Article: Twins Minor League Report (7/29): Graterol's Return

[Seth Stohs]

The Trade Deadline is fast approaching, so we'll check out lineups carefully these next couple of days. For instance, Alex Kirilloff was not in the Pensacola lineup on Monday night. Probably just a night off. Probably. The big news on Monday, however, was the return of Brusdar Graterol to the GCL mound, his first outing since mid-May. He sure looked good! In the same game, Yunior Severino made his first rehab appearance since his thumb injury.

 

And, just to answer this one right away... Yes, Jaylin Davis did hit a home run today!Find out everything that happened happened in the Twins system on Thursday, starting with the transactions of the day.

 

AWARDS

• RHP Randy Dobnak was named the Pitcher of the Week for the International League. Dobnak made two starts for the Red Wings and went 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA. In 12 1/3 innings, he gave up just seven hits, hit one batter, walked three and struck out ten batters.

TRANSACTIONS

• Blake Parker elected to become a free agent after being outrighted.
• Brusdar Graterol began his rehab assignment in the GCL.
• Yunior Severino began his rehab assignment in the GCL.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 5, Buffalo 6

Box Score

 

The game was tied at 3-3 heading into the bottom of the eighth. Cody Allen came on for the Red Wings. He gave up a single which was followed by a sacrifice bunt. After an error, a double put Buffalo ahead by one. Following a strikeout, Allen gave up a two-run single. The batter was thrown out at second by Alejandro de Aza to end the inning. Allen was charged with three runs (just one earned) on three hits.

 

Drew Hutchison started and gave up three runs (2 earned) on three hits in the first five innings. He walked five and struck out four batters. Sam Clay struck out three over two scoreless, one-hit innings. He walked two.

 

Down 6-3 going into the ninth inning, Jaylin Davis hit a two-run homer to cut the lead to one, but they were unable to score another.

 

Nick Gordon went 2-for-4 with his 26th and 27th doubles. Jake Cave was 2-for-4 with his 16th double. Rochester hitters were hit by five pitches.

 

BLUE WAHOOS BITES

Pensacola 0, Jacksonville 1

Box Score

 

The Blue Wahoos faced one of baseball’s best pitching prospects, Marlins RHP Sixto Sanchez. He came as advertised. He went six innings and gave up just two hits, including a double off the bat of Royce Lewis. The Wahoos ended the game with just three total hits. Mark Contreras walked twice.

 

Lefty Bryan Sammons started. He gave up a run on three hits over the first 4 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out six batters. Anthony Vizcaya went the next 2 2/3 innings. He struck out four and gave up just one hit. Tom Hackimer came on and got the final two outs, though he did hit a batter.

 

In case you were wondering, Lewin Diaz went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in his Jumbo Shrimp debut.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers

Box Score

 

No Game Scheduled.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 7, Clinton 9

Box Score

 

The Kernels fell behind 6-1 after just a couple of innings. They clawed their way back and had the tying-run on base when the game ended in a loss.

 

Tyler Palm started and gave up six runs (2 earned) in 4 2/3 innings. He gave up seven hits, walked none and struck out three. Carlos Suniaga gave up two runs on four hits over the next two innings. Ricky Ramirez gave up an unearned run over the final 2 1/3 innings.

 

Trevor Casanova went 3-for-4 in the game and drove in two runs. Gilberto Celestino went 2-for-5 with his 20th double. Alex Isola hit his second Kernels home run, a two-run blast in the 7th inning. He drove in three runs. Jared Akins walked three times.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

E-Twins 1, Burlington 5

Box Score

 

Elizabethton got behind early and were unable to muster enough offense to mount a comeback.

 

Tyler Benninghoff started and gave up five runs on five hits over 4 1/3 innings. He walked four and struck out four batters. Erik Cha worked the final 3 2/3 innings. He gave up one hit, walked three and struck out four batters. He also got a couple of double plays to help him pitch zeroes.

 

Max Smith went 2-for-4 with his fourth and fifth doubles. Kidany Salva went 2-for-3. The Twins got their lone run on the first professional home run of first baseman Trevor Jenson.

 

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins 4, GCL Rays 1

Box Score

 

The big news is that Brusdar Graterol made his return to the mound in a rehab start. He threw the first inning and worked a perfect first inning with two strikeouts. The fastball was mostly at 100 mph per reports.

 

Other big news is the performance of 18-year-old Anthony Escobar. On this day, he worked seven innings and gave up just one run on five hits. He walked two and struck out six batters. He is now 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA in 25 2/3 innings. Jose Guevara picked up the save with a scoreless ninth inning.

