Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/30): Rortvedt, Davis Provide Pensacola Power

[Seth Stohs]

It was an interesting day in the Twins minor league system. Sure, there was the seemingly mandatory rainout of the day (Rochester), but there were some impressive performances. Lewin Diaz continued his historic month. A couple of sluggers crushed two homers each for the Blue Wahoos. Another starter made his first start for the Kernels, and it went well. Sure, the Twins game wasn’t fun, but the minor leaguers made up for itFind out everything that happened happened in the Twins system on Thursday, starting with the transactions of the day.

 

TRANSACTIONS

• Pensacola placed RHP Ryan Mason on the 7-day injured list.
• RHP Anthony Vizcaya was promoted from the Miracle to the Blue Wahoos.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester, Scranton/Wilkes Barre

Box Score

 

The Red Wings game in Scranton was rained out. It will be made up in July.

 

BLUE WAHOO BITES

Pensacola 4, Mississippi 6

Box Score

 

They say that solo home runs don’t hurt you too much, and on this night, that was true for Mississippi. The Blue Wahoos scored four runs on four solo homers but it wasn’t enough. Jaylin Davis and Ben Rortvedt each hit two home runs for the Wahoos. Rortvedt has now played in ten games for Pensacola. He is hitting .382/.488/.647 (1.135).

 

 

 

The Wahoos utilized an opener on Thursday night. Williams Ramirez started and gave up two runs on three hits in the first inning. Jorge Alcala came on and worked the next five innings. He gave up three runs on five hits and two walks. He struck out six batters. Sam Clay struck out six over the final three innings. He gave up a run on four hits.

 

As scheduled, Mitch Garver DHd in this game. He went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts before exiting the game for a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.

 

Rortvedt went 3-for-3 with a walk and his second and third home runs. Davis was 2-for-3 with a walk and his sixth and seventh home runs.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 3, Florida 2

Box Score

 

It was an afternoon game for the Miracle and both Royce Lewis and Trevor Larnach were given the game off. However, a familiar name led the Miracle to another win.

 

With the game tied at two going into the eighth inning, Diaz launched his 10th home run of the season to give the Miracle a lead they were able to hold on to. Diaz went 3-for-5 to raise his average to .319, and he drove in two of the three Miracle runs.

 

 

Jose Miranda went 2-for-4, and Aaron Whitefield went 2-for-5 in the game. Whitefield stole his 13th base of the season. Michael Helman added a double.

 

Lefty Tyler Watson had a really nice start. He gave up just two runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out just one batter, but he didn’t issue any walks. Alex Phillips came on and went the final 2 2/3 innings. He gave up just one hit and struck out six opponents.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Game 1 - Cedar Rapids 5, Burlington 7

Box Score

 

The Kernels have been trying to get a doubleheader in the last couple of days in Burlington. On Wednesday, they got their first game in but the second was suspended in the bottom of the first inning. This is the continuation of that game.

 

Austin Schulfer began the game for the Kernels. Because just half an inning was played on Wednesday, he started in the bottom of the first inning, as he was supposed to on Wednesday. He gave up three runs on six hits in just three innings. He walked one and struck out six. Carlos Suniaga came on and gave up three runs on four hits in just 2/3 of an inning. He walked one and struck one out. Brian Rapp worked the final 2 1/3 innings. He gave up one run on two hits and two walks.

 

Estamy Urena had a strong game in a losing effort. He went 2-for-4 in the game. He had a two-run double (his third with the Kernels) in the third inning. He then added his first Kernels homer in the sixth inning. MIchael Davis went 2-for-3 and stole a bag. Gabriel Maciel went 0-for-1 but walked three times.

 

Game 2 - Cedar Rapids 4, Burlington 0

Box Score

 

Lefty Kody Funderburk, a 2018 draftee, made his Kernels debut tonight. He gave up just one hit over four scoreless innings. He walked one and struck out four batters. Derek Molina came on and threw three scoreless innings to complete the shutout. He gave up two hits, walked one and struck out six batters.

 

The offense was more spread out. Yeltsin Encarnacion was 2-for-3 with a walk. He stole his sixth base. Jacob Pearson went 2-for-4 with his seventh double and his ninth stolen base. Gabriel Maciel went 2-for-3 and stole his seventh base. Wander Javier went 1-for-3 with a walk. Jared Akins provided a little insurance in the ninth with his fifth home run since joining the team.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day - Kody Funderburk, Cedar Rapids Kernels

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Ben Rortvedt, Pensacola Blue Wahoos

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) - Did Not Play

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) - 0-4

#3 - Brusdar Graterol (Pensacola) - Injured List (shoulder)

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Ft. Myers) - Did Not Play.

#5 - Wander Javier (CR) - Game 1 (1-4, RBI, 2 K), Game 2 (1-3, BB)

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

#7 - Jhoan Duran (Ft. Myers) - Did Not Pitch

#8 - Lewis Thorpe (Rochester) - Rained Out.

#9 - Blayne Enlow (Ft. Myers) - Did Not Pitch.

#10 - Akil Baddoo (Ft. Myers) - Injured List (Tommy John surgery)

#11 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - Rained Out.

#12 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) - Injured List (elbow)

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Ft. Myers) - 0-4

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

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

#16 - Gilberto Celestino (Cedar Rapids) - Game 1 (1-3, BB), Game 2 (0-3, BB, K, SB(8)

#17 - Zack Littell (Minnesota) - Don’t Ask… OK, fine. 4.1 IP, 10 H, 8 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (77 pitches, 50 strikes)

#18 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) - Rained Out.

