Twins Minor League Report (6/29): It's Jose Miranda's World, We're Just Living In It

[Steve Lein]

I would like to give a teaser for how each of the Minnesota Twins affiliates fared on Tuesday night, but there’s really only one game, or prospect, worth mentioning. A day before his birthday, Jose Miranda was promoted to the St. Paul Saints and he had a debut for the ages tonight at CHS Field.

To find out just how ridiculous Jose Miranda was in his triple-A debut, keep reading!!! (I guess you can find out how the rest of the Twins prospects did on this night if you want, too…)

TRANSACTIONS

• The Cedar Rapids Kernels placed 1B Gabe Snyder on the 7-day injured list with a right wrist sprain.
• RHP Zaquiel Puentes was assigned to Fort Myers from the Florida Complex League, and in a corresponding move LHP John Wilson was assigned to the FCL from the Mighty Mussels.

SAINTS SENTINEL
Omaha 4, St. Paul 15
Box Score

Let’s talk about Jose Miranda.

He was promoted to the St. Paul Saints yesterday, after crushing the double-A central league to the tune of a .345/.408/588 batting line. He led the league in runs, hits, home runs, RBI, and batting average. In addition to the holding the league’s traditional triple crown, his .996 OPS ranked third in the circuit.

Today was also his birthday, turning 23 years old while making his triple-A debut. The Saints put him in the leadoff spot, but he should probably be bumped down a spot or two after this performance.

Leading off the game for St. Paul in the bottom of the first, he worked a good at-bat and clubbed a 3-2 pitch for his first home run in triple-A, and fourteenth of the season.

 

In his next at-bat he was chomping at the bit and swung at the first pitch (which he has been known for in the past), and it resulted in… a slow roller for an infield single (get ‘em any way you can!).

Despite it being only the third inning, he came up for the third time with the bases loaded. He was grooved a fastball and did not miss, smashing his second home run of the game, this one of the grand slam variety.

 

That made the game 8-2 at that point and there were still six more innings for Miranda to continue and flex his muscles. *SPOILER ALERT* He definitely kept flexing his muscles.

He led off the bottom of the fifth with another solo blast, pushing the Saints lead to 10-2. Did I mention it’s his birthday?!

 

In the sixth Miranda added a double down the line the opposite way, and would score on a Brent Rooker single that made the tally 15-2. He would get one more at-bat and though he grounded into a double-play, it was quite the scene to hear the fans at CHS Field give him a standing ovation as he trotted back to the dugout for the first time after leaving the batter’s box. He now leads triple-A with 3.333 OPS.

Miranda was not the only Saints player to flex some muscle in this game either as his mystical aura granted strength to the rest of the lineup. Damek Tomscha also went yard sale twice, his seventh and eighth blasts of the season. Rooker and Mark Contreras each hit solo home runs in the fifth. As a team they collected 18 hits, with 11 of them going for extra-bases.

Though it is kind of a side note at this point, there was also some good Saints pitching, as they set a team record with 16 strikeouts on the game with a bullpen outing. Yennier Cano started and went the first two innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out two. Robinson Leyer allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out one. Kyle Barraclough recorded his fifth win of the season with two scoreless frames, allowing two hits, a walk, and striking out four. Ian Hamilton allowed a solo home run but struck out four in his two innings. Andrew Vasquez finished the final two frames, allowing one run on two hits and a walk. He struck out five.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 3, Amarillo 4
Box Score

The Wind Surge could have used a couple of Miranda’s RBI on this night, as their comeback fell short in the late innings.

Jason Garcia made the start and went the first four innings. He allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks, while striking out six. The bullpen trio of Calvin Faucher, Zach Neff, and Ryan Mason gave Wichita a chance with four scoreless frames to end the game. They allowed just two hits and a walk, and struck out two amongst them.

Down 4-0 going into the seventh, an error put a runner on base and recent minor league free agent signing D.J. Burt cashed him in with a two-run homer, his first with the Wind Surge. In the top of the ninth Jermaine Palacios got them within one with a solo shot, his tenth of the year, and Trey Cabbage followed with a single to put the tying run on base with two outs, but it was not meant to be as the next hitter went down swinging.

For the game Wichita collected just four hits, with Burt (2-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, K, SB) collecting half of them. They had just two at-bats with runners in scoring position and left only two men on base for the game.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 1, Quad Cities 0
Box Score

The Kernels and River Bandits renewed their rivalry on Tuesday night with a pitchers’ duel in Davenport, Iowa.

For Cedar Rapids it was left-hander Tyler Watson who got the start, and he went the first four innings, keeping the Quad Cities lineup off-balance. He allowed just one hit and struck out four, lowering his ERA on the season to 2.45. He was efficient as well, throwing just 49 pitches, 37 for strikes (75.5%).