 

There were other rehabbing players. Taylor Grzelakowski (ankle) went 0-for-2 with two walks in the game. Also, Yunior Severino (thumb) returned and played second base. He went 1-for-3 with a first-inning double.

 

Francisco Martinez led the offense by hitting his third and fourth double of the season.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day - Anthony Escobar, GCL Twins

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Nick Gordon, Rochester Red Wings

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Pensacola) - 1-4, 2B(2)

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) - Did Not Play

#3 - Brusdar Graterol (Pensacola) - Rehab in GCL, 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Pensacola) - 1-4, 3 K

#5 - Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) - 1-5, 2 R, RBI, SB(2)

#6 - Jordan Balazovic (Ft. Myers) - Temporary Inactive List (Pan Am Games)

#7 - Keoni Cavaco (GCL Twins) - 0-4, 2 K

#8 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) - Injured List (groin).

#9 - Jhoan Duran (Pensacola) - Did Not Pitch

#10 - Blayne Enlow (Ft. Myers) - Did Not Pitch

#11 - Lewis Thorpe (Minnesota) - No Game Scheduled

#12 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - 2-4, 2-2B(27), HBP, R

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Pensacola) - 0-4

#14 - Luis Arraez (Minnesota) - Did Not Play

#15 - Matt Wallner (Elizabethton) - 0-4, 2 K

#16 - Ben Rortvedt (Pensacola) - Did Not Play

#17 - Akil Baddoo (Ft. Myers) - Injured (Tommy John)

#18 - Jorge Alcala (Pensacola) - Did Not Pitch

#19 - Misael Urbina (DSL Twins) - 0-3, BB, K, CS

#20 - Travis Blankenhorn (Pensacola) - Injured List

 

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Buffalo (1:05 CST) - LHP Devin Smeltzer (1-3, 3.02 ERA)

Pensacola @ Jacksonville (6:05 CST) - RHP Edwar Colina (1-0, 1.64 ERA)

Dunedin @ Ft. Myers (6:00 CST) - RHP Dakota Chalmers (1st Miracle start)

Cedar Rapids @ Beloit (6:30 CST) - TBD

Elizabethton @ Burlington (5:30 CST) - RHP Ben Gross (3-1, 2 64 ERA)

GCL Twins @ GCL Rays (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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[Monkeypaws]

Any idea why Clay has never gotten a chance with the Twins? He was drafted and developed for the bullpen, and there are openings I hear.

[Cast of Thousands]

Wowzers.  I know it's early but Cavaco has 17 strikeouts in his last 36 PA.  That's a rude awakening.  Good experience for him to get some GCL time this year though.

[Dantes929]

Graterol's return shocks me.   100 mph already!!    I don't expect him to build innings to be a starter for the Twins this year but the way he was throwing the first half I find it hard to believe there isn't a place for him in the bullpen this year.    I'm not a guy that is generally super impressed by 100mph because it is usually accompanied by wildness or lack of secondary pitches.   By all accounts, not the case with Brusdar.   This is exciting new to me.

[Mr. Brooks]

Any idea why Clay has never gotten a chance with the Twins? He was drafted and developed for the bullpen, and there are openings I hear.

With 221 walks in 388 career milb innings, Clay has a long road ahead of him before he's on the radar for a MLB shot.

[h2oface]

Cody Allen an answer for the pen? He is not even an answer for Rochester's pen.

[Danchat]

Yes, very good, getting Graterol back is fantastic. I was starting to get very worried about that shoulder problem. Here's hoping for no more setbacks!

[jdoffing11]

Hats off to Gilberto Celestino, who has recovered nicely from a dreadful start to get his OPS over .700 for I believe the first time in the entire year! Still only 20, well below league average, with good speed and defense, I'd sure feel better internally about the Pressly trade if he can either make it up to the majors as a solid player or be used as a trade piece for a shutdown reliever

[benji21]

Nice to see Gordon feasting on the juiced ball this year. Maybe he’s regaining some of that prospect luster. As for Graterol, I’ll believe it when I see it. Health is a skill just as important as sliders, power, speed, etc. I like him, but I’m skeptical. Anyone else like to see him as a centerpiece in a deal?

[FormerMinnasotan]

Nice to see Gordon feasting on the juiced ball this year. Maybe he’s regaining some of that prospect luster. As for Graterol, I’ll believe it when I see it. Health is a skill just as important as sliders, power, speed, etc. I like him, but I’m skeptical. Anyone else like to see him as a centerpiece in a deal?

To be honest I’d love to deal Graterol. He’s too much like Fernando Romero for me. If we can get a big deal for him we should do it. We have two other starters who can touch 100 with Duran and Colina, and we have another potential top rotational prospect in Jordan Balazovic so Graterol is much more expendable at this point.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Any idea why Clay has never gotten a chance with the Twins? He was drafted and developed for the bullpen, and there are openings I hear.

