Twins Minor League Report (9/8): Homers and Hits Abound

[Ted Schwerzler]

Between the blasts for St. Paul and Cedar Rapids and Noah Miller’s near cycle down in the Complex League, there was plenty of offense to go around this afternoon in the Twins system. It’s not often a two home run game gets outdone, but here we are.

TRANSACTIONS

• None reported

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul 17, Omaha 3
Box Score

It was Drew Strotman’s turn today for the Saints, and he danced around a good Omaha lineup. Working 5 1/3 innings, Strotman picked up six punch outs while allowing three runs on four hits and three walks. Uber-prospect Bobby Witt Jr. tagged him for a solo shot that never left the park. The Saints provided him with plenty of offensive support. 

Looking to make up for the inside-the-park homer from Witt Jr., St. Paul answered quickly. Jose Miranda recorded his 18th double to drive in Sherman Johnson, and Tomas Telis then lifted a two-run blast over the left-center field wall.

Tied up after the top half of the 4th inning, the Saints took the lead again in the bottom half. Drew Maggi hit his 15th homer of the year before David Banuelos recorded his first for St. Paul. Up 5-3 in the 7th inning, B.J. Boyd recorded his first double with the club and scored Mark Contreras on the play. After a bases loaded walk allowed Gilberto Celestino to score, Banuelos crushed his second home run of the day. A grand slam put the Saints up 11-3 and this one was way out of reach.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Saints scored six more runs. JT Riddle hit the team's second grand slam of the game, and Jose Miranda followed with a solo shot, his 13th with the Saints. 

Banuelos went 3-for-5 with his first two Saints homers, three runs scored and six RBI. Drew Maggi went 3-for-4 with a walk and his 15th homer of the season. Miranda went 3-for-6. Tomas Telis, Mark Contreras and BJ Boyd each had two hits. Sherman Johnson walked four times in this contest. 

Strotman got his first Win with the Saints. Chris Nunn recorded the next four outs. Nick Vincent got the final out of the seventh inning. Chandler Shepherd pitched the eighth and ninth innings. 

WIND SURGE WISDOM
NW Arkansas 1, Wichita 0
Box Score

Austin Schulfer shoved tonight for the Wind Surge. Yes, he lacked command, but he went 4 1/3 innings giving up just two hits and working around five free passes. Schulfer also recorded six strikeouts before turning the ball over to Ben Gross. Gross then put in solid work of his own going 3 2/3 innings allowing just a single run on five hits while walking two and fanning three.

Despite combining for 13 hits, these two teams plated just one run. An 8th inning single for the opposition put Wichita behind and that was enough to do them in for the evening. 

Roy Morales recorded three hits while D.J. Burt had two of his own. Jordan Gore worked a scoreless 9th inning but the offense remained dormant and Wichita wound up being shut out on the evening.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 11, Wisconsin 5
Box Score

Cody Lawyerson was on the bump for Cedar Rapids in today’s matinee and worked six strong. He was dominant, striking out nine and walking just two while allowing only three hits.

The Kernels have a thing for threes in today’s tilt. Putting up the first runs of the game, it was a three-spot in the third inning. Edouard Julien lifted his 11th homer to driver in Daniel Ozoria, and Michael Helman made it back-to-back jacks with his 18th. Then in the fourth inning it was again a three spot started by a Julien walk with the bases loaded. Helman ripped a single to center plating both DaShawn Keirsey and Ozoria on the play.

As had been the case all afternoon the 6th inning featured another three-spot. Last night’s hero Matt Wallner drove in Julien on a single before Alex Isola hit his 14th dinger to also bring home Wallner.

Giving up five runs across the 7th and 8th innings, Cedar Rapids looked to grab some extra breathing room. Wallner homered for the second straight game, his 13th on the season, and Seth Gray drove in Yunior Severino to push the final tally up to 11-5.

Wallner and Gray both had three hits on the afternoon with Helman adding two of his own.

Following Laweryson was Derek Molina who gave up one run in the seventh inning. Stephen Cruz came in for his High-A debut in the eighth frame. He gave up four runs (3 earned) on two hits and two walks. He recorded just one out, but it was on a strikeout. Melvi Acosta came on and got the final five outs. 

