Article: Twins Minor League Report (9/1): Lachlan Wells Fans 11!

[Eric R Pleiss]

Byron Buxton is back with the Twins and they won a game. So take that, 13-game losing streak!

 

Transaction Report: Byron Buxton recalled from Rochester to the big leagues, Tanner English promoted to Rochester from Fort Myers to replace him, Logan Lombana promoted to fort Myers from Cedar Rapids. Colton Davis was promoted to Cedar Rapids from Elizabethton to complete the chain.Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system:

 

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Lehigh Valley IronPigs @ Rochester

Box Score

 

Anthony Vasquez, started for the IronPigs, pitched a complete game, 8.0 innings, giving up four hits, a run, and striking out eight, but he gave up a solo home run to Tommy Field in the fifth inning, the only run of the game. The Red Wings pitching staff did one better than Vasquez, shutting out the IronPigs. Nick Greenwood went 7.0 innings, gave up four hits, no runs, no walks, and struck out five. Buddy Boshers earned a hold with 1.2 innings of shaky relief, giving up a hit and three walks before being lifted with two outs in the ninth. Edward Mujica came in to save the day and struck out the only batter he faced.

 

The Red Wings managed just four hits on the night, one each from Wilfredo Tovar, Mitch Garver, John Ryan Murphy (designated hitter John Ryan Murphy!), and the aforementioned home run from Tommy Field.

 

Final: IronPigs 0, Red Wings 1

 

 

LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN

Chattanooga @ Jackson Generals

Box Score

 

Southern League Pitcher of the Month, Stephen Gonsalves went just 3.0 innings on Thursday night. He gave up just two hits, but walked four. He gave up a pair of runs and struck out five before being replaced by Todd Van Steensel after throwing 79 pitches to get through three. Van Steensel pitched 3.0 innings, gave up three hits and no runs. He walked one and struck out two. Randy Rosario pitched 2.0 innings, gave up no hits, walked one and struck out three. Raul Fernandez walked a couple but managed to do enough to keep the Generals off the board and pick up the save.

 

The Lookouts tallied nine hits on the night, two each from Zach Granite (2-5) and Stuart Turner (2-3). Granite added a run scored, a double and a stolen base, while Turner added a run scored and a walk.

 

Final: Lookouts 3, Generals 2

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Bradenton Marauders @ Fort Myers

Box Score

 

The Miracle and the Marauders were suspended due to rain in the middle of the fifth inning, with the Marauders up 2-1. Dereck Rodriguez started the game for the Miracle and was still on the mound, having completed five innings, giving up five hits and two runs. He struck out three and walked no one. With the sticks, Christian Ibarra had a triple and Nick Gordon was 2-2 with a pair of singles and a pair of stolen bases.

 

Final: Suspended

 

KERNELS KORNER

Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Box Score

 

Kernels starter Lachlan Wells struck out ELEVEN over 6.1 innings on Thursday evening. Wells gave up three runs (all unearned) on three hits and zero walks. Wells was lifted in the seventh for Williams Ramirez who pitched 1.2 innings, giving up a single hit and a single run. He struck out one.

 

The Kernels were in good shape through five innings, tied at zero, but gave up a run in the sixth and three more in the seventh to fall behind. The Kernels earned one back on a Nelson Molina RBI in the eighth, but couldn't do more, falling 4-1. Molina was 2-4 with that RBI, and Luis Arraez was 2-3 with a double and a walk. Casey Scoggins was the only other Kernels player with a hit, 1-4.

 

Final: Kernels 1, Timber Rattlers 4

 

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Cancelled - Wet Grounds

 

GCL TWINS TALK

GCL Twins @ GCL Rays

Box Score

 

The Twins were outhit 6-5 but were ahead when it matters, after nine innings, to take the victory. The Twins were led by Jhon Alvarez, 2-3, with a walk. The Twins' lone RBI was from their ninth hitter, Emmanuel Morel, 1-3 with a walk and that RBI. The Twins gave up two runs, both earned, charged to starter Moises Gomez. Gomez pitched five innings, gave up four hits, a walk, and struck out six. He was replaced by Matz Schutte who pitched three big innings of relief, giving up just one hit. Garrett Kelly picked up his third save of the season, pitching an inning, walking one and giving up a hit.

