Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/7): Rooker and Kirilloff Tee Off on Opponents

[Eric R Pleiss]

Alex Kirilloff and Brent Rooker both had great nights on Thursday, plus a whole host of roster moves.Transactions

The Twins reinstated Tervor May from the 60-day DL and optioned him to Rochester, to make room for Trevor May, Omar Bencomo was transferred to Chattanooga. A spot for Bencomo was opened up when the Lookouts placed Anthony Marzi on the DL with a lower back strain. Cedar Rapids placed Blayne Enlow on the 7-day DL with a left ankle sprain and activated and released Nick Brown from the DL. No corresponding roster move was made after the release of Brown and the Kernels roster is at 24 active players.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Indianapolis 8, Rochester 0

Box Score

 

The Rochester Red Wings managed seven hits but were 0-for-14 with men in scoring position and left 12 runners on base, falling to Indianapolis 8-0. Nick Gordon had a triple, his only hit of the night. Zack Granite and Jake Cave each had doubles, but again, their only hits of the night. In fact, the only Red Winger with multiple hits was third basemen Taylor Motter who went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a walk.

 

Starter Dietrich Enns dropped to 4-6 after 4 2/3 innings of baseball in which all eight Indianapolis runs were charged to him. He gave up eight hits, two walks, struck out three, and served up a couple of long balls. The bullpen held Indianapolis scoreless the rest of the way with 1 1/3 innings from Jake Reed and three one-hit innings from Alan Busenitz.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Mobile 9, Chattanooga 7

Box Score

 

With the game tied at seven in the top of the ninth, the Lookouts brought in reliever Zack Jones who quickly got two outs but then a walk, a single, a stolen base, and another single put two runs on the board and then Lookouts bats were not able to respond in the home-side of the ninth inning. Jones’ ninth inning woes were indicative of the Lookouts pitchers on the night.

 

The Lookouts went with a good old-fashioned bullpen game with Todd Van Steensel making his first start since 2011 when he was in rookie ball with the Elizabethton Twins. Van Steensel pitched two innings, gave up a hit, no runs, walked two and struck out two. He was lifted for Tyler Jay who gave up two runs on two solo home runs. He walked one and struck out three. Sam Clay gave up four runs over an inning on just two hits. He walked two and struck out two. Ryne Harper gave up a run on three hits and struck out four over three innings, and picked a guy off first base before turning the game over to Jones.

 

Brent Rooker had a big day at the plate going 4-for-5 with a run scored, a triple, an RBI and a strikeout. Right fielder Edgar Corcino had a big day as well, 3-for-5 with a run scored, a home run, an RBI and a strikeout. Chris Paul provided plenty of run support with a three RBI night on 2-for-4 hitting with a double and strikeout. The rest of the Kernels lineup added three more hits, and eight more strikeouts.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Palm Beach 3 @ Fort Myers 3 - SUSPENDED

Box Score

 

Heavy rains suspended the Miracle game after six and a half innings on Thursday night with the score tied at 3-3. The Miracle picked up their three runs on a pair of solo home runs from Shane Carrier and Joe Cronin, plus an RBI single from Luis Arraez. Carrier and Cronin were both 2-for-3 with a dinger when the game was suspended.

 

Starter Griffin Jax gave up three runs over 6 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits, walking zero and striking out six. He was replaced by Tom Hackimer who finished the seventh inning without giving up a run before the game was suspended.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 8, Beloit 0

Box Score

 

Beloit and Cedar Rapids were in a one-run game through six and a half innings before the Kernels put a three-spot on the board in the bottom of the seventh and then added another four runs in the eighth to put them ahead 8-0. The Kernels were led by Alex Kirilloff who was 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI, and the Kernels were powered by an Akil Baddoo three-run home run in the eighth inning. Royce Lewis struggled to a 1-for-5 night punctuated with three strikeouts.

 

A really strong pitching performance from Bailey Ober put the Kernels in position to win even before their late game scoring outburst. Ober went seven full innings giving up six hits, no runs, no walks, and six strikeouts. Jovani Moran finished the previously tight game with two perfect innings that included four strikeouts.

 

DSL TWINS TAKES

DSL Twins 13, DSL Rockies 5

Box Score

 

A lot of these DSL Twins games are going to look a lot like bullpen games, especially early on this season, with pitchers throwing 30-50 pitches and then making way for the next guy. Starter Yordin Mateo struggled through the first two innings with two hits, two runs (both earned), three walks, and a strikeout. But the DSL Twins gave him an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, so he left with a lead intact. Jose Bermudez came in and gave up a run and a hit while striking out two over 2.0 innings. Jose Guevara went 3.2 innings giving up just a single unearned run on five hits. He walked no one and struck out two. Finally, Francisco Martinez pitched the final 1.1 innings, giving up a run on a couple of hits. He walked one and struck out three of the seven batters he faced.

 

The DSL Twins had their bats out in full force en route to a 13-5 victory that included 17 hits and another six walks. Leading the way for the Twins was DH Jeferson Morales, 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored, and two RBIs. Ruben Santana had a big day as well going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two walks. He scored three times and drove in another run. Every regular reached safely at least twice as the DSL Twins won this one going away.