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 3, Palm Beach 2 (Susp B/4)
Box Score

John Stankiewicz was tonight's starter as he celebrated his 23rd birthday. Working through four innings, he allowed just two runs on five hits and two walks. Stankiewicz also struck out four. Despite being at just 69 pitches, his night was done in by rain with the game being suspended in the 4th inning.

Fort Myers scored first tallying a run on a Kyler Fedko walk with the bases loaded in the 1st inning. After giving the run back in the 2nd inning, Alerick Soularie reached on an error that allowed Mike Perez to scamper home. Again tied after the top half of the 4th inning, Perez drove in Willie Joe Garry in the bottom half to retake the lead for the Mighty Mussels.

The clubs will finish this one out tomorrow evening.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Orioles Orange 15, FCL Twins 8
Box Score

 

If you’re a fan of offensive outputs then this one was for you. A makeup of a previously postponed contest, the Twins and Orioles complex clubs combined for 23 runs on 25 hits. It was also a rather sloppy affair with both teams adding to the eight total errors on the day.

After a starter Juan Mendez was able to record just a single out before giving up four runs, Cole Bellair worked 4 ⅓ innings. He was tagged for seven runs, but just one of them was of the earned variety. His eight strikeouts looked very nice up against just one walk. Ricardo Velez gave up one run over 2 1/3 innings of relief. Rafael Feliz gave up three runs over the final two innings. 

Down 8-1 after the 3rd inning, this one got out of hand early. The Twins did combine for seven runs the rest of the way, including a four-run effort in the bottom of the 9th inning. 2021 draftee Noah Miller was the star of the show with a 5-for-5 effort where he finished just a double shy of the cycle. Malfrin Sosa (three hits) and Luis Baez (two hits) joined Miller with multi-hit efforts of their own.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day - Cody Lawyerson (Cedar Rapids) - 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K
Hitter of the Day - Noah Miller (Complex) - 5-5, 3B, HR(2), R, 5 RBI

PROSPECT SUMMARY

#1 - Royce Lewis (rehab) - Out for season (torn ACL)
#2 - Austin Martin (Wichita) - 0-3, K
#3 - Jordan Balazovic (Wichita) - Did not pitch
#4 - Simeon Woods Richardson (Wichita) - Did not pitch
#5 - Jhoan Duran (St. Paul) - Injured List (elbow strain)
#6 - Jose Miranda (St. Paul) - 3-6, 2B (18), HR (13), 2 R, 2 RBI, K
#7 - Joe Ryan (Minnesota) - 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
#8 - Matt Canterino (Cedar Rapids) - Injured List (right elbow strain)
#9 - Chase Petty (Complex) - Did not pitch
#10 - Keoni Cavaco (Fort Myers) - Did not play
#11 - Josh Winder (St. Paul) - Injured List (right shoulder impingement)
#12 - Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) - 3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B, HR(13), 2 K
#13 - Gilberto Celestino (St. Paul) - 1-2, 2 BB
#14 - Drew Strotman (St. Paul) - 5.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
#15 - Noah Miller (Complex) - 5-5, 3B, HR(2), R, 5 RBI
#16 - Brent Rooker (Minnesota) - Did not play
#17 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) - Out for season (Tommy John surgery)
#18 - Misael Urbina (Fort Myers) - 2-2
#19 - Cole Sands (Wichita) - Did not pitch
#20 - Spencer Steer (Wichita) - 0-3, K, BB

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
Omaha @ St. Paul (7:05 PM CST) - RHP Beau Burrows (2-4, 6.20 ERA)
NW Arkansas @ Wichita (7:05 PM CST) - RHP Simeon Woods-Richardson (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin (6:35 PM CST) - RHP Louie Varland (5-1, 1.85 ERA)
Palm Beach @ Fort Myers (6:00 PM CST) - RHP Casey Legumina (3-2, 3.23 ERA)

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Wednesday’s games

View full article

[roger]

What a game for Miller.  After watching the putrid numbers for several years from Javier and Cavaco, sure is great having a top draft pick shortstop who is actually getting some results.

