Front Page: Twins Minor League Report (8/26): Laweryson Strikes Out 15!

[Seth Stohs]

Generally speaking, players drafted in a given year are just getting adjusted to playing pro baseball, on and off the field. This year, several of their 2019 college draft picks have advanced to Cedar Rapids already. 14th-round pick Cody Laweryson made one start for the Kernels and tossed five scoreless innings. He's back with Elizabethton, and on Monday night he struck out 15 batters in six shutout innings. That kind of performance gets your recognized on Twins Daily, and I have a feeling that the Twins personnel who gets reports from the minor league coaching staff took notice of that performance too!Find out everything that happened happened in the Twins system on Monday, starting with some awards and the transactions of the day.

 

 

TRANSACTIONS

• The Red Wings announced that LHP Stephen Gonsalves ended his rehab and was transferred to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
• Also, OF Brent Rooker began a rehab appearance with the GCL Twins.
• OF Nelson Roberto was promoted from the DSL to the GCL.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 4, Buffalo 5

Box Score

 

Charlie Barnes made the start for the Red Wings. He gave up five runs on nine hits and four walks in five innings. He struck out two. Fernando Romero, Jake Reed and Sam Clay each threw a scoreless inning.

 

Drew Maggi went 2-for-4 with a walk. Mike Miller was 2-for-4. Zander Wiel was also 2-for-4 and added his 38th double of the year.

 

BLUE WAHOOS BITES

Pensacola 4, Jackson 2

Box Score

 

The Wahoos used a three-run bottom of the eighth inning to take the 4-2 win. Travis Blankenhorn, LaMonte Wade and Mark Contreras each knocked in a run in the inning.

 

It was a bullpen game for Pensacola on Monday. Adam Bray started and gave up two runs on two hits over 2 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out three batters. Anthony Vizcaya tossed scoreless 3 1/3 innings. He gave up just two hits, hit a batter and struck out two. Jovani Moran struck out three batters over the next 1 2/3 innings, and Jonathan Cheshire got the final four outs, two on strikeouts.

 

Wade went 1-for-3 with a walk and the ninth-inning ground rule double. Ryan Jeffers added his fifth double.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers, Dunedin

Box Score

 

A scheduled doubleheader with the Blue Jays was again rained out. They are hoping to play doubleheaders each of the next two days.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 5, Peoria 6 (11 innings)

Box Score

 

The Kernels fell behind late, tied it in the bottom of the ninth, then tied it again in the bottom of the tenth. Unfortunately, they did not have an answer in the 11th inning to take the loss.

 

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth and down by a run, Spencer Steer doubled in a run, but a runner was thrown out at home to send the game to extra innings. Steer then scored on a ground out in the 10th inning to tie the game and send it to the 11th.

 

Steer led the offense. He went 2-for-5 with his 10th and 11th doubles. Wander Javier went 2-for-3 with two walks and his ninth double. Gabe Snyder also had two hits.

 

Kody Funderburk started. The southpay gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out five batters. Nate Hadley came on and gave up just one hit over 2 1/3 scoreless innings. He struck out two. Ricky Ramirez worked one inning and gave up a run on two hits and a walk. Alex Schick worked three innings. He gave up an unearned run in the 10th and another in the 11th. (As you know, that means that the runners that started the inning on second base scored.)

 

UPDATE - I apologize for not providing the Byron Buxton update initially. Here it is. He did not play last night due to wet playing conditions. He is expected to start, and play CF, for the Kernels tonight (Tuesday).

 

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

E-Twins 1, Greeneville 0

Box Score

 

Right-handed pitcher Cody Laweryson was the Twins 14th-round pick in June out of the University of Maine. On Monday night, he tossed six shutout innings. He gave up just three hits and didn’t issue a walk. He also struck out 15 batters in the game.

 

 

Owen Griffith came on and worked the final three innings, keeping the shutout, and recording his first pro save. He gave up just one hit and struck out five batters.

