Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/24): Davis Delivers For Red Wings

[Seth Stohs]

Three Twins affiliates did not play on Monday, but the three teams that did provided a lot of highlights. Keoni Cavaco and the 2019 GCL Twins played their first professional games. A couple of talented lefties made rehab appearances. Rochester powered their way to a win. Two Red Wings hit their first Triple-A homer. Sean Poppen made his first Red Wings start since his MLB debut. Griffin Jax was terrific. And Travis Blankenhorn kept raking. The Twins signed another draft pick, and we know where Cody Allen has been assigned.Find out everything that happened happened in the Twins system on Thursday, starting with the transactions of the day.

 

TRANSACTIONS

• RHP Kohl Stewart returned to Rochester.
• OF Jimmy Kerrigan returned to Pensacola.
• LHP Andrew Vasquez and LHP Lachlan Wells began rehab assignments with the GCL Twins.
• Cody Allen will be assigned to Double-A Pensacola to start his minor league assignment. (he appears on the Blue Wahoos roster)
• In the GCL, Landon Leach and Seth Pinkerton were added to the 7 Day IL. Also, Zach Featherstone, Danny Moreno, Luis Gomez, Michael Montero, Sean Mooney, Jon Olsen and Fredderi Soto were placed on the 60 Day IL.
• RHP and 2019 draft pick Tyler Beck returned to the GCL Twins after his one appearance with the Ft. Myers Miracle.
• 11th-round pick Tanner Brubaker has signed. That means that the Twins have signed 16 of their first 17 draft picks so far. Darren Wolfson tweeted that fifth-round pick Will Holland (Auburn) is expected to come to Target Field this week and sign. For more on the Twins draft pick signings, click here.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 8, Scranton/Wilkes Barre 6

Box Score

 

The score was tied 3-3 after six innings, and then 5-5 after seven innings. Jaylin Davis came to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning with two runners on and knocked his first AAA home run to give the team an 8-5 lead. Ian Krol came on for the ninth inning and gave up a solo homer but recorded his second save since joining the Red Wings.

 

 

Davis also threw out a runner at home.

 

 

Davis wasn’t the only Red Wings player to hit his first AAA home run on Monday night. Brian Schales hit his homer an inning earlier. Earlier in the game, Wilin Rosario hit his eighth home run of the season.

 

Zander Wiel went 2-for-4. Schales was 2-for-3 with a walk. Wynston Sawyer went 3-for-4 with his 11th double.

 

Sean Poppen made his first start for the Red Wings since his MLB debut last week. He struck out seven batters over 5 2/3 innings. He gave up three runs on six hits and two walks. Adam Bray came on and gave up two runs on four hits and a walk in 1 1/3 innings. DJ Baxendale struck out two batters in his inning. Krol gave up the solo homer and a walk in the ninth.

 

BLUE WAHOO BITES

Pensacola 2, Jacksonville 4

Box Score

 

Griffin Jax put together arguably his best start of the season, but on this night the bullpen was unable to hold the lead.

 

Jax started and threw seven shutout innings. He gave up just two hits, walked none and struck out five. He needed just 72 pitches to go seven innings and 56 of them were strikes.

 

In the eighth inning, Jeff Ames came on. He faced three batters and gave up two hits and a walk. Still leading 2-1, Sam Clay was brought in with two runners on. Three hits later, the two inherited runners and one more scored.

 

The Blue Wahoos were not able to generate much offense. Mark Contreras hit a fifth-inning homer, his third of the year. Travis Blankenhorn led off the game with his 13th home run with the Blue Wahoos, and 14th overall. Blankenhorn now has hits in 18 of his last 19 games.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers

Box Score

 

The Miracle had the day off.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids

Box Score

No game scheduled for the Kernels.

 

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

E-Twins

Box Score

 

Elizabethton had their first day off since their season began a week ago.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins 3, GCL Pirates 4

Box Score

 

There are a lot of storylines in the GCL Twins opening game to their 2019 season. So let’s start with the game itself. The Twins fell behind 4-0. They attempted a comeback in the top of the ninth inning, but it fell just short.

