Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/8): Graterol Impresses and Scares in Early Action

[Ted Schwerzler]

Brusdar Graterol was on the bump for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos this morning. A dominant outing was cut short after he left with an injury, but it looks like something severe may have been avoided. Low scoring action was the name of the game in matinees, and the night games featured some comeback action with plenty of offense.TRANSACTIONS

Rochester Red Wings

LHP Andrew Vasquez placed on IL with left shoulder impingement

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 7, Toledo 1

Box Score

 

Zack Littell toed the rubber in this contest, and despite twirling a gem, the bats put him at ease when he exited after six strong innings of work. Littell didn't allow an earned run, and he fanned seven while allowing just three hits and three walks.

 

 

Trailing 1-0 entering the home half of the fourth inning, Rochester jumped out in front for good. Zander Wiel continues to hit, and his single drove in Brent Rooker for the Red Wings first run. John Andreoli then notched his third dinger of the season and the crooked number was a three.

 

 

The rest of the scoring was done in the next inning. Rooker came across on a wild pitch, Jordany Valdespin singled in Wiel, and the hot-hitting Nick Gordon ripped a two RBI double to give us the eventual final score of 7-1. Gordon posted another multi-hit evening, and is now batting .417 on the season, being completely on fire since his activation off of the Injured List.

 

Some of the middle of the order bats are really settling in for Rochester, and guys like Wiel and Rooker could make compelling cases for the Twins in 2019 should they continue with this momentum.

 

Also, it's a good thing that the Red Wings didn't let this fan pitch tonight.

 

BLUE WAHOOS BITES

Pensacola 1, Mississippi 0

Box Score

 

Star prospect Brusdar Graterol was on the bump for the Blue Wahoos in this one, and he looked dominant once again. Working with a fastball that sat around 98 mph most of the day, he gave up just two hits while striking out three and walking one in 5 1/3 innings of work. Graterol did leave the game early, and was just at 69 pitches, but according to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson it doesn’t sound too serious.

 

 

Luis Arraez singled in the game's only run, driving in Taylor Grzelakowski in the fourth inning. Getting shutdown work from the recently promoted Tom Hackimer, as well as Sam Clay and Ryan Mason, Pensacola was able to close out a tight contest. Picking up his sixth save, Mason has now pushed his scoreless innings streak to 15 in 2019. Since converting to a reliever in 2017, he’s been lights out.

 

 

It’s worth noting that Miguel Sano did not play in this game. He wasn’t in the lineup, but was reportedly still in Pensacola. The plan could be for him to be promoted up to Rochester prior to Thursday’s action, with a light knock on the Twins door beginning to be heard.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 4, Charlotte 3

Box Score

 

Started by Jhoan Duran, the outing was an abbreviated one with mother nature wreaking havoc in the 4th inning. One out into the frame, a rain delay forced the tarp onto the field. Duran finished with five strikeouts and three walks allowing two runs on four hits.

 

Trailing by two, and now without their starting pitcher, the Miracle needed to come up with answers. On the mound, that was Melvi Acosta. Working four and one-third innings of relief, he allowed just one run while fanning four. Because of his lockdown performance, the bats were able to chip away.

 

Jose Miranda drove in Trevor Larnach to get Fort Myers on the board, and then Lewin Diaz followed with his 6th double of the season tying things at 2. Trailing again after the lone run crossed against Acosta, the Miracle responded. In the 6th, it was a Diaz single driving in Larnach, and the 7th featured the go ahead tally on a Michael Helman single to left field.

 

The bats seem to have come alive in recent days for the Miracle, and the hope is that they'll continue to pace what should remain a very impressive lineup.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

South Bend 2, Cedar Rapids 1

Box Score

 

Andrew Cabezas came just one out shy of completing seven innings in this one and allowing just one run on six hits during his day of work. He put the Kernels in a great spot to win. The bats were cold as Cedar Rapids generated just four hits, and the one run wasn’t enough to come out on top.

Trailing 1-0 after the first, Cedar Rapids was able to knot things up when Gabriel Maciel scampered home on a wild pitch in the sixth. Looking to force extras, the Kernels found themselves on the wrong side of a walkoff with a throwing error spelling their eventual demise.