 

Final: GCL Twins 3, GCL Rays 2

 

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Hitter of the Day - Zach Granite - Chattanooga

Pitcher of the Day - Lachlan Wells - Cedar Rapids

 

FRIDAY'S PROBABLES

 

Rochester - Jason Wheeler (11-5, 3.23)

Chattanooga - Aaron Slegers (9-7, 3.58)

Fort Myers - Sam Clay (1-2, 5.53)

Cedar Rapids - Tyler Beardsley (1-2, 3.43)

GCL Twins - TBD

 

Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games.

 

-ERolf

 

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[goulik]

Thanks for the report. You did forget to finish typing the AA score though.

[FormerMinnasotan]

I'm a little disappointed that Gonsalves didn't pitch that well yesterday. I hope the Twins still have Gonsalves in AAA to start next year. He still ended his year in AA with an ERA under 2, and struck out over 10 batters per 9 innings. That's dominance enough to move him up a level right away next year. All he really needs to do is work on control, he has greatly improved (according to post game write ups) both his curve and slider.

 

And I have to say, Lachlan Wells intreagues me. Only 19, he has posted some outstanding numbers (over all pitched better than Thorpe did 2 years ago). A 1.77 ERA in A ball at the age of 19? Looks great. I just wonder if his height (5'8"?) will limit his potential over all. Still for now Wells is one worth watching IMO.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Only real concern about Gonsalves from his promotion was the increase in walks, and even the bulk of that was in his first couple of starts.  I suspect he'll be in AAA.  There may be a thing or two he needs to learn yet in AA, but given how dominant he was in what was supposed to be a hard jump, I could see them sending him straight to Rochester for 2017.  That also puts him in the Berrios position where he can push for an early 40 man add if he continues to be lights out.

[gunnarthor]

 

I'm a little disappointed that Gonsalves didn't pitch that well yesterday. I hope the Twins still have Gonsalves in AAA to start next year. He still ended his year in AA with an ERA under 2, and struck out over 10 batters per 9 innings. That's dominance enough to move him up a level right away next year. All he really needs to do is work on control, he has greatly improved (according to post game write ups) both his curve and slider.

And I have to say, Lachlan Wells intreagues me. Only 19, he has posted some outstanding numbers (over all pitched better than Thorpe did 2 years ago). A 1.77 ERA in A ball at the age of 19? Looks great. I just wonder if his height (5'8"?) will limit his potential over all. Still for now Wells is one worth watching IMO.

Yeah, his stats are nice but I assume Wells ceiling is a reliever.  Still, nice to see the Twins take him out of Australia.  

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Yeah, his stats are nice but I assume Wells ceiling is a reliever.  Still, nice to see the Twins take him out of Australia.  

 

I'm not sure why that would be the assumption at this point. 19, success in Low A, 4 good pitches, great makeup... I mean, the likely ceiling for most pitchers is probably reliever, but at this stage, there's no reason to think that yet.

[gunnarthor]

 

I'm not sure why that would be the assumption at this point. 19, success in Low A, 4 good pitches, great makeup... I mean, the likely ceiling for most pitchers is probably reliever, but at this stage, there's no reason to think that yet.

His size.  Unless he's still growing he won't be a starter.

[Seth Stohs]

 

And I have to say, Lachlan Wells intreagues me. Only 19, he has posted some outstanding numbers (over all pitched better than Thorpe did 2 years ago). A 1.77 ERA in A ball at the age of 19? Looks great. I just wonder if his height (5'8"?) will limit his potential over all. Still for now Wells is one worth watching IMO.

 

Wells measured in at 6-1, 186 this spring.

[Mike Sixel]

Help me be smarter.....neither Wade or Granite was promoted, and Tanner English was?

[gunnarthor]

 

Wells measured in at 6-1, 186 this spring.

Well, that changes things.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Help me be smarter.....neither Wade or Granite was promoted, and Tanner English was?

 

Wade has been on the Disabled List for a few weeks.

 

Granite could have been moved, but English did have to move. 

 

This is my thinking... the rules of the AFL say that a team can only send two players below AA. English had to move up since they are also sending Gordon and Curtiss from Ft. Myers. Granite's had a great yet. English is the best defensive centerfielder in the organization not named Buxton. He'll hold his own in Rochester with the bat, but he'll help that pitching staff tremendously with his glove.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Wade has been on the Disabled List for a few weeks.

