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Article: Twins Minor League Report (4/5): Opening Night Fever

Seth Stohs
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Seth Stohs GOAT

Seth Stohs

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Thursday, the Minnesota Twins topped the Seattle Mariners 4-2 to win their home opener. It was also Opening Day for three of the four Twins full-season minor league affiliates. The Chattanooga Lookouts and Ft. Myers Miracle hosted their season openers while the Cedar Rapids Kernels made the trek south to Quad Cities for their first game.

 

We might try a few different things with the minor league reports this year, so be sure to provide feedback in the comments if you like (or don’t like) some of the changes.The three Twins affiliates opened their seasons by playing some competitive games. Two of the games were decided by one run and the other by two. We saw a little of everything. Some good hitting. Some good pitching. Some bad hitting and pitching too. Phil Hughes made a Miracle start. Continue on to find out more.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

 

Red Wings

Box Score

 

The Red Wings open their 2018 season on Friday night with Aaron Slegers on the mound.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

 

Chattanooga 4, Birmingham 5

Box Score

 

The Lookouts made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Ryan Walker and Nick Gordon singled, but a game-ending double play hit into by Edgar Corcino ended the threat and the game.

 

When the pitching staff strikes out 14 batters, you expect to win. However, when the same pitching staff walks ten, well, that just doesn’t work well. Walks definitely came back to haunt the Lookouts.

 

Zack Littell got the Opening Day call. The right-hander left the game with one on and one out in the fifth inning with the Lookouts leading 3-1. Ryan Eades came on and finished out the inning but not before walking four batters and allowing the game to be tied. Littell ended the game having given up two runs on five hits and two walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out seven including three in the second inning. Eades did work a scoreless sixth inning.

 

Todd Van Steensel came on and gave up two runs on three hits and three walks. He struck out two, but the walks were followed by doubles which isn’t a good combination, I mean, if you’re rooting for the pitching team. Finally, Williams Ramirez got the final five outs. He walked one, but he struck out four.

 

Nick Gordon and Ryan Walker led the offense. Gordon got things going with a leadoff triple and a run scored in the bottom of the first. He added three more singles and went 4-5 in the game. Ryan Walker doubled in his first at-bat, and he hit his first home run of the season in his second at-bat. He went 3-4. Chris Paul was 2-4 with a double.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 4, Charlotte 3

Box Score

 

Phil Hughes made a rehab start for the Miracle as he prepares to make the April 11th start for the Minnesota Twins. The veteran right-hander worked the first five innings. He gave up three runs on eight hits. He walked one and struck out five. Two of the three runs came in that fifth inning.

 

Hughes was replaced by the regularly-scheduled starter, lefty Anthony Marzi. He struck out four batters over three scoreless innings. He gave up three hits and walked one. Sean Poppen, who will likely be the sixth starter for the Miracle, came on for the ninth inning and recorded the save. It was the first save of his pro career. He gave up one hit, but he struck out two.

 

The Miracle bats took a few innings to get going. Through three innings and ten batters, the team had just one hit. In the fourth, Mitchell Kranson and Caleb Hamilton singled. Lewin Diaz came on and knocked in both runners with a double. The next inning, Aaron Whitefield doubled Brandon Lopez to third base. Kranson followed with a two-run double of his own. That was it for the Miracle scoring.

 

Kranson and Caleb Hamilton each went 2-4 in the game. Travis Blankenhorn added a double later in the game.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 2, Quad Cities 0

Box Score

 

The Kernels headed south a few hours to take on the Quad Cities River Bandits and came away with a nice shutout.

Lefty Bryan Sammons was given the Opening Day start and came through. He gave up three hits over four shutout innings. He walked none and struck out six. Jovani Moran came on for the fifth inning and didn’t let anyone put the ball in play. The southpaw walked three but struck out three in a scoreless inning. Right-hander Jared Finkel came on and worked three scoreless innings. He gave up three hits, walked one and didn’t record a strikeout. Ryan Mason came on for the ninth inning to record the save. He struck out one.

 

Unfortunately, with one out in the ninth inning, Ben Rortvedt had to leave the game. A foul tip struck his throwing hand, and he was clearly in pain. He tried to move his fingers and even played catch with first baseman Ben Rodriguez. After the second throw, which sailed over Rodriguez’s head, Rortvedt walked off the field, replaced by David Banuelos.

 

POSTGAME UPDATE:

 

The Kernels didn’t have a lot of offense, but Shane Carrier carried the offense on this night. In the first inning, Akil Baddoo and Royce Lewis walked. After a fielder’s choice, Carrier knocked in Baddoo with a sacrifice fly. In the fourth inning, Carrier launched his first home run of the season. He went 2-3 in the game. Andrew Bechtold was 2-2 with two walks, a double and a stolen base. Trey Cabbage went 1-3 with a walk.

