Article: Twins Minor League Report (9/1): Slegers, Park Lift Wings as Team Eyes Playoff Berth

[Tom Froemming]

The Rochester Red Wings maintained their grip on the International League wild card thanks to big nights from Aaron Slegers and ByungHo Park. With just three games remaining in the regular season, the Wings hold a two game lead over Lehigh Valley.

 

Find out everything that happened in the Twins minor league system on Friday.RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 6, Pawtucket 4

Box Score

 

ByungHo Park hit a three-run homer and Aaron Slegers picked up his 15th win of the season for the Red Wings. Slegers, who I assume will get consideration to replace Dillon Gee in the Twins rotation, struck out 10 batters over 6.2 innings. He gave up three runs on six hits and a walk.

 

Matt Hague and Leonardo Reginatto each had two hits. Dietrich Enns pitched for the first time since Aug. 15 and gave up a run over 1.2 innings, but he also struck out three batters. Alex Wimmers recorded the final out to earn his seventh save.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 3, Montgomery 2 (11 innings)

Box Score

 

LaMonte Wade drove in the game-tying run in the bottom of the eighth and Edgar Corcino hit a walk-off single in the 11th to keep Chattanooga rolling ahead toward the playoffs. Dereck Rodriguez pitched 6.0 innings and gave up two runs, though neither was earned. He surrendered just two hits, walked one batter and struck out seven.

 

Alex Muren worked a scoreless seventh before both Cody Stashak and Gabriel Moya each provided two shutout innings. Moya’s stats are completely ridiculous. This was his sixth win of the season, he has 24 saves in 24 opportunities, a 0.77 ERA and matching 0.77 WHIP.

 

Corcino and Nick Gordon both had three hits, while Wade and catcher Brian Navarreto each picked up a pair of hits.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Jupiter 1, Fort Myers 0

Box Score

 

Anthony Marzi gave up a run in the bottom of the first and that was all the offense this game would see. The 24-year-old lefty went 6.0 innings and held Jupiter to four hits and two walks while striking out five. Sam Clay pitched the final two innings, lowering his ERA to 1.38 on the year.

 

The Miracle could only muster six singles and drew a pair of walks. Leadoff man Sean Miller did his part, going 3-for-4, and cleanup man Zander Wiel had two hits. The big difference maker was that the Hammerheads turned three double plays

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Burlington 5, Cedar Rapids 4

Box Score

 

All the scoring in this one was done in the first five innings. Jimmy Kerrigan got things off to a great start, clubbing a two-run homer in the bottom of the first to put the Kernels up 2-0. The Bees tallied five unanswered runs before Kerrigan cracked yet another two-run blast to bring Cedar Rapids within a run.

 

Unfortunately, the Burlington bullpen was on its game, as two relievers combined to strike out 10 batters over 4.0 no-hit innings. Charlie Barnes was the starter and gave up five runs (four earned) over 4.2 innings. The Kernels pen was also steller, as Max Cordy (2.1 IP) and Hector Lujan (2.0 IP) combined for 4.1 no-hit innings of their own.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

OFF

 

Elizabethton’s regular season concluded Thursday. They play Greenville in the Appy League West Divison Finals beginning tonight at 5:00 pm CT.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Red Sox 5, GCL Twins 4 (Game 1, 7 innings)

Box Score

 

The Twins held a one-run lead heading into the bottom of the seventh and final inning, but Amilcar Cruz walked three batters in the inning and David Gerics threw a wild pitch that allowed the Red Sox to score the winning run.

 

Left fielder Colton Burns was 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles and a walk. Right fielder Jared Akins hit a two-out, bases-clearing triple in the fourth inning.

 

GCL Twins 9, GCL Red Sox (Game 2, 7 innings)

Box Score

 

The GCL Twins rebounded nicely from that disappointing loss, cruising to victory in Game 2. Third baseman Alex Robles was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run. Burns, catcher Taylor Grzelakowski and shortstop Victor Tademo also had two RBI a piece.

