Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/28): Big Nights for Larnach, Kirilloff

[Cody Christie]

It’s been quite the journey for Devin Smeltzer. Some of his former teammates were playing in the minors as he was busy tossing six shutout innings in his big-league debut. Those teammates are hoping to follow in his footsteps to baseball’s highest level. Who could be the next one to join him?TRANSACTIONS

LHP Devin Smeltzer promoted to Minnesota.

OF Jimmy Kerrigan activated from the IL with Pensacola.

LHP Jovani Moran placed on IL with Pensacola.

C Janigson Villalobos assigned to Elizabethton from Fort Myers.

OF Albee Weiss promoted to Fort Myers.

2B Hunter Lee promoted to Fort Myers.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester --, Scranton/WB – (Postponed)

 

Rochester’s game against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre was postponed on Tuesday because of severe weather. To make up for the game, the teams will play a doubleheader on Wednesday with the first game scheduled for 4:05 pm CST. This is the seventh postponement of the season already for the Red Wings.

 

BLUE WAHOO BITES

Pensacola 7, Mississippi 0

Box Score

Bryan Sammons started for the Blue Wahoos and he had an up and down night. On the good side, he limited Mississippi to no runs on three hits with eight strikeouts. On the bad side, he allowed five walks and could only pitch through the fourth inning. Lucky for him, the Blue Wahoo offense was more than enough on this night.

 

Alex Kirilloff started the second inning with his sixth double. He didn’t have to wait long at second as Caleb Hamilton knocked a two-run bomb, his fourth home run of the year. Jimmy Kerrigan added to the lead with a lead-off homer in the sixth.

 

Mitchell Kranson launched his fourth home run of the season in the seventh. It was a two-run shot after Hamilton singled to start the inning. Jordan Gore capped the inning with a home run of his own. Kirilloff wouldn’t be shown-up as he added his first Double-A home run.

Adam Bray pitched one shutout inning. He allowed one hit and struck out one. Tom Hackimer earned his first win as he struck out five batters in three perfect frames. Sam Clay completed the shutout with a hitless ninth.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 7, Florida 5 (10 Innings)

Box Score

Royce Lewis got things started with a bang as he cranked a solo shot in the top of the first inning. It was his second home run of the year. Fort Myers would take an early 1-0 lead, but this game was far from over.

 

Edwar Colina started on the mound and quickly surrendered the run back to Florida. He settled in nicely from there as he lasted six innings. He allowed two earned runs on eight hits while striking out seven and walking one.

 

The Miracle offense really got rolling in the fourth inning. Ryan Jeffers and Jose Miranda both knocked singles before Michael Helman brought them both in with a triple. Aaron Whitefield used a sacrifice fly to score Helman and the Miracle were back up by a score of 4-1.

 

Johan Quezada pitched two very strong innings in relief. He didn’t allow a runner while striking out two. It was his third straight appearance where he pitched two innings and didn’t allow an earned run. Hector Lujan took over for the ninth and ran into a little trouble. After a single to start the inning, catcher David Banuelos allowed a passed ball. Following two ground outs, the runner was at third. Lujan tossed a wild pitch and the game was tied. It was his first blown save.

 

Fort Myers made quick work in extra innings. Lewin Diaz scored on Trevor Larnach’s fourth hit of the night. Ryan Jeffers singled to put runners on the corners. With one out, Helman added another RBI with his second hit. Banuelos made up for his passed ball with an RBI single to cap the extra-inning scoring.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids --, Burlington – (Postponed)

 

Cedar Rapids was scheduled to have a series opener with Burlington, but the weather didn’t cooperate. Inclement weather forced the teams into having a doubleheader on Wednesday. Game one of the series is scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm with both games being scheduled for seven innings.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

TD Pitcher of the Day- Tom Hackimer, Pensacola (3.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 5 K, 0 BB)

TD Hitter of the Day- Trevor Larnach, Fort Myers (4-for-5, 2B, RBI, R)

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) – 1-5, HR, R, RBI, 3 K

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) – 2-4, HR, 2B, 2 R, RBI

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

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Ft. Myers) – 4-5, 2B, RBI, R, K

