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Front Page: Twins Minor League Report (8/17) Bullpens Bring The Bull And The Horn

Matt Braun

By Matt Braun
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Matt Braun GCL Twins

Matt Braun

Twins Daily Contributor
Posted
Posted

Hey, look at that, a bad pun, love it. Anyways, there was a number of great performances from a number of bullpens, a great start from a typical starter, and a number of rehabbing MLB players. All that and more in this edition of the minor league report.TRANSACTIONS

 

OF Lamonte Wade Jr. sent to A Cedar Rapids on a rehab assignment

 

RHP Yancarlos Baez assigned to Elizabethton from extended spring training

 

RHP Brusdar Graterol will reportedly be promoted to AAA Rochester along with RHP Jorge Alcala

 

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 1, Louisville 2 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

Adam Bray: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

HR: None

Multi-hit games: Ian Miller (2-for-4), Tomás Telis (2-for-4)

 

The Red Wings made everything perfectly balanced as they won a 10 inning game last Saturday and then lost a 10-inning game this Saturday.

 

The Red Wings ran a bullpen game to much success as Adam Bray, Jeremy Bleich, Preston Guilmet, and Fernando Romero combined for nine and a third innings pitched with just two earned runs. Bray was effective to start as he struck out seven over four innings and Guilmet was the other pitcher who allowed no runs as he threw three shutout innings.

 

Fernando Romero had an interesting outing as the lead-off batter bunted the starting runner to third (remember the extra innings rule in the minors) and after an intentional walk, an infield single ended up winning the game.

 

The Red Wings offense was scattered and the only time a run was scored was when Zander Wiel tripled home Brandon Barnes after Barnes hit a double.

 

 

 

BLUE WAHOO BITES

Pensacola 5, Chattanooga 1

Box Score

 

Alex Phillips: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

HR: Alex Kirilloff (9)

Multi-hit games: Willians Astudillo (2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI), Alex Kirilloff (3-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI), Travis Blankenhorn (2-for-4, 2B)

 

The Blue Wahoos flirted with a no-hitter during a very successful bullpen game.

 

Alex Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, Jorge Alcala, Andrew Vasquez, and Tom Hackimer combined to give up just one measly single (an infield single in the 9th) en route to their attempt at pitching a no-hitter. The end result was still just one earned run, one hit, three walks, and 10 strikeouts, a pretty good performance all around.

 

Willians Astudillo had a pair of hits and a pair of RBIs thanks to a 3rd inning double. He ended up catching seven innings before being replaced behind the plate by Taylor Grzelakowski.

 

Not to be outdone by the rehabbing major leaguer, Alex Kirilloff had a three RBI game thanks in part to a two run blast in the 5th inning. He is well on his way to getting back to doing Alex Kirilloff things as he had a 149 wRC+ over the week coming into Saturday’s game.

 

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 3, Jupiter 1

Box Score

 

Chris Vallimont: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K

HR: None

Multi-hit games: Jacob Pearson (2-for-4), Ernie De La Trinidad (2-for-4, 2B)

 

Chris Vallimont had his second straight seven inning performance and the best start of his in the Twins’ system. His nine strikeouts is tied for his third highest amount in a game this year and he has now given up just five hits over his last 14 innings combined.

 

Melvi Acosta relieved Vallimont and would eventually end the game with no earned runs given up but one unearned run so not shutout would be had for the Miracle on Saturday.

 

There’s more to the game than pitching, however, and the Miracle received all their scoring in the 8th inning thanks to a bases-clearing double off the bat of Andrew Bechtold.

 

Gabriel Maciel was hit by a pitch in the 3rd inning and eventually left the game, hopefully the move was more preemptive than anything and Maciel is fine.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 1, Quad Cities 4

Box Score

 

Tyler Palm: 6 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

HR: Spencer Steer (2)

Multi-hit games: Spencer Steer (2-for-4, HR, R, RBI)

 

It had seemed like a game that was going to go well for the Kernels as Spencer Steer blasted a home run to lead-off the game for the Kernels but that was all the offense they would get as there would only be three more hits in the game for the Kernels and Steer was the only player with multiple hits.

 

Tyler Palm fought through six innings but was ruined by a 5th inning three-run home run that stained the ledger and put the Kernels in a deficit that they would not overcome.

