Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/7): Rochester Scores 26 Runs In Doubleheader Sweep

[Tom Froemming]

Jhoan Duran had another great start, Brent Rooker, Travis Blankenhorn, Lewin Diaz and Jose Miranda all hit home runs, Drew Maggi mashed a pair of taters and the Cedar Rapids bullpen provided seven no-hit innings. Come see what else happened down on the farm Friday night.TRANSACTIONS

-LHP Devin Smeltzer was optioned back to Rochester.

-C Trevor Casanova joined Fort Myers from extended spring.

-OF/1B Trey Cabbage also re-joined Fort Myers from the suspended list.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Game 1: Rochester 19, Pawtucket 4 (7 innings)

Box Score

 

Kohl Stewart: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, 58.5% strikes (55 of 94 pitches)

HR: None

Multi-hit games: Luis Arraez (3-for-4, 2B, BB), Wilin Rosario (3-for-5, 2B), Nick Gordon (2-for-6, 2B), Zander Wiel (2-for-3, BB, HBP), Jake Cave (2-for-5, 2 2B), Wynston Sawyer (2-for-5, 2B)

 

How do you score 19 runs in a seven-inning game without the benefit of a home run? Well, drawing nine walks helps. So does going 12-for-19 with runners in scoring position. Every single hitter in Rochester’s lineup reached base at least twice.

 

Luis Arraez and Wilin Rosario both tallied three hits. Arraez drove in five runs from the leadoff spot while Rosario had four RBIs. Drew Maggi reached safely in four of his five plate appearances, hitting a double to go with three walks, and score three runs. Zander Wiel also reached base in four of his five plate appearances (two singles, a walk and a hit by pitch). Brent Rooker scored three runs … lots of crooked numbers. Kohl Stewart, the beneficiary of all that run support, improved to 5-3 on the year.

 

Game 2: Rochester 7, Pawtucket 4 (7 innings)

Box Score

 

Zack Littell: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 81.1% strikes (30 of 37 pitches)

HR: Drew Maggi 2 (5), Rooker (7)

Multi-hit games: Cave (2-for-4, 2B), Maggi (2-for-3, 2 HR)

 

The Wings trailed 4-2 entering the final inning, but Drew Maggi hit a game-tying home run, his second of the game, and Brent Rooker blasted a three-run homer to push Rochester ahead.

 

 

There were a lot of familiar names on the mound in this one. Gabriel Moya actually started this game. He recorded four outs before giving way to Zack Littell. I originally thought this may be an opener situation, but you don’t typically see the starting pitcher (or primary, whatever you want to call it) coming in to the middle of innings. Littell also only pitched 2 2/3 innings, throwing 37 pitches. The only hit Littell gave up was a solo home run.

 

Fernando Romero followed with two innings. He gave up three runs on four hits, including a solo homer. Trevor Hildenberger pitched a perfect bottom of the seventh to pick up his first save for Rochester.

 

BLUE WAHOO BITES

Biloxi 9, Pensacola 1

Box Score

 

Bryan Sammons: 3.2 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 65.9% strikes (54 of 82 pitches)

HR: Travis Blankenhorn (10)

Multi-hit games: None

 

Travis Blankenhorn led off this game with a home run. The Blue Wahoos managed just one more hit the entire rest of the game. Bryan Sammons also had a rough night on the mound, meaning Biloxi had a pretty comfortable evening.

 

Blankenhorn’s homer was his 10th already in just 40 games since being called up to Double-A. The Southern League leader came into today with 14 homers, so Travis is making quite the first impression.

 

Adam Bray was another positive for Pensacola. He pitched 3 1/3 shutout innings of two-hit ball while striking out four batters.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 6, Jupiter 2

Box Score

 

SP: Jhoan Duran: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 65.9% strikes (60 of 91 pitches)

HR: Lewin Diaz (12), Jose Miranda (3)

Multi-hit games: None

 

Another day, another Lewin Diaz home run. That’s 12 home runs over his last 31 games now. Speaking of Blankenhorn, he led the Miracle with 11 homers last year.

 

Jhoan Duran is another guy who’s been rolling for Fort Myers. He was hot, hot, hot tonight.

Duran held Jupiter to one run on six hits over seven innings and struck out four. In his last three starts, Duran’s surrendered just 10 hits and three earned runs over 20 innings.

