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Such circumstances allowed Cedar Rapids Kernels third baseman TJ White and catcher/first baseman Brett Doe to spend a few weeks each in the middle of this summer wearing the uniform of the Fort Myers Miracle, the Minnesota Twins’ Class High-A affiliate, one level above the Class A Kernels. White and Doe both got their promotion opportunities in part due to the misfortune of others, as the Miracle began to rack up injuries among their early-season regulars at the corner infield positions. Both players had been holding their own in the Midwest League when their calls came, but both were also aware that their stays in Fort Myers might be short-lived. "Yeah, Jake pretty much let us know,” White recalled last week. “He said it could be four to five days, it could be two weeks or it could be the whole season. So we were looking to just go play and have fun with it.” For Doe, who wasn’t on the Kernels' original roster out of spring training, it wasn’t the first time this season that he’s lived with uncertainty concerning how long he’d be on a roster. "That’s kind of what I came up here (to Cedar Rapids) with, when (Jorge) Fernandez got hurt,” Doe recounted. “Once I got up here, it took me about a month and a half to unpack my bag, to actually unpack everything. So when I got there (to Fort Myers), I didn’t unpack.” At least players in a situation like what Doe and White found themselves in don’t have to try to find a short-term place to live during their time with the Miracle. Fort Myers doesn’t have a host family program similar to what exists in Cedar Rapids, but they do have an on-site Players Academy with dormitory-like housing. http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/White2015a900.jpg TJ White (Photo: SD Buhr) "We both stayed at the Academy,” confirmed White. “They set it up pretty much that way. We could have found a place to live, but with our situation, the Academy was a lot easier for us. "It’s nice. They’ve got the pool tables and ping-pong tables and everything. And they feed us, so it’s not bad.” The food and lodging might be nice, but maybe the biggest benefit to having even a temporary promotion to the next higher level of minor league ball is the exposure the players got to the class High-A game. Both Doe and White noticed significant differences in the quality of the game played in the Florida State League. "For me, we see the same velocity and stuff like that up there, but guys have a plan to get you out and they can execute that plan a little bit better,” observed Doe. “They didn’t miss as many spots – not saying guys here miss spots, but you just didn’t get as many pitches to hit. When you’re up there, I felt like, you can’t miss that pitch. If you get a pitch to hit, you can’t miss it.” "We kind of talked about it jokingly, because guys can locate their off-speed (pitches) so much more, which makes it so much more dangerous,” White agreed. “You might not see a fastball again after that first pitch, because they can control it so much better. Here, you’ll probably most likely get another fastball or two before the end of the at-bat.” Doe, who is attempting to learn the catching trade this season, after primarily being an infielder at the college level, didn’t get much time behind the plate in Fort Myers. But he’s not complaining. http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Doe2015d.jpg Brett Doe (Photo: SD Buhr) "I was first base, every game,” he said. “I worked with the bullpen, to stay sharp for me, catching. But once the game rolled around, I was at first base pretty much every day, which was nice. I went from being a third-string catcher here (in Cedar Rapids) at the beginning of the year to playing first base every day at High-A." The experience did cement one thing in to the minds of both players. They want to earn spots on the Fort Myers roster full time next season and getting some time there this year gives them some idea of what they need to do to make that happen. “For next year, yeah I think it did,” White confirmed. “Just showed us a little bit, gave us a little taste of it and hopefully, we’ll both be starting there next year. I think that’s our plan. But just seeing the pitchers and a little bigger ballpark, so we kind of know how to approach that, as well.” "That and then just us playing, what is it today, 122 games?” added Doe. “We’ve learned a lot from that, too. We’ve learned a lot in our first full season - how to get through and be ready for next season.” Enduring the number of games in a full minor league season is no small factor for a player’s development, as White pointed out. "Last year, me and Brett both only played about 15 games, I think, all season. So this year we’re grinding through, but it’s gone well so far. On the subject of “grinding through,” the Kernels clinched their playoff spot in June by finishing second in the MWL’s Western Division during the first half of the season. The two players talked some about whether that’s made it harder or easier to maintain focus, as a team, in the season’s final few weeks. “I think as far as preparation, it can be tempting for us to sit back, as a team, and kind of be like, ‘we’re in the playoffs,’” conceded Doe. “But once the lights come on and the game starts, no one is thinking, ‘we’re in the playoffs so we don’t have to play hard.’” Doe, White and their Kernels team mates are already getting the message from their manager, Jake Mauer, that now is not the time to ease up on the throttle. "Jake kind of told us, ‘hey, we want to finish strong. All these games are going to be close.’ He said they’re going to be close ballgames and we want to be hot rolling into playoffs, not kind of stumbling in getting started.” While both Doe and White would obviously prefer to have finished out their 2015 season in Fort Myers, returning to Cedar Rapids does bring with it one benefit. While the Kernels are preparing for postseason play, the Miracle are on the verge of elimination from playoff contention. So, while those on the Miracle roster will likely be playing their final game of the season on September 6, Doe and White will be with the Kernels as they begin their quest for MWL championship rings on September 8. -
