Twins Minor League Report (7/6): Blowout Blasts and Extra Inning Drama

[Steve Lein]

Minnesota Twins affiliates combined to hit twelve home runs on Tuesday night, and they came from all over the prospect spectrum. They led to a couple blowout wins and sent one game to extra innings in dramatic fashion courtesy of a single hitter. 

To find out who hit all those home runs and how the rest of your favorite Twins prospects competed on Tuesday night, keep reading!

TRANSACTIONS

The only transactions in the system on Tuesday were at the lower levels and consisted of:

• 3B Wander Valdez being assigned to the FCL Twins.
• SS Jesus Feliz being assigned to Fort Myers in a corresponding move.
• Then SS Keoni Cavaco was activated from the injured list and returned to action for the Mighty Mussels.
• Finally, Wichita infielder Peter Mooney decided to hang up the spikes and retire from baseball. 

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul 11, Iowa 1
Box Score

The Saints blew this game open with a big sixth inning where they were handed a few extra outs. But Mark Contreras and Jimmy Kerrigan also hit back-to-back home runs in the inning to get it started. Contreras’ was a two-run shot after Willians Astudillo led off the inning with a single.

The offense also added single runs in the third courtesy of a Keon Broxton homer (his third in his last four games) and in the fifth on an RBI single from JT Riddle. They tacked on three more in the eighth when Brent Rooker clubbed a two-RBI single off the top of the wall and Astudillo followed with an RBI groundout to make it 11-0.

St. Paul also got a fantastic start from lefty Andrew Albers. He went six innings and scattered six hits and one walk. He allowed zero runs and struck out six. Ian Gibaut pitched a scoreless seventh, working around a couple of two-out baserunners. He allowed a hit, walk, and struck out two. Robinson Leyer pitched allowed a hit and walk in a scoreless eighth, striking out two. Joe Harvey finished the game for the Saints, allowing one run on a hit and three walks. He also struck out two.

Drew Maggi (2-for-6, R, 2 RBI, K), Astudillo (2-for-5, R, RBI), and Contreras (2-for-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K) each had multiple hits. The lineup got RBIs from seven of the hitters in their lineup on the game.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
NW Arkansas 10, Wichita 9 (10 innings)
Box Score

This one got interesting in the late innings as the Wind Surge and Naturals went back and forth with big hits to push this one to extra innings.

Spencer Steer led off the game with his fourth home run for Cedar Rapids and 14th on the season. This made the score 3-1 and it would remain that way until the sixth.

Wichita starter Bryan Sammons got roughed up for three runs in the first inning, but settled in well after that to finish five total frames without allowing any more. He surrendered three hits, walked two, and struck out two. NW Arkansas extended their lead to 5-1 in the top of the sixth against reliever Jhonleider Salinas who allowed three hits including two doubles.

The Wind Surge closed the gap to 5-4 in the bottom half of the sixth as Trey Cabbage clobbered a three-run home run, then in the seventh Andrew Bechtold tied the game at five with a solo home run of his own.

Onto the seventh reliever Calvin Faucher came on and worked around a walk to deliver a scoreless inning, but walked the first three batters of the eighth before Zach Neff was summoned to clean up the mess. A very tough assignment, but Neff had been nails in those situations so far on the season.

Of course, I am alluding to the fact that streak did not continue. All three inherited runners came in to score and were charged to Faucher before Neff got out of the inning with Wichita now down 8-5. In the ninth Neff delivered a one-two-three inning and in between big blasts from the offense closed the gap for Wichita.

It was Aaron Whitefield in the eighth who delivered a two-run home run after making an incredible catch in center field the prior half of the inning. Then in the ninth, Bechtold came through with his second home run of the game to tie it and send it to extras.

With the extra runner starting on second base, Neff was back out for the tenth, but left a pitch up to the leadoff man and he cashed it in with a two-run homer that made it 10-8. He would retire the next three hitters and pitched a total of three innings, being charged with two runs (one earned) on one hit while striking out three.

The Wind Surge were able to get the extra runner across in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a single from Roy Morales, but with Bechtold in the box looking to have an epic night, he went down looking on a pitch he knew he misjudged.

Wichita outhit the Naturals 14-7 and had five home runs on the game, but could not get the luck to fall their way in the end. In addition to all those homers, Jermaine Palacios also finished 4-5 and scored two runs.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Peoria 2, Cedar Rapids 10
Box Score

Cedar Rapids starter Ben Gross was solid in this one, finishing five innings to be in line for his third win of the season. He allowed two runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out two. He threw 70 pitches, with 50 of them going for strikes (71.4%).

He finished his night in line for the win due to some big hits from his offense. Alex Isola crushed a three-run home run in the second and Jair Camargo followed with a three-run blast of his own in the fifth that made it 7-2.

The Kernels offense padded the lead further in the sixth when Seth Gray drove in two with a single and Camargo another with a double to make it 10-2. That is where this one would end with Cedar Rapids outhitting Peoria 10-4 on the game. Isola (3-for-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Gray (3-for-4, R, 2 RBI, BB, SB), and Camargo (2-for-4, R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 K) did the bulk of the damage.

