Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/18): All-Star Tuesday, Champs Walk Off in Opener

[Steve Lein]

There was a lot going on in the minor leagues on Tuesday as both the Midwest League and Southern League played their All-Star Games and the Elizabethton Twins kicked off the Appalachian League season in dramatic fashion. In the other two affiliate games that were played, a bullpen blew a lead while an offense just couldn’t get anything going in a pitcher’s duel.

 

In those All-Star games, all of the Minnesota Twins organization’s representatives able to participate made appearances, and in the Midwest League the contest was decided in a way I didn’t know was a thing, and it was awesome.To find out just what I’m talking about, and how all of your favorite MiLB All-Stars and Twins prospects performed on Tuesday night, keep reading!

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 8, Columbus 9

Box Score

 

Everything was going great for the Red Wings for the first seven innings, as they built an 8-4 lead and only needed their bullpen to hang on. Lewis Thorpe got the start and went the first four innings. In his first three of those he kept the Clippers at bay, but a two-out rally in the fourth plated two runs against him to end his day. D.J. Baxendale went the next two innings, allowing a two-run home run in the sixth that closed the Red Wings lead to 8-4.

 

The offense had built that lead thanks to jumping all over the Clippers in the first three innings. They scored two in the first; three in the second behind doubles from Zander Wiel, Nick Gordon, and Brent Rooker; and another in the third on Wiel’s tenth home run of the year to put them out front 6-0. They tacked on two more in the fifth thanks to Brent Rooker’s eighth bomb of the season, but it wouldn’t be enough.

 

Newcomer Ian Krol got the seventh inning for his Red Wings debut and delivered a one-two-three inning that included a strikeout. From there, the bullpen duo of Gabriel Moya and Preston Guilmet imploded. Moya got just two outs and allowed two runs before exiting with a runner on second base, and Guilmet promptly served up the game tying homer, then consecutive doubles, to put the Clippers out front before recording the final out.

 

Gordon reached second base after drawing a one-out walk, but Rochester was unable to get him in and fell 9-8. In things I wish I saw, Willians Astudillo stole his first base in Triple-A while also finishing the night 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Gordon (2-for-4, 2 R, 2B, RBI, BB, K), Wiel (2-for-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, RBI), and LaMonte Wade (2-for-3, R, 2 BB, K) each collected two hits as well.

 

BLUE WAHOOS BITES

Southern League All-Star Game: North Division 7, South Division 3

Box Score

 

If you hadn’t already read it here on Twins Daily, I caught up with a few of the Minnesota Twins’ representatives in the Southern League All-Star game before it was played tonight, and all three of their able-bodied played.

 

Travis Blankenhorn got the start at second base and batted fifth in the lineup. He finished 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts against tough pitchers in Southern League ERA contender Sam McWilliams, and WHIP standout Tyson Miller.

 

Jaylin Davis followed him in the batting order as the DH and played the entire game, finishing 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. His single in the ninth inning scored the South squad’s third run of the contest.

 

Caleb Hamilton came into the game as the catcher in the sixth inning and got two plate appearances as a hitter, flying out to left in the seventh and to right for the final out of the game.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 0, Charlotte 2

Box Score

 

This game was completed in a brisk two hours and twenty-one minutes as the teams combined for just eight hits. Unfortunately for the Miracle, Charlotte picked up five of those hits along with drawing three walks and were able to scratch across a few runs to take the victory.

 

Adalberto Mejia mad his second appearance of the season, serving as opener and pitching only the first inning for the second time. He gave up one hit and struck out one. Jhoan Duran then came on as the primary and was brilliant for the next five innings. He allowed one run on two hits and three walks while striking out 11. All three outs came on K’s in each of the third and sixth innings. Hector Lujan replaced him for the seventh and completed 1 2/3, allowing the other run on two hits and striking out one. Calvin Faucher recorded the final out for the Miracle with a K in the bottom of the eighth.

 

Trevor Larnach recorded two of Fort Myers three hits on the day, including his league leading 21^st double. Larnach also leads the Florida State League in batting average with a .311 mark. Lewin Diaz collected their only other hit, a two-out single in the ninth that gave Larnach a chance, but it wasn’t to be as he went down swinging on three pitches.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Midwest League All-Star Game: West Division 3, East Division 3 (but it wasn’t a tie because of something cool…)

Box Score

 

The Twins organization was represented in the MWL All-Star Game by three players with Chris Williams who started the game at DH, infielder Gabe Snyder, and pitcher Josh Winder. All three got in on the action in a game that ended in a tie after nine innings but was decided in an awesome fashion with a home run derby.

 

Williams was in the lineup for the entirety of the game and finished 0-for-3 with a walk and stole a base. Snyder entered the game in the fifth inning, playing first base, and went 0-for-2 as hits were at a premium in the game. Winder took the mound to start the fifth inning and made the most of his opportunity by striking out both hitters he faced, including the #1 prospect in all of baseball per MLB.com, shortstop Wander Franco of the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Midwest League home run leader, Will Benson of the Cleveland Indians before being lifted.