It was a busy day on and off the field in the Twins system. The big league club started out their 2nd half by powering their way to a 5-0 win over Sonny Gray and the A’s. All six affiliates played. The team worked hard trying to sign compensation pick Kyle Cody, but they were unsuccessful. The ramifications of not signing him for the dollars they wanted went far beyond losing the one player.There were three, one-run ball games on the farm, and two blowouts. Continue reading to find out everything. Three players made rehab appearances in the GCL, so be sure to read to the bottom! RED WINGS REPORT Rochester 0, Lehigh Valley 1 Box Score Pat Dean was terrific on this night, but the Red Wings offense was not able to support him. He went eight strong innings. He gave up just one run on seven hits. He walked one and struck out seven. Mark Hamburger pitched a perfect ninth. Unfortunately, the Red Wings managed just four hits in this one. Oswaldo Arcia went 0-3 and has struck out in six straight plate appearances since homering in his first at bat on Thursday. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 6, Biloxi 5 Box Score The Lookouts got a lead and were able to hang on at the end. Heiker Meneses went 3-4 with his seventh double. Stuart Turner was 3-4. In his last four games, he is 8-17, raising his season average to .206. Adam Brett Walker went 2-5 with his 21st double and his 76th RBI. Max Kepler went 2-5 and stole his 13th base. Kennys Vargas returned to the lineup and went 1-4 with a walk. DJ Baxendale went the first six innings. He was charged with three runs on nine hits. He walked one and struck out seven. Alex Muren threw two shutout innings, giving up only a walk. JT Chargois came on for the ninth. He gave up two unearned runs in the ninth thanks to two errors in the Lookouts infield in the ninth, but got a ground out with the bases loaded to end the game. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 12, Brevard County 1 Box Score It was a great night for the Miracle bats, and Batts! Let’s start with offense. Alex Swim and Brett Doe each had four hits in the game. Swim was 4-5 with his 11th double and two RBI. Doe was 4-6 with two RBI. Ryan Walker went 2-6 and drove in three runs. Chad Christensen went 2-4 with a walk and his first triple of the season. Tanner Vavra went 2-4. Jason Kanzler was 2-5. On the mound, lefty Mat Batts continued his mastery. He gave up just one run on five hits over seven innings. He struck out five without issuing a walk. The outing reduces his Miracle ERA to just 1.66 in nine starts and 54.1 innings. Todd Van Steensel gave up a single but no runs in the eighth inning. Nick Burdi struck out two in a perfect ninth. In his eight innings now with the Miracle, he is yet to give up a run. He has given up four hits, walked none and struck out 12. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 1, Burlington 3 Box Score The Kernels offense got eight hits, but they were unable to bunch enough together to score enough runs in this game. Edgar Corcino led the way. He went 3-4. Pat Kelly went 2-4 in the game. Nick Gordon had a walk and a single. His hitting streak is now at 16 games. He is now 23-67 in those games, a batting average of .343. Coming into the game, he had hit .305/.380/.366 (.746) with ten doubles since May 22 (41 games). Randy Rosario started for the Kernels. He gave up two runs on three hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out three. Luke Bard struck out two over the next two innings. He gave up just two hits. Randy LeBlanc gave up one run on three hits over the final two innings. E-TOWN E-NOTES Elizabethton 1, Danville 2 (10 innings) Box Score Andro Cutura was drafted by the Twins last year, but he didn’t pitch due to injury. He had a terrific start on this night. He gave up just one run on two hits over seven innings. He walked none and struck out four. Anthony Mciver came on and gave up two hits and a walk, but no runs, in his inning. He struck out two. Logan Lombana pitched a scoreless ninth inning, but he takes the loss after giving up the winning run with two outs in the tenth. He gave up three hits, walked two and struck out two in 1.2 innings. AJ Murray led the offense. He went 2-4 including his third home run of the season. Rainis Silva was 2-2 in the game. Nelson Molina went 2-3 and added his first double of the year. GCL TWINS TAKES GCL Twins 8, GCL Red Sox 2 Box Score The Twins put together a seven-run third inning and held on for another win to improve to 13-8 on the season. They got a little offense throughout the lineup. Dalton Hicks made his first rehab appearance since being injured very late in April. He had a hit in three at bats. Brian Olson went 1-3 with two walks. Trey Cabbage went 2-4. Roberto Gonzalez went 2-3 with a walk and his second double. Lewin Diaz had an RBI triple in the first inning. Luis Arraez walked twice. Jermaine Palacios went 2-4 with his second triple. After starting the season 1-19, he has now gone 28-51(.549) and hit in 12 of his last 13 games. He has multi-hit games in 11 of those 13 games. For his second straight start, Williams Ramirez gave up just one hit over five shutout innings. In this game, he walked two and struck out two. In 21 innings for the GCL Twins, Ramirez has given up one run on six hits. He has walked nine and struck out 26. Very solid numbers, though the Dominican right-hander will turn 23 years old in early August. Ramirez was replaced by the rehabbing Stephen Pryor. Reports from Ft. Myers indicated that his fastball was 87 to 91 mph, which is nowhere near where he was before his injuries started a couple of years ago. He walked one and struck out one in a scoreless innings. Matz Schutte came on and gave up a solo home run before getting the next three batters out. John Curtiss walked one and struck one out in a scoreless inning. He has not pitched due to a forearm strain since May 25th. Moises Gomez gave up one run on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Mat Batts, Ft. Myers Miracle Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Alex Swim/Brett Doe, Ft. Myers Miracle SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Lehigh Valley @ Rochester (5:05 CST) – RHP JO Berrios Chattanooga at Biloxi (7:10 CST) – LHP Jason Wheeler Ft. Myers at Brevard County (5:35 CST) – RHP Kohl Stewart Cedar Rapids vs Quad Cities (6:00 CST) – RHP Sam Gibbons Elizabethton at Danville (6:00 CST) - LHP Sam Clay GCL Twins vs GCL Red Sox (9:00 CST) - TBA Feel free to leave any questions or comments below. Click here to view the article -
Twins Minor League Report (7/17): Miracle Bats And Batts Dominate
Seth Stohs posted an article in Minors
