Minor League Report (7/15): Jordy Blazes, Garv Sauce Thrives

[David Youngs]

Jordan Balazovic was as good as he's ever been and Mitch Garver had a breakout night in his efforts to get back to Target Field. Read up on all the action across the Twins' farm from Thursday night. 

TRANSACTIONS

• Charlie Barnes promoted from Triple-A St. Paul to Minnesota Twins.
• Cedar Rapids Kernels placed RHP Owen Griffith on the 7-day injured list retroactive to July 14, 2021. Right forearm strain.

SAINTS SENTINEL 

St. Paul 9, Columbus 5

Box Score

The St. Paul Saints had scored 28 runs in the past two games going into Thursday night’s contest against Columbus (that’s four touchdowns, Vikings fans). And on Irish Night the Saints continued to dazzle at the plate, crunching the Clippers 9-5 in a regionally televised game.

Mark Contreras knocked a second-inning homer to kickstart another dominant offensive performance from the Saints, who saw seven of nine starters record hits. Contreras’ blast was his sixth in fifteen games, bringing his season total to 11.

Jose Miranda and Mitch Garver each recorded three-hit games with the two men combining for a total of 3 RBI. 

And while a triple from Drew Maggi, Contreras’ homer, and Brent Rooker’s continued success were certainly all notable, the main attractions were the rehab assignments of Garver and Jake Cave. Both players tallied in the hit column but perhaps the most electric play of the night came from Cave’s leather in the fifth inning. 

St. Paul starter Chandler Shepard was magnificent for most of the night, striking out five and allowing only one run through the first six innings. And when he ran into trouble in the seventh, the Saints’ bullpen showed in full force to save the day. Yennier Cano and Kyle Barraclough combined for three innings of scoreless and hitless relief to hold a St. Paul lead that was later widened courtesy of a Willians Astudillo force out and some luck of the Irish. 

There are few words to describe how dominant the Saints offense has been as of recent. The squad has hit 12 home runs in their last 25 innings and has scored over 40% of their total runs on the season thanks to the longball. 

Power is great, but the ability to score on the ground is just as important. When a team can do both? Good things happen. The Saints saw that tonight, with nine of their 11 hits being singles. A team that can score nine runs on nine singles, a homer, and a triple has the potential to do some damage. Look for the Saints offense to continue to sprout into midseason form as the month continues. 
 

WIND SURGE WISDOM

Wichita 9, Tulsa 0

Box Score

Jordan Balazovic proved why he’s one of the brightest pitching prospects in the league on Thursday night, drilling through the Tulsa lineup in a 9-0 Wind Surge win.

Balazovic was lights out, fanning 11 in seven innings of shutout baseball. The Ontario native was electric in his last start, striking out seven in six shutout innings. Yet if that was gold, tonight’s performance was 24 Karat. 

The 2016 draft pick now has 51 strikeouts on the year and an outstanding ERA of 2.89 through eight starts. Even better? He’s only walked three batters in his last five starts. 

Balazovic’s performance on the bump was echoed by his teammates at the plate. Spencer Steer, Aaron Whitefield, and Roy Morales both recorded multi-hit games for the Surge, including Steer’s fifth home run of the year. Morales recorded three hits on the night and Whitefield knocked two, including his third triple of the year. 

Yet as we’ve seen all year, the method behind the madness of the Wichita offense was not one player, but an entire team effort. Ernie De La Trinidad launched his second homer of the year, Morales and Jermaine Palacios each tallied RBI, and BJ Boyd tallied a hit. Total team effort. 

And to cap things off, the Wichita bullpen sealed the deal with a flawless performance. Ryan Mason followed Balazovic’s gem with his own scoreless inning and Adam Lau capped things off with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. 

There have been few things as exciting to watch as the Wind Surge offense this season. Now that pitching has begun to come through there’s nothing out of reach for the Wichita ball club. 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

South Bend 2, Cedar Rapids 1 (10)

Box Score

Minnesota native Louie Varland was absolutely brilliant on the bump in his first start at the High-A level after being called up from Fort Myers. And while the Concordia-St. Paul alum dazzled, the Cubs got the last laugh, sneaking by the Kernels in extra innings. 

Just two days after being called up, Varland was electric, pitching six scoreless innings and striking out five. And while he didn’t get the win, Varland now holds an outstanding 1.86 ERA through 53 1/3 innings on the year. Pretty good. 

