Front Page: Twins Minor League Report (8/4): Larnach Perfect at Plate for Pensacola

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins most certainly have been willing to go to their Triple-A players throughout the year, and few have performed as well as Devin Smeltzer. And he did it again on Sunday. Trevor Larnach led the potent Pensacola lineup on Sunday with a perfect day at the plate. Wilin Rosario is pushing for another opportunity in the big leagues. Gabriel Maciel and Bailey Ober were great for the Miracle.Find out everything that happened happened in the Twins system on Sunday, starting with the awards of the week and the transactions of the day.

 

AWARDS

• Hitter of the Week: Gilberto Celestino, OF, Cedar Rapids Kernels - Celestino is the choice for the second straight week. In his six games this week, he hit .458 with a double, a homer and an OPS of 1.144. He came to the Twins a year ago with Jorge Alcala in the Ryan Pressly trade.
• Pitcher of the Week: Bailey Ober, RHP, Ft. Myers Miracle - He went 1-0 on the week and gave up only an unearned run on six hits over 6 1/3 innings. He was the 12th-round pick of the Twins in 2017 out of the College of Charleston.

TRANSACTIONS

• Devin Smeltzer was called up to the Twins (And he had a terrific game!). Sam Dyson to the injured list.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 3, Pawtucket 7

Box Score

 

With Devin Smeltzer getting called up to start for the Twins, it was a bullpen game for the Red Wings. Adam Bray started. He went three innings and gave up four hits and a walk. He gave up four runs in the second inning. Fernando Romero walked one and struck out three over two scoreless, no-hit innings. Jake Reed got the sixth inning and gave up three runs on three hits and a walk. Sam Clay and Jeremy Bleich each worked a scoreless in relief.

 

Wilin Rosario continues to mash. He went 3-for-5 with his 16th home run. Ronald Torreyes went 2-or-4. Zander Wiel hit his 32nd double.

 

BLUE WAHOOS BITES

Pensacola 10, Birmingham 1

Box Score

 

The lineup powered the Blue Wahoos to another win, but the pitching was really good too.

 

Edwar Colina started and improved to 3-0 with a 1.25 ERA since his promotion to Pensacola last month. He gave up one run on two hits over five innings. He walked three and struck out five. Jovan Moran struck out two over two scoreless innings. Jorge Alcala gave up two hits over two scoreless innings to end the game.

 

Trevor Larnach was perfect on the game. He went 3-for-3 and walked twice. Royce Lewis went 1-for-3 with two walks. He also stole a base. Alex Kirilloff hit his sixth Wahoos homer. Jordan Gore was 2-for-4 with his third home run. Ryan Costello provided some late-inning insurance with his fourth homer.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 7, Lakeland 8

Box Score

 

The Miracle jumped out to a 7-1 lead after six innings, but Lakeland scored one in the seventh, three in the eighth and three more in the ninth to walk off the Miracle.

 

Bailey Ober continued his fantastic-when-healthy season for the Miracle. He gave up one run on four hits over six innings. He struck out eight batters without issuing a walk.

 

 

Moises Gomez came on and gave up four runs on five hits in 1 1/3 innings Three of the hits were home runs. Joe Record got three outs. He gave up three runs on four hits and a walk. With one out and runners on second and third in the bottom of the ninth, Melvi Acosta came in with the game tied. He intentionally walked a batter to load the bases. It is a fine strategy to try to set up an inning-ending (and game-continuing) double play. Unfortunately, Acosta also walked the next batter which ended the game.

 

Gabriel Maciel was terrific out of the leadoff spot. He went 4-for-5 with his third homer. He also stole his 13th base. Andrew Bechtold and Jacob Pearson each went 2-for-4 with their fifth doubles. Jose Miranda was also 2-for-4. Trey Cabbage hit his sixth home run, and Chris Williams hit his first Miracle home run since his promotion last week.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 12, Burlington 4

Box Score

 

The Kernels used big innings to help them in this one. They had a three-run inning, a four-run innings and a five-run bottom of the eighth to put this one away. In the second inning, Gilberto Celestino cleared the bases with his 21st double. In the fifth inning, Albee Weiss hit a three-run homer. In the eighth inning, Tyler Webb homered and Wander Javier had a two-run double.

 

Weiss led the offense. He went 2-for-3 with his sixth double and third home run. Tyler Webb was also 2-for-3 with his second Kernels homer. Javier had a walk in addition to his fifth double. Leadoff man, Spencer Steer, got on base three times. He walked twice and was hit by a pitch.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

E-Twins 1, Bristol 4

Box Score

 

Tyler Benninghoff put together a strong, quality start. The right-hander gave up three runs on seven this and a walk over six innings. He struck out four. Ryan Shreve came on and gave up one run over two innings. Steven Cruz struck out two in a one-hit inning.

