Minor League Report 8/21 You Have The Right To Be A Hitting Machine

[Matt Braun]

Jose Miranda had four hits, Jordan Balazovic went six scoreless, and Austin Martin had a late go-ahead hit. If that doesn't get you excited to read about this minor league report, then nothing will. 

TRANSACTIONS
RHP Matt Canterino placed on the 7-day IL at A+ Cedar Rapids (right elbow strain)
RHP Breckin Williams placed on the 7-day IL at A+ Cedar Rapids (right shoulder strain)
LHP Bryan Sammons promoted to AAA St. Paul
RHP Randy Dobnak assigned to A Fort Myers for a rehab assignment 

Saints Sentinel
St. Paul 7, Iowa 4
Box Score
Bryan Sammons: 4 2/3 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
HR: Jose Miranda (12)
Multi-hit games: Jose Miranda (4-for-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI), Tomás Telis (2-for-4, R)

Jose Miranda.

Yeah, usually I begin with the pitcher, but this one is going to be different. Jose Miranda dropped four hits on Saturday, including a home run, and I’m left wondering what in the world he possibly needs to do in order to get called up. I mean, he’s having one of the best minor league seasons these eyes have seen, and the major league team is not doing much of anything at the moment. Figure it out. 

Speaking of guys that need to be called up, Jovani Moran pitched 2 1/3 innings in relief with one earned run and three strikeouts. He will certainly be up at some point, but whenever that time comes, it’ll already be overdue. 

Beyond Miranda, the Saints found the 5th inning to be the perfect time to strike. Mark Contereras singled home a run, Drew Maggi brought another run in with a groundout, and a wild pitch scored the final run of the inning. All-in-all, the Saints had six runs on the board.

Ian Hamilton brought us all home with two clean innings to end the game. Yeah, maybe he walked a guy, but he was just keeping the hitters on their toes. It appears that it worked. 

Wind Surge Wisdom
Wichita 2, Springfield 0
Box Score
Jordan Balazovic: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 6 K
HR: None
Multi-hit games: None

Wichita’s pitching took care of business on Saturday.

Jordan Balazovic had an interesting day on the mound. He held the Cardinals scoreless, which is good; but then he walked five batters, which is not good. This is one of those times we just say “we take those” and move on. Details don’t matter.

Wichita did not score much, but they didn’t need to. Austin Martin plated the first run of the game with an 8th inning single, and Andrew Bechtold brought home the final run with a single of his own in the 9th inning. Honestly, that was it.

 

But that was all that was needed. After Balazovic’s six innings of work, Adam Lau took the team to the ninth and Erik Manoah Jr. ended it. Those three pitchers combined to allow just five hits total in the entire game. That’ll work. Funny enough, the Wind Surge actually only had four hits. 

Kernels Nuggets
Cedar Rapids 5, Wisconsin 12
Box Score
Cody Laweryson: 4 2.3 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
HR: Matt Wallner (11), Michael Helman (15)
Multi-hit games: Edouard Julien (2-for-3, 2B, 2 R, 2 BB), Matt Wallner (2-for-5, HR, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI), Daniel Ozoria (2-for-4)

The Kernels were unable to come back on Saturday.

Cody Laweryson put forth an impressive effort with half of his outs coming via the K. He was bogged down by some 4th inning shenanigans that saw a double error play score a run. This was actually not even the only double error play of the game by the Kernels; the 7th inning saw a similar effort that ended up plating a pair of runs. As you will read later, it was not a great day for defense in the system. I hope Laweryson’s fielders bought him one of those real cheesy Hallmark apology cards after the game.

Despite scoring just three runs, Cedar Rapids brought some firepower. Matt Wallner deposited his 11th homer of the year over the fence while Michael Helman, who suddenly has been possessed by the spirit of Hank Aaron, blasted his 15th home run. The problem was that both of these blasts came without a runner on base.