 

One big story is the return of LHP Lachlan wells to a game mound. It was the first time he has pitched in a regular season game since September 2, 2017. He had Tommy John surgery last May. In this game, he started with four scoreless innings, but he was charged with three runs in the fifth inning. He gave up six hits, walked none and struck out nine batters.

 

Following the game, the still-22-year-old Wells told Twins Daily, “It felt awesome to be back out there competing again. Can’t wait for the rest of the season.”

 

After Wells’ day was done, LHP Andrew Vasquez came on. He has been on the IL since June 4th with a left shoulder strain. He worked two hitless innings. He walked one and struck out six batters.

 

German right-hander Niklas Rimmel pitched the eighth inning. He gave up one run on one hit and one walk.

 

The other big story of the game was the professional debut of Keoni Cavaco. He played shortstop and batted second in the order. He flew out to center field the first two times to bat. He then grounded out to third base. In his final at bat, he singled to left.

 

Bryon Gandy, the Twins 32nd-round pick out of Lurleen B Wallace St JC this year, went 2-for-3 in the game. Parker Phillips (27th round, Austin Peay) had a single and an RBI. Jake Hirabayashi (39th round, UCLA) also had a single and an RBI. For each, the hits were their first in pro baseball.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day - Griffin Jax, Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Jaylin Davis, Rochester Red Wings

 

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) - 1-4, 3K

#6 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) - 0-3, BB, K

#11 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - 0-5, R, K

#18 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) - 1-4, 2B(10), R, RBI, K

 

 

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Scranton/Wilkes Barre @ Rochester (11:35 am CST) - RHP Kohl Stewart (5-3, 4.76 ERA)

Biloxi @ Pensacola (6:35 CST) - LHP Bryan Sammons (1-1, 5.70 ERA)

Ft. Myers @ Charlotte (5:30 CST) - RHP Jhoan Duran (1-6, 3.15 ERA)

Wisconsin @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) - RHP Kai-Wei Teng (2-0, 2.57 ERA)

Bristol @ Elizabethton (5:30 CST) - TBD

GCL Pirates @ GCL Twins (11:00 CST) - TBD

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Monday games or any other minor league topics you would like.

 

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[Squirrel]

What field do the GCL Twins play on?

[Seth Stohs]

 

What field do the GCL Twins play on?

 

Bill Smith Field...

 

The one behind the academy.

[Squirrel]

Bill Smith Field...

 

The one behind the academy.

Thanks. Down here now. Might have to check it out!

[Danchat]

Oh, I didn't even realize Jaylin Davis was in AAA! I need to start reading up on the scouting reports on this kid.

 

I would be A-OK with trading some of our outfielder prospects for MLB players. We have a solid collection of center fielders to corner outfielders at the high minors and low minors. And our MLB squad already has 3 good OFs, so let's supplement our weaknesses by trading what we have in excess.

[goulik]

Oh, I didn't even realize Jaylin Davis was in AAA! I need to start reading up on the scouting reports on this kid.

 

I would be A-OK with trading some of our outfielder prospects for MLB players. We have a solid collection of center fielders to corner outfielders at the high minors and low minors. And our MLB squad already has 3 good OFs, so let's supplement our weaknesses by trading what we have in excess.

Exactly my feeling on the OF glut. Davis, Wade, Raley, Rooker and Wiel. And that’s when Cave isn’t in AAA. And who’s our top Outfield Prospect? Kirilloff. Can’t keep them all... which team needs outfielders and has pitchers?

[y2jjj54]

Are you going to be writing a gcl twins preview? I have been looking forward to it because alot of those guys are unknown to me.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Are you going to be writing a gcl twins preview? I have been looking forward to it because alot of those guys are unknown to me.

 

Might have to do that just to get to know them myself.

[kengrosz]

Glad zu see that yet another german-born player has found his way to my favorite organisation!

There will be a lot of joke possibilities in my home language for a guy named Rimmel...

[Doctor Wu]

Reading this part:

 

Bryon Gandy, the Twins 32nd-round pick out of Lurleen B Wallace St JC

 

Ha! I wonder how many out there even remember who Lurleen Wallace was? That mention really brings back some weird memories. Sweet Home Alabama, indeed!