 

Max Smith led the offense. He went 2-for-4 with his seventh double. Seth Gray and Matt Wallner each added a double. DaShawn Keirsey and Trevor Jenson each went 1-for-3 with a walk.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins

Box Score

 

No Game Scheduled.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day - Bailey Ober, Ft. Myers Miracle

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Trevor Larnach, Pensacola Blue Wahoos

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Pensacola) - 1-3, 2 BB, 2 R, K, SB(2)

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) - 1-4, BB, HR(6), R, 2 RBI

#3 - Brusdar Graterol (Pensacola) - Rehabbing in GCL

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Pensacola) - 3-3, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 RBI

#5 - Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) - 1-4, BB, HBP, 2B(5), R, 3 RBI.

#6 - Jordan Balazovic (Ft. Myers) - Temporary Inactive List (Pan Am Games)

#7 - Keoni Cavaco (GCL Twins) - No Game Scheduled

#8 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) - Injured List (groin).

#9 - Jhoan Duran (Pensacola) - Did Not Pitch

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

#11 - Lewis Thorpe (Rochester) - Did Not Pitch.

#12 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - Did Not Play.

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Pensacola) - Did Not Play.

#14 - Luis Arraez (Minnesota) - 2-3, BB, 2 R

#15 - Matt Wallner (Elizabethton) - 1-4, 2B(15), K

#16 - Ben Rortvedt (Pensacola) - 1-5, R, 2 K

#17 - Akil Baddoo (Ft. Myers) - Injured (Tommy John)

#18 - Jorge Alcala (Pensacola) - 2 IP

#19 - Misael Urbina (DSL Twins) - No Game Scheduled

#20 - Travis Blankenhorn (Pensacola) - Injured List

 

MONDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester - No Game Scheduled.

Birmingham @ Pensacola (6:35 CST) - TBD

Ft. Myers @ St. Lucie (5:30 CST) - LHP Lachlan Wells (1-2, 5.25 ERA)

Burlington @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) - RHP Andrew Cabezas (4-6, 3.93 ERA)

Elizabethton @ Kingsport (5:30 CST) - RHP Ben Gross (3-1, 3.98 ERA)

GCL Twins @ GCL Pirates (DH @ 9:00 CST) - TBD, TBD

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Sunday games or any other minor league topics you would like.

 

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[ashbury]

Any news on Nick Gordon's status? His knee injury after getting HBP looked worrisome to me as he hobbled off the field Friday night. Just painful, and day-to-day?

[DutchFarmer]

What should we be expecting from Ober in the future? I mean, does his stuff indicate a future of domination such as he's put up in the minors this year? I seem to recall a number of minor league pitchers who fizzled out (I believe Scott Diamond was one of them?) despite killing it against lesser competition. 

[BINGBONG69]

Do we think Larnach will be ready to go next season? What's the likelihood we trade him? He could be part of a package for pitching in the off-season, and I don't see where we could slot him in anyway in our lineup.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Any news on Nick Gordon's status? His knee injury after getting HBP looked worrisome to me as he hobbled off the field Friday night. Just painful, and day-to-day?

 

Per Doogie, it's day-to-day.

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

What should we be expecting from Ober in the future? I mean, does his stuff indicate a future of domination such as he's put up in the minors this year? I seem to recall a number of minor league pitchers who fizzled out (I believe Scott Diamond was one of them?) despite killing it against lesser competition. 

 

Scott Diamond had a 3-4 year MLB career... and one really good year. Most minor leaguers would be thrilled with that.

 

Ober has legit stuff. His only issue since his freshman year of college has been health and staying off the injured list. As for what we should "expect," I try not to expect too much. He's not a Top 20 prospect, so I don't expect anything... that said, if healthy and with improvement, I think he is a guy who could pitch in the big leagues.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Do we think Larnach will be ready to go next season? What's the likelihood we trade him? He could be part of a package for pitching in the off-season, and I don't see where we could slot him in anyway in our lineup.

 

I'm not going to try to project if someone's going to get traded. I have no idea, and I don't want to or enjoy thinking like that.

 

Do I think he will play in the big leagues in 2020? Yes. 

[dbminn]

A lot of us are hoping Graterol can come back healthy and help the Twins. I'm not sure if that's going to happen. I think the surprise candidate is Edwar Colina. He's like Brusdar Lite. Hard, sinking fastball and good breaking pitch. He might be the one to stoke the bullpen.