[HerbieFan]

Good heavens.  Can someone please explain to me why Jose Miranda is still in St.Paul?  No "Cheap Pohlads".  Does a September callup start the dreaded service time clock?  

[Seth Stohs]

38 minutes ago, roger said:

What a game for Miller.  After watching the putrid numbers for several years from Javier and Cavaco, sure is great having a top draft pick shortstop who is actually getting some results.

Of course, he was hitting .214 before today... 5-for-5 and now he's at .281! 

[Seth Stohs]

40 minutes ago, HerbieFan said:

Good heavens.  Can someone please explain to me why Jose Miranda is still in St.Paul?  No "Cheap Pohlads".  Does a September callup start the dreaded service time clock?  

"Service Time Clock" - players get 1 day of service time for every day they are in the big leagues. So, if he's called up today, he'd get like 20 days of service time. Has nothing to do with it. In St. Paul, he plays 6 games a week. With the Twins, it would be less. He should play. 

[RpR]

1 hour ago, HerbieFan said:

Good heavens.  Can someone please explain to me why Jose Miranda is still in St.Paul?  No "Cheap Pohlads".  Does a September callup start the dreaded service time clock?  

He is there because the coaches on both sides think he should be.

[Ted Schwerzler]

1 hour ago, HerbieFan said:

Good heavens.  Can someone please explain to me why Jose Miranda is still in St.Paul?  No "Cheap Pohlads".  Does a September callup start the dreaded service time clock?  

Where is he going to play right now for the Twins with Donaldson, Arraez, and Polanco in the mix?

[LastOnePicked]

11 minutes ago, Ted Schwerzler said:

Where is he going to play right now for the Twins with Donaldson, Arraez, and Polanco in the mix?

A last place team really can't find room in September for a guy who tore up AA and AAA all summer? Come on. Donaldson and Arraez can split 3B time with Miranda. Sano can split 1B time with him. He can DH if needed. This doesn't have to be all that complicated. What's he going to learn at AAA that would come close to matching what he'd learn in a month the bigs?

He's earned this promotion, period.

[BD57]

is it "normal" or "unusual" that 25% of an organization's top prospects are injured?

[roger]

11 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

Of course, he was hitting .214 before today... 5-for-5 and now he's at .281! 

Very true, Seth.  But all averages include some bad games and a few fantastic games, yielding a year end norm.  Have no interest in checking, but expect that the two players mentioned had very few multi hit games over several years and none that were 5 for 5.  Hopefully, you can understand my excitement over a young man who is off to a good start?

[RpR]

13 hours ago, LastOnePicked said:

 

He's earned this promotion, period.

If he had he would be in the Majors; he is not, so he has not.

[Mike Sixel]

13 hours ago, LastOnePicked said:

A last place team really can't find room in September for a guy who tore up AA and AAA all summer? Come on. Donaldson and Arraez can split 3B time with Miranda. Sano can split 1B time with him. He can DH if needed. This doesn't have to be all that complicated. What's he going to learn at AAA that would come close to matching what he'd learn in a month the bigs?

He's earned this promotion, period.

HIs AAA stats are worse than Rooker's.....what is the hurry, here? 

[Devilsadvocate]

59 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

HIs AAA stats are worse than Rooker's.....what is the hurry, here? 

Your assessment of the their numbers is off IMO. I would personally rather prefer a hitter with Miranda's skills and profile on the team than Brent's, any day of the week. 

[Mike Sixel]

36 minutes ago, Devilsadvocate said:

Your assessment of the their numbers is off IMO. I would personally rather prefer a hitter with Miranda's skills and profile on the team than Brent's, any day of the week. 

Did you look at them in AAA? I don't disagree, but that's hardly the point. He's no more earned it than Brent did.... Why does he need to be up this year?

[AceWrigley]

Wow, that's like a full year's worth of offense in one game for Bañuelos.

