Article: Twins Minor League Report (9/6): Kernels Dominate Game 1

[Seth Stohs]

A day after the Elizabethton Twins won another Appalachian League championship and the Ft. Myers Miracle advanced to the Florida State League championship series, the Cedar Rapids Kernels began their Midwest League playoff run. The Kernels powered their way to be a big win in Beloit.Keep reading to find out more on the one playoff game played on Thursday night in the Twins system. Please feel free to discuss and ask questions.

 

TRANSACTIONS

• None

RED WINGS REPORT

 

Season Complete.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

 

Season Complete.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers

Box Score

 

The Miracle begin the Florida State League championship series on Friday night.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 10, Beloit 1

Box Score

 

The Kernels finished their regular season in Beloit. The Snappers won, which gave them a spot in the playoffs and a Game 1 home game. Cedar Rapids made the trip back for Game 1 in the Best of 3 series. The teams head to Cedar Rapids on Friday for either one game (if the Kernels win) or two games (if the Snappers win the first game).

 

The Kernels got another terrific start from Jhoan Duran and they powered their way at the plate for a big win.

 

Duran gave up just one run on three hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out ten. Johan Quezada gave up just one hit over the next two innings. He struck out four batters. Rickey Ramirez struck out one in a scoreless ninth.

 

Ryan Jeffers and Gabriel Maciel each hit solo home runs in the second inning to give the Kernels a 2-0 lead. Duran gave up one run in the bottom of the second. But in the third innings, Trevor Larnach singled in Michael Helman, who had doubled, to get that run back. After a Jeffers single, Ben Rodriguez walked to load the bases. Maciel picked up a second RBI with another walk.

 

The game stayed at 4-1 until the eighth inning when the Kernels broke it open. After three walks, Trey Cabbage came on to pinch hit for Victor Tademo and crushed a grand slam to push the lead to 8-1.

 

In the ninth inning, Ryan Jeffers added a two-run homer, his second of the game for the final 10-1 margin. Jeffers went 3-for-4 with a walk, two homers and three RBI.

 

E-TWINS E-TALK

Elizabethton

Box Score

 

The E-Twins won the Appalachian League championship on Wednesday night.

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Ryan Jeffers, Cedar Rapids (3-4, BB, 2-HR, 3 RBI).

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Jhoan Duran, Cedar Rapids Kernels (6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 K)

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Midseason Top 20 Twins Prospects performed.

#1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) - No Game Scheduled

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Ft. Myers) - No Game Scheduled

#3 - Brusdar Graterol (Ft. Myers) - No Game Scheduled

#5 - Stephen Gonsalves (Minnesota) - Did not pitch

#6 - Trevor Larnach (Cedar Rapids) - 1-4, BB, 2 R, RBI

#8 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) - 1-4, BB, 2 K

#10 - Zack Littell (Minnesota) - Did not pitch

#11 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) - Did not pitch

#13 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) - No Game Scheduled

#15 - Ben Rortvedt (Ft. Myers) - No Game Scheduled

#18 - Ryan Jeffers (Cedar Rapids) - 3-4, BB, 2-HR, 3 R, 3 RBI

#19 - Jacob Pearson (Cedar Rapids) - Did not play

#21 - Jose Miranda (Ft. Myers) - No Game Scheduled

 

 

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester - Season Complete

Chattanooga - Season Complete

Daytona @ Ft. Myers (6:00 CST) - TBD

Beloit @ Cedar Rapids (6:00 CST) - RHP Randy Dobnak (Game 2). If Game 3 is necessary, LHP Bryan Sammons will start.

Elizabethton - Season Complete

GCL Twins - Season Complete

 

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

 

Click here to view the article

[Han Joelo]

Its great that they won, and even better that some good prospects had great games.  Guys that weren't in the organization to start the year.  Lets go for the championship trifecta.

[rdehring]

I will join Han Joelo in that search for the trifecta!  To get there, the Kernels will be playing ball for much of September as the MWL championship requires winning three series and last night was game 1.  The Appy League Twins and Fort Myers only need to win two series for the championship.

