Twins Minor League Report (8/3) Austin Martin Makes Debut

[Steve Lein]

There is more than one new prospect in the Minnesota Twins minor league system after the trade deadline, but perhaps the biggest one that came over made his organizational debut on Tuesday night in Double-A.

To find out how that debut went, and what all the rest of your favorite Minnesota Twins prospects did on Tuesday night, keep reading!

TRANSACTIONS

• SS/OF Austin Martin was activated for the Wichita Wind Surge and he led off their game tonight, playing shortstop.
• RHP John Stankiewicz was assigned from the FCL Twins to Fort Myers.
• RHP Miguel Rodriguez was activated from the injured list for the Mighty Mussels.

SAINTS SENTINEL
Louisville 4, St. Paul 5
Box Score

The Saints utilized a bullpen game in the first game of the week’s series against the Bats on Tuesday, sending out Ian Hamilton as the opener. He went three innings, allowing two runs on two solo homers, and striking out two. He was followed by Kyle Barraclough who went the next two scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and one walk while striking out three batters. Robinson Leyer got the sixth and seventh innings and was charged with a blown save. That’s due to him allowing Louisville to tie the game at three on another solo home run in the sixth, to the rehabbing Mike Moustakas. Edgar Garcia pitched a scoreless eighth inning, picking up his third win in the process, by allowing one hit and striking out one. Nick Vincent finished the game to pick up his fifth save of the season, but made it a little interesting by allowing another solo home run to close the gap to 5-4. He struck out two hitters.

On offense the Saints got on the scoreboard in the second inning thanks to a Ben Rortvedt home run, his second on the season in Triple-A. They took the lead 3-2 after five innings when Rob Refsnyder and Gilberto Celestino each delivered RBI singles. In the eighth inning it was a two-run single from Twins Daily’s Hitter of the Month for July, Jimmy Kerrigan, that put the game just out of reach for Louisville.

Jose Miranda (2-for-4, R, 2B, K), Rortvedt (3-for-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, RBI), and Kerrigan (2-for-4, 2 RBI) each had multiple hits for the home team in the win.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Midland 5, Wichita 6
Box Score

The story in this game was sure to be the organization debut of prospect Austin Martin, whom the Twins received in their trade of Jose Berrios to the Toronto Blue Jays. It was a bit of a mixed bag as far as offense and defense goes, but he was certainly exciting in his debut.

Martin reached base twice out of the leadoff spot for the Wind Surge, first with a single in the fourth inning for his first hit in the organization.

On B.J. Boyd’s double that followed, he came around to score all the way from first, including a nifty slide to avoid the tag at home.

He reached base again in the sixth after being hit by a pitch in the back of his knee (his 15th HBP of the year), and it looked a lot worse than it actually was at first as he collapsed in the batters box, then seemed to head immediately toward the dugout. But he did stay in the game and on defense later in the seventh, ended a bases loaded threat with a 6-3 double play on a grounder up the middle that kept the Wind Surge in the lead at 6-5.

Martin was also charged with two errors in the game. The first came in the fifth inning on a hard hit ball up the middle. He made a nice half-dive smother to keep it in the infield, but lost control on the transfer and ended up sailing his throw to first base. The second came in the seventh on a ball he tried backhand in the hole but it bounced off him into the outfield and led to an unearned run before he killed the rally later with that nice double play.

But enough about the new guy!

Wichita scored first in this one in the bottom of the first, thanks to B.J. Boyd’s eighth home run of the season, and added a second run in the third on a wild pitch after Spencer Steer clubbed a two-out double. They added three more runs in the fourth on a two-run homer from Aaron Whitefield, and then the double from Boyd to score Martin. Whitefield added a necessary insurance run in the sixth with a sac fly to score Trey Cabbage, who had led off the inning with a double.

Making the start for the Wind Surge was Cole Sands, who has been on a strict pitch count since returning from injury in the middle of July. To open the game he gave up a triple, but worked around it with a popout and pair of strikeouts to come out unscathed. He finished 3 2/3 innings on the night, and finally got bit in the fourth inning. Overall he was charged with two earned runs on three hits and a walk, while striking out six batters.

