Article: Twins Minor League Report (4/13): Hicks And Buxton Power Wins

[Cody Christie]

Minnesota's home opener was sure depressing but luckily all the Twins minor league affiliates picked up the slack on Monday. There were some big games from some big names so fans can turn their frown upside down with a look down on the farm.To celebrate the start of the minor league season, we are offering the 2015 Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook in paperback right now at a 15% discount. This is a limited time offer so make sure to order you copy now before this deal is gone.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 6, Scranton/WB 4

Box Score

Aaron Hicks collected three hits and four RBI while finishing a home run short of the cycle. Danny Ortiz picked up the home run Hicks was lacking from his final line on his way to scoring three runs. James Beresford also scored a couple of runs.

 

Mark Hamburger started the game but failed to get out of the fifth inning after surrendering four earned runs on nine hits. The Rochester bullpen shut down the RailRiders the rest of the way. AJ Achter, Celeb Thielbar, and Ryan Pressly pitched scoreless frames while Michael Tonkin had a perfect ninth for his second save.

 

The Wings' bullpen has 12.2 scoreless innings to start the season.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 11, Montgomery 5

Box Score

 

Much like Hicks, Buxton finished a home run short of the cycle as part of a four hit effort. Travis Harrison drove in three runs with a home run and a double. Levi Michael drove in three runs out of the number nine spot in the batting order. Stuart Turner collected two two-out RBIs.

 

There was some question as to who would start this contest for Chattanooga but Adrian Salcedo got the nod. He allowed two earned runs on three hits over three innings. Cole Johnson picked up the win with three perfect innings of relief. Zack Jones struck out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth.

 

Chattanooga improved to 4-1 on the young season.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 11. Tampa 4

Box Score

 

Ryan Eades pitched six scoreless innings and the Miracle bats came alive in Tampa. It was Eades' first start in the Florida State League and he scattered five hits and two walks. Todd Van Steensel pitched two shutout frames before J.T. Chargois gave up four runs in the bottom of the ninth. Madison Boer came on to get the last two outs.

 

A hot start saw the Miracle score five runs in the first two innings. Niko Goodrum knocked two doubles and scored three runs out of the lead-off spot. Mitch Garver joined the doubles parade with two doubles of his own while reaching base five times. Michale Quesada collected his first triple and scored two runs.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 9, Beloit 0

Box Score

 

Felix Jorge struck out ten batters to help the Kernels improve to 5-0 this season. In seven innings of work, he surrendered just two hits and two walks. He is the fourth Kernels' starting pitcher to earn a win this season. Michael Theofanopoulos kept the shutout in order by pitching two scoreless frames to close out the game.

 

There were a ton of offensive accolades in this one. Nick Gordon and Max Murphy both collected three hits with each player knocking a triple. Pat Kelly drove in three runs as part of a two hit effort including his first home run. Six of the nine hitters in the order collected two hits or more.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Felix Jorge, Cedar Rapids Kernels

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Aaron Hicks, Rochester Red Wings

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester @ Scranton/WB (5:35 CST) – LHP Pat Dean

Chattanooga- Scheduled Off Day

Ft. Myers vs Tampa (9:30 AM CST) – LHP Luke Westphal

Cedar Rapids vs Beloit (6:35 CST) - RHP Jared Wilson

 

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

 

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[Dantes929]

I may be too focused on this element but in my opinion if Hicks could hit from the left side like the right side he would be with the Twins right now so really the most important stat is how he hits from the left side.     If he hits .500 from the right side and .200 from the left side fans will be calling for his promotion but just setting him up for failure again.    I guess what I am trying to say is that when he has a good day maybe you can mention if he is facing lefties or righties.    Occasionally give us the splits also please.      

[Pitz]

Really encouraging to see such an impressive start from Felix Jorge after his struggles last year. I know it's just one start, but hopefully it's a sign of a big season for him.

[clutterheart]

I am hoping to hear more about Jorge's start from the lucky folks in CR. Is his velocity back?

If so his reemergence might force us to amend prospect lists.

[NoCryingInBaseball]

Probably indicative of how the Twins have started this season, but I spend far too much attention to these daily reports. That being said, there are a lot of bright spots on these teams!

[jokin]

 

I am hoping to hear more about Jorge's start from the lucky folks in CR. Is his velocity back?
If so his reemergence might force us to amend prospect lists.

 

Precisely,    where's Jim Crikket when we need him most?

 

If Jorge can return to Top 20 prospect form, it shakes up the whole potential SP call-up timetable.

 

2015    May/Meyer

2016    Berrios/Stewart

2017    Thorpe/Gonsalves/Hu/Slegers/Jorge      That could be FIVE guys in one year that might be ready to start for the Twins and SIX if they hold Stewart back?

2018    Romero

Edited April 14, 2015 by jokin

[jokin]

Lots of good slump-busting stats breaking out all over.

 

But the best one is ZERO, as in zero errors for four teams  ***

 

 

 

***   (Pinto was charged with an error, but it was of the Catchers Interference variety)

[roger]

After reading the above comment about Pinto's catcher interference and his recent spring training game where he got hit with a bat three times in one game, Seth, it raises a question.  Does Pinto set-up closer to the hitter than other catchers?  Or does he maybe move forward to receive the ball?  Have you heard anything about what he is doing that appears to be different than most catchers?

[Seth Stohs]

Felix Jorge was sitting between 89 and 92 throughout the game. 

 

Jake Mauer talked about his fastball command being the key. He's got good mechanics, and I was really impressed with his curveball. He looked really good. He's also a really good athlete and fielded his position well.