 

Granite could have been moved, but English did have to move. 

 

This is my thinking... the rules of the AFL say that a team can only send two players below AA. English had to move up since they are also sending Gordon and Curtiss from Ft. Myers. Granite's had a great yet. English is the best defensive centerfielder in the organization not named Buxton. He'll hold his own in Rochester with the bat, but he'll help that pitching staff tremendously with his glove.

 

Thanks, Seth. I knew someone could help me. Makes sense.

[ashbury]

This is my thinking... the rules of the AFL say that a team can only send two players below AA. English had to move up since they are also sending Gordon and Curtiss from Ft. Myers.

I don't know the purposes behind this rule governing the AFL, but a move like this one to circumvent it suggests that the rules may get changed next time the powers-that-be sit down to think about things.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I don't know the purposes behind this rule governing the AFL, but a move like this one to circumvent it suggests that the rules may get changed next time the powers-that-be sit down to think about things.

 

I don't think so... there's a reason the Twins promoted Randy Rosario to Chattanooga a couple weeks ago too. Teams all do this. They changed the rules 3-4 years ago from 1 player below AA to two players. Maybe it'll change again, but it won't be due to this.

[bird]

 

I'm not sure why that would be the assumption at this point. 19, success in Low A, 4 good pitches, great makeup... I mean, the likely ceiling for most pitchers is probably reliever, but at this stage, there's no reason to think that yet.

 

 

An expectation that Wells has a decent shot as a reliever and is a long shot as a starter is probably a good way to think about it, don't you think? Guys are lights out all the time as Low A prospects. Think Eddie Guardado. It's pretty much impossible for us to study the spreadsheets and be any good at all at predicting which of these guys has the necessary intangibles and will hone their skills and which ones will flame out.

Edited September 2, 2016 by birdwatcher

[puckstopper1]

I think I would have voted for Nick Greenwood for at least co-pitcher of the day.  His line -  went 7.0 innings, gave up four hits, no runs, no walks, and struck out five is pretty darn good!

[Eric R Pleiss]

 

I think I would have voted for Nick Greenwood for at least co-pitcher of the day.  His line -  went 7.0 innings, gave up four hits, no runs, no walks, and struck out five is pretty darn good!

He was the front runner as I ran through the stats, and then Lachlan Wells was like, "bro, hold up, I struck out ELEVEN and walked zero.  For real, bro.  Bro."  Or something like that.

[FormerMinnasotan]

Wells measured in at 6-1, 186 this spring.

Now that changes things...

[twinssouth]

Turners been hitting 333 last 10 games. He started the season hot, hit a long cold slump and then heated up at end of season. If he can keep this up, Twins will be in great shape for catching depth because this guy is the real deal behind the plate.

[Darius]

His size. Unless he's still growing he won't be a starter.

This is just.....I believe the millenials say lol.

[Darius]

An expectation that Wells has a decent shot as a reliever and is a long shot as a starter is probably a good way to think about it, don't you think? Guys are lights out all the time as Low A prospects. Think Eddie Guardado. It's pretty much impossible for us to study the spreadsheets and be any good at all at predicting which of these guys has the necessary intangibles and will hone their skills and which ones will flame out.

So how do you distinguish between the legit prospect and the reliever? Look at the back of baseball card? If he's 6'5" 230, he must be a future ace? Or, do you just assume everybody in A ball is a future reliever?

[bird]

 

So how do you distinguish between the legit prospect and the reliever? Look at the back of baseball card? If he's 6'5" 230, he must be a future ace? Or, do you just assume everybody in A ball is a future reliever?

 

Me personally? I guess I rely on what the couch scouts can tell me about the real scouting reports and field staff reports, and then remind myself constantly that a high percentage of even the top dozen or so prospects from every draft and international signing class will eventually flame out or succumb to injury or sin. And right now, I'd say it's a safe bet to say no one in A ball is a future ace for the Twins. There probably aren't 30 of those guys in all of the minor leagues right now, let alone in A ball for the Twins.

[jimmer]

 

Me personally? I guess I rely on what the couch scouts can tell me about the real scouting reports and field staff reports, and then remind myself constantly that a high percentage of even the top dozen or so prospects from every draft and international signing class will eventually flame out or succumb to injury or sin. 

Couch Scouts, huh?