Minor League Report (7/22): Little Bit of Everything

[Ted Schwerzler]

Tonight, the Twins farm system saw a few key hitting performances as well as a pair of shutouts. No matter your preference for a game type, there was something for everyone.

TRANSACTIONS

• Minnesota Twins place C Mitch Garver on the paternity list, recall C Ben Rortvedt from St. Paul
• Minnesota Twins trade DH Nelson Cruz and RHP Calvin Faucher to Tampa Bay for RHP Joe Ryan and RHP Drew Strotman
• OF Kyle Garlick removed from MLB rehab, will have surgery to repair a sports hernia.

SAINTS SENTINEL

St. Paul 7, Omaha 5

Box Score

Big league veteran Matt Shoemaker made the start in this one. He’s also worked in relief for the Saints, but he went five innings allowing four runs on seven hits while punching out six and walking one.

After getting behind 2-0 in the 1st, St. Paul answered with two of their own in the 3rd. Solo shots from Roberto Pena and Jose Miranda put the good guys on top.

Down again in the 6th, Mark Contreras singled to score Brent Rooker before Keon Broxton scored Tomas Telis on a fielder’s choice. Now knotted up at four, it was a brand new ballgame.

Again, trailing by a run in the 9th, St. Paul plated Drew Stankiewicz after his double was followed by one from Pena to even it up at five. After further clogging up the bases, the Saints continue to be comeback kids with Tomas Telis driving in Miranda and Jimmy Kerrigan on a single to give them a 7-5 lead.

Ian Hamilton came on and worked a flawless 9th in order to wrap up his third save and lower his ERA to 1.13 on the season.

WIND SURGE WISDOM

Wichita 5, Arkansas 0 (F/8)

Box Score

Starting tonight for the Wind Surge, Chris Vallimont went six innings allowing just three hits and three walks while punching out eight. He was nothing short of dominant for Wichita.

 

Spencer Steer launched his sixth homer of the year to kick off the scoring in the first inning, and things were silent until Roy Morales and B.J Boyd drove in and additional three runs on a single and double in the 8th. Aaron Whitefield then drove in Morales on a sacrifice fly to push across the fourth run of the frame.

Leading 5-0 with two outs in the bottom of the 8th, this game was called official due to a weather delay.

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 1, Beloit 0

Box Score

Jon Olsen recorded his first win of the season going 5 1/3 for the Kernels tonight. He struck out five and walked two while allowing zero runs on three hits.

A fifth inning Michael Helman single drove in Seth Gray to score the game’s only run. Cedar Rapids batters combined for just five total hits in this one, and Alex Isola matched Gray as the only players to record extra-base hits, both on doubles.

Breckin Williams and Zach Featherstone worked in relief to preserve the shutout.

MUSSEL MATTERS

Fort Myers 5, Daytona 0

Box Score

Brent Headrick was on the bump to start this one and turned in three scoreless innings allowing just two hits while punching out six. He did allow four walks on the evening, but no damage was done against him.

Fort Myers got on the board early with Misael Urbina scoring on a Jeferson Morales single in the first and Yunior Severino driving in Morales with a single of his own. Charles Mack singled in the 6th to score Severino before a Justin Washington single plated Willie Joe Garry Jr. With the inning ending, the Mighty Mussels lead was 4-0.

Keoni Cavaco padded the score with an RBI single in the 8th scoring Garry Jr. again and Fort Myers hung on for the shutout.

Yunior Severino had three hits on the evening as the lone multi-hit batter, while Zaquiel Puentes and Denny Bentley combined to preserve the shutout.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES

FCL Rays 9, FCL Twins 3

Box Score

Develson Aria made the start and went three innings allowing just a single hit and punching out six. He was incredible in this one.

Alexander Pena scored the game’s first run on a Rubel Cespedes force out in the 4th inning, but the Twins found themselves trailing 8-1 after the top half of the 6th inning. Gregory Duran drove in Luis Baez on a single in the 8th and Wander Valdez scored on a single from Frank Nigro in the 9th. The deficit was too much to overcome, however.