There were three, one-run ball games on the farm, and two blowouts. Continue reading to find out everything. Three players made rehab appearances in the GCL, so be sure to read to the bottom! RED WINGS REPORT Rochester 0, Lehigh Valley 1 Box Score Pat Dean was terrific on this night, but the Red Wings offense was not able to support him. He went eight strong innings. He gave up just one run on seven hits. He walked one and struck out seven. Mark Hamburger pitched a perfect ninth. Unfortunately, the Red Wings managed just four hits in this one. Oswaldo Arcia went 0-3 and has struck out in six straight plate appearances since homering in his first at bat on Thursday. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 6, Biloxi 5 Box Score The Lookouts got a lead and were able to hang on at the end. Heiker Meneses went 3-4 with his seventh double. Stuart Turner was 3-4. In his last four games, he is 8-17, raising his season average to .206. Adam Brett Walker went 2-5 with his 21st double and his 76th RBI. Max Kepler went 2-5 and stole his 13th base. Kennys Vargas returned to the lineup and went 1-4 with a walk. DJ Baxendale went the first six innings. He was charged with three runs on nine hits. He walked one and struck out seven. Alex Muren threw two shutout innings, giving up only a walk. JT Chargois came on for the ninth. He gave up two unearned runs in the ninth thanks to two errors in the Lookouts infield in the ninth, but got a ground out with the bases loaded to end the game. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 12, Brevard County 1 Box Score It was a great night for the Miracle bats, and Batts! Let’s start with offense. Alex Swim and Brett Doe each had four hits in the game. Swim was 4-5 with his 11th double and two RBI. Doe was 4-6 with two RBI. Ryan Walker went 2-6 and drove in three runs. Chad Christensen went 2-4 with a walk and his first triple of the season. Tanner Vavra went 2-4. Jason Kanzler was 2-5. On the mound, lefty Mat Batts continued his mastery. He gave up just one run on five hits over seven innings. He struck out five without issuing a walk. The outing reduces his Miracle ERA to just 1.66 in nine starts and 54.1 innings. Todd Van Steensel gave up a single but no runs in the eighth inning. Nick Burdi struck out two in a perfect ninth. In his eight innings now with the Miracle, he is yet to give up a run. He has given up four hits, walked none and struck out 12. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 1, Burlington 3 Box Score The Kernels offense got eight hits, but they were unable to bunch enough together to score enough runs in this game. Edgar Corcino led the way. He went 3-4. Pat Kelly went 2-4 in the game. Nick Gordon had a walk and a single. His hitting streak is now at 16 games. He is now 23-67 in those games, a batting average of .343. Coming into the game, he had hit .305/.380/.366 (.746) with ten doubles since May 22 (41 games). Randy Rosario started for the Kernels. He gave up two runs on three hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out three. Luke Bard struck out two over the next two innings. He gave up just two hits. Randy LeBlanc gave up one run on three hits over the final two innings. E-TOWN E-NOTES Elizabethton 1, Danville 2 (10 innings) Box Score Andro Cutura was drafted by the Twins last year, but he didn’t pitch due to injury. He had a terrific start on this night. He gave up just one run on two hits over seven innings. He walked none and struck out four. Anthony Mciver came on and gave up two hits and a walk, but no runs, in his inning. He struck out two. Logan Lombana pitched a scoreless ninth inning, but he takes the loss after giving up the winning run with two outs in the tenth. He gave up three hits, walked two and struck out two in 1.2 innings. AJ Murray led the offense. He went 2-4 including his third home run of the season. Rainis Silva was 2-2 in the game. Nelson Molina went 2-3 and added his first double of the year. GCL TWINS TAKES GCL Twins 8, GCL Red Sox 2 Box Score The Twins put together a seven-run third inning and held on for another win to improve to 13-8 on the season. They got a little offense throughout the lineup. Dalton Hicks made his first rehab appearance since being injured very late in April. He had a hit in three at bats. Brian Olson went 1-3 with two walks. Trey Cabbage went 2-4. Roberto Gonzalez went 2-3 with a walk and his second double. Lewin Diaz had an RBI triple in the first inning. Luis Arraez walked twice. Jermaine Palacios went 2-4 with his second triple. After starting the season 1-19, he has now gone 28-51(.549) and hit in 12 of his last 13 games. He has multi-hit games in 11 of those 13 games. For his second straight start, Williams Ramirez gave up just one hit over five shutout innings. In this game, he walked two and struck out two. In 21 innings for the GCL Twins, Ramirez has given up one run on six hits. He has walked nine and struck out 26. Very solid numbers, though the Dominican right-hander will turn 23 years old in early August. Ramirez was replaced by the rehabbing Stephen Pryor. Reports from Ft. Myers indicated that his fastball was 87 to 91 mph, which is nowhere near where he was before his injuries started a couple of years ago. He walked one and struck out one in a scoreless innings. Matz Schutte came on and gave up a solo home run before getting the next three batters out. John Curtiss walked one and struck one out in a scoreless inning. He has not pitched due to a forearm strain since May 25th. Moises Gomez gave up one run on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Mat Batts, Ft. Myers Miracle Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Alex Swim/Brett Doe, Ft. Myers Miracle SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Lehigh Valley @ Rochester (5:05 CST) – RHP JO Berrios Chattanooga at Biloxi (7:10 CST) – LHP Jason Wheeler Ft. Myers at Brevard County (5:35 CST) – RHP Kohl Stewart Cedar Rapids vs Quad Cities (6:00 CST) – RHP Sam Gibbons Elizabethton at Danville (6:00 CST) - LHP Sam Clay GCL Twins vs GCL Red Sox (9:00 CST) - TBA Feel free to leave any questions or comments below. -
Several years ago, Minor League Baseball did something that I think is pretty cool. There are no minor league games on the day of the Major League All-Star Game with the exception of the lowest levels (who play in the afternoon). It allows minor leaguers to watch the game, watch the All-Stars and dream of what could someday be for them. With that said, today’s minor league report is quite short. However, it was a big day for the GCL Twins and we’ve even learned of a couple of transactions.TRANSACTIONS Cedar Rapids announced that right-hander Zach Tillery has been placed on the disabled list. Lefty Brandon Bixler was also released. There will need to be other moves made in the lower levels that will likely be announced on Wednesday. Friend of Twins Daily Steve Buhr was doing a little review of the Twins minor league rosters and noticed that Brett Doe was no longer on the Cedar Rapids roster. He checked the Ft. Myers Miracle roster which now shows Doe. Buhr tweeted to Doe and it was confirmed that he has been promoted to the Miracle. GCL TWINS TAKES GCL Twins 11, GCL Red Sox 1 Box Score The Twins had an early game on Tuesday. They scored a lot of