Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/23): The Future Is Bright

[Jeremy Nygaard]

A full slate of minor games tonight featured arguably the three best starting pitching prospects in the system. Who are they and how did they do?

 

The Miracle made a move today, placing Jason Kanzler on the disabled list. Kanzler was spiked while trying to steal second base on Friday night. If you follow Kanzler on Twitter, he posted a picture (which he later removed). It was a pretty nice cut that certainly needed stitches.RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 1, Norfolk 2

Box Score

 

The Red Wings fell to the Tides in a game that lasted less than two and half hours. And that brevity was thanks to a lack of offense from both lineups.

 

Tyler Duffey made his 2015 AAA debut (and fourth career AAA start) on Saturday. His seven-inning effort, which included six strikeouts, six hits and two earned runs on 98 pitches (62 strikes) was eerily similar to his AAA debut last year: six innings, seven strikeouts, two runs on five hits, 96 pitches and 60 strikes. Of course, he took the loss today (and got credit for a win last year). Duffey took the rotation spot of Alex Meyer, who was shifted to the bullpen.

 

The only bullpen work went to the rehabbing Casey Fien who pitched one inning. He faced four batters, retiring three and walking the other.

 

Kennys Vargas doubled and had two hits. He was DHing for the Wings and had the team’s only “run production” with his one RBI. Eric Farris and Danny Ortiz also doubled.

 

Rochester is clinging to a small lead over Pawtucket in the IL North.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 11, Mobile 3

Box Score

 

This team. Wow.

 

Just looking at Saturday’s lineup - with the exception of Heiker Meneses, Mike Gonzales and possibly Stuart Turner - you’re looking at a group of guys that could conceivably be the crux of the Twins lineup.

 

Byron Buxton, who went 3-for-5 with his 11th triple and 13th stolen base and three runs scored, is the future in center field and leadoff hitter.

 

Jorge Polanco might be the organization’s best shortstop right now. He scored three runs on three singles and a walk and is batting .309. He did commit his eighth error of the season.

 

Miguel Sano drove in three runs and finished a home run short of the cycle. He’s up to .250 now.

 

Travis Harrison, Max Kepler and Adam Brett Walker combined to go 5-for-15 with two doubles and four runs scored and batted in. Those are three corner bats that are taking off this year… in an organization that suddenly has tons of corner bats.

 

And that’s not even all the prospects.

 

Jose Berrios wasn’t great tonight, but he managed to survive six innings. He allowed two runs on a walk and six hits. He struck out five. Berrios was not his normal self, throwing only 55 strikes in 88 pitches. And while his inefficiency didn’t cost him runs, it did keep him from going deeper into the game.

 

Jake Reed gave up an unearned run in two innings. He struck out four.

 

Tim Shibuya finished it off with a scoreless ninth.

 

The Lookouts improve to 27-16.

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 3, Brevard County 1

Box Score

 

Lots of good news coming from Fort Myers on a Saturday night that ended with a Miracle victory.

 

Kohl Stewart was making his third start post-injury and he didn’t appear to show any lasting effects. According to Brice Zimmerman, the Miracle’s announcer, Stewart was sitting in the 92-94 mph range with his fastball and was mixing in some sliders. While there is no official pitch count, he did complete seven innings, allowing only four hits and one run. He struck out five and picked up his first ever FSL win.

 

Brandon Peterson picked up a hold with a scoreless eighth, but the fireworks started when J.T. Chargois came in to pitch a perfect ninth inning. He touched 99 multiple times on the gun and even flashed a 100 (though the official reading was only 99.9 mph). He struck out two and picked up his 4th save.

 

While there is no indication that it’s going to happen, I would like to see Chargois in Chattanooga to see if he and Burdi could malfunction any radar guns.

 

Offensively, there isn’t much to speak of. They did just enough to win. Bryan Haar had two hits and the only extra base hit (a double). He drove in two runs and scored once. Chad Christensen scored the other two runs.

 

Ryan Walker got a hit in his high-A debut and Alex Swim got another hit - but only one - and dropped his batting average to .335.

 

Fort Myers climbed to within one game of .500 (21-22).

