Front Page: Twins Minor League Report (8/27): Ober Continues Domination

[Seth Stohs]

It’s hard to believe, the minor league seasons are coming to an end very quickly. On Wednesday night, Pensacola played their final home game. Elizabethton has one more game. The GCL Twins are finishing out their season with a few days of doubleheaders. Ft. Myers is done on Sunday. There have been a lot of stories. Some good. Some bad. Some crazy.

 

While not a Twins minor league story, one interesting transaction from Tuesday does have Twins ties. The San Francisco Giants have called up RH RP Tyler Rogers. When the submarining Tyler gets into a game, he and Taylor will be the tenth set of twins to play in the big leagues. Congratulations to the Rogers family.

Find out everything that happened happened in the Twins system on Tuesday, starting with some awards and the transactions of the day.

 

 

TRANSACTIONS

• Taking LHP Lewis Thorpe’s spot on the Twins roster is RHP Randy Dobnak.
• RHP Ryne Harper returned to the Red Wings after being optioned on Saturday.
• OF Alejandro de Aza activated from the injured list for the Red Wings.
• LHP Charlie Barnes sent down to Pensacola.
• SS Jordan Gore began a rehab in the GCL. As you will see below, he might be trying something new.
• Not really a transaction, but the Twins announced that Byron Buxton's Cedar Rapids rehab has hit a setback. For more information, click here.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 3, Buffalo 5

Box Score

 

Kohl Stewart started and gave up two runs on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out six batters. Brusdar Graterol came on for the sixth inning. After a walk and a hit batter, he got a fielder’s choice. However, the next batter connected on a three-run homer. Graterol got the final two outs, the third out on a strikeout. Trevor Hildenberger came on and gave up just a single over two scoreless innings.

 

The Red Wings tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning. Down 5-0, they scored three runs, but fell short. Tomas Telis went 2-for-4 and drove in the first ninth inning run. Zander Wiel followed with a two-run homer, his 22nd of the season. He went 2-for-3 with a walk in the game.

 

BLUE WAHOOS BITES

Pensacola 4, Jackson 2

Box Score

 

Bailey Ober has been quite the story in 2019. After pitching well in Ft. Myers, when healthy, he has now been really good in three starts with the Wahoos. On this night, he gave up only an unearned run on four hits and a walk in seven innings. He struck out 11.

 

 

Another story of note, Stephen Gonsalves came in for the eighth inning. He gave up an unearned run on a walk and a hit batter in his inning. He struck out two. Alex Phillips came on and got the final three outs for the save.

 

Pensacola scored all three of their runs in the first inning. Alex Kirilloff scored on a ground out from LaMonte Wade. Mark Contreras added a two run single. Ryan Jeffers went 2-for-3. Trevor Larnach went 1-for-3 with a walk.

 

It was the final game of the home schedule for Pensacola. After taking Wednesday off, they will begin their final series of the season.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Game 1 - Ft. Myers 2, Dunedin 3

Box Score

 

Lachlan Wells started the first game. He gave up two runs on five hits in the first five innings. He walked two and struck out four. Tyler Watson gave up one run on one hit in one inning.

 

Yeltsin Encarnacion led the offense. He went 3-for-3 and drive in a run. The Miracle had just seven total hits.

 

Game 2 - Ft. Myers 5, Dunedin 2

Box Score

 

In game two, the Miracle got a strong start and a big blast.

 

Trey Cabbage and Jose Miranda provided much of the Miracle offense. Miranda went 3-for-3 with a walk and his 24th and 25th doubles. Trey Cabbage went 2-for-3 with a walk and his fifth-inning, three-run homer proved to be all that they needed to get the win.

 

On the mound, Dakota Chalmers put together another solid start and picked up his first Miracle win. He gave up one run on three hits over five innings. He walked three and struck out eight batters. Zach Neff recorded his sixth save. He struck out three over two innings of work. He gave up one run on two hits.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 4, Peoria 3

Box Score

 

The Kernels nearly went to extra innings for a second straight night, but instead, Spencer Steer played hero in the bottom of the ninth with a walk-off single.