runs, but it all starts with pitching, right? So, let’s start there. Lachlan Wells, an 18-year-old right-hander from Australia made the start. He gave up just two hits and two walks over five shutout innings. He struck out five. Stephen Pryor came on and threw two scoreless innings as he continues his rehab. He has now worked six innings in four appearances. Brandon Poulson gave up one run on one walk and two hit batters in his inning. He also threw two wild pitches. He struck out one. Callan Pearce pitched the ninth. He gave up a hit and a walk, but no runs, in the inning. The Twins scored four in the first inning. The big hit came with two outs. Bryant Hayman hit his second homer of the short-season, a grand slam which gave the Twins a 4-0 lead. After scoring a single run in the fourth inning on an RBI double from Jermaine Palacios, the Twins put six on the board in the sixth inning. It started with a Hayman walk, followed by walks from Ruar Verkerk and Roberto Gonzalez. A Lean Marrero walk scored Hayman. They added runs on an error and a fielder’s choice, but that brought up fourth-round pick Trey Cabbage. He hit a double to drive in another run. Cabbage scored later on a ground out, and then Palacios drove in one more with a single. Shortstop Jermaine Palacios is now hitting .409 after going 3-4 with a walk and his fifth double. Trey Cabbage went 2-3 with a walk and his first professional double. Lean Marrero, the Twins 16th round pick this year out of Puerto Rico, went 2-2 with two walks and his first triple. Roberto Gonzalez went 1-1 with two walks and stole his third base. The GCL Twins are now 12-8 on the season. RED WINGS REPORT Rochester Box Score All-Star break. The International League All-Star game will be played on Wednesday night. The Red Wings are represented by 2B James Beresford and pitchers AJ Achter and Taylor Rogers. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga Box Score No Game Scheduled. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers Box Score No Game Scheduled. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids Box Score No Game Scheduled. E-TWINS E-NOTES Elizabethton Box Score No Game Scheduled. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Lachlan Wells, GCL Twins Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Jermaine Palacios, GCL Twins WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester – International League All Star Game Chattanooga @ Biloxi (7:10 CST) – RHP Alex Wimmers Ft. Myers @ Brevard County (5:35 CST) – RHP Chih-Wei Hu Burlington @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) – RHP Felix Jorge Elizabethton @ Danville (6:00 CST) – RHP Alexis Tapia GCL Rays @ GCL Twins (11:00 CST) – TBD Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the transactions and Tuesday game. Click here to view the article
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TRANSACTIONS Cedar Rapids announced that right-hander Zach Tillery has been placed on the disabled list. Lefty Brandon Bixler was also released. There will need to be other moves made in the lower levels that will likely be announced on Wednesday. Friend of Twins Daily Steve Buhr was doing a little review of the Twins minor league rosters and noticed that Brett Doe was no longer on the Cedar Rapids roster. He checked the Ft. Myers Miracle roster which now shows Doe. Buhr tweeted to Doe and it was confirmed that he has been promoted to the Miracle. GCL TWINS TAKES GCL Twins 11, GCL Red Sox 1 Box Score The Twins had an early game on Tuesday. They scored a lot of runs, but it all starts with pitching, right? So, let’s start there. Lachlan Wells, an 18-year-old right-hander from Australia made the start. He gave up just two hits and two walks over five shutout innings. He struck out five. Stephen Pryor came on and threw two scoreless innings as he continues his rehab. He has now worked six innings in four appearances. Brandon Poulson gave up one run on one walk and two hit batters in his inning. He also threw two wild pitches. He struck out one. Callan Pearce pitched the ninth. He gave up a hit and a walk, but no runs, in the inning. The Twins scored four in the first inning. The big hit came with two outs. Bryant Hayman hit his second homer of the short-season, a grand slam which gave the Twins a 4-0 lead. After scoring a single run in the fourth inning on an RBI double from Jermaine Palacios, the Twins put six on the board in the sixth inning. It started with a Hayman walk, followed by walks from Ruar Verkerk and Roberto Gonzalez. A Lean Marrero walk scored Hayman. They added runs on an error and a fielder’s choice, but that brought up fourth-round pick Trey Cabbage. He hit a double to drive in another run. Cabbage scored later on a ground out, and then Palacios drove in one more with a single. Shortstop Jermaine Palacios is now hitting .409 after going 3-4 with a walk and his fifth double. Trey Cabbage went 2-3 with a walk and his first professional double. Lean Marrero, the Twins 16th round pick this year out of Puerto Rico, went 2-2 with two walks and his first triple. Roberto Gonzalez went 1-1 with two walks and stole his third base. The GCL Twins are now 12-8 on the season. RED WINGS REPORT Rochester Box Score All-Star break. The International League All-Star game will be played on Wednesday night. The Red Wings are represented by 2B James Beresford and pitchers AJ Achter and Taylor Rogers. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga Box Score No Game Scheduled. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers Box Score No Game Scheduled. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids Box Score No Game Scheduled. E-TWINS E-NOTES Elizabethton Box Score No Game Scheduled. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Lachlan Wells, GCL Twins Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Jermaine Palacios, GCL Twins WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester – International League All Star Game Chattanooga @ Biloxi (7:10 CST) – RHP Alex Wimmers Ft. Myers @ Brevard County (5:35 CST) – RHP Chih-Wei Hu Burlington @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) – RHP Felix Jorge Elizabethton @ Danville (6:00 CST) – RHP Alexis Tapia GCL Rays @ GCL Twins (11:00 CST) – TBD Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the transactions and Tuesday game. -
