Twins Minor League Report (6/14): Alex Kirilloff Does It Again

[Steve Lein]

The low-levels of the Minnesota Twins farm system were hit by rain again on Tuesday, but it wasn’t too big of a deal as Alex Kirilloff isn’t playing for them. He continued his torrid stretch with another home run, while in double-A another slugger made an impression with his bat and arm to support his pitcher who almost outdueled a rehabbing major league starter.

 

TRANSACTIONS

• CF Cole Sturgeon was assigned to Wichita from St. Paul
• C Jeferson Morales was placed on the 7-day injured list for Cedar Rapids

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul 8, Columbus 7
Box Score

The Saints jumped out to a big early lead after just two innings, thanks primarily to the scorching hot bat of Alex Kirilloff. His double in the first scored one, then he was promptly driven in by a double from Jake Cave. In the second, Kirilloff came up with the bases loaded and cleared them with his seventh home run in his last 10 games.

St. Paul added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings thanks to RBI doubles from Tim Beckham and Caleb Hamilton.

Reliever Mario Sanchez came on to start the fifth inning and would go four innings. He allowed just one run on two hits, while striking out two, to keep the Saints out front.

With the score 8-6 going into the bottom of the ninth, St. Paul went to Juan Minaya for the save opportunity, and it got interesting. He walked the first two batters he faced, putting the tying run on base, but a mound visit calmed him down some. He struck out the next two before allowing an RBI single to close the lead to one, but got a groundball from the next hitter to seal the victory and pick up his fourth save of the season.

Kirilloff led the way for the offense by finishing 3-for-4 with five RBI, while Beckham (2-for-5, RBI, K) and Curtis Terry (2-for-4, R, K) also collected multiple hits. Spencer Steer returned to the lineup and added a double, a walk, and scored two runs.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 3, Tulsa 4
Box Score

The Wind Surge lineup was the unfortunate collateral damage for a Los Angeles Dodgers starter on Tuesday, as Andrew Heaney was with the Drillers for a rehab assignment. He cruised through five innings, allowing just two hits, one walk, and striking out nine Wichita hitters.

It wasn’t all bad, however, as the Wind Surge also got a solid start from Casey Legumina that kept them in the game. He went six innings, allowing just one run on four hits, while striking out five.

Once Heaney’s outing was done, Matt Wallner got the good guys on the board with his 12th home run of the season to tie the game at one.

Legumina was replaced by Bryan Sammons to start the seventh inning, and the Drillers chipped away at him with four singles and a walk that led to three runs and a 4-1 lead for Tulsa. Melvi Acosta got the final out of the seventh and added a scoreless eighth, allowing two hits and striking out one in 1 1/3 innings pitched.

Edouard Julien did his best to give the Wind Surge a chance with a two-run home run in the eighth, his third of the season, but they went down quietly in the ninth to fall to 32-24 on the year, just a half-game in front of Tulsa in the Texas League North Division standings.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Dayton 6, Cedar Rapids 5
Box Score

This matchup of the Dragons and Kernels got off to a fast start, with nine of the eleven total runs scored coming in the first two innings.

Dayton jumped on Cedar Rapids starter John Stankiewicz for four runs in the top of the first, including a three-run homer. They tacked on two more with another home run in the second and put an end to the pitcher’s game after just two innings. He allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk, while picking up two K’s.

The home team put up three of their own in the bottom of the first courtesy of home runs from Christian Encarnacion-Strand (2 run) and Kyler Fedko (solo). In the fourth, the Kernels closed the lead to two on a Wander Javier RBI single, and Aaron Sabato got them within one with an RBI single of his own in the seventh.

The Kernels bullpen was fantastic after the disappointing start from Stankiewicz, getting seven total scoreless innings out of Orlando Rodriguez (2 IP, 3 H, K), Cody Laweryson (3 1/3 IP, 3 H, BB, 6 K), and Bradley Hanner (1 2/3 IP, 2 BB, 2 K).

Unfortunately, the lineup wasn’t able to break through to complete the comeback, as they had just five at-bats with runners in scoring position, and left only six men on base for the game. Dylan Neuse (2-for-3, BB) and Javier (2-for-4, RBI, K) had multiple hits in the losing effort.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Bradenton 1, Fort Myers 2 (Suspended in the fourth inning)
Box Score

Thunderstorms moved into the Fort Myers area early Tuesday evening and resulted in the Mighty Mussels game being suspended before the start of the fourth inning. The game will be completed in-full tomorrow before playing a 7-inning regularly scheduled contest.

To that point, Fort Myers had taken a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third thanks to some wild pitching from the Marauders. Luis Baez reached base on a wild-pitch strikeout, then the next four hitters reached base by a hit-by-pitch and three walks to score their two runs. 

