Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/20): Wins For Everyone

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Even though the Twins are on the road this week, Target Field is still busy with baseball. The Big Ten Championship is underway. There are four games on the agenda tomorrow, including the Illinois Fighting Illini going for their 28th consecutive win at 9 pm. You can also catch Red Wing’s Ryan Boldt playing for Nebraska at 1 pm in an elimination game.

 

Enough about college baseball, let’s talk about the Twins and their affiliates.RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 8, Durham 7 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

The Red Wings came from down five, to going up two, to blowing the lead… before finally walking off the Durham Bulls in the 10th inning, but not before things got interesting.

Jason Wheeler gave up six runs in six innings on nine hits. He struck out seven and walked two.

 

Rehabbing Tim Stauffer threw 20 pitches in his rehab assignment, but allowed a run and was hung with a blown save.

 

Kennys Vargas made his AAA debut and reached base four times (three singles and a walk). He scored twice. Argenis Diaz also had three hits (including a double) and drove in two runs.

 

After a single and two walks to load the bases in the bottom of the 10th, Eric Farris delivered a walk-off single.

 

Caleb Thielbar was credited with the win, but he let things get a little hairy in the top of the 10th. After giving up a leadoff walk and chasing that with a single, Thielbar was able to get the lead runner on a sacrifice bunt attempt. He then allowed a two-out single to load the bases. Fortunately, he got a swinging strikeout to end the inning.

 

The Red Wings (23-17) remain a half-game ahead of the PawSox in the IL North.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 11, Montgomery 5

Box Score

 

The Lookouts were certainly cooking with fire on Wednesday night, scoring 11 runs on 15 hits and putting up crooked numbers in three different innings.

 

Byron Buxton scored two runs and had two triples. He has nine on the season, which is borderline ridiculous. His batting average increased seven points to .247.

 

Miguel Sano doubled twice (on three hits) and drove in two runs. He’s batting .235.

 

All told, the whole lineup except ninth-place hitter Heiker Meneses scored a run (or more) and every batter got a hit (or more). Max Kepler doubled and homered and Adam Brett Walker hit his 10th home run.

 

D.J. Baxendale gave up four earned runs in his second consecutive start, but his ERA only went up to 2.47. He struck out four.

 

Jake Reed picked up the win with two scoreless, one-hit innings. Zack Jones gave up a run in the 9th.

 

The Lookouts improve to 25-15 and have a three-game lead in the Southern League North.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 7, Bradenton 2

Box Score

 

Ryan Eades was phenomenal over seven innings, striking out three and getting 10 ground ball outs. He only allowed five base runners all game and one unearned run. On the season, he’s 3-1 and has dropped his ERA to 3.19.

 

The Miracle scored all seven of their runs in the first four innings.

 

Niko Goodrum drove in Jason Kanzler with an RBI double in the first and later scored on Marcus Kencht’s single.

 

They added three runs in the second. Jason Kanzler drove in Engelb Vielma, who reached on a bunt. Zach Granite drove in Tanner Vavra and later scored on a Niko Goodrum ground ball.

 

After walking and stealing second, Niko Goodrum came around after being caught heading to third base on a come-backer to the pitcher. The throwing error allowed Chad Christensen to reach second and later score on a Michael Quesada hit.

 

Alex Muren pitched a perfect eighth inning and J.T. Chargois allowed an unearned run in the 9th. Chargois struck out one.

The Miracle have closed to within two games of .500 at 19-21.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 8, Peoria 0

Box Score

 

The Kernels got great pitching performances and pulled away with a big inning offensively.

 

Stephen Gonsalves continued to dominate the Midwest League, throwing six innings of one-hit ball. While he walked three, he struck out seven. At 4-1, he has a 1.50 ERA.

 

Hard-throwing Michael Cederoth, who has been starting, pitched two perfect innings, striking out three. (Our friend Steve Buhr thinks this means Keaton Steele will move into Cederoth’s rotation spot.) Zach Tillery pitched a no-hit ninth.