 

With the game tied 3-3 after the completion of the ninth inning, the game went into…sudden-death-home-run-derby-overtime. Each team sent one man to the plate, with the West squad turning to Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Blaze Alexander, and the East choosing yesterday’s home run derby winner Chris Betts of the Rays, who had an epic bat “whip” after winning that contest:

 

He did that same whip again after coming out on top tonight 2-1 to give the East the “win” in the league’s midsummer showcase.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Bluefield 2, Elizabethton 3

Box Score

 

The Elizabethton Twins got their Appalachian League back-to-back title defending season underway in dramatic fashion, walking it off in the bottom of the ninth thanks to a 2-RBI double from their 2018 40^th round draft pick, outfielder Tyler Webb.

 

Before those fireworks, pitching had ruled the day for both teams, with Prelander Berroa getting the start and delivering 4 2/3 hitless innings. He walked three and struck out seven.

 

The Twins had taken an early 1-0 lead thanks to a pair of singles from Albie Weiss and Yeremi De La Cruz around a wild pitch in the second inning, but that was it until the ninth.

 

J.T. Perez took over for Berroa and completed 1 1/3, striking out one. Steven Cruz was summoned in the seventh and struck out the side, keeping a no-hitter intact to that point for the home team. Back out for the eighth he started off the frame with another K, but a walk was followed by a double for the Blue Jays’ first hit of the game and first run to tie it at one. Cruz would total 1 1/3, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out four. Erik Cha took over after that double and got a groundout before a wild pitch allowed Bluefield to take the lead 2-1. Cha would finish the game for Elizabethton with 1 2/3, allowing two hits and a walk along with picking up a K.

 

In the bottom of the ninth Max Smith got the rally started by drawing a walk to lead off, and Charles Mack put him in scoring position by following with a single. The Blue Jays loaded the bases for the Twins with a walk before Webb came through with the walk-off double.

 

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Pitcher of the Day – Jhoan Duran, Fort Myers Miracle (5.0IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 11 K)

Hitter of the Day – Brent Rooker, Rochester Red Wings (3-for-4, R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI)

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

 

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) - 0-for-4, 3 K

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) - Injured list

#3 - Brusdar Graterol (Pensacola) - Injured list

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Ft. Myers) - 2-for-4, 2B

#5 - Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) - No game (All-Star Break)

#6 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) - 3-for-4, R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI

#7 - Jhoan Duran (Ft. Myers) - L, 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 11 K

#8 - Lewis Thorpe (Rochester) - 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K

#9 - Blayne Enlow (Fort Myers) - Did not pitch

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

#11 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - 2-for-4, 2 R, 2B, RBI, BB, K

#12 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) - Injured list

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Ft. Myers) - 0-for-3, K

#14 - Ben Rortvedt (Pensacola) - No game (All-Star Break)

#15 - Yunior Severino (Cedar Rapids) - Injured list

#16 - Gilberto Celestino (Cedar Rapids) - No game (All-Star Break)

#17 - Zack Littell (Minnesota via Rochester) - Did not pitch (as of this writing)

#18 - LaMonte Wade Jr. (Rochester) - 2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K

#19 - Jorge Alcala (Pensacola) - No game (All-Star Break)

#20 - Jose Miranda (Ft. Myers) - 0-for-3

 

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester @ Columbus (6:05PM CST) - RHP Sean Poppen (4-0, 1.55 ERA)

Game 1: Charlotte @ Fort Myers (3:30PM CST) - TBD

Game 2: Charlotte @ Fort Myers - TBD

Bluefield @ Elizabethton (5:30PM CST) - TBD

 

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

 

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[Aerodeliria]

Wow. The Twins played three games' worth compared to Charlotte-Fort Myers. Willians still wants that call up!

[Seth Stohs]

I think Steve forgot the Transactions section, so here they are:

 

• IF Luis Arraez and OF Jake Cave were promoted to the Twins with Byron Buxton and Ehire Adrianza going on the IL.
• The Twins signed LHP and MLB vet Ian Krol to a minor league deal and sent him to the Red Wings. 
• OF Jimmy Kerrigan was promoted to the Red Wings. 
• C Trevor Casanova was promoted toCedar Rapids.
• 3B Andrew Bechtold was promoted to Ft. Myers (which we had a couple of days ago but just became official today)
•  RHP Yancarlos Baez and Miguel De Jesus, and LHP Matt Jones, were all placed on the IL (60 Day) by Elizabethton.
• Also, OF Matt Wallner, IF Anthony Prato,  and Pitchers Sean Mooney, Brent Headrick, and Sawyer Gipson all added to the Elizabethton roster. 
• Also RHP Casey Legumina also signed. 

 

I think that's it... 

