Minor League Report (6/20): Baby Bombas

[Nash Walker]

The Twins' system blasted nine homers Sunday, including two more from breakout star José Miranda.

TRANSACTIONS:

St.Paul Saints RHP Jhoan Duran placed on the 7-day injured list (elbow strain)

St.Paul Saints add RHP Kyle Barraclough

SAINTS SENTINEL

Cubs 3, Saints 3 (game suspended in fifth inning due to rain)

Box Score 

Griffin Jax: 2 ⅔ IP, 3 H, 3 R/ER, 5 BB, 2 K

HR: Brent Rooker (11)

Multi-hit games: Rooker (2-for-2, HR)

Rain in St.Paul halted the series finale Sunday between the Saints and the Iowa Cubs. Griffin Jax had trouble finding his command and walked five in a short outing. Brent Rooker blasted an opposite-field homer in the fourth, his 11th of the year for St.Paul. The game will resume August 17th. 

 

WIND SURGE WISDOM

Wind Surge 7, Cardinals 8

Box Score

Jordan Balazovic: 4 ⅓ IP, 10 H, 6 R/ER, BB, 3 K

HR: José Miranda 2 (11), Jermaine Palacios (8), Nick Garland (1), Ernie De La Trinidad (5)

Multi-hit games: Miranda (3-for-4, 2 HR), De La Trinidad (2-for-3, HR), Palacios (2-for-4, HR)

The Wind Surge were down 8-1 after 5 ½ innings with Jordan Balazovic struggling to contain the Springfield offense. Balazovic entered the game with a 3.72 ERA in three starts. 

As has been the case all season, José Miranda provided the spark with a solo homer in the sixth, his second of the game. Miranda is hitting .323 with a .948 OPS, continuing his miraculous breakout season. Jermaine Palacios, who’s also been excellent this summer, followed that up with a two-run homer to cut the deficit to four. 

Nick Garland and Ernie De La Trinidad added on with two more homers an inning later, bringing the Surge within just one run. Unfortunately, the Surge went down in order in both the eighth and ninth to fall just short. 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Kernels 9, Cubs 2

Box Score

Tyler Beck: 3 IP, 3 H, R/ER, 3 BB, 7 K

HR: Trey Cabbage (7), Seth Gray (5)

Multi-hit games: Spencer Steer (3-for-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Seth Gray (2-for-5, HR, 3 RBI), Alex Isola (2-for-4)

Tyler Beck has pitched in a “hybrid” role for the Kernels this season, both starting and relieving in short stints. Beck started Sunday and continued his strong season, striking out seven over three solid innings of work. 

Trey Cabbage blasted a two-run homer to right in the bottom of the first to give Cedar Rapids an early 2-0 lead. Spencer Steer smacked a two-run single to center in the second and Seth Gray added on with a two-run shot in the fifth. Steer is hitting .273 with a .932 OPS on the season. 

The Kernels are weathering the storm without one of their best hitters in Matt Wallner (wrist). Steer, Gray, Wander Javier and Cabbage have helped to carry the load, providing the team with much needed offense and power on this five-game winning streak. 

Notably, Kernels manager Brian Dinkelman earned his 100th victory with the club. 

MUSSEL MATTERS

Mussels 3, Flying Tigers 1

Box Score

Sawyer Gipson-Long: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R/ER, 3 BB, 6 K

HR: Jeferson Morales (5)

Multi-hit games: Aaron Sabato (2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI)

Sawyer Gipson-Long turned in one of his best starts of the season Sunday. He worked five scoreless innings, striking out six and earning the victory. The Mussels’ offense scored three runs and went just 6-for-30 (.200) with left 16 aboard.

Jeferson Morales helped the Mussels to an early 1-0 lead with a solo homer in the first. Aaron Sabato, who came into the game with a .913 OPS over his last 39 plate appearances, roped a two-run double to center in the third. 