 

STARS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Bailey Ober, Cedar Rapids Kernels

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Brent Rooker, Chattanooga Lookouts

 

TOP 20 PROSPECT PERFORMANCE

 

1. Royce Lewis, Cedar Rapids – 1-5, 1 R, 3 K

3. Nick Gordon, Rochester – 1-5, 1 3B, 1 K

5. Alex Kirilloff, Cedar Rapids – 2-4, 1 3B, 1 RBI

7. Brent Rooker, Chattanooga – 4-5, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 1 K

10. Akil Baddoo, Cedar Rapids – 1-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K

14. LaMonte Wade, Chattanooga – 1-5, 1 R, 1 RBI

19. Tyler Jay, Chattanooga – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 HR

 

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester (6:05pm) – Adalberto Mejia (1-1, 4.24)

Chattanooga (7:35pm) – TBD

Fort Myers (6:00pm) – Charlie Barnes (1-4, 4.00)

Cedar Rapids (7:05pm) – TBD

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Thursday's games.

 

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[Seth Stohs]

Per Jeff Johnson, Ben Rortvedt was told after the game tonight that he has been promoted to Ft. Myers...

 

Have to assume that a catcher will move up from Ft. Myers to Chattanooga. I'm going to guess Mitchell Kranson will be on the move. 

[AZTwin]

Per Jeff Johnson, Ben Rortvedt was told after the game tonight that he has been promoted to Ft. Myers...

 

Have to assume that a catcher will move up from Ft. Myers to Chattanooga. I'm going to guess Mitchell Kranson will be on the move.

Nice. Well deserved for Ben. He is moving quickly through the system. Could easily be a 21 year old in AA and short call from the majors next year. Keep working hard Ben

[Dman]

 

Per Jeff Johnson, Ben Rortvedt was told after the game tonight that he has been promoted to Ft. Myers...

 

Have to assume that a catcher will move up from Ft. Myers to Chattanooga. I'm going to guess Mitchell Kranson will be on the move. 

Good news!  Personally I thought he should have started the season in Ft. Meyers but I guess a couple of months to make sure the bat played is not that big of a deal.  Hope he keeps that hit tool strong and finds his way to MLB.

[rdehring]

Thanks for the update on Rortvedt, Seth.  Will be exciting if he can keep hitting well in Hi-A.  With all the catchers they just drafted, expect one may be on his way to Cedar Rapids.

 

And thanks for adding the DSL Twins to this report.  Considering how many of our top pitchers are and will be coming from the islands, this is great information.

 

A few more nights like this for Rooker and the Twins are gonna have to think about where he should be.  Rochester?  Or maybe the Twins by later this summer?

 

 

[benji21]

To add to the Rooker comment, this night raised his average 11 points up to a respectable .271 and just 10 points off his season average for last year. As he continues to get a better handle on AA, he really needs to get that 5:1 k:bb rate tilted the other way. Still someone I’m excited about!

[jun]

Omar Bencomo should take Dietrich Enns' spot in the Rochester's rotation. Enns should be demoted to Chattanooga.

[TNTwinsFan]

To add to the Rooker comment, this night raised his average 11 points up to a respectable .271 and just 10 points off his season average for last year. As he continues to get a better handle on AA, he really needs to get that 5:1 k:bb rate tilted the other way. Still someone I’m excited about!

 

Rooker has figured something out in the last month. He's slashing .295/.350/.566/.916 since 06 May. He is still striking out 25.2% and walking only 7.7% of the time so there is still some work to do there. Maybe he gets that up to 10% and earns a promotion? I'm really rooting for this guy to be a force in the Twins lineup soon!

[Seth Stohs]

 

Good news!  Personally I thought he should have started the season in Ft. Meyers but I guess a couple of months to make sure the bat played is not that big of a deal.  Hope he keeps that hit tool strong and finds his way to MLB.

 

It was the best thing that they could have done for his career and development. Going to the Florida State League is bad for offense, so I think making needed adjustments before going there is a good thing. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

To add to the Rooker comment, this night raised his average 11 points up to a respectable .271 and just 10 points off his season average for last year. As he continues to get a better handle on AA, he really needs to get that 5:1 k:bb rate tilted the other way. Still someone I’m excited about!

 

https://twitter.com/SethTweets/status/1005082757389840384 

[gunnarthor]

Nice to Rooker keep hitting. I don't know if he'll be up in the majors this year but I would like to see him get pushed to AAA if he keeps this up.

 

Rortvedt getting a promotion is nice. I didn't expect that. 

 

Gordon is on a tear right now but his walk rate is very low and his babip is insanely high. That's likely to change but it's also a good indication that he's taking good at-bats so even if there is regression, he's got the right approach. I hope he gets promoted soon but I'm not sure the FO is ready to do that.

[rdehring]

Forgot to mention above how great it was seeing Griffin Jax make a quality start at Fort Myers.  I really think this kid is gonna be a good one who may be on a fast track next year.

