Article: Twins Minor League Report (7/18): Dobnak Dominant, Balazovic Bumpy

[Cody Christie]

With the trade deadline looming, some of the team’s top prospects must wonder if they will have a new address in the next two weeks. No matter the organization, each player is still trying to reach their ultimate goal of being a big leaguer. Few players can say they have reached this goal and it won’t matter what team name is on the front of the jersey when they step on the field for the first time.

 

Did any players get closer to their ultimate goal on Thursday? Read on to find out.TRANSACTIONS

RHP DJ Baxendale reinstated from the IL with Rochester.

RHP Kohl Stewart recalled by Minnesota from Rochester.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 9, Norfolk 4

Box Score

Rochester’s bottom three batters in the line-up combined for eight hits on the way to a convincing win. Tomas Telis and Jimmy Kerrigan both had two doubles. Ronald Torreyes had three big hits including a three-run home run to seal the deal in the ninth inning. The Red Wings didn’t even take full advantage of their opportunities because the club left 12 men on base and went 5-for-19 with runners in scoring position.

 

In a bullpen game, Preston Guilmet started and allowed three runs on three hits in 2 2/3 innings. Carlos Torres was the next man up and he held Norfolk to one run over three innings. From there the bullpen went into shutdown mode. D.J. Baxendale, Cody Allen and Cody Stashak combined for 3 1/3 shutout innings to end the game. Allen allowed three walks, but he was able to escape without any damage. Stashak pitched a perfect ninth.

 

BLUE WAHOO BITES

Pensacola 0, Mississippi 1

Box Score

The Blue Wahoos offensive out-hit the Braves 7 to 2, but Mississippi was able to come up with the one big hit in the game. Randy Dobnak pitched a complete game on 90 pitches (65 strikes) and struck out nine. In the bottom of the fifth, he surrendered a lead-off double and that runner would end up being the only score of the game.

 

Pensacola had four opportunities with runners in scoring position, but none of them were successful. The club also failed to record any extra-base hits. Alex Kirilloff went 2-for-4 and he has multiple hits in three of his last five games. Trevor Larnach and Lewin Diaz both went 1-for-4.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 4, Tampa 5

Box Score

Jordan Balazovic seemed to be cruising before running into trouble in the fourth inning as Tampa would score five runs with only three of them being earned runs. Ryan Costello committed a fielding error at first base with two outs that allowed another two runs to score. Balazovic struck out four and walked one in 4 2/3 innings.

 

Tyler Watson was impressive as he kept Fort Myers within striking distance. He pitched 4 1/3 shutout innings with two strikeouts and two walks. It was his first appearance all season where he didn’t allow an earned run. Fort Myers had held Tampa scoreless for 20 straight innings in the series before the fourth inning in this one.

 

The Miracle tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the fourth as Ryan Jeffers (walk) and Costello (single) both reached to start the inning. After Jose Miranda grounded into a double play, Trey Cabbage hit a triple and he ended up scoring on the play after an error by the center fielder to make the score 5-2.

 

In the bottom of the sixth, some of the same names were involved in a crooked inning. Jeffers was hit by a pitch and moved to third on a Costello double. Miranda drove in Jeffers with a sacrifice fly and Andrew Bechtold added another sacrifice fly later in the inning.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 5, Lake County 4

Box Score

Cedar Rapids scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to improve to 14 games over .500 on the season. The Kernel’s took the lead in a unique way as well. Originally the official scorer gave Spencer Steer a straight steal of home for what turned out to be the winning run. Eventually, it was changed to a run via balk. In the game, Steer went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two doubles. He’s been on fire since being promoted from E-Town going 6-for-16 with three extra-base hits.

 

Gabe Snyder, playing in his second professional game in his home state, also had a good day at the plate. He reached base three times and hit his tenth home run of the season. He is tied with Chris Williams and Jared Akins for the team-lead in homers. Cedar Rapids clinched their eighth straight series victory over Lake County.

 

On the mound, Luis Rijo did just enough to put the Kernels in position to win. He allowed four runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and a walk. J.T. Perez and Rickey Ramirez combined for three shutout innings to close the door.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Elizabethton 2, Greeneville 6

Box Score

This game started as a pitcher’s duel with neither arm surrendering a run until the fifth inning. However, the wheels came off for Andriu Marin in that inning as he allowed five runs and he wasn't be able to finish the frame. Overall, he allowed five hits with eight strikeouts and three walks. He collected 13 total outs and eight of them came via the strikeout. Ryan Shreve gave up one run on four hits in 1 2/3 innings with a couple of strikeouts. Steven Cruz struck out four in two perfect innings.

 

With one out in the seventh, Kidany Salva singled to try to start the rally. After a strikeout, Rueben Santana singled to put a runner in scoring position with two down. Charles Mack knocked in both baserunners with a single of his own and the E-Twins were on the board, but it wouldn’t be enough.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

TD Pitcher of the Day- Randy Dobnak, Pensacola (8.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 9 K, BB)

TD Hitter of the Day- Ronald Torreyes, Rochester (3-for-5, HR, 5 RBI, 2 R)

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

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

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) – 2-4

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

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Pensacola) – 1-4

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

#6 - Jordan Balazovic (Fort Myers) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 4 K, 1 BB

