Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/26): Kernels Pop, Duran K’s 14

[Cody Christie]

Offense was a theme for most of the Twins farm system on Sunday. Three clubs had 10 hits or more (Rochester did it twice) and two teams scored 11 runs or more. Even with the offensive output, there were some strong pitching performances as well. Which bats had the most pop? Which pitchers shined? Read on to find out.TRANSACTIONS

RHP Sean Poppen promoted to Rochester.

C Janigson Villalobos promoted to Fort Myers.

OF Trey Cabbage placed on the suspended list with Fort Myers (Suspended by team).

 

AWARDS

The Twins announced their weekly Hitter and Pitcher of the Week:

• Hitter of the Week: Ryan Jeffers, Fort Myers

Jeffers played in six games for the Miracle, hitting .400 (8-for-20) with two home runs, four RBI, three walks and a .478 on-base percentage. Jeffers, 21, was drafted by the Twins in the second round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

• Pitcher of the Week: Austin Schulfer, Cedar Rapids

Schulfer made one start his week on Wednesday against Burlington. He and Jose Martinez combined to throw a seven-inning no hitter. He pitched five shutout innings while striking out seven and walking one. Schulfer, 23, was drafted by the Twins in the 19th round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 9, Pawtucket 2 (Completion of suspended game 5/25)

Box Score

Rochester was already up 6-1 before Saturday’s contest got rained out. Randy Dobnak, in his Triple-A debut, had started the original game. He allowed one run on one hit and struck out one. Sean Poppen started on Sunday. He would pick up his second win after he pitched six strong innings. He struck out seven, walked three, and allowed one earned run. Trevor Hildenberger allowed one hit, but he was able to finish off the ninth.

 

Nick Gordon, Tomas Telis, and Jordan Valdespin all went 2-for-4. Telis and Valdespin both collected three RBI and Gordon added his seven double. LaMonte Wade reached base twice knocked his first triple and scored two runs.

 

Rochester 6, Pawtucket 7 (8 Innings)

Box Score

Rochester got out a head in this one with a couple runs in the third. Jack Cave and LaMonte Wade walked to put two runners on base. Zander Wiel cracked his ninth double to score both runners. Rochester was up 2-0 but the lead wouldn’t last long.

 

Gabriel Moya pitched two scoreless innings to start the game. Fernando Romero took over in the third but he ran into some trouble in the fourth. He allowed four runs on three hits and he didn’t make it out of the inning. Jake Reed allowed one run on three hits in 1 2/3 innings.

 

This game was supposed to be over after seven frames, but LaMonte Wade wouldn’t let the Red Wings go quietly. With Rochester down two, he smacked his two-run shot to tie the game. Andrew Vasquez quickly saw the lead disappear. A triple with a runner on second was followed by a single to push a second run across and the Red Wings were back down by two.

 

 

Rochester cause some fuss in the bottom of the final frame, but it wouldn’t be enough this time.

 

BLUE WAHOO BITES

Pensacola 11, Tennessee 10

Box Score

Pensacola scored runs in the final six frames to cap a come from behind victory. Andro Cutura ran into some early trouble as he didn’t make it out of the second inning. He allowed four runs on seven hits with a pair of strikeouts. Jeff Ames calmed things down as he limited Tennessee to one hit over the next two innings. He struck out four and walked two. The next couple relievers didn’t do as well.

 

Cody Stashak allowed three earned runs in 1 2/3 innings. He struck out one and surrendered four hits. Ryan Mason pitched less than an inning and allowed three earned runs. Tyler Jay and Williams Ramirez put up zeros over the final two innings to help the Blue Wahoos stay in the game.

 

Travis Blankenhorn provided quite the offensive punch. He finished the night 4-for-6 with a home run and four RBI. His ninth inning home run gave the team the lead for good. Obviously, he wasn’t the only one. Ben Rortvedt drove in three runs and hit his first Double-A home run. Mitchell Kranson almost matched Blankenhorn in hits as he went 3-for-5.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 3, Daytona 5

Box Score

Royce Lewis got things started early as he tripled to start the game. Lewin Diaz drove in Lewis with a sacrifice fly. Trevor Larnach followed with his third home run of the season. Fort Myers had an early 2-0 lead. After Daytona tied it up, Jose Miranda hit a solo home run in the fourth. Unfortunately, that was the end of the scoring for the Miracle.

 

Jhoan Duran recorded 18 outs and 14 were by strikeout. He allowed one earned run on one hit. He reached 101 mph on the gun and hit triple-digits four times in the first inning. Calvin Faucher took the loss in this one after he took over for Duran. He allowed three earned runs on four hits. Alex Phillips pitched the final 1 1/3 innings. He struck out three and walked one.