 

Taylor Clemensia was effectively wild over his 3.2 innings. Though he walked five batters, he also gave up just one hit and had seven strikeouts. The only run he gave up was unearned. Petru Balan took care of things from there, throwing 3.1 no-hit innings. He struck out four and walked one batter.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day: Aaron Slegers, Rochester (6.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 10 K)

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day: Jimmy Kerrigan, Cedar Rapids (2-for-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R)

 

SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester vs. Pawtuckett, 5:05 pm CT, Felix Jorge (0-1, 4.50 ERA)

Chattanooga vs. Montgomery, 6:15 pm CT, D.J. Baxendale 0-0, 1.62 ERA)

Fort Myers vs. Jupiter, 5:05 pm CT, Lachlan Wells (4-10, 4.24 ERA)

Cedar Rapids at Beloit, 7:00 pm CT, Bryan Sammons (2-1, 4.35 ERA)

Elizabethton at Greenville, 5:00 pm CT, (TBD)

GCL Twins vs. GCL Red Sox (Cancelled)

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Friday's games.

 

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[Monkeypaws]

Slegers - he really needs to be in the plans for 2018

[Guest]

 

Slegers - he really needs to be in the plans for 2018

 

... or sooner

[Darius]

Honestly, it's a little ridiculous from the outside that Slegers hasn't gotten another shot yet. Why would Gee earn multiple starts, but not Slegers? Is there something about the kid that makes the front office feel like he would be less successful than Gee? Gee has never been a good MLB pitcher, and has had plenty of shots elsewhere. He's a known commodity, and you know it's awful.

 

Just one of many head scratching moves throughout the year (no bullpen help, waiting too long on Berrios, numerous independent league pitchers thrown against the wall with guys like Gonsalves, etc dealing all year) that will be there to point at when this team finishes 1-2 games out of the second wildcard, which I'm convinced is going to happen.

[Monkeypaws]

Looks like total asset management to me. Falvine look like a patient bunch, and they weigh out all their options to the max. I like the efficiency approach. 

 

Once this organization becomes theirs, I expect greatness. Smart guys.

[mikelink45]

 

Honestly, it's a little ridiculous from the outside that Slegers hasn't gotten another shot yet. Why would Gee earn multiple starts, but not Slegers? Is there something about the kid that makes the front office feel like he would be less successful than Gee? Gee has never been a good MLB pitcher, and has had plenty of shots elsewhere. He's a known commodity, and you know it's awful.

Just one of many head scratching moves throughout the year (no bullpen help, waiting too long on Berrios, numerous independent league pitchers thrown against the wall with guys like Gonsalves, etc dealing all year) that will be there to point at when this team finishes 1-2 games out of the second wildcard, which I'm convinced is going to happen.

It has been my gripe with the FO - they favor the players that they can find over the players already in the system.  Slegers and Gonsalves should both be in the rotation.  

[Monkeypaws]

 

It has been my gripe with the FO - they favor the players that they can find over the players already in the system.  Slegers and Gonsalves should both be in the rotation.  

Greatness is found on the scrapheap occasionally. Managing assets is what GMs do. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year, and yet here the Twinkies are in the midst of a race. Falvey and Levine  haven't even had a year in place, yet look at the bloody difference!

 

 

[Mr. Brooks]

We also have to remember that they have zero ties to the guys already in the system.

[drjim]

I'm not a big Slegers guy, but it was dubious to give Gee the start over him last night. I hope they don't make that decision again. Does seem possible Mejia gets it over both of them.

[mikelink45]

 

Greatness is found on the scrapheap occasionally. Managing assets is what GMs do. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year, and yet here the Twinkies are in the midst of a race. Falvey and Levine  haven't even had a year in place, yet look at the bloody difference!

Can we really credit this to them?  What did they do?  The players Ryan signed are the stars.  The players the FO brought in have questionable results.  I love what this team has done, but I give no credit to the new regime.  Lucky them, they were here when the prospects matured and then they almost blew it with their own choices. 