Varland wasn’t the only July 13th callup that impressed on the mound for the Kernels. Reliever Osiris German made his High-A debut after Varland was removed from the game. He didn’t disappoint. 

German pitched two innings of perfect relief while striking out three against the Clippers. He now holds a 2.14 ERA and 0.92 WHIP on the year. Also pretty good,

The Kernels scored their lone run in the sixth inning thanks to an Edouard Julien RBI double that scored Yeltsin Encarnacion. The double was Julien’s fourth of the year and ninth RBI. After being called up from Fort Myers at the end of June, Julien has slashed .263/.453/.421 through the month of July with the Kernels.

Alex Isola, Wander Javier, and Gabriel Maciel accounted for the other three hits for Cedar Rapids, each knocking singles. Maciel is now hitting .257 on the year.

 

MUSSEL MATTERS

Game One: Jupiter 9, Fort Myers 2

Box Score

The Mussels played a twin-bill on Thursday night against the Marlins Low-A affiliate Juniper Hammerheads. And while there were only 14 innings played on the night, there were more than two touchdowns of action at Hammond Stadium on the night. 

Fort Myers stayed neck in neck in the first seven-inning contest of the night, pushing Juniper to extra-innings. Yet a seven-inning eighth was too much for the Mussels, leading to a 9-2 loss. 

Starting pitcher Aaron Rozek was electric for the Mussels, striking out seven in five innings of scoreless ball for Fort Myers. The lefty surrendered only three hits and walked none in his strongest outing of the year. 

After three innings of scoreless baseball, the Mussels struck in the fourth inning thanks to a pair of walks and a Nick Anderson single. Yunior Severino led off the inning with a six-pitch walk. Will Holland was then hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. The next batter Anderson wasted no time, pulling a 2-1 pitch to right field that scored Severino to give the Mussels the lead. 

Just when it looked like the Mussels might sneak away with a pitcher’s duel win, the Hammerheads plated two runs in the top of the sixth. 

With their backs against the wall in the bottom of the seventh, Fort Myers found some magic to keep the game going. Kohl McKinnon led off the inning with a single to right field to spark a rally.  Following a Justin Washington walk, McKinnon advanced to third on a wild pitch and eventually scored thanks to a Misael Urbina sac-fly. 

And while eighth-inning woes kept the Mussels from a win there were moments of brilliance for Fort Myers. Reliever Zarion Sharpe pitched an inning of scoreless baseball, striking out one and walking none. Twins Daily Top 20 Prospect Aaron Sabato stole his first base on the season. And a first-inning single from Severino put his batting average at .250, tied for best on the team.

 

Game Two: Jupiter 2, Fort Myers 1

Box Score

Justin Washington’s first home run of the year and a solid pitching outing from Sawyer Gipson-Long weren’t enough to push the Mussels to a victory in the nightcap against Juniper on Thursday. 

Gipson-Long struck out five batters in six innings on the mound in the second of two seven-inning games for the Mussels. Unfortunately, the two runs he gave up were too much for the Fort Myers offense to overcome. 

Washington and shortstop Will Holland provided the two offensive highlights for Fort Myers. Washington’s fifth-inning solo shot put the Mussels on the board and within a run of the Hammerheads late in the game. Holland punched singles in his first two at-bats to register as the only multi-hit batter for the Mussels on the night. 

Reliever Denny Bentley also provided a bright spot for the Mussels, pitching a scoreless seventh inning to keep Fort Myers in the game.
 

COMPLEX CHRONICLES

FCL Pirates Gold 4, FCL Twins 2

Box Score

Multi-hit games for Alexander Pena and Wander Valdez weren’t enough to propel the FCL Twins to a win against the FCL Pirates on Thursday evening in the Sunshine State. 

The Twins scored their two runs thanks to an RBI groundout from Yonardy Soto in the second and a bases-loaded walk from Breilin Ramirez in the fourth. The fourth inning run was sparked by a leadoff double courtesy of Baez. Baez now has two doubles on the young season. 

The FCL Twins’ pitching staff was solid but was plagued by seven walks throughout the course of the evening. The highlight on the bump came from Erasmo Moreno, who pitched 3.1 innings of scoreless relief, striking out two and only giving up two hits.
 

