Article: Twins Minor League Reports (7/22): Monday in the Minors

[Seth Stohs]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=2111-Twins-Minor-League-Reports-(7-22)-Monday-in-the-Minors

[MichiganTwins]

Any word on why Rosario didn't play either game?

[rikker49]

Why did Pimentel get released last week? I thought he was doing well after the promotion.

[lightfoot789]

3 Words

"Adam Brett Walker"

The man is on fire. Can he get 100 RBI before August?

[Larsbars08]

I said it after Sano had his two home run game, but it looks like Sano has figured out AA pitching. He's batting .286/.405/.600 the last 10 games. The average has been crawling upward and his OPS is above .850.

 

It's good to see Berrios have a bounce back game. I have to imagine that he's getting tired. He's already thrown more than twice as many innings as he threw last year. I have to believe that it's tougher for young pitchers to adjust to full season ball than it is for hitters. I have no idea how many innings he threw in a year during high school, but if it's anything like Kohl Stewart, it wasn't a lot.

[Mave]

Nelson Molina: 0-4 tonight and has started his career 1-41 over 13 games in the GCL.*

 

Any word on the extent of his struggles? 7 K's in 41 ABs (~17%)-- has he just been unlucky? Over-matched? Combination?

 

 

 

*I'm really resisting the urge to say something along the lines of, "This really 'Will Hurt' his development as a legitimate prospect"...

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Any word on why Rosario didn't play either game?

 

Strep throat.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Re: Molina - I had a chance to ask someone inside the org about Molina's struggles...

 

"He said he's run into some tough luck, hard hit balls right at guys and all that. He will be fine."

[Twins Fan From Afar]

Yes, Rosario was in the hospital but it is not serious.

[Twins Fan From Afar]

Also, learned that reliever Bruce Pugh was released after tonight's games. Too bad.

[Wyorev]

Strep throat.

 

That's two words.

[lightfoot789]

The Kernels just keep on rolling. Will some of the Top College draftees move up to CR as they reach playoff time - If E'Town is struggling?

[Seth Stohs]

Also, learned that reliever Bruce Pugh was released after tonight's games. Too bad.

 

Sad to hear that. He's a good guy, and he throws hard. Struggled with some injury and with throwing strikes on occasion, but generally, I thought he had a chance.

[Pitz]

Pretty nice performance from Kohl Stewart, a lot of ground balls but some really poor defense. Nice to see that 3 straight errors when he entered the game did not seem to rattle him. It'd be pretty easy for any pitcher to lose it under those circumstances.

 

I'm hoping Rosario is back in action soon, I'm looking forward to seeing him and Sano in Reading this weekend.

[clutterheart]

Sad to hear that. He's a good guy, and he throws hard. Struggled with some injury and with throwing strikes on occasion, but generally, I thought he had a chance.

 

Me too. He was moved to the bullpen pretty quick after some success as a starter in the low minors. He must have really struggleled throwing anything but a FB.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

The Kernels just keep on rolling. Will some of the Top College draftees move up to CR as they reach playoff time - If E'Town is struggling?

 

I think there is a high probability that happens. I would think it has more to do with the innings some arms are accumulating. The Twins don't like their pitchers taking huge leaps in IP. And a lot of low level starters are a year removed from being college relievers. Guys like Peterson, Bixler and even Eades and Slegers could find themselves in Cedar Rapids by the end of the season.

[VandyTwinsFan]

Is it just me, or has Buxton been putting up a lot of 0-fer's recently? The BA is starting to creep downwards in addition to quite a few strikeouts adding up. Is it just a tough stretch or have opposing pitchers found a weakness?

[drjim]

Is it just me, or has Buxton been putting up a lot of 0-fer's recently? The BA is starting to creep downwards in addition to quite a few strikeouts adding up. Is it just a tough stretch or have opposing pitchers found a weakness?

 

Keep in mind this is his first full year with lots of extra attention and commitments. He could be suffering from some fatigue.

[eagle]

Buxton is probably hitting the wall. He's never come close to playing this many games in a year and eventually it wears on you. He also jumped up to +A which is a notorious pitchers league, just another level of adjustment similar to what Sano is going through. He is 19 years old, let's not forget that. He isn't a robot.

[Seth Stohs]

In his last ten games, Buxton is 6-44 (.136) with one extra base hits. He has three walks and 15 strikeouts in that time.

 

Just a good reminder of how tough the game is and how everyone is going to meet the occasional struggles. The good ones come back. See Sano, Miguel.

[cjhawk]

Honest question: What does Adam Walker have to do to get promoted?

[twinstalker]

Honest question: What does Adam Walker have to do to get promoted?

I'm not sure what his weaknesses are and where he is in his development, but I think that a consideration when a guy needs work yet is what it does to the affiliate. Yeah, you could promote him, but he needs to work on a few things, and he's a big part of the team in Cedar Rapids. They have fans, too.

 

Now, of course, that consideration won't come into play when there's room for promotion, and there's nothing left to accomplish at the current level. But if the Twins are somewhat on the fence, I think it plays a part. I'm sure they've spoken with ABW about what he needs to do, so maybe Seth needs to make a call to the man himself.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

Danny Ortiz continues to be overlooked as a prospect, but he was very good in this game.

----------------------------

 

I like what Ortiz can do since he carries a good mix of tools, but his inability to draw walks is a huge drawback. His OPS hasn't ventured far above .750 in any of his pro seasons and that's mainly because his career OBP has consistently sat around .305. I think he could be a decent corner outfielder if he could improve his patience, but that is VERY hard to do.

[cjhawk]

I'm not sure what his weaknesses are and where he is in his development, but I think that a consideration when a guy needs work yet is what it does to the affiliate. Yeah, you could promote him, but he needs to work on a few things, and he's a big part of the team in Cedar Rapids. They have fans, too.

 

Now, of course, that consideration won't come into play when there's room for promotion, and there's nothing left to accomplish at the current level. But if the Twins are somewhat on the fence, I think it plays a part. I'm sure they've spoken with ABW about what he needs to do, so maybe Seth needs to make a call to the man himself.

 

That's an understandable and logical explanation. My followup thoughts/question would be the "room for promotion" part? Who is really blocking him at A+ in Fort Meyers? I've only this year really started getting into the lower levels of minor league baseball (99% thanks to this site).