 

Fort Myers went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 14, Peoria 1

Box Score

Cedar Rapids used a huge seven-run second inning to distance themselves from Peoria. The club never looked back from there. Every hitter in the Cedar Rapids line-up collected a hit. In fact, all but two players reached base multiple times.

 

Yeltsin Encarnacion had one of the big hits in the second inning, a three-run home run. He finished 3-for-6 and he scored three runs. Jacob Pearson had a three-run double in the same inning. He led the team with four RBI. Gabe Snyder and Gilberto Celestino joined Encarnacion in the three-hit club. Celestino add a triple, his first of the year.

 

Josh Winder was able to sink into cruise control mode on the mound. He tossed seven strong innings by allowing one run on four hits. He struck out seven and walked one. Jose Martinez tossed two scoreless frames to finish the game. He only allowed two base runners.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

TD Pitcher of the Day- Jhoan Duran, Fort Myers (6.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 14 K, 2 BB)

TD Hitter of the Day- Travis Blankenhorn, Pensacola (4-6, HR, 4 RBI, R, 2 K)

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) – 2-4, 3B, R

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) – 1-5, R, BB, K

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

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Ft. Myers) – 1-4, HR, R, RBI

#5 - Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) – Did not play

#6 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) – Injured (wrist)

#7 - Jhoan Duran (Ft. Myers) – 6.0 IP, ER, H, 14 K, 2 BB

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

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

#10 - Akil Baddoo (Ft. Myers) – Injured List

#11 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) – 2-4, 2B, R, BB

#12 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) – Did not pitch

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Ft. Myers) – 0-4, 2 K

#14 - Ben Rortvedt (Pensacola) – 1-3, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB

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

#16 - Gilberto Celestino (Cedar Rapids) – 3-6, 3B, RBI, 2 R

#17 - Zack Littell (Minnesota) – Did not pitch

#18 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) – 2-7, 3B, HR, 4 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 2K

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

#20 - Jose Miranda (Ft. Myers) – 1-4, HR, R, RBI, 2 K

 

MONDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester vs. Pawtucket (12:05 CST) – RHP Kohl Stewart (3-2, 3.52 ERA)

Pensacola – Scheduled Off-Day

Fort Myers – Scheduled Off-Day

Cedar Rapids vs. Peoria (12:05 CST) – RHP Austin Schulfer (4-2, 2.41 ERA)

 

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

 

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[AZTwin]

I have to say I'm quite pleased with Jeffers.  At the time I didn't like the pick but he is really doing well since drafted

[AZTwin]

Blakenhorn has done well since being called up to AA.  Seems like he's been around forever but still only 22 years old (23 in August).   I could see him replacing Adrianza as infield utility player though he can't really play SS in a pinch.  Would like to see him get some OF experience as well.  Seems like the switch finally turned on.  Though he does have a .339 BABIP so he will likely come down to earth a bit here.

[Danchat]

It's good to see Duran is staying healthy and throwing filth.

[AZTwin]

Going through the Prospect handbook right now.   A few guys I'd like to see promoted after the All Star Break:

Lewin Diaz - 22 years old.  Killing it in FSL.  Let the kid try AA.  Seems like he's been with us forever.  Got a feeling he will need to be protected after this year.

Ryan Jeffers - 22 years old.   Bump him up.

Jordan Balazovic - 20 years old.  I could see him getting more innings in FSL but he is overmatching his opponents.  Challenge him with AA.  Nice call Tom on the breakout in the handbook.

Michael Davis - 23 years old.  Bump him up to FSL for the sole reason that I want to see Ricardo De La Torre in CR

Blayne Enlow - 20 years old.   Not great numbers but strikeouts are up this year and already a lot of logged innings in CR.  Let him try FSL.

Trevor Larnach 22 years old.  Keep being aggressive, send him up to AA

Gabriel Macial 20 years old.  Plenty of plate appears in CR.  Hitting a hot bat, which probably isn't sustainable but still time to go up to FSL.

Cole Sands - 21 years old.  Doing well in CR.  Almost 22.  Need to be aggressive here, bump up to FSL.

Victor Tademo - 19 years old.  Got 1 AB in AAA.  He needs to be bump up to CR.
 

[nater79a]

 

Going through the Prospect handbook right now.   A few guys I'd like to see promoted after the All Star Break:

Lewin Diaz - 22 years old.  Killing it in FSL.  Let the kid try AA.  Seems like he's been with us forever.  Got a feeling he will need to be protected after this year.