The Mussels bent but didn’t break, allowing an RBI single in the sixth. Erik Manoah Jr. earned his second save for Fort Myers and has now struck out eight over 5 ⅓ scoreless innings. 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Sawyer Gipson-Long

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – José Miranda

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

#1 - Alex Kirilloff (Minnesota) – 0-for-5, 2 K

#2 - Royce Lewis (Rehab) - Out for Season (torn ACL)

#3 - Trevor Larnach (Minnesota) – 3-for-5, R

#4 - Ryan Jeffers (Minnesota) – Did not play

#5 - Jhoan Duran (St. Paul) – 7-day injured list (elbow strain)

#6 - Jordan Balazovic (Wichita) – 4 ⅓ IP, 10 H, 6 R/ER, BB, 3 K

#7 - Keoni Cavaco (Ft. Myers) – IL (concussion)

#8 - Aaron Sabato (Ft. Myers) – 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI

#9 - Matt Canterino (Cedar Rapids) – IL (right elbow strain)

#10 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – IL (Tommy John surgery)

#11 - Gilberto Celestino (St. Paul) – Did not play

#12 - Brent Rooker (St. Paul) – 

#13 - Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) – IL (wrist sprain)

#14 - Misael Urbina (Ft. Myers) – 0-for-4, K

#15 - Cole Sands (Wichita) – Did not pitch

#16 - Edwar Colina (Rehab) - IL (elbow)

#17 - Ben Rortvedt (Minnesota) –  0-for-4, K

#18 - Alerick Soularie (Complex) – N/A

#19 - Jose Miranda (Wichita) – 3-for-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI

#20 - Bailey Ober (Minnesota) – Did not pitch

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[Dman]

I do like Gipson-Long he can get K's when he wants it just the WHIP that needs work.  He generally gives up way too much contact and even though he had fewer hits than innings pitched today he also walked three.  There is potential there but he needs to be sharper more often.

Nice to see Steer with a three hit, 2 walk day.  Granted he didn't hit a HR but I like it when he gets on base and he scored three times as well.  Gray looks like he might be out of his slump so that is good.  He has hit well the last couple of games after being in a fairly long funk.

The top of the order for Wichita seem to always be trying to outdo each other.  Miranda won today with 3 hits 2 of them HR's but Ernie wasn't far behind with a HR and two hits.  Palacios as well a HR and two hits.  Some real magic at the top of the order this year.  All three of those guys look ready to move up at the All Star break.

Rooker continues to mash at AAA finally reaching his 900 OPS mark he likes to hang around in the minors.  If he can just translate that to MLB we would have another great right handed HR bat.  There are bats to like this year.  Hopefully these guys stay healthy.

[D.C Twins]

Dear Twins FO,

I was just looking for a little clarity about what your expectations are for earning a promotion.

An OPS OF 948 and a BB/K ratio of 15/20 over a 167 AB sample size seems pretty good to me, especially looking at the rest of the organization.

Let's get this party started!

Yours Truly,

Jose Miranda

[terrydactyls]

Who is the breakout hitter in the minors this year?  Jose Miranda, Jermaine Palacios, Spencer Steer, Wander Javier???  All are having great seasons.  And what about Ernie de la Trinidad and Eduard Julien?  I'm really excited to see a lot of infielders on this list because the past several years have been all about the outfield prospects.  I actually think that things are looking good for 2022 and beyond.  If the major league team just sheds a lot of dead weight, the team will be improved.

[Monkeypaws]

Man, some sad batting averages in Fort Myers:

Urbina: 194

Sabato: 188

Holland: 171

Garry Jr: 171

OTOH Julien looks amazing: .315 BA, .985 OPS, 16 steals. was he not a guy who dropped and the Twins took a flier on him and managed to sign him?

[puckstopper1]

Hard to be optimistic that the Twins will be getting any pitching help from their system anytime soon.  Like the big league club this season, the entire system seems to be plagued by injuries/ineffectiveness/inconsistency.

SIGH....

