Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/26): Lewis Homers, Granite Keeps Hitting

[Jeremy Nygaard]

The Twins opened a series in Boston on Monday night and the affiliates played eight games, six of which will be profiled here. (The two DSL games from Monday are linked here and here.)

 

The Twins optioned Dillon Gee after Monday night’s game to make room on the roster for Hector Santiago.

 

Let’s check in on the large slate of Monday’s games.RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 4, Buffalo 3 (Game 1)

Box Score

 

After surrendering three runs in the first four innings, the Red Wings ended the first half of the doubleheader with four unanswered runs to win the seven-inning affair.

 

A three-run fifth inning, led by doubles off the bats of ByungHo Park and Mitch Garver helped tie the game and two sixth inning doubles by Tommy Field and Niko Goodrum gave the Red Wings the lead for good.

 

Zack Granite added two more hits, including a double, and improved his average to .363.

 

David Hurlbut secured the win with 5.2 innings, allowing eight hits and four walks, while striking out five and allowing five runs. Jake Reed picked up the four-out save. He struck out one and gave up two hits.

 

Rochester 4, Buffalo 2 (Game 2)

Box Score

 

You may have heard this before, but Zack Granite led off the game with a single and came around to score the game’s first run. In the second inning, Granite added his second single driving in Bengie Gonzalez, who had doubled earlier. Granite finished the game batting .365.

 

Buffalo scored a run in the bottom of the second off Aaron Slegers, who allowed two runs on two walks and seven hits over five innings. He struck out four and improved to 7-4 on the season.

 

Leo Reginatto hit a two-run home run in the third inning to make the difference in the game.

 

John Curtiss, who picked up the hold, and Ryan Pressly, who struck out two in picking up the save, each pitched a scoreless inning.

 

The Red Wings improved to 40-34 with their two wins on Monday.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 1, Pensacola 6

Box Score

 

The game started off perfectly for the Lookouts. Randy LeBlanc sent down Pensacola 1-2-3 in the first inning. The bottom half started with singles from Nick Gordon and Levi Michael before a walk to LaMonte Wade loaded the bases. A sacrifice fly by Jonathan Rodriguez scored Gordon and the game’s first run.

 

But that was where the scoring for the Lookouts stopped. Five more hits (including a Wade triple) and no more runs were all the club could muster.

 

LeBlanc’s night got worse too. In 5.2 innings, he allowed three runs on five hits and a walk. He struck out seven. Todd Van Steensel got the next four outs. Raul Fernandez gave up three runs in his frame before turning it over to Luke Bard, who completed a scoreless inning, striking out the side.

 

It was the first-half champ Lookouts first loss in the season’s second half (4-1).

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers - OFF DAY

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 2, Burlington 6

Box Score

 

Burlington scored five early-inning runs and the Kernels couldn’t string together enough hits to get back into the game.

 

Christian Cavaness led the offense with two hits, scoring one of the team’s runs. Travis Blankenhorn scored the team’s other run. He had a hit and two walks. Caleb Hamilton had a double. Lewin Diaz was credited with the team’s sole RBI, his 42nd on the season.

 

Tyler Wells took the loss, dropping to 4-2. Wells gave up five runs (three earned) on two walks and seven hits. He struck out two. Patrick McGuff gave up a run in three innings. Logan Lombana finished the game with two shutout innings.

 

The defense was definitely missing recently-promoted shortstop Jermaine Palacios, as his replacement Ariel Montesino committed two errors. Burlington also stole four bases, three while Wells was pitching.

 

The playoff-bound Kernels dropped to 2-3 in the second half.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Elizabethton 1, Pulaski 6

Box Score

 

Errors were the story in this game too as Elizabethton committed four of them.

 

Griffin Jax pitched 4.2 innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits. He struck out seven but was hurt by his defense behind him. Bryan Sammons, working in relief, struck out five in three innings, allowing one run. Jose Martinez struck out two in 1.1 innings.

 

Wander Javier walked and doubled. He also struck out, was caught stealing and committed an error. Trey Cabbage doubled and stole third base. Matt Albanese went 1-3 and stole a base… but saw his average drop to .625. Robert Molina hit a home run.

 

Brent Rooker went 0-4 with two strikeouts.

 

The E-Twins are 3-2.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins 5, GCL Orioles 2

Box Score

 

Royce Lewis started his professional career off with a bang: A home run in his first at-bat. He singled later. He batted second and played shortstop.

 

Here is video of the home run, courtesy of Darren Wolfson.

 

 

(I got a video sent to me from a scout on hand... which I would have used if there wasn't better quality video, which there is. Next time.)

 

Jean Carlos Arias was 2-3. He doubled, hit a home run and drove in three runs. This is a welcomed sight after he struggled to an OPS of .531 in his first go-around in the GCL in 2016.

 

Justin Haley allowed a hit and struck out one batter in his one-inning rehab look.

 

Brusdar Graterol, who will be a Top 10 Twins prospect sooner rather than later, struck out four in four one-hit innings.

 

Jose Bermudez got knocked around for five hits and two runs in 1.1 inning. He walked two. Bermudez pitched in the closer’s role for the DSL affiliate last year (and struggled).

 

Vadim Balan pitched 2.2 innings. He gave up one hit, but picked up the win while striking out one.

