Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/14): Poppen Pitching Well in Rochester

[Seth Stohs]

You may not have heard as much about him as other Twins prospects, but Sean Poppen is making himself a pitching prospect to watch in the season’s second half. The 25-year-old from Harvard hits 96 and has a good three-pitch mix. Meanwhile, a Tommy John pitcher was activated by the Miracle. A Kernels starter was terrific in his return from the IL. So much going on in the Twins minor league system.

 

 

Misael Urbina Update - On Thursday, he went 2-for-5 and is now hitting .313.Find out everything that happened happened in the Twins system on Thursday, starting with the transactions of the day.

 

TRANSACTIONS

• The Twins have signed several of their 2019 draft picks. Keep up with those who signed here.
• Ryan Eades was optioned to Rochester with Fernando Romero called up to the Twins.
• Ft. Myers announced the RHP Cole Sands was placed on the Injured List (blister). Taking his spot on the Miracle roster was RHP Dakota Chalmers. He came to the Twins organization last August in exchange for RHP Fernando Rodney. Chalmers had Tommy John surgery last May.
• Cedar Rapids announced that RHP Luis Rijo was activated from the Injured List. LHP JT Perez was sent to extended spring training.
• Several players were released from EST as 2019 draft picks sign and the short-season leagues begin. Released on Thursday include RHP Jose Bermudez, Cristian Castro, 2B Hunter Lee, infielder Agustin Marte, and infielder Victor Tademo.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 6, Columbus 2

Box Score

 

The Red Wings scored three runs in the first inning and added on all while getting another strong pitching performance from Sean Poppen.

 

The right-hander from Harvard has been really good with the Red Wings. On this afternoon, he gave up two runs (one earned) over six innings. He gave up five hits, walked one and struck out nine. He improved to 4-0 with a 1.55 ERA. Preston Guilmet got the final three outs. Before him, Jake Reed struck out three over two scoreless innings. You will notice a change in Reed that might surprise you. Tom put Jake Reed under the Prospect Spotlight.

 

 

Wilin Rosario led the offense. He went 4-for-4 with two doubles and four RBIs. Luis Arraez went 3-for-5 with his third double. Jake Cave went 2-for-4. Nick Gordon was 2-for-5. And your Willians Astudillo update… he went 2-or-4 with two RBIs.

 

BLUE WAHOO BITES

Pensacola 3, Tennessee 4 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

Randy Dobnak made his return to the Blue Wahoos rotation. He gave up two runs on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out five batters. Jeff Ames came on and tossed 2 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings. He struck out four.

 

The game went to extra innings tied at two. Tyler Palm came on, making his first appearance since being promoted from EST. He gave up two runs (one earned, due to 10th inning starting with a runner on second base). In the bottom of the 10th inning, Jordan Gore singled in a run, but the comeback fell short.

 

Gore went 3-for-3 in the game with two RBIs. Ben Rortvedt went 2-for-4 with his second double. Jimmy Kerrigan and Joe Cronin both went 1-for-3 with a walk. Kerrigan hit his fifth double.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers, Tampa

Box Score

 

The game was cancelled due to rain. Ft. Myers begins its All-Star weekend.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 0, Wisconsin 2

Box Score

 

Luis Rijo returned to the mound and pitched very well. The right-hander went five scoreless innings and gave up just one hit. He struck out three and didn’t walk a batter. On-site reports tell us that he hit 96 on the radar gun.

 

Alex Schick came on and gave up two runs on two hits and a walk in the sixth inning. Zach Neff followed with two scoreless innings, and Carlos Suniaga pitched a scoreless ninth frame.

 

Not much offense for the Kernels. They had just four hits. Gabe Snyder hit his 11th double. Yeltsin Encarnacion hit his third triple.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day - Luis Rijo, Cedar Rapids Kernels

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Wilin Rosario, Rochester Red Wings

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) - Rained Out.

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) - Injured List

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

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Ft. Myers) - Rained Out.

#5 - Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) - 0-4, 3 K

#6 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) - 1-3, R, BB, 2K

#7 - Jhoan Duran (Ft. Myers) -.Rained Out.

#8 - Lewis Thorpe (Rochester) - Did Not Pitch

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

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

#11 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - 2-5, R, 2K

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

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Ft. Myers) - Rained Out.

#14 - Ben Rortvedt (Pensacola) - 2-4, 2B(2), K

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

#16 - Gilberto Celestino (Cedar Rapids) - 0-4, K

#17 - Zack Littell (Rochester) - Did Not Pitch.

#18 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) - Did Not Play.

#19 - Jorge Alcala (Pensacola) - Did Not Pitch.

#20 - Jose Miranda (Ft. Myers) - Rained Out.

 

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Charlotte (6:05 CST) - RHP Kohl Stewart (5-3, 4.11 ERA)

Tennessee @ Pensacola (6:35 CST) - LHP Charlie Barnes (0-1, 3.86 ERA)

Ft. Myers - No Game Scheduled (All Star Break)

Clinton @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) - RHP Josh Winder (4-1, 2.64 ERA)

 

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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[Aerodeliria]

Thanks for the Jake Reed spotlight.