 

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day- Chris Vallimont (Wichita) – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K

Hitter of the Day- Spencer Steer (Wichita) – 2-4, 2 R, RBI, HR(6), 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) – 2-5, 2 R, RBI HR(7)

#6 – Keoni Cavaco (Fort Myers) – 1-5, RBI, 2K

#7 – Gilberto Celestino (Minnesota) – 1-3, RBI

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

#9 – Aaron Sabato (Fort Myers) – 1-4, BB, K

#10 – Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) – 0-3, 2 K

#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) – 1-5, R, 2K

#15 – Misael Urbina (Fort Myers) – 1-5, R, K

#16 – Spencer Steer (Wichita) – 2-4, 2 R, RBI, HR(6), K

#17 – Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) – 0-3, 2 K

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

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

#20 – Chris Vallimont (Wichita) – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K

 

FRIDAY'S PROBABLE STARTERS

Omaha @ St. Paul (7:05PM CST) – LHP Charlie Barnes (5-2, 3.88 ERA)

Wichita @ Arkansas (7:10PM CST) – RHP Austin Schulfer (2-7, 4.38 ERA)

Beloit @ Cedar Rapids (6:35PM CST) – LHP Tyler Watson (1-0, 1.88 ERA)

Daytona @ Fort Myers- (6:00PM CST) – RHP Landon Leach (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

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

 

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[roger]

Great night down on the farm for the Twins.

In a 1-0 win, Javier was 1-5 in an eleven inning game.  Urbina got a hit and A. Pena was 2-2 with a walk, extending his run of multi-hit games.

Was going to comment on Varland's great start for Cedar Rapids, but then noticed that your link to the box score takes us to Wednesday's game.  Don't know what to think about Vallimont.  Seems to have a great game like last night, then follows up with a real clunker like last time out, if I am not mistaken.

Expect the new guy from Tampa should be inserted into the Saints rotation, with Ryan joining him as soon as the Olympics are over.  Saw that they are ranked by MLB as the sixth (behind Canterino) and thirteenth (behind Winder) prospects in the Twins organization.  Hopefully, at least one of this duo will be stellar for the Saints and solid with the Twins for the next six years.  Isn't it great adding two quality AAA pitching prospects to the organization.  One related question, however, does this mean that Balazovic will remain at Wichita for the finish to the season?

[MN_ExPat]

8 minutes ago, roger said:

Great night down on the farm for the Twins.

Expect the new guy from Tampa should be inserted into the Saints rotation, with Ryan joining him as soon as the Olympics are over.  Saw that they are ranked by MLB as the sixth (behind Canterino) and thirteenth (behind Winder) prospects in the Twins organization.  Hopefully, at least one of this duo will be stellar for the Saints and solid with the Twins for the next six years.  Isn't it great adding two quality AAA pitching prospects to the organization.  One related question, however, does this mean that Balazovic will remain at Wichita for the finish to the season?

Yes, sir it was a good night on the Farm .

You might be right on Blazer Beam.  My guess the whole season has pretty much been a possible late season call up to the Saints, but that the Twins weren't in a rush to bring him up unless it was an absolute emergency.  I'm still thinking though that we see him in St. Paul before the season ends.

[Major League Ready]

Happy to see Valimont bounce back.  I am going to watch his portion of that game before the Twins game tonight.  Really curious about him.  

[Sparky55]

I am wondering how this trade may affect the rule 5 draft eligible players. I know it's a little early to think about but if we make a number of trades for minor leaguers who will we have to protect or do we include some in trades to get better value?

[roger]

Looking at your daily recap of the Top 20.  When this trading binge is over next week, will you be updating the list to include those top prospects joining the organization?

[Cap'n Piranha]

I'm not super read up on the Saint's rotation, but are they really hurting so badly for starters that Shoemaker had to get the call?

[bean5302]

7 minutes ago, Cap'n Piranha said:

I'm not super read up on the Saint's rotation, but are they really hurting so badly for starters that Shoemaker had to get the call?

Shoemaker accepted his assignment to AAA when he didn't have to. It seems reasonable the Twins told him he'd be a starter and have the opportunity to work on his game with the possibility of being recalled or traded. If that's not the case, Shoemaker wouldn't have a good reason to accept an assignment and the Twins would have just released him.

[Cap'n Piranha]

1 minute ago, bean5302 said:

Shoemaker accepted his assignment to AAA when he didn't have to. It seems reasonable the Twins told him he'd be a starter and have the opportunity to work on his game with the possibility of being recalled or traded. If that's not the case, Shoemaker wouldn't have a good reason to accept an assignment and the Twins would have just released him.

