Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/4): JJ's Big Day, Stewart's AA Debut

[Seth Stohs]

There were five games for the Twins' minor leagues affiliates on Saturday. Actually, there were six as the Twins Dominican Summer League (DSL) team made their 2016 debut. Among the four full-season affiliates, there was an opportunity for a cycle. Several top pitching prospects were on the mound, including the AA debut of Kohl Stewart.

 

Though we don’t necessarily cover them every day, the Twins DSL squad won their first game this year, 6-2 over the Orioles team. Though it is really difficult to know which players on those rosters will become quality prospects over time - stats matter very little at that level - we all know who Wander Javier is. The Twins signed the Dominican shortstop last July to a $4 million signing bonus. Today was his professional debut. He batted second and went 1-4 with a walk and a double.Continue reading if you would like just a little bit more information from your Minor League Report.

 

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 4, Louisville 5

Box Score

 

Jason Wheeler took his turn on the mound for the Red Wings. The left-hander gave up four runs on eight hits over six innings. He walked two and struck out six. David Martinez came on for the seventh and got two outs, both on strikeouts, though he did walk one. Ryan O’Rourke came on and got the final out of the seventh on a strikeout. He stayed in for the eighth and gave up one run on three hits, though he did strike out one more.

 

Logan Schafer batted second in his second game with the Red Wings. In the first inning, he hit his first homer. Later, Eddie Rosario added his third homer with the Red Wings, a two-run shot. Buck Britton and James Beresford each went 2-4. Jorge Polanco and Kennys Vargas each doubled.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 9, Birmingham 6

Box Score

 

The big story in this one was the AA debut of Kohl Stewart. It was a rocky start including a couple of rain delays. He gave up two runs in the first inning, and then there was a rain delay. He went out for the second inning and gave up three more runs (two earned) and got just two outs before lightning in the area forced a second weather delay. In all, he went 1.2 innings and gave up five runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks. He did strike out three.

 

After the lightning got far enough away and the game resumed, Luke Westphal replaced Stewart with the bases loaded and got the final out. He worked two more innings without giving up another run. He walked four and struck out four in 2.1 innings. Omar Bencomo entered and threw two shutout innings. Jake Reed pitched the seventh and eighth innings. He gave up one run in his second inning. Trevor Hildenberger came on for the ninth and despite two hits did not allow a run to pick up his seventh save.

 

The offense came through. Daniel Palka had just one hit, but it was his Southern League-leading 12th home run. It was his fifth home run in this series against Birmingham. Travis Harrison got things going with a bases-clearing triple in the second inning. He went 2-5 and the triple was his second. Zach Granite was again the catalyst at the top of the Lookouts lineup, reaching base five times. He went 2-3 and walked three times. He added his third triple. Leonardo Reginnato went 2-4 with a walk and two RBI.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

 

In yesterday’s Minor League Report, we mentioned that seven members of the Ft. Myers Miracle were named to the Florida State League All-Star Game, which will be held at Hammond Stadium. On Saturday, the Miracle announced that eight of their players would be participating. With Kohl Stewart promoted to Chattanooga, he has been replaced by Felix Jorge. Also Nick Gordon was added as a replacement. Both are certainly deserving.

 

Game 1 - Ft. Myers 2, Daytona 4

Box Score

 

The Miracle jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Unfortunately, they were unable to hold the lead. Nick Gordon went 2-3 with his 10th double and an RBI. Chris Paul was also 2-3.

 

Lefty Randy Rosario started and gave up four runs (three earned) on eight hits over five innings. He didn’t walk a batter but struck out one. Nick Anderson and Raul Fernandez each pitched a scoreless inning in relief.

 

 

Game 2 - Ft. Myers 1, Daytona 2

Box Score

 

With one out in the seventh inning, Gonsalves gave up a two-run double just inside the third base line that put Daytona ahead 2-1. Gonsalves was on. Through six innings, he had given up just one hit and struck out eight. After seven, he gave up two runs (just one earned) on three hits and no walks. He struck out eight and unfortunately, he is credited with the loss. According to Brice Zimmerman, Gonsalves hit 97 once.

 

The Miracle managed just four hits in the game, none after the first three batters. Edgar Corcino went 2-3 while Engelb Vielma and Nick Gordon each went 1-3.

 

After getting swept on Saturday, the Miracle are now 27-29 on the season.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 9, Peoria 2

Box Score

 

Saturday was the 22nd birthday of Kernels’ right-hander Cody Stashak. The Kernels offense gift to him was a nice offensive explosion. That said, the 2015 draft pick from St. John’s put together a nice outing. In six innings, he gave up two runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out seven to improve to 3-3 with a 3.08 ERA. Williams Ramirez came on and recorded his first save. He threw three shutout innings, giving up just two hits, walking one and striking out four.

 

JJ Fernandez led the offense. He had an opportunity in the bottom of the eighth to complete a cycle with a triple. He settled for a single and a 4-4 day. He added a walk, his 12th double and his third home run. Zander Wiel went 3-5 with his 10th double. Sean Miller was also 3-5. Daniel Kihle went 2-5. Alex Perez led off. He walked twice and was hit by a pitch.

 

Ron Gardenhire is in Cedar Rapids this weekend, and The Gazette’s Jeff Johnson had a chance to catch up with him on Saturday night for this article.

