Article: Twins Minor League Report (4/20): Pitching Trio Honored

[Cody Christie]

Right-handed pitcher Tyler Duffey, left-handed pitcher Pat Dean and right-handed pitcher Felix Jorge each walked away with "Pitcher of the Week" honors in their respective leagues.

 

Duffey earned the honor in the Southern League after tossing 13.2 scoreless frames with 18 strikeouts. Dean, a former third-round pick, went 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA and 15 strikeouts in two starts to pick up the International League award. Jorge struggled in Cedar Rapids last season but he's off to a hot start (12 IP, 19 K, 4 BB) so he was honored by the Midwest League.Besides the pitching honors, the Twins were busy making minor league roster moves on Monday. Max Kepler was promoted to Chattanooga after hitting .250/.308/.333 in six games to start the year. He's currently in the midst of a five game hitting streak. In a corresponding move, third baseman Bryan Harr was activated off the 7-day DL for the Miracle.

 

Cedar Rapids announced that catcher Brett Doe was joining the Kernels from extended spring training. Last season he hit .207 with a HR and five RBI in 23 games for Elizabethton. He is taking the roster spot left open because JJ Fernandez was forced to go on the 7-day DL with a concussion. Fernandez was off to a strong start hitting .293 with three doubles and four RBI.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester --, Syracuse -- POSTPONED

 

Monday's scheduled game between the Red Wings and the Chiefs was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Tuesday. The first game is scheduled to begin at 1:05 pm and each game will be seven innings.

 

The first game pits top pitching prospects Alex Meyer (1-0, 8.31 ERA) versus A.J. Cole (0-0, 4.00 ERA). Taylor Rogers (0-0, 3.46 ERA) will start game two for the Red Wings

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 5, Mississippi 6

Box Score

Alex Wimmers made the most of his 2015 debut by tossing five one-hit innings with three strikeouts. He was effective by throwing 62 pitches with 38 being for strikes. One of the best signs might have been the zero walks he allowed. Cole Johnson kept the shutout going with two scoreless frames. D.J. Johnson struggled by giving up four runs in one inning before Jake Reed blew the save in the ninth.

 

The Lookouts were up 5-0 entering the bottom of the eighth inning so it was a tough loss. Jorge Polanco cracked his second home run of the season and scored a pair of runs. Dalton Hicks collected his first triple as part of a two-hit night. Stuart Turner scored a run and had his second multi-hit game of 2015. Travis Harrison had a pair of RBIs.

 

It was the third loss in four games for the Lookouts after winning five of their first six contests. Southern League Pitcher of the Week Tyler Duffey takes the mound on Tuesday with a chance to get Chattanooga back to their winning ways.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 3. Palm Beach 4 (10 Innings)

Box Score

For the second straight night, nine innings weren't enough to decide a contest between the Miracle and the Cardinals. Fort Myers got off to an early lead by scoring three runs in the top of the second inning. Bryan Harr hit a double to start the frame and this was followed by three straight singles. The Cardinals wouldn't allow another run the rest of the night.

 

Luke Westphal made his first start of the season and allowed three earned runs in four innings. He struck out two and walked two. Tim Shibuya was effective in three perfect relief innings while striking out three. Madison Boer was charged with the loss after he couldn't get out of his third inning of work.

 

The loss drops Fort Myers to two games under .500 with a 5-7 record. This was the first of a three game series so the Miracle will need to bounce back if they want to win their second straight series.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 5, Burlington 2

Box Score

Nick Gordon's hot start to the season continued as his three hit, three RBI day was enough to push Cedar Rapids past Burlington. Tanner English also joined the hit parade with three hits and two runs. Zack Granite helped pace the offense with two hits including his first triple.

 

Jared Wilson picked up his second win of the season, tossing five innings and scattering four hits. He gave up one run while striking out three and walking four. Michael Theofanopoulos continued his scoreless streak to start the year. He pitched another two frames and he hasn't allowed a run across 8.1 innings. C.K. Irby finished the game by allowing one run in two innings of work.

 

With the win, the Kernels avoided their first three game losing streak of the year. They avoided the the sweep in the series but the club has still lost four of their last six games.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Alex Wimmers, Chattanooga Lookouts

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Nick Gordon, Cedar Rapids Kernels

 

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Syracuse (12:05 CST) – RHP Alex Meyer

Rochester @ Syracuse (Game 2)- LHP Taylor Rogers

Chattanooga @ Mississippi (7:00 CST)- RHP Tyler Duffey

Ft. Myers @ Tampa (5:35 CST) – RHP Kohl Stewart

Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin (6:35 CST) - LHP Mat Batts

 

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

 

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[Mauerpower]

Why the **** is Arcia still playing in the OF? Add hunter to that as well. Also, why aren't we seeing Pinto in a twins uniform? Our defense is horrendous. It wouldn't be a big deal if: we had pitchers who struck out batters, we didn't have guys in Rochester and Chattanooga who could field better, if we were winning games by the offense was making up for the lack of defense. The way the defense is attempting to field balls there's no way the offense could make up the difference on a regular basis.

