Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/21): Walker Powers Wings

[Seth Stohs]

Adam Brett Walker did something that we haven’t see in the Twins system in many years. A top prospect returned. There was a Miracle win down in Ft. Myers thanks to a hit from Down Under. Two Kernels reached base four times tonight but it wasn’t enough. Two starters were terrific through five innings before meeting some struggles. And hey, the Minnesota Twins had an impressive come-from-behind, late-inning win on Saturday against the Blue Jays.For much more on what happened on Saturday in the Twins farm system, please continue.

 

TRANSACTIONS

It is a rare occasion, but there were no transactions.

 

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 12, Durham 2

Box Score

 

Hitting a home run is always a pretty cool thing. Hitting a second home run in a game is even cooler. It is pretty rare for a player to hit three home runs in a game. On Saturday night, Adam Brett Walker homered in his first three at bats and drove in five runs. He now has nine home runs on the season and five homers in his last 11 at bats.

 

 

 

The Red Wings scored 12 runs on 13 hits in the game and also added six walks. Byron Buxton returned to the lineup. In his first at-bat, he singled, stole a base and scored on a Max Kepler single. Buxton went 2-5 with a walk in his return. He also stole two bases. Wilfredo Tovar went 2-4 with a walk. Tommy FIeld pinch hit late and hit a bases-clearing double. Eddie Rosario went 1-5 and is hitting .154 through three games with the Red Wings.

 

Jose Berrios made his return to the Red Wings after a month in the big leagues. The control issues that have haunted him all year returned. After a long first inning, he somehow managed to complete five innings. He gave up just one run on three hits, but he walked five and struck out eight. While his season ERA is still just 1.23 with the Wings, he clearly has room for improvement.

 

Alex Wimmers gave up one run on two hits over the next two innings. He struck out three. Dan Runzler walked one and struck out three in his inning. Marcus Walden struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 2, Jackson 5

Box Score

 

David Hurlbut was terrific through six shutout innings. However, the seventh began with back-to-back doubles. An error led to a big inning. In total, he gave up four runs (one earned) on 10 hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out four. Luke Westphal came in and allowed two of Hurlbut’s runners to score and gave up another run on three hits in the seventh inning. Mason Melotakis gave up a hit and walked one in a scoreless eighth inning.

 

The Lookouts managed six hits and walked four times, but they were unable to put together a big inning. Travis Harrison went 2-4 and drove in a run. Dalton Hicks was 1-3 with a walk.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 9, Tampa 8

Box Score

 

The Miracle came to bat in the bottom of the ninth down 8-5. A two-run single from Edgar Corcino got them closer. Chad Christensen then scored on an infield single from Kevin Garcia. With a runner at third, Logan Wade came to the plate and singled in the game-winning run for the Miracle win.

 

Stephen Gonsalves made another start and this one wasn’t as good as his previous starts. He gave up four runs on four hits in five innings. He walked three and struck out five. Yorman Landa came on and gave up three unearned runs on four hits and a walk over 1.2 innings. He struck out two. Brandon Peterson came in and worked the final 2.1 innings. He gave up a run on three hits. He struck out two.

 

Eduardo Escobar made his second start on his rehab assignment. He went 3-5 with a double and is now 4-8 in two games. Escobar played shortstop again. On Friday night, Nick Gordon DHd. On Saturday, Gordon got an opportunity to start at third base. He did have one error in the game.

 

Chris Paul went 3-5 with his second triple. Alex Real went 2-4 with a walk and his fifth home run, a three-run shot. Logan Wade was 2-5 with a walk. Brian Navarreto went 2-4 with his second double. Max Murphy was 2-5.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 4, Quad Cities 10

Box Score

 

A quick look at Dereck Rodriguez’s final pitching line is not really indicative of how well he pitched most of the outing. Overall, he went 5.1 innings and gave up six runs (four earned) on eight hits. He walked two and struck out six. However, it’s important to note that through five innings, he had only thrown 61 pitches and no base runners had reached third base.

 

Williams Ramirez came on and got the next five outs. He walked two, but he limited the damage. CK Irby came on for the 8th inning and gave up three runs on three hits and a walk. Sam Gibbons worked the ninth and gave up one run on three hits. He struck out three.

 

Sean MIller led the offense by going 4-4 with his fourth Kernels double. LaMonte Wade was tremendous again, reaching base four times in five plate appearances. He had two singles and walked twice.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Marcus Walden, Rochester Red Wings

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Adam Brett Walker, Rochester Red Wings

 

 

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester @ Durham (4:05 CST) - LHP Tommy Milone

Chattanooga @ Jackson (2:05 CST) - RHP Aaron Slegers

Tampa @ Ft. Myers (3:05 CST) – RHP Kyle Gibson

Quad Cities @ Cedar Rapids (2:05 CST) – RHP Miles Nordgren

 

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

 

Click here to view the article

[jud6312]

Do we know if there was a reason Kepler was pinch-hit for? Injury (hopefully not)? 