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 6, Beloit 7 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

After battling back from a three-run deficit in the ninth inning, the Kernels were unable to complete their comeback, losing to Beloit in 10 innings.

 

There was plenty of offense tonight; unfortunately, there was more offense from the home team at Pohlman Field than from the visitors.

 

Only Max Murphy failed to record a hit, with Blake Schmit, Trey Vavra, Brett Doe and Pat Kelly all having two hits. Schmit hit his first low-A home run and also stole his first base. Schmit drove in two runs as did Zack Larson. Nick Gordon went 1-for-5 with two strikeouts and a walk.

 

Keaton Steele made his first start in full-season ball and was bounced in the fifth inning. He allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks. Three fly balls left the park. He did strike out six and got eight ground ball outs, which is encouraging.

 

Jose Velez gave up a home run and struck out four in 2.1 innings.

 

Michael Cederoth, who ‘s been in the pen for the last week after making six starts to begin the season, took the loss. He gave up five hits and the winning run in the tenth. He struck out three in 2.1 innings.

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Kohl Stewart

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Miguel Sano

 

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester at Norfolk (12:05 CST) – LHP Tommy Milone

Cedar Rapids at Peoria (2:00 CST) – RHP Zach Tillery

Chattanooga at Mobile (2:05 CST) – RHP Greg Peavey

Ft. Myers vs Brevard County (3:05 CST) – RHP Aaron Slegers

 

Feel free to leave any questions or comments below!

 

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[GMinTraining]

I am really liking the run production the Lookouts are putting up lately.  When they are on they are truly on.  Kepler & Buxton have been on fire.  Walker and Sano have provided excellent power numbers.  The most underrated player has been Harrison who leads his league in 2B.  The most consistent player is the same guy who always has remained consistent (Polanco).  Turner has actually squared up a lot of pitches lately and could be on the upswing.

 

Does anyone know when Levi Michael is coming back and Dalton Hicks?  Two important pieces to maintaining first place.

[clank2000]

I would think Chih-Wei Hu and Stephen Gonsalves would have something to say about the top three starting prospects thing.

[h2oface]

88 pitches, ahead 7-2 after 6 innings, and Berrios is yanked. Is he on a pitch count or something? Is there a reason for not letting him pitch the 7th?

[Eephus]

The Twins win with a young pitcher on the mound giving them the 4th best winning percentage in AL. All these young guys in the minors living up to or exceeding expectations. It's getting to the point where the curmudgeons concede "It's not turning out as bad as I thought it would."

[AlwaysinModeration]

1) Duffey is arguably a top-3 pitching prospect for the Twins? I'd find that a tough argument to make. But I'm open to listening.

 

2)Buxton another triple. This kid is crazy. Is he simply always taking third on doubles?

 

3)Sano with a triple too. Guessing his triples aren't like Buxton's. But still, he's quite athletic.

 

4)Vargas is responding quite well to the demotion.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Jeremy, you make it sound like Berrios had a bad night. I get it wasn't one of his typical days, but 6 innings, 2 runs, and 5ks is hardly bad. If that's not having his best stuff, he's going to be a pretty good pitcher

[diehardtwinsfan]

Interesting thing about Duffey is that his peripherals have improved as he's moved up the ladder. I think last year I was thinking he was a back of the rotation arm at best. I'm wondering now if he can be more of a 2/3 type the way he's getting those Ks. He does have mid-90s heat. Not quite sure what his secondary pitches show, but he's getting the strike outs to go with some good velocity.

[Hrbowski]

Stewart is showing that he can become what I have thought he would be. Also, nice to see Buxton continuing with the show, as well as Sano.

[sane]

"Morneau hears from Mauer after concussion"...After a concussion, you may hear the voices of many imaginary friends.

[amjgt]

Buxton with a May OPS of around .900

 

Sano with a May OPS of around .960

Edited May 24, 2015 by amjgt

[Craig Arko]

"Morneau hears from Mauer after concussion"...After a concussion, you may hear the voices of many imaginary friends.

Not funny.

[Sky]

 

88 pitches, ahead 7-2 after 6 innings, and Berrios is yanked. Is he on a pitch count or something? Is there a reason for not letting him pitch the 7th?