[clutterheart]

Can we really credit this to them? What did they do? The players Ryan signed are the stars. The players the FO brought in have questionable results. I love what this team has done, but I give no credit to the new regime. Lucky them, they were here when the prospects matured and then they almost blew it with their own choices.

Off the top of my head, I think Bill Smith signed

Rosario, Dozier, Polanco, Kepler, Sano

[mikelink45]

 

Off the top of my head, I think Bill Smith signed
Rosario, Dozier, Polanco, Kepler, Sano

I suspect you are right.  Thanks for the correction, although it does not change my premise - I do not credit the new FO with this team, this year. 

[drjim]

Obvious move, but still welcome.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Can we really credit this to them? What did they do? The players Ryan signed are the stars. The players the FO brought in have questionable results. I love what this team has done, but I give no credit to the new regime. Lucky them, they were here when the prospects matured and then they almost blew it with their own choices.

Well the new guys hired a new hitting coach, for one.

From the outside looking in, that move looks brilliant. Buxton, Polanco, and Rosario are carrying the team, and even Mauer is back to his old ways (almost).

 

They've also done a lot of behind the scenes stuff, that may be helping the players and field staff be more prepared in game.

Could just be bias, but it sure looks to me like everyone is much more situationally aware than they were last year.

[mikelink45]

 

Well the new guys hired a new hitting coach, for one.
From the outside looking in, that move looks brilliant. Buxton, Polanco, and Rosario are carrying the team, and even Mauer is back to his old ways (almost).

They've also done a lot of behind the scenes stuff, that may be helping the players and field staff be more prepared in game.
Could just be bias, but it sure looks to me like everyone is much more situationally aware than they were last year.

Glad you see that.  We have the same pitching coach and pitching is still our big issue.  I will not fault the new FO but I will also not give them credit for this upsurge. 

[laloesch]

 

Honestly, it's a little ridiculous from the outside that Slegers hasn't gotten another shot yet. Why would Gee earn multiple starts, but not Slegers? Is there something about the kid that makes the front office feel like he would be less successful than Gee? Gee has never been a good MLB pitcher, and has had plenty of shots elsewhere. He's a known commodity, and you know it's awful.

Just one of many head scratching moves throughout the year (no bullpen help, waiting too long on Berrios, numerous independent league pitchers thrown against the wall with guys like Gonsalves, etc dealing all year) that will be there to point at when this team finishes 1-2 games out of the second wildcard, which I'm convinced is going to happen.

 

The impression i get is that this front office feels they have to try EVERY veteran regardless of how awful they are before using a youngster with upside.  And Molitor might have a hand in that decision making too.

Edited September 5, 2017 by laloesch

[Monkeypaws]

 

The impression i get is that this front office feels they have to try EVERY veteran regardless of how awful they are before using a youngster with upside.  And Molitor might have a hand in that decision making too.

Yet they do try them in the end. 

[laloesch]

 

Yet they do try them in the end. 

 

Agreed.  Slegers situation though is a bit ridiculous in my opinion.  What does this kid have to do in the minors to get an extended look?  Gee fringe major league starter at this point.

[ashbury]

The impression i get is that this front office feels they have to try EVERY veteran regardless of how awful they are before using a youngster with upside.  And Molitor might have a hand in that decision making too.

Blame arcane MLB roster rules, created in negotiation with the players' union. Veterans have more negotiating power than the young guys who lack seniority. When facing a choice among several non-surefire alternatives, teams will invariably try out the alternatives that they would otherwise lose via waiver claim, opt-out contracts, etc, and wait on the players over whom they have absolute control.

[laloesch]

 

Blame arcane MLB roster rules, created in negotiation with the players' union. Veterans have more negotiating power than the young guys who lack seniority. When facing a choice among several non-surefire alternatives, teams will invariably try out the alternatives that they would otherwise lose via waiver claim, opt-out contracts, etc, and wait on the players over whom they have absolute control.

 

Yeah makes sense.