 

Steer went 2-for-5 in the game. Wander Javier provided a big hit, his tenth home run of the season.

 

Luis Rijo had another impressive outing in August. He gave up just one run on four hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out six batters. Jose Martinez went the next 1 1/3 innings. He gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk. Dylan Thomas came out and got the final two outs of the eight inning and all three outs in the ninth frame.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

E-Twins 3, Greeneville 1

Box Score

 

Ruben Santana spent three summers playing in the Dominican Summer League before coming to the States this year. On Tuesday night, Santana led off the game with the first home run of his professional career.

 

Fidel Castro tied the game in the third inning with a home run for Greeneville, but in the fourth, the E-Twins responded with two runs. Seth Gray had an RBI double, followed by an RBI single by Trevor Jensen.

 

Gray hit his 14 and 15th doubles. Max Smith added his 12th double.

 

Brent Headrick made the start for the Twins. He worked two scoreless innings and didn’t give up a hit. He walked two and struck out one. Ryan Shreve came in and gave up one run on four hits over the next four innings. He struck out six without issuing a walk. Denny Bentley worked the next two innings and kept Greeneville from adding any runs. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck out two. Tyler Beck worked a scoreless ninth inning. He gave up a hit and a walk but struck out three batters.

 

Wednesday is the final day of the Appalachian League regular season. I’d explain how the E-Twins can make the playoffs, but Nick Badders did all the work, so let’s let him.

 

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

Game 1 - GCL Twins 3, GCL Rays 2 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

The game was suspended on Monday in the bottom of the fourth and resumed on Tuesday morning. On Monday, non-drafted free agent Evan Gillespie started the game and gave up just two hits over four scoreless innings. He struck out four.

 

When the game resumed on Tuesday, Jordan Gore was on the mound. He faced five batters. He walked three and struck out two batters before exiting the game. Yes, this is the same Jordan Gore who began the season as the starting shortstop of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. In a game he pitched for Pensacola earlier this season, he was regularly hitting 96 mph on the radar gun.

 

Anthony Escobar turned 19 a couple of days ago. He went the final 5 1/3 innings He gave up two runs on four hits to record the win. He struck out three without issuing a walk.

 

In the game, Luke Raley went 3-for-5. Brent Rooker went 1-for-3 before exiting. Alex Craig had a single and two walks. LaRon Smith hit his fifth double, and Jesus Feliz hit his ninth double.

 

Game 2 - GCL Twins 6, GCL Rays 4

Box Score

 

Regi Grace made the start and gave up three runs (one earned) on three hits in four innings. He walked one and struck out seven batters. Danny Moreno came on and gave up one hit in a scoreless inning. Junior Navas gave up a run on three hits in the sixth inning. Steve Theetge worked a perfect seventh inning for his first pro save.

 

The GCL Twins scored six runs with just five hits. However, in what was certainly an enjoyable game to watch, they walked 12 times. Jesus Feliz, Eric Jones, Francisco Martinez, Alec Craig and Jim Caceres each walked twice. Feliz added his third triple.

 

In rehab news, Luke Raley was 1-4 with a sacrifice fly. He again played center field. Brent Rooker went 1-for-3 with a walk. DHd after playing left field in Game 1.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day - Bailey Ober, Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Trey Cabbage, Ft. Myers Miracle

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Pensacola) - 1-4, 2B(9), K

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) - 1-4, R, K

#3 - Brusdar Graterol (Rochester) - 1 IP, 1 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HBP

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Pensacola) - 1-3, BB, R, K

#5 - Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) -

#6 - Jordan Balazovic (Ft. Myers) - Did Not Pitch

#7 - Keoni Cavaco (GCL Twins) - Game 1 (1-4, R, 2 K)

#8 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) - GCL Rehab Game 1 (1-3), Game 2 (1-3, BB, 2 R)

#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) - Injured List (lower leg contusion)

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Pensacola) - 2-3, R

#14 - Luis Arraez (Minnesota) - Did Not Play

#15 - Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) - Did Not Play

#16 - Ben Rortvedt (Pensacola) - Injured List

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

#18 - Jorge Alcala (Rochester) - Did Not Pitch

#19 - Misael Urbina (DSL Twins) - Season Complete

#20 - Travis Blankenhorn (Pensacola) - Did Not Play.