 

(photo of JJ Fernandez by Seth Stohs)

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Stephen Gonsalves, Ft. Myers Miracle

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – JJ Fernandez, Cedar Rapids Kernels

 

 

SUNDAY'S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester @ Louisville (1:05 p.m. CST) - RHP Kyle Gibson

Jacksonville @ Chattanooga (4:15 CST) - RHP DJ Baxendale

Daytona @ Ft. Myers (3:05 CST) – RHP Randy LeBlanc

Peoria @ Cedar Rapids (2:05 CST) – RHP Eduardo del Rosario

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

 

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[jokin]

Last I looked, Chatty won their game, 9-8. And in the midst of a nice Lookout offensive explosion from many, I think Palka deserves a mention for hitting his Southern League-leading 12 HR, doesn't he?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Last I looked, Chatty won their game, 9-8. And in the midst of a nice Lookout offensive explosion from many, I think Palka deserves a mention for hitting his Southern League-leading 12 HR, doesn't he?

 

It was 9-6, and yeah, I somehow completely forgot to do all of the Chattanooga hitting, and there were some guys with big days!

[roger]

It is great to see that Rosario has struck out only 4 times in his last ten games (44ab).  But still hasn't taken his first walk.

 

Will today be the day that Berrios gets back on track?

[Jham]

97 for Gonsalves?!  That has to bode well.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Will today be the day that Berrios gets back on track?

I guess not... Kyle Gibson is making his rehab start today for the Red Wings.

[jimbo92107]

Zach Granite is looking good. I see he's 6'1", 175, so he's got room to grow a bit. How are his defensive stats? Does he have a decent arm in the OF? A fast lefty/lefty lead-off hitter that gets on base a lot, steals bases, covers lots of ground in the field... Could he be a possible LF instead of Rosario? 

 

Currently in AA batting .274, OBP .346, 17 BB, 21 SO, 25 SB, 23 yrs old... Not much power, but he puts the bat on the ball pretty good. If he adds a little muscle mass, he could be a riser. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Zach Granite is looking good. I see he's 6'1", 175, so he's got room to grow a bit. How are his defensive stats? Does he have a decent arm in the OF? A fast lefty/lefty lead-off hitter that gets on base a lot, steals bases, covers lots of ground in the field... Could he be a possible LF instead of Rosario? 

 

Currently in AA batting .274, OBP .346, 17 BB, 21 SO, 25 SB, 23 yrs old... Not much power, but he puts the bat on the ball pretty good. If he adds a little muscle mass, he could be a riser. 

 

He's 6-1, and I'm 6-1 (and i"m nowhere near 6-1). He could get a little stronger, but he's going to be thin, real thin... Jason Tyner-thin. 

 

His defense is average, thanks to some really good range. Arm is not strong. 

 

That said, he's in a position to succeed. He's a very professional hitter. He's got a great approach at the plate. He gets his role as a catalyst.

[operation mindcrime]

Who's this masked man named Daniel Palka? Where did he come from? PTBNL?

[jimmer]

How is everyone feeling about Nick Gordon?

[Seth Stohs]

 

How is everyone feeling about Nick Gordon?

 

A bit of a slump right now, but he's a legit Top 100 prospect.

[ashbury]

Who's this masked man named Daniel Palka? Where did he come from? PTBNL?

Received in trade from Diamondbacks for catcher Chris Herrmann. One of our big off-season moves.

[FormerMinnasotan]

Well despite the loss Gonsalves dominated his last start, went 7, gave up 3 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), no walks and 8 k's. Is he going to be promoted after the FSL All Star break? Not to hate on Stewart, but Gonsalves has been much better than Stewart has been in every minor league stop thus far. I might be in the minority, but as of right now Gonsalves is a better prospect than Stewart.

[Badsmerf]

Again, it isn't always about the stats. They have a plan for him, and so far I think they've done pretty well by him.

 

Besides, the major league rotation is stacked right now (i'm joking there, in case there was any doubt).

[Seth Stohs]

 

Well despite the loss Gonsalves dominated his last start, went 7, gave up 3 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), no walks and 8 k's. Is he going to be promoted after the FSL All Star break? Not to hate on Stewart, but Gonsalves has been much better than Stewart has been in every minor league stop thus far. I might be in the minority, but as of right now Gonsalves is a better prospect than Stewart.

 

I've had Gonsalves rated higher than Stewart for over a year and will again. 

 

I think Gonsalves moves up after the FSL All Star Game. We'll see. One could argue that Jay is their top pitcher right now, or even Jorge. But Gonsalves has been there 2nd longest (after Stewart), so I would think he's next.

 

[FormerMinnasotan]

I've had Gonsalves rated higher than Stewart for over a year and will again.

 

I think Gonsalves moves up after the FSL All Star Game. We'll see. One could argue that Jay is their top pitcher right now, or even Jorge. But Gonsalves has been there 2nd longest (after Stewart), so I would think he's next.

I agree on Jay, he looks to be as good if not better than advertised. I think Jay will end up as a higher ranked starting pitching prospect than even Gonsalves, eventually. Don't get me wrong, Kohl Stewart has pretty much done all that has been asked of him, I just don't see a huge improvement from last year to this year. And if Gonsalves' fastball is clocked as fast as 97, he might still have even more potential than most Twins brass might see.

[Trov]

 

How is everyone feeling about Nick Gordon?

To me he is progressing just as expected.  He needs to pick up his fielding a little bit his range is up a little but his fielding percentage is down, could be a product of the increased range making throws he is not used to.  His hitting is coming along just as many scouts expected.  He was a small kid that needed to fill out, and hearing he is doing that.  Looking forward to the future with him.

[Mike Sixel]

I still like Gordon, but it would maybe be nice to have Turner....

[d-mac]

 

I still like Gordon, but it would maybe be nice to have Turner....

 

Those college hitters, man. Why people hate on them so much is beyond me.