[GMinTraining]

Walkers 2nd Blast on Thursday Night

 

Walkers 2nd HR on Saturday Night

 

Walkers 3rd HR of the Night (Saturday)

Off Rays Closer (99 MPH) Boxberger

 

Now leads Triple AAA International League with (9)

[GMinTraining]

Josh Whetzel ‏@JoshWhetzel  May 20
Adam Brett Walker hit two HRs last night. The first landed in the second balcony from top supposedly!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ci7rzbFWgAIt4Qf.jpg

 

A zebra doesn't change his stripes (Good and Bad).  Hopefully he can gain a little more consistency on the positive side.

[Platoon]

I know he has a lot of issues with strikeouts, so it's good the Twins don't have any offensive problems, and are able to let him mature in Rochester. .

[bird]

Perhaps it's not such a no-brainer that Gonsalves should have been advanced to AA by now.

[ashbury]

I know he has a lot of issues with strikeouts, so it's good the Twins don't have any offensive problems, and are able to let him mature in Rochester. .

His defense is below par, so unless he's ready to absolutely rake at the MLB level it may be that he gives up as many runs with his glove as he earns with his bat.

[Mr. Brooks]

Perhaps it's not such a no-brainer that Gonsalves should have been advanced to AA by now.

If the criteria for promotion is that a player can never have one bad game, then nobody would ever get promoted.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Walker has struck out in 50% of his at bats right now in Rochester.  Slow down and read that again... 50% 

 

I like the fact that his walk rate is rising, but he still has to get that K rate under control.  He's on the 40 man, so giving him a 15 day stint once or twice this season might be nice, but I still think we need to temper those expectations a bit.  He needs time in Rochester, and he needs to bring that K rate down.  Hopefully, this is the start of something clicking with him and we will see some better numbers (at least in terms of Ks) over the next few months.

[roger]

Thanks for doing these daily reports, Seth and crew.  It is appreciated, especially from some of us old guys who were interested in these kids long before most.

 

How often have you seen a top pitching prospect promoted immediately after a poor outing.  Sounds like time to send Gonsalves up to AA?

 

What an exciting night for Walker.  But it sounds to me that he needs to spend the entire season working hard at Rochester.  Hopefully, we will see improvement in the areas of his game that he has been struggling with.  And I expect we will also see lots of round trippers.  It is great when they come with men on base, isn't it?

[nater79a]

When should we start becoming concerned about Berrios' control and pitch counts? Been going on for awhile now. Was considered to be one of his strengths, I thought.

[nater79a]

Sam Gibbons in the 'pen now? Must have missed that.

[jokin]

 

Walker has struck out in 50% of his at bats right now in Rochester.  Slow down and read that again... 50% 

 

I like the fact that his walk rate is rising, but he still has to get that K rate under control.  He's on the 40 man, so giving him a 15 day stint once or twice this season might be nice, but I still think we need to temper those expectations a bit.  He needs time in Rochester, and he needs to bring that K rate down.  Hopefully, this is the start of something clicking with him and we will see some better numbers (at least in terms of Ks) over the next few months.

 

I think Walker's going to have "Brett" dropped as his middle name and have his name changed to Adam "Bring that K Rate Down and add more" Walkers.

 

And accentuating the positive, and being hopeful that this is the start of something clicking, last night he only had 2 Ks in 5 PAs, cutting that 50% K-rate just a smidge.

[jokin]

 

 

Perhaps it's not such a no-brainer that Gonsalves should have been advanced to AA by now.

 

Yeah, because small sample sizes and expectations of perfection on every single outing should be the ultimate determinants in promoting anyone, particularly your most talented prospects.

[jokin]

 

 

His defense is below par, so unless he's ready to absolutely rake at the MLB level it may be that he gives up as many runs with his glove as he earns with his bat.

 

After seeing him play a couple games in the OF, not great, but he's actually much better than a few who have manned the OF for the Twins this year.

[Winston Smith]

With his K rate he'd fit right in. Bring him up!

[Taildragger8791]

Yeah, because small sample sizes and expectations of perfection on every single outing should be the ultimate determinants in promoting anyone, particularly your most talented prospects.