 

Cedar Rapids heads to West Michigan to begin a new series with the Whitecaps tomorrow.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day – Brusdar Graterol (Pensacola) – 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day – Zander Wiel (Rochester) - 3-4, 2 R, RBI, 2B

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

#1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) - 0-4, K

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) – 0-5, 3 K

#3 - Brusdar Graterol (Pensacola) – 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Ft. Myers) - 1-3, 2 R, BB

#5 - Wander Javier (EST) - No Game

#6 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) - 2-4, 2 R, 2B, K

#7 - Jhoan Duran (Ft. Myers) - 3.1 IP 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

#8 - Lewis Thorpe (Rochester) - Did Not Pitch

#9 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) - Did Not Pitch

#10 - Akil Baddoo (Ft. Myers) – Did Not Play

#11 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - 2-5, 2 RBI, K

#12 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) - Injured list

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Ft. Myers) - 0-3 K

#14 - Ben Rortvedt (Ft. Myers) - 0-2, R, K

#15 - Yunior Severino (Cedar Rapids) - Injured List

#16 - Gilberto Celestino (Cedar Rapids) – 0-3, BB, K

#17 - Zack Littell (Rochester) - 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K

#18 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) - 0-3, BB

#19 - Jorge Alcala (Pensacola) – Did Not Pitch

#20 - Jose Miranda (Ft. Myers) - 2-4, R, RBI

 

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Toledo @ Rochester (6:05PM CST) – RHP Chase De Jong (0-3, 16.20 ERA)

Pensacola @ Mississippi (6:35PM CST) – RHP Randy Dobnak (0-0, 4.50 ERA)

Tampa @ Fort Myers (5:30PM CST) – LHP Tyler Watson (1-3, 5.06 ERA)

Cedar Rapids @ West Michigan (6:05PM CST) – TBD

 

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Wednesday’s games!

 

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[mikelink45]

How long is DeJong's leash - it appears he could be sent down to let someone else come up.

[bird]

The signals we've gotten from the Twins is that DeJong is on the very shortest of leashes given that he's been a DFA victim previously. Smeltzer is lurking, Gonsalves is recovering, Thorpe, Littell, and Stewart merit staff's attention more than Chase...

 

That said, I have to wonder if the organization still sees those glimpses of potential. They may be almost as frustrated about unlocking it as DeJong is himself. I actually have a soft spot for these guys, but it fades quickly.

[Seth Stohs]

 

The signals we've gotten from the Twins is that DeJong is on the very shortest of leashes given that he's been a DFA victim previously. Smeltzer is lurking, Gonsalves is recovering, Thorpe, Littell, and Stewart merit staff's attention more than Chase...

 

That said, I have to wonder if the organization still sees those glimpses of potential. They may be almost as frustrated about unlocking it as DeJong is himself. I actually have a soft spot for these guys, but it fades quickly.

 

Yeah, I mean, if there was someone ready to take his place, he's probably be let go. Gonsalves is probably 3-4 weeks out. So he's got a little time. But there's no need to get rid of him until they need to. There's potential there to be a good 6/7 starter. 

 

Tyler Wells' timeline is about the same as Gonsalves and he'll take a spot in Pensacola so someone could move up from there at that time. 

[Seth Stohs]

I've essentially been told that there is nothing to worry about with Graterol. But they also just weren't going to take any chances either. 

[ChrisKnutson]

Can we please promote Graterol already? Dude’s not only wasting time, but arm mileage, hanging around Pensacola.

[rdehring]

Getting hits in all five games with multi-hits in four of them is the start Gordon was hoping for while working on his rehab this past month.  Will he wear down again?  Or will this be the year he turns the corner and becomes the next man up for the Twins.  Expect the FO is watching closely.  Can they count on him next year and beyond?  Or do they extend Schoop?  Getting it wrong could have a huge impact on their 2020 season. 

[Mr. Brooks]

Getting hits in all five games with multi-hits in four of them is the start Gordon was hoping for while working on his rehab this past month. Will he wear down again? Or will this be the year he turns the corner and becomes the next man up for the Twins. Expect the FO is watching closely. Can they count on him next year and beyond? Or do they extend Schoop? Getting it wrong could have a huge impact on their 2020 season.