 

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Ryan Walker/Nick Gordon, Chattanooga Lookouts

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Bryan Sammons, Cedar Rapids Kernels

 

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

Here is a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed:

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Cedar Rapids) - 0-2, 2 BB, K, SB

#3 - Nick Gordon (Chattanooga) - 4-5, 3B, RBI, K

#5 - Alex Kirilloff (Cedar Rapids) - 1-4

#7 - Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) - 0-4, K

#10 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) - 0-3, 2 BB, 3 K, SB

#11 - Zack Littell (Chattanooga) - 4.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

#13 - Lewin Diaz (Ft. Myers) - 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 K

#14 - LaMonte Wade (Chattanooga) - 1-4

#15 - Mitch Garver (Minnesota) - 1-4, first Major League home run

#16 - Ben Rortvedt (Cedar Rapids) - 0-4

#17 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) - 1-4, 2B, 2 K

 

 

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Buffalo @ Rochester (5;05 CST) - RHP Aaron Slegers

Birmingham @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) - LHP Stephen Gonsalves

Charlotte @ Ft. Myers (6:00 CST) - RHP Tyler Wells

Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities (6:35 CST) - RHP Edwar Colina

 

 

Please feel free to ask any questions about Thursday’s Opening Day games, or ask any questions you may have.

 

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rdehring FCL Twins

rdehring

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Like the addition, Seth.

 

I guess you would call Hughes outing what, ok?  Was good that he got thru 5 innings and isn't injured.  Hopefully, he will get us thru until Santana comes back.  But it is starting to look like that will be June rather than May.  

 

Waiting for Romero and Thorpe to make their first starts!

Seth Stohs GOAT

Seth Stohs

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What is Jovani Moran throwing? He's put up some crazy K rates. 

 

We're all trying to figure that out... Ha! He was topping out at 88 on the radar gun. He must have some crazy movement, or some spin rate or something. 

Tom Froemming All-Star

Tom Froemming

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What is Jovani Moran throwing? He's put up some crazy K rates. 

All over the place. The Quad Cities broadcast doesn't show the gun ... or any other graphics at all. A lot of the minor league broadcasts are very rudimentary. But, his changeup was outstanding. Being a lefty, that's obviously going to be a huge pitch for him. 

 

But he was also really wild. Three walks, two wild pitches and I counted three run-saving blocks by Rortvedt that inning when there was a runner on third.

Seth Stohs GOAT

Seth Stohs

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Only ask is to take it out to Top 25 or 30 as I believe the system is that deep with guys in the 20-25 or even 30 range that could move up quite a bit.

 

Sounds good, but we only ranked the Top 20... So I don't know how we'd choose who else to add. Also, if the reports are done well, anyone with multiple hits or anyone that pitches will be mentioned, so those guys will still get mentioned, if they pitch or play well. 

Seth Stohs GOAT

Seth Stohs

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So how long does it take for Gordon to get the call to Rochester?

 

If he gets four hits ever game ,probably not very long. I'd guess they go a month and see where he's at and where the Red Wings are at, and how Escobar and Adrianza are doing, etc. 

gunnarthor MVP

gunnarthor

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Great to see minor league baseball back!

 

Only one game so not a lot to note but it's good to see Baddoo and Bechtold taking a lot of pitches/walks again. I really hope they both become on-base machines for us.

Seth Stohs GOAT

Seth Stohs

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How is Bechtold defensively? Going off of MLB's write up of him, it sounds like he will be able to stick at third and maybe even be above average there. 

 

He's a plus defender at 3B. Here's a story I did on him in the offseason: 

 

http://twinsdaily.com/_/minnesota-twins-news/minnesota-twins-minor-leagues/get-to-know-twins-third-base-prospect-andrew-bechtold-r6339

 

I talked to him a bit in Ft. Myers. He told me he was clocked at 101 across the diamond, so he's got a big arm too. 

 

TNTwinsFan Draft Eligible

TNTwinsFan

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How is Bechtold defensively? Going off of MLB's write up of him, it sounds like he will be able to stick at third and maybe even be above average there.

 

He is one of my AAPs this year. Everything I've read on him is that he'll be a very solid defender. He also has a terrific eye at the plate and will develop 20+ HR power. Oh...and he steals bases! The kid has a real shot to be a 5 Star player. 20/20, good average, high OBP, and solid defense. He's one to watch this year for sure.

cmoss84 First Round Pick

cmoss84

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When I first saw  "CHATTANOOGA CHATTER," I thought they had changed their team name. Great report-thanks!

 

Sorry if I missed it, but what was Hughes' velocity?

Thrylos St Paul Saints

Thrylos

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I guess you would call Hughes outing what, ok? 

 

8 hits and 3 ER against high A hitters in warm Florida translates to not surviving the first inning in the majors in cold Minnesota against the defending World Champions.

 

Not.That.Good.

The Twins need a plan B, quickly, otherwise they might as well forfeit that game.

Seth Stohs GOAT

Seth Stohs

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When I first saw  "CHATTANOOGA CHATTER," I thought they had changed their team name. Great report-thanks!

 

Sorry if I missed it, but what was Hughes' velocity?

 

I heard that Hughes topped out at 92. 

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