Front Page: Twins Minor League Report (8/1): Kirilloff Drives in Five, Graterol Continues Comeback

[Cody Christie]

Welcome to August! Many prospects throughout baseball can breathe a sigh of relief because they weren’t traded away by Wednesday’s trade deadline. Now it is time to buckle down and make a run for the postseason. Pensacola’s line-up includes Minnesota’s first-round picks from 2016-2018. This is the first time a trio of first rounders have been playing for Pensacola at the same time.

 

Would any of these players impact Thursday’s games? Let’s find out.TRANSACTIONS

OF Ramon Flores signed by Minnesota and assigned to Rochester.

3B Jake Hirabayashi assigned to Rochester from GCL Twins.

RHP Anthony Vizcaya placed on the 7-day IL with Pensacola.

RHP Marcos Diplan acquired in trade with/ MIL and assigned to Pensacola.

RHP Kai-Wei Ten to SF as part of the Sam Dyson deal.

RHP Carlos Suniaga on 7-day IL with Pensacola.

RHP Josh Winder on 7-day IL with Pensacola.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 5, Scranton/WB 3

Box Score

Kohl Stewart got the nod for the Red Wings on Thursday afternoon. He pitched into the sixth inning (5 2/3 innings) and held the RailRiders to one run on six hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Jake Reed struggled in taking over for Stewart. He allowed two earned runs without allowing a hit. He struck out three and walked one in 1 1/3 innings.

 

In the second inning, Alejandro De Aza got the scoring started with a solo-home run, his fourth long-ball of the year. Rochester added another in the fourth. De Aza and Zander Wiel both singled before Ramon Flores doubled in a run. De Aza was in the middle of the action in the fifth inning as well. Tomas Telis singled with two outs and De Aza cracked his second home run of the day. Jake Cave added his seventh home run in the seventh.

 

Fernando Romero and Sam Clay finished off the game with two scoreless innings. Romero pitched 1 2/3 innings and limited Scranton/WB to one hit while striking out two and walking one. Clay was asked to get only one out and he recorded his first save.

 

BLUE WAHOO BITES

Pensacola 11, Birmingham 8

Box Score

Pensacola needed every one of Alex Kirilloff’s five RBIs in this one as they battled through a slugfest. Kirilloff finished 2-for-5 with his 14th double and his fifth home run, a three-run shot. Ivan De Jesus Jr also had a big night at the plate by going 3-for-4 with four RBIs including a three-run home run. Ben Rortvedt drove in a pair of runs with two outs in the inning. Overall, the club went 7-for-13 with runners in scoring position.

 

Griffin Jax started and got roughed up. He allowed five runs on 11 hits with two strikeouts and a walk. Jorge Alcala pitched out the of the bullpen and surrendered one run on two hits with a strikeout in 1 2/3 innings. Andrew Vasquez blew the save but was credited with the win. He allowed two runs in two innings and struck out three. Jonathan Cheshire earned his first save since joining the Twins organization with a perfect ninth inning.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 3, Dunedin 0 (Game 1- 7 Innings)

Box Score

Cole Sands was outstanding even with a weather delay that impacted the start time of Game 1. He pitched six shutout innings and limited Dunedin to two hits. He struck out seven and walked one. Joe Record earned his third save with a perfect seventh inning.

 

CJ Cron, on rehab assignment, got things started in the third inning with a solo home run. Jose Miranda also scored in that inning on a wild pitch. Miranda was also involved in the final run of the game. Jacob Pearson drove him in for an important insurance run in the bottom of the fifth. Andrew Bechtold reached base three times and was the lone Fort Myers batter with multiple hits.

 

Ft. Myers 2, Dunedin 6 (Game 2- 7 Innings)

Box Score

Fort Myers got smoked for six runs in the third inning and it was tough to mount a comeback. Chris Vallimont was charged with all six earned runs as he couldn’t make it out of the third inning. Melvi Acosta pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings by striking out two.

 

Gabriel Maciel got the Miracle on the scoreboard with a run-scoring triple in the fourth inning. Ernie De La Trinidad and Yelstin Encarnacion both doubled in the fifth to score another run but that was it for the Miracle.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 4, Beloit 2

Box Score

Cedar Rapids and Luis Rijo allowed two runs in the first inning but that’s where the scoring stopped for the Snappers. Rijo settled in after the first and threw five straight scoreless frames. He compiled three strikeouts and one walk. He has pitched six innings or more in every start since July 4.

 

Alex Schick and Rickey Ramirez combined for three shutout innings to end the game. Schick picked up his fourth win as he recorded four strikeouts out of the six outs he was asked to collect. Ramirez pitched a perfect ninth inning and added a strikeout.

 

Tyler Webb led off the third inning with a single before Daniel Ozoria knocked his first home run of the season. The game remained tied until the ninth inning. Webb struck out to start the inning but reached first on a wild pitch. Ricky De La Torre walked to move a runner into scoring position. Ozoria bunted both runners over and then two batters later Gabe Snyder doubled, his 20th, to plate two runs.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins 3, GCL Braves 2

Box Score

Brusdar Graterol continued his comeback by making his second appearance in the GCL. He faced the minimum in the first inning as he allowed a single and then erased that runner on a double play. He was able to hit over 100 mph again. In his second inning, the first batter flew out to center. Then he struck out each of the next two batters on three pitches and they were all swinging strikes. Would the Twins consider adding him to the bullpen for the stretch run?