"When I first heard it, it was pretty tough," Doe admitted. "I played with most of these guys down in E’town and they’re definitely the guys that I wanted to spend the year playing with." Doe didn't allow himself to dwell long on that disheartened feeling though. http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/DoeWatkins2015-600x400.jpg Brett Doe and hitting coach Tommy Watkins "A few hours kind of down on myself a little bit, doubting myself," he said. "But then I thought, ‘what good is being negative?’ Negativity only slows you down, holds you back." Doe said he also got a bit of tough love from his buddies back home. "I talked to a lot of friends and they were saying, ‘hey, we don’t want to hear you complain, we’re going to our jobs right now and we’d give anything to be where you are right now.' So kind of taking that attitude kind of helped me once I got here because it’s something I can’t take for granted. "Being down there (in extended spring training) and knowing how anxious I was to get here and knowing that nothing is guaranteed. Even if I’m playing well and hitting well, it’s still a long season to go." Even going back in to spring training, Doe recognized that a guy selected as late as he was in the draft could not afford to relax in the effort department. "I was a 38th rounder during spring training. I would wake up and think, ‘I hope today is not the day they send me home. I don’t want to go back home.’ So I’d work hard every single day and, as cliché as that sounds, I’d work hard and have to go back and get in bed so tired after the day was over. Still, every day I've got to realize that nothing is guaranteed." http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Doe2015c-400x600.jpg Brett Doe A couple of weeks in to the season, Doe got the call to join the Kernels when Jorge Fernandez went on the disabled list with a concussion. Since then, Doe has hit .318 and has stepped in to make a critical contribution to the Kernels’ offense during their successful drive to clinch at least a second-place finish in the Midwest League’s Western Division first-half standings and the guaranteed postseason berth that comes with it. “It’s been huge, to be honest with you,” Kernels manager Jake Mauer said of Doe’s contribution. “He just hadn’t gotten much of an opportunity early,” Mauer added. “Now he’s getting a chance and with his swing, how short it is and compact, it works, there’s no doubt about it. It’s just a matter of him getting an opportunity, really. He’s making the most of it.” He didn't exactly hit the ground running upon arrival in Cedar Rapids, though. "When I first got here, I started off a little slow. Not playing that much and when I got in, I got up there with the attitude that I've got to prove that I belong here. I think that if I’d have squared up some of those balls I swung at, they’d have gone about 500 feet," Doe recalled, laughing. Mauer and Kernels hitting coach Tommy Watkins had some conversations with Doe about that approach. "That’s not the type of player I am," he acknowledged. "It’s putting the ball in play, trying to find barrels and move guys and score guys. That’s the type of player I am and they helped remind me of that and that’s helped me out a lot." Doe was primarily an infielder during his junior college and college career, but the Twins are making a catcher out of him. The reason for the position change to squatting behind the plate was simple, according to Doe. Pro scouts spelled things out clearly to him during the scouting process. "I went to junior college and looked to get drafted out of there," Doe explained. "I was just a shortstop, and I’d show up places and run my 60-yard dashes and scouts would kind of hold their breath and kind of, ‘ohhh, not what we want.’ That had held me back." According to Doe, the scouts told him, "The only chance you may have is if you catch because you don’t have to run." "That was kind of what held me back from playing infield," Doe added. "Struggled swinging the bat a few years in college. ‘Can’t run well, streaky hitter, so we want you to catch a little bit.’" http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/LeBlancDoe-600x400.jpg Randy LeBlanc (15) and Brett Doe (23) pose during a Sunday postgame autograph session It took a bit of truth-stretching for Doe to get his first opportunity to get behind the plate during his junior year at Baylor, though. "A couple of our catchers went down with injuries so I kind of mentioned it, ‘yeah I caught in junior college,’ which wasn’t entirely truthful," Doe rather sheepishly admitted. "But I wanted to stay in the lineup. So I went back there and they said, ‘OK you’re catching this weekend.’ "That started it. That was my junior year. I caught about 15-20 games there. Then senior year, I went back to shortstop once our other catchers got healthy. I didn’t start doing it full time until last year at E’town." While his future in professional baseball is likely going to be determined by how well he wears the "tools of ignorance," as we called catchers' gear in my day, the Kernels currently have four catchers on their roster. That means that Doe's defensive versatility allows his manager to keep his hot bat in the lineup and he's been playing a lot of first base for the Kernels recently. That's fine with Doe, because it's all about getting playing time. "Seeing my name in the lineup every day is really, really nice. "The background of being in the infield has helped me. I'm taking some ground balls at other positions in case some guys need breaks in the long season. "I’m more comfortable doing that than catching most of the time. Catching is still new to me. Now I’ve just got to figure out when I can get my catching work in and still be fresh and ready for games." Mauer thinks that Doe is handling his defensive responsibilities well, regardless of the position. "He’s done everything we’ve asked," said the manager. "He’s doing fine at first, a position he hasn’t played a lot. "He was an infielder who’s catching, so he’s probably a little bit more familiar with going back out in the infield. He’s done a nice job when he’s caught for us. It’s just another way to get him in the lineup. (Alex) Real has been swinging the bat real well, too, so we’re trying to get both of them in there." Asked about his goals for the year, Doe emphasized team goals. http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/DoeAndParents-600x450.jpg Brett Doe and his parents show off his "Jurassic" jersey from a recent Kernels charity night "Of course, the big goal is to make the playoffs," he said. "I don’t really have any specific individual goals besides showing up every day and knowing that I did my best that day and just trying to help my team win." Three days after speaking those words, Doe and the Kernels locked in their playoff spot by clinching at least second place in their division for the first half of the season, so he and his teammates can check that goal off the list. (This article originally was posted at Knuckleballsblog.com) -