 

Leading 8-2 after the top of the 7th, I cannot think of a reason for letting him pitch the 7th.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

 

I would think Chih-Wei Hu and Stephen Gonsalves would have something to say about the top three starting prospects thing.

 

In the Prospect Handbook, my starting pitching prospects (in order): Berrios, Stewart, Meyer, Thorpe, May, Duffey, Rogers, Gonsalves, Hu.

 

May has since graduated. Thorpe is out for the year. Meyer has been moved out of the rotation: Berrios, Stewart, Duffey, Rogers, Gonsalves, Hu. 

 

All six of them have been, at a minimum, good. I'd say you could make the argument that any of them could be top 3. 

 

While I wouldn't encourage you to "scout stats", look at Duffey's:

AA: 163.2 innings, 1.106 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, 1.7 BB/9.

AAA: 23.0 innings, 1.217 WHIP, 8.6 K/9, 2.3 BB/9.

 

And (not that it means much) a combined record of 12-6.

 

Besides Hu's spot-start in triple-A, here are their combined AA and AAA stats: 

[h2oface]

 

Leading 8-2 after the top of the 7th, I cannot think of a reason for letting him pitch the 7th.

Only 88 pitches......... how about to increase arm strength to be able to go deep into games? That seems like a pretty good reason to me. They were always pulling Meyer last year in the 80s, but he was on a pitch count for his arm........... Berrios threw 55 strikes in 88 pitches -  still 62.5% strikes. Ahead 8-2, it would make sense to have him go to around 100 pitches. It seemed the only thing that prevented him from going deeper into the game was they didn't let him pitch the 7th. Reading his line and looking at the box, I guess you had to be there to see how he managed to just survive six innings. I can't see it in the line. It makes sense to be stretched out if nothing is hurting one's body. 

 

"Jose Berrios wasn’t great tonight, but he managed to survive six innings. He allowed two runs on a walk and six hits. He struck out five. Berrios was not his normal self, throwing only 55 strikes in 88 pitches. And while his inefficiency didn’t cost him runs, it did keep him from going deeper into the game."

 

It looks like Casey Fien got the relief inning Meyer could have gotten on his former day to start.

Edited May 24, 2015 by h2oface

[h2oface]

 

 

Besides Hu's spot-start in triple-A, here are their combined AA and AAA stats: 

............ status interruptus?

[h2oface]

 

"Morneau hears from Mauer after concussion"...After a concussion, you may hear the voices of many imaginary friends.

Made me chuckle. Hey, as Steve Martin says "Comedy is not pretty."

[Sky]

 

Only 88 pitches......... how about to increase arm strength to be able to go deep into games? That seems like a pretty good reason to me. They were always pulling Meyer last year in the 80s, but he was on a pitch count for his arm........... Berrios threw 55 strikes in 88 pitches -  still 62.5% strikes. Ahead 8-2, it would make sense to have him go to around 100 pitches. It seemed the only thing that prevented him from going deeper into the game was they didn't let him pitch the 7th. Reading his line and looking at the box, I guess you had to be there to see how he managed to just survive six innings. I can't see it in the line. It makes sense to be stretched out if nothing is hurting one's body. 

 

He was lucky to make it out of the 6th unscathed. He loaded the bases with one out. It was clear that while his stat line was solid, he wasn't at his best last night. I have no problem with the manager taking him out and allowing a reliever to begin the inning.

 

I imagine his workout routine and his workload over many seasons will have a far greater impact on his arm strength than 12 pitches in a single game. Just seems like a stretch to second guess a rather insignificant decision by the manager. If he somehow got hurt because he went out in the 7th just to reach an arbitrary 100 inning limit, in a game that was essentially in hand at that point, there likely would have been many on here questioning why he needed to even go out for the 7th. 

[h2oface]

 

He was lucky to make it out of the 6th unscathed. He loaded the bases with one out. It was clear that while his stat line was solid, he wasn't at his best last night. I have no problem with the manager taking him out and allowing a reliever to begin the inning.