 

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Buffalo (6:35 CST) - RHP Preston Guilmet (2-6, 4.81 ERA)

Pensacola - No Game Scheduled

Ft. Myers @ Dunedin (DH @ 4:00 CST) - RHP Jordan Balazovic (6-4, 3.04 ERA), TBD

Quad Cities @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) - RHP Matt Canterino (1-1, 1.80 ERA)

Greeneville @ Elizabethton (5:30 CST) - TBD

GCL Twins @ GCL Braves (9:00 am CST) - TBD

 

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

 

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[Taildragger8791]

Has anyone laid eyes on Keoni Cavaco to see what he’s struggling with? I don’t get too excited one way or the other with GCL results, especially with a first year kid, but a .470 OPS is still a little surprising. I’d expect to see the raw talent flash at least a little.

[Eephus]

Chiefs coaches bid a determined Peoria to not go gentle into that good night, but Dylan Thomas came out and got the final two outs of the eight inning and all three outs in the ninth frame.

[scottz]

I’m looking forward to seeing where Ober shows up on updated prospect lists. It has been fun seeing his stats and box scores.

[FormerMinnasotan]

Forget calling up Graterol, let’s call up Ober instead. After 3 starts in AA his ERA is 0.43...and his overall ERA this season is 0.75 in 75.2 innings pitched. That’s an insane ERA, all his stats point to him being legit, and since he’s already in AA we might as well see what he has. I just hope Ober finds a way to stay healthy because I have to believe given his crazy good season this year that he’s a potential starter for the Twins, and maybe an underrated one at that.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Has anyone laid eyes on Keoni Cavaco to see what he’s struggling with? I don’t get too excited one way or the other with GCL results, especially with a first year kid, but a .470 OPS is still a little surprising. I’d expect to see the raw talent flash at least a little.

 

I think it's been about development and consistent playing time. He has twice missed about a week of games, he had a quad injury for a period of time... But yeah, we can be disappointed in his numbers in 25 games and less that 100 at bats, but ultimately it doesn't mean much. Other than that he's very raw and we will all need patience. 

[jkcarew]

I think it's been about development and consistent playing time. He has twice missed about a week of games, he had a quad injury for a period of time... But yeah, we can be disappointed in his numbers in 25 games and less that 100 at bats, but ultimately it doesn't mean much. Other than that he's very raw and we will all need patience.

 

Scouting consensus was that Cavaco was extremely raw and a reach at #13. Score one for the consensus. IMO, not all first-round draft picks should immediately be considered highly-ranked prospects. Cavaco is the poster-child for this argument.

[Dantes929]

 

Forget calling up Graterol, let’s call up Ober instead. After 3 starts in AA his ERA is 0.43...and his overall ERA this season is 0.75 in 75.2 innings pitched. That’s an insane ERA, all his stats point to him being legit, and since he’s already in AA we might as well see what he has. I just hope Ober finds a way to stay healthy because I have to believe given his crazy good season this year that he’s a potential starter for the Twins, and maybe an underrated one at that.

How about Ober and Graterol.    

[David HK]

Re: the Elizabethton game.

 

Nice to see Fidel hasn't given up on his major league dream, even at this late stage...

[big dog]

Wow, I didn't know Bubber Jonnard had a twin!

[terrydactyls]

Cedar Rapids - Peoria score is backwards.

[Alex Schieferdecker]

Ober has to be a sleeper pick to make the Twins out of spring training next year, right? They'll have their eyes on him for sure after the numbers he's put up this year.