Alex Phillips was the first reliever summoned from the bullpen and went the next 1 2/3 innings. He allowed two earned runs of his own on a homer in the sixth, but also struck out two. The recently acquired Evan Sisk finished the next 2/3 of an inning, fighting his control to allow one run on three walks while striking out one. With the score 6-5 Wind Surge at this point, Mitchell Osnowitz and Chris Nunn finished off any further comeback attempt with a combined three scoreless innings. Osnowitz picked up a hold with two scoreless, allowing three hits and striking out two. Nunn picked up his first save with Wichita with a one-two-three ninth, including a K.

Boyd (2-for-4, R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), Spencer Steer (2-for-4, R, 2B, K), and Cabbage (2-for-4, R, 2B, K) had multiple hits for the offense. Whitefield led the way with three RBIs.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Quad Cities 8, Cedar Rapids 3
Box Score

Cedar Rapids got on the scoreboard first in this one in the second inning after loading the bases with nobody out. Max Smith delivered an RBI single and was followed by a sac fly from Gabriel Maciel and 2-0 lead.

Starting pitcher Jon Olson held the River Bandits to just one hit through the first three innings, but a single followed by a double in the fourth finally put a runner across in the fourth. After a one-two-three fifth inning Olsen came back out for the sixth, and ran into trouble immediately. He was lifted after loading the bases, and finished five plus innings. He was charged with four earned runs on six hits, one walk, and struck out three batters. 

He was supplanted by reliever Andrew Cabezas, who promptly gave up a bases clearing triple, then a double for a run allowed of his own. A bit mad at himself probably, he channeled some anger and struck out the next three hitters he faced to end the inning with his team down 5-2. He would add a scoreless seventh inning to keep his team within striking distance.

The Kernels closed the lead to two in the bottom of the sixth with another sac fly from Maciel, but the lone run was a bit disappointing as they had the bases with nobody out.

The bullpen duo of Breckin Williams and Melvi Acosta then wasn’t able to keep Quad Cities at bay in the eighth and ninth innings, allowing them to extend their lead to the final of 8-3. Williams gave up one run (unearned) on one hit while striking out one in the eighth. Acosta allowed two earned runs on four hits in the ninth and struck out two batters.

The loss extends the River Bandits lead in the Central-West Division standings to nine games, but the Kernels remain tied for the second best record in the league.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Dunedin @ Fort Myers, Postponed (rain)

The Mighty Mussels and Blue Jays were rained out on Tuesday. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader tomorrow afternoon, with righthander Sean Mooney on the mound for Fort Myers in game one.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Orioles Orange @ FCL Twins, Postponed (rain)

The FCL Twins were affected by the same rain as their Hammond Stadium friends across the Lee County Sports Complex parking lot, and did not play Tuesday morning. They will make up the game on Wednesday as both teams do not have another scheduled..

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day - Cole Sands, Wichita Wind Surge (3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, 6 K)
Hitter of the Day - Ben Rortvedt, St. Paul Saints (3-for-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, RBI)

PROSPECT SUMMARY

#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-for-4, R, 2B, K
#6 - Keoni Cavaco (Fort Myers) - Game postponed
#7 - Gilberto Celestino (St. Paul) - 1-for-4, RBI, K
#8 - Josh Winder (St. Paul) - Did not pitch
#9 - Aaron Sabato (Fort Myers) - Game postponed
#10 - Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) - 0-for-4, 2 K
#11 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) - Out for season (Tommy John surgery)
#12 - Bailey Ober (Minnesota) - Did not pitch
#13 - Cole Sands (Wichita) - 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, 6 K
#14 - Brent Rooker (Minnesota) - 1-for-4, R, 2B, RBI, BB, K
#15 - Misael Urbina (Fort Myers) - Game postponed
#16 - Spencer Steer (Wichita) - 2-for-4, R, 2B, K
#17 - Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) - 0-for-2, R, 2 BB, 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

Louisville @ St. Paul (1:05PM CST) - LHP Andrew Albers (4-4, 4.44 ERA)
Midland @ Wichita (7:05PM CST) - LHP Bryan Sammons (2-4, 7.08 ERA)
Quad Cities @ Cedar Rapids (6:35PM CST) - LHP Tyler Watson (2-1, 1.68 ERA)
Dunedin @ Fort Myers (Game 1, 3:30PM CST) - RHP Sean Mooney (0-1, 0.56 ERA)
Dunedin @ Fort Myers (Game 2, 30 minutes after game 1) - TBD

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

 

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[h2oface]

Bizarre first game for Martin.