 

I imagine his workout routine and his workload over many seasons will have a far greater impact on his arm strength than 12 pitches in a single game. Just seems like a stretch to second guess a rather insignificant decision by the manager. If he somehow got hurt because he went out in the 7th just to reach an arbitrary 100 inning limit, in a game that was essentially in hand at that point, there likely would have been many on here questioning why he needed to even go out for the 7th. 

Thanks. The original question was ...... is he on a pitch count? That would be for Jeremy, the author of the article, or someone who knows and is not guessing. I don't think that has been answered. It doesn't have to be 100 pitches - I agree that is totally arbitrary...... and I believe they should go more, even. Gibson was at 93 after the 7th today, and ahead 8-1, and he came out in the 8th for another 13 and finished with 106. Why have Gibson pitch the needless 8th, ahead 8-1? Arm strength, perhaps? I replied to your post because I could think of a reason. I am not trying to second guess Doug Mientkiewicz, and I am not arguing with you, just asking questions and hoping that someone that might know will answer. Sometimes, having a pitcher pitch when he is not at his best, can help him become his best. Sometimes, pulling him so he still has confidence after an outing can help more. 

Edited May 24, 2015 by h2oface

[blairpaul715]

In todays game (5/24/25)....I know AA is about getting work in and giving everyone a chance and developing, but what is the deal with the Lookouts keeping DJ Johnson in the game?? 45 plus pitches for a reliever, who has struggled this yr and is not really much of a prospect, anyone have any insight or is it just to try to develop thru adversity???

Edited May 24, 2015 by blairpaul715

[blairpaul715]

 

 

In todays game (5/24/25)....I know AA is about getting work in and giving everyone a chance and developing, but what is the deal with the Lookouts keeping DJ Johnson in the game?? 45 plus pitches for a reliever, who has struggled this yr and is not really much of a prospect, anyone have any insight or is it just to try to develop thru adversity???

I am answering my own question, i forgot they had a DH 2 days ago, but still wonder

Edited May 24, 2015 by blairpaul715

[Jeremy Nygaard]

............ status interruptus?

 

Nope. There just aren't any stats.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Thanks. The original question was ...... is he on a pitch count? That would be for Jeremy, the author of the article, or someone who knows and is not guessing. I don't think that has been answered. It doesn't have to be 100 pitches - I agree that is totally arbitrary...... and I believe they should go more, even. Gibson was at 93 after the 7th today, and ahead 8-1, and he came out in the 8th for another 13 and finished with 106. Why have Gibson pitch the needless 8th, ahead 8-1? Arm strength, perhaps? I replied to your post because I could think of a reason. I am not trying to second guess Doug Mientkiewicz, and I am not arguing with you, just asking questions and hoping that someone that might know will answer. Sometimes, having a pitcher pitch when he is not at his best, can help him become his best. Sometimes, pulling him so he still has confidence after an outing can help more.

 

I don't think he was on a pitch count. There was a game a few weeks ago that Berrios threw like 110 pitches, but it was a low-stress game. I think some thinking has been shifted from number of throws to how stressful the throws are. If he's pitching and has a long inning, followed by the offense having a long inning, he's going to come out because that 89th pitch is going to be more stressful on his arm than the 110th pitch he threw in a game twi weeks ago.

 

I don't know if that was the case last night, but it could have been something. That or getting him out cause it wasn't close.

[lightfoot789]

 

I don't think he was on a pitch count. There was a game a few weeks ago that Berrios threw like 110 pitches, but it was a low-stress game. I think some thinking has been shifted from number of throws to how stressful the throws are. If he's pitching and has a long inning, followed by the offense having a long inning, he's going to come out because that 89th pitch is going to be more stressful on his arm than the 110th pitch he threw in a game twi weeks ago. I don't know if that was the case last night, but it could have been something. That or getting him out cause it wasn't close.

 

 

 

 

Great analysis.  I agree about the long innings being a factor.

 

Edited May 25, 2015 by lightfoot789

[h2oface]

 

Nope. There just aren't any stats.

I knew that, too. That jet that flew over my head just missed me.....  good one.

 

Thanks for the insight on the pitch count for Berrios.

Edited May 25, 2015 by h2oface