Ryan Jeffers - 22 years old.   Bump him up.

Jordan Balazovic - 20 years old.  I could see him getting more innings in FSL but he is overmatching his opponents.  Challenge him with AA.  Nice call Tom on the breakout in the handbook.

Michael Davis - 23 years old.  Bump him up to FSL for the sole reason that I want to see Ricardo De La Torre in CR

Blayne Enlow - 20 years old.   Not great numbers but strikeouts are up this year and already a lot of logged innings in CR.  Let him try FSL.

Trevor Larnach 22 years old.  Keep being aggressive, send him up to AA

Gabriel Macial 20 years old.  Plenty of plate appears in CR.  Hitting a hot bat, which probably isn't sustainable but still time to go up to FSL.

Cole Sands - 21 years old.  Doing well in CR.  Almost 22.  Need to be aggressive here, bump up to FSL.

Victor Tademo - 19 years old.  Got 1 AB in AAA.  He needs to be bump up to CR.
 

 

Hey, one of your promotion suggestions already came true! 

Blayne Enlow heading to Fort Myers in the morning.

 

Agree with your take on Lewin Diaz.  Problem is, he plays 1B and Kirilloff has been playing 1B at Pensacola, I guess Diaz could DH some but that seems like a waste since he's a decent first baseman.  

[Seth Stohs]

 

Hey, one of your promotion suggestions already came true! 

Blayne Enlow heading to Fort Myers in the morning.

 

Agree with your take on Lewin Diaz.  Problem is, he plays 1B and Kirilloff has been playing 1B at Pensacola, I guess Diaz could DH some but that seems like a waste since he's a decent first baseman.  

 

Yes, per Jeff Johnson (The Gazette, Cedar Rapids), Enlow will headed to Ft. Myers in the morning

 

As for Diaz... he certainly could move up, but I agree that they do want and need to get Kirilloff time at first base. But, Kirilloff can play LF, RF and 1B. Diaz can play 1B and DH. They could make it work...

 

I think you let Diaz keep doing what he's doing. Let him play another 3-4 weeks in Ft. Myers and keep building his resume and confidence, play in the All Star game, etc. That also gives a couple of guys at AA 3-4 more weeks to see if they can turn it up. 

[jkcarew]

Wasn’t Rooker back for one game? Now out again?

[ChrisKnutson]

It’s great to finally see Diaz and Blankenhorn perform at the level we all expected them to, not only because they could possibly help us in the long run, but if they can keep this up for another month, we could possibly have two more fairly good looking trade chips to deal from.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Wasn’t Rooker back for one game? Now out again?

 

He's only been on the IL once. He did miss some time earlier in the year with a hamstring injury, but then a month later, he is on the IL with the wrist. 

[MNT1996]

Uh oh. What did Cabbage do?

[AlwaysinModeration]

14Ks in 6IP?! That’s remarkable.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Blakenhorn has done well since being called up to AA.  Seems like he's been around forever but still only 22 years old (23 in August).   I could see him replacing Adrianza as infield utility player though he can't really play SS in a pinch.  Would like to see him get some OF experience as well.  Seems like the switch finally turned on.  Though he does have a .339 BABIP so he will likely come down to earth a bit here.

Like most HS draftees, it's the ceiling they are after. It looks like both him and Cabbage are starting to put it together. That would be very nice if they did. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

14Ks in 6IP?! That’s remarkable.

 

no kidding... I did a double take when I saw that. Not sure how good Daytona is as a hitting team, but those types of numbers tell me he's getting a bump to AA as we near the ASB.

[jmlease1]

I will admit, I was ready to give up on Blankenhorn. He wasn't impressing, wasnt great last year in high A (and wasnt super young for the level), had a rotten AFL stint...he just wasnt looking like someone who was going to pan out. He's put it together this year and seems to have unlocked his power potential. Happy to be wrong about him.

 

Nice to see Rortvedt get that first XBH, he's looking very good so far at AA. Twins have to be pleased with his progress, dont you think?

 

Remarkable performance from Duran. He's looking good, hope his pitches keep developing, because he might be a nice starter.

[RaymondLuxuryYacht]

Hungry like the wolf

[rdehring]

With the Twins looking hard for someone, anyone, to step up and be a shutdown reliever, Romero is really struggling at Rochester.  On the flip side, Tyler Jay has been pitching well of late by giving up no runs in 5 of his last 7 outings.  Don't know about the rest of you, but I had pretty much forgotten about him.

