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  • Twins Minor League Report (6/2): Palka Goes Deep Twice - AGAIN!


    Eric Pleiss

    I spent my evening at Target Field, and the guy behind me mentioned that Joe Mauer was the highest paid player on the team six different times. Once after each Mauer at-bat, and a couple times during the game when recently-promoted Max Kepler had base hits, despite not being the highest paid player on the team. And then this dude still managed to boo the Rays when they intentionally walked Mauer. This is the same Joe Mauer that is the reigning AL Player of the Week. Sheesh. Anyways, things had to be more positive in the minor leagues, right?

    Image courtesy of Kelly McGlohon, 27 Outs (photo of Daniel Palka)

    Twins Video

    Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system:

    Transaction Log: The Twins signed outfielder Logan Schafer to a MiLB deal and assigned him to the Rochester Red Wings.

    RED WINGS REPORT

    Rochester @ Indianapolis Indians

    Box Score

    The Red Wings are now six games over .500 and tied with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders for first place in the International League North and just a half game behind the Columbus Clippers for the best record in the league. The Red Wings played to a 1-1 tie through the first three innings, but pulled ahead with a three-run fourth, and never looked back.

    Former Yankee catcher John Ryan Murphy (he of the Aaron Hicks trade) had a 1-3 night out of the 9-hole with a double and an RBI, but is hitting just .162 at AAA after a super disappointing start to the year in Minnesota. The Red Wings received multi-hit games from Wilfredo Tovar (2-4, 2 RBI, BB), James Beresford (2-5), and Eddie Rosario (2-5, HR, RBI). Rosario is now hitting .317 in AAA and likely a little pissed off that the Twins brought up Max Kepler to replace the injured Miguel Sano instead of him. Good on him, get to work and we'll see you back in a Twins uniform before too long.

    Tommy Milone (another Twins castoff, along with nearly 1/3 of this Red Wings roster) earned his third AAA win to move to 3-0 and has a 2.08 ERA on the year. He went 6.1 innings giving up 7 hits, one earned run, one walk, and he struck out a trio of Indians. J.T. Chargois came in and gave up a run in 1.2 innings, and his ERA climbed all the way to 0.90. He also struck out 3 of the 7 batters he faced. Alex Wimmers (couldn't hit a barn because he used to have the yips) pitched a perfect ninth, retiring all three batters he faced, recording a strikeout to boot.

    Final: Red Wings 5, Indians 2

    LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN

    Chattanooga Lookouts @ Birmingham Braves

    Box Score

    Despite giving up a run in the bottom of the first to fall behind 0-1, the Lookouts hung tough and took the lead after scoring runs in back-to-back-to-back innings to pull ahead 3-1 after six innings and then hung on for the victory.

    As a team the Lookouts struck out 12 times to go along with just 2 walks, but still managed to push enough runs across to win a game. Only two Chattanooga hitters had multi-hit games, Zach Granite and Daniel Palka who hit a pair of home runs for the second night in a row! Granite was 2-5 with a double and a strikeout from the leadoff position, while Palka provided a 2-4 night with a pair of solo home runs (and a pair of strikeouts). Palka now leads the Southern League with 11 dingers and is sixth in slugging. Palka, if you recall, was the return on the Chris Hermann to the Diamondbacks trade, completed in November of last year.

    David Hurlbut earned his third win of the year to even his record at 3-3 with 6.1 innings of seven hit, one run ball. He walked one and struck out two. He was replaced by Mason Melotakis who earned his fifth hold of the year by finishing the fifth. Luke Westphal earned a hold as well, his first of the year, despite giving up a run in the eighth. Jake Reed earned his second save of the year, closing out the game with a two-strikeout ninth.

    Final: Lookouts 4, Braves 2

    MIRACLE MATTERS

    Game 1: St. Lucie Mets @ Fort Myers Miracle

    Box Score

    Luckily the Miracle had an opportunity to play two on Thursday night as they managed just a single hit in the first game of the double-dip, a Brian Olson single in the third inning. The rest of the squad, including first-round draftee Nick Gordon were a combined 0-20 with three strikeouts and no walks.