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day- Jordan Balazovic (Wichita)- (W, 2-1), 7 IP, 0 R, H, BB, 11 K

Hitter of the Day- Mitch Garver (St. Paul)- 3-for-4, R, 2 RBI

 

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) – 7 IP, 0 R, H, BB, 11 K

#4 – Matt Canterino (Cedar Rapids) – Injured List (right elbow strain)

#5 – Jose Miranda (St. Paul) – 3-for-4, R, RBI, BB

#6 – Keoni Cavaco (Fort Myers) – Did not play

#7 – Gilberto Celestino (Minnesota) – All-Star Break

#8 – Josh Winder (St. Paul) – Did not pitch

#9 – Aaron Sabato (Fort Myers) – 1-for-6, BB, K

#10 – Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) – Injured List (wrist sprain)

#11 – Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – Out for Season (Tommy John surgery)

#12 – Bailey Ober (Minnesota) – All-Star Break

#13 – Cole Sands (Wichita) –Did not pitch

#14 – Brent Rooker (St. Paul) – 1-for-4, R, RBI, BB, K

#15 – Misael Urbina (Fort Myers) – 1-for-5, RBI, BB, K 

#16 – Spencer Steer (Wichita) – 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI

#17 – Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) – 1-for-4, 2 K

#18 – Alerick Soularie (Complex) – N/A (foot injury)

#19 – Edwar Colina (Rehab) – Injured List (elbow)

#20 – Chris Vallimont (Wichita) – Did not pitch

 

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Columbus @ St. Paul (7:05PM CST) – RHP Josh Winder (1-0 3.52 ERA)

Tulsa @ Wichita (7:05PM CST) – LHP Bryan Sammons (0-3 6.19 ERA)

Cedar Rapids @ South Bend (6:05PM CST) – RHP Jon Olsen ( 0-1, 3.59 ERA)

Juniper @ Fort Myers- (6:00PM CST) – RHP Bobby Milacki (0-1, 4.22 ERA)

 

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[Aaron Noetzelman]

New to the site.

What are Varlands numbers on the traditional 80 scale? Seems like he always dominates.

I read these every day. Seems like Osiris never gives up runs as well. What's his story?

Jordy Blaze, keep that wing healthy and we'll see ya soon...

[bean5302]

Varland didn't sound like he was really heavily scouted as he was a 15th rounder in 2019 and, of course, missed 2020 due to the COVID shutdowns. The Twins reworked his delivery mechanics and he picked up several miles per hour on his fastball. Varland sits in the upper 90s now and can touch 100 in max effort throws. He also throws a slider, changeup and is working on a cutter, but based on his draft position and him describing himself as fastball heavy out of college, I expect all of them have needed some work. Evidently the work on his pitches must be paying off, but his UCL strain right away in 2019 does set off some red flags on durability expectations as far as I'm concerned.

If he can continue seeing success as he moves up the ladder, it'll be a huge feather in the cap of the Twins front office and obviously a dream come true to stand on the mound at the MLB level for a kid who didn't have a hint he'd be drafted before getting the phone call.

Seth did an interview with him earlier this year.

 

[bean5302]

Glad to see Garver hitting the ball right away and Jake Cave running at full speed. Phrases like "back fracture" are kind of terrifying to me, and regardless of how people feel about his abilities on the field at the MLB level, I'd think nobody wishes those kinds of injuries on anybody.

The fact Balazovic got through 7.0 innings on just 90 pitches and only 2 more batters than the minimum is awesome. That's serious efficiency to go along with the double digit strikeouts. Hope he can keep it going and get up to 100 innings. 

[Rigby]

Balazovic - now that's a yellow hammer.

[mikelink45]

Another pleasant read - I think our minor league reports are surpassing  the major league in the must read category. 

[TopGunn#22]

Maybe it's time to move Balazovic up a level.  His last two starts show he's out-classing his current level.  I'd love to sim him eventually get a couple of starts in an end of the season call up.  When he's healthy, he's fun to watch operate.

[Dman]

31 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

Maybe it's time to move Balazovic up a level.  His last two starts show he's out-classing his current level.  I'd love to sim him eventually get a couple of starts in an end of the season call up.  When he's healthy, he's fun to watch operate.

Yeah he was rusty in his first few starts but seems to be back to where he left off in 2019.  I don't know why they wouldn't push him to St. Paul as he looks ready and able to handle a higher level. 

He was crazy good last night carried a no hitter into the top of the 6th inning I believe.  Those hitters were so messed up they had no idea what he was gonna throw at them.  I guess that is why so many of them just stood there and took called third strikes.  They should keep him and Winder on the same path for now.