Because a handful of starts in AAA would convince the Twins or anyone else that his 11 (mostly disastrous) starts were what, a fluke?  The only possible value Shoemaker has to the Twins right now is if he somehow figures out how to be a usable reliever, and even that is a long shot.  If the Twins promised him starts because they were worried about rotation depth at AAA, then that's fine (as I said, I'm not super up to date on St Paul's rotation).  If they promised him starts for any other reason, then they are wasting everyone's time on a guy who will end his professional relationship with the organization in about 60 days.

[Seth Stohs]

1 hour ago, roger said:

Looking at your daily recap of the Top 20.  When this trading binge is over next week, will you be updating the list to include those top prospects joining the organization?

Yeah, I think we'll update our Prospect Rankings a little  more often, maybe monthly... add these guys, plus the top draft picks, etc. 

 

[Seth Stohs]

1 hour ago, Cap'n Piranha said:

I'm not super read up on the Saint's rotation, but are they really hurting so badly for starters that Shoemaker had to get the call?

Probably... Jax and Barnes both made spot starts for the Twins. Winder can only start when it's his turn. Shoemaker can pitch in the big leagues. Albers and Shepherd are also making starts there. But Strotman will likely take one spot and then Ryan when he gets back. 

[Seth Stohs]

54 minutes ago, Cap'n Piranha said:

Because a handful of starts in AAA would convince the Twins or anyone else that his 11 (mostly disastrous) starts were what, a fluke?  The only possible value Shoemaker has to the Twins right now is if he somehow figures out how to be a usable reliever, and even that is a long shot.  If the Twins promised him starts because they were worried about rotation depth at AAA, then that's fine (as I said, I'm not super up to date on St Paul's rotation).  If they promised him starts for any other reason, then they are wasting everyone's time on a guy who will end his professional relationship with the organization in about 60 days.

I don't know if they promised him starts or not, but he's been good before, and can be again. He accepted the assignment, but the Twins have gone to other pitchers when needed. We have to again remember that this season is also about keeping pitchers healthy after not pitching last year. We've seen how many pitchers have been brought in. Still have to get through half the minor league schedule. Lots of innings. 

[jmlease1]

Another day, another dinger for Jose Miranda. He's a delight, and I'm thrilled he's having such a great season.

Vallimont is going to be a really interesting prospect to watch. You can live with the walks when he's mowing down hitters like this and not giving up too many hits between Ks. His WHIP is the stat I'll be watching for the rest of the season: if he can keep having outings where it's around 1.0 the rest of the year in AA while maintaining the big K/9 rate, then he's a real prospect who will advance in the organization and contend for a spot in the rotation sooner rather than later. The other good thing is with a K-rate like that, he's a great option to move to the bullpen if he can't make it work consistently in the rotation. Nice floor, interesting ceiling on this guy and should be fun to follow.

[Danchat]

3 hours ago, Sparky55 said:

I am wondering how this trade may affect the rule 5 draft eligible players. I know it's a little early to think about but if we make a number of trades for minor leaguers who will we have to protect or do we include some in trades to get better value?

You should check out this thread on 40 Man Roster Management, as I delved into how many spots could be open and how much room there will potentially be for protecting prospects from the Rule 5 draft. It's looking like the Twins will have to protect at least 7 guys at this point.

[bean5302]

Seems like a lot of low hanging fruit on the 40 man for next year. Thorpe, Smeltzer, Cave, Garlick, Astudillo, etc.

 

[Dman]

Hamilton is starting to look like the real deal.  I have to believe they call him up after the deadline.  They need to know if his stuff plays at the MLB level.

 

[Dman]

6 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Another day, another dinger for Jose Miranda. He's a delight, and I'm thrilled he's having such a great season.

Vallimont is going to be a really interesting prospect to watch. You can live with the walks when he's mowing down hitters like this and not giving up too many hits between Ks. His WHIP is the stat I'll be watching for the rest of the season: if he can keep having outings where it's around 1.0 the rest of the year in AA while maintaining the big K/9 rate, then he's a real prospect who will advance in the organization and contend for a spot in the rotation sooner rather than later. The other good thing is with a K-rate like that, he's a great option to move to the bullpen if he can't make it work consistently in the rotation. Nice floor, interesting ceiling on this guy and should be fun to follow.

I believe Law and several others always saw Vallimont as a reliever not a starter so I agree with you I think his stuff plays even with a slightly higher WHIP as a reliever but, not as a starter.  I still think the Twins will try him as a starter as long as they can to see if he can harness his control.  I have been following him since they got him and can have control issues at times.