Jaylen Nowlin made the start and allowed a solo home run, but just one other hit and one walk, while punching out seven Marauders in his three innings.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Braves 6, FCL Twins 11
Box Score
Starting Pitcher: Brayan Medina (1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K)
Winning Pitcher: Miguelangel Boadas (3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, 2 K)
Multi-Hit Games: Yonardy Soto (2-for-3, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI)
XBH: Soto (2 2B), Daniel Robertson (2B), Danny De Andrade (2B)
Rehab Players: Daniel Robertson (1-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB)

The box score for this one doesn’t make a ton of sense, as the FCL Twins managed more than twice the amount of runs than they had hits, while being no-hit by their opposing starter for all five innings he remained in the game. It switched immediately when the Braves went to their bullpen, as the Twins got all five hits (including four doubles) and drew six walks to score all of their 11 runs in the sixth.

DOMINICAN DAILIES
DSL Twins 5, DSL Mariners 0 (Suspended in bottom of third inning)
Box Score

The DSL Twins jumped out to a five-run lead before rain caused the game to be suspended. Jose Rodriguez (3B) and Luis Rodriguez (2B) provided extra-base hits, while Junior Del Valle was 2-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBI before play was stopped. Starting pitcher Miguel Olivares finished 2 2/3 innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day - Casey Legumina, Wichita Wind Surge (6 IP, 4 H, ER, 5 K)
Hitter of the Day - Alex Kirilloff, St. Paul Saints (3-for-4, 2B, GS, 5 RBI)

PROSPECT SUMMARY
#2 - Austin Martin (Wichita) - 1-for-3, BB, K
#3 - Jose Miranda (Minnesota) - 0-for-3, 2 K
#7 - Spencer Steer (St. Paul) - 1-for-4, 2 R, 2B, BB, K
#9 - Noah Miller (Fort Myers) - Game suspended
#15 - Matt Wallner (Wichita) - 2-for-4, R, HR, RBI, K
#16 - Edouard Julien (Wichita) - 2-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI
#18 - Christian Encarnacion-Strand (Cedar Rapids) - 1-for-5, R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 K

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul @ Columbus (6:05 PM CDT) - RHP Ronny Henriquez (0-2, 7.68 ERA)
Wichita @ Tulsa (4:35 PM CDT), Game 1 - RHP Louie Varland (5-1, 3.24 ERA)
Tulsa @ Wichita (makeup of 5/7 PPD), Game 2 - LHP Kody Funderburk (6-1, 2.17 ERA)
Dayton @ Cedar Rapids (12:05 PM CDT) - RHP David Festa (3-0, 1.83 ERA)
Bradenton @ Fort Myers (6:00 PM CDT) - TBD
DSL Twins @ DSL NYY Yankees (10:00 AM CDT) - TBD

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

View full article

[Blyleven2011]

Sure could use kiriloffs bat in the lineup  ....

He on a tear ,,, play it here in twins territory and help the team pounce on their opponents  ... 

The question would be , who would he replace and where would he play 

[mikelink45]

It is time for Kiriloff - we will call him up just as he cools off. 

[mickster]

Miranda or Gordon should be the casualty to get Kiriloff back to Target......

[wabene]

48 minutes ago, mickster said:

Miranda or Gordon should be the casualty to get Kiriloff back to Target......

Gordon has no options. They won't lose him now. Maybe some like Speer could bump him in the future. 

[roger]

See that Schulfer had an off night for the Saints, allowing 2 runs.  Great seeing DeAndrade with a mult-hit game.  Same for Wander Javier, who I believe has had a couple multi-hit games this past week or so.

Will join the growing roster of fans who want to see AK with the Twins.  But in reality, don't know who he would replace and where he would play.  I guess he could give Arraez, Larnach and Kepler a day off every week, then be the DH the rest of the time instead of the normal light hitter catcher being DH.  Suppose that makes too much sense, however.

[puckstopper1]

Free Kirilloff!

[Dman]

It is getting more and more painful to watch Kirilloff just kill AAA pitching.  He needs to be moved up. The swing looks so smooth again and he seems to have multi hit games more often than not. The numbers are just getting silly. He is going to force the Twins hand he has been so good for too long now and they need a hot bat.

I know he just got back but Beckham is another player who is super hot with the bat right now.  I wonder if he has an opt out?  If he keeps this up he could be an option for another team.  He keeps having multi-hit game and has the highest OPS on the team at 1.340.  SSS but higher than even Kirilloff for the moment.

Wallner continues to mash and has his OPS in the .900 range.  He has a good chance to hit 25 HR's this year.

I think this was Legumina's best start at AA.  It was against a tough lineup as well.  Hope it carries over as a lot of arms seem to be sputtering right now.

Tough luck losses but tomorrow is another day.

 

[MABB1959]

7 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Sure could use kiriloffs bat in the lineup  ....

He on a tear ,,, play it here in twins territory and help the team pounce on their opponents  ... 

The question would be , who would he replace and where would he play 

How about give Kirloff the position he will spend his career?  What the heck are they waiting for?  We do this time and time again. Keep our top draft pics in the minors for as long as possible.  Will they ever see a healthy Royce Lewis seems like that isn't going to happen.  I follow most games and frankly have no idea where we see this team going.  Buxton:  New DH or Center Fielder?  Who is our DH, why didn't they replace Nelson Cruz with a good strong DH?  Correa: SS for this year and then who?  What is Kirloff's planned long term position?  Who else is here to stay Kepler, Polanco?  Miranda is a 2nd baseman so why is he at first.  Shouldn't we start to see some stability soon?  Let's be done with the "journey men" and get our real team on the field and in their real position!

