I do not think Rogers has been overused this year, though there have been some concerns about that too.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

For this discussion, yes I would consider game appearances more meaningful than batters faced (or innings, pitches, or whatever). I am also trusting the “sixth sense” of folks who followed the games last spring, day after day, and thought Reed was being overused at that time. I do not think Rogers has been overused this year, though there have been some concerns about that too.

May and Hildenberger have as many game appearances in 2019 as Reed and Pressly had at this point in 2018 too. Is that meaningful? Is -2 appearances over ~40 days meaningful for Rogers?

 

Also, I don't think anyone has a "sixth sense" about these issues, that they can divine meaning from these minor variations in usage patterns. Their conclusions are probably just following the larger narratives of the time -- that the 2018 team and Molitor were disappointing, the 2019 team is surprisingly good, etc.

[nicksaviking]

 

Yes. Good point. We’ve seen that drop in velo really hurt some guys’ effectiveness. I wouldn’t want to see Reed right away in a big leverage spot if he’s not at max with his fastball yet (or ever).

 

I'd be more open to giving 2nd chances and rolling the dice if the team wasn't in 1st place.

 

I don't feel compelled to cross my fingers that the team can wring more value from the contract. If they were in the tank and I thought even at a long shot Reed could regain a bit of trade value come July 31, then I might say let's see what he's got.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

May and Hildenberger have as many game appearances in 2019 as Reed and Pressly had at this point in 2018 too. Is that meaningful? Is -2 appearances over ~40 days meaningful for Rogers?

 

Also, I don't think anyone has a "sixth sense" about these issues, that they can divine meaning from these minor variations in usage patterns. Their conclusions are probably just following the larger narratives of the time -- that the 2018 team and Molitor were disappointing, the 2019 team is surprisingly good, etc.

First paragraph: Yes I believe it is.

 

Second paragraph: speak for yourself

[Monkeypaws]

Classic small sample size, but through 4 games Nick Gordon is doing quite well: .421 BA, 1.108 OPS, 4 2B, 3SB.

 

It would be nice to see him reposition himself as a top prospect.

[jmlease1]

I'm ok with Kohl Stewart getting tapped for the doubleheader start; Thorpe has been a little inconsistent and I'd prefer him to come up when he's more likely to stay a while rather than do his MLB debut on the ol' Rochester shuttle. Stewart has a little more experience and is less likely to get wobbly just on nerves.

 

Nice to see some of the hitters warming up a bit. Would very much like to see Wander Javier at Cedar Rapids to see what he can do.

 

agree it's a super small sample size, but still nice to see Nick Gordon get out of a fast start coming off injury and a tough year. If it gives him confidence, all to the better. I'd love for him to have a year where we can feel like he's a real option to play 2B next year if Schoop doesn't work out/wants to move on/gets a stupid ton of money to play elsewhere on a long-term deal.

[Cap'n Piranha]

 

Nearly every player looks good if you throw out their bad months and only count their good months.

 

Just like every player looks bad if you throw out their good months and only count their bad months?  You stated he wasn't good before his injury.  I provided a number that demonstrates that not to be true (to at least some extent).  In no way did I cherry pick--I looked at a timeframe in which you said he wasn't good, and provided evidence that, actually, he was.

[nater79a]

Must say I wasn't initially impressed with the return (Forsythe/Raley/Smeltzer) in the Dozier trade to the Dodgers last summer.   Happy to say that the production of Raley and Smeltzer early this year is changing my mind in a big way.