[Mauerpower]

On a positive note, I appreciate these daily recaps. I look forward to reading these each day.

[Oxtung]

With Kepler moving up what other roster moves will we see? Does he play 1st with DJ Hicks moving to AAA? Or does he play OF with Harrison getting pushed to AAA? Do Harrison, Kepler and ABWIII all split time in the corners? Given ABWIII strikeout problems he would seem to be the odd man out at this point. Not that he wouldn't still get playing time but he would seem to be in line for less.

[h2oface]

It is getting depressing checking in on Buxton and Sano and Burdi and Reed. It doesn't appear that relief is coming anytime soon for the Twins.

[Shane Wahl]

I always thought that they could figure out a roster rotation at Chatty with all those guys, but Hicks could move up to AAA given his hot start. 

[Shane Wahl]

Also, good for Wimmers!

[Shane Wahl]

 

It is getting depressing checking in on Buxton and Sano and Burdi and Reed. It doesn't appear that relief is coming anytime soon for the Twins.

 

It isn't even May yet. 

[GMinTraining]

 

Given ABWIII strikeout problems he would seem to be the odd man out at this point. Not that he wouldn't still get playing time but he would seem to be in line for less.

 

Not only is Walker leading all AA leagues in HRs at this point, but he is off to the best BA start of his professional career.  He has a .956 OPS and leads the team in Total Bases.  Why would you put either of those 2 ahead of him at this point?  Possible potential?  I'm more excited about actual power.

 

And people - patience is a virtue.  Especially at the minor league level.  Sano and Buxton will be more than fine, as will Burdi and Reed.

[Seth Stohs]

 

With Kepler moving up what other roster moves will we see? Does he play 1st with DJ Hicks moving to AAA? Or does he play OF with Harrison getting pushed to AAA? Do Harrison, Kepler and ABWIII all split time in the corners? Given ABWIII strikeout problems he would seem to be the odd man out at this point. Not that he wouldn't still get playing time but he would seem to be in line for less.

 

I feel like I wrote this somewhere yesterday, but I would imagine that he will play all three OF positions, 1B and DH... He can play 5 out of 6 days and not play the same position. All those guys can get a day off here and there. 

 

Harrison and Hicks aren't moving up to AAA at this point, and Harrison and Walker aren't going to Ft. Myers at this poitn. THey'll play them all. 

[Shane Wahl]

 

I feel like I wrote this somewhere yesterday, but I would imagine that he will play all three OF positions, 1B and DH... He can play 5 out of 6 days and not play the same position. All those guys can get a day off here and there. 

 

Harrison and Hicks aren't moving up to AAA at this point, and Harrison and Walker aren't going to Ft. Myers at this poitn. THey'll play them all. 

 

Damn it, I said this all along in the lead up to the season and my articles about Walker and Harrison! Few actually believe it would be possible. Granted, I also thought Rosario would be involved, but it still stands that this is totally doable. 

[Pitz]

It seems Mike Gonzalez would/should draw the short end of the playing time stick. Sorry Seth and Shane if you've written this elsewhere, but I thought it should be mentioned directly here. Unless I'm missing something/someone, Kepler, Hicks, Harrison, and Walker can all be in the lineup together regularly.

[Pitz]

 

It is getting depressing checking in on Buxton and Sano and Burdi and Reed. It doesn't appear that relief is coming anytime soon for the Twins.

 

If you're that depressed by Buxton, Sano, Burdi, and Reed in a 2 week sample size, shouldn't you be equally excited about Hicks, Harrison, Walker, Polanco, Duffey, et al?

[Ncgo4]

Depressing to see the Dailey lines on Buxton & Sano? Sure, but not to worry, IMHO. Both were out of ball for a full year. Each has significantly cut down on the K's recently. We'll see them pop soon.

[clutterheart]

Kepler seems to be getting a scholarship promotion.

[clutterheart]

Walker has 16 strike outs to 1 BB. He has gaudy power numbers but damn it...those strike outs keep making me doubt his MLB potential

[Cody Christie]

 

Kepler seems to be getting a scholarship promotion.

He's on the 40-man roster. They need to see if he can sink or swim

[bird]

 

Kepler seems to be getting a scholarship promotion.

