Twins Minor League Report (6/14): Poppen Pitching Well in Rochester

Find out everything that happened happened in the Twins system on Thursday, starting with the transactions of the day.

TRANSACTIONS

• The Twins have signed several of their 2019 draft picks. Keep up with those who signed here.
  
• Ryan Eades was optioned to Rochester with Fernando Romero called up to the Twins.
  
• Ft. Myers announced the RHP Cole Sands was placed on the Injured List (blister). Taking his spot on the Miracle roster was RHP Dakota Chalmers. He came to the Twins organization last August in exchange for RHP Fernando Rodney. Chalmers had Tommy John surgery last May.
  
• Cedar Rapids announced that RHP Luis Rijo was activated from the Injured List. LHP JT Perez was sent to extended spring training.
  
• Several players were released from EST as 2019 draft picks sign and the short-season leagues begin. Released on Thursday include RHP Jose Bermudez, Cristian Castro, 2B Hunter Lee, infielder Agustin Marte, and infielder Victor Tademo.
  

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 6, Columbus 2

Box Score

The Red Wings scored three runs in the first inning and added on all while getting another strong pitching performance from Sean Poppen.

The right-hander from Harvard has been really good with the Red Wings. On this afternoon, he gave up two runs (one earned) over six innings. He gave up five hits, walked one and struck out nine. He improved to 4-0 with a 1.55 ERA. Preston Guilmet got the final three outs. Before him, Jake Reed struck out three over two scoreless innings. You will notice a change in Reed that might surprise you. Tom put Jake Reed under the Prospect Spotlight.

Wilin Rosario led the offense. He went 4-for-4 with two doubles and four RBIs. Luis Arraez went 3-for-5 with his third double. Jake Cave went 2-for-4. Nick Gordon was 2-for-5. And your Willians Astudillo update… he went 2-or-4 with two RBIs.

BLUE WAHOO BITES

Pensacola 3, Tennessee 4 (10 innings)

Box Score

Randy Dobnak made his return to the Blue Wahoos rotation. He gave up two runs on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out five batters. Jeff Ames came on and tossed 2 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings. He struck out four.

The game went to extra innings tied at two. Tyler Palm came on, making his first appearance since being promoted from EST. He gave up two runs (one earned, due to 10th inning starting with a runner on second base). In the bottom of the 10th inning, Jordan Gore singled in a run, but the comeback fell short.

Gore went 3-for-3 in the game with two RBIs. Ben Rortvedt went 2-for-4 with his second double. Jimmy Kerrigan and Joe Cronin both went 1-for-3 with a walk. Kerrigan hit his fifth double.

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers, Tampa

Box Score

The game was cancelled due to rain. Ft. Myers begins its All-Star weekend.

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 0, Wisconsin 2

Box Score

Luis Rijo returned to the mound and pitched very well. The right-hander went five scoreless innings and gave up just one hit. He struck out three and didn’t walk a batter. On-site reports tell us that he hit 96 on the radar gun.

Alex Schick came on and gave up two runs on two hits and a walk in the sixth inning. Zach Neff followed with two scoreless innings, and Carlos Suniaga pitched a scoreless ninth frame.

Not much offense for the Kernels. They had just four hits. Gabe Snyder hit his 11th double. Yeltsin Encarnacion hit his third triple.

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day - Luis Rijo, Cedar Rapids Kernels

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Wilin Rosario, Rochester Red Wings

PROSPECT SUMMARY

Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed:

#1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) - Rained Out.

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) - Injured List

#3 - Brusdar Graterol (Pensacola) - Injured List (shoulder)

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Ft. Myers) - Rained Out.

#5 - Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) - 0-4, 3 K

#6 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) - 1-3, R, BB, 2K

#7 - Jhoan Duran (Ft. Myers) -.Rained Out.

#8 - Lewis Thorpe (Rochester) - Did Not Pitch

#9 - Blayne Enlow (Ft. Myers) - Did Not Pitch.

#10 - Akil Baddoo (Ft. Myers) - Injured List (Tommy John surgery)

#11 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - 2-5, R, 2K

#12 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) - Injured List (elbow)

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Ft. Myers) - Rained Out.

#14 - Ben Rortvedt (Pensacola) - 2-4, 2B(2), K

#15 - Yunior Severino (Cedar Rapids) - Injured List (thumb)

#16 - Gilberto Celestino (Cedar Rapids) - 0-4, K

#17 - Zack Littell (Rochester) - Did Not Pitch.

#18 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) - Did Not Play.

#19 - Jorge Alcala (Pensacola) - Did Not Pitch.

#20 - Jose Miranda (Ft. Myers) - Rained Out.

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Charlotte (6:05 CST) - RHP Kohl Stewart (5-3, 4.11 ERA)

Tennessee @ Pensacola (6:35 CST) - LHP Charlie Barnes (0-1, 3.86 ERA)

Ft. Myers - No Game Scheduled (All Star Break)

Clinton @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) - RHP Josh Winder (4-1, 2.64 ERA)

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Thursday games or any other minor league topics you would like.