[jmlease1]

I'm fine with Rooker spending the full year in AA. Let's let him get a full season of ABs, see how he does getting through a full year season with 450+ plate appearances and a long season. Remember, he's already played almost as many games this season as he did all of last year in the system, so let's see how he goes in a full year at AA. He's on schedule and doing fine, but there's nothing going on that says "you must push him to AAA" in my mind.

 

Kirilloff continues to keep raking. It's great. His promotion to Fort Myers is coming, just a matter of when they announce it. Good for him.

 

And good for Rortvedt! He's one of the guys I was most interested in going into this year and so far he seems to be on track.

[Eric R Pleiss]

Todd Van Steensel with absolute power!  

 

@toddvs35/status/1004836312178929664

[jrod23]

 

 

Kirilloff continues to keep raking. It's great. His promotion to Fort Myers is coming, just a matter of when they announce it. Good for him.

 

 

I'm sure a few Kernels will be heading south after the All Star Game in Lansing.

[Dman]

 

Nice to Rooker keep hitting. I don't know if he'll be up in the majors this year but I would like to see him get pushed to AAA if he keeps this up.

 

Rortvedt getting a promotion is nice. I didn't expect that. 

 

Gordon is on a tear right now but his walk rate is very low and his babip is insanely high. That's likely to change but it's also a good indication that he's taking good at-bats so even if there is regression, he's got the right approach. I hope he gets promoted soon but I'm not sure the FO is ready to do t

 

 

 

Gordon does look sharp this year.  I just don't see them calling him up as he is not on the 40 man.  Adrianza's bat has heated up recently.  Polanco will be back fairly soon.  Dozier is entrenched at second base.  The timing just doesn't seem right for him to come up.  

[gunnarthor]

 

Gordon does look sharp this year.  I just don't see them calling him up as he is not on the 40 man.  Adrianza's bat has heated up recently.  Polanco will be back fairly soon.  Dozier is entrenched at second base.  The timing just doesn't seem right for him to come up.  

I tend to agree with you but I don't like our current SS options, I think we'll trade Dozier at the deadline (a different thread) and Polanco/Gordon MI should finish out the year.

[Mike Sixel]

I'm fine with Rooker spending the full year in AA. Let's let him get a full season of ABs, see how he does getting through a full year season with 450+ plate appearances and a long season. Remember, he's already played almost as many games this season as he did all of last year in the system, so let's see how he goes in a full year at AA. He's on schedule and doing fine, but there's nothing going on that says "you must push him to AAA" in my mind.

 

Kirilloff continues to keep raking. It's great. His promotion to Fort Myers is coming, just a matter of when they announce it. Good for him.

 

And good for Rortvedt! He's one of the guys I was most interested in going into this year and so far he seems to be on track.

There's no good reason to keep him in AA either. There is a good reason to promote him, and that's to see if he might be ready to help next year, or if they need to find a RH OF, DH, 1B on the market.

[Dman]

 

I tend to agree with you but I don't like our current SS options, I think we'll trade Dozier at the deadline (a different thread) and Polanco/Gordon MI should finish out the year.

I hope we can get a return for Dozier at the deadline.  I'm just not certain it will happen.  If he were to get dealt then there should be room for Gordon to get the playing time he needs.  Gordon has been rock solid with the bat from spring training to AAA.

[jokin]

 

I'm fine with Rooker spending the full year in AA. Let's let him get a full season of ABs, see how he does getting through a full year season with 450+ plate appearances and a long season. Remember, he's already played almost as many games this season as he did all of last year in the system, so let's see how he goes in a full year at AA. He's on schedule and doing fine, but there's nothing going on that says "you must push him to AAA" in my mind.

 

 

 

 

There's no good reason to keep him in AA either. There is a good reason to promote him, and that's to see if he might be ready to help next year, or if they need to find a RH OF, DH, 1B on the market.

 

Not me. If he can sustain anywhere near the level of hitting as he has in last 100 PAs- OPS @ 1.052- over the next 1-2+ months, he has earned, and should, get the promotion to AAA. He came to the Twins with the nearly-MLB ready bat label. The last month seems to have confirmed that assessment.

 

The only question now is: How well does his current hitting play at the next level?"

Remember, he was a red-shirt junior. He turns 24 in November. The sooner he is evaluated for a possible contribution in 2019, the better. The Twins obviously need a RH power bat, and Mauer's health condition and expiring contract opens up significant consideration for options at 1B, as well as DH or OF.

 

Edited June 8, 2018 by jokin

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm sure a few Kernels will be heading south after the All Star Game in Lansing.

 

A few days ago they announced Royce Lewis, Alex Kirilloff, Brusdar Graterol and Jared Finkel are their All Stars. 

 

It was in the Minor league report a couple of days ago.

[nicksaviking]

 

A few days ago they announced Royce Lewis, Alex Kirilloff, Brusdar Graterol and Jared Finkel are their All Stars. 

 

It was in the Minor league report a couple of days ago.

 

By heading south, I think he meant Ft. Myers.