[wabene]

5 minutes ago, MABB1959 said:

How about give Kirloff the position he will spend his career?  What the heck are they waiting for?  We do this time and time again. Keep our top draft pics in the minors for as long as possible.  Will they ever see a healthy Royce Lewis seems like that isn't going to happen.  I follow most games and frankly have no idea where we see this team going.  Buxton:  New DH or Center Fielder?  Who is our DH, why didn't they replace Nelson Cruz with a good strong DH?  Correa: SS for this year and then who?  What is Kirloff's planned long term position?  Who else is here to stay Kepler, Polanco?  Miranda is a 2nd baseman so why is he at first.  Shouldn't we start to see some stability soon?  Let's be done with the "journey men" and get our real team on the field and in their real position!

The trend in baseball is away from a full time DH. Gives you more flexibility. I like this strategy, unless of course you can get the bat Cruz brought everyday (those are hard to come by). Miranda came up with 3rd base as his most prominent position. He has stated he likes 2nd base the most, but imo he doesn't have the chops for that position. I'd like to see him eventually settle in at third. I think I read where Buxton is on pace for 130 games this year. If that's the case, keep doing whatever your doing. 

[PDX Twin]

Quote

Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge (photo of Casey Legumina)

Thanks for this! There are so many TD photos that do not tell us who is in the picture, especially when it is a minor-leaguer whom most of us have never seen.

[MplsFan]

9 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

Thanks for this! There are so many TD photos that do not tell us who is in the picture, especially when it is a minor-leaguer whom most of us have never seen.

Agreed.  I really like when the player is identified in the photo description.

[Rosterman]

Kirilloff is making his case. Inteesting to see what the Twins do with the bullpen, with Gray coming back and eliminating an arm, and then the upcoming "down to 13 pitchers" rule.

Garlick is set to come back. Which pitcher does he replace?

Then if we want to add Kirilloff, does he replace Miranda, Garlick, or do we send down Larnach?

How do we get Jake Cave back to Target Field?

The Twins have two shortstops to also watch, Beckham at AAA and Merrell at AA. Do they fit into short-term plans as a replacement in 2023 for Correa until Lewis gets better?

And, should we swap out Jeffers for another catcher? Godoy worth more looks? Hamilton a possible keeper?

[stringer bell]

I don’t think there would be any problem finding at-bats for Kirilloff. However there are no easy demotions to make roster room for AK.

[darwin22]

7 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

Kirilloff is making his case. Inteesting to see what the Twins do with the bullpen, with Gray coming back and eliminating an arm, and then the upcoming "down to 13 pitchers" rule.

Garlick is set to come back. Which pitcher does he replace?

Then if we want to add Kirilloff, does he replace Miranda, Garlick, or do we send down Larnach?

How do we get Jake Cave back to Target Field?

The Twins have two shortstops to also watch, Beckham at AAA and Merrell at AA. Do they fit into short-term plans as a replacement in 2023 for Correa until Lewis gets better?

And, should we swap out Jeffers for another catcher? Godoy worth more looks? Hamilton a possible keeper?

Best way to get Cave back to Target Field is to give him $5 for the light rail fee on an off day.....then he can buy a bleacher ticket to watch the game.  

[D.C Twins]

As much as I like Miranda's future, he is the one that Krill should replace. He has options and is not tearing up the MLB at this point.

It would not be good to lose Gordon for nothing especially this early in the season. He is and will continue to be needed.

[MABB1959]

2 hours ago, wabene said:

I read where Buxton is on pace for 130 games this year. If that's the case, keep doing whatever your doing. 

Isn't half of Buxton's value playing Center Field?  It just gets so confusing.  

[mikelink45]

3 hours ago, wabene said:

The trend in baseball is away from a full time DH. Gives you more flexibility. I like this strategy, unless of course you can get the bat Cruz brought everyday (those are hard to come by). Miranda came up with 3rd base as his most prominent position. He has stated he likes 2nd base the most, but imo he doesn't have the chops for that position. I'd like to see him eventually settle in at third. I think I read where Buxton is on pace for 130 games this year. If that's the case, keep doing whatever your doing. 

The problem is that Buxton is primed to mostly be a DH - his value is in CF - and his DH position has helped Celestino, but blocked Kiriloff. 

[chaderic20]

3 hours ago, PDX Twin said:

Thanks for this! There are so many TD photos that do not tell us who is in the picture, especially when it is a minor-leaguer whom most of us have never seen.

Yes! I know they're required to put the photo credit on there, but as a reader I'm like "I don't care who took the photo, I want to know who's IN the photo!"

[ashbury]

10 hours ago, mickster said:

Miranda or Gordon should be the casualty to get Kiriloff back to Target......

Gordon has no minor league options and the FO isn't just going to give him away to another team.  Since May 20, Miranda is batting .333 with power. 

Finding room isn't going to be that easy.