 

Trey Vava and Zack Larson each had two hits, but the story of the offense was the bottom of the order. Pat Kelly, Brett Doe and Blake Schmit combined to go 7-for-14 with three runs, two doubles and three RBI.

 

Despite being tied for the second best record in the whole Midwest League, the Kernels are 7.5 games out of first place.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Stephen Gonsalves, Cedar Rapids

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Byron Buxton, Chattanooga

 

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester at Norfolk (6:35 CST) – LHP Pat Dean

Chattanooga at Mobile (6:35 CST) – RHP Alex Wimmers

Ft. Myers vs Brevard County (6:05 CST) – LHP Brett Lee

Cedar Rapids at Peoria (7:00 CST) – RHP Felix Jorge

 

Feel free to leave any questions or comments below!

 

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[Twins Twerp]

I am going to be completely honest, I am only making this post to check out my new nicky punto profile picture.  I do wish that there was a jpg of a head first slide that fit, but 50k is too small for that much grit.  

[DarrenVahtra]

I was one of about 150 people at thkernel's game(it was quite cold) and from what I saw Stephen gonsalves has nothing left to prove at low A ball. His secondary offerings are just filthy. Also Nick Gordon really looked like a kid out there but he flashed some tools that get me excited to see how far he can go.

[ashbury]

All four farm teams win, plus the big club. A good day.

[Wyatt1996]

Ok, I just wanna hear why you picked Buxton as hitter of the day.. I mean he had a great day but Max Kepler hit 2 XBH's and had 2 RBI.. And there's Miguel Sano who went 3-5 with 2 doubles.. Tough choice but no RBI for Buxton so hard for me to turn away from Kepler..

[jimbo92107]

Agree with Wyatt. Buxton may be the fastest runner of the day, but the best hitter sounds like it was Kepler or Sano.

[70charger]

I'd have picked Buxton too. When was the last time you saw a guy hit two triples in one game? Crazy!

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Two triples was enough for me. I'm not gonna penalize a guy for not driving in any runs, he can't really help that. But you can make arguments for a number of guys.

[Pitz]

If anyone hasn't already, I highly recommend checking out the link to the Chattanooga pictures in the "Twins Blogosphere" section. Some awesome pics from Brace Hemmelgarn - game action, behind the scenes, stadium shots - just phenomenal!

[Seth Stohs]

 

Ok, I just wanna hear why you picked Buxton as hitter of the day.. I mean he had a great day but Max Kepler hit 2 XBH's and had 2 RBI.. And there's Miguel Sano who went 3-5 with 2 doubles.. Tough choice but no RBI for Buxton so hard for me to turn away from Kepler..

 

It's always a good thing when there are lots of good choices for hitter (or pitcher) of the day. I agree with Jeremy about RBI not factoring into my equation for the choice. I often look at total bases. It's objective and definitely something that should be discussed and debated in the comments.

[Seth Stohs]

 

If anyone hasn't already, I highly recommend checking out the link to the Chattanooga pictures in the "Twins Blogosphere" section. Some awesome pics from Brace Hemmelgarn - game action, behind the scenes, stadium shots - just phenomenal!

 

I agree. I've looked through them myself... But sure to include the link when you encourage people to check out a link.

[Pitz]

I wasn't sure about including the link since there is already one on the page - but here is the direct link to the pictures.

 

Brace Hemelgarn Chattanooga Photos

 

Seems like there's pretty good "chemistry" on the club with lots of personality and enjoying the game.

[THE DFC]

If Kepler is starting to emerge as a beast prospect, things are getting very interesting with Hicks, Rosario, Arcia already in the bigs and Kepler and Buxton knocking on the door. Walker and Harrison aren't exactly slouches either...

 

Then throw in Sano and Polanco when we already have Plouffe, Dozier and Santana and factor in that our team is actually having success in the bigs, and you've got the beginnings of some very interesting decisions for Terry Ryan starting in about a month.

