Article: Twins Minor League Report (7/16): Larnach Debuts in Double-A

[Steve Lein]

It was a newsworthy day in the minor leagues on Sunday, though the biggest story may have been in the form of a promotion rather than from any of the games that were played. That's not to say there wasn't any noteworthy performances though, as a couple of pitchers had strong outings, a 2019 breakout prospect continued slugging, and the hitter of the day racked up four hits including a home run to lead his team to victory.

 

To find out everything that happend on Tuesday in the minor leagues, including that promotion for a top prospect, keep reading!TRANSACTIONS

 

There was a flurry of moves in the system on Tuesday, including some injuries to some notable names and a flurry of corresponding moves after a big promotion for a top prospect:

• In unfortunate injury news, OF Brent Rooker was placed on the injured list retroactive to July 14^th.
• In Double-A the Blue Wahoos placed IF Travis Blankenhorn on the injured list retroactive to July 14^th as well, but in his place recieved OF Trevor Larnach, the Florida State League leader in doubles, batting average, and OPS.
• OF Jacob Pearson was promoted to Fort Myers from Cedar Rapids to take the place of Larnach
• After laying waste to the Appalachian League with nine home runs in 23 games, OF Albee Weiss was promoted to Cedar Rapids.
• 1B Parker Phillips was transferred to Elizabethton from the Gulf Coast League

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 3, Norfolk 6

Box Score

 

Cody Allen made his third appearance with the Red Wings, serving as the opener in this one and throwing 19 pitches (12 for strikes, 3 swinging). A leadoff double was followed by a one-out version and the Red Wings were down 1-0 early.

 

Left-hander Sean Poppen then served as the primary and went the next five innings. He allowed a three-run homer in the third that extended the Tides lead to 4-0, but otherwise was solid. He surrendered three hits, walked two, and struck out five. Of his 97 pitches, 64 went for strikes (66%).

 

In the top of the sixth the Red Wings closed within one thanks to a three-run blast of their own from the scorching hot Zander Wiel, his fifth in his last four games, and now 18^th on the season. Unfortunately for Rochester, that would be all they could muster on the day.

 

Gabriel Moya finished the final two innings, allowing two insurance runs for Norfolk on three hits and a walk. He struck out one.

 

Wilin Rosario (2-for-3, 2B, R) and Tomas Telis (2-for-4, 2B) added multiple hits for the Red Wings.

 

BLUE WAHOOS BITES

Montgomery 4, Pensacola 2

Box Score

 

Just like on Monday, Pensacola got an opposite-field home run from their first baseman Lewin Diaz, this one a two-run shot, but it again was not enough to propel them to a victory.

 

They were unable to take advantage of their opportunities as they finished just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position on the game, leaving nine men on base. Diaz finished 2-for-4 to lead the offense as they collected only four other hits and three walks. Out of the leadoff spot former major leaguer Ivan De Je Jeusus Jr. drew a pair of walks.

 

In his Southern League debut, outfielder Trevor Larnach made a good first impression, collecting a single in his first at-bat and reaching base on an error in front of Diaz's home run.

 

Making the start for the Blue Wahoos was left-hander Bryan Sammons and he went the first two innings, allowing one run on two hits and a walk while striking out three. Edwar Colina then made his Blue Wahoos debut by coming on for the next four innings and found the primary-ish role not to his liking. He allowed two runs on four hits and four walks, striking out two. Jovani Moran allowed one run on a hit and a walk in the seventh, before Adam Bray finished out the game with two scoreless innings.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Tampa 2, Fort Myers 4

Box Score

 

Both teams struck early with crooked numbers in the first inning but the Miracle came out on top with three for the early lead. Three consecutive singles from Royce Lewis, Ryan Jeffers, and Ryan Costello loaded the bases, before a sac fly from Jose Miranda scored one and was followed by a two-run double from Trey Cabbage.

 

Starter Cole Sands allowed two runs (one earned) in the opening frame, but was fantastic from then on, tacking on six more scoreless innings to his line. He picked up his third win with the seven-inning effort by scattering seven hits and walking none. He punctuated his outing with a one-two-three seventh inning, including two of his six strikeouts.

 

In the bottom of the seventh Jacob Pearson, fresh off his promotion, delivered an RBI double to tack on an insurance run for Fort Myers.

 

Melvi Acosta went the final two innings to pick up his second save, allowing one hit and striking out three.