Tyler Palm came on for the fifth and delivered a one-two-three inning. Zach Featherstone was next man up from the bullpen and went the next two plus innings. He allowed one hit, walked two, and struck out two. He came out to start the eighth but walked the first batter before being supplanted by Jordan Gore, who worked around that inherited runner and a single for a scoreless frame. Back out for the ninth and the closing opportunity, Gore finished the job to pick up his first save.

The Kernels offense managed to put a run on the board in the fourth inning, taking advantage of a leadoff walk from Wander Javier. He would score on a DaShawn Keirsey single three batters later for the 1-0 lead that would turn out to be enough for the win.

The teams combined for only six hits (three apiece) on the game, but the Kernels did draw seven walks. Javier was 1-for-3 with the run scored and drew a walk. Max Smith stole his second base of the year. Another top performing prospect in the organization so far this season also made his debut at a new league in this one, with Edouard Julien going 0-for-3 with a walk.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Bradenton 7, Fort Myers 2
Box Score

The Mighty Mussels scored first in this one thanks to a Yunior Severino RBI double in the first, but that was all they would muster until the ninth and the Marauders kept adding runs in between.

Starting pitcher Miguel Rodriguez went five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks, while striking out six. Carlos Suniaga gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in his lone inning. Juan Pichardo surrendered two runs on one hit, a homer, and a walk. He struck out one. Zaquiel Puentes made his FSL debut to finish the game and allowed two hits and struck out one.

In the ninth Fort Myers was able to score a run after a leadoff walk from Kole McKinnon, who would score after an error on a groundball off the bat of Wander Valdez.

As a team the Mighty Mussels managed just four hits, but were able to draw seven free passes. They just could not manufacture or piece together anything from those, as they went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Twins 2, FCL Orioles Black 6
Box Score

In their second game of their short season, the Florida Complex League (FCL) Twins were bludgeoned by the Orioles Black squad. Outhit 13-3, the game could have been a lot worse than the score of 6-2 but the Orioles had just one extra-base hit.

The RBIs for the FCL Twins came from Frank Nigro on a single, and a bases loaded walk to Nelson Roberto in the fourth inning. Outfielder Emmanuel Rodriguez, a top-rated international prospect in 2019, was 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts.

Of note on the pitching front, was 2017 2nd round draft pick Landon Leach pitched for the first time in three seasons. He started the game and pitched one inning, allowing two earned runs on three hits, but he also struck out three.

Aaron Rozek (from Burnsville, MN, one of us!) pitched a scoreless second inning, allowing one hit and striking out two in his professional debut. Develson Aria added two scoreless frames, allowing one hit, walking two, and striking out one. Wilker Reyes got the bulk of the innings finishing 3 1/3 and striking out eight, but allowed four runs on seven hits two walks as well. Ramon Pineda (of brotherly relation to Michael) finished the final 2/3, allowing one hit and striking out one.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day – Tyler Watson, Cedar Rapids Kernels (4.0 IP, H, 4 K)
Hitter of the Day – JOSE MIRANDA, ST. PAUL SAINTS (5-for-6, 4 R, 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI)

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

#1 - Alex Kirilloff (Minnesota) – 1-for-4, RBI, K
#2 - Royce Lewis (Rehab) - Out for Season (torn ACL)
#3 - Trevor Larnach (Minnesota) – 1-for-3, 2 R
#4 - Ryan Jeffers (Minnesota) – 0-for-3
#5 - Jhoan Duran (St. Paul) – Injured List (elbow strain)
#6 - Jordan Balazovic (Wichita) – Did not pitch
#7 - Keoni Cavaco (Fort Myers) – Injured List (concussion)
#8 - Aaron Sabato (Fort Myers) – 1-for-3, R, BB, K
#9 - Matt Canterino (Cedar Rapids) – Did not pitch
#10 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – Out for Season (Tommy John surgery)
#11 - Gilberto Celestino (Minnesota) – Did not play
#12 - Brent Rooker (St. Paul) – 2-for-4, R, HR, 3 RBI, BB
#13 - Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) – Injured List (wrist sprain)
#14 - Misael Urbina (Fort Myers) – 0-for-3, 2 BB
#15 - Cole Sands (Wichita) – Did not pitch
#16 - Edwar Colina (Rehab) - 60-Day IL (elbow)
#17 - Ben Rortvedt (Minnesota) – Did not play
#18 - Alerick Soularie (Complex) – N/A
#19 - Jose Miranda (St. Paul) – DID YOU NOT READ THE REPORT?!?!?
#20 - Bailey Ober (Minnesota) – Did not pitch

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Omaha @ St. Paul (7:05PM CST) – LHP Andrew Albers (2-3, 5.70 ERA)
Wichita @ Amarillo (7:05PM CST) – RHP Jordan Balazovic (0-1, 5.79 ERA)
Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities (6:30PM CST) – RHP Ben Gross (2-0, 2.78 ERA)
Bradenton @ Fort Myers (6:00PM CST) – LHP Brent Headrick (3-2, 2.87 ERA)

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games!