[markos]

 

I was one of about 150 people at thkernel's game(it was quite cold) and from what I saw Stephen gonsalves has nothing left to prove at low A ball. His secondary offerings are just filthy. Also Nick Gordon really looked like a kid out there but he flashed some tools that get me excited to see how far he can go.

Did you happen to note Gonsalves's fastball velocity during the game? 

[DarrenVahtra]

He touched 90 a couple times but lived at 88. Not overwhelming by any stretch but because the off speed stuff was so good nobody could touch it.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

It will be interesting to see if Kepler can sustain his success against left-handed pitching. In 2013, he slashed .117/.232/.133 (.265). This year (though in only 22 PA) he's slashing .333/.364/.476 (.840). Last year, he was in between, so he's definitely trending in the right direction.

[Twins Twerp]

 

He touched 90 a couple times but lived at 88. Not overwhelming by any stretch but because the off speed stuff was so good nobody could touch it.

Is this normal (touching 90,working upper 80s)?  Are we looking at a best case scenario of Tommy Milone?  

 

Not saying that would be terrible from a left handed pitching prospect.  I guess we would all be pretty happy if he turned into Tommy Milone right?

[Dman]

Man what has happened to Wheel House?  After last years performance I picked Wheeler to prove he was ready for MLB this year.  I also wanted him on the 40 man over Gilmartin last year and Gilmartin seems to be getting it done for the Mets as a reliever so he is making me look really bad right now.  I hope he can find the consistency he had last year with a few more strikeouts this year.  I thought he had it figured out last year.  It looks like I am wrong yet again. 

[Pitz]

According to this article he has "advanced command of his 90-92 mph fastball" but "sometimes he'll throw it 88, 89 and it'll go by guys."

[Seth Stohs]

The radar gun that goes to teh scoreboard in Cedar Rapids is reportedly 2-3 mph slow. Has been each of the three years that I've gone to games there, and I believe that Steve Buhr can verify this as well. 88 = 91. 

 

 

[jokin]

Is this normal (touching 90,working upper 80s)?  Are we looking at a best case scenario of Tommy Milone?  

 

Not saying that would be terrible from a left handed pitching prospect.  I guess we would all be pretty happy if he turned into Tommy Milone right?

This is why he's an intriguing prospect, but leaves some confusion and cause for concern about his ceiling.

 

Here's a capsule summary after his rookie league debut:

 

"Baseball America's pre-draft scouting report noted that he 'entered the spring as a potential first-round pick, but his stock has fallen as scouts have been disappointed with his inconsistent velocity and command.'

 

Gonsalves signed for $700,000--which is $150,000 more than third-rounder Stuart Turner and $320,000 more than fifth-rounder Aaron Slegers--and had a very impressive pro debut, posting a 0.95 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 28 innings split between two levels of rookie-ball. Gonsalves is 6-foot-5 with a low-90s fastball and developing curveball, which along with the strong debut suggests plenty of long-term upside."

 

So he appears to definitely be a better prospect than Milone, but "How much Better? is the question. He certainly needs a promotion ASAP to start answering that question. He's making a mockery of the Midwest League.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Is this normal (touching 90,working upper 80s)?  Are we looking at a best case scenario of Tommy Milone?  

 

Not saying that would be terrible from a left handed pitching prospect.  I guess we would all be pretty happy if he turned into Tommy Milone right?

 

First, if any prospect becomes Tommy Milone, the team that developed him should be absolutely thrilled. A very small percentage of players in Low A get to the big leagues, much less have a solid three year career like Milone has. 

 

That said, yeah, Gonsalves's upside is certainly higher than that. Will he get there? No way to know. However, he's left-handed, throws strikes, has 3 pitches, is a big kid and still growing and getting stronger and sits 90-92. Most big league starting pitchers sit 90-92.  If he can add 1-2 mph, it would probably help. However, one might argue that his best trait is that he just knows how to pitch. He's still very young, but he has a very advanced pitching IQ. He just gets it. That's not always the case. In fact, it's probably more rare than you would think.