 

What kind of pitcher is he?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Scouting consensus was that Cavaco was extremely raw and a reach at #13. Score one for the consensus. IMO, not all first-round draft picks should immediately be considered highly-ranked prospects. Cavaco is the poster-child for this argument.

 

I don't know that that is true. Prospect rankings, especially for younger players have very little, if anything, to do with on-field production. It's all about tools and talent. Cavaco's loaded with tools and talent, so he should be a highly-ranked prospect... Not a Top 100. I mean, he's only like #6 or #7 among Twins prospects. 

[rdehring]

It appears Bailey Ober will finish the season with the best results of any pitcher in the organization.  Where do you think, Seth, that will put him in year-end prospect rankings?  Will he be Top 10?  Top 15?  Where will he rank among pitchers, Top 5?

 

Great seeing Raley and Rooker back on the field playing ball.  Unfortunately, too late to be any help for the Twins this year.  See that Astudillo was at first base last night, seems like he is almost ready for his Sept 1 or 2 return to the Twins.

 

Looks like the GCL Twins no longer have the best winning percentage among non-division leaders.  They have the most wins, but the Tigers West have played 3 fewer games giving them a better winning percentage.  With only a few games remaining, they just need to keep winning.

[Dman]

 

Forget calling up Graterol, let’s call up Ober instead. After 3 starts in AA his ERA is 0.43...and his overall ERA this season is 0.75 in 75.2 innings pitched. That’s an insane ERA, all his stats point to him being legit, and since he’s already in AA we might as well see what he has. I just hope Ober finds a way to stay healthy because I have to believe given his crazy good season this year that he’s a potential starter for the Twins, and maybe an underrated one at that.

 

I totally agree that Ober is legit.  He has never had a WHIP over one in his MiLB career.  His K rate has always been really good.  I don't know how this guy does it but as a stat counter I can't remember a pitcher that we have had put up better numbers.  

 

The only knock and it is a pretty big one is that he hasn't made it through a full season of MiLB baseball yet as he has been injury prone. He has only pitched three games at the AA level and only 13 games total this year totaling just 75 innings so far this year.  

 

So while I am cautiously optimistic about his future I am not certain he is quite ready for MLB just yet.

[FormerMinnasotan]

I totally agree that Ober is legit. He has never had a WHIP over one in his MiLB career. His K rate has always been really good. I don't know how this guy does it but as a stat counter I can't remember a pitcher that we have had put up better numbers.

 

The only knock and it is a pretty big one is that he hasn't made it through a full season of MiLB baseball yet as he has been injury prone. He has only pitched three games at the AA level and only 13 games total this year totaling just 75 innings so far this year.

 

So while I am cautiously optimistic about his future I am not certain he is quite ready for MLB just yet.

I agree, with that said I think Ober could benefit from pitching in the Bigs to increase his innings for the year. He’s healthy now so allowing him to continue pitching into September would be good. If not that then he should be a lock for the AFL, since he’s healthy enough to increase his innings from last year.

[ashbury]

I had no idea about Taylor having a twin. That photo of him with Tyler is hilarious.

 

Tyler has had good numbers in the minors but the Giants have been curiously slow about promoting him to the majors. Doubly odd given that they have a genetic match to go by, who is succeeding at the major league level.

[DannySD]

Just think if you had twin relief pitchers taking up one spot on the 25-man. That guy could pitch darn near every day, and the opposing team wouldn't know what was coming. 

[jud6312]

 

I had no idea about Taylor having a twin. That photo of him with Tyler is hilarious.

 

Tyler has had good numbers in the minors but the Giants have been curiously slow about promoting him to the majors. Doubly odd given that they have a genetic match to go by, who is succeeding at the major league level.

 

I'm guessing it's part to do with the Giants' slow process, and part to do with his funky delivery and wondering if it would play at the top level.

[SpicyGarvSauce]

Looking at Ober's stats, holy man. He doesn't walk anyone, has legit K numbers, and everything else is pretty damn solid. What is the word on him? Velocity? Secondary pitches?