Edouard Julien reached base four times because of course he did. I find myself more shocked when he doesn’t get on base multiple times than when he does. I assume that his season OBP is still .600 or something like that. 

Mussel Matters
Fort Myers 3, Dunedin 4
Box Score
Randy Dobnak: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
HR: None
Multi-hit games: Charles Mack (2-for-4)

Well, Randy Dobnak sure came to play on Saturday. The right-hander emerged from his long slumber (or injury) and took the mound for the first time in two months. Using his major league success as well as his right hand, Dobnak completely shut down the Dunedin lineup in just 32 pitches. It’s good to see Dobnak back on the mound; his return will hopefully be a relief for a depleted major league pitching staff.

On the offensive side of things, Jesus Feliz carried the team. He broke the 0-0 tie in the 5th with a solo homer, before then putting a ball into play in the 7th that brought home two off of an error. That must have been one impressive error. 

It appears that defense was the Achilles heel for Fort Myers on Saturday. The team had five errors in total (Keoni Cavaco had his 17th error of the year), and it was a Charles Mack throwing error that sent the game-winning runner to third base in the 9th inning. That run was then brought home off an infield single. Hopefully the team can clean it up on Sunday.

Complex Chronicles
FCL Twins 5, FCL Red Sox 11
Box Score
Develson Aria: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
HR: Endy Rodriguez (1)
Multi-hit games: None

The FCL Twins lost a rough one to the FCL Red Sox on Saturday.

A certain swear for poop hit the fan quickly in this effort as the Red Sox plated two runs before fans could even find their seats. Top draft pick, Marcelo Mayer, dropped an RBI single while Bryan Gonzalez singled home another run. In fact, the Red Sox scored 10 times before the Twins plated a single run. 

In the 5th, Mayer then blasted his first career professional home run. This is far from the first time that we’ve seen a Mayer have multiple hits.

Alright, let’s get back to talking about the Twins. The team responded to the 10-0 deficit with an impressive gusto. A 6th inning rally brought three runs home while individual runs were then scored in the 7th and 8th, respectively. That 8th inning run came due to Endy Rodriguez’s first home run of the season; so congrats to Rodriguez. The run of, well, runs, was not enough, and the team fell to the Red Sox on Saturday.

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Jordan Balazovic
Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Jose Miranda

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed:
#1 – Royce Lewis (Rehab) – Out for season (torn ACL)
#2 – Austin Martin (Wichita) - 1-4, RBI
#3 – Jordan Balazovic (Wichita) – 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 6 K
#4 – Simeon Woods Richardson (Wichita) - Did not pitch
#5 – Jhoan Duran (St. Paul) - Injured List (Right Elbow Strain)
#6 – Jose Miranda (St. Paul) - 4-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
#7 – Joe Ryan (St. Paul) - Did not pitch
#8 – Matt Canterino (Cedar Rapids) - Injured List (Right Elbow Strain)
#9 – Chase Petty (Complex) - 
#10 – Keoni Cavaco (Fort Myers) - 1-5, 3 K

#11 – Josh Winder (St. Paul) - Injured List (Right Shoulder Impingement)
#12 – Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) - 2-4, HR, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 K
#13 – Gilberto Celestino (St. Paul) - 0-3
#14 – Drew Strotman (St. Paul) - Did not pitch
#15 – Noah Miller (FCL Twins) - 1-3, RBI, BB, 2 K
#16 – Brent Rooker (Minnesota) - Did not play
#17 – Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) - Out for Season (Tommy John surgery)
#18 – Misael Urbina (Fort Myers) - 1-4
#19 – Cole Sands (Wichita) - Did not pitch
#20 – Spencer Steer (Wichita) - Did not play

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
Fort Myers @ Dunedin (11:00 AM) RHP Bobby Milacki
Wisconsin @ Cedar Rapids (1:05 PM) TBD
Iowa @ St. Paul (1:05 PM) RHP Drew Strotman
Wichita @ Springfield (4:05 PM) RHP Chris Vallimont

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[Matt Braun]

You guys are lucky that I decided to reference that specific case from the Warren court and not Brown v Board of Education or Gideon v Wainwright. Trust me, I could have done it!