I seem to recall reports that the Twins tried to get a second year on Schoop and he wasn't interested. Barring a major injury or collapse, I'm guessing he's going to test free agency.

[071063]

 

Getting hits in all five games with multi-hits in four of them is the start Gordon was hoping for while working on his rehab this past month.  Will he wear down again?  Or will this be the year he turns the corner and becomes the next man up for the Twins.  Expect the FO is watching closely.  Can they count on him next year and beyond?  Or do they extend Schoop?  Getting it wrong could have a huge impact on their 2020 season. 

If he's going to be the man at 2B next year, he needs some major league reps this year to show what he can do.  With the way Schoop is playing, that only happens with an injury.

[nater79a]

 

Yeah, I mean, if there was someone ready to take his place, he's probably be let go. Gonsalves is probably 3-4 weeks out. So he's got a little time. But there's no need to get rid of him until they need to. There's potential there to be a good 6/7 starter. 

 

Tyler Wells' timeline is about the same as Gonsalves and he'll take a spot in Pensacola so someone could move up from there at that time. 

 

Seth - Let's say the Twins wanted to take it a little slow with Graterol.  Who do you see as the next logical candidate besides Brusdar to move up from the Blue Wahoos to the Wings in the next month or so....Alcala, Jax or Poppen?

 

Griffen Jax has been lights out but has spent all of 6 games in a double-A rotation.

 

Jorge Alcala has spent the most time at AA (20+ games) between Houston and MInnesota but his pitching has been a little uneven at times.

 

Sean Poppen has been pretty good but his walk rate has been a tad high so far (14 in 19 innings).  He also has plenty of AA experience + a spot start with he Wings earlier this season.

 

What'ya think?

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

If he's going to be the man at 2B next year, he needs some major league reps this year to show what he can do.  With the way Schoop is playing, that only happens with an injury.

 

Which do happen in baseball so having Gordon ready at Rochester is a good thing. That's why I wouldn't even consider trading him at this point. So many more data points to come this year. (on both Gordon and Schoop)

[Seth Stohs]

 

Seth - Let's say the Twins wanted to take it a little slow with Graterol.  Who do you see as the next logical candidate besides Brusdar to move up from the Blue Wahoos to the Wings in the next month or so....Alcala, Jax or Poppen?

 

Griffen Jax has been lights out but has spent all of 6 games in a double-A rotation.

 

Jorge Alcala has spent the most time at AA (20+ games) between Houston and MInnesota but his pitching has been a little uneven at times.

 

Sean Poppen has been pretty good but his walk rate has been a tad high so far (14 in 19 innings).  He also has plenty of AA experience + a spot start with he Wings earlier this season.

 

What'ya think?

 

I would think Alcala, just because he's spent the most time in AA and he's pitching really, really well this year. Poppen certain could. He did well in his spot start up there earlier in the year. 

[EPEZRider]

What happened to all the chirping I heard yesterday about Kirilloff (0-5, 3K) needing to replace Cron (4-5, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI). I hear nothing but crickets today.

[Cap'n Piranha]

Ryan Mason is intriguing, hopefully he gets pushed to AAA this summer, and perhaps a look in September.

 

I still think Gordon is more likely to be trade bait than a significant player for the Twins, especially if he restores some prospect luster this summer.  Arraez has a 145 wRC+, and has never been below 100, at any level, in his entire career.  He's also 18 months younger, and has nice positional flexibility, having played 14 games at second, 12 at third, and 5 at short so far this year.  Add in Lewis at A+, and hopefully Javier at A-, and Gordon seems to be easily replaceable on the organizational MI depth chart.

[Mr. Brooks]

What happened to all the chirping I heard yesterday about Kirilloff (0-5, 3K) needing to replace Cron (4-5, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI). I hear nothing but crickets today.

I'd hope nobody, on either side of the debate, is using a one game sample in their argument.

 

I'm also not sure how many people suggested that Kirilloff needs to replace Cron now. Simply that there is an underperforming place for him when he's ready.