[rdehring]

Looking at this ETon boxscore, should be fun seeing which of this year's roster develop into good prospects over the summer.

[Steve Lein]

 

I think Steve forgot the Transactions section, so here they are:

 

• IF Luis Arraez and OF Jake Cave were promoted to the Twins with Byron Buxton and Ehire Adrianza going on the IL.
• The Twins signed LHP and MLB vet Ian Krol to a minor league deal and sent him to the Red Wings. 
• OF Jimmy Kerrigan was promoted to the Red Wings. 
• C Trevor Casanova was promoted toCedar Rapids.
• 3B Andrew Bechtold was promoted to Ft. Myers (which we had a couple of days ago but just became official today)
•  RHP Yancarlos Baez and Miguel De Jesus, and LHP Matt Jones, were all placed on the IL (60 Day) by Elizabethton.
• Also, OF Matt Wallner, IF Anthony Prato,  and Pitchers Sean Mooney, Brent Headrick, and Sawyer Gipson all added to the Elizabethton roster. 
• Also RHP Casey Legumina also signed. 

 

I think that's it... 

 

I did! Late night Twins game and company at the house so I spaced on that! Thanks for including

[Kernels Fan]

 

Looking at this ETon boxscore, should be fun seeing which of this year's roster develop into good prospects over the summer.

Predict JT Perez will make it back to Cedar Rapids in quick fashion and excel as a middle reliever.

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

Do you guys expect that Larnach and Diaz will join Pensacola when they start their second half on Thursday?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Do you guys expect that Larnach and Diaz will join Pensacola when they start their second half on Thursday?

 

I would not be surprised. I kind of think that we may see Aaron Whitefield promoted to take Tanner English's roster spot. With Randy Cesar also released, they will need to add at least one more player as well.Though that could be a guy coming off IL. 

[blindeke]

Good to see Gordon hitting well. Amazing that he's the #11 prospect now...

[THE DFC]

 

I would not be surprised. I kind of think that we may see Aaron Whitefield promoted to take Tanner English's roster spot. With Randy Cesar also released, they will need to add at least one more player as well.Though that could be a guy coming off IL. 

 

How about getting Duran up to AA?  He's been eviscerating A+ as of late, and his YTD numbers are excellent, as well.  

[FormerMinnasotan]

How about getting Duran up to AA? He's been eviscerating A+ as of late, and his YTD numbers are excellent, as well.

I’d say the same for Balazovic. For the most part Balazovic has made the case to be moved up given he’s still been dominant and showing few weaknesses in Ft Myers.

[jokin]

 

I would not be surprised. I kind of think that we may see Aaron Whitefield promoted to take Tanner English's roster spot. With Randy Cesar also released, they will need to add at least one more player as well.

 

Though that could be a guy coming off IL. 

 

Could that "guy" be Kiriloff?

[THE DFC]

 

I’d say the same for Balazovic. For the most part Balazovic has made the case to be moved up given he’s still been dominant and showing few weaknesses in Ft Myers.

 

Yea, wouldn't hurt to have blue chips like Duran, Balazovic and a healthy Graterol (among other interesting options) steps away from the big club to start the 2020 season...

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

How about getting Duran up to AA?  He's been eviscerating A+ as of late, and his YTD numbers are excellent, as well.  

 

 

I’d say the same for Balazovic. For the most part Balazovic has made the case to be moved up given he’s still been dominant and showing few weaknesses in Ft Myers.

 

Balazovic will be on more of an innings limit than Duran this season. Duran threw 100 IP last year, Balazovic only 61.

 

Also, Duran needs a 40-man spot this winter anyway, so he'd have an outside shot of getting on the MLB roster yet this season as a bullpen reinforcement.

[caninatl04]

When does the "low rookie" Florida State league start?  Any info on the roster?

[ashbury]

When does the "low rookie" Florida State league start?  Any info on the roster?

Gulf Coast League. Play starts June 24.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Could that "guy" be Kiriloff?

 

Guess not...

[Seth Stohs]

 

Balazovic will be on more of an innings limit than Duran this season. Duran threw 100 IP last year, Balazovic only 61.

 

Also, Duran needs a 40-man spot this winter anyway, so he'd have an outside shot of getting on the MLB roster yet this season as a bullpen reinforcement.

 

Have to be careful with IP for guys who play in Extended and Short seasons. Balazovic was in Extended Spring Training last year. He pitched in Extended Spring games and threw bullpens and they track all of that. So yes, he'll likely pitch less innings than Duran, but I don't think that the 20% or 30% or whatever number will be based on 61 IP.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Do you guys expect that Larnach and Diaz will join Pensacola when they start their second half on Thursday?

 

Diaz is... 

[Doctor Wu]

 

How about getting Duran up to AA?  He's been eviscerating A+ as of late, and his YTD numbers are excellent, as well.  

eviscerating indeed. Great word for it!