Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/11): Dean Dominates, Hicks Promoted

[Cody Christie]

With the major league version of the Twins having the night off, there were plenty of story lines to follow with Minnesota's minor league affiliates.

 

There were strong starting pitching performances at multiple levels including a complete game shutout. A couple of star prospects added to their impressive numbers in Chattanooga. One team's winning streak reached a season high while another team's winning streak came to a tragic end.

 

Let's find out what happened down on the farm.RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 4, Toledo 0

Box Score

Pat Dean scattered three hits on his way to a complete game shutout and Aaron Hicks continued his hot hitting ways as Rochester tip-toed by Toledo. Dean struck out four and didn't walk anyone for his third victory. With the shutout, Dean's ERA dropped under 2.00 for the season and it was his first nine-inning shutout since June 29, 2013 with the New Britain Rock Cats.

 

Aaron Hicks is making it tough for the Minnesota Twins to keep him in the minors and shortly after this game word began to spread that he would be called up. Hicks went 2-for-4 with a double, his tenth of the season, and a run scored. Danny Ortiz drove in three runs and Brock Peterson reached base three times and had his first double.

 

With the win, Rochester improves to 17-13 on the season and stops a two-game losing skid. It was only the second victory in the last six games for the Red Wings.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 6, Birmingham 2

Box Score

Byron Buxton wasted little time adding to his streak of consecutive games with an RBI. As the leadoff hitter in the top of the first inning, Buxton cranked his fourth home run of the season to stake the Lookouts to an early 1-0 lead. It was his tenth straight game with a run batted in and he's driven in 23 for the season.

 

Not to be outdone by Buxton, Adam Brett Walker hit his Southern League-leading ninth home run of the season. The three-run shot stretched the Kernel's lead to 6-2. Walker finished the night 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Travis Harrison and Max Kelper each added doubles while Stuart Turner picked up a couple of hits.

 

Former first-round pick Alex Wimmers went six strong innings allowing two earned runs and striking out nine while walking four. Tim Shibuya pitched one shutout inning and Jake Reed got the last six outs to preserve the lead.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 2, Dunedin 5

Box Score

The big news in this game was the return to the mound of Kohl Stewart but his return didn't last long. In 2.1 innings of work, Stewart gave up four runs (1 ER) on two hits with a pair of walks and no strikeouts. David Hurlbut pitched six relief innings to close out the game. The only run he allowed was unearned and he struck out five. It was Hurlbut's first appearance for the Miracle since June 2, 2014. He's had shoulder issues.

 

Three defensive errors from the Miracle really hurt them in this contest. Niko Goodrum was charged with two and Engelb Vielma had the other. The most costly error happened in the third inning with Stewart still on the mound. While attempting to start a double play, Goodrum's throw ended up in right field and two runs scored.

 

The Miracle managed seven hits in the game but none were for extra bases. Alex Swim has now hit safely in 15 straight contests, the longest streak in the Florida State League. Zach Granite and Marcus Knecht each picked up a couple of hits.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 3, Peoria 1

Box Score

Earlier in the day it was announced that outfielder Max Murphy was selected as the Midwest League Player of the Week. From May 4-10, Murphy went 10-for-25 (.400) with two doubles, one triple, one home run and nine runs batted in. He's the fourth Kernels player to pick up a league honor this season.

 

The Kernels also made a roster move on Monday. Infielder Blake Schmit, an Eden Prairie native, joined the Kernels from extended spring training. The 26th round pick in 2014 played 22 games last season for Elizabethton, hitting .162 with four RBI. In a corresponding move, Jonatan Hinojosa was sent to extended spring training.

 

On this night, the Kernels extended their winning streak to a season high seven games. Jared Wilson improved to a perfect 4-0 after pitching five scoreless frames. He walked three and struck out two. Randy LeBlanc and Trevor Hildenberger each pitched two innings with LeBlanc surrendering the only run of the game. Hildenberger improved his ERA to 0.50 for the season.