With two outs in the third inning, Taylor Grzelakowski walked before moving to second on a Jesus Feliz single. Victor Heredia doubled, his third of the year, to drive in both runners. The GCL Twins added to their lead in the fourth when Sergio Toribio singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. After a ground out moved him to third, Yunior Severino drove in what turned out to be the game winning run.

 

Regi Grace took over from Graterol and was credited with his first win. He pitched four innings and allowed one run, a solo home run, with four strikeouts and three walks. Petru Balan came in for the top of the seventh, but he walked the first two batters and was removed. Bradley Hanner stepped in to finish the game with three shutout innings. He struck out two and walked one.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

TD Pitcher of the Day- Cole Sands, Fort Myers (6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 7 K, BB)

TD Hitter of the Day- Alejandro De Aza, Rochester (3-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, K)

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

#1 - Royce Lewis (Pensacola) – 1-4, R, K

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) – 2-4, 5 RBI, HR, 2B, 2 R, K

#3 - Brusdar Graterol (GCL Twins- Rehab) – 2.0 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 K

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Pensacola) – 0-4, 3 K

#5 - Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) – Did not play

#6 - Jordan Balazovic (Fort Myers) – Did not pitch

#7 - Keoni Cavaco (GCL) – 1-4, 3 K

#8 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) – Injured list

#9 - Jhoan Duran (Fort Myers) – Did not pitch

#10 - Blayne Enlow (Fort Myers) - Did not pitch

#11 - Lewis Thorpe (Minnesota) – Did not pitch

#12 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) – 0-5

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Pensacola) – Did not play

#14 - Luis Arraez (Minnesota) – 1-6, R

#15 - Matt Wallner (Elizabethton) – 1-4, R, RBI, BB, K

#16 - Ben Rortvedt (Pensacola) – 1-3, 2 RBI, R

#17 - Akil Baddoo (Fort Myers) - Injured List (Tommy John surgery)

#18 - Jorge Alcala (Pensacola) – 1.2 IP, ER, 2 H, K

#19 - Misael Urbina (DSL) – Did not play

#20 - Travis Blankenhorn (Pensacola) – Injured list

 

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Pawtucket (6:05 CST) – TBD

Pensacola vs. Birmingham (6:35 CST) – RHP Jhoan Duran (3-9, 3.04 ERA)

Fort Myers @ Lakeland (5:30 CST) – LHP Tyler Watson (1-4, 3.88 ERA)

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

Elizabethton vs. Bristol (5:30 CST) – TBD

GCL Twins vs. GCL Red Sox (11:00 AM CST) – TBD

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Thursday’s games.

 

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[jz7233]

Dyson and Vallimont are the reasons for losses in Twins organization today.

[Dantes929]

"Brusdar Graterol continued his comeback by making his second appearance in the GCL. He faced the minimum in the first inning as he allowed a single and then erased it on a double play. He was able to hit over 100 mph again. In his second inning, the first batter flew out to center. Then he struck out each of the next two batters on three pitches and they were all swinging strikes. Would the Twins consider adding him to the bullpen for the stretch run?"....Why wouldn't they?

[Otwins]

Seems like Cron would be close to returning if he is hitting Home runs in his rehab. Any one know his timeline?

[Jham]

What the heck is wrong with Alcala this year? Or did we just get fleeced that badly...

[rdehring]

Lots of nice pitching performances, Seth, in addition to Sands.  Stewart, Rijo, Graterol and Romero all had good days.

 

Love seeing Kirilloff have days like yesterday.  Need a half dozen more this last month to get him back into that national Top 10. 

[puckstopper1]

Very encouraged by Graterol's performance in his return thus far.

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Seems like Cron would be close to returning if he is hitting Home runs in his rehab. Any one know his timeline?

 

I cant' imagine he would play more than a game or two. They may want to have him play a game at 1B too. I'd think Monday at the latest. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

What the heck is wrong with Alcala this year? Or did we just get fleeced that badly...

 

He's a pitching prospect.

[Alex Schieferdecker]

Excited that Graterol is back, but given that he has never pitched above the AA level, it seems premature to pencil him in as a white knight for the bullpen this September. Thorpe and Littell are the best options we have from the system for bullpen roles down the stretch.

[Steve Lein]

A friend of mine has been down in Florida the last week following the Twins organization around Florida, hitting up games in Jacksonville, Miami, and in the front row behind home at the doubleheader in Fort Myers last night.

 

Some comment's worth sharing from him on Vallimont:

 

"Damn he's got some good movement on his pitches"

 

(I asked him about breaking ball movement)

 

"[movement] more apparent vertical so far, but it breaks both planes.

 

(then how hard he was throwing)

 

"Hit 93 so far in the first two, but he's fooling everyone"

 

As for the game going badly for him, sounds like the defense helped put him down that track:

 

"He's had a bad third, but it started with a ball 3 guys converged on and somebody shoulda caught"

[zenser]

I know it is early but I hate seeing Cavaco strike out three times a game, 4 games a week.