 

I like the results we are seeing from Josh Winder, who has been solid ever since drafted last June.

 

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

On the flip side, Tyler Jay has been pitching well of late by giving up no runs in 5 of his last 7 outings.  Don't know about the rest of you, but I had pretty much forgotten about him.

That's not exactly true -- he's given up no earned runs in 5 of his last 7 (no runs at all in 4 of his 7). Still not sure if that's a meaningful accomplishment for a reliever. Jay hasn't pitched particularly well over that time:

 

7 G, 13.1 IP, 16 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 16 K, 2 HBP

 

At least 2 baserunners in every appearance, .745 opponent OPS during this stretch, in a league with a .670 overall for the season

 

Age 25, repeating AA... not to pick on Jay, but there's nothing to see here so far.

 

That said, effective relievers can sometimes ascend rapidly, seemingly out of nowhere, so I'm sure Jay will continue getting chances with his pedigree. Unless someone takes him in Rule 5, he's controlled by the Twins through 2021, even without a 40-man roster spot.

[70charger]

 

Jhoan Duran recorded 18 outs and 14 were by strikeout. He allowed one earned run on one hit. He reached 101 mph on the gun and hit triple-digits four times in the first inning.

 

Whoa.

 

Any indication what Cabbage did and/or how long he's out?

[ashbury]

 

That's not exactly true -- he's given up no earned runs in 5 of his last 7 (no runs at all in 4 of his 7). Still not sure if that's a meaningful accomplishment for a reliever. Jay hasn't pitched particularly well over that time:

 

7 G, 13.1 IP, 16 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 16 K, 2 HBP

 

At least 2 baserunners in every appearance, .745 opponent OPS during this stretch, in a league with a .670 overall for the season

 

Age 25, repeating AA... not to pick on Jay, but there's nothing to see here so far.

 

That said, effective relievers can sometimes ascend rapidly, seemingly out of nowhere, so I'm sure Jay will continue getting chances with his pedigree. Unless someone takes him in Rule 5, he's controlled by the Twins through 2021, even without a 40-man roster spot.

The only saving grace for Jay is that his BABIP was a bit high, at .395, during those 7 games. Take away three or four hits and maybe his numbers look better? In any case, his being 25 says to me, get him to AAA pronto, and let's make some final decisions on him. It's not like he's being blocked by an entire staff of high-performers at Rochester.

 

Wouldn't it also be at least a little intriguing to let the major league coaching staff have a crack at him soon?

[rdehring]

 

That's not exactly true -- he's given up no earned runs in 5 of his last 7 (no runs at all in 4 of his 7). Still not sure if that's a meaningful accomplishment for a reliever. Jay hasn't pitched particularly well over that time:

 

7 G, 13.1 IP, 16 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 16 K, 2 HBP

 

At least 2 baserunners in every appearance, .745 opponent OPS during this stretch, in a league with a .670 overall for the season

 

Age 25, repeating AA... not to pick on Jay, but there's nothing to see here so far.

 

That said, effective relievers can sometimes ascend rapidly, seemingly out of nowhere, so I'm sure Jay will continue getting chances with his pedigree. Unless someone takes him in Rule 5, he's controlled by the Twins through 2021, even without a 40-man roster spot.

I may have used the wrong word.  Would have been better had I said "not as bad" or "better".  What caught my eye was that he had several games that weren't ugly.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I may have used the wrong word.  Would have been better had I said "not as bad" or "better".  What caught my eye was that he had several games that weren't ugly.

Yeah, but Jay's done this before too. Last year, he had a 1.59 ERA through June 4th, and even a 2.84 ERA through July 24th. But his peripherals/RA9 were less than inspiring.

 

I'm pretty much done paying attention to him until he dominates for a bit in peripherals, or he moves up a level.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

The only saving grace for Jay is that his BABIP was a bit high, at .395, during those 7 games. Take away three or four hits and maybe his numbers look better? In any case, his being 25 says to me, get him to AAA pronto, and let's make some final decisions on him. It's not like he's being blocked by an entire staff of high-performers at Rochester.

 

Wouldn't it also be at least a little intriguing to let the major league coaching staff have a crack at him soon?

The way the ball is flying in Rochester, it might be pretty disastrous to put him there if he's not ready. (According to xFIP, his improvement this season seems to be in HR rate.)

 

Although yes, one has to wonder if he's stagnating a bit in AA. I think he still has enough to prove that it shouldn't be an issue. And the AA club has a new manager, pitching coaches, and trainer as compared to 2018, so he's already working with some new people, even at the same level.