 

Rickey Ramirez relieved Palm and tossed a pair of scoreless innings to lower his Kernels ERA to an incredible 0.90.

 

Lamonte Wade Jr. played in his first rehab game and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout as he played seven innings.

 

E-Town E-Notes

Elizabethton 2, Danville 3

Box Score

 

Tyler Benninghoff: 0 IP (left with injury)

HR: None

Multi-hit games: Kidany Salva (2-for-4, 2B)

 

Tyler Benninghoff had the first pitch of the game hit back at him off his hand and left the game. Hopefully everything is alright for him.

 

Frandy Torres took over and was outstanding for pitching on a moment’s notice as he fired off four scoreless innings to keep the Twins’ heads up despite having their starter leave the game early.

 

The Elizabethton offense left many ducks on the pond as they went just 1-for-14 w/RISP and had a team LOB of 12. The two runs scored were not enough and the chances the Twins had with runners on proved to be their downfall.

 

In total, Elizabethton’s pitching was impressive as Torres, Denny Bentley, and Benjamin Dum combined for just two earned runs allowed over nine and a third innings pitched. Seems like a number of teams in the Twins’ system received fine performances as they attempted to piece the game together with their bullpen.

 

GCL Twins Takes

Game one: GCL Twins 5, GCL Red Sox 6 (7 innings)

Box Score

 

Stephen Gonsalves: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K

HR: Jesus Feliz (4), Francisco Martinez (4)

Multi-hit games: Wander Valdez (3-for-3, 2 2B, R)

 

Stephen Gonsalves made another rehab start for the GCL Twins. In this start he allowed a homer and a double but also got five of his six outs on strikeouts, a solid sign for the lefty. Trevor Hildenberger relieved Gonsalves and he also went two innings with a pair of strikeouts and only one hit allowed. Strangely enough, only one out came on a ground ball, an unusual feat for Hildenberger.

 

The GCL Twins’ offense was firing early as Jesus Feliz hit a three-run home run in the 1st inning and Francisco Martinez hit a two-run home run in the 4th which gave the GCL Twins a 5-1 lead.

 

Unfortunately for the Twins, the lead would not last as some sloppy play allowed a handful of runs to score and the GCL Red Sox would eventually walk them off in the 7th.

 

It started with a throwing error by catcher Jeferson Morales in the 5th on a steal that allowed a run to score to make it 5-2. Then in the 6th, a balk by Donny Breek scored another run before a bases-loaded walk made it a 5-4 game. Jose Guevara took over for the 7th and with two outs he allowed the game-tying single before a passed ball from Jeferson Morales allowed the winning run to score.

 

Game two: GCL Twins 7, GCL Red Sox 4 (7 innings)

Box Score

 

Anthony Escobar: 2 ⅓ IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

HR: Francisco Martinez (5)

Multi-hit games: Jeferson Morales (2-for-2, 2B, 2 R, RBI), Jake Hirabayashi (2-for-3, 2 RBI)

 

The GCL Twins again got out to a quick offensive start thanks to a two RBI single from Jake Hirabayashi in the 1st that was followed by a wild pitch which scored another run in the inning.

 

Much like the game before, the scoring did not stop there for the GCL Twins as a Jeferson Morales double in the next inning scored another run and Francisco Martinez’s second homer of the day plated two more runs to give them seven runs total in the game.

 

The big difference was that the pitching held firm as just two pitchers gave up runs and even though runs were given up in the 7th again, the lead was much bigger this time around so it didn’t matter. Steeve Theetge pitched two and a third shutout innings to earn the win and Niall Windeler punched out the side in his lone inning of work. Evan Gillespie was the culprit in giving up the runs in the 7th but it didn’t matter as the runs came with two outs and Gillespie was able to get the final out to win it.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Chris Vallimont

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Alex Kirilloff

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Pensacola) - 1-for-4, R, K

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) - 3-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI

#3 - Brusdar Graterol (Pensacola) - Did not pitch

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Pensacola) - 0-for-4, K

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

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

#7 - Keoni Cavaco (GCL Twins) - Did not play

#8 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) - Injured list

#9 - Jhoan Duran (Pensacola) - Did not pitch

#10 - Blayne Enlow (Ft. Myers) - Did not pitch

#11 - Lewis Thorpe (Twins) - Did not pitch

#12 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - Injured list

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Pensacola) - Did not play

#14 - Luis Arraez (Twins) -

#15 - Matt Wallner (Elizabethton) - Did not play

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

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

#18 - Jorge Alcala (Pensacola) - 1 ⅔ IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