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Brett Doe didn’t make the trip north to Cedar Rapids out of spring training with his friends and teammates when they broke camp to start the 2015 season, a fact that was, “pretty disheartening,” Doe said in an interview over the past weekend."When I first heard it, it was pretty tough," Doe admitted. "I played with most of these guys down in E’town and they’re definitely the guys that I wanted to spend the year playing with." Doe didn't allow himself to dwell long on that disheartened feeling though. http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/DoeWatkins2015-600x400.jpgBrett Doe and hitting coach Tommy Watkins"A few hours kind of down on myself a little bit, doubting myself," he said. "But then I thought, ‘what good is being negative?’ Negativity only slows you down, holds you back." Doe said he also got a bit of tough love from his buddies back home. "I talked to a lot of friends and they were saying, ‘hey, we don’t want to hear you complain, we’re going to our jobs right now and we’d give anything to be where you are right now.' So kind of taking that attitude kind of helped me once I got here because it’s something I can’t take for granted. "Being down there (in extended spring training) and knowing how anxious I was to get here and knowing that nothing is guaranteed. Even if I’m playing well and hitting well, it’s still a long season to go." Even going back in to spring training, Doe recognized that a guy selected as late as he was in the draft could not afford to relax in the effort department. "I was a 38th rounder during spring training. I would wake up and think, ‘I hope today is not the day they send me home. I don’t want to go back home.’ So I’d work hard every single day and, as cliché as that sounds, I’d work hard and have to go back and get in bed so tired after the day was over. Still, every day I've got to realize that nothing is guaranteed." http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Doe2015c-400x600.jpgBrett DoeA couple of weeks in to the season, Doe got the call to join the Kernels when Jorge Fernandez went on the disabled list with a concussion. Since then, Doe has hit .318 and has stepped in to make a critical contribution to the Kernels’ offense during their successful drive to clinch at least a second-place finish in the Midwest League’s Western Division first-half standings and the guaranteed postseason berth that comes with it. “It’s been huge, to be honest with you,” Kernels manager Jake Mauer said of Doe’s contribution. “He just hadn’t gotten much of an opportunity early,” Mauer added. “Now he’s getting a chance and with his swing, how short it is and compact, it works, there’s no doubt about it. It’s just a matter of him getting an opportunity, really. He’s making the most of it.” He didn't exactly hit the ground running upon arrival in Cedar Rapids, though. "When I first got here, I started off a little slow. Not playing that much and when I got in, I got up there with the attitude that I've got to prove that I belong here. I think that if I’d have squared up some of those balls I swung at, they’d have gone about 500 feet," Doe recalled, laughing. Mauer and Kernels hitting coach Tommy Watkins had some conversations with Doe about that approach. "That’s not the type of player I am," he acknowledged. "It’s putting the ball in play, trying to find barrels and move guys and score guys. That’s the type of player I am and they helped remind me of that and that’s helped me out a lot." Doe was primarily an infielder during his junior college and college career, but the Twins are making a catcher out of him. The reason for the position change to squatting behind the plate was simple, according to Doe. Pro scouts spelled things out clearly to him during the scouting process. "I went to junior college and looked to get drafted out of there," Doe explained. "I was just a shortstop, and I’d show up places and run my 60-yard dashes and scouts would kind of hold their breath and kind of, ‘ohhh, not what we want.’ That had held me back." According to Doe, the scouts told him, "The only chance you may have is if you catch because you don’t have to run." "That was kind of what held me back from playing infield," Doe added. "Struggled swinging the bat a few years in college. ‘Can’t run well, streaky hitter, so we want you to catch a little bit.’" http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/LeBlancDoe-600x400.jpgRandy LeBlanc (15) and Brett Doe (23) pose during a Sunday postgame autograph sessionIt took a bit of truth-stretching for Doe to get his first opportunity to get behind the plate during his junior year at Baylor, though. "A couple of our catchers went down with injuries so I kind of mentioned it, ‘yeah I caught in junior college,’ which wasn’t entirely truthful," Doe rather sheepishly admitted. "But I wanted to stay in the lineup. So I went back there and they said, ‘OK you’re catching this weekend.’ "That started it. That was my junior year. I caught about 15-20 games there. Then senior year, I went back to shortstop once our other catchers got healthy. I didn’t start doing it full time until last year at E’town." While his future in professional baseball is likely going to be determined by how well he wears the "tools of ignorance," as we called catchers' gear in my day, the Kernels currently have four catchers on their roster. That means that Doe's defensive versatility allows his manager to keep his hot bat in the lineup and he's been playing a lot of first base for the Kernels recently. That's fine with Doe, because it's all about getting playing time. "Seeing my name in the lineup every day is really, really nice. "The background of being in the infield has helped me. I'm taking some ground balls at other positions in case some guys need breaks in the long season. "I’m more comfortable doing that than catching most of the time. Catching is still new to me. Now I’ve just got to figure out when I can get my catching work in and still be fresh and ready for games." Mauer thinks that Doe is handling his defensive responsibilities well, regardless of the position. "He’s done everything we’ve asked," said the manager. "He’s doing fine at first, a position he hasn’t played a lot. "He was an infielder who’s catching, so he’s probably a little bit more familiar with going back out in the infield. He’s done a nice job when he’s caught for us. It’s just another way to get him in the lineup. (Alex) Real has been swinging the bat real well, too, so we’re trying to get both of them in there." Asked about his goals for the year, Doe emphasized team goals. http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/DoeAndParents-600x450.jpgBrett Doe and his parents show off his "Jurassic" jersey from a recent Kernels charity night"Of course, the big goal is to make the playoffs," he said. "I don’t really have any specific individual goals besides showing up every day and knowing that I did my best that day and just trying to help my team win." Three days after speaking those words, Doe and the Kernels locked in their playoff spot by clinching at least second place in their division for the first half of the season, so he and his teammates can check that goal off the list. (This article originally was posted at Knuckleballsblog.com) Click here to view the article -