[Drew]

 

He's a pitching prospect.

 

Hence TINSTAAPP

[HawksNest]

Any idea why Balazovic is on the "temporary inactive list"?

 

Did I miss something?

[gunnarthor]

 

What the heck is wrong with Alcala this year? Or did we just get fleeced that badly...

Yes, we did.

[gunnarthor]

 

I know it is early but I hate seeing Cavaco strike out three times a game, 4 games a week.

Yeah, he's raw. I think Buxton struggled a bit too at the same age and then flipped a switch. Hopefully he does the same. 

 

Here's pipelines current write up on him:

Cavaco first started getting attention for his complete tools package at the Angel Elite showcase last fall, where his tremendous raw power particularly stood out. The only question about his offensive profile is how consistently he'll hit to get to that power, as there is some swing and miss to his game. Beyond the bat, Cavaco will show flashes of plus tools across the board. He's clocked sub-four-second times home to first out of the box and he was a plus defender at third, with very good hands, footwork, a plus arm and a willingness to stick his nose in the dirt. His profile took another leap forward when he started showing the ability to play shortstop and that's what the Twins sent him out as during his pro debut in the Gulf Coast League.

Because Cavaco hadn't been invited to most of the summer showcase circuit events, there was a lack of track record on him against elite-level competition.

 

That lack of challenge might make for a bumpier transition to pro ball, but there's confidence his tools will translate just fine eventually.

Edited August 2, 2019 by gunnarthor

[Tomj14]

 

Excited that Graterol is back, but given that he has never pitched above the AA level, it seems premature to pencil him in as a white knight for the bullpen this September. Thorpe and Littell are the best options we have from the system for bullpen roles down the stretch.

I wish the Angel would have had the same thoughts on K-Rod in 2002.

[jud6312]

 

Any idea why Balazovic is on the "temporary inactive list"?

 

Did I miss something?

 

Pan Am Games, I believe. 

[PDX Twin]

The box score doesn't tell the whole story on De Aza's dramatic home run for Pensacola. Game was tied 8-8 with two on and one out in the bottom of the 8th. He hit a sinking line drive to center. The CF dove for the ball hoping to make a circus catch, but missed it completely. The ball rolled to the wall and De Aza circled the bases and slid safely home as the throw (which was in time) was a little off target. I'd have been tempted to call it a single, RBI, and E-8, but I guess it's OK to pad the stats a little.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

The box score doesn't tell the whole story on De Aza's dramatic home run for Pensacola

De Jesus, not De Aza.

[PDX Twin]

 

De Jesus, not De Aza.

 

Sorry!

[nicksaviking]

Man, the Twins could really use Graterol and/or Balazovic to turn into the real deal. If they want to hand out more extensions, they need to find one or two cost controlled young starters, and not just guys who can slot into the back of the rotation.

 

So that's two outings in a row for Alcala out of the pen, has the switch been made?

[gman]

Unfortunately Romero threw 2 wild pitches and allowed 2 inherited base runners to score. It appears left handed batters are are still killing him. Hopefully he will learn a pitch(pitches?) that he can compete against lefties with. He still is not lights-out against righties either.

 

Graterol also seems to have some trouble against lefties, not to the same extent as Romero though,

[Dantes929]

 

Excited that Graterol is back, but given that he has never pitched above the AA level, it seems premature to pencil him in as a white knight for the bullpen this September. Thorpe and Littell are the best options we have from the system for bullpen roles down the stretch.

I think it would be premature to write it down in ink but have no problem putting it in pencil.   Not above AA but I don't think he has that much more to prove if they deem him to be back to where he was before the 2 month layoff.   I don't have a problem relying on rookies.   Of course some need that first stint to get their feet wet but not everyone.   Neshek and Liriano came in as rookies in the middle of a pennant race and were the difference.   I don't think Graterol equates to Romero or May.    100mph with control seems to play pretty well everywhere.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Any idea why Balazovic is on the "temporary inactive list"?

 

Did I miss something?

 

Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru. On Tuesday, he pitched against Cuba.

[Dman]

So does Cole Sands have a chance to make it to AA this year?  He has been outstanding in the FS league.  I mean a .79 WHIP means he isn't having control problems and if he is challenging hitters and they can't seem to hit his stuff shouldn't he be moving up? 

 

He has been in High A a couple of months now so those stats look to be pretty solid IMO.  It would be nice to give him a solid month in AA to see how things translate there with tougher hitters and smaller parks.  Should set him up with things to work on over the winter.

[Highabove]

Good News

 

Rob Anthony was on 1500 tonight. He mentioned that Graterol is being conditioned for a debut in the Twins bullpen latter this year. He is throwing over 100 with lots of movement. Lets hope.

[Splash45]

Good News

 

Rob Anthony was on 1500 tonight. He mentioned that Graterol is being conditioned for a debut in the Twins bullpen latter this year. He is throwing over 100 with lots of movement. Lets hope.

 

Can’t wait to watch Graterol close out our World Series victory!