 

Jose Miranda hit his third homer of the year, drew a walk and scored twice. Trey Cabbage hit a double and drove in a pair of runs in his return to the Miracle. Royce Lewis got a single, stole his 11th base of the season and scored a run.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 5, Peoria 3

Box Score

 

Tyler Palm: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 61.7% strikes (37 of 60 pitches)

HR: None

Multi-hit games: Yeltsin Encarnacion (2-for-5), Gabriel Maciel (2-for-4)

 

Cedar Rapids stumbled a bit out of the gates, falling behind 3-0 after the first three innings, but they sure did finish strong. Carlos Suniaga, Jose Martinez and Moises Gomez combined to no-hit Peoria over the final seven innings of this game. Suniaga, the first man out of the bullpen, struck out five batters over his three innings. Martinez also delivered three innings before Gomez came in for the save in the ninth.

 

The bats had a nice rally in the fourth inning to get rolling. With one out, Jared Akins and Chris Williams drew back-to-back walks. Jacob Pearson hit an RBI single before Andrew Bechtold provided a run-scoring ground out. Gabriel Maciel tied the game with an RBI single.

 

Things stayed knotted up until the eighth inning. Gilberto Celestino hit a leadoff double and was driven home on a Williams triple. Celestino also helped provide an insurance run in the ninth, hitting a sacrifice fly.

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day: Jhoan Duran, Fort Myers

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day: Drew Maggi, Rochester

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

1. Royce Lewis (FM): 1-for-4, R, SB, K

4. Trevor Larnach (FM): 1-for-4, 2B, R, K

6. Brent Rooker (ROC): 2-for-6, HR (7), 3 BB, 4 R, 5 RBI, K, HBP

7. Jhoan Duran (FM): Jhoan Duran: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 65.9% strikes (60 of 91 pitches)

11. Nick Gordon (ROC): 3-for-10, 2B, 4 R, 2 RBI, 3 SB

13. Ryan Jeffers (FM): 0-for-2, K

14. Ben Rortvedt (PNS): 0-for-4, K

16. Gilberto Celestino (CR): 1-for-4, 2B, R, RBI

17. Zack Littell (ROC): 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 81.1% strikes (30 of 37 pitches)

18. LaMonte Wade (ROC): 2-for-6, 3 BB

20. Jose Miranda (FM): 1-for-3, HR (3), BB, 2 R, RBI

 

SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester at Pawtucket, 5:15 pm CT (Randy Dobnak)

Pensacola at Biloxi, 6:35 pm CT (Charlie Barnes)

Fort Myers vs. Jupiter, 5:00 pm CT (Cole Sands)

Cedar Rapids at Peoria, 6:35 pm CT (Josh Winder)

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the games.

 

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[Danchat]

IMO Duran is justifying his high ranking Twins Daily gave him on the prospects rankings. He's consistently going 6-7 innings and has the stuff to be a really good starter.

 

Right now I'd like to get some of those AAA bats some chances in the majors, like Cave and Wiel. Methinks Wiel is ready for a chance. Unfortunately, our major league hitters are doing so well we really don't need reinforcements. I could see Astudillo getting optioned for Cave.

 

Update: 

 

 

Twins have optioned C Willians Astudillo to AAA Rochester.

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

Rooker seems to have quieted his early season woes... still needs to drop that K rate, but he's trending in the right direction.

[benji21]

Does arraez just continue to hit or what? He seems like he got energized by his taste of the big leagues and is just hammering these poor AAA pitchers. It’s nice to see Rooker with a one K day! How often can you say that? This was a pretty positive day in the minors!

[TFRazor]

"Trevor Hildenberger pitched a perfect bottom of the seventh to pick up his first save for Rochester."

 

I do like the sound of that

[rdehring]

What a beautiful morning in Minnesota.  The Twins win and the minor leaguers go 4-1, 4-2 if you count the DSL Twins 4-2 loss.  Urbina again led off, going hitless in 3 at bats while scoring one run.  A week into the season, the baby Twins are 3-3.

 

The Twins prospects are starting to heat up in Rochester.  Since being sent back last week, Arraez has had TWO 3-hit games and is now hitting .419 average....yes, it is a small sample.  Speaking of .400, Rooker is hitting over that lofty mark (12-27) since coming off the IL 8 games ago.  With Astudillo going down today, there is lots of help waiting in the Wings should the Twins need any position players.  And that could improve more when Luke Raley gets back on the field (any word on when he is due back?). 

 

Along with the Dozier trade, the one that brought Duran to the organization last July was "sweet."  Hopefully, he doesn't blow his arm out which is happening way too often of late.

 

For those of you in the know, would Blankenhorn and/or Diaz have good value as part of a trade for a top reliever? 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

What a beautiful morning in Minnesota.  The Twins win and the minor leaguers go 4-1, 4-2 if you count the DSL Twins 4-2 loss.  Urbina again led off, going hitless in 3 at bats while scoring one run.  A week into the season, the baby Twins are 3-3.