[bean5302]

Canterino going back to the IL with an elbow sprain really does scream out TJ to me. Glad to see Dobnak back on the mound. It has to feel good to pitch competitively again and see the big show light at the end of the tunnel!

Nice to see Miranda raking again tonight. I share the sentiment he's been awesome this year, but he's actually been pretty pedestrian overall this month. .279/.347/.426 OPS .773 in 16 games coming into tonight. SSS, but it was extra bewildering when Donaldson was hurt and Miranda was simply on fire.

[darwin22]

Matt:  Another informative and detailed report from our affiliates tonight. 

A few observations:

1.  What are you (or others) hearing about Miranda?  With another outstanding game in a year of excellent production-----is it just a matter of waiting till Sept. 1st before he's called up?  Wouldn't shock me to see our FO not want to start the clock on his service time.

2. Another question?  With Ryan's impressive outing last night coupled with Maeda's apparent injury today-------will we be seeing Ryan in our starting rotation next week?

3. Any update--you or others have on the health situation of Josh Winder? Is his injury--shoulder impingement going to shut him down for the rest of the year?

4.  Nice to see Balazovic pitch a strong game tonight albeit against a bad hitting Springfield team.  Just my opinion, but with his recent struggles (command/walks), I seriously doubt he's promoted either to SP or Twins before end of season.

5.  Although I'm sure I'm missing implications with 40 man roster and/or limited rosters after Sept. 1st, I will continue to bang my drum for the front office to promote Drew Maggi and BJ Boyd in September.  With 6000+ combined minor league ABs and both, especially Boyd, having strong seasons with the bat-----these guys deserve a call up to 'the Show'

6.  Call me a downer, but is getting to early to call Matt Canterino a bust?  Another IL stint with an elbow strain is a precursor to him being another prospect who won't ever make it.

and finally

Trying to reverse my last comment with a hopeful "atta boy" for the nice performance turned in tonight by Dobnak in his rehab outing with Fort Myers.  Count me in the camp of not only rooting for Dobnak, but also believing he can be a viable and productive pitcher on the active roster next season.  

[Dman]

9 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Nice to see Miranda raking again tonight. I share the sentiment he's been awesome this year, but he's actually been pretty pedestrian overall this month. .279/.347/.426 OPS .773 in 16 games coming into tonight. SSS, but it was extra bewildering when Donaldson was hurt and Miranda was simply on fire.

Yeah Miranda has had a fair number 0 for games recently so not too surprised by that number. His OPS was about to lose almost 100 points until he had his 4 hit game last night.  He has been slumping just a little bit but those numbers are still good just not great like we are used to.  I noticed he never got a hit on Cingrani who has been an MLB pitcher in the past so I do think his adjustment to MLB ball will be rough but I guess we will see.  His over all numbers are impressive though as I don't think I have ever seen a Twin at the AAA level hit 341 with 1000 OPS before.  Here is to hoping that his transition to MLB ball goes as well.

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

Yeah Miranda has had a fair number 0 for games recently so not too surprised by that number. His OPS was about to lose almost 100 points until he had his 4 hit game last night.  He has been slumping just a little bit but those numbers are still good just not great like we are used to.  I noticed he never got a hit on Cingrani who has been an MLB pitcher in the past so I do think his adjustment to MLB ball will be rough but I guess we will see.  His over all numbers are impressive though as I don't think I have ever seen a Twin at the AAA level hit 341 with 1000 OPS before.  Here is to hoping that his transition to MLB ball goes as well.

Chris Parmelee a24 season 2012 - .338/.457/.645 OPS 1.102, but it's not really apples to apples. Parmelee skipped AAA in 2011 for his cup of coffee, raked at the MLB level and made the 2012 opening day roster. He was then awful for 1-1/2 months with the Twins before getting demoted to AAA where he obliterated the ball to the posted line.