[jokin]

 

A lot of us are hoping Graterol can come back healthy and help the Twins. I'm not sure if that's going to happen. I think the surprise candidate is Edwar Colina. He's like Brusdar Lite.

 

Hard, sinking fastball

 

and good breaking pitch. He might be the one to stoke the bullpen.

 

Velo?

Edited August 5, 2019 by jokin

[dbminn]

 

Velo?

 

93-96, I believe - as a starter. Don't know if he has more in the tank for relief.

 

Here's a video from last year: 

 

Sorry I put up a Graterol video. See the next comment!

Edited August 5, 2019 by dbminn

[jokin]

 

Box Score

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Pensacola) - Did Not Play.

 

 

Any special reason why Jeffers has sat for two straight days?. He was batting clean-up on Friday. What a first four in that Pensacola batting order when he's in the game....

[jokin]

 

 

93-96, I believe.

 

I'll take it. Let's get him up to Rochester for a couple games and see if he can quickly adapt to short relief pen duty. Velo can probably spike up towards 98.

Edited August 5, 2019 by jokin

[dbminn]

 

I'll take it. Let's get him up to Rochester for a couple games and see if he can quickly adapt to short relief pen duty. Velo can probably spike up towards 98.

 

So, I showed you a Brusdar Grateol video. Here's Colina: https://2080baseball.com/draft-prospect-video/edwar-colina/

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

A lot of us are hoping Graterol can come back healthy and help the Twins. I'm not sure if that's going to happen. I think the surprise candidate is Edwar Colina. He's like Brusdar Lite. Hard, sinking fastball and good breaking pitch. He might be the one to stoke the bullpen.

 

I don't know, man... nothing about Edwar Colina is Lite... dude is hefty with Graterolesque strong legs and back side!! He's really good too!

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Velo?

 

For Colina... he's 95-98... he's topped 100 several times this season. But he's a pitcher. He's got a good mix too. 

[jokin]

 

For Colina... he's 95-98... he's topped 100 several times this season. But he's a pitcher. He's got a good mix too. 

 

Can you picture him in a Twins relief role down the stretch, Seth?

Does he have an innings limitation lock on him?

Edited August 5, 2019 by jokin

[Seth Stohs]

 

Can you picture him in a Twins relief role down the stretch, Seth?

Does he have an innings limitation lock on him?

 

He missed the first 5-6 weeks of the season, so I'm sure he's fine in terms of innings. I'd be surprised if he's called up though. I think Graterol and Alcala are more likely. 

[rdehring]

Took a look at Ober's 6 games since returning from the IL six weeks ago.  Six starts for 30.2 innings, 40 K's and only 5 earned runs.  And 3 of those runs came in his one so-so start when he lasted only 4.1 innings.  So that's 2 earned runs in 26.1 innings in those other five starts.  Could the Twins be so fortunate to have one of these guys actually make it to the big leagues and perform as he did down on the farm?  

 

You surprised the heck out of me this morning, Seth, with your comment that Larnach will play in the big leagues in 2020.  That's optimistic as heck...I like it.  The bigger question is where, both what position and with what team? 

 

Could the Twins trade one of their current outfielders not under long-term contract to open a position for Rooker, Raley, Kirilloff, Larnach and others to battle for?  If so, is it this coming winter?  Assuming they extend Rosario and Buxton, I like to think their outfield is set for the next 5+ years.  But do they look at it that way?  

 

Also great seeing Benninghoff have success on the mound.

[Old Twins Cap]

Hate to even think it, but most likely to trade Rosario and Buxton.

 

Why?

 

Buxton always injured; Rosario showing up without desire.

 

Lewis can play center, Larnach and Rooker a corner.

 

Buxton and Rosario would each bring back a good pitcher, sorely needed right now.

[ashbury]

Rosario showing up without desire.

I do not understand how you can think you know this. The likelier explanation is a nagging injury.

[Tomj14]

 

Hate to even think it, but most likely to trade Rosario and Buxton.

 

Why?

 

Buxton always injured; Rosario showing up without desire.

 

Lewis can play center, Larnach and Rooker a corner.

 

Buxton and Rosario would each bring back a good pitcher, sorely needed right now.

You could say keep them both, and go after one or more of Cole, Bumgarner, Wheeler, Hamels?

[jokin]

 

Hate to even think it, but most likely to trade Rosario and Buxton.

 

Why?

 

Buxton always injured; Rosario showing up without desire.

 

Lewis can play center, Larnach and Rooker a corner.

 

Buxton and Rosario would each bring back a good pitcher, sorely needed right now.