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[Danchat]

I think we've got to crown June 29th as Jose Miranda Day, or something like that. I can't remember the last time a minor leaguer did this in their first start at a new level. Here's hoping he continues to rake like there's no tomorrow!

[darwin22]

Having witnessed in person 4 games of Miranda while at Wichita....2 of those just two weeks ago....I, like many others following Miranda knew it was only a matter of time until he got promoted to Saint Paul. Not sure if ANY player in AAA history has hit 3 HRs in his 1st game. Wow!  Hopefully, Miranda will take this all in stride as 1 game as some rough games may be on the horizon.  Saying that, maybe that won't be the case.  From what I saw of him over 20 ABs with Wichita------he has great plate discipline.  Is willing to work the count and look for "his pitch" to drive.  When he "gets it"---he doesn't miss.  Will be interesting to see if Twins management keeps him at 3B or moves him around IF as he played some 1B and 2B with Wichita.  Only 1 night, but an amazing night! What a way to celebrate your 23rd birthday. Congratulations Jose.  Stay humble young man.

[TNTwinsFan]

41 minutes ago, Danchat said:

I think we've got to crown June 29th as Jose Miranda Day, or something like that. I can't remember the last time a minor leaguer did this in their first start at a new level. Here's hoping he continues to rake like there's no tomorrow!

St. Jose Day!!!!

[ToddlerHarmon]

It's winter of 2020:

• you're about to turn 22
• you just had a rough offensive season in A ball
• your minor league competition was the first overall pick and fall league MVP
• the big league club signs a former MVP to a 4-year contract to play your position, and
• the minor league season gets cancelled

Fast forward to summer of 2021:

• your minor league competition is out for the season
• the struggling big league club needs to trade expensive, useful position players to allow them to buy next year's starting rotation, and the guy blocking you is top of that list
• you lapped the league in AA, and
• you make an historic, 3-HR debut in AAA on the day you turn 23

Talk about seizing an opportunity

[twinstalker]

Wow, Tyler Watson.  Am I mistaken, or is that the guy we got back for Ben Revere?  Okay, maybe not that long ago but some guy we shuttled off to DC a number of years ago...

[puckstopper1]

4 hours ago, twinstalker said:

Wow, Tyler Watson.  Am I mistaken, or is that the guy we got back for Ben Revere?  Okay, maybe not that long ago but some guy we shuttled off to DC a number of years ago...

The Twins obtained Watson was part of the Brandon Kintzler trade to the Nats in 2017.

[umterp23]

Only negative on Miranda I have is nothing athletic!  Button your jersey young man, this isn't the Sunday am softball beer league. I'm old school for sure, but just a sloppy look.  You can say I'm nit picking and I would agree, but I did say it wasn't about his ability.  Donaldson must of gotten the memo about Miranda on his heels in the system, funny how he is trying to be a leader this week by calling players only meeting and hitting a couple HR's the last few days.  

[HrbieFan]

Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose....I'm feeling hot hot hot! 

[roger]

What can you say.  Wanted to take a look at the box score to see what the ERA's were for the Omaha pitchers.  I thought Omaha was in first place and a good team.  The starter had a high ERA, but 8 runs in 2+ innings last night certainly elevated it.  The rest were all 4+ or so, so not the best, but certainly ok.

A month until the trade deadline should give him time to continue hitting as he was at Wichita and be all set to join the Twins.  Now let's see Winder put up a great start whenever he gets his first outing later this week.

Always check to see how Javier is doing.  Was 1-3, plus a walk.  Another solid night...keep it up young man.  Now let's see Balazovic get back on track tonight.

[Tibs]

How is Miranda's defense at 3B?

[Major League Ready]

26 minutes ago, Tibs said:

How is Miranda's defense at 3B?

Good question.  We have a lot of guys that can play 2B.  The flexibility is nice but he is a big piece of the puzzle if he is at least average at 3B. 

[PDX Twin]

1 hour ago, HrbieFan said:

I'm feeling hot hot hot! 

Me, too. It was 116 in Portland on Monday...

[Trov]

I am real interested to see how high Miranda jumps on the mid-season prospect list.  I read he is playing more third lately, is that accurate?  His possible emergence of a top hitting prospect may change some plans moving forward with team.  He is 2nd or 3rd base is my understanding.  If he can hit, they will find a spot though. 

[D.C Twins]

Quite simply.... Miranda has made this season bearable single handed.

