Article: Twins Minor League Report (4/7): Gonsalves Great, Kernels Walk it Off in Extras

[Seth Stohs]

 

Only in the Twins organization does a guy like Gonsalves move backward.

 

He already has pitched 162 innings of AA baseball between 2016 and 2017.  He has a career AA ERA of 2.21 with 188 strikeouts, and a career minor league ERA of 2.36.

 

So, even though he finished the 2017 season in AAA, the LOGICAL thing to do is send him back to AA.

 

That's not an "only in the Twins organization" thing. 

 

It's silly that he's there, but as is often the case (in all organizations), early season assignments are just as much about numbers as anything else... It's a byproduct of the Lynn signing and Mejia being sent down, and Romero kind of pushing his way ahead. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Wouldn’t be shocked if they saw the early forecasts in Rochester and just wanted him to get innings in to stay fresh. 3 games postponed up north already

 

Of course, if that's true, then they probably wouldn't have send Romero to Rochester. 

[Pitz]

May is awfully hyperbolic considering he'll probably pitch in the next few days if he's ready.

 

The likely explanation is Romero is 3rd or 4th in line for an early season call-up if the Twins suddenly need a starter, whereas Gonsalves and others are on the shortlist and need to stay ready. Gonsalves also needs to build innings after having an injury-shortened season last year. There wasn't room for Romero in AA unless you want to send someone else down to A ball that doesn't belong there, or you want to bump a shortlister to AAA where he wouldn't be able to stay ready. Ultimatley this is at most a week of slippage for his first start and is a lot of heartburn over nothing. If anything, now we get to have him for another week later in the season when he might be helping the big league club.

Yes, the hyperbole was intended. My post was meant to be very light hearted.

 

If I were to make a more serious post... I don't think Gonsalves being put at AA had anything to do with the weather. Because weather is pretty hard to predict. And if keeping those who are next in line ready is the argument, then why is Mejia in Rochester? And probably Slegers?

Plus, I don't think there is too strong of an argument that Gonsalves would be clearly ahead of Romero on a 'next in line to the majors' list. Seems like a bit of grasping at straws as to why Gonsalves is in AA. I don't fully get the decision but I am really not worried about it. No heartburn here. Well at least not because of the minor league assignments.

[caninatl04]

Just an ill-conceived mention based on too small of a sample size, but aren't there an awful lot of walks being given up in the minors?  I believe the Twins have always preached "throwing strikes". I don't want to start a debate about "pitching to contact", but shouldn't throwing strikes be emphasized in the minors?

[Mr. Brooks]

Just an ill-conceived mention based on too small of a sample size, but aren't there an awful lot of walks being given up in the minors? I believe the Twins have always preached "throwing strikes". I don't want to start a debate about "pitching to contact", but shouldn't throwing strikes be emphasized in the minors?

I think every team, at every level of baseball emphasizes throwing strikes. It's not easy to execute though.

Unless of course you just soft toss it over the middle. But throwing strikes that aren't easily hittable is very hard to do. It's why guys like Kershaw and Verlander and Scherzer get paid like they do.

[mlhouse]

 

That's not an "only in the Twins organization" thing. 

 

It's silly that he's there, but as is often the case (in all organizations), early season assignments are just as much about numbers as anything else... It's a byproduct of the Lynn signing and Mejia being sent down, and Romero kind of pushing his way ahead. 

 

The Twins are most undoubtedly the most conservative organization in baseball in the movement of their prospects, particularly when you consider that they have been in rebuilding mode for six seasons.  

[Seth Stohs]

 

The Twins are most undoubtedly the most conservative organization in baseball in the movement of their prospects, particularly when you consider that they have been in rebuilding mode for six seasons.  

 

They were... that changed some when Brad Steil took over for Jim Rantz,, and I'll need more of a sample size before I make any comments on Jeremy Zoll's strategies.