 

So Kepler is going to the bench, then?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Hate to even think it, but most likely to trade Rosario and Buxton.

 

Why?

 

Buxton always injured; Rosario showing up without desire.

 

Lewis can play center, Larnach and Rooker a corner.

 

Buxton and Rosario would each bring back a good pitcher, sorely needed right now.

 

I don't think anyone is (or should be) questioning Rosario's 'desire.' I don't think that's fair.

[MMMordabito]

 

Buxton always injured; Rosario showing up without desire.

 

Eddie is just being Eddie.  I'd like to see that final step in maturity, but, other than the current Cruz, there isn't another guy that I would want to have the ball or the bat than Eddie with the game on the line.  I'd like to see the micro-tantrums after pop-ups and the sulks after grounders right at infielders on the right side stop, but I know that he is probably upset at himself for letting his team down.

 

The Buxton situation is the one that concerns me.  If this were the Yankees or the Dodgers, you just pay four starting outfielders.  This isn't the Yankees or Dodgers, so you have to have a Marwin Gonzalez.  My outside the box thinking is to approach Royce Lewis about being the Marwin Gonzalez replacement.  I think he has the makeup for it and he likely has the ability to be a plus defender at many of the positions.  Do that, and you can probably afford to pay Buxton and have a plan B for the yearly IL stints. By the time Lewis' control time is up, Buxton will be 32 or older.  At that point, you can choose one to attempt to keep: an aging Buxton or a Boras-repped Lewis.

 

 

[mikelink45]

Until this year Arraez was not a prospect. Ober could be another one of those players who push the envelope. I love the grit.

 

The Kiriloff, Larnach,

Rooker issue is fascinating now that they are all ready to move up.

 

I would move Rosario and let Kiriloff and Larnach battle for left and bench. Rooker loses out in my imagination.

[SpicyGarvSauce]

I could totally see the Twins opting to deal Rosario this off-season for a controllable arm - seems like maybe that is why the FO decided to hang onto guys like Larnsach, etc. at this year's trade deadline.

[rdehring]

With all the talk of moving Rosario, I must ask one question. 

 

Is team chemistry the most important factor in this year's success?  Not being in the locker room or dugout, I have no way of knowing.  But it could be.  And there is no question that Rosario is a big part of the chemistry on this team.  Just look at the three outfielders at game's end of a win.  These guys have played together a lot on their way thru the system and all indications are that they really like each other.  

 

Forget the streaks, both good and bad.  But taking Rosario out of this mix could deflate the Twins like that proverbial birthday balloon when struck with a pin.  Personally, I would work like heck this off season to extend both Rosario and Buxton.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

For Colina... he's 95-98... he's topped 100 several times this season. But he's a pitcher. He's got a good mix too. 

 

 

Can you picture him in a Twins relief role down the stretch, Seth?

Does he have an innings limitation lock on him?

 

I know it's just one factor, but Colina isn't Rule 5 eligible until after the 2020 season.

 

So I'd imagine that Graterol, Duran, and even Alcala would all get preference for a 2019 MLB relief audition.

[Seth Stohs]

 

With all the talk of moving Rosario, I must ask one question. 

 

Is team chemistry the most important factor in this year's success?  Not being in the locker room or dugout, I have no way of knowing.  But it could be.  And there is no question that Rosario is a big part of the chemistry on this team.  Just look at the three outfielders at game's end of a win.  These guys have played together a lot on their way thru the system and all indications are that they really like each other.  

 

Forget the streaks, both good and bad.  But taking Rosario out of this mix could deflate the Twins like that proverbial birthday balloon when struck with a pin.  Personally, I would work like heck this off season to extend both Rosario and Buxton.

 

Rosario has been a huge part of this team's success and he is a leader...His maturity was an issue, I've heard, throughout the minors, but he has matured so much the last couple of years...

[Major League Ready]

 

I don't think anyone is (or should be) questioning Rosario's 'desire.' I don't think that's fair.

 

I don't think any of us know with any real certainty what level of desire Rosario possesses. What we do know is that he has very poor plate discipline which some might be interpreting as lack of desire.  He definitely is not what I would call a "professional hitter."

 

What we can say for sure is that he is capable of great production in streak but he has never maintained a high level of play.  In the last year ( deadline to deadline) he is 9th on the team in wRC+ and he has an fWAR of 1.3 for that period.  This year he is also 9th in wRC+ (1 point above Buxton & Adrianza).

 

I don't understand why so many people act as if he is irreplaceable or someone we should extend for that matter. 

Edited August 5, 2019 by Major League Ready