[Doctor Wu]

It seems like every time I read about Jaylin Davis he has done something good. I know he's not considered a top prospect, but would he be a guy that could fit into a utility role on the big league club, maybe like Jake Cave, in the next year or so?

[mendozaline]

You have to think with how well Blankenhorn has played this season he will be moved for pitching help within the next month. 

[SirLoin]

The way Jax has been pitching (and the fact that he's 24), it seems like he's got to be next in line for promotion to AAA.

[ashbury]

Glad zu see that yet another german-born player has found his way to my favorite organisation!

There will be a lot of joke possibilities in my home language for a guy named Rimmel...

die Kosmetika?

 

[rdehring]

Do you know, Seth, if Brubaker signed for $125,000?  Or was it more?  If not, once Holland signs they should have lots of money to go after a couple of those lower draft picks.

 

What a great start by Jax.  Looking at the league leaders, if he had about 4 more innings he would have the second best ERA and third best WHIP.  Gotta believe he is headed to the middle of the Twins rotation by opening day 2021...if not sooner.

[Yoke]

 

The way Jax has been pitching (and the fact that he's 24), it seems like he's got to be next in line for promotion to AAA.

With his situation that allows him to pitch in the minors, is he somebody that is allowed to get promoted to the MLB, or does he have to stay in the minors until after the Olympics?

 

I guess he could go to the MLB, then leave for the Olympics, but that doesn't seem like something that would actually happen.

[lamiwe21]

How long does Cody Allen stay with Pensacola ? 

[Seth Stohs]

 

It seems like every time I read about Jaylin Davis he has done something good. I know he's not considered a top prospect, but would he be a guy that could fit into a utility role on the big league club, maybe like Jake Cave, in the next year or so?

 

Generally speaking, we mostly highlight homers and multi-hit games... and don't really talk about the bad games. Davis is a good player... and maybe he can be a utility type. Not really a CF option, but he can play the corners. The numbers game will affect him though.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Reading this part:

 

Bryon Gandy, the Twins 32nd-round pick out of Lurleen B Wallace St JC

 

Ha! I wonder how many out there even remember who Lurleen Wallace was? That mention really brings back some weird memories. Sweet Home Alabama, indeed!

 

I never would have guessed that he is the 17th player drafted from the school.

[Seth Stohs]

 

You have to think with how well Blankenhorn has played this season he will be moved for pitching help within the next month. 

 

I choose to think that he's put himself in position to be added to the Twins 40-man roster after the season. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

The way Jax has been pitching (and the fact that he's 24), it seems like he's got to be next in line for promotion to AAA.

 

He's only made a couple of starts since returning from the IL. But yes, he's pitched well. I just think that with him the age doesn't matter. They're going to take their time with him. No need to worry about whether he debuts at 25 or 26. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Do you know, Seth, if Brubaker signed for $125,000?  Or was it more?  If not, once Holland signs they should have lots of money to go after a couple of those lower draft picks.

 

What a great start by Jax.  Looking at the league leaders, if he had about 4 more innings he would have the second best ERA and third best WHIP.  Gotta believe he is headed to the middle of the Twins rotation by opening day 2021...if not sooner.

 

Haven't heard Brubaker's deal. I would guess it would be close to the $125K number. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

With his situation that allows him to pitch in the minors, is he somebody that is allowed to get promoted to the MLB, or does he have to stay in the minors until after the Olympics?

 

I guess he could go to the MLB, then leave for the Olympics, but that doesn't seem like something that would actually happen.

 

That is an interesting question... I'm not totally sure... 

 

I don't think that the Olympics is really a factor. I think that baseball being in the Olympics allows for him to play baseball. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

How long does Cody Allen stay with Pensacola ? 

 

Depends on a number of things... but he'll have work to put in to see if he can even pitch there. 

[70charger]

 

Reading this part:

 

Bryon Gandy, the Twins 32nd-round pick out of Lurleen B Wallace St JC

 

Ha! I wonder how many out there even remember who Lurleen Wallace was? That mention really brings back some weird memories. Sweet Home Alabama, indeed!

 

I wikipedia'd it just before I scrolled down to your comment.

 

It was ...interesting.

[kengrosz]

 

die Kosmetika?

 

Oh no, wrong way..... but nice to see Kate again!