 

Although they may never play an inning for the Twins, Duran and Maciel (+ De La Trinidad) are sure looking like a good return for two months of Escobar.  Both players showed up when it mattered most.  As did Jeffers with 2 home runs and a 3-4 night and Cabbage with a pinch hit granny!

 

 

 

[caninatl04]

Im looking forward to the off season top prospects lists to see where the three listed by rdehring end up. Duran looks like a good prospect with last night’s 10 k’s.

[ashbury]

Bet those rubes in Beloit wish they'd tried a little harder to maintain a working relationship with the Twins organization back when they had a chance, huh?

 

_{^{/ Just trying a little single-A trash talk....}}

[slash129]

 

Bet those rubes in Beloit wish they'd tried a little harder to maintain a working relationship with the Twins organization back when they had a chance, huh?

 

_{^{/ Just trying a little single-A trash talk....}}

 

Glad it didn't work ... I love Cedar Rapids and Perfect Game Field.

[rdehring]

 

Glad it didn't work ... I love Cedar Rapids and Perfect Game Field.

Anyone who has been to the ballpark in Beloit and Perfect Game Field will second that comment slash129

[jokin]

 

Im looking forward to the off season top prospects lists to see where the three listed by rdehring end up. Duran looks like a good prospect with last night’s 10 k’s.

 

Better still, Duran got much stronger as the game proceeded. Started out the game with little control, walks and wild pitch.

 

And persevered through multiple errors by his teammates, and an infield hit and BB, by getting his last 5 outs via strikeouts!

 

Surely he has shown enough thus far to move up the prospect lists? Right?

[jokin]

 

 

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester - Season Complete

Chattanooga - Season Complete

Daytona @ Ft. Myers (6:00 CST) - TBD

Beloit @ Cedar Rapids (6:00 CST) - RHP Randy Dobnak (Game 2). If Game 3 is necessary, LHP Bryan Sammons will start.

 

 

 

I know there was a rainout in Beloit. But, how common are playoff doubleheaders in the minors?

[jokin]

 

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 10, Beloit 1
Box Score

The Kernels finished their regular season in Beloit. The Snappers won, which gave them a spot in the playoffs and a Game 1 home game. Cedar Rapids made the trip back for Game 1 in the Best of 3 series. The teams head to Cedar Rapids on Friday for either one game (if the Kernels win) or two games (if the Snappers win the first game).

The Kernels got another terrific start from Jhoan Duran and they powered their way at the plate for a big win.

Duran gave up just one run on three hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out ten. Johan Quezada gave up just one hit over the next two innings. He struck out four batters. Rickey Ramirez struck out one in a scoreless ninth.

Ryan Jeffers and Gabriel Maciel each hit solo home runs in the second inning to give the Kernels a 2-0 lead. Duran gave up one run in the bottom of the second. But in the third innings, Trevor Larnach singled in Michael Helman, who had doubled, to get that run back. After a Jeffers single, Ben Rodriguez walked to load the bases. Maciel picked up a second RBI with another walk.


In the ninth inning, Ryan Jeffers added a two-run homer, his second of the game for the final 10-1 margin. Jeffers went 3-for-4 with a walk, two homers and three RBI.


STARS OF THE DAY
Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Ryan Jeffers, Cedar Rapids (3-4, BB, 2-HR, 3 RBI).
Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Jhoan Duran, Cedar Rapids Kernels (6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 K)

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Midseason Top 20 Twins Prospects performed.
#1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) - No Game Scheduled
#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Ft. Myers) - No Game Scheduled
#3 - Brusdar Graterol (Ft. Myers) - No Game Scheduled
#5 - Stephen Gonsalves (Minnesota) - Did not pitch
#6 - Trevor Larnach (Cedar Rapids) - 1-4, BB, 2 R, RBI
#8 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) - 1-4, BB, 2 K
#10 - Zack Littell (Minnesota) - Did not pitch
#11 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) - Did not pitch
#13 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) - No Game Scheduled
#15 - Ben Rortvedt (Ft. Myers) - No Game Scheduled
#18 - Ryan Jeffers (Cedar Rapids) - 3-4, BB, 2-HR, 3 R, 3 RBI
#19 - Jacob Pearson (Cedar Rapids) - Did not play
#21 - Jose Miranda (Ft. Myers) - No Game Scheduled

 

 

 

Seth, are Jeffers and Duran more prospects or suspects at this point?