 

The Twins got their lone run when Janigson Villalobos hit his sixth double of the season to drive in Anthony Prato with the game’s only run. Will Holland went 2-for-3 and stole his eighth base.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins, GCL Rays

Box Score

 

The game was suspended in the bottom of the fourth inning with the Twins leading 2-0. The full story will come in Tuesday’s minor league report. However, a couple of quick notes from the early innings. First, non-drafted free agent Evan Gillespie tossed four scoreless innings. He gave up just two hits, walked none and struck out four batters. Luke Raley was 1-for-2 as he continued his rehab. He played center field. Brent Rooker made his first rehab appearance. He was 1-for-2 before the rains came. He played left field.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day - Cody Laweryson, Elizabethton Twins

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Wander Javier, Cedar Rapids Kernels

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Pensacola) - 0-3, R, 2 K, SB(5)

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) - 0-3, BB

#3 - Brusdar Graterol (Rochester) - Did Not Pitch

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Pensacola) - 1-4, 2 K

#5 - Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) - 2-3, 2 BB, 2B(9)

#6 - Jordan Balazovic (Ft. Myers) - Rained Out

#7 - Keoni Cavaco (GCL Twins) - Game suspended

#10 - Blayne Enlow (Ft. Myers) - Rained Out

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

#12 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - Injured List (lower leg contusion)

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Pensacola) - 1-3, R, 2B(5)

#14 - Luis Arraez (Minnesota) - No Game Scheduled

#15 - Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) - 0-6, 2 K

#16 - Ben Rortvedt (Pensacola) - Injured List

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

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

#19 - Misael Urbina (DSL Twins) - Season Complete

#20 - Travis Blankenhorn (Pensacola) - 0-4, R, K

 

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Buffalo (6:35 CST) - RHP Kohl Stewart (8-5, 5.23)

Jackson @ Pensacola (6:35 CST) - RHP Bailey (2-0, 0.64 ERA)

Ft. Myers @ Palm Beach (DH @ 1:00 CST) - LHP Lachlan Wells (2-4, 4.15 ERA), TBD

Peoria @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) - RHP Luis Rijo (7-2, 2.82 ERA)

Greeneville @ Elizabethton (5:30 CST) - TBD

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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[Eephus]

The jury is in and obviously Laweryson made a case for the next level. He represented himself very well!

[Old Twins Cap]

Did I miss something?

 

Where Buxton at?

[jokin]

 

Did I miss something?

 

Where Buxton at?

 

Yeah. Major hole in this report...... Anyone?

[jokin]

 

 

The jury is in and obviously Lawyerson made a case for the next level. He represented himself very well!

 

Another hole in this brief report. No justice for Laweryson!, who has acquitted himself remarkably well since judgement was passed on him to be only throwing Rookie level ball, despite arguably having made the case to deliver more.

[Dman]

So Lawyerson struck out almost everyone he faced 15 out of 18 batters?  I guess he gave up the three hits as well but that is still darn impressive.  I don't think I have read a line like that before.  This guy was a bit of an afterthought for me as I figured it would take until at least next year before he showed much of anything.  

 

I thought the draft profile had him throwing low 90's so he must have good secondaries.  Anyone else know more about this guy?

[Otto von Ballpark]

Did I miss something?

 

Where Buxton at?

[IAMNFan]

Hurried home from work, and made the 30 minute drive to Cedar Rapids.  Cars were parking in odd places but found a fairly close space.  Got up to the parking lot level and wondered if I shouldn't have checked the news.  Got into the stadium and it was clear, no Buxton.  Some rain the night before and some predicted drizzle meant that they kept him at the hotel.

  Javier looked "not overwhelmed" on this night, so there's that!

[Yoke]

 

Did I miss something?

 

Where Buxton at?

[Brandon]

Looks like Greenville got lawyered last night.

[ashbury]

It's Law-ery-son.

 

Sorry. I can see this developing into a pet peeve. I'll try not to make a Federal Case out of it.

[ashbury]

"Field Conditions". Whoever got a spot in the starting lineup in Buxton's place must be glad, and yet saying, "oh, SUUUURE, but it's okay for ME to be playing in these conditions, apparently....?"

[Dave The Dastardly]

 

It's Law-ery-son.

 

Sorry. I can see this developing into a pet peeve. I'll try not to make a Federal Case out of it.

You can always appeal.

[ashbury]

You can always appeal.

To whom? The answer I've always received is "nobody".

[Seth Stohs]

 

Did I miss something?

 

Where Buxton at?

 

My bad... in fact, I told myself over and over to include a note on Buxton.

 

They chose not to play him due to wet conditions. They are saying that he will start, in centerfield, tonight.  

[John Kelsey]

 

It's Law-ery-son.

 

Sorry. I can see this developing into a pet peeve. I'll try not to make a Federal Case out of it.

 

Most of this board still spells Duffey "Duffy" so I wouldn't hold out much hope. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Most of this board still spells Duffey "Duffy" so I wouldn't hold out much hope. 