 

The Twins prospects are starting to heat up in Rochester.  Since being sent back last week, Arraez has had TWO 3-hit games and is now hitting .419 average....yes, it is a small sample.  Speaking of .400, Rooker is hitting over that lofty mark (12-27) since coming off the IL 8 games ago.  With Astudillo going down today, there is lots of help waiting in the Wings should the Twins need any position players.  And that could improve more when Luke Raley gets back on the field (any word on when he is due back?). 

 

Along with the Dozier trade, the one that brought Duran to the organization last July was "sweet."  Hopefully, he doesn't blow his arm out which is happening way too often of late.

 

For those of you in the know, would Blankenhorn and/or Diaz have good value as part of a trade for a top reliever? 

 

I wouldn't get too attached. Wouldn't be surprised at all if he's one of the guys traded in a month.

[BrLaabs]

Go for it all?  Think Big?

What do you think it would take to get Sherzer out of Washington?  We have depth in the OF in the minors.

I know its a big contract but do we have enough to entice Washington without having to give too much?  Would a Cave / Rooker / Gordon be enough?  

 

Great job on the articles

[Splash45]

It’s pretty crazy that we have like 6-7 hitters is AAA that I would be comfortable getting called up and playing if there was an injury on the big league squad. Lots of hitting depth in the org right now.

[rdehring]

 

I wouldn't get too attached. Wouldn't be surprised at all if he's one of the guys traded in a month.

Who are you referring to?

[jmlease1]

wonder if having both Arraez and Nick Gordon on the same squad has been pushing both guys to play to their potential? Gordon has been playing pretty well too.

 

Jhoan Duran looks terrific. mid-season promotion to AA? Seems like he'd be a good candidate.

[Aerodeliria]

Arraez (to me) is becoming untouchable. He just rakes whatever level he's in. His OBP is also outrageous and he very fleet of foot. He could be a lockdown second baseman for years to come.

[Aerodeliria]

BTW, was there any report explaining why Trey Cabbage was suspended? I know that someone had mentioned it previously, but apparently there was no explanation available at that time.

Edited June 8, 2019 by Aerodeliria

[Vanimal46]

What happened to Fernando Romero this year?

[rdehring]

 

Arraez (to me) is becoming untouchable. He just rakes whatever level he's in. His OBP is also outrageous and he very fleet of foot. He could be a lockdown second baseman for years to come.

I agree and see him as a perfect lead off hitter for much of the next decade.  Will be surprised if he doesn't have many .400 OBP seasons in his future. 

 

I had always been led to believe he was slower afoot.  After seeing him with the Twins, he doesn't have blazing speed, but is plenty quick to not clog up the bases.

[Tom Froemming]

 

For those of you in the know, would Blankenhorn and/or Diaz have good value as part of a trade for a top reliever? 

Yes, but those two probably don't have as much trade value as we'd imagine. They've both been very impressive, but as the Twins demonstrated this offseason, first and second base are very easy holes to fill. Those aren't spots I'd be looking to beef up if I was a rebuilding team.

 

 

Go for it all?  Think Big?

What do you think it would take to get Sherzer out of Washington?  We have depth in the OF in the minors.

I know its a big contract but do we have enough to entice Washington without having to give too much?  Would a Cave / Rooker / Gordon be enough?  

No, I don't think that would get them close. If the Nats made Max available, they'd probably be looking for a package headed by a top-30 prospect in all of baseball. I know he's getting up there and makes a ton, but he's showing no signs of regression. Washington just doesn't seem to have much motivation to move him.

 

 

Arraez (to me) is becoming untouchable. He just rakes whatever level he's in. His OBP is also outrageous and he very fleet of foot. He could be a lockdown second baseman for years to come.

To me, he's actually one of the main guys to shop. You want to trade away your players who are at the peak of their value, and I feel that describes Arraez right now. It's really easy to find a second baseman. Yes, Schoop is a pending free agent, but Marwin can slot into 2B for next season. 

 

As far as his speed, Statcast had Arraez at 26.6 ft./sec. during his time up with the Twins. That's a bit below average, Cron is at 26.2 and Garver is at 26.1. Among 63 second baseman measured, Luis ranks 48th in sprint speed. Arraez also doesn't have much power. I don't really enjoy pointing this stuff out, and I think Luis is on the short list of funnest guys in the system to watch play, but I think now would be a good time to shop him.

[Seth Stohs]

 

BTW, was there any report explaining why Trey Cabbage was suspended? I know that someone had mentioned it previously, but apparently there was no explanation available at that time.

 

It was a 'team violation" and that just stays internal... No explanation needed. 

 

But to be clear, it was not like a PED or drug suspension. 

[dbminn]

 

Yes, but those two probably don't have as much trade value as we'd imagine. They've both been very impressive, but as the Twins demonstrated this offseason, first and second base are very easy holes to fill. Those aren't spots I'd be looking to beef up if I was a rebuilding team.

