Twins Minor League Report (5/4) Down But Never Out

I attended the Kernels game once again, so I'll add a few observations.

Tyler Palm had a really good evening. He was perfect until Gabe Snyder couldn't handle a simple toss on a bunt attempt that resulted in a little league triple. That runner scored on a sac fly on a beautiful running catch by Pearson in left field.

Not sure why Dinkleman pulled him at 4.2 ... It had to be a low pitch count leash or bullpen work schedule related

I also got to be reminded that players aren't the only ones learning at this level. The umpire made an interference call against Dayton that resulted in the Dragons' manager being allowed to argue for literally 20-25 minutes. The umpire even left the field for 5 minutes. I'm not sure if it was to read the rule book, review film, cry or take a Xanax. Anyway that umpire needs to learn to take control of his field. Ridiculous.

Finally, I had a chance to chat with David Banuelos' father during the game. He was getting a little frustrated with some of the fans in front of us that were trying to get David to throw balls into the stands when he was warming up the relief pitchers. One fan even tried to offer up his single lady friend. That was awkward, since David's wife and infant son we're also there in the stands. David handled it all very professionally, but that has to be frustrating for a parent. I also got to learn that it was much easier for their family when he was in the Seattle org, but they are really grateful for any opportunity he gets.

Good report.

As for Palm, he has been working out of the bullpen in long relief to this point. He ended last night at 56 pitches. His previous high for the year was 51 pitches a few weeks ago. I'm sure they had a number of pitches that he couldn't pass. Maybe the pitch limit was 50 or 55 and he couldn't start a new hitter after that number. They're going to take care of arms, for sure. 

Banuelos is a good kid. I hate hearing about fans being rude and disrespectful. It's just not good. His family is from southern California. That said, the Mariners Low A affiliate last year was in the Midwest League (Clinton) and this year it's in West Virginia. Their High-A affiliate is in Modesto though. 

And yes, the umpires move up the ranks similarly to the players. 

I'm ready to start agitating for Rortvedt to move up to AA. He's hitting well in a tough environment (hes one of the top hitters for us in Ft. Myers). I want him and Jeffers to catch every day and splitting them up seems like the right move and Rortvedt has earned the nod. let's not wait.

 

Really happy to see Kirilloff back. Looking forward to seeing how he punished AA pitching and handles guys who likely have a better feel for their breaking pitches. I think it's a smart move to have him get some exposure at 1B: positional flexibility is always good and the way things are going at the big club, there might not be a lot of ABs in the OF. While I'm not unhappy with Cron, Kirilloff feels like a special hitter.

Simply, catchers are not going to catch every day. They just aren't. The Twins (and other teams) are not going to have minor league catchers catch more than about 50% (maybe 55-58% at most) of the time. So, even if Rortvedt moves up, he'll split time in AA with Caleb Hamilton and Brian Navarreto and Mitchell Kranson. He's off to a nice start, and that's a good thing, but playing time, or time behind the plate in games isn't going to be it. Same for Jeffers. If Rortvedt moves up, they'll bring a catcher like Banuelos or Rodriguez up and they'll split time behind the plate. Jeffers will continue to get extra ABs at DH. 

What a nice day for several of our young stars, Lewis, Kirilloff, Larnach, Gordon and Wade.  And a big welcome back to Mr. Rooker.

 

But what an ugly start by one of my favorites, Lewis Thorpe.  Seems he has a couple real good starts, then a game like last night.  Hopefully, he will get that behind him in case the Twins need a starter later this summer.

 

After several years of special teams down in Cedar Rapids, this year's version doesn't have any of our most recognizable prospects and is playing accordingly.  Hopefully, Wander Javier will join them soon and they will get several top college players from the 2019 draft.  With a little luck and lots of help, maybe they can have an excellent second half and return to the playoffs.

 

Speaking of Javier, is this the year the Twins will have to put him on the 40-man roster (he signed in July, 2015)?  Will be a very difficult decision as he has played a total of 50 games over the past four years, most recently at Elizabethton in 2017.  They really need to get this kid on the field...and soon.  Perhaps some of you with more knowledge of the situation, thinking of you, Seth, know if I am correct about this being the year he needs to be added.  Also, you may know much more about how he has looked when playing in EST, fall instructional league, etc.

 

When looking at 40-man adds this fall I have seven that I would consider must adds, Jax, Raley, Alcala, Graterol, Smeltzer, Duran and Javier.  Then there are three more that should garner strong consideration, Hackimer, Wiel and Diaz.  Expect the Twins are going to have to move at least one of these, perhaps more before December.

Thorpe will be fine. I think he's pretty mentally strong and has shown the ability to come back from rough stretches. AAA is hard, and remember they're using the MLB ball, less high seams. He's got to adjust to that as well. 

Regarding Javier: Will be a very easy decision for the Twins as it relates to the 40-man roster. He will certainly be added. Too much talent. And also ,hopefully they will have about 80 games of Low A ball to see even more. 

Interesting that Jeffers would get the extra  at-bats at DH, and Rortvedt not be considered for that as well. Says something to the early perceptions we develop of players. Rortvedt was struggling offensively in professional baseball as a teen. If the first we had heard about Rortvedt was as a 21-year old raking at a mid-tier college (like Jeffers), we'd probably think of him as a hitting prospect, not 'just' a catcher.

 

At this particular point in their development, Rortvedt certainly appears the better hitter, SSS notwithstanding. Walking more way more, striking out way less, hitting for more extra-bases (even HR's)...everything. And Rortvedt is younger. Yes, I get the power potential with Jeffers bat. And to their credit (at least IMO), Gardenhire/the organization is, in fact, not shorting Rortvedt PA's relative to Jeffers. They have almost the exact same number there.

 

Meanwhile, they are both (especially Rortvedt) throwing out base-runners at a very good clip. It'd be interesting to hear/see early reports on Jeffers' receiving skills.

Through 29 games:

Catcher Starts: Rortvedt 15, Jeffers 14

Total games played: Rortvedt 20, Jeffers 21. (I don't know if we can say that Rortvedt has 5 DH starts and Jeffers had 7... but I know both have several starts at DH this year, so they're both getting plenty of time behind the plate and plenty of extra at bats at the DH spot. 

From what I have seen, Rortvedt is incredible behind the plate with things like blocking and throwing, but I've heard that his pitch framing numbers are not good.

Jeffers is about Garver's size, so he isn't quite as quick and athletic as Rortvedt, but he does have a strong arm. He has had really good pitch framing numbers. 

So yes, they are both getting equal time catching and hitting.