[Steve Lein]

14 hours ago, darwin22 said:

 From what I saw of him over 20 ABs with Wichita------he has great plate discipline.  Is willing to work the count and look for "his pitch" to drive.  When he "gets it"---he doesn't miss.  

This was a big part of what Miranda needed to work on to take next steps in his development. He had been quite a bit like Willians Astudillo, in swinging at everything. Didn't draw many walks and also didn't strike out much. But so far this year, he's definitely toned that down is on pace to easily set a career high in walks. The performance has certainly followed as he's adjusted this approach, his 16 home runs have already tied his career high, in 1/3 of the games. 

Wondering if I didn't move him up high enough in our midseason prospect re-rankings that will come out soon, hah ?

[Steve Lein]

5 hours ago, roger said:

What can you say.  Wanted to take a look at the box score to see what the ERA's were for the Omaha pitchers.  I thought Omaha was in first place and a good team.  The starter had a high ERA, but 8 runs in 2+ innings last night certainly elevated it.  The rest were all 4+ or so, so not the best, but certainly ok.

Omaha leads the midwest division by 6 games, and lead the league in batting average with 20 more home runs than anyone else.  It's been their offense primarily, but they definitely are one of the top teams in Triple-A thus far.

Edited June 30, 2021 by Steve Lein

[Steve Lein]

5 hours ago, Tibs said:

How is Miranda's defense at 3B?

Has been playing 3B primarily the last few seasons, but moves around a bit too (2B, 1B). If he continues to hit like this he's going to profile just fine as a third baseman with his defense, which is generally considered average (fielding and arm).

[mikelink45]

How wonderful to have some good news!  I know prospects can fail, but this is too exciting to think about anything else.  Especially when the Twins need something special.  Let's see - Kiriloff, Jeffers, Larnach, Miranda - sounds like a really good base.  Add in Arraez and an occasional Buxton, a sometimes hot Sano and things look up.  Maybe Rooker at DH and Celestino with a little seasoning in CF.  

Now there is something called pitching!  

A request - the prospect list is getting stale - time to update, also can we have you name 30 prospects so that you can move the IL players off the list and onto a prospect reserve listing so we can watch the active stats of players who can really move up and down?  Today there were six out for the season/IL players and with the did not play, did not pitch it is short on details.  Then there is the fact that Larnach, Jeffers, and Kiriloff must be ready to move off the list.  

[Mike Sixel]

I agree.....it is time to move the guys out for the year to another list, or something.....Maybe show two lists....one with active players, then one with those out for the year so people don't ask "what about so and so".

[Bigfork Twins Guy]

If the season is for sure lost after we are through these White Sox games, and Miranda is still hot in St Paul, that makes trading Josh Donaldson very attractive so that we can promote Miranda to play 3b and get some major league at bats and see how he fields the position in mlb.

[darwin22]

12 hours ago, roger said:

What can you say.  Wanted to take a look at the box score to see what the ERA's were for the Omaha pitchers.  I thought Omaha was in first place and a good team.  The starter had a high ERA, but 8 runs in 2+ innings last night certainly elevated it.  The rest were all 4+ or so, so not the best, but certainly ok.

A month until the trade deadline should give him time to continue hitting as he was at Wichita and be all set to join the Twins.  Now let's see Winder put up a great start whenever he gets his first outing later this week.

Always check to see how Javier is doing.  Was 1-3, plus a walk.  Another solid night...keep it up young man.  Now let's see Balazovic get back on track tonight.

Roger:  I'm sure this will be reported on later tonight, but Balazovic absolutely "got back on track" tonight as he threw 5.2 shutout and NO HIT IP in his start tonight vs. Amarillo.  Only 2 walks with 6 K's in a dominant performance.  Nice to see this as he'd struggled in his last 2 starts.  I was fortunate to see him pitch in Wichita (mid June) when he had a very good start.  Like others, but namely, Josh Winder, I hope to see these two in our starting rotation next season.

[Steve Lein]

15 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

A request - the prospect list is getting stale - time to update, also can we have you name 30 prospects so that you can move the IL players off the list and onto a prospect reserve listing so we can watch the active stats of players who can really move up and down?  Today there were six out for the season/IL players and with the did not play, did not pitch it is short on details.  Then there is the fact that Larnach, Jeffers, and Kiriloff must be ready to move off the list.  

 

15 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

I agree.....it is time to move the guys out for the year to another list, or something.....Maybe show two lists....one with active players, then one with those out for the year so people don't ask "what about so and so".

I already alluded to the fact this is in the works. You'll see an updated list soon ? But I don't think moving injured players off the list or having multiple lists makes sense. Then it's not really a ranking (these reports and lists are a lot of work, We want less complications to get them published for you guys!)