The Twins fell to the Blue Jays thanks to one of our favorite Old Friends. Chris Colabello’s two-run homer off Glen Perkins was the difference in the Jays 6-4 win. Colabello is a good reminder of why these minor league reports are so important. He was a minor league free agent signed after eight seasons in independent ball. He has made it to the big leagues and contributed. In these daily reports, we don’t solely focus on the prospects. We focus on all players who deserve to be recognized because you never know which ones will get to The Show. Colabello was mentioned frequently in these reports in his two-plus seasons in the organization.With that, here’s what happened on Friday in the Minnesota Twins minor league system: TRANSACTIONS Casey Fien’s rehab stint in Rochester ended as he was activated by the Twins. To make room for him, Michael Tonkin was optioned yet again to Rochester.Ethan Mildren was played on the disabled list by the Ft. Myers Miracle. Matt Summers was removed from the Chattanooga disabled list and sent to the Miracle.RED WINGS REPORT The Red Wings had a few games rained out in the season’s first week. Tonight, Rochester played a doubleheader in Buffalo because of a rain out in early April. Game 1 – Rochester 2, Buffalo 1 Box Score In the top of the second inning, Danny Ortiz walked. Two batters later, Ryan Wheeler hit his first Red Wings home run to give the team a 2-0 lead. That was all of the run scoring for the Red Wings. It was also one of just five hits for the team in Game 1. Doug Bernier’s fifth double was the lone extra base hit. Fortunately, lefty Pat Dean was up to the challenge. The left-hander gave up a run in the bottom of the second inning, and that was it. He got one out in the bottom of the seventh before AJ Achter came in to get the final two outs and record his seventh save. Dean went 6.1 innings and gave up just the one run on six hits. He walked two and struck out two. Game 2 – Rochester 2, Buffalo 4 Box Score The Red Wings jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in Game 2. Danny Ortiz doubled in two runs in the third inning. However, the Bisons followed that with a big four-run inning in the bottom half of the third frame. Tyler Duffey made his second AAA start of the season. In the first two innings, he gave up just one hit. He gave up the four runs in the third inning, but then got another five outs. Duffey was charged with four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out three. Logan Darnell came on and got the final out of the fifth inning as well as the first two outs in the sixth inning. He had one walk and one strikeout. Alex Meyer came on to get the final out of the inning. He got it, on a strikeout. Ortiz led the offense. He was 2-3 with his 12th double. Josmil Pinto entered the game as a pinch hitter in the seventh and doubled. Following the split, the Red Wings are now 27-22. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 2, Biloxi 3 Box Score Greg Peavey has really turned around his season after a very slow start in April. He gave up two runs in the second inning, but then he settled in and went six innings. The Lookouts tied the game at two in the fifth. With Carlos Paulino on second base and Byron Buxton on first base, Jorge Polanco hit a long single. Paulino scored, but the throw from the outfield got away from the catcher and Buxton scored all the way from first base. That’s where the game remained until the top of the eighth. Tim Shibuya came out for his second inning after a scoreless seventh frame. He gave up a run on three hits. The Lookouts tried to come back in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs, Buxton walked and then stole second on the first pitch. However, Polanco grounded out to end the game. The Lookouts had just five hits in the game. Stephen Wickens went 2-4. Buxton had a walk and a single. The stolen base was his 14th of the year. He also was credited with two outfield assists. Peavey gave another quality start. He was charged with only those two runs. He gave up three hits, walked three and struck out two. Shibuya took the loss. He gave up the one run on three hits. He struck one out and didn’t walk anyone. D.J. Johnson pitched the ninth inning. He gave up one hit and struck out two. Miguel Sano was out of the lineup for the second straight games. Before the Twins game on Friday night, GM Terry Ryan told the writers that Sano had a jammed finger. Chattanooga, the top team in the Southern League’s North Division is now 29-18. Biloxi, the leader in the Southern League’s South Division, is 29-19. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 6, Clearwater 7 Box Score Kohl Stewart was back on the mound following the best start of his season. On this night, he wasn’t his best. He gave up four runs in the first inning. Overall, he gave up six runs (five earned) on ten hits. He walked none and struck out one. Brian Gilbert came on and struck out one over two perfect innings. Matt Summers made his first appearance in a game this season. He struck out one in a perfect inning. Alex Muren pitched a scoreless eighth inning. However, he gave up the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to take the loss. The Miracle offense showed up. They had 15 hits in the game. Zach Granite went 3-5 with his fifth Miracle double. Alex Swim, Ryan Walker and Niko Goodrum were each 2-5 in the game. Bryan Haar went 2-4. Tanner Vavra came in later. He had a pinch-hit RBI single and added a second RBI single later in the game. With the loss, the Miracle are now 24-24. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 6, Clinton 2 Box Score Keaton Steele made just his second start for the Kernels, and it was a good one. The right-hander went seven innings and gave up just one run on five hits. He walked three and struck out six. Randy LeBlanc recorded his first save of the year with two scoreless innings. Pat Kelly had a terrific game. He went 3-4 with his third triple of the year. Brett Doe was also 3-4 with his fifth double and two RBI. Zack Larson went 1-3 with a walk and his fifth double. The Kernels improved to 31-18. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Keaton Steele, Cedar Rapids Kernels Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Pat Kelly, Cedar Rapids Kernels SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester @ Buffalo (4:05 CST) – LHP Tommy Milone Biloxi @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) – RHP DJ Baxendale Ft. Myers @ St. Lucie (5:30 CST) – RHP Chih-Wei Hu Clinton @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) – RHP Zach Tillery Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Friday games. Click here to view the article