[jmlease1]

9 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

Dear Twins FO,

I was just looking for a little clarity about what your expectations are for earning a promotion.

An OPS OF 948 and a BB/K ratio of 15/20 over a 167 AB sample size seems pretty good to me, especially looking at the rest of the organization.

Let's get this party started!

Yours Truly,

Jose Miranda

I don't think Miranda has to worry much, but it's easier for him to get consistent ABs at AA than it might be at AAA, depending on organizational health levels. He'll likely get the call to AAA in the next few weeks.

[Taildragger8791]

Any word on Duran's elbow? That 'elbow strain' suggests inevitable Tommy John when there hasn't been any optimistic details given. What bum luck. Does this franchise do something to pitching prospects or is it just standard procedure now to blow out an elbow before you make the majors? 

[Dman]

8 hours ago, Monkeypaws said:

Man, some sad batting averages in Fort Myers:

Urbina: 194

Sabato: 188

Holland: 171

Garry Jr: 171

OTOH Julien looks amazing: .315 BA, .985 OPS, 16 steals. was he not a guy who dropped and the Twins took a flier on him and managed to sign him?

Yeah I have been surprised at how much they have been winning with the lineup they have but the pitching has been pretty good and they have taken more than their fair share of walks when needed. While I mostly agree with you that those players look flawed there are glimmers of hope for some of them.

Urbina is pretty young for the level and he started out hot then slumped badly but he seems to be getting better again.  he likely needs more time to adjust than the older guys.  I would look for an improved second half for him.  His eye and contact skills should kick in and help him out as gets used to the higher level of competition.

I am not a big Sabato fan mainly because he struggles to make good contact and or contact at all. Still I have to acknowledge his eye at the plate has been good and despite that 188 BA he has a 388 OBP which is pretty darn good.  With the poor BA his OPS is below 700 which again is pretty bad especially for a guy taken in the 1st round.  I mean when you compare him to our 18th round pick Julien it is down right embarrassing.

Holland has power but he looks like a guy who might hit 240-250 with an 800 OPS.  Like Sabato he seems to have a lot of swing and miss to his game but he seems to be the prototypical hitter the Twins look for.  Even with that low BA he still has a 700 OPS so there is still hope that he becomes a power hitting SS.

Garry Jr. looks so good in the field and he has speed but I do question if he is seeing the ball well because he only has 13 walks anda  whopping 51 K's.  I don't think the eye at the plate is there yet.  He is only 21 though there is time but that line is a bad sign for him right now.

So yeah I agree with you things don't look good for those guys right now but that could change in the second half.

[gunnarthor]

I loved the 2016 draft at the time and now it's looking even better. Kiriloff, Rortvedt, Baddoo, Wells, Jax have already made the majors with Miranda and Balazovic still at AA. I don't know if any of them will have the upside of the top of the 2012 draft (Buxton, Berrios, Rogers) but they should provide some above average MLB players. 

[roger]

Am finding it very interesting how well Fort Myers is doing.  That team is loaded with 2019 draft picks, their success gives us some indication that draft may be a good one, especially on the pitching side.  And Julien is turning out to be one heck of a later round pick...what a great pick and over slot signing.

[MMMordabito]

De La Trinidad might be one to sell high on at the deadline.  He's another LH outfielder who will be stuck behind other young players. He's also rule 5 eligible.  Even though the Twins should be sellers, they should try to work the value while it's there.

Julien, Steer and Miranda should all be promoted, and they all can basically replace the guy promoted in front of them.  The Twins should easily be able to show one of Descalso, Tomscha or Johnson the door at St. Paul to accommodate these promotions.

[Seth Stohs]

1 hour ago, Taildragger8791 said:

Any word on Duran's elbow? That 'elbow strain' suggests inevitable Tommy John when there hasn't been any optimistic details given. What bum luck. Does this franchise do something to pitching prospects or is it just standard procedure now to blow out an elbow before you make the majors? 