#7 - Keoni Cavaco (GCL) – No game

#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) – 1-6, 2 RBI, 3 K

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Fort Myers) – 0-2, 2 R, BB

#14 - Luis Arraez (Minnesota) – 1-2, 2B, R, BB

#15 - Matt Wallner (Elizabethton) – 1-4, R, RBI, BB, K

#16 - Ben Rortvedt (Pensacola) – Did not play

#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

 

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Gwinnett (6:05 CST) – RHP Drew Hutchison (1-1, 6.84 ERA)

Pensacola @ Mississippi (6:35 CST) – RHP Charlie Barnes (2-2, 3.40 ERA)

Fort Myers @ Florida (5:00 CST) – RHP Blayne Enlow (2-2, 2.80 ERA)

Cedar Rapids @ Lake County (6:00 CST) – RHP Andrew Cabezas (4-5, 3.66 ERA)

Elizabethton @ Greeneville (5:30 CST) – TBD

GCL Twins vs. GCL Red Sox (11:00 AM CST) – TBD

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Thursday’s games.

 

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[MNT1996]

I really want to see Davis and Stashak play in a Twins uniform this year.

[jz7233]

 

I really want to see Davis and Stashak play in a Twins uniform this year.

Perhaps September. Unless Adrianza and Cave are gone, I am not sure we can see Davis before September. Stashak might get a call up soon.

[mikelink45]

I am disappointed to see Javier with 3Ks and no hits.  I was hoping he was going to break out.  I know it is just one game, but it is a continuation of his season woes.

 

Cody Allen 3 walks but escapes without giving up a run is another bad line as far as I am concerned.  Please do not call him up.

 

 

[071063]

Stashak deserves a shot in the carousel between Rochester and Minnesota.  He's earned it.

[BrianBuchanan]

It's early, but it seems like the Twins might have something in Steer. Great draft pick!

[rdehring]

Stashak had a perfect inning, Allen did not as 3 walks isn't encouraging.

 

Rochester is back to 1 game under .500.  Can they get even today?  Meanwhile, after an amazing start Pensacola is only 1 game over .500.  The nice start by Dobnak has been typical, the hitting not.

 

Looks to me like there are 6 first base/corner outfielders in the high minors that have a legit chance of not only making the Twins, but being very good.  Unfortunately, I don't see room for more than one, maybe two making it as long as Cron, Rosario, Buxton and Kepler are around.  And I don't see any of that foursome going anywhere in the next four or five years.  

 

So who among Rooker, Raley, Davis, Diaz, Kirilloff and Larnach makes it?  Will one or more of the others be part of trades over the next 12 days?  Or will it be next winter or next summer?

[Major League Ready]

 

Stashak had a perfect inning, Allen did not as 3 walks isn't encouraging.

 

Rochester is back to 1 game under .500.  Can they get even today?  Meanwhile, after an amazing start Pensacola is only 1 game over .500.  The nice start by Dobnak has been typical, the hitting not.

 

Looks to me like there are 6 first base/corner outfielders in the high minors that have a legit chance of not only making the Twins, but being very good.  Unfortunately, I don't see room for more than one, maybe two making it as long as Cron, Rosario, Buxton and Kepler are around.  And I don't see any of that foursome going anywhere in the next four or five years.  

 

So who among Rooker, Raley, Davis, Diaz, Kirilloff and Larnach makes it?  Will one or more of the others be part of trades over the next 12 days?  Or will it be next winter or next summer?

 

The would not bet on more than 2 of the 4 being here 5 years from now. Cron is not at all likely to be here after next season. They are not going to pay him free agent dollars. Diaz is looking like a very good replacement at the moment. I think there is still a pretty good chance Royce Lewis ends up being a CF and Kirilloff is a good bet to replace Rosario.  These transitions would make it more feasible to extend Berrios and extend our window of contention a competitive team.

[rdehring]

 

The would not bet on more than 2 of the 4 being here 5 years from now. Cron is not at all likely to be here after next season. They are not going to pay him free agent dollars. Diaz is looking like a very good replacement at the moment. I think there is still a pretty good chance Royce Lewis ends up being a CF and Kirilloff is a good bet to replace Rosario.  These transitions would make it more feasible to extend Berrios and extend our window of contention a competitive team.

I expect that Rosario, along with Berrios, will be the first ones the FO will work on extending this coming offseason.  Last night was a good example of why Rosario is the heart and soul of this team.  I doubt he is going anywhere, unless he and his agent have unrealistic expectations.

 

I also suspect the Twins think more highly of Cron than most fans.  I look for him also being extended this winter...although I may be among the minority in those thoughts.  But you could be right and they may see that in house replacements are ready and will be looking for someplace to save money while spending it on Rosario, Berrios, Buxton, et. al.   

 

I see you are in agreement, however, with the main point of my previous comment...that one or two of this group at the most will be regulars on the Twins roster by 2021 and beyond.  What management must get right is getting a return for the four that aren't...the biggest return possible.

Edited July 19, 2019 by rdehring

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Perhaps September. Unless Adrianza and Cave are gone, I am not sure we can see Davis before September. Stashak might get a call up soon.

 

I'm thinking more post trade deadline. They've obviously cleared spots for adds. Once July 31 passes, if they still have open spots, I wouldn't be surprised if someone like Stashak got added.

[Trov]

Wander Javier is having a terrible season.  I know he is coming off of injury and all that, but no way should he be considered top 10 prospect anymore.  He is getting on base 25% of the time and striking out over 33% of the time.  average of .156 just terrible.  I hope he has better rest of year or come back next year, but he is not maturing way we would like.