I think his point was that Gonsalves already has a high walk rate at High A ball but is getting away with it due to the competition level and pitcher-friendly league, making his numbers look better than his actual performance. If the Twins are trying to get him to throw better strikes to avoid a blowup at AA then putting up a game like this shows he has work to do still. Walking 4 per 9 and rarely getting past 6 innings is a potential recipe for trouble when jumping from High A to AA. It's just speculation, but it seems logical.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Yeah, because small sample sizes and expectations of perfection on every single outing should be the ultimate determinants in promoting anyone, particularly your most talented prospects.

 

I really don't get the Gonsalves consternation (on both sides). SSS was saying promote him, and now he's had a couple not so good starts.  Overall, he's been fine and will probably see a promotion within the next month baring a complete collapse or injury.  I have no problems waiting beyond a small sample for a promotion.  Anyone can be hot for a month, nothing wrong with making sure that it isn't simply that.

[HitInAPinch]

Over his few MLB starts, Berrios looked like he was really overthrowing.  He should be following what Greg Maddox did in his career.  Stuff wise, I think they're pretty close.  Control-wise, not even.

[Rosterman]

Still Berrios got out of some messes. He's throwing the K's that we all want, as is WImmers. Just need some better pitch selections,

[jokin]

 

I think his point was that Gonsalves already has a high walk rate at High A ball but is getting away with it due to the competition level and pitcher-friendly league, making his numbers look better than his actual performance. If the Twins are trying to get him to throw better strikes to avoid a blowup at AA then putting up a game like this shows he has work to do still. Walking 4 per 9 and rarely getting past 6 innings is a potential recipe for trouble when jumping from High A to AA. It's just speculation, but it seems logical.

 

On the numbers thing, see below. On the innings thing, I don't think getting past 6 IPs is a fair minor league standard to hang many hats upon. The Twins have a long term plan in place for a projected total number of innings over the season for each pitcher- they usually get pulled after 5 or 6 innings whether they are cruising or struggling.

 

I really don't get the Gonsalves consternation (on both sides). SSS was saying promote him, and now he's had a couple not so good starts.  Overall, he's been fine and will probably see a promotion within the next month baring a complete collapse or injury.  I have no problems waiting beyond a small sample for a promotion.  Anyone can be hot for a month, nothing wrong with making sure that it isn't simply that.

 

Gonsalves had 80 innings in A+ ball in 2015. His comparable numbers this season thus far are dramatically improved. His BB/9 has (his latest 2 outings nothwithstanding) improved by over 1 BB per 9 IP (much closer to 3 than 4) and his K/9 has improved nearly by 2 Ks per 9 IP.

 

I would think that most everyone is agreeable to a June promotion. The issue is fans seeing one so-so outing and determining from said outing that he's "not ready yet." And the same goes for management, where sometimes "must be consistently dominating" is MLB gatekeeper code for seemingly unattainable expectations of "perfection". Whatever the case may be, the present way the Twins have been developing their arms- (Read- Slowwwly)- has not produced very many major league ready quality producers. In this particular case, streaks of wildness, if that is indeed what has happened to Gonsalves of late, can be sufficiently dealt with at either A+ or AA ball. I don't think anyone disagrees that Gonsalves has the stuff and the makeup to tackle the next level almost immediately, do we?

 

 

Edited May 22, 2016 by jokin

[Taildragger8791]

 

Gonsalves had 80 innings in A+ ball in 2015. His comparable numbers this season thus far are dramatically improved. His BB/9 has (his latest 2 outings nothwithstanding) improved by over 1 BB per 9 IP (much closer to 3 than 4) and his K/9 has improved nearly by 2 Ks per 9 IP.

 

I would think that most everyone is agreeable to a June promotion. The issue is fans seeing one so-so outing and determining from said outing that he's "not ready yet." And the same goes for management, where sometimes "must be consistently dominating" is MLB gatekeeper code for seemingly unattainable expectations of "perfection". Whatever the case may be, the present way the Twins have been developing their arms- (Read- Slowwwly)- has not produced very many major league ready quality producers. In this particular case, streaks of wildness, if that is indeed what has happened to Gonsalves of late, can be sufficiently dealt with at either A+ or AA ball. I don't think anyone disagrees that Gonsalves has the stuff and the makeup to tackle the next level almost immediately, do we?

 

The issue with looking at season averages is it masks the fact that in half his performances he's been pretty solid and in the other half he scuffled with control. This isn't one bad outing he's being judged on, it's just the one where mild concerns over his control were validated a little bit. In 4 out of 8 starts he's gone 6 or fewer innings with 3+ walks. The hits/ERA look good because he's facing less experienced hitters in friendly ballparks that can't consistently punish him. Based on his elevated pitch counts, even in most of his good starts, I assume he's trying to nibble & throw junk and inexperienced hitters are getting themselves out. For that reason alone I think a taste of AA could be a good test and possibly a wake-up call that he needs to throw better strikes. 