[jokin]

First, if any prospect becomes Tommy Milone, the team that developed him should be absolutely thrilled. A very small percentage of players in Low A get to the big leagues, much less have a solid three year career like Milone has. 

 

That said, yeah, Gonsalves's upside is certainly higher than that. Will he get there? No way to know. However, he's left-handed, throws strikes, has 3 pitches, is a big kid and still growing and getting stronger and sits 90-92. Most big league starting pitchers sit 90-92.  If he can add 1-2 mph, it would probably help. However, one might argue that his best trait is that he just knows how to pitch. He's still very young, but he has a very advanced pitching IQ. He just gets it. That's not always the case. In fact, it's probably more rare than you would think.

How soon for his promotion, Seth?

[tobi0040]

 

Two triples was enough for me. I'm not gonna penalize a guy for not driving in any runs, he can't really help that. But you can make arguments for a number of guys.

 

Yeah, pretty good odds that if someone was on base, his two triples would have knocked them in.

 

Agree with above.  Move Gonsalves up.

[tobi0040]

 

The radar gun that goes to teh scoreboard in Cedar Rapids is reportedly 2-3 mph slow. Has been each of the three years that I've gone to games there, and I believe that Steve Buhr can verify this as well. 88 = 91. 

 

On a related note.  The gun at the state fair is off quite a bit more.  Said I was sitting 68-69 on my happy gilmore-esque fastball with cro-hop.

 

I am thinking that gun needs to be adjusted 25-30 mph to accurately display my heat.

[bird]

The Lookouts have at least six bona fide pitching prospects on the roster, and yet they probably have the 3rd most talented staff among the four full-season minor league clubs.

[Seth Stohs]

 

How soon for his promotion, Seth?

 

Who knows? Typically they make moves right after the league all star games. I generally agree with that. He's up to 15-16 starts at Cedar Rapids, so really any time. That said, nothing wrong with keeping him there through the All Star game and letting him be recognized or until the Kernels were to clinch (or be eliminated) from making the playoffs for the first half.

[jokin]

Who knows? Typically they make moves right after the league all star games. I generally agree with that. He's up to 15-16 starts at Cedar Rapids, so really any time. That said, nothing wrong with keeping him there through the All Star game and letting him be recognized or until the Kernels were to clinch (or be eliminated) from making the playoffs for the first half.

Sounds about right, but I can't recall having a guy that has put up these type of numbers at A ball. Berrios had 19 starts before being promoted, and his numbers were quite pedestrian compared to Gonsalves' incredible production.

 

Perhaps Steve Buhr can answer this question best, but I am also wondering if Gonsalves is demonstrating new personal maturity to go along with his maturity on the mound? It seems that answering that question in the positive may also have a bearing on his timetable.

[Tibs]

First of all, 9 triples in 39 games is stupid.

 

Secondly, is Ryan Eades still viewed as a guy who could move quickly?

[markos]

 

First, if any prospect becomes Tommy Milone, the team that developed him should be absolutely thrilled. A very small percentage of players in Low A get to the big leagues, much less have a solid three year career like Milone has. 

 

That said, yeah, Gonsalves's upside is certainly higher than that. Will he get there? No way to know. However, he's left-handed, throws strikes, has 3 pitches, is a big kid and still growing and getting stronger and sits 90-92. Most big league starting pitchers sit 90-92.  If he can add 1-2 mph, it would probably help. However, one might argue that his best trait is that he just knows how to pitch. He's still very young, but he has a very advanced pitching IQ. He just gets it. That's not always the case. In fact, it's probably more rare than you would think.

I think the Twins deserve a lot of credit for Gonsalves's development. Two years ago, he was a kid with inconsistent velocity, bad control and a non-existent breaking ball. Today, he is demonstrating excellent command, has a more than serviceable breaking ball, and good enough (and seemingly consistent) velocity. And maybe he will add a couple of ticks to his fastball, which certainly would help. Hopefully he will continue to be durable and hold up over the course of his first full season.