#19 - Jorge Alcala (Pensacola) - 5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K (87 pitches, 52 strikes)

#20 - Jose Miranda (Ft. Myers) - 2-4

 

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Buffalo @ Rochester (6:05 CST) - LHP Lewis Thorpe (3-0, 6.31 ERA)

Mississippi @ Pensacola (6:35 CST) - RHP Andro Cutura (0-2, 6.87 ERA)

Ft. Myers @ Lakeland (5:30 CST) - RHP Jordan Balazovic (3-0, 2.25 ERA)

Cedar Rapids @ Beloit (6:30 CST) - TBD

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Thursday games or any other minor league topics you would like.

 

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[nater79a]

Lewin Diaz....we are not worthy!!

Slashing .305/.337./.695 (1.031)  with 10 HR's for the month.

 

Can you say "Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the month for May"...

[dbminn]

 

Lewin Diaz....we are not worthy!!

Slashing .305/.337./.695 (1.031)  with 10 HR's for the month.

 

Can you say "Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the month for May"...

 

Trevor Larnach says, "hold my beer": .366/.450/.624 (1.074)

 

Seriously, I agree with Diaz for the award. But they have both had an incredible month.

 

[rdehring]

Nice start to his stay at AA for Rortvedt, Seth.  When do you see him being ready to join the Twins?  I had been thinking September, 2020, could it be sooner?  With both he and Jeffers on the horizon, do the Twins go into next year with Garver, Astudillo and some AAAA catcher at Rochester?  Or do they try resigning Castro to a short term contract, say a year or two?  That trio sure is working good this year.

 

Looks like Diaz has turned the corner and is becoming the hitter many thought he would.  Expect he will be added to the 40-man come November.  

 

Will be following Balazovic and Thorpe's starts tonight.

 

 

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Nice start to his stay at AA for Rortvedt, Seth.  When do you see him being ready to join the Twins?  I had been thinking September, 2020, could it be sooner?  With both he and Jeffers on the horizon, do the Twins go into next year with Garver, Astudillo and some AAAA catcher at Rochester?  Or do they try resigning Castro to a short term contract, say a year or two?  That trio sure is working good this year.

 

Looks like Diaz has turned the corner and is becoming the hitter many thought he would.  Expect he will be added to the 40-man come November.  

 

Will be following Balazovic and Thorpe's starts tonight.

 

I would think Rortvedt late in 2020... maybe to stick mid-2021. 

 

I could see a one-year catcher signing, or see if Castro is interested in a one-year deal. 

[jimbo92107]

"Rortvedt has now played in ten games for Pensacola. He is hitting .382/.488/.647 (1.135)."

 

Those numbers do not hint at a future backup catcher. Ben's oppo dinger to left field also indicates power to all fields. Plus he's reportedly an excellent defensive backstop. A super duo of Garver and Rortvedt could be in the near future for the Minnesota Twins. 

 

However, I would still keep El Cherubo in the catching mix, because 1, guys get hurt, 2, guys need a rest, and 3, catcher by committee is how you keep your catchers from wearing down over a 162-game season. 

 

Oh, and imagine having a power-hitting catcher on the bench, and not being afraid to use him in a game because you've also got Astudillo, who's perfectly adequate behind the dish. That kind of flexibility would make a manager very, very happy. And Rortvedt bats left... ;-)

Edited May 31, 2019 by jimbo92107

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

 

I would think Rortvedt late in 2020... maybe to stick mid-2021. 

 

I could see a one-year catcher signing, or see if Castro is interested in a one-year deal. 

Keep the catchers coming! I like the Jeffers/Rortvedt "embarrassment of backstops" philosophy, along with past and present commitments to shortstops and centerfielders. Up-the-middle positions players are key. I, for one, would like to see Shea Langeliers (catcher, Baylor) the Twins first pick on Monday.

[Aerodeliria]

I also am beginning to warm up to the three catcher set up. It's tough giving up a slot, but when someone gets dinged, it's nice that you don't have to look in the refuse bin for a backup.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I also am beginning to warm up to the three catcher set up. It's tough giving up a slot, but when someone gets dinged, it's nice that you don't have to look in the refuse bin for a backup.

 

The three catcher 'set up' only works if one of them is able to play multiple positions at least adequately. Astudillo can play an adequate 1B and 3B. Chris Herrmann could play adequately at all three outfield spots, plus 1B and 3B and catcher. 

[Mike Sixel]

The three catcher 'set up' only works if one of them is able to play multiple positions at least adequately. Astudillo can play an adequate 1B and 3B. Chris Herrmann could play adequately at all three outfield spots, plus 1B and 3B and catcher.

Garver can DH and play first, agreed? I think they even used him in right field in the minors?

[nater79a]

 

Trevor Larnach says, "hold my beer": .366/.450/.624 (1.074)

 

Seriously, I agree with Diaz for the award. But they have both had an incredible month.

 

Agree. Both Larnach and Diaz have been great.  No doubt Larnach is also in the mix for May.

 

What puts Diaz just over the top for me is the incredible power surge - 10 HR's, and right around .700 slugging.

[jkcarew]

I remember Cody having Diaz ranked WAY higher than anyone else (including me) early last winter in the prospect ratings. Big tip of the hat. Twins need to push him now. Have to see this year what he can do at the AA level, I would think.

 

Rortvedt threw out another base stealer last night as well. Now thrown out 14 of 24 on the year.