So what does Miranda have to do to get put on the roster and help the Twins? Or do they just like to see him play in St Paul? Donaldson ain't playing anyway for the last 6 games. We know Rooker can hit...... and strike out like Sano (....and Larnach 48 times in last 105 ABs). But does Rooker really have a future (Did Palka have a future? Does Sano?)

Is there a reason the Prospect Summary isn't being updated with the new players yet?

[mikelink45]

Cole Sands line is a poor pitcher of the day result.  Nunn looks like he was the pitcher of the day based on your article.  Thanks for the update. 

I do agree with the idea of giving Miranda some MLB at bats. Keep the young players moving up and sit the older ones.

[wabene]

5 hours ago, h2oface said:

Bizarre first game for Martin.

So what does Miranda have to do to get put on the roster and help the Twins? Or do they just like to see him play in St Paul? Donaldson ain't playing anyway for the last 6 games. We know Rooker can hit...... and strike out like Sano (....and Larnach 48 times in last 105 ABs). But does Rooker really have a future (Did Palka have a future? Does Sano?)

Is there a reason the Prospect Summary isn't being updated with the new players yet?

Rooker looked good last year in a short stint then got hit. Started slow this year but is picking it up. More time is needed to see what he can do, like the rest of this season. I could see an average DH next season with room to grow. Larnach's confidence is probably low right now but he needs to battle through it. I would not send either down under any circumstance except if Larnach needs a confidence boost. I would, however, bring up Miranda for any Donaldson absences.

[roger]

With Miranda and his two hits a game back in the lineup, the Saints win.  But the story of the night was three hits from Ben Rortvedt, including a double and home run.  I have always thought this young man would have a solid bat once he got to the big leagues.  Still believe that and in hind sight, struggling through a couple months with the Twins without a single game at AAA may have been a blessing.  Sure looks early on that it helped with the pitchers he is seeing with the Saints.

When the Twins claimed Garcia, I took a look at his numbers and thought he could have a chance.  One night doesn't make a career, but it sure was a nice start and he even got the W!

What a first game for Martin, expect he had some butterflies on his first night with his new organization.  See that Sisk didn't do as well in his second appearance.  But getting both Sisk and Gant for Happ remains a head scratcher, at least for me.  And Gant seems to be doing better than ok for the Twins.

Not a lot of hitting for the Kernels.  Even though Javier was 0-2, saw that he picked up two walks and scored a run.  Will be surprised that he has done enough to get added to the 40-man, especially with the addition of Martin, but certainly has taken a step forward after his struggles the past few years.  He will be a minor league free agent this winter, correct?  Hopefully he wants to remain with the organization and give it another year to see if he can turn that last corner at AA next year. 

[Steve Lein]

7 hours ago, h2oface said:

Is there a reason the Prospect Summary isn't being updated with the new players yet?

Yes there is! It's not a single person's list, so it takes a little time to compile with everyone. It will be updated (again) very soon!

[Steve Lein]

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Cole Sands line is a poor pitcher of the day result.  Nunn looks like he was the pitcher of the day based on your article.  Thanks for the update. 

I agree because I actually struggled to pick anyone on this night. But the 6 K's for Sands in his short time was a much higher bar than anyone else. I also watched the Wichita game, and he made some big pitches and was great until the 4th inning. Olson was also good for 5 innings, but then hit a big wall. Nunn has merit on picking up a clean save but really hard for me to give it to a one inning guy in any circumstance.

[operation mindcrime]

54 minutes ago, Steve Lein said:

Yes there is! It's not a single person's list, so it takes a little time to compile with everyone. It will be updated (again) very soon!

Hurry up!

[Danchat]

2 errors in his first start... not good, but I’d guess he ends up in CF mainly in the bigs. We’ve learned this year you can never have too much OF depth.