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  • Twins Minor League Report (6/21): Thorpedo Locked In


    Tom Froemming

    There were too many great performances across the Twins’ minor league system to mention them all in this intro, but Lewis Thorpe was particularly impressive. He had 12 strikeouts and only gave up one hit and one walk over seven innings. Holy smokes. Check out what else happened in the minors on Thursday.

    Image courtesy of Seth Stohs, Twins Daily (photo of Lewis Thorpe)

    Twins Video

    TRANSACTIONS

    Alex Kirilloff was promoted to Fort Myers. To take his spot in Cedar Rapids, Ben Rodriguez was activated from the DL.

    Edgar Corcino was promoted to Rochester, Jaylin Davis jumped up to Chattanooga and Nick Buss was released.

    RED WINGS REPORT

    Rochester 2, Syracuse 1 (10 innings)

    Box Score

    W: Nick Anderson (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K)

    SP: Zack Littell (6.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K)

    HR: None

    Multi-hit games: None

    Zack Granite got the walk-off hit, picking up his very first RBI of the season. This game was knotted up at 0-0 until the Red Wings, or I guess they were the Plates tonight, broke through with a run in the seventh inning.

    Jake Cave singled, LaMonte Wade drew a one-out walk, Willians Astudillo singled to load the bases and Kennys Vargas managed to drive in a run on a ground out.

    Tyler Duffey was nasty in the eighth, striking out three of the four batters he faced, but allowed the game-tying run to score in the bottom of the ninth. Nick Anderson pitched a scoreless 10th inning before Granite managed to drive home the free runner (bonus runner?) in the bottom half of the inning to end it.

    Byron Buxton was 1-for-3 with two strikeouts and a stolen base.

    CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

    Chattanooga 12, Biloxi 2

    Box Score

    W: Lewis Thorpe (7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 K)

    HR: Tanner English (1), Jimmy Kerrigan (2), Brent Rooker (10)

    Multi-hit games: Kerrigan, Chris Paul, Ryan Walker, English

    Complete domination. Lewis Thorpe was untouchable on the mound and the offense was firing on all cylinders. Here's a great Tweet from Chris Blessing of Baseball HQ;

    https://twitter.com/C_Blessing/status/1009971966005129217

    Jimmy Kerrigan was 4-for-5 and scored four runs and Chris Paul had three hits and had six RBIs. Just when you think it couldn’t get any better ...

    MIRACLE MATTERS

    Fort Myers 10, Bradenton 0

    Box Score

    W: Charlie Barnes (7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K)

    HR: None

    Multi-hit games: Mark Contreras, Lewin Diaz, Luis Arraez, Ben Rortvedt, Taylor Grzelakowski, Caleb Hamilton, Brandon Lopez

    … the Miracle put together an even more impressive performance. Every member of the Fort Myers lineup had at least one hit, with seven batters putting together multi-hit games.

    Mark Contreras and Lewin Diaz led the way in terms of hitting with three hits each, but Luis Arraez reached safely four times, picking up two hits and two walks. Caleb Hamilton led the team in total bases on the night, as he hit a double and a triple.

    Charlie Barnes, who’s been really rolling, had one of his most impressive performances as a pro, pitching seven shutout innings. Colton Davis was perfect over the final two frames. Alex Kirilloff was 1-for-6 and scored a run in his FSL debut.

    KERNELS NUGGETS

    Cedar Rapids 5, Wisconsin 4

    Box Score

    W: Randy Dobnak (6.1 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K)

    SV: Jovani Moran (2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB 5 K)

    HR: Royce Lewis (7), Ben Rodriguez (4)

    Multi-hit games: Akil Baddoo, Royce Lewis, Ben Rodriguez, Davis Banuelos

    The Kernels were down a run heading into the bottom of the sixth, but Ben Rodriguez hit a go-ahead two-run inside-the-park home run to put the Kernels on top. Jovani Moran was perfect over the final 2 2/3 innings, all while protecting a one-run lead. He’s struggled with control at times, but when Moran is on (like he was tonight) he’s special. Of the eight batters he faced, he struck out five of them.