#19 - Misael Urbina (DSL Twins) - 2-for-4

#20 - Travis Blankenhorn (Pensacola) - 2-for-4, 2B, K

 

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Louisville (1:00 P.M.) - RHP Randy Dobnak

Pensacola @ Mississippi (5:05 P.M.) - TBD

Fort Myers @ Jupiter (12:00 P.M.) - TBD

Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities (5:15 P.M.) - RHP Andrew Cabezas

Elizabethton @ Princeton (4:00 P.M.) - RHP Ben Gross

 

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

 

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Danchat St Paul Saints

Danchat

Verified Member
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Good to see late season promotions for Graterol and Alcala, though it's debatable that Alcala earned it. He's been better since moving to the pen (which is what I have been asking for the entire season), but he needs to prove he can be less hittable. 

 

Graterol, on the other hand, should be in the big leagues within the next two weeks, so we can consider his stint at AAA a trial run.

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jokin Wichita Wind Surge

jokin

Old-Timey Member
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I would think they'd do it before 9/1, so there are no hoops to jump through to get him on the playoff roster.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for it. Back in April, I advocated for making him an RP by the All Star break. IMO, given the Twins' ongoing pitching woes, both SPs and RPs, if he's NOT on the postseason roster, it means something has gone horribly wrong.

 

The Twins have nothing but the Tidy Whities and the Kitties over the next two weeks, a perfect chance for Brusdar to make his debut. How about as an "opener" for Odo on Wednesday afternoon vs. Chicago, or for a faltering Berrios vs. the Tigers on Friday night? It would definitely boost attendance a bit.

 

But realistically, as Seth and I have pointed out in the past, confirming to himself and the staff that he can effectively throw that major league ball in AAA for a couple weeks can't do anything but help his chances for success with the Twins. Besides, I applaud the fact that they've been pretty aggressive here, considering the injury, missing over two months of development as a result, his age and the pressure cooker environment he'll be thrown into.

Edited by jokin
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ashbury Cooperstown

ashbury

Old-Timey Member
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Watching the video of the Kiriloff HR and the video shows Astudillo rounding the bases and I'm thinking, "woah, Kiriloff has really let himself go."

Had to go back to look at the video, after your recommendation. I LOLed out loud, even knowing what was coming. Minor league game, minor league technical director in the broadcast booth. Live and learn, I hope. :)

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jmlease1 GCL Twins

jmlease1

Verified Member
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Vallimont is interesting. He's certainly showing some ability, even if he's no longer all that young for high A ball. It will be interesting to see how he does in better competition next season and if he'll still be able to keep this level of control. But he may have a future, which is pretty exciting considering the deal we got him with. He's been terrific since coming to MN, but I was surprised at how few professional innings he's thrown. Next season is going to be very interesting for him as well.

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Seth Stohs GOAT

Seth Stohs

Owner
Posted
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Is Cavaco injured? Over two months into his professional career and we’re shy of 80 PA. On the back lots, maybe? Hasn’t appeared in a game for 9 days now. Very quiet debut for a #13 overall pick, to say the least.

 

When I asked previously, I was told he isn't hurt. Maybe he is now, but it's definitely surprising to see how little he's played. He went on a stretch where he had played in something like 7 straight games and now it's quiet again. Not sure I understand. But he was definitely a guy that flew up draft lists late because of immense talent, but people also admitted he is quite raw. So my guess is a lot of back field work and time in the cage, etc. 

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Otto von Ballpark All-Star

Otto von Ballpark

Community Leader
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Posted (edited)

I would think they'd do it before 9/1, so there are no hoops to jump through to get him on the playoff roster.

They can add him to the 40-man roster the evening of August 31st, and promote him to MLB the morning of Sep. 1st with expanded rosters.

 

Then he's eligible for postseason rosters with no hoops, and we don't need to make any 25-man roster moves to accommodate him either.

 

That's still technically considered as a 9/1 callup too, since the roster move would come after the August 31st games (9/1 would be his first day/game on the 40-man roster).

Edited by spycake
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