 

The GCL Twins are 1-0.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day – Brusdar Graterol, GCL Twins

Hitter of the Day – Zack Granite, Rochester

 

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester at Buffalo (6:05 CST) - LHP Nik Turley (1-2, 3.49 ERA)

Fort Myers vs Clearwater (6:05 CST) - RHP Cody Stashak (3-3, 3.57 RHP)

Cedar Rapids vs Burlington (6:35 CST) - RHP Colton Davis (3-1, 1.36 ERA)

Elizabethton vs Pulaski (6:00 CST) - TBA

GCL Twins at GCL Orioles (11:00 AM CST) - TBA

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Monday’s games.

 

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[108Stitches]

Wells wasn't himself at ALL today. Maybe he was under the weather or something. But something wasn't right. Nothing was much right with their bats either.

[jimbo92107]

Dear Royce Lewis,

 

You can keep the kick.

 

Your fan,

Jimbo

[Pitz]

A liitle more on Brusdar's performance: the only hit he surrendered was a bunt single. He then picked that runner off first base. Only one ball left the infield - a fly out to center. Very worthy selection for pitcher of the day and an exciting young pitching... Well I've heard there's no such thing

[rdehring]

Zach Granite won't be your typical corner outfielder because of his lack of power. Other than that he appears to be able to do it all...very well. No question, we should see him in Minnesota later this summer.

 

How do the Twins open a spot for him in what is now a very good four man outfield? I don't think the Twins will, or should be, either a buyer or seller next month. Rather, they should be looking for deals that will bring in a young pitcher who will help this fall AND in the future.

 

With Granite on the verge of forcing himself onto their roster, will be very interesting to see how they open a spot for him.

[Guest]

Zach Granite won't be your typical corner outfielder because of his lack of power. Other than that he appears to be able to do it all...very well. No question, we should see him in Minnesota later this summer.How do the Twins open a spot for him in what is now a very good four man outfield? I don't think the Twins will, or should be, either a buyer or seller next month. Rather, they should be looking for deals that will bring in a young pitcher who will help this fall AND in the future.With Granite on the verge of forcing himself onto their roster, will be very interesting to see how they open a spot for him.

 

Agree. Would be great to trade Robbie Grossman for the most promising prospect possible, regardless of position.

 

The oddest thing about Granite is that, because he's a lefty, like Kepler and Rosario, his value may actually increase as Buxton becomes a better hitter.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Wells wasn't himself at ALL today. Maybe he was under the weather or something. But something wasn't right. Nothing was much right with their bats either.

 

might be some reason for that...

 

 

[108Stitches]

That explains it. Damn.

[Teddy]

 

Would be great to trade Robbie Grossman for the most promising prospect possible, regardless of position.

I'd have to think the Twins would need to be out of contention a month from now for them to become sellers and move Grossman. Frankly, it makes a LOT of sense, as with his OBP, he'd be a great bench bat for a contending team. I just don't see him being traded if the Twins are still in contention by the trade deadline.

[PDX Twin]

Two thoughts/questions:

 

1. I'm too lazy to look up the detailed numbers, but it seems like we have been seeing a lot of doubles and no home runs from Park lately. Is he cutting down his swing to try to reduce strikeouts? Anybody have any info?

 

2. From what I read about Granite, he seems like a Dan Gladden type of player: pesky, always on base, steals when he can, and covers a lot of ground in the OF. The kind of guy I always want on a team.

[Respy]

Anyone know what kind of pitch mix Graterol throws, other than a good fastball?

[Mike Sixel]

 

Anyone know what kind of pitch mix Graterol throws, other than a good fastball?

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/instagraphs/daily-prospect-notes-627/

[Seth Stohs]

 

Two thoughts/questions:

 

1. I'm too lazy to look up the detailed numbers, but it seems like we have been seeing a lot of doubles and no home runs from Park lately. Is he cutting down his swing to try to reduce strikeouts? Anybody have any info?

 

2. From what I read about Granite, he seems like a Dan Gladden type of player: pesky, always on base, steals when he can, and covers a lot of ground in the OF. The kind of guy I always want on a team.

 

Granite will be a gritty, pesky type at the top of an order. Let's hope he does a better job of getting on base than Gladden did... but I think there are maybe some similarities.

[puckstopper1]

Free Granite!!!!

[Darius]

I'd have to think the Twins would need to be out of contention a month from now for them to become sellers and move Grossman. Frankly, it makes a LOT of sense, as with his OBP, he'd be a great bench bat for a contending team. I just don't see him being traded if the Twins are still in contention by the trade deadline.

Grossman is a useful player. But, by swapping Granite with Grossman, I think you're getting a net gain. OBP shouldn't differ much. Baserunning and defense would improve. Power potential decreases slightly, but it's not like Grossman is Adam Dunn. In the end, it's a no brainer, IMO.

 

But, you're probably right that he's not going anywhere.

 

Under the old regime, Grossman is the type of guy they would've extended for 5 years, only to see him regress hard, have injury issues, etc. He'd clog the roster for years to come (because God forbid they ever cut anyone loose making above minimum).

 

The jury is still out on the new regime.

 

With an abundance of guys who can fill the DH role, I'd rather see the 4th OF be a guy who can actually play in the OF of needed. I'd take a bag of balls for Grossman and call up Granite.

[Monkeypaws]

Granite is hitting .365.

 

Next best BA in the International League is .316. His OPS of .931 is second.

 

Given his speed and defense, solid looking prospect, no pun intended.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Anyone know what kind of pitch mix Graterol throws, other than a good fastball?

Fastball, Slider mostly but he does have a curveball that he's working on.  Oddly, no talk of a changeup as of yet.