[Dman]

Most of my favorite pitchers pitched last night and all the starters did well.  Was happy to see Louie wasn't bothered by moving up a level. Balazovic made me feel better as he dominated.  Gipson-Long had his typical bumps in the road but good start non the less type effort.  But can anyone tell me more about Aaron Rozak?  So far he has dominated the FCL for 6 innings went to AA and had 3 scoreless innings and then pitched in A ball and had 5 scoreless innings. He is 25 so old for the level but I am wondering what he throws and how he got to the Twins.

[Seth Stohs]

7 hours ago, Aaron Noetzelman said:

New to the site.

What are Varlands numbers on the traditional 80 scale? Seems like he always dominates.

I read these every day. Seems like Osiris never gives up runs as well. What's his story?

Jordy Blaze, keep that wing healthy and we'll see ya soon...

Welcome!! Hope you continue to enjoy it.

So, I'm not completely sure on how Varland grades out on the 80 scale, but ... we know he hit 100 on a radar gun this offseason. But, as a starter, he sits more 94-96. He does have a good breaking ball and an improved changeup. He certainly has jumped into legit prospect range. 

German has been in the organization a while, though in the DSL/GCL levels. The big thing to know with him is that he has a plus-plus changeup. And yes, he has had an incredible season.

[roger]

Watched Wichita through Balazovic's fourth inning, but it was getting late following the rain delay so I turned it off.  All I can say about what I saw was WOW!  But the Tulsa pitcher was also dealing, although he got into trouble in the bottom of the fourth after I turned it off.  Great seeing Balazovic throw like we all prayed he would.  Unlike many of you, I have no problem with him staying in Wichita for at least a few more starts.  Then bring him up to St. Paul for the last month of the season.

Daily check of Javier found he was 1-4, so he got on base in a game with few hits after an 0-5 night.  Saw lots of talk about Garver's three hit night and Cave's big catch.  But Miranda had another three hit night which is flat out amazing how well this kid is hitting after the move up to AAA.  Will be amazed if doesn't have a very successful career, hopefully most/all of it with the Twins.

Checked the FCL box score and saw that Pena had an off game, 2-4, and his batting average dropped.  At first it was just a couple games that he was hitting like this.  But now it is getting to a couple weeks.  Kid has to have a cool streak, but sure has been an unbelievable start for this young man.  Gotta wonder what playing time is going to be like for this team once they sign 20 draft picks with most of them in Fort Myers?

[Trov]

I wonder if they will give Balazovic a call up to MLB in second half to get some experience.  I see no need to just move him to AAA as long as he is locating.  Also would be interesting to see if Varland is a diamond in the rough guy.  His numbers look great so far in his minor league career, but he will have to fight his whole way as a non-top prospect guy.  

[Seth Stohs]

42 minutes ago, Trov said:

I wonder if they will give Balazovic a call up to MLB in second half to get some experience.  I see no need to just move him to AAA as long as he is locating.  Also would be interesting to see if Varland is a diamond in the rough guy.  His numbers look great so far in his minor league career, but he will have to fight his whole way as a non-top prospect guy.  

The need to move him to AAA is simply procedural this year as players can only be called up from AAA. 

[jmlease1]

Nice results from Balazovic. I really don't care if he moves up to AAA this season or not; I just want him to get starts and get innings. He's never thrown 100 innings in professional ball in his entire career, so what he really needs is to pitch and I don't know that it matters much whether it's at AA or AAA. Hopefully he can get another 12 starts or so and get over that 100 innings this year.

The Jose Miranda Explosion (which may be the name of my 14th album at this point) just keeps on rolling. He's having such a great season and it's hard not to think he's going to be a big part of the Twins future. If Donaldson gets traded, it'll be a lot easier to use all that savings for pitching help with Miranda ready to take on 3B (along with Arraez, of course).

What we're seeing out of guys like Winder, Balazovic, and Miranda makes it a lot easier to think about re-loading rather than going into a full -on tear down and rebuild.

[Alex Schieferdecker]

Love the commentary on that Wichita game. The announcer is pumped.

Balazovic seems likely to end up with a cup of coffee in the majors by the end of the season.

Hope to see Cano, Moran, and German moved up swiftly, let's see what bullpen options we've got.

[D.C Twins]

Free Miranda!

[4twinsJA]

Is it just a coincidence or did the Saints batting greatly improve when Miranda joined team. It seems like everyone has started to hit better. 