 

He just got moved up to AAA last week. He may get a shot. Soft-tossing lefty with little command, but he seems to get out of trouble. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

To be honest I’d love to deal Graterol. He’s too much like Fernando Romero for me. If we can get a big deal for him we should do it. We have two other starters who can touch 100 with Duran and Colina, and we have another potential top rotational prospect in Jordan Balazovic so Graterol is much more expendable at this point.

 

I'm also ok with guys like Romero and Graterol working out of the bullpen. Having some 100s thrown from out there certainly works.   If Graterol is healthy, I'd be OK with him being up with the Twins in late August and September as a bullpen option.

[benji21]

I'm also ok with guys like Romero and Graterol working out of the bullpen. Having some 100s thrown from out there certainly works.   If Graterol is healthy, I'd be OK with him being up with the Twins in late August and September as a bullpen option.

 

Agreed, the pen would be useful for him, especially with how mlb is de emphasizing starters.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

I'm also ok with guys like Romero and Graterol working out of the bullpen. Having some 100s thrown from out there certainly works.   If Graterol is healthy, I'd be OK with him being up with the Twins in late August and September as a bullpen option.

 

Unless his health cannot handle starting, I don't like that idea too much... For Sept/October of 2019, I suppose, but we cannot keep sending every good starter to the pen as people around here seem to suggest. 

[rdehring]

The GCL saved what could have been a 0 fer day in the organization.  

 

Expect we are going to see some good games and some not so good from Benninghoff this year.  Yesterday, not so good.  If I were another GM, I would be asking for Escobar when talking to the Twins about a trade.  I see him as one of the better prospects in the organization, knowing others don't.

 

Great seeing Lewis off to a hot start at AA.  Sure is better than a replay to the start of his year at Fort Myers. 

[Tomj14]

 

I'm also ok with guys like Romero and Graterol working out of the bullpen. Having some 100s thrown from out there certainly works.   If Graterol is healthy, I'd be OK with him being up with the Twins in late August and September as a bullpen option.

it is weird that he was throwing 100, I was listening to the pregame on Sunday and the Twins minor league guy was saying he was back up to 97 which was a good thing, didn't sound like they were expecting 100? but that was what I took from the conversation.

And I would like to have Graterol up pitching out of the pen.

[Dman]

Escobar is pitching pretty darn well for an 18 year old in the GCL.  This guy looks like he could be special.  Does anyone know how hard he throws?

 

I think if Graterol is going to be throwing at 100 he should be in the pen.  Shoulder issues brings back memories of Alex Meyer so I think the Twins should be more careful this time around.  We need help in the pen anyway.

 

The Rochester lineup seems to have cooled off a little bit and Jaylen has been human finally going 0 fer in a game or two.  

 

[IAMNFan]

 

Agreed, the pen would be useful for him, especially with how mlb is de emphasizing starters.

It is pretty apparent to me that "de-emphasizing starters" is blowing up right now, as no one can roster enough bull pen arms to keep up with starters that can't go 6 + innings.  We will see, but developing starters to get through more of the game could be the "new" way.

[Dantes929]

 

I'm also ok with guys like Romero and Graterol working out of the bullpen. Having some 100s thrown from out there certainly works.   If Graterol is healthy, I'd be OK with him being up with the Twins in late August and September as a bullpen option.

What do you think of the assertion that Graterol is too much like Romero.    I heard reports about Romero and was excited to see him and the reality didn't match up.   I heard reports about Graterol and then saw video of him and got more excited.   I don't think it is a good comparison.   I also don't like the comp to Alex Meyer.   He never really lived up to the potential even in the minors.   Brusdar's numbers were screaming for promotion.    I could be way off base here in comparing him more favorably with Berrios.    You have the nose to the ground.  What is your assessment?

[PDX Twin]

Davis is on an amazing run.

 

It's tempting to start a "Free Jaylin" thread, but freein' and jailin' are a contradiction.

[Tomj14]

 

It is pretty apparent to me that "de-emphasizing starters" is blowing up right now, as no one can roster enough bull pen arms to keep up with starters that can't go 6 + innings.  We will see, but developing starters to get through more of the game could be the "new" way.

100% agree, maybe the Twins and/or Rocco figured out if your starters can't go more than 4 or 5, you must put a relief pitcher in that can give you at least 2 but maybe up to 4 innings to save your 1 inning guys, because even with an 8 man bullpen you don't have enough pitchers to go 1 inning at a time for 4 to 5 innings every day or almost every day.

That seemed to work with Thorpe and Devin, now IMO relying on rookies to continue that is probably fools gold in the mid to long term but short term it could work.