Front Page: Twins Minor League Report (8/11): Wells Leads Miracle, Celestino Powers Kernels

[Cody Christie]

It was a rough weekend for the big-league club as the Twin lost three of four against Cleveland to see their division lead disappear. That being said, there are plenty of minor league teams still in position to make playoff runs in the weeks ahead. Would anyone help their cause on Sunday? Read on to find out…TRANSACTIONS

LHP Erik Cha promoted to Cedar Rapids from Elizabethton.

RHP Brian Rapp placed on IL (left groin strain).

 

AWARDS

The Twins announced their weekly Hitter and Pitcher of the Week:

• Hitter of the Week: Trevor Larnach, Pensacola

In five games for the Blue Wahoos, Larnach hit .412 (7-for-17) with two home runs, five RBIs, four walks and a 1.289 OPS. The 22-year-old was selected by the Twins 20th overall in the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Oregon State University

• Pitcher of the Week: Jordan Balazovic, Fort Myers

Balazovic made the start on Thursday vs. Jupiter, pitching 5.0 shutout innings with two hits allowed, one walk and nine strikeouts. The 20-year-old was selected by the Twins in the fifth round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of St. Martin SS in Mississauga, Ontario. The righty pitched 1.0 perfect inning at the SiriusXM Futures Game this July at Progressive Field.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 2, Louisville 5

Box Score

Kohl Stewart started for Rochester and didn’t give up any runs in four innings. In fact, he held Louisville to one hit to go along with four strikeouts and two walks. Sam Clay would be charged with the loss after allowing two earned runs on five hits in 1- 2/3 innings. It was the first time he had allowed multiple earned runs since April 26th.

 

Rochester scored runs in the seventh and eighth innings. With two outs in the seventh, Mike Miller drew a walk and he moved to second on a passed ball. Ivan De Jesus drove him home with a single. To start the eighth, Ramon Flores doubled before Alejandro De Aza collected an RBI-single.

 

Jake Reed pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings and added in a pair of strikeouts. Ryan Eades surrendered two runs, both on solo home runs, in his two innings of work.

 

BLUE WAHOO BITES

Pensacola --, Mobile – (Cancelled)

Pensacola’s game versus Mobile was cancelled on Sunday due to heavy rain. The game will not be resumed since the two teams do not play again this season.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 2, Jupiter 1 (7 Innings- Rain)

Box Score

Lachlan Wells went six innings without allowing an earned run to pick up his second High-A win of the season. He limited Jupiter to three hits with one strikeout and a pair of walks. Moises Gomez added one scoreless inning by striking out two and walking one. In seven of his last 10 appearances, he hasn’t allowed an earned run.

 

Fort Myers answered right back after Jupiter scored the first run of the game in the top of the fifth. With one out, Chris Williams, Michael Davis and Gabriel Maciel all drew walks to load the bases. Jacob Pearson drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly. Jose Miranda followed with his 21st double of the season for what turned out to be the game-winning run.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 4, Beloit 2

Box Score

Gabe Snyder and Gilberto Celestino made the difference in this game as both players added solo home runs. Andrew Cabezas had a quality start on the mound with Erik Cha earning the save in his Midwest League debut.

 

Beloit struck first by plating two runs against Cebezas in the second inning. Luckily, those were the only runs he allowed in six innings of work. He limited Beloit to three hits, and he struck out four without allowing a walk. Cha pitched three scoreless frames with one strikeout and two hits allowed.

 

The Kernels started their comeback in the third inning. Daniel Ozoria reached base on a fielding error before Celestino added in his 23rd double to drive in a run. With two outs in the inning, Wander Javier drew a walk before Yunior Severion was able to drive in Celestino for the second run of the frame. Snyder’s home run came in the fifth and Celesino’s home run came in the sixth.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Elizabethton 4, Pulaski 7

Box Score

Elizabethton was in an early hole and it became tough to find their way out. Pulaski scored four first-inning runs against Ben Gross and that wouldn’t be the end of the damage he allowed. Gross made it through four innings and allowed five earned runs on six hits. He struck out five, but he surrendered four walks. Steven Cruz didn’t fare much better as he walked three batters and was charged with two earned runs even though he could only record one out.

 

Elizabethton tried to answer back in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Matt Wallner walked before Parker Phillips collected his fourth home run of the season. This cut the lead to 4-2. Charles Mack drove in a pair of runs in the fifth inning on his fifth double.

 

Osiris German and Benjamin Dum combined for 4 2/3 shutout innings to end the game. German was asked to get eight outs and he recorded five strikeouts. Dum was equally strong as he struck out three. The two pitchers limited Pulaski to three hits.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

TD Pitcher of the Day- Lachlan Wells, Fort Myers (6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, K, 2 BB)

TD Hitter of the Day- Gilberto Celestino, Cedar Rapids (2-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, K)

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Pensacola) – Game cancelled

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) – Game cancelled

#3 - Brusdar Graterol (Pensacola) – Game cancelled

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Pensacola) – Game cancelled

#5 - Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) – 0-2, 2 BB, K

#6 - Jordan Balazovic (Ft. Myers) – Did not pitch

#7 - Keoni Cavaco (GCL Twins) – No scheduled game

#8 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) – Injured list

#9 - Jhoan Duran (Pensacola) – Game cancelled

#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) – Game cancelled

#14 - Luis Arraez (Twins) – 2-3, 2 RBI, R

#15 - Matt Wallner (Elizabethton) – 1-3, 2 BB, R. K

#16 - Ben Rortvedt (Pensacola) – Game cancelled

#17 - Akil Baddoo (Ft. Myers) - Out for year with Tommy John surgery

#18 - Jorge Alcala (Pensacola) – Game cancelled

#19 - Misael Urbina (DSL Twins) – No scheduled game

#20 - Travis Blankenhorn (Pensacola) – Game cancelled

 

MONDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester – Scheduled Off-Day

Pensacola – Scheduled Off-Day

Fort Myers @ St. Lucie – TBD

Cedar Rapids vs. Beloit (6:35 CST) – RHP Josh Winder (6-2, 2.86 ERA)

Elizabethton vs. Pulaski (5:30 CST) – RHP Andrui Marin (1-2, 6.27 ERA)

GCL Twins @ GCL Rays (11:00 am CST) – TBD

 

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

 

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[rdehring]

Looked at Cedar Rapids box score this morning with a different question on my mind.  The Kernels are already in the play offs.  With all the player movement, was wondering what their chances look like.  

 

 With pitchers like Balazovic, Enlow and Teng moving on or gone, who will step up after Labor Day.  Will one be Cabezas?  Or maybe Schulfer will get back to the pitcher he was early this season.  They also should be able to count on Rijo, Winder and Palm.

 

Hopefully, Celestino will remain hot and lead the offense.  Maybe Steer will heat up and hit like he did the first several weeks with the team.  Yunior Severino should also help now that he is healthy.  And wouldn't it be nice if Wander Javier would step up and be the stud who leads the Kernels in the play offs. 

 

The Kernels are in the play offs.  Hopefully, they will make it one game further than last year.

[ScooterDance]

When 45% of your top 20 prospects have a game cancelled, its much less compelling of a recap.

 

When that statement reminds you that 45% of your top 20 prospects are in AA, and 65% are in AA or above, AND your big league club is really good, you first pump.

 

Then you remember the big league club lost 3-4.

 

Roller coaster ride, continueth!

[jmlease1]

Celestino has been on an absolute tear for the last 6 weeks. Absolutely fantastic July, followed up with an equal great August to date. Love seeing the adjustment and the increased power in his bat. He'll be in Ft. Myers next year with an opportunity to move up quickly.

[MMMordabito]

 

Celestino has been on an absolute tear for the last 6 weeks. Absolutely fantastic July, followed up with an equal great August to date. Love seeing the adjustment and the increased power in his bat. He'll be in Ft. Myers next year with an opportunity to move up quickly.

 

He needs to move up quickly, since he'll need to be on the 40 already.

[Brandon]

Does anyone know the status of Tyler Wells? I know he had surgery TJ I think, but I haven't heard anything about his recovery and he was a top 30 prospect at one point.

[gman]

Larnach has more than held his own at AA and has been very good in his last 10 games. With 20 games left this in the season he's seems ready to make a statement about his first full year status. He's looking more and more like a candidate for an early call up next year. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Does anyone know the status of Tyler Wells? I know he had surgery TJ I think, but I haven't heard anything about his recovery and he was a top 30 prospect at one point.

Tyler Wells just had TJ surgery in May, so there's really nothing to hear about his recovery until next spring at the earliest.

 

He is Rule 5 eligible this winter, though, so we'll hear about him in November when that 40-man roster decision is due. I suspect we may have to protect him.

[nicksaviking]

Rooker's long absence for his unique injury has me a little worried that he suffered significant damage. 

 

Significant or not, the timing is too bad. With Cruz out he would have been a great candidate to get a call up.

[rdehring]

 

Tyler Wells just had TJ surgery in May, so there's really nothing to hear about his recovery until next spring at the earliest.

 

He is Rule 5 eligible this winter, though, so we'll hear about him in November when that 40-man roster decision is due. I suspect we may have to protect him.

I doubt it, sypcake, although I agree he has been one of our best pitchers the previous couple years.

 

40-man roster spots are going to be tight.  Do you choose an injured Wells over Graterol, Duran, Rijo, Alcala or Jax?  Or over Blankenhorn, Raley or Javier?  That's 8 players needing protection.  Maybe they will have 8 spots, but doubtful.  So you would not only have to bump one of the above, but maybe more than one should they only open spots for 6 or 7 to add Wells.  Interesting dilemma the FO is going to be facing come November.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Larnach has more than held his own at AA and has been very good in his last 10 games. With 20 games left this in the season he's seems ready to make a statement about his first full year status. He's looking more and more like a candidate for an early call up next year. 

 

I really don't mean this sarcastically, but what do you mean by "He seems ready to make a statement about his first full year status?"

 

He's had a nice first full season and did well between two levels. I just don't know what the statement might be. His candidacy as a possible early-season call up isn't likely to change over the final 20 games.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I doubt it, sypcake, although I agree he has been one of our best pitchers the previous couple years.

 

40-man roster spots are going to be tight. Do you choose an injured Wells over Graterol, Duran, Rijo, Alcala or Jax? Or over Blankenhorn, Raley or Javier? That's 8 players needing protection. Maybe they will have 8 spots, but doubtful. So you would not only have to bump one of the above, but maybe more than one should they only open spots for 6 or 7 to add Wells. Interesting dilemma the FO is going to be facing come November.

What if it's not Wells vs one of those prospects, though? What if it is Wells vs Stewart? Or Wells vs Astudillo? Or Wells vs Trevor May's last arbitration year?

 

Due to his surgery recovery, Wells could also be stashed on the 60-day DL as early as February. So it's possible he could even temporarily hold a spot that eventually goes to a late free agent signing. (Of course, the 60-day DL and resulting rehab assignment also makes him easier to stash as a Rule 5 pick too.)