[Seth Stohs]

3 hours ago, Dman said:

Most of my favorite pitchers pitched last night and all the starters did well.  Was happy to see Louie wasn't bothered by moving up a level. Balazovic made me feel better as he dominated.  Gipson-Long had his typical bumps in the road but good start non the less type effort.  But can anyone tell me more about Aaron Rozak?  So far he has dominated the FCL for 6 innings went to AA and had 3 scoreless innings and then pitched in A ball and had 5 scoreless innings. He is 25 so old for the level but I am wondering what he throws and how he got to the Twins.

I wrote about him in the comments of a minor league report recently. He is 25. He's from Burnsville. He went to Minnesota State-Mankato. Has pitched indy ball in the Frontier League the last couple of years. Lefty. Tops out at 88-89. Mixes pitches well. Obviously currently seen as an Org guy as he's bounced from the Complex/FCL, to Wichita and then to start in Ft. Myers. 

[Dman]

13 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

I wrote about him in the comments of a minor league report recently. He is 25. He's from Burnsville. He went to Minnesota State-Mankato. Has pitched indy ball in the Frontier League the last couple of years. Lefty. Tops out at 88-89. Mixes pitches well. Obviously currently seen as an Org guy as he's bounced from the Complex/FCL, to Wichita and then to start in Ft. Myers. 

Thanks!  Sorry I missed those earlier comments.  Was hoping that fastball had a bit more velocity but he has had good success so far even being moved around in 14 innings of work his ERA is still zero.  So he must have some decent stuff.  I was looking for info because I was wondering if he could be a viable lefty relief arm. I hope they can get him back to AA and see just how well his stuff plays there long term.

[Seth Stohs]

6 minutes ago, Dman said:

Thanks!  Sorry I missed those earlier comments.  Was hoping that fastball had a bit more velocity but he has had good success so far even being moved around in 14 innings of work his ERA is still zero.  So he must have some decent stuff.  I was looking for info because I was wondering if he could be a viable lefty relief arm. I hope they can get him back to AA and see just how well his stuff plays there long term.

This may sound harsh, but a 25-year-old signed out of the indy leagues in 2021 isn't a "prospect" as much as a guy meant to move around, eat some innings, keep the prospect arms fresh, stuff like that... That said, hey, once you're in, if you keep pitching well, you're going to keep getting innings. You're going to keep getting opportunities. Maybe he can do enough to be brought back in 2022. That's probably his goal this year. 

[bean5302]

3 hours ago, Trov said:

I wonder if they will give Balazovic a call up to MLB in second half to get some experience.  I see no need to just move him to AAA as long as he is locating...

I've seen AA as a place where players work on their mechanics and craft against high level competition and AAA as a place pitchers prove their polish and locating, but that's just my opinion. If the Twins aren't having him make any mechanical changes and he keeps dominating AA for another couple weeks, it would make sense to me to push him to AAA and / or make a September call up, but I'd imagine the Twins are going to be watching his innings if it looks like he's going to throw more than 100 this year. Just my guesswork bouncing around in my head.

[Major League Ready]

4 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

Welcome!! Hope you continue to enjoy it.

So, I'm not completely sure on how Varland grades out on the 80 scale, but ... we know he hit 100 on a radar gun this offseason. But, as a starter, he sits more 94-96. He does have a good breaking ball and an improved changeup. He certainly has jumped into legit prospect range. 

German has been in the organization a while, though in the DSL/GCL levels. The big thing to know with him is that he has a plus-plus changeup. And yes, he has had an incredible season.

I watched the game and his fastball looks to grade 55 maybe 60.  He was 94-96 as you mentioned but it is quite straight.  However, he was quite dominate with it so maybe it plays up more than I think from first impressions.  A better change up would really make him tough.  The secondary pitches looked like they need quite a bit of work, especially if there is any chance of him being a starter.  However, this is the first game I watched him pitch.  How has is off-speed stuff stuff been in other starts?

[Alex Schieferdecker]

Varland's path to the majors is certainly as an impact reliever right?

[Dman]

20 minutes ago, Alex Schieferdecker said:

Varland's path to the majors is certainly as an impact reliever right?

That is what we all thought but he has been doing so well starting I think they let him go until he hits a wall he can't break through.  Right now though his stuff is working as a starter so I believe they will keep him in that role.