 

On offense the number three and four hitters for the Miracle, Jeffers and Costello, each finished 2-for-4 and Gabriel Maciel stole his ninth base.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Scheduled Day Off

 

Cedar Rapids had the day off on Tuesday as they hit the road to face the Lake County Captains in Eastlake, Ohio. They are coming off a 2-4 homestand and will look to get back on track away from Veterans Memorial Stadium with right-hander Tyler Palm on the mound. The Kernels are 14-10 in the second half of the Midwest League Season, sitting three games back in fourth place of the Western Division.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Johnson City 5, Elizabethton 7

Box Score

 

The Twins got a quality start from right-hander Tyler Benninghoff who went the first six innings, his longest outing of the year, and allowed just three hits and a walk while striking out six. The three runs charged to him were of the unearned variety thanks to errors in the second and fourth innings.

 

When his day was done Elizabethton held a 6-3 lead thanks in most part to a five-run bottom of the third. Two one-out singles got the inning started, then three consecutive two-out hits broke it open, with the biggest knock a double from Matt Wallner to score two. A throwing error also allowed two more runs to score as the teams combined for six errors on the game. Max Smith added a solo home run in the fourth and Kidany Salva an RBI single in the seventh to account for all the Twins scoring.

 

Reliver Frandy Torres was back with Elizabethton after a brief stint in Cedar Rapids and went the next 1 2/3 after Benninghoff. He allowed two runs on two hits and two walks, but also struck out four. Dylan Thomas picked up his third save by finishing the final 1 1/3, allowing only one hit.

 

Smith (4-for-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, RBI), Parker Phillips (2-for-4, 2 R, RBI, BB), Wallner (2-for-3, R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB), and Trevor Jensen (2-for-4, R) all had multiple hits on the day. Shorstop Will Holland stole two bases despite finishing 0-for-4.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Rays 1, GCL Twins 2

Box Score

 

Pitching owned the day in the Gulf Coast League matchup as pitchers from both teams combined to allow just three runs on 13 hits and four walks combined, while striking out 20.

 

Dakota Chalmers was on the mound for the Twins and went the first four innings. He worked around singles in the first and third before a couple of doubles in the fourth allowed the Rays to tie it. He struck out four and walked none in his four innings.

 

The Twins had taken the first lead in the bottom of the second thanks to a bases- loaded walk, and then the lineup picked him up in the bottom of the fourth when Sergio Toribio led off with a triple and would score on a single from Erick Rivera.

 

Relievers Williams Ramirez, Niall Windeler, and Anthony Escobar combined to shut out the Rays the rest of the way, allowing no runs on four hits and zero walks over the final five innings. Escobar did the bulk of the work, finishing the final three innings and striking out two.

 

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Pitcher of the Day – Cole Sands, Fort Myers Miracle (W, 7.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 6 K)

Hitter of the Day – Max Smith, Elizabethton Twins (4-for-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, RBI)

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

 

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Fort Myers) – 1-for-4, R, 2 K

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) – 1-for-5, K

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

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Pensacola) – 1-for-4, R, K

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

#6 - Jordan Balazovic (Fort Myers) - Did not pitch

#7 - Keoni Cavaco (GCL) - 0-for-4, 3 K

#8 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) – Injured list

#9 - Jhoan Duran (Fort Myers) – Did not pitch

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

#11 - Lewis Thorpe (Rochester) – Did not pitch

#12 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) – 0-for-5, 2 K

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Fort Myers) – 2-for-4, R, K

#14 - Luis Arraez (Minnesota) – 0-for-0, BB (incredible at-bat in replacing Schoop)

#15 - Matt Wallner (Elizabethton) – 2-for-3, R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB

#16 - Ben Rortvedt (Pensacola) – Did no tplay

#17 - Akil Baddoo (Fort Myers) - Injured List (Tommy John surgery)

#18 - Jorge Alcala (Pensacola) - Did not pitch

#19 - Misael Urbina (DSL) - Did not play

#20 - Travis Blankenhorn (Pensacola) – Injured list

 

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester @ Norfolk (6:05PM CST) - LHP Lewis Thorpe (4-4, 5.22 ERA)

Pensacola - Scheduled day off

Tampa @ Fort Myers (11AM CST) - RHP Jhoan Duran (1-8, 3.44 ERA)

Cedar Rapids @ Lake County (6:00PM CST) - RHP Tyler Palm (1-5, 4.21 ERA)

Elizabethton @ Greeneville (5:30PM CST) - RHP Ben Gross (2-1, 2.70 ERA)

GCL Braves @ GCL Twins (11:00AM CST) - TBD

 

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

 

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[David HK]

Arghhhh.... Sad to see Rooker go down just then. (Hope he's OK- sounds like he took an almighty nut-megging).

 

Glad to see Larnach get moved up, but wondering if it has anything to do with seeing which of the 2 to keep around, and which to package in a trade....