On the relief pitching front, Ryan Shreve was called upon to pitch the middle innings and delivered a one-two-three inning in the sixth and scoreless seventh. He allowed one hit and struck out one. Owen Griffith finished the game with two perfect innings, striking out three in the process.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 6, St. Lucie 8
Box Score

The Mighty Mussels and Mets traded blows in the early innings, with Fort Myers’ Will Holland answering St. Lucie’s run in the first with a solo home run in the top of the second. In the third inning the Mighty Mussels scored on a double steal and two-run home run off the bat of Yunior Severino accounting to give themselves a 4-1 lead. Then in the fourth, starter Denny Bentley was replaced with Bradley Hanner after allowing two batters to reach base. He walked all three hitters he faced, score two runs and leaving him responsible for the loaded bases. Juan Pichardo came on and walked another batter tying the game at four, but was able to coax a double play out of the next hitter to end the threat.

In total Bentley pitched 3 1/3 innings allowing three runs on two hits and four walks along with striking out five. Pichardo pitched two total innings, running into trouble in the sixth. He was charged with four runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two.

Carlos Suniaga came on in the middle of the sixth and got two quick outs to end any further threat with St. Lucie now leading Fort Myers 8-4. He would finish the game with 2 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on two hits while striking out four.

Fort Myers closed the game to 8-6 in the eight on a single from Misael Urbina that scored two but were unable to push any more across in the ninth.

Holland (2-for-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, RBI, K), Yunior Severino (2-for-4, R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K), and Willie Joe Garry Jr. (2-for-3, R, BB, K, 4 SB) all had multiple hits. Garry Jr. stole home as part of the double steal in the third for the Mighty Mussels. Keoni Cavaco went 1-for-4 with a run scored, walk, and three strikeouts in his return to action.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day – Andrew Albers, St. Paul Saints (W, 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)
Hitter of the Day – Jair Camargo, Cedar Rapids Kernels (2-for-4, R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 K)

PROSPECT SUMMARY

Take note that we have finished our midseason update, so there is a new list! Here is a look at how the Twins Daily Midseason Top 20 Twins Prospects performed:

#1 – Royce Lewis (Rehab) – Out for season (torn ACL)
#2 – Jhoan Duran (St. Paul) – Injured List (elbow strain)
#3 – Jordan Balazovic (Wichita) – Did not pitch
#4 – Matt Canterino (Cedar Rapids) – Injured List (right elbow strain)
#5 – Jose Miranda (St. Paul) – 1-for-4, 2 R, 2 BB
#6 – Keoni Cavaco (Fort Myers) – 1-for-4, R, BB, 3 K
#7 – Gilberto Celestino (Minnesota) – 0-for-2
#8 – Josh Winder (St. Paul) – Did not pitch
#9 – Aaron Sabato (Fort Myers) – 0-for-3, 2 BB, 2 K
#10 – Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) – Injured List (hamate bone surgery)
#11 – Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – Out for Season (Tommy John surgery)
#12 – Bailey Ober (Minnesota) – Did not pitch
#13 – Cole Sands (Wichita) – Did not pitch
#14 – Brent Rooker (St. Paul) – 1-for-5, 2 RBI, K
#15 – Misael Urbina (Fort Myers) – 1-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 K
#16 – Spencer Steer (Wichita) – 2-for-4, R, HR, RBI, BB, K
#17 – Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) – 0-for-5, 4 K
#18 – Alerick Soularie (Complex) – N/A (foot injury)
#19 – Edwar Colina (Rehab) – Injured List (elbow)
#20 – Chris Vallimont (Wichita) – Did not pitch

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

St. Paul @ Iowa (6:38 PM CST) – RHP Josh Winder (4-0, 1.94 ERA)
NW Arkansas @ Wichita (7:05PM CST) – RHP Chris Vallimont (2-3, 3.63 ERA)
Peoria @ Cedar Rapids (6:35PM CST) – RHP Cody Laweryson (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
Fort Myers @ St. Lucie (11:10AM CST) – LHP Brent Headrick (3-3, 2.81 ERA)

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

View full article

[Dman]

Cool night for Bechtold.  He has hit better this year.  If he gets that OPS into the high 800's he have me believing.  Was really excited to see that Palacios went 4 for 5.  He has kept that OPS in the high 800's all season long.  The K rate is good, walk rate too even the BABIP looks pretty solid a little high but in range.  Would really like to see him up in St Paul.

Camargo looks like Wallner light. He has a 38% K rate but he is managing a 700 OPS. He has 10 HR's on the year and his BABIP is a little low so if that normalizes those numbers could look better.  He could stand to walk a little more which would lift his OBP but he looks like a Twins type of hitter. 

I haven't been a big Gross fan but the numbers have been pretty solid all year.  I guess I question if he can keep those numbers as he moves up but he has done well at High A this year.