    Royce Lewis, beat up knee and all, slugged his seventh homer, a three-run shot. Randy Dobnak scattered nine hits across 6 1/3 innings to earn his fifth victory.

    E-TWINS E-NOTES

    Elizabethton 9, Burlington 5

    Box Score

    W: Blair Lakso (1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4K)

    SV: Johan Quezada (1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K)

    SP: Andrew Cabezas (3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K)

    HR: None

    Multi-hit games: Ryan Jeffers, Jared Akins, Ariel Montesino, Chris Williams, Trevor Casanova, Ricky De La Torre, Lean Marrero

    Ryan Jeffers is among the more intriguing new faces to the Twins’ organization. We’re learning this early on: Dude can hit. Jeffers was 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, three RBIs and a pair of runs Thursday. Fellow 2018 draftee Trevor Casanova was 2-for-3 with a walk.

    On the mound, 18th-round pick Andrew Cabezas made his professional debut, striking out five batters over three innings of one-run ball.

    GCL TWINS TAKES

    OFF

    STARS OF THE DAY

    Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day: Lewis Thorpe, Chattanooga

    Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day: Jimmy Kerrigan, Chattanooga

    TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

    1. Royce Lewis, CR: 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBIs, R, K

    2. Fernando Romero, MIN

    3. Nick Gordon, ROC: 0-for-4, 2 Ks

    4. Stephen Gonsalves, ROC: Did not pitch.

    5. Alex Kirilloff, FM: 1-for-6, R, K

    6. Wander Javier: Out for the season with a shoulder injury.

    7. Brent Rooker, CHAT: 1-for-4, HR, BB, RBI, 2 Rs

    8. Blayne Enlow, CR: Did not pitch.

    9. Brusdar Graterol, CR: Did not pitch.

    10. Akil Baddoo, CR: 2-for-4, 2B, R.

    11. Zack Littell, ROC: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K

    12. Lewis Thorpe, CHAT: 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 K

    13. Lewin Diaz, FM: 3-for-5, 2B, RBI, 2 Rs

    14. LaMonte Wade, ROC: 1-for-3, 2B, BB, K

    15. Mitch Garver, MIN

    16. Ben Rortvedt, FM: 2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBIs, 2 Rs, K

    17. Travis Blankenhorn, FM: 1-for-5, RBI, R, 2 Ks

    18. Yunior Severino, ET: Did not play

    19. Tyler Jay, CHAT: Did not pitch.

    20. Felix Jorge: Out with knee injury.

    FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

    Rochester vs. Scranton, 6:05 pm CT: Stephen Gonsalves

    Chattanooga vs. Biloxi, 6:15 pm CT: Sean Poppen

    Fort Myers at Bradenton, 5:30 pm CT: Tyler Wells

    Cedar Rapids vs. Wisconsin, 6:35 pm CT: Bailey Ober

    Elizabethton at Bristol, 6:00 pm CT, TBD

    GCL Twins vs. GCL Red Sox, 11:00 am CT: TBD

    Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the games.

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    Damn that Thorpe start is nice.  I think by this time next year we look at Thorpe and Graterol as our best future rotation pieces.  Or at least the ones with the most upside.

    Next year?  I look at Thorpe and Graterol as our best candidates for future rotations right now.  Drooling at the thought of a rotation with Berrios, Romero, Thorpe, Graterol and whomever!  Hopefully, that is in place by opening day 2020.

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    congrats to Kirilloff on the promotion, it's well deserved. Should be fun to see how he does hitting in high A for the rest of the year; if he keeps on rolling that's a really good sign. He's still really young, so it's nice to see him bump up a level.

     

    I wonder if the tender knee is a reason they're not moving Royce Lewis up right now? Maybe they just want to him play through it and have concerns that he'll overstress things pushing too hard at a new level? On performance, he's earned it.

     

    Really pleased with Rortvedt's development this year. He's taken a nice step forward, showing a much improved hit tool. He's a guy I'm really curious to see if he can develop into a guy that could be a quality starting MLB catcher. still a lot of work to be done, but I'm rooting for the guy.