#5 - Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) – No game

#6 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) – No game

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

#8 - Lewis Thorpe (Rochester) – No game

#9 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – No game

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

#11 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) – No game

#12 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) – No game

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Ft. Myers) – 2-5, 2 R, K

#14 - Ben Rortvedt (Pensacola) – Did not play

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

#16 - Gilberto Celestino (Cedar Rapids) – No game

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

#18 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) – No game

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

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

 

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Scranton/WB (4:05 CST) – RHP Randy Dobnak (5-0, 1.81 ERA)

Rochester @ Scranton/WB (Game 2) – LHP Lewis Thorpe (3-3, 6.31 ERA)

Pensacola vs. Mississippi (6:35 CST) – LHP Charlie Barnes (Double-A Debut)

Fort Myers @ Florida (5:00 CST) – RHP Blayne Enlow (High-A Debut)

Cedar Rapids @ Burlington (5:00 CST) – RHP Andrew Cabezas (1-3, 3.68 ERA)

Cedar Rapids @ Burlington (Game 2) – RHP Austin Schulfer (4-2, 2.41 ERA)

 

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

 

Click here to view the article

[glunn]

Nice report.

[rdehring]

Loved the headline, Cody.  Kirilloff is hitting .325 average in his last ten games with two hits in five of them.  After shaking off the rust from missing the first month plus of the season, he is beginning to play like the player we know.  My question, is he the top prospect in the organization?

 

Also great seeing Larnach and Jeffers both playing very well in Fort Myers.

 

Looking forward to seeing how Thorpe pitches tonight for Rochester. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Loved the headline, Cody.  Kirilloff is hitting .325 average in his last ten games with two hits in five of them.  After shaking off the rust from missing the first month plus of the season, he is beginning to play like the player we know.  My question, is he the top prospect in the organization?

 

Also great seeing Larnach and Jeffers both playing very well in Fort Myers.

 

Looking forward to seeing how Thorpe pitches tonight for Rochester. 

 

I'm pretty sure the Lewis is still the Twins top prospect. At least nationally. 

[mikelink45]

 

Loved the headline, Cody.  Kirilloff is hitting .325 average in his last ten games with two hits in five of them.  After shaking off the rust from missing the first month plus of the season, he is beginning to play like the player we know.  My question, is he the top prospect in the organization?

 

Also great seeing Larnach and Jeffers both playing very well in Fort Myers.

 

Looking forward to seeing how Thorpe pitches tonight for Rochester. 

I would move Kiriloff to number 1 right now. Each place he has been he has used that sweet swing to produce.  Lewis is still great, but struggling.   I will look forward to seeing how Seth and the TD writers evaluate the prospects mid-year.  Arreaz in mlb with Smeltzer and neither may stay, but they sure improved their outlook. 

[Kernels Fan]

At some point we really need to test Hackimer on the same batters Smeltzer faced last night.

 

[Aerodeliria]

Every other time I read these reports, it seems as if Hackimer has pitched X number of innings, gave up no runs, and struck out everybody. This guy needs a bump up.

[Trov]

 

Loved the headline, Cody.  Kirilloff is hitting .325 average in his last ten games with two hits in five of them.  After shaking off the rust from missing the first month plus of the season, he is beginning to play like the player we know.  My question, is he the top prospect in the organization?

 

Also great seeing Larnach and Jeffers both playing very well in Fort Myers.

 

Looking forward to seeing how Thorpe pitches tonight for Rochester. 

Kirilloff, is the top hitting prospect in system, but he is 1 year older and does not play major defensive position.  Lewis will stay above him for the year, but if Lewis continues to struggle at high A, seems like he is breaking out a little bit as well, then going into next year Kirilloff may move up to number 1, if he rakes rest of year.  

[Seth Stohs]

 

Every other time I read these reports, it seems as if Hackimer has pitched X number of innings, gave up no runs, and struck out everybody. This guy needs a bump up.

 

He''s been in AA for 3 weeks. 

He has 43 strikeouts in 26.2 IP between FM and PEN.. but also has 13 walks. That could be something to note. 

 

 

[Halsey Hall]

From all the watching I did at spring training I'd have to say the next guy called up would be Larnach. He was one who could catch your eye if you knew nothing. He carries himself in a confident way and has power. He will be moving up a notch shortly.