Just IL'd yesterday. I'm sure they'll do the imaging and such in coming days and we'll find out more. Hopefully no structural damage. 

So many injuries all over baseball this year after missing last year. 

[Seth Stohs]

31 minutes ago, MMMordabito said:

De La Trinidad might be one to sell high on at the deadline.  He's another LH outfielder who will be stuck behind other young players. He's also rule 5 eligible.  Even though the Twins should be sellers, they should try to work the value while it's there.

De La Trinidad is off to a terrific start, but he's not going to add anything to a trade's return. He won't get Rule 5d most likely. 

[Seth Stohs]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

Holland has power but he looks like a guy who might hit 240-250 with an 800 OPS.  Like Sabato he seems to have a lot of swing and miss to his game but he seems to be the prototypical hitter the Twins look for.  Even with that low BA he still has a 700 OPS so there is still hope that he becomes a power hitting SS.

.240-.250 isn't a bad average for a plus defensive SS with power... That 800 OPS would be fantastic. He just needs to play after being on the injured list for about a month. 

[Dman]

32 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

De La Trinidad is off to a terrific start, but he's not going to add anything to a trade's return. He won't get Rule 5d most likely. 

After Baddoo got rule V'd I wouldn't bank on it.  I know you are betting he is going to regress as Springfield doesn't appear to have the greatest pitching staff.  However, right now he is a top 4 bat in the AA central one tiny step behind Mirnada and ahead of KC's first rounder Bobby Witt Jr.  If he keeps that 900 OPS or even a high 800 OPS I have to believe lower end teams would be interested in taking a look via Rule V.  

I get that he isn't the biggest guy at 5' 9" but they have him listed as a Right fielder so he likely has the arm and I believe he runs well.  He kind of reminds me of Dustin Pedroia a little bit not that that is a fair comp but he is small like Dustin yet plays much bigger.  We will see if he comes down to earth but it is hard to stay in the 900 OPS range and with a K rate that is not bad and a walk rate that moves his OBP almost 100 points there is a lot to like if he maintains his power.  If I was a rebuilding team that is a player that I would take a risk on.

'

 

[Mike Sixel]

Was really hoping one of the top starting pitching prospects would force his way to MN this year, so he'd be ready to be contributing in the majors this year. Not looking so promising right now.....

That said, some of the hitters are 100% forcing the issue! Which is great. 

[Seth Stohs]

10 hours ago, Dman said:

After Baddoo got rule V'd I wouldn't bank on it.  I know you are betting he is going to regress as Springfield doesn't appear to have the greatest pitching staff.  However, right now he is a top 4 bat in the AA central one tiny step behind Mirnada and ahead of KC's first rounder Bobby Witt Jr.  If he keeps that 900 OPS or even a high 800 OPS I have to believe lower end teams would be interested in taking a look via Rule V.  

I get that he isn't the biggest guy at 5' 9" but they have him listed as a Right fielder so he likely has the arm and I believe he runs well.  He kind of reminds me of Dustin Pedroia a little bit not that that is a fair comp but he is small like Dustin yet plays much bigger.  We will see if he comes down to earth but it is hard to stay in the 900 OPS range and with a K rate that is not bad and a walk rate that moves his OBP almost 100 points there is a lot to like if he maintains his power.  If I was a rebuilding team that is a player that I would take a risk on.

'

 

Akil Baddoo got Rule 5'd because he was a prospect though. I don't think DLT will regress a ton. He's a nice, solid player. Miranda and Bobby Witt are younger, they're prospects. But yeah, if he maintains a 900+ OPS over the full season, they would have to at least have a quick discussion about adding him. I would still assume they wouldn't, but they'd at least discuss protecting him from the Rule 5. 

[Danchat]

Yikes, Duran goes out with an elbow problem, and then Balazovic gets shelled. The pitching prospects are having a hard time staying healthy...

Miranda continues to rake like crazy. Also, Spencer Steer seems to be having a great year. He'll get a bump up on my prospects ranking.