[Seth Stohs]

 

After reading the above comment about Pinto's catcher interference and his recent spring training game where he got hit with a bat three times in one game, Seth, it raises a question.  Does Pinto set-up closer to the hitter than other catchers?  Or does he maybe move forward to receive the ball?  Have you heard anything about what he is doing that appears to be different than most catchers?

 

It'd be hard to know that without being there in person and being able to see him from that dugout level where you could see where he's set up relative to Herrmann or Rohlfing or Suzuki, etc. I suspect he sets up in approximately the same place.I'd also wonder whether he receives the ball softly and into his body, or if he reaches forward to catch it. There are two schools of thought on which is better or right. Without seeing him in person, it'd be hard to know with any confidence. 

[big dog]

Twins Affiliates 37, Hapless Opponents 13.  Bring on the next sacrifices!

 

I hope Ryan Eades has a good year.

 

Free Max Murphy!  (ok, maybe that's a little premature...)  

Edited April 14, 2015 by big dog

[mdawg888]

I have a feeling the Twins Minor League Report article is the only thing that will bring me any joy during what, up to this point, has been quite the abomination of a season. 

[gil4]

 

I have a feeling the Twins Minor League Report article is the only thing that will bring me any joy during what, up to this point, has been quite the abomination of a season. 

I'm sure the Twins will eventually release some guys and call up some young guys.  That should bring a little joy.

[Cody Christie]

 

I am hoping to hear more about Jorge's start from the lucky folks in CR. Is his velocity back?
If so his reemergence might force us to amend prospect lists.

I kept him on my prospect list this year so I hope it continues.

[Eephus]

If the Twins are going to win 60 or so games this year, I'd so much rather watch the young guys try to win the games. Someone mentioned it, even if it was just to watch better defense being played. 

[Vance_Christianson]

 

Precisely,    where's Jim Crikket when we need him most?

 

If Jorge can return to Top 20 prospect form, it shakes up the whole potential SP call-up timetable.

 

2015    May/Meyer

2016    Berrios/Stewart

2017    Thorpe/Gonsalves/Hu/Slegers/Jorge      That could be FIVE guys in one year that might be ready to start for the Twins and SIX if they hold Stewart back?

2018    Romero

I'm thinking Thorpe will be 2018 now after surgery. Honestly, i'm just upset that we are wasting more days with Meyer in AAA. I understand that control is the main issue, but that's been his issue since he came here for the most part. He's 25 years old, make a decision right now if he's going to be a SP or a RP, and get him up to the majors!

If Berrios, Stewart, Gonsalves, Hu, Slegers, Rogers, Jorge, Wheeler etc. can all have above average years, we are going to have a slew of SP prospects, and we now have 3 guys on contracts for 2-3 more years starting 2016 w/ the Twins.

I'm thinking that Terry Ryan is pissed at himself for locking up Nolasco and Santana, when he currently has 3-4 guys in AAA and AA that honestly could come and do just as good as anyone else. Ryan forgot that we are rebuilding we he started signing 30+ year old pitchers these last 2 seasons!

[ThejacKmp]

Why did Hicks get hitter of the day over Buxon.  The both had a single, double and triple but Buxton had a 4th hit.  Does't make much sense.

[Lazarus]

History suggests that Ryan usually holds steady for the first 30 games before beginning to release the laggards and promoting prospects - sometimes it goes a little longer than that. The best hope is that our prospects in AAA and AA show consistent strong performance so they can be considered ready for a promotion. The AAAA club is currently unwatchable.

 

Is it too early to be projecting who will go first overall in the June 2016 draft?

[IndyTwinsFan]

 

If the Twins are going to win 60 or so games this year, I'd so much rather watch the young guys try to win the games. Someone mentioned it, even if it was just to watch better defense being played. 

Couldn't agree more!

[Seth Stohs]

 

Is it too early to be projecting who will go first overall in the June 2016 draft?

 

The question has already been asked.

[Jham]

 

Lots of good slump-busting stats breaking out all over.

 

But the best one is ZERO, as in zero errors for four teams  ***

 

 

 

***   (Pinto was charged with an error, but it was of the Catchers Interference variety)

  How many concussions/CI before he learns to settle back another 6 inches.

[JB_Iowa]

Wonder if Hicks was pressing in those last 2 AB's trying to get a HR to complete the cycle.  He had such a nice start to his day, it was a bit disappointing to see him end up with 2 strikeouts.

 

 

[Cody Christie]

 

Why did Hicks get hitter of the day over Buxon.  The both had a single, double and triple but Buxton had a 4th hit.  Does't make much sense.

Gave it to Hicks because his game was close so I felt his hits meant more to his team. Buxton's hits were part of a blowout.

[Eric R Pleiss]

 

Gave it to Hicks because his game was close so I felt his hits meant more to his team. Buxton's hits were part of a blowout.

Cody Christie only votes for MVP's on pennant winning teams, too.  #SICKBURN

[Jeremy Nygaard]

 

Is it too early to be projecting who will go first overall in the June 2016 draft?

 

It's dang near impossible right now to project who is going 1st in the June 2015 draft.

[blairpaul715]

What is the status of Wimmers???? He hasnt played and they have already used 6 starting pitchers.......just curious, i was/am hoping for good things for and from him.

[TRex]

 

It's dang near impossible right now to project who is going 1st in the June 2015 draft.

...so you're saying there is no Strasburg, Appel or Harper at the end of this crap-colored rainbow?