[DocBauer]

His defense needs work and he will probably always be a DH and part time OF. He also SO way too much, and probably always will. But even with a ton of SO, if he can keep nudging his BB up, he may be a real 3 part outcome player at the ML level. And those are valuable too.

 

Can you see him hitting in the .250 range with a .325-.330 OB, 30+ doubles and 25-30+ HR?

 

It's still hard no to be excited about him. He's produced at every level he's ever been at.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I know he has a lot of issues with strikeouts, so it's good the Twins don't have any offensive problems, and are able to let him mature in Rochester. .

 

Curious how a 44% strikeout rate in AAA might translate to the big leagues... I'm a big Walker fan and supporter. He's a better person than a player, and he's a terrific player... but he is where he needs to be right now. Hopefully he can keep learning and getting better.

[Seth Stohs]

 

How often have you seen a top pitching prospect promoted immediately after a poor outing.  Sounds like time to send Gonsalves up to AA?

 

You're right Roger. We used to talk about that. Jim Rantz seemed to do that a lot, see a guy have a rough start and then promote them. Haven't seen that as much with Brad Steil yet, but I think Gonsalves is still close.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

His defense needs work and he will probably always be a DH and part time OF. He also SO way too much, and probably always will. But even with a ton of SO, if he can keep nudging his BB up, he may be a real 3 part outcome player at the ML level. And those are valuable too. Can you see him hitting in the .250 range with a .325-.330 OB, 30+ doubles and 25-30+ HR? It's still hard no to be excited about him. He's produced at every level he's ever been at.

 

I'd say that's a pretty decent player.  I think if he can cut down the Ks though, he can be better than that to be very honest.

[Seth Stohs]

 

When should we start becoming concerned about Berrios' control and pitch counts? Been going on for awhile now. Was considered to be one of his strengths, I thought.

 

I would say it is already something that is worrisome. I'm not at all worried long-term, but it is something he will have to work through.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Sam Gibbons in the 'pen now? Must have missed that.

 

Happened a couple of starts ago. Looking at his performance as a starter, it was an easy decision.

[jokin]

 

The issue with looking at season averages is it masks the fact that in half his performances he's been pretty solid and in the other half he scuffled with control. This isn't one bad outing he's being judged on, it's just the one where mild concerns over his control were validated a little bit. In 4 out of 8 starts he's gone 6 or fewer innings with 3+ walks. The hits/ERA look good because he's facing less experienced hitters in friendly ballparks that can't consistently punish him. Based on his elevated pitch counts, even in most of his good starts, I assume he's trying to nibble & throw junk and inexperienced hitters are getting themselves out. For that reason alone I think a taste of AA could be a good test and possibly a wake-up call that he needs to throw better strikes. 

 

Scuffling with control is par for the course at this level- so much of what he is doing in real time situations is "big picture" stuff- a part of his training regimen and program- ie, getting a better feel and mastering his 3rd and 4th pitches, experimenting with situational pitch sequencing, what to throw early/late in the count, etc. The point is, that short of his very first inning pitched and this latest game, he has dominated A+ level hitting in 2016 and is dominating a level that he is repeating.

 

On the 5th and 6th inning finishes, this is also part of the plan. He's actually improved on that count thus far, averaging close to 6 innings per outing this year and only a little over 5.5 innings per outing last year. I would think that one of the long-term goals was to continue to build season-long arm strength and stamina by increasing on his 135 IP and 24 starts in 2015- perhaps closer to 175 IP and 28-30 starts by season-end- thus a lot of 5 or 6 inning starts to make the plan work.

 

Finally, we concur that a challenge very soon at the next level might be exactly what Stephen needs to accelerate his development and maturity.

[GMinTraining]

 

Walker has struck out in 50% of his at bats right now in Rochester.  Slow down and read that again... 50% 

 

I like the fact that his walk rate is rising, but he still has to get that K rate under control.  He's on the 40 man, so giving him a 15 day stint once or twice this season might be nice, but I still think we need to temper those expectations a bit.  He needs time in Rochester, and he needs to bring that K rate down.  Hopefully, this is the start of something clicking with him and we will see some better numbers (at least in terms of Ks) over the next few months.

 

I tnik most believe he deserves to stay in AAA for a while and continue to get better.  It's just great to see him continue to do what he does best.  Lead the league in HRs.  That Rochester line up is exciting.  Fun watching all those guys grow up together.