 

Max Murphy continued his hot-hitting ways by going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Nick Gordon and Trey Vavra each added two hits with Vavra notching his seventh double. T.J. White reached base three times and Jorge Fernandez clocked his first home run of the season. Zack Larson's streak of 10 consecutive games reaching base was snapped.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Pat Dean, Rochester Red Wings

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Adam Brett Walker, Chattanooga Lookouts

 

 

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester vs. Toledo (6:05 CST) – LHP Taylor Rogers

Chattanooga @ Birmingham (5:30 CST)- RHP Tyler Duffey

Chattanooga @ Birmingham (Game 2)- RHP Madison Boer

Ft. Myers vs. Dunedin (6:05 CST) – RHP Aaron Slegers

Cedar Rapids vs. Peoria (6:35 CST) - LHP Mat Batts

 

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

 

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[ExpectMorePayLess]

Any word on Dalton HIcks?

Any word on the other pitcher of the Chattanooga doubleheader tomorrow?

[Blake]

Hmm, who fills Hicks spot in Triple A? Is a Buxton promotion in the offing?

 

Or does someone go down from the major league club?

[Dantes929]

I like the idea of Hicks facing a lefty in his first game.   Not liking the idea of that lefty being Price.    I have been skeptical of Hicks ever developing his left handed swing to major league level.   Really pulling for him though because an outfield of Rosario, Buxton and Hicks at some point is really appealing.

[lightfoot789]

Good start of the week for Walker: 5-9 with 2 HRs; 2B; & 7 RBI.

 

Leads Southern League: HRs; RBI; TB; XBH; SLG; & SO

[jimbo92107]

Congratulation, Aaron Hicks! Let's hope this time Hicks sticks. I wonder whom the Twins will be demoting?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Hmm, who fills Hicks spot in Triple A? Is a Buxton promotion in the offing?

 

Or does someone go down from the major league club?

 

I'd be a little surprised if they were to promote Buxton to AAA. I think he's where he needs to be right now. It'd be good for him to sustain some extended success there and play with those teammates for awhile longer. Rosario will likely be back there soon. Eric Farris was the Red Wings CF most of last year. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Any word on Dalton HIcks?

Any word on the other pitcher of the Chattanooga doubleheader tomorrow?

 

Berrios is set to start on Wednesday, sol I'm guessing they're hoping that Duffey can go 7 in Game 1 and they can go bullpen game in Game 2. 

[ExpectMorePayLess]

What average would Walker need by July 1st in order to get his first ever mid season promotion?  Assuming he continues power numbers.

[Seth Stohs]

 

What average would Walker need by July 1st in order to get his first ever mid season promotion?  Assuming he continues power numbers.

 

I think it has more to do with his approach at the plate, his ability to lay off touch pitches and make more contact. I don't think it'll be about any sort of statistic as much as observation of those things. But the K-Rate must go down and the BB-rate must go up. And, he continues to learn in the outfield. He's in LF this year whereas he was in RF in previous years and a lot of 1B in college. He's exciting to me as a prospect, but he's got work to do.

[amjgt]

Whether it translates to MLB from AA, what Walker is doing (and what he's done for 2 years) just screams 6th or 7th in the batting order hitter, to me.

 

The kind of guy that just knows how to get guys across the plate and the kind of guy that will turn a 1 run inning into a 4 run inning in the blink of an eye. 

 

Will he strike out a bunch? Yes. But if he didn't strike out he'd probably be a MLB top 30 prospect and project to a cleanup hitter.

[GMinTraining]

The Walk / BB rate is overrated to me.    Many feel Polanco is the most MLB ready player on the Lookout team.    He has the same number of Walks as Walker.    What Polanco does better, is make contact.    If Walker can clean up those contact issues just a tad - he will be MLB ready too.    Will be only 23 all season in AA.

 

 

This is impressive for a guy with his lack of contact issues.

 

Leads Southern League: HRs; RBI; TB; XBH; SLG; & SO

and 4th in Runs Scored.

 

All done Batting 7th in Lookout lineup.    As you projected [ amjgt ]

 

[Seth Stohs]

Article updated to note that Madison Boer will start Game 2 for Chattanooga tonight.