    Miracle starter Keaton Steele had a forgettable outing, going just 3.0 innings and giving up five runs (all earned) in a disaster start on the front end of a doubleheader. Brian Gilbert pitched 1.2 innings of less-than-stellar baseball, giving up two runs on three hits, three walks, and a home run. John Curtiss gave up a run over a four-out outing, and Luke Bard finished things respectably for the Miracle with a quick, scoreless, ninth inning.

    Final: Mets 8, Miracle 0

    Game 2: St. Lucie Mets @ Fort Myers Miracle

    Box Score

    The Miracle used a Chris Paul walk-off single to win the second game of the double- header to earn a split. With one out and a runner on third, a Chris Paul singled scored Tanner Witt from third to win the game.

    After picking up just a single hit in the first game, the Miracle added eight in the second game, with a pair from Chris Paul, including the game winner, and three from Alex Real (3-3, with a double and 2 RBI).

    Felix Jorge pitched a complete game (seven innings) for the Miracle, saving the bullpen after the short start in Game 1, giving up seven hits, three runs (two earned) while walking no one and striking out four. He also gave up a home run. Jorge has a 1.83 ERA on the year to go along with a 4-3 record.

    Final: Mets 3, Miracle 4

    KERNELS KORNER

    Cedar Rapids Kernels @ Beloit Snappers

    Box Score

    It is really hard to have nine hits and score just one run, while outhitting an opponent that scored seven runs on just eight hits, but the Kernels managed to do just that.

    LaMonte Wade remained hot with a 2-4 night, and A.J. Murray had a nice little night as well, going 2-4, including a double and a strike out. Jermaine Palacios was 3-4 out of the 8-hole with a double and a strike out, raising his average to .205.

    Kernels' starter Dereck Rodriguez gave up all seven Snappers runs over the first four innings, givng up up seven hits, a walk, and a home run while striking out just two. After four, D-Rod was lifted for Anthony McIver who went 2.0 innings and gave up just a single hit while striking out three. Sam Gibbons and Michael Theofanopoulos each pitched a scoreless inning to finish the game. Theofanopoulos now sports a nifty little 1.73 ERA.

    Final: Kernels 1, Snappers 7

    TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

    Hitter of the Day - Daniel Palka - Chattanooga Lookouts

    Pitcher of the Day - Felix Jorge - Fort Myers Miracle

    FRIDAY'S PROBABLES

    Rochester @ Louisville Bats (6:05pm) - Andrew Albers (3-1, 3.93) vs. Cody Reed

    Chattanooga @ Birmingham Braves (7:05pm) - Aaron Slegers (2-4, 4.08) vs. David Holmberg

    Daytona Flyers @ Fort Myers (6:05pm) - Tejay Antone vs. Randy Rosario (2-4, 3.53)

    Peoria Chiefs @ Cedar Rapids (6:35pm) - TBD vs. Miles Nordgren (2-1, 2.58)

    Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games.

    -ERolf

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    Rosario is hitting .317, but he also has an OBP of .317. No walks in 60 ABs. Is there some defiance going on? The Twins were very clear about his need to stop swing at everything. Hard to imagine a player with Rosario's experience couldn't manage a few walks out of 60 ABs if he truly considered it a priority.

     

     

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    What does Palka need to do to get promoted to AAA? I would think the Twins would just promote him rather than signing Logan shaffer

     

    They could have, but in May Palka hit just .200/.270/.360 (.630) with a 31% strikeout rate. I kind of think he's where he needs to be for right now... though, if he hits two home runs every game through June, I think that might signal something.

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    Rosario is hitting .317, but he also has an OBP of .317. No walks in 60 ABs. Is there some defiance going on? The Twins were very clear about his need to stop swing at everything. Hard to imagine a player with Rosario's experience couldn't manage a few walks out of 60 ABs if he truly considered it a priority.

     

    I can't speak to how all 60 of his at bats have looked. Obviously we'd all like to see more walks, but at the same time, maybe he is swinging aggressively at good pitches and leaning better what areas he can attack. I'm kind of looking into that idea of being able to develop a better approach at the plate or at 24-25, are you just kind of who you are. That may be the case, somewhat, with Rosario. He's never going to walk a ton, but improving the approach at the plate would be nice.

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    How soon does D Rodriguez move to RP, or get released?

    He really seems to be susceptible to the proverbial 'big inning'! In his last 4 starts, he has had 3- six run innings and 1 five run inning!

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    How soon does D Rodriguez move to RP, or get released?