Miranda has never been to the MLB level and he's never had the benefit of seeing MLB pitching so he could identify areas he could improve which were hidden against MiLB pitching.

That's also why I think even a month or two in MLB can be incredibly valuable. MiLB players don't have the polish MLB players have. As a batter, for example, MLB pitchers will expose weaknesses a batter didn't know they had because MiLB pitchers were never able to exploit them. I also think it's why so many AAAA players are created after a brief MLB stint (the Chris Parmelee's). 

[Major League Ready]

2 hours ago, Dman said:

Yeah Miranda has had a fair number 0 for games recently so not too surprised by that number. His OPS was about to lose almost 100 points until he had his 4 hit game last night.  He has been slumping just a little bit but those numbers are still good just not great like we are used to.  I noticed he never got a hit on Cingrani who has been an MLB pitcher in the past so I do think his adjustment to MLB ball will be rough but I guess we will see.  His over all numbers are impressive though as I don't think I have ever seen a Twin at the AAA level hit 341 with 1000 OPS before.  Here is to hoping that his transition to MLB ball goes as well.

Sure hope he continues to impress.  He has been a bright spot this year.

[roger]

There isn't anything left to say about Miranda.  Hopefully, his defense (at third) will be solid so that he doesn't become another bat only big leaguer.  Although Polo at short isn't the best option, an infield of Kirilloff, Arraez, Polo and Miranda would look awfully nice to me, especially with bats in their hands.  Two lefties, one right and one switch is good balance.  All four will hit for good to great averages with three providing reasonable power...20++ home runs.

Great seeing 6 shutout innings from Balazovic with 6 K's.  Little concerned about 5 walks, but overall great performance after a bit of good/not so good games.  And don't want to even think about Canterino back on the IL.  As my wife says, they probably should have cut when this happened.

I assume your comment about Julien's OBP, Matt, was in jest, as it is .388.  That is really, really good, but a long way from .600.

Great seeing Dobber dominate in his 3.0 inning rehab start.  Hopefully, he will pitch 4.0 innings next time out in Fort Myers followed by 5.0 innings for the Saints.  That could see his return to the Twins around September 6th or 7th, giving him nearly a month to confirm that he deserves a spot in next year's starting five!

[Dman]

3 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Chris Parmelee a24 season 2012 - .338/.457/.645 OPS 1.102, but it's not really apples to apples. Parmelee skipped AAA in 2011 for his cup of coffee, raked at the MLB level and made the 2012 opening day roster. He was then awful for 1-1/2 months with the Twins before getting demoted to AAA where he obliterated the ball to the posted line.

 

Thanks Parmelee is just a tad before I really started following the minor leagues as closely.  It might not be apples to apples but close enough IMO.   AAA is AAA even if he had some MLB expeirence. Hard to believe he hit that well and couldn't make it translate.  

MLB is just different I guess.  Any small weakness gets exploited and if you cannot adjust you are toast.  I still like Miranda's chances though.  The low K rate and good contact rate bode well for his future.  He is still a bit aggressive at the plate and doesn't walk much but have to believe the low K rate can offset that with more balls in play.  I guess we will know soon enough as he doesn't have too much more to learn at AAA. 

[wabene]

Not sure having TJ surgery makes Canterino a bust. What is weird to me is that when, say, an ACL needs surgery it always seems pretty obvious that's the way to go, but with an elbow there seems more uncertainty. The result of that can be delaying the inevitable surgery which of course wastes time. Anyone now what this uncertainty is about?

[DJL44]

I was pretty sure we were going to see Ryan make his debut due to Maeda's injury but then I saw that Dobnak made a rehab start and I think I've changed my mind. Dobnak will come up before Ryan.

There isn't an everyday spot for Miranda at the moment. Even if Sano or Donaldson got hurt that would just open a regular spot for Arraez.