Edited July 17, 2019 by David HK

[mikelink45]

When I read of Cody Allen giving up a run as the opener it brings two things to mind:

1. Cody Allen is not ready to help in MLB.

2. How frustrating must it be for the "primary" to have a one or more run deficit before throwing their first pitch.

 

Anxious to see Larnach at this new level, as well as Albie!

[rdehring]

Any news on what Rooker's injury is and how long he will be out?  Don't know what Wiel's future is with the Twins with Cron ahead of him and Diaz one step behind.

 

Do you know why Sammons only went 2 innings?  Results didn't look all that bad.  Saw that Larnach was in left field with Kirilloff in right.  Expect one will be a Twin in a couple years and the other probably gone to another club...unless one is moved to first base.

 

Was that Benninghoff's longest start in his professional career?  Great seeing that young man starting to get some positive results.  Also curious to see Escobar coming out of the bullpen for multiple innings.  Looks like the Escobar we know was on the mound in his second relief appearance.  So that's three great appearances and one clunker since coming stateside.

[Steve Lein]

 

Any news on what Rooker's injury is and how long he will be out?  Don't know what Wiel's future is with the Twins with Cron ahead of him and Diaz one step behind.

 

Do you know why Sammons only went 2 innings?  Results didn't look all that bad.  Saw that Larnach was in left field with Kirilloff in right.  Expect one will be a Twin in a couple years and the other probably gone to another club...unless one is moved to first base.

 

Was that Benninghoff's longest start in his professional career?  Great seeing that young man starting to get some positive results.  Also curious to see Escobar coming out of the bullpen for multiple innings.  Looks like the Escobar we know was on the mound in his second relief appearance.  So that's three great appearances and one clunker since coming stateside.

 

As alluded to above, Rooker took a... (cough) shot to the nether region (cough)... on a fly ball the other day. Calling it a contusion.

 

On Sammons, I originally thought he may have thrown too many pitches in one inning, but since Edwar Colina came in after him I'd venture it was the plan on the day for whatever reason.

 

Looking at all of Benninghoff's game logs, you are correct that it is the longest appearance of his career, so that's definitely cool!

[Dman]

Nice to see zero walks in Dakota Chalmers line.  The 4 K's were nice to see as well.  I know he gave up some hits but without the walks it worked out better than normal for him.  I hope he can find consistency with his control as he is going to need it to move up.

 

Sands continues to impress.  Would really like to see if he can maintain going after hitters in AA.  Home run suppression in AA can give a false sense of how good a pitcher is.  He has a really nice WHIP and K rate so far I think the Twins might have found a diamond in the rough with Sands.

[nicksaviking]

 

As alluded to above, Rooker took a... (cough) shot to the nether region (cough)... on a fly ball the other day. Calling it a contusion.

 

 

Whaaaa?!? Was he trying to catch it with his cup?! Show off.

 

Anyone have a velocity reading on Cody Allen yet? I have no interest until/unless he starts hitting 94-95 again.

 

 

[jkcarew]

"After laying waste to the Appalachian League with nine home runs in 23 games, OF Albee Weiss was promoted to Cedar Rapids."

 

I don't know if I'd call a .295 OBP and 37 K in 105 PA 'laying waste' to the Appalachian League. All that swing-and-miss is why Weiss was repeating the Appy League in the first place. And since he's about to turn 24, he'll need to see if he can figure it out at higher levels. All that power means he'll be shown more patience than a typical 23rd-rounder.

 

Meanwhile, Keoni Cavaco has finally got his 10th professional game in. The GCL Twins have played 18...don't know what it means or why Cavaco has been held out of so many games. Early results are not good. The good news is that his K-rate is 'only' about 33% so far...so maybe not completely overwhelmed. It'll be interesting to see if he advances beyond the GCL in this, his draft year. That was the case for Kirilloff (drafted 15th) who advanced to Elizabethton...but not convinced that will be the case for Cavaco (drafted 13th). (Buxton advanced to Elizabethton and Lewis to Cedar Rapids.)

Edited July 17, 2019 by jkcarew

[ashbury]

A leadoff double was followed by a one-out version

Another double. It took me a while to parse this one.

[Steve Lein]

 

I don't know if I'd call a .295 OBP and 37 K in 105 PA 'laying waste' to the Appalachian League. All that swing-and-miss is why Weiss was repeating the Appy League in the first place. And since he's about to turn 24, he'll need to see if he can figure it out at higher levels. All that power means he'll be shown more patience than a typical 23rd-rounder.

 

Fair elements to point out, and I don't disagree.

 

But it's still a .604 slugging percentage and a home run once every 11.67 plate appearances. He has crushed.