 

 

No, I don't think that would get them close. If the Nats made Max available, they'd probably be looking for a package headed by a top-30 prospect in all of baseball. I know he's getting up there and makes a ton, but he's showing no signs of regression. Washington just doesn't seem to have much motivation to move him.

 

 

To me, he's actually one of the main guys to shop. You want to trade away your players who are at the peak of their value, and I feel that describes Arraez right now. It's really easy to find a second baseman. Yes, Schoop is a pending free agent, but Marwin can slot into 2B for next season. 

 

As far as his speed, Statcast had Arraez at 26.6 ft./sec. during his time up with the Twins. That's a bit below average, Cron is at 26.2 and Garver is at 26.1. Among 63 second baseman measured, Luis ranks 48th in sprint speed. Arraez also doesn't have much power. I don't really enjoy pointing this stuff out, and I think Luis is on the short list of funnest guys in the system to watch play, but I think now would be a good time to shop him.

 

Except Arraez is the first Twins call-up if an IF goes on the IL. The best teams maintain AAA depth for a long season. I wouldn't trade Cave either.

 

The trade deadline is July 30 this year. That's two months where it will not be easy to find a replacement if there are an injury or two.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I agree and see him as a perfect lead off hitter for much of the next decade.  Will be surprised if he doesn't have many .400 OBP seasons in his future. 

 

I had always been led to believe he was slower afoot.  After seeing him with the Twins, he doesn't have blazing speed, but is plenty quick to not clog up the bases.

 

Yeah, I think he is in much better shape than he was 2-3 years ago, a little bit more athletic. 

[MNT1996]

I wonder what the Twins are going to do regarding 2B during the offseason. If Schoop steps it up a bit this season and has a good 25 HRs with around a .800 OPS do we extend him for a couple years? He obviously brings more pop to the plate than we would get with Arraez. Plus Schoop is relatively young so his prime may not even have come yet. Personally I think we resign Schoop and condition Arraez to be the next MarGo for us.

[bluechipper]

 

Rooker seems to have quieted his early season woes... still needs to drop that K rate, but he's trending in the right direction.

He's got a 39% K rate this year. I don't see how that could possibly work. It's always funny to look at his stats in these daily reports, it seems like his outs are only K's, and his .439 BABIP sure supports that.

[RaymondLuxuryYacht]

Hungry Like the Wolf

[Tom Froemming]

 

Except Arraez is the first Twins call-up if an IF goes on the IL. The best teams maintain AAA depth for a long season. I wouldn't trade Cave either.

 

The trade deadline is July 30 this year. That's two months where it will not be easy to find a replacement if there are an injury or two.

Maybe, but if anybody misses significant time, I'd think it'll be Marwin who takes over as the everyday guy and they'd still have Adrianza as the utility IF.

[Aerodeliria]

I wonder what the Twins are going to do regarding 2B during the offseason. If Schoop steps it up a bit this season and has a good 25 HRs with around a .800 OPS do we extend him for a couple years? He obviously brings more pop to the plate than we would get with Arraez. Plus Schoop is relatively young so his prime may not even have come yet. Personally I think we resign Schoop and condition Arraez to be the next MarGo for us.

Personally, when the time comes, I'd shop Schoop and keep Arraez. I'd love at least one guy who is always getting on base, either by way of BB or singles. I'd like to keep Marwin around for his flexibility.

[ashbury]

I agree and see him as a perfect lead off hitter for much of the next decade.  Will be surprised if he doesn't have many .400 OBP seasons in his future.

The last few seasons tell me that it's really difficult to do .400 OBP for an AL season without 25-HR power. Maybe Arraez will develop into that, but for now I don't see it.

[Mr. Brooks]

Personally, when the time comes, I'd shop Schoop and keep Arraez. I'd love at least one guy who is always getting on base, either by way of BB or singles. I'd like to keep Marwin around for his flexibility.

You want us to sell at the deadline?

[Aerodeliria]

You want us to sell at the deadline?

It's a conundrum, but if the bullpen is still shaky and we can get someone like Hand, why not?

[jkcarew]

Lots of speculation regarding second base depth without the mention of the player the Twins invested the number 5 overall pick in...and currently OPS’ing nearly .800 with our AAA club.

[jkcarew]

You want us to sell at the deadline?

It’s a bold strategy, Cotton...let’s see how it pays off for ‘em.

[Mr. Brooks]

It's a conundrum, but if the bullpen is still shaky and we can get someone like Hand, why not?

This doesn't make any sense.

If Cleveland decides to sell, it's not going to be for a veteran on an expiring contract.