 

Still see a lot of Rodgers too... Of course, there were always a couple of Maurer's in the forums as well. Not much bugs me more than not respecting a player enough to spell his name correctly! I know. It's not a big deal, and sometimes accidental, but it gets me every time. 

[PDX Twin]

I wonder how much of the misspelling is due to auto-correct. I always type on my computer, so don't have that problem so much.

 

(Though once about 25 years ago MS Word auto-corrected the salutation of a letter from "Dear Jacques" to "Dear Jackass." So glad that I proofread and manually uncorrected!)

[Squirrel]

 

Still see a lot of Rodgers too... Of course, there were always a couple of Maurer's in the forums as well. Not much bugs me more than not respecting a player enough to spell his name correctly! I know. It's not a big deal, and sometimes accidental, but it gets me every time. 

Astrudillo!!!!

 

Eh, whatever.

[Monkeypaws]

Looks like Javier is finally working his way out of his funk - batting .275 over the last 10 games.

[operation mindcrime]

Greeneville fought the law and the law won!

[mlhouse]

With respect to Lawyerson, why did the Twins "demote" him from CR?

 

He is a college draft choice who had a 2.05 ERA in Rookie ball with ELizabethton, moves up to A ball Cedar Rapids and throws 5.0 innings of shutout ball with a WHIP of 0.60.  But then he is sent back a level?

 

I get this game was impressive, striking out 15/21 batters faced, but it is clear that the guy is too advanced for Rookie ball and should at least be at Cedar Rapids (if not Ft Myers).  

 

I think players like this demonstrate the need for a short season A level minor league affiliate.

[Mike Sixel]

 

With respect to Lawyerson, why did the Twins "demote" him from CR?

 

He is a college draft choice who had a 2.05 ERA in Rookie ball with ELizabethton, moves up to A ball Cedar Rapids and throws 5.0 innings of shutout ball with a WHIP of 0.60.  But then he is sent back a level?

 

I get this game was impressive, striking out 15/21 batters faced, but it is clear that the guy is too advanced for Rookie ball and should at least be at Cedar Rapids (if not Ft Myers).  

 

I think players like this demonstrate the need for a short season A level minor league affiliate.

 

Or just put college players that are good in A ball......

[Alex Schieferdecker]

I'm a simple man. All I want in life is for the Twins to have a starting rotation with Cody Laweryson and Kody Funderburk. Now is that really too much to ask?

[ashbury]

I'm a simple man. All I want in life is for the Twins to have a starting rotation with Cody Laweryson and Kody Funderburk. Now is that really too much to ask?

We already have Cody Stashak. We had Cody Allen for a while. Too bad we didn't trade for Cody Bellinger back when the Dodgers were begging us to take him off their hands in exchange for Brian Dozier.^* Perhaps Buffalo Bill Cody is still available as a free agent.

 

 

^{* _{I may be mis-remembering a detail or two.}}

[jkcarew]

 

I'm a simple man. All I want in life is for the Twins to have a starting rotation with Cody Laweryson and Kody Funderburk. Now is that really too much to ask?

Almost as entertaining as if we had a Cody (or Kody) Schieferdecker? What are the chances?

[Alex Schieferdecker]

 

Almost as entertaining as if we had a Cody (or Kody) Schieferdecker? What are the chances?

Lemme go back in time real quick.

[mlhouse]

 

Or just put college players that are good in A ball......

 

Well. that is sort of the thought of the short season A.  You put your drafted college players and perhaps some other players in your system at a higher level of minor leagues to start.  Maybe you move some of the players to your A and even A+ teams during the season.

 

Starting the drafted college player at short season A ball makes a lot of developemntal sense.   The highest level players move to A+ from there.  The ones that need more seasoning go to A the next season.   The Twins seem to add at least a minor league step year to all of their players. 

 

I think they have been more aggressive this season in minor league promotions than in past, and have worked a lot of the AAA level pitchers into some spots with the MLB club.  Which, to me is really interesting because you would think that they would be more aggressive when they are non-competitive and rebuilding.  They baffle me with their logic sometimes.

[Monkeypaws]

 

I think they have been more aggressive this season in minor league promotions than in past, and have worked a lot of the AAA level pitchers into some spots with the MLB club.  Which, to me is really interesting because you would think that they would be more aggressive when they are non-competitive and rebuilding.  They baffle me with their logic sometimes.

 

To me it has been a very clever way to expand your bullpen from 12 or 13 to 20 or so.