Especially as they project to MLB Starting Catcher and Pitcher?

Is it fair to say that both have performed beyond expectations thus far?

What are the chances that each move significantly up the offseason prospect rankings- ie, top 10 for Jeffers (or at the very least, ahead of Rortvedt as top C prospect)- top 15 for Duran?

[jokin]

Is there another explanation, beyond SSS, that Duran has wildly better peripheral results with the Kernels than with the D-Back club in the same league?

[Seth Stohs]

 

I know there was a rainout in Beloit. But, how common are playoff doubleheaders in the minors?

 

Not very, but they're on a schedule that they have to keep. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Seth, are Jeffers and Duran more prospects or suspects at this point?

Especially as they project to MLB Starting Catcher and Pitcher?

Is it fair to say that both have performed beyond expectations thus far?

What are the chances that each move significantly up the offseason prospect rankings- ie, top 10 for Jeffers (or at the very least, ahead of Rortvedt as top C prospect)- top 15 for Duran?

 

I'd have to give it more thought... but Jeffers and Duran are both easily Top 20 Twins prospects. I suspect Duran could be close to 10.

Jeffers profiles a lot like Garver, but he's got a higher draft status, so he is very much intriguing. Rortvedt is a level ahead of Jeffers and is about 2 years younger, so that factors into prospect status. But, obviously on-field next year will tell us much more. 

[nater79a]

Kind of stinks that the Miracle have two games at home and the final three (if necessary) on the road at Daytona.  Would prefer it the other way around.  But I guess that is the FSL playoff procedure to alternate home field each year.

 

If you remember, last year the FSL championship series was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma.   Was supposed to be the FSL South's year for the home field advantage.  Surprised they didn't carry it over to this year. Now the north has home field twice in a row....'16 and '18.

 

Oh well, guess the Miracle just needs to go out and sweep the first three games and make it moot!

[gil4]

 

Bet those rubes in Beloit wish they'd tried a little harder to maintain a working relationship with the Twins organization back when they had a chance, huh?

 

_{^{/ Just trying a little single-A trash talk....}}

I forgot how it went down - did they dump us or did we dump them? No complaints about where we ended up (except having an ear of corn in the logo is pretty lame, and I make sure to remind my Nebraska friends of that fact regularly.)

[jokin]

 

I'd have to give it more thought... but Jeffers and Duran are both easily Top 20 Twins prospects. I suspect Duran could be close to 10.

Jeffers profiles a lot like Garver, but he's got a higher draft status, so he is very much intriguing. Rortvedt is a level ahead of Jeffers and is about 2 years younger, so that factors into prospect status. But, obviously on-field next year will tell us much more. 

 

Is there someone in the organization that can sum up Duran's dramatic mid-season intra-league improvements since coming over to the Kernels. At this point, it seems well beyond a SSS mirage.

Edited September 7, 2018 by jokin

[jokin]

 

 

Not very, but they're on a schedule that they have to keep. 

 

Bodes well for the good guys tonight.

[ashbury]

I forgot how it went down - did they dump us or did we dump them?

I believe it was the quality of the facilities that were at issue, and the Twins shopped around.

[Guest]

 

I believe it was the quality of the facilities that were at issue, and the Twins shopped around.

i had a source, at the time, tell me that if the Twins had gotten their first choice, they'd have been affiliated with a MWL Eastern Division team, but that team opted to stay with their then-current MLB partner. I'm glad things worked out the way they did, though.