[ashbury]

I'm guessing it's part to do with the Giants' slow process, and part to do with his funky delivery and wondering if it would play at the top level.

"Tyler! Stop messing around on the mound! Get into the video room, and watch that tape I gave you of how your brother does it. Yes, I know you're tired of hearing that."

[Seth Stohs]

 

I agree, with that said I think Ober could benefit from pitching in the Bigs to increase his innings for the year. He’s healthy now so allowing him to continue pitching into September would be good. If not that then he should be a lock for the AFL, since he’s healthy enough to increase his innings from last year.

 

I've been surprised maybe a couple of times by call ups, but Ober isn't getting called up... but I agree.. AFL would make sense.

[prouster]

Scouting consensus was that Cavaco was extremely raw and a reach at #13. Score one for the consensus. IMO, not all first-round draft picks should immediately be considered highly-ranked prospects. Cavaco is the poster-child for this argument.

He was a late riser, but no one really considered him that much of a reach. MLB.com had him at 28 on their pre-draft rankings with a 50 overall grade. Their 18th prospect was the highest ranked 50 FV, to give some reference. Fangraphs had him at 22 on their draft board with a 45 FV. Langliers was their highest ranked 45 FV, coming in at 14.

 

He was a consensus first round talent. I’m not sure where your information is coming from.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Has anyone laid eyes on Keoni Cavaco to see what he’s struggling with? I don’t get too excited one way or the other with GCL results, especially with a first year kid, but a .470 OPS is still a little surprising. I’d expect to see the raw talent flash at least a little.

Actually, the OPS doesn't concern me so much as the K%. A low OPS can be due to a low BABIP and/or a lack of SLG (which would be perfectly normal for a 18 year old).

 

But Cavaco's got a fairly normal .275 BABIP, and a high 38% K rate.

 

Still, pro debut, less than 100 PA. He might be one little adjustment away from knocking down that K rate significantly, who knows. With perhaps further adjustments/growth for power down the line.

[bird]

 

I had no idea about Taylor having a twin. That photo of him with Tyler is hilarious.

 

Tyler has had good numbers in the minors but the Giants have been curiously slow about promoting him to the majors. Doubly odd given that they have a genetic match to go by, who is succeeding at the major league level.

 

 

I recall reading an article awhile back that described Tyler's injury history necessitating a change to his current sidearm delivery. His delay is probably related to the injury and subsequent adjustment.

[bird]

 

Ober has to be a sleeper pick to make the Twins out of spring training next year, right? They'll have their eyes on him for sure after the numbers he's put up this year.

 

What kind of pitcher is he?

 

 

Fangraphs doesn't currently rank Ober among the Twin's first 42 prospects, which means they probably have him at a 35FV grade or lower. This no doubt will change soon.

[MMMordabito]

Tyler and Taylor will be circling May 4-6 next season, provided they both stay healthy and Tyler makes the cut.  I don't thing Taylor has to worry about making the cut, being a top 5 reliever in all of baseball.

[big dog]

I had no idea about Taylor having a twin. That photo of him with Tyler is hilarious.

 

Tyler has had good numbers in the minors but the Giants have been curiously slow about promoting him to the majors. Doubly odd given that they have a genetic match to go by, who is succeeding at the major league level.

Ozzie Canseco shares your disbelief

[Kevin]

 

Cedar Rapids - Peoria score is backwards.

Fixed.--ed.

[amjgt]

 

I've been surprised maybe a couple of times by call ups, but Ober isn't getting called up... but I agree.. AFL would make sense.

 

I mean, I agree with you that it would be incredibly surprising to see him called up, but.... why not? Obviously we've got some 40-man implications, but for a second let's just ignore those.

 

Ober has never not dominated. Never. The only thing is, he can't stay healthy. Maybe he's injury prone, maybe he's just been really unlucky, but right now, he's healthy. Once someone is making a joke of AA, then for me, it's time to try them out in the majors.

 

Maybe the guy's body has 1000 good innings in it. Then let's get as many of those 1000 at the major league level as possible