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Twins Minor League Report (5/29): Kelly, Keaton Help The Kernels
Seth Stohs posted an article in Minors
With that, here’s what happened on Friday in the Minnesota Twins minor league system: TRANSACTIONS Casey Fien’s rehab stint in Rochester ended as he was activated by the Twins. To make room for him, Michael Tonkin was optioned yet again to Rochester. Ethan Mildren was played on the disabled list by the Ft. Myers Miracle. Matt Summers was removed from the Chattanooga disabled list and sent to the Miracle. RED WINGS REPORT The Red Wings had a few games rained out in the season’s first week. Tonight, Rochester played a doubleheader in Buffalo because of a rain out in early April. Game 1 – Rochester 2, Buffalo 1 Box Score In the top of the second inning, Danny Ortiz walked. Two batters later, Ryan Wheeler hit his first Red Wings home run to give the team a 2-0 lead. That was all of the run scoring for the Red Wings. It was also one of just five hits for the team in Game 1. Doug Bernier’s fifth double was the lone extra base hit. Fortunately, lefty Pat Dean was up to the challenge. The left-hander gave up a run in the bottom of the second inning, and that was it. He got one out in the bottom of the seventh before AJ Achter came in to get the final two outs and record his seventh save. Dean went 6.1 innings and gave up just the one run on six hits. He walked two and struck out two. Game 2 – Rochester 2, Buffalo 4 Box Score The Red Wings jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in Game 2. Danny Ortiz doubled in two runs in the third inning. However, the Bisons followed that with a big four-run inning in the bottom half of the third frame. Tyler Duffey made his second AAA start of the season. In the first two innings, he gave up just one hit. He gave up the four runs in the third inning, but then got another five outs. Duffey was charged with four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out three. Logan Darnell came on and got the final out of the fifth inning as well as the first two outs in the sixth inning. He had one walk and one strikeout. Alex Meyer came on to get the final out of the inning. He got it, on a strikeout. Ortiz led the offense. He was 2-3 with his 12th double. Josmil Pinto entered the game as a pinch hitter in the seventh and doubled. Following the split, the Red Wings are now 27-22. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 2, Biloxi 3 Box Score Greg Peavey has really turned around his season after a very slow start in April. He gave up two runs in the second inning, but then he settled in and went six innings. The Lookouts tied the game at two in the fifth. With Carlos Paulino on second base and Byron Buxton on first base, Jorge Polanco hit a long single. Paulino scored, but the throw from the outfield got away from the catcher and Buxton scored all the way from first base. That’s where the game remained until the top of the eighth. Tim Shibuya came out for his second inning after a scoreless seventh frame. He gave up a run on three hits. The Lookouts tried to come back in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs, Buxton walked and then stole second on the first pitch. However, Polanco grounded out to end the game. The Lookouts had just five hits in the game. Stephen Wickens went 2-4. Buxton had a walk and a single. The stolen base was his 14th of the year. He also was credited with two outfield assists. Peavey gave another quality start. He was charged with only those two runs. He gave up three hits, walked three and struck out two. Shibuya took the loss. He gave up the one run on three hits. He struck one out and didn’t walk anyone. D.J. Johnson pitched the ninth inning. He gave up one hit and struck out two. Miguel Sano was out of the lineup for the second straight games. Before the Twins game on Friday night, GM Terry Ryan told the writers that Sano had a jammed finger. Chattanooga, the top team in the Southern League’s North Division is now 29-18. Biloxi, the leader in the Southern League’s South Division, is 29-19. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 6, Clearwater 7 Box Score Kohl Stewart was back on the mound following the best start of his season. On this night, he wasn’t his best. He gave up four runs in the first inning. Overall, he gave up six runs (five earned) on ten hits. He walked none and struck out one. Brian Gilbert came on and struck out one over two perfect innings. Matt Summers made his first appearance in a game this season. He struck out one in a perfect inning. Alex Muren pitched a scoreless eighth inning. However, he gave up the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to take the loss. The Miracle offense showed up. They had 15 hits in the game. Zach Granite went 3-5 with his fifth Miracle double. Alex Swim, Ryan Walker and Niko Goodrum were each 2-5 in the game. Bryan Haar went 2-4. Tanner Vavra came in later. He had a pinch-hit RBI single and added a second RBI single later in the game. With the loss, the Miracle are now 24-24. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 6, Clinton 2 Box Score Keaton Steele made just his second start for the Kernels, and it was a good one. The right-hander went seven innings and gave up just one run on five hits. He walked three and struck out six. Randy LeBlanc recorded his first save of the year with two scoreless innings. Pat Kelly had a terrific game. He went 3-4 with his third triple of the year. Brett Doe was also 3-4 with his fifth double and two RBI. Zack Larson went 1-3 with a walk and his fifth double. The Kernels improved to 31-18. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Keaton Steele, Cedar Rapids Kernels Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Pat Kelly, Cedar Rapids Kernels SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester @ Buffalo (4:05 CST) – LHP Tommy Milone Biloxi @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) – RHP DJ Baxendale Ft. Myers @ St. Lucie (5:30 CST) – RHP Chih-Wei Hu Clinton @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) – RHP Zach Tillery Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Friday games.
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