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    1) I'm pretty sure they are trying to maximize the potential return.

     

    2) It's not a race to get to the Kernels or the Miracle. Jeffers hit in college.

     

    3) He's got things to work on. For him specifically, I think working for a month or whatever with two former MLB catchers can't' be a bad thing (Ray Smith, Jeff Reed). 

     

     

     

     

    1) Pretty sure that that there's lots of evidence of the organization failing at this over and over.

     

    2) Nobody cares about a race to A or A+. We do all care about getting the best players to the majors while they are in their ascendant curve... as well as long before they potentially break down (big issue for pitchers and catchers). Lots of study and experts agree on this.

     

    3) Jeffers does have lots to work on. Both his body type and catching tools are suspect- not sure why going to a substandard facility, in the midst of the Appy shuffle of players, addresses these issues. The natural place of choice- with the state of the art facilities and multiple top trainers/evaluators is Ft Myers. He could "shuttle" between GCL and A+ ball, in the process of that, getting the full proper attention to his specific areas of need.

     

    Edited by jokin
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    Damn that Thorpe start is nice.  I think by this time next year we look at Thorpe and Graterol as our best future rotation pieces.  Or at least the ones with the most upside.

     

    First stat line I noticed when I checked last night's results was Thorpe's. 71.5% strike rate last night. 8 of 12 Ks were whiffs.

     

    Even with his early season struggles in adjusting back from his injury, he's still at or near the top in the key command/control/swing-and-miss SP peripherals in the Southern League. And he's quite young for AA at age 22.

     

    A few more starts even close to this, and you have to place him strongly in the conversation for him starting out 2019 in the Twins rotation. Not sure what his inning limitations are for 2018, but Thorpe's stuff could conceivably fit in perfectly to replace one of the faltering bullpen arms in another month or so (with 3 or 4 AAA appearances, first?), ala the Cardinals method of promoting their best pitching prospects to the bullpen first before they make them starters.

    Edited by jokin
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    I don't think evaluation is the largest purpose of the minor leagues. Develop prospects carefully, and the evaluations take care of themselves in due time.
     
    / edit - I'm all for analytics, but I would trade 100 of me for one good coach who knows how to bring first-year guys along.

     

    Is that an option? I vote for that as well.

     

    Four of Thorpe's last six starts he hasn't allowed an earned run. I think I'm already at the point of bumping both Thorpe and Graterol ahead of Gonsalves on my happy thoughts prospect list.

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    / edit - I'm all for analytics, but I would trade 100 of me* for one good coach who knows how to bring first-year guys along.

     

    Is that an option? I vote for that as well.

    * Plus a top-50 prospect would be required. I forgot to mention that part.

     

    / edit - second prize is 200 of me

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    Seth and I seem to disagree with you. These guys are constantly being evaluated during their minor league development. The initial evaluation, I would think, is especially important- it's what leads to proper competitive placement commensurate with his optimal developmental projection.

     

    Jeffers is a very big guy for a catcher- 6'4", and possibly a bit heavy- 225#. Catchers already take forever to reach the majors. Other than pitching, no position is harder on the body than catching- the risk of both incidental and overuse injury constantly endangers full- or even minimal- return on investment. Every edge to move the process along should be pursued, especially when a prospect shows initial special talent at a position of scarcity. 

     

    I think most of MLB disagrees with you on this :) 

     

    Rookie leagues for guys like Jeffers are for getting used to being on a pro-routine, learning a wood bat, and those types of things. The Twins were very aggressive with Rooker last year, by MLB standards, and he still played a few weeks in Rookie ball. If Jeffers keeps mashing, he will no doubt get a bump to one of the A ball affiliates. I'm not sure there's much to critique at this point.

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    Arraez is a name I keep reading. Before his unfortunate season ending injury last year he was on the top ~20 prospect lists for the organization. Is he rising up your personal list Seth/Tom?

    I had him 27th on my preseason list and on my very rough first draft of a midseason list I've got him at 21.

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    I had him 27th on my preseason list and on my very rough first draft of a midseason list I've got him at 21.

    I don't know anything about his fielding ability, but when healthy the dude can mash the ball.