[Devilsadvocate]

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Did you look at them in AAA? I don't disagree, but that's hardly the point. He's no more earned it than Brent did.... Why does he need to be up this year?

Yeah, I wouldn't have commented on your post if I wasn't aware of both of their numbers. Miranda has better AAA numbers: Avg, OBP and OPS and fewer strikeouts (by a ton) for example, so I don't see where you're coming from. 

Where are you seeing that Rooker has been better overall? I didn't say he needs to be in the bigs right now, I just disagree with the assessment that Rooker has been better. 

 

[Mike Sixel]

I guess Miranda has been a tiny bit better.....their numbers are nearly identical. That said, Miranda is a better defender, and is younger......but I don't get why anyone thinks he needs to be up this year (not sure if you do or not).....but he's no more earned it than Rooker did, which was my point. Rooker will be on another team's roster, and Miranda will be in MN at some point next year. IMO.

[mikelink45]

21 hours ago, HerbieFan said:

Good heavens.  Can someone please explain to me why Jose Miranda is still in St.Paul?  No "Cheap Pohlads".  Does a September callup start the dreaded service time clock?  

I am with you - service time is a big mirage - good players get extended, others get traded.  Just bring up the best players.

[Devilsadvocate]

3 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

I guess Miranda has been a tiny bit better.....their numbers are nearly identical. That said, Miranda is a better defender, and is younger......but I don't get why anyone thinks he needs to be up this year (not sure if you do or not).....but he's no more earned it than Rooker did, which was my point. Rooker will be on another team's roster, and Miranda will be in MN at some point next year. IMO.

That's fair. The 70 point difference in average is huge and so is the contact, along with the points you spoke to here. 

While I'd love to see Jose up tomorrow, I understand the business side and don't have any huge complaints that his service time is likely being taken into account with the non call up this year. 

I have always liked Rooker (not saying that I thought he'd be a star), but wouldn't be against your notion of moving on from him sooner than later. Especially if he doesn't show both contact and power simply due to his age. Especially if that gets Miranda ABs with the big club - at DH or otherwise.

[Brandon]

Banuelos was one of the guys we acquired for international cap space so Seattle could try to sign Otahni.  Would be cool if he became a back up catcher or 3rd C fir a period.....

 

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Devilsadvocate said:

That's fair. The 70 point difference in average is huge and so is the contact, along with the points you spoke to here. 

While I'd love to see Jose up tomorrow, I understand the business side and don't have any huge complaints that his service time is likely being taken into account with the non call up this year. 

I have always liked Rooker (not saying that I thought he'd be a star), but wouldn't be against your notion of moving on from him sooner than later. Especially if he doesn't show both contact and power simply due to his age. Especially if that gets Miranda ABs with the big club - at DH or otherwise.

I've never liked the Rooker pick, so you are nicer than me.......

[HerbieFan]

On 9/8/2021 at 9:52 PM, Ted Schwerzler said:

Where is he going to play right now for the Twins with Donaldson, Arraez, and Polanco in the mix?

I see Miranda hasn't been in the lineup for St Paul the last two games?  Do you know if he's hurt?  I would like to have seen the club use September to get him about 25 games.  Thought he could DH, play 3B or 1B.  I also thought Simmons, with all due respect to him as a player, should have been DFA'd around Sept 1st and let Polanco and Nick Gordon play SS.  That would have freed up some ABs for Arraez at 2B.  Gordon may be a utility guy next year and the PT at SS may have given the FO a better idea if SS could one of his utility positions.

[Squirrel]

On 9/12/2021 at 9:25 PM, HerbieFan said:

I see Miranda hasn't been in the lineup for St Paul the last two games?  Do you know if he's hurt?  I would like to have seen the club use September to get him about 25 games.  Thought he could DH, play 3B or 1B.  I also thought Simmons, with all due respect to him as a player, should have been DFA'd around Sept 1st and let Polanco and Nick Gordon play SS.  That would have freed up some ABs for Arraez at 2B.  Gordon may be a utility guy next year and the PT at SS may have given the FO a better idea if SS could one of his utility positions.

Seth said something about this in another thread (maybe you already saw it?) -