[Mike Sixel]

Nate
3:22    It's been a very disappointing season to be a Twins fan, but one of the pleasant surprises has been seeing Jose Miranda's improvement. How much has his outlook changed from a year ago? Can he be an everyday third baseman?
Keith Law
3:23    I loved him in his draft year and the Twins, to their credit, have always been steadfast in their (outward) belief that he'd hit. He could be a regular, yes.

[Greglw3]

5 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Nice results from Balazovic. I really don't care if he moves up to AAA this season or not; I just want him to get starts and get innings. He's never thrown 100 innings in professional ball in his entire career, so what he really needs is to pitch and I don't know that it matters much whether it's at AA or AAA. Hopefully he can get another 12 starts or so and get over that 100 innings this year.

The Jose Miranda Explosion (which may be the name of my 14th album at this point) just keeps on rolling. He's having such a great season and it's hard not to think he's going to be a big part of the Twins future. If Donaldson gets traded, it'll be a lot easier to use all that savings for pitching help with Miranda ready to take on 3B (along with Arraez, of course).

What we're seeing out of guys like Winder, Balazovic, and Miranda makes it a lot easier to think about re-loading rather than going into a full -on tear down and rebuild.

With Miranda, I just keep thinking Gary Gaetti as I was already a long time fan by the time Gaetti was in AA. I think Miranda’s gonna be a cornerstone!

 

[Mike Sixel]

Zach
3:45    Which twins arm of winder, balazovic or Duran do you have the most faith in?
Keith Law
3:45    Balazovic, Winder, Duran, in that order.

[roger]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

Zach
3:45    Which twins arm of winder, balazovic or Duran do you have the most faith in?
Keith Law
3:45    Balazovic, Winder, Duran, in that order.

Interesting question, Mike, and very interesting response.  Problem is what is meant by "most faith?"  Was there more to the discussion earlier?

I would agree as to who has the highest ceiling?  On the other hand I think Winder may be more likely to reach his ceiling which is also very high.  Hopefully, both can stay healthy and we find out in two years. 

Personally, I think both can/will be in the front half of the Twins rotation in two to three years (#1-#3).  When watching both several times at Wichita this year, and that last game for Winder at St. Paul, they just appear to me to be on a different level than all the other pitchers I have seen on MiLB these past couple months.

[Mike Sixel]

9 minutes ago, roger said:

Interesting question, Mike, and very interesting response.  Problem is what is meant by "most faith?"  Was there more to the discussion earlier?

I would agree as to who has the highest ceiling?  On the other hand I think Winder may be more likely to reach his ceiling which is also very high.  Hopefully, both can stay healthy and we find out in two years. 

Personally, I think both can/will be in the front half of the Twins rotation in two to three years (#1-#3).  When watching both several times at Wichita this year, and that last game for Winder at St. Paul, they just appear to me to be on a different level than all the other pitchers I have seen on MiLB these past couple months.

it's just a quote from a chat. Not a lot more to those things.

[darwin22]

14 hours ago, TopGunn#22 said:

Maybe it's time to move Balazovic up a level.  His last two starts show he's out-classing his current level.  I'd love to sim him eventually get a couple of starts in an end of the season call up.  When he's healthy, he's fun to watch operate.

Top Gunn:  Nearly 24 hours late posting, but I absolutely agree with your comments.  As much as I want to see Balazovic promoted and get a few late season starts, this might be mitigated by the following factors:

#1  FO being very careful about limiting Balazovic's IP the rest of the season.  As I'm sure you're aware of, Balazovic didn't pitch the first month of the season due to injury.  When he was activated (June 5th), his pitch count was extremely limited as evidenced by the fact that he only threw 24.33 IP in his six starts in June.  

#2  Similar to point 1, but Balazovic pitched only 93.67 IP in 2019 between Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers over 18 starts, which averages just over 5IP per outing.

#3  Where will a spot be in starting rotation later in season?  Assuming Berrios, Maeda, Ober and (ugh) Happ keep their slots (with Pineda being traded) that only opens up 1 slot for rotation.  That could be taken by Barnes (big if) or by Josh Winder (more likely).

Don't get me wrong.  I'm a big Balazovic fan especially after seeing him dominate Springfield in his 3rd start this season on June 15th in Wichita.  Hard not to come away impressed with what he did last night against Tulsa--especially after seeing the video from last nights game.  He is the real deal.  I just see management taking a "kid gloves" approach with JB--like the Nats did many years ago with Strasburg.