 

That might be true if the Twins knew only as much as we do and based decisions like this on a 10-day slash line instead of on being around him every day and then doing the best thing for a promising prospect's development.

[Cap'n Piranha]

Seth, can you tell me a bit more about Zach Granite? He has great stats to start the year--.373 BA, .500 OBP, and more walks than strikeouts! Is he thought of as a potential push candidate to A+ if he keeps this up for another 3-4 weeks?

[nater79a]

 

If you're that depressed by Buxton, Sano, Burdi, and Reed in a 2 week sample size, shouldn't you be equally excited about Hicks, Harrison, Walker, Polanco, Duffey, et al?

 

Also, add in excitement for Stephen Gonsalves, Nick Gordon and Kohl Stewart. Plus some off the radar guys like Alex Wimmers, Ryan Eades and Pat Dean 

[lightfoot789]

 

Also, add in excitement for Stephen Gonsalves, Nick Gordon and Kohl Stewart. Plus some off the radar guys like Alex Wimmers, Ryan Eades and Pat Dean 

Agreed.  Exciting and promising about the above guys.

[Oxtung]

 

Not only is Walker leading all AA leagues in HRs at this point, but he is off to the best BA start of his professional career.  He has a .956 OPS and leads the team in Total Bases.  Why would you put either of those 2 ahead of him at this point?  Possible potential?  I'm more excited about actual power.

 

And people - patience is a virtue.  Especially at the minor league level.  Sano and Buxton will be more than fine, as will Burdi and Reed.

 

ABW III is striking out in 41% of his PA's so far this year.  He has 1 walk.  That is terrible no matter the sample size.  His BA, OBP and OPS are all being propped up by a BABIP of .395.  The fact that he has been incredibly lucky does not change the fact that while he might swing hard, he isn't going to be a major league player (barring some major change in approach).

 

On the other hand Harrison has always had a very good strike zone judgement.  He hits for enough power to potentially play a corner position.  Kepler is already on the 40 man so he of course is going to get preferential treatment whether deserved or not.

[70charger]

Meyer just struck out the side, with 4 Ks in 6 batters faced.

 

Probably too early for any accolades, but this is fun to watch.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Seth, can you tell me a bit more about Zach Granite? He has great stats to start the year--.373 BA, .500 OBP, and more walks than strikeouts! Is he thought of as a potential push candidate to A+ if he keeps this up for another 3-4 weeks?

 

I believe that if or when the Miracle need an outfielder, he would be the first called up. He would be there now if not for being hurt the majority of last year. 

 

They really talk about, and you can see it when you watch him, his professional at bats. He takes a lot of pitches, doesn't expand the zone, but when it's a strike, he can hit a bit. 

 

Little power, but a ton of speed. Not sure if you read the article I wrote on him about a week ago in Cedar Rapids, but speed and plate discipline are his calling cards.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Kepler seems to be getting a scholarship promotion.

 

I'll disagree with this as well. He had a solid season in Ft. Myers last year (or 2/3 of a season due to injury), and he had a terrific AFL season (better than Rosario)... It's good to have him up there. He was only in FM to start the season because he got hurt late in Spring Training so they wanted to ease him back a bit.

[clutterheart]

I'll disagree with this as well. He had a solid season in Ft. Myers last year (or 2/3 of a season due to injury), and he had a terrific AFL season (better than Rosario)... It's good to have him up there. He was only in FM to start the season because he got hurt late in Spring Training so they wanted to ease him back a bit.

All of that is true. But I was hoping he would have some success before being sent to AA. Kepler has been riding the "too bad he is injured" excuse for too long. Its time for him to start being the uberprospect we thought he could be or the FO will have to make a decision and remove him from the 40 man this offseason.

[Loosey]

Alex Meyer is having himself a nice little start today.  9K's through 5 with only 3 walks.  The last walk was with the bases empty on 3-2 count and he was going for strikeout #10.  That being said, I would like the strike to ball ratio to get up higher than 55:45 ratio.

[Cap'n Piranha]

 

I believe that if or when the Miracle need an outfielder, he would be the first called up. He would be there now if not for being hurt the majority of last year. 

 

They really talk about, and you can see it when you watch him, his professional at bats. He takes a lot of pitches, doesn't expand the zone, but when it's a strike, he can hit a bit. 

 

Little power, but a ton of speed. Not sure if you read the article I wrote on him about a week ago in Cedar Rapids, but speed and plate discipline are his calling cards.

 

Thanks Seth, I missed the write-up on him, so this was a nice quick hit!  As a small-ish guy who relied on speed myself, I've always had something of a soft spot for that type of guy myself.