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    It's a reference to some Rochester food thing. A big plate of food with random things on it called a "garbage plate". It would be like if the St. Paul Saints changed their name to the "Hot Dish" or something.

    I spent six (long) years in Rochester. If one has been out drinking and wants to mitigate a hangover by eating greasy food, one heads to Nick Tahou’s and consumes a garbage plate a/k/a a “Garbo”. It has baked beans, home fries and a slice “white hot” sausage. The place doesn’t even open until 11 pm or something.

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    I think most of MLB disagrees with you on this :)

     

    Rookie leagues for guys like Jeffers are for getting used to being on a pro-routine, learning a wood bat, and those types of things. The Twins were very aggressive with Rooker last year, by MLB standards, and he still played a few weeks in Rookie ball. If Jeffers keeps mashing, he will no doubt get a bump to one of the A ball affiliates. I'm not sure there's much to critique at this point.

     

    Doing things the way they've always been done is exactly the type of thinking common in MLB before better analytics came along and changed the game. Any guy at this premium position (a position that puts a lot of wear on the tires, plus the ever-increasing awareness of concussion issues), as well as other proven 21-year old college hitters with multi-million dollar investments made in them get very little out of hitting against the pitching at this level of play. 

     

    I'd like to see total focus on seeing if they can make Jeffers into a physically fit major league catcher sometime sooner than at the end of a long 6+-year minor league apprenticeship- simply because that's the way MLB has always done it.

     

    Seriously, I'd think that a facility like Ft Myers is an asset that the Twins could utilize to develop an internal "pitcher-catcher academy" to concentrate and hopefully accelerate the development period for the top prospects.

    Edited by jokin
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    Doing things the way they've always been done is exactly the type of thinking common in MLB before better analytics came along and changed the game. Any guy at this premium position (a position that puts a lot of wear on the tires, plus the ever-increasing awareness of concussion issues), as well as other proven 21-year old college hitters with multi-million dollar investments made in them get very little out of hitting against the pitching at this level of play. 

     

    I'd like to see total focus on seeing if they can make Jeffers into a physically fit major league catcher sometime sooner than at the end of a long 6+-year minor league apprenticeship- simply because that's the way MLB has always done it.

     

    Seriously, I'd think that a facility like Ft Myers is an asset that the Twins could utilize to develop an internal "pitcher-catcher academy" to concentrate and hopefully accelerate the development period for the top prospects.

    Honestly, I understand where you're coming from. You're right that doing things the way they've been done for the only reason that this is the only way they've ever done that is silly.

     

    I don't think that's the case here. He can spend a few weeks in Etown and then get promoted if he's still mashing (which to date he is). It allows for the adjustment. And then the promotion. For the record, that's exactly what the new FO did with Rooker last year. I wouldn't be shocked in the least if Jeffers is on the same path.

     

    Jeffers' still needs to prove himself... and gain confidence. Maybe I'm wrong, but I do think this new FO has a better plan than the last FO. It's worth watching and seeing. Both, I might add are powerful.

     

    Let's wait and see what they do before we cast judgement.

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    Honestly, I understand where you're coming from. You're right that doing things the way they've been done for the only reason that this is the only way they've ever done that is silly.

     

    I don't think that's the case here. He can spend a few weeks in Etown and then get promoted if he's still mashing (which to date he is). It allows for the adjustment. And then the promotion. For the record, that's exactly what the new FO did with Rooker last year. I wouldn't be shocked in the least if Jeffers is on the same path.

     

    Jeffers' still needs to prove himself... and gain confidence. Maybe I'm wrong, but I do think this new FO has a better plan than the last FO. It's worth watching and seeing. Both, I might add are powerful.

     

    Let's wait and see what they do before we cast judgement.

     

    Jeffers was 4 for 4 tonight with 2 doubles and 2 BBs. His LD% is near 75%. That's probably a higher percentage than a typical hitter performs in BP. I'm thinking his confidence level is off the charts at this point while sporting his current .733 BA.

     

    Oh, he's only caught one game out of 4 so far.

    Edited by jokin
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