 

I suppose he's next on the merry-go-round of relievers, but I did like what I saw in the clip. Perhaps because of the new sidearm arm slotting, the ball seem to break late and with significant movement.

 

Give him a canteen and let's send him up the hill.

[curt1965]

Seth-

What’s up with Kirilloff? All other IL guys have reason next on the listing, but not Alex.

Is there some reason why this hasn’t been disclosed?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Seth- What’s up with Kirilloff? All other IL guys have reason next on the listing, but not Alex. Is there some reason why this hasn’t been disclosed?

 

If I/we had it, I'd share it... The team didn't announce anything, and I've asked a couple of people and got no response... I'm sure it's nothing they're hiding... maybe. Probably.

[puckstopper1]

 

If I/we had it, I'd share it... The team didn't announce anything, and I've asked a couple of people and got no response... I'm sure it's nothing they're hiding... maybe. Probably.

 

Unfortunately, Seth, that is what we assumed about Graterol...

[jorgenswest]

If I/we had it, I'd share it... The team didn't announce anything, and I've asked a couple of people and got no response... I'm sure it's nothing they're hiding... maybe. Probably.

I would hope they would be cautious and private about the health of their players. Beyond that they are injured or facts like they had surgery we don’t need to know.

[ashbury]

I'm sure it's nothing they're hiding... maybe. Probably.

[big dog]

 

If I/we had it, I'd share it... The team didn't announce anything, and I've asked a couple of people and got no response... I'm sure it's nothing they're hiding... maybe. Probably.

Or as we used to say about a former employer's approach: there are no secrets here.  Just things we don't tell anyone.

 

[goulik]

Just From the video, it looks like Reed is landing with better balance towards home?

[Major League Ready]

Has Poppen added a pitch or gained velocity? In other words, is there something that has changed that would suggest this high level of performance is sustainable or makes him a better MLB prospect?

Edited June 14, 2019 by Major League Ready

[mikelink45]

How many pitchers are realistic in our minors for this years Merry-Go-Mound?  I love our record, but for a team that has this good a record the search for arms is amazing.  When will the carousel slow down?

[jmlease1]

Ugh, I know it's probably not unusual but I hate seeing 25% of our Top 20 prospects on the injured list. (especially when it's two of our top 3!)

 

Have to say I'm very pleased with how Nick Gordon has responded to his poor season last year. He's hitting like a guy who has a future in the big leagues and I'm hopeful that he can just stay healthy the rest of the year and finish strong. Arraez is still ahead of him on the callup list (he hit so well when he got his first chance, how would you pass him over?) but Gordon is having a good season and seems to be back on track. Good for him! He has a really rough year in his first taste of AAA and it's really good to see him respond to it like this. Sometimes, a guy just need time to adjust. Some players crumble when they first hit adversity, and Nick Gordon doesn't look like that guy.

 

Jake Reed is 1 dinger away from a career high in HRs given up in a season. I like the K rate but I do not like the BB/9 (career high) is HR/9 (career high) or the WHIP (a very "meh" 1.398). Romero's been even more gopher ball prone, but at least he's not handing out the free passes.

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

I never understood people panicking over a 21 year old getting his first taste of AAA. Sure, Gordon has lost some luster, but many here have doubted that pick all along, despite his rapid rise. I doubt hell be a star, but I would bet good money he's in the majors a long time, barring injuries.

[curt1965]

If I/we had it, I'd share it... The team didn't announce anything, and I've asked a couple of people and got no response... I'm sure it's nothing they're hiding... maybe. Probably.

 

Thanks, Seth!

[jokin]

 

Have to say I'm very pleased with how Nick Gordon has responded to his poor season last year. He's hitting like a guy who has a future in the big leagues and I'm hopeful that he can just stay healthy the rest of the year and finish strong. Arraez is still ahead of him on the callup list (he hit so well when he got his first chance, how would you pass him over?) but Gordon is having a good season and seems to be back on track. Good for him! He has a really rough year in his first taste of AAA and it's really good to see him respond to it like this. Sometimes, a guy just need time to adjust. Some players crumble when they first hit adversity, and Nick Gordon doesn't look like that guy.

 

 

 

I never understood people panicking over a 21 year old getting his first taste of AAA. Sure, Gordon has lost some luster, but many here have doubted that pick all along, despite his rapid rise. I doubt hell be a star, but I would bet good money he's in the majors a long time, barring injuries.

 

It's great to see Gordon near the top of a batting order surrounded by Arraez, Astudillo and Rooker. Especially the first two. Good hitting habits can become contagious, success can breed more success. All three of his teammates are friendly rivals in search of getting the next field position call-up, two of whom are so hungry for getting back that major league jersey they can taste it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 17, 2019 by jokin