 

[Seth Stohs]

3 minutes ago, Dman said:

I haven't been a big Gross fan but the numbers have been pretty solid all year.  I guess I question if he can keep those numbers as he moves up but he has done well at High A this year.

 

Of course, that is a fair question for every pitching prospect, even the top prospects. Gross is a smart kid. He has and will continue to make adjustments. If he does that, he's got a chance. 

[roger]

The first thing I noticed today is disappointment.  Checked the Kernels box score and saw that Javier was 0-5 with four K's.  Yes, is only one game, but he needs to get back on another hot streak and soon.

Really don't know what to think of Whitefield.  Seems his bat is frequently mentioned in these write-ups.  And all indications are that his defense is first rate and we know about his speed (he has played stellar D in the games I have seen).  Does this kid have a future in the big leagues?  With the Twins?

Similar thoughts about Bechtold who Dman talks about above.  I recall he was considered a plus defender when drafted however long ago.  Has that been the case, is he?  Don't remember, but think it was 2018 when he didn't hit well enough to be considered much of a prospect.  If memory serves, 2019 was better and he is following that up with a decent year this year.  But will he hit enough to make it to the show?  And if he does, stay?  I guess the reason they play the games is to give these young men time to make that decision on the field.

Looking forward to watching the Saints tonight with Winder on the hill.

[Steven Buhr]

Really classy thing the Wind Surge did for Peter Mooney. Well done, folks

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

 

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

Our family is on a two week road trip. We went to "Toga Night" last Thursday night in St. Paul, drove to Kansas City for the bookends of the Twins three-game series, and spent Saturday at the Negro Leagues Museum. Now we're in Wichita until tomorrow, then we catch up with the Saints again in Des Moines. Excited to see Charlie Barnes pitch! Man, I want him to find that breakthrough pitch that will propel him up the prospect list and into the big leagues!

Great game last night! Beautiful stadium, great fans--they gave our family all sorts of restaurant and what-to-do suggestions. We even toured the original Pizza Hut Museum. 

As for the game, Steer continued to dominate AA after his call up. Palacios had cooled off of late, but went 4 for 5 with a double, Whitefield was amazing in center. When he caught one over his shoulder on a dead sprint, my 18 yr old son said, "That's THE Willie May's catch, Dad." Bechtold's back-to-back clutch dingers in the 7th and 9th were brilliant!

Looking forward to tonight's game and the rest of the road trip!

[Taildragger8791]

1 hour ago, roger said:

The first thing I noticed today is disappointment.  Checked the Kernels box score and saw that Javier was 0-5 with four K's.  Yes, is only one game, but he needs to get back on another hot streak and soon.

I think some people got on Javier's bandwagon a little too quickly. He went on a nice power-hitting tear over 2 1/2 weeks but fell back to earth hard. Season strikeout rate is ~33%. Cutting his season up into three parts:

First 21 games: .179/.238/.282 with 37% K-rate

Hot streak (next 15 games): .317/.362/.698 with 22% K-rate

June 18th (last 13 games):  .135/.220/.191 with 44% K-rate

Overall numbers aren't that far off from 2019, just with a little more pop for that middle stretch.

[roger]

23 minutes ago, Taildragger8791 said:

I think some people got on Javier's bandwagon a little too quickly. He went on a nice power-hitting tear over 2 1/2 weeks but fell back to earth hard. Season strikeout rate is ~33%. Cutting his season up into three parts:

First 21 games: .179/.238/.282 with 37% K-rate

Hot streak (next 15 games): .317/.362/.698 with 22% K-rate

June 18th (last 13 games):  .135/.220/.191 with 44% K-rate

Overall numbers aren't that far off from 2019, just with a little more pop for that middle stretch.

Didn't know how to respond to your comment, Taildragger.

Liked the work you put in to put his season into context.  But the results for the year-to-date are sad, which is what I went with.

Love the talent this kid has and really want him to succeed.  With that said, hopefully, he has another 15 game streak in him and it starts by the end of the week.  Key will be for him to continue making progress as the year winds down.  Don't see how the Twins can protect him this winter, so he will likely be at risk again.

[Steve Lein]

2 hours ago, Don't Feed the Greed Guy said:

Whitefield was amazing in center. When he caught one over his shoulder on a dead sprint, my 18 yr old son said, "That's THE Willie May's catch, Dad." Bechtold's back-to-back clutch dingers in the 7th and 9th were brilliant!

Sounds like an awesome trip!!!

I was disappointed I couldn't find any video of it to add to the post (I don't know how to do them myself yet, hah), but I was watching it live and your son was absolutely correct! 

Then he followed up with a home run of his own the next half-inning!

[twinstalker]

I think it would be nice if you added a couple of honorable mentions (HM) to the end of the top 20 list, whoever should be of interest (but not who had the best games).

HM Edouard Julien

HM Jovani Moran

etc.

I realize this takes a lot of time, so thank you for what you do with these, and I understand where you don't want to make more work for yourself.

[operation mindcrime]

Best of luck to Peter Mooney!!!!!