    Was wondering this as well. I understand that starting theoretically gives him more opportunities to develop, but it doesn't appear to be working for him and hurts the team.  Sadly, when I saw he was starting last night I thought, 'Well, the Kernels probably aren't winning this game.' A change seems needed. I would think they'd give him a shot in the pen before releasing him.

     

    What other options are there for starters for Cedar Rapids?

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    How soon does D Rodriguez move to RP, or get released?

     

    The Kernels announced this morning that they are adding RHP Eddie Del Rosario... possible he could start in Rodriguez's place. Was listening to one of my interviews with Jake Mauer from last weekend and he was basically saying that Rodriguez has the stuff, but right now it isn't working. Mauer was clearly frustrated and basically said there weren't a lot of other options, BUT if things kept going, there would need to be a change. This might be that change... (though I don't know that officially).

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    I think it's fine to keep Palka in AA.  1) It's his first taste of the league. 2) It's only been about 40 games. 3) The Twins (and many teams) generally consider AA a step away from the majors anyway and 4) wouldn't he cut into Rosario and Walker's playing time in AAA?  I assume Rosario is in a corner and Schafer was signed to play center.  

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    Has the real Jermaine Palacios finally shown up?

     

    First 34 games/134 PA: .174/.241/.190/(.431) wRC+ 35 XBH 2

     

    Took 2 days off

     

    Last 9 games/40 PA: .314/.359/.543/(.902) wRC+ 161 XBH 5 

     

    Any eyewitness reports?

     

    I was there last weekend. I mean, he looks OK at the plate. I didn't see anything exciting, but he has had some good games the last few days which likely account for a lot of the success in those numbers. He's got a long ways to go...

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    I think it's fine to keep Palka in AA.  1) It's his first taste of the league. 2) It's only been about 40 games. 3) The Twins (and many teams) generally consider AA a step away from the majors anyway and 4) wouldn't he cut into Rosario and Walker's playing time in AAA?  I assume Rosario is in a corner and Schafer was signed to play center.  

     

    Logan Schafer? What, Did Terry lose Jordan Schafer's number?

     

    The jam in the AAA OF could grow even worse should Buxton/Kepler be sent back down once the 3 DL'd guys are reinstated.

     

    Palka appears to be a streak power hitter with a strong penchant for striking out. I'm thinking he's best served by staying put and continuing to get regular ABs in and working to smooth out his plate approach. I'm thinking he'd absolutely be eaten alive against even mediocre MLB pitching at the present time. Curiously, and hopefully another thing to build on, he has a reverse platoon split in AA, really crushing it against LHP and much more pedestrian vs. RHP.

     

    More evidence that Palka still has a long way to go on his plate approach... the gap between his production when ahead in the count vs. behind the count is as wide as the Grand Canyon (about the same PAs):

     

    Ahead in Count: .356/.525/.576/(1.101)

    Behind in Count: .156/.156/.236/(.391)

     

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    I was there last weekend. I mean, he looks OK at the plate. I didn't see anything exciting, but he has had some good games the last few days which likely account for a lot of the success in those numbers. He's got a long ways to go...

     

    Good numbers for Palacios in the games both before and after last weekend.

     

    Looks like he must have had a case of nervousness knowing you were in attendance? ;)

     

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    What does Palka need to do to get promoted to AAA? I would think the Twins would just promote him rather than signing Logan shaffer

     

    Palka now leads the Southern League with 11 dingers and is sixth in slugging

     

     

    He's also second in the Southern League with 61 strikeouts.  That's approaching Adam Walker (and Buxton, and Sano, and Park, and Arcia) territory.  Huh, by that logic maybe we should just bring Palka up to the big leagues....  

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    Dear Jimbo:

     

    But.... I love swinging the bat! It's one of my favorite activities to do! Please advise. 

    Love, 
    Eddie

     

    Dear Eddie,

     

    For every walk you take, I'll let you take 100 swings in the cage. Hell, we don't even have to turn the pitching machine on if you don't want to!

     

    Love,

    Chad Allen

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    Also a little disappointed Palka hasn't been brought up to Rochester with the shortage of OF there. I would assume a bit of a cold spell...not including the HR..is what's keeping him down. I get the 61 SO, but he does also have 22 BB to give himself a .351 OB% to with a .273 AVG despite a poor stretch. So it looks like there is something to work with there.

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