Minor League Report (7/11): A Mixed Bag

[Nash Walker]

While the Saints were no-hit in game one of their doubleheader loss, the Mighty Mussels broke out for 13 runs. On a busy Draft Day in the minors: 

TRANSACTIONS:

Wichita Wind Surge add left-handed pitcher and Minnesota native Aaron Rozek.

 

SAINTS SENTINEL 

Game one/7: Cubs 1, Saints 0

Box Score

Beau Burrows: 2 ⅔ IP, 3 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K

HR: None

Multi-hit games: No hits

Game two/7: Cubs 3, Saints 2

Box Score

Andrew Albers: 6 IP, 3 H, R/ER, 2 BB, 9 K

HR: None

Multi-hit games: None

The Saints had trouble generating any offense Sunday against the Iowa Cubs. St.Paul was no-hit in game one and mustered just three hits in game two. On the day, the Saints went 3-for-45 with one extra-base hit. 

Beau Burrows and Matt Shoemaker combined to throw 5 ⅔ scoreless innings, giving the Saints a chance to win in the opener. The Cubs had different plans. They didn’t allow a hit and struck out 10 Saints. 

After falling behind 1-0 in game two, the Saints decided they were done with the no-hitter business. Keon Broxton executed on a sacrifice fly to tie the game before José Miranda singled to take the lead. Unfortunately, the offense once again shut down after that, and the Saints fell in game two.

 

WIND SURGE WISDOM

Wind Surge 5, Naturals 3

Box Score 

Bryan Sammons: 5 IP, 7 H, 3 R/ER, BB, 7 K

HR: Aaron Whitefield (5), Andrew Bechtold (10)

Multi-hit games: Roy Morales (2-for-4, R), Leobaldo Cabrera (2-for-3, RBI)

Bryan Sammons tied his season high with seven strikeouts, but allowed three runs on two homers in five innings Sunday. Sammons left with the Surge down 3-2, and as soon as he left, Andrew Bechtold roped a solo homer to right center to tie the game at three. 

The Surge wasn’t done. Leobaldo Cabrera singled in the seventh to drive in D.J. Burt, while B.J. Boyd lifted a sacrifice fly to take a two-run lead. Aaron Rozek was fantastic in relief with three scorless innings. Ryan Mason earned his third save of the season. 

Wichita lost their first four games of the series but bounced back to win the final two, improving to 33-27 on the season. 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Kernels 2, Chiefs 1

Box Score

Tyler Watson: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 2 K

HR: None

Multi-hit games: Wander Javier (2-for-4, 3B)

Tyler Watson started and pitched very well, allowing the Kernels to battle for a 2-0 lead on a DeShawn Keirsey sacrifice fly and an Alex Isola RBI single in the fifth. 

The Kernels held that lead until the top of the ninth, when Moises Castillo singled to pull within one. Kernels reliever Melvi Acosta escaped the jam, striking out Cristhian Longa to finish off the win. 

Cedar Rapids swept the six-game series with Peoria, scoring 38 runs and allowing only 17. 

 

MUSSEL MATTERS

Mussels 13, Mets 9

Box Score 

Miguel Rodriguez: 4 ⅔ IP, 8 H, 5 R/ER, 3 BB, 6 K

HR: Misael Urbina (2)

Multi-hit games: Keoni Cavaco (3-for-5, 2B, BB), Jeferson Morales (2-for-3, 3 R, 3 BB)

The Mussels enjoyed an offensive explosion in Sunday’s win. Top prospect Keoni Cavaco recorded three hits with a double and a walk. Cavaco entered Sunday hitting .278 with a .435 on-base percentage in five games with the Mussels since returning from a concussion. 

Fort Myers had a phenomenal fifth inning, scoring six runs on an Aaron Sabato double, a Will Holland single, a Nick Anderson single, an RBI groundout from Misael Urbina and an RBI single from Keoni Cavaco. Did you track all that?!

St.Lucie battled all the way back and took a 9-8 lead in the sixth inning. The Mussels responded with four more runs in the seventh and closed the game with a 13-9 win. Fort Myers improved to 34-26 on the season

 

COMPLEX CHRONICLES

NO GAME. THE FCL TWINS WILL RETURN MONDAY VERSUS THE FCL BRAVES.

 

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day: Keoni Cavaco (3-for-5, 2B, BB)

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day: Matt Shoemaker (3 IP, H, 0 R/ER, 2 K)

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

Take note that we have finished our midseason update, so there is a new list! Here is a look at how the Twins Daily Midseason Top 20 Twins Prospects performed:

#1 – Royce Lewis (Rehab) – Out for season (torn ACL)

#2 – Jhoan Duran (St. Paul) – Injured List (elbow strain)

#3 – Jordan Balazovic (Wichita) – Did not pitch

#4 – Matt Canterino (Cedar Rapids) – Injured List (right elbow strain)

#5 – José Miranda (St. Paul) – 1-for-7, RBI

#6 – Keoni Cavaco (Fort Myers) – 3-for-5, 2B, BB

#7 – Gilberto Celestino (Minnesota) – Did not play 

#8 – Josh Winder (St. Paul) – Futures Game - ⅓ IP, H, R/ER, K

#9 – Aaron Sabato (Fort Myers) – 1-for-5, 2B, BB, RBI

#10 – Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) – Injured List (hamate bone surgery)

#11 – Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – Out for Season (Tommy John surgery)

#12 – Bailey Ober (Minnesota) – Did not pitch

#13 – Cole Sands (Wichita) – Injured List.

#14 – Brent Rooker (St. Paul) – 1-for-6, BB

#15 – Misael Urbina (Fort Myers) – 1-for-6, HR, 4 RBI

#16 – Spencer Steer (Wichita) – 0-for-4, K

#17 – Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) – 2-for-4, 3B

#18 – Alerick Soularie (Complex) – N/A (foot injury)

#19 – Edwar Colina (Rehab) – Injured List (elbow)

#20 – Chris Vallimont (Wichita) – Did not pitch

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[roger]

Great game by Javier.  Add a big home run by Urbina and two top prospects had big days.

[mikelink45]

Seven prospects injured.  How does that compare to other organizations.  It seems really high to me.

[MMMordabito]

Shoemaker is pitcher of the day. Barf!

[D.C Twins]

The are the St. Paul Mirandas for me right now.... that is why I click on their box scores

[darwin22]

Nash:  Appreciate the updates for our affiliates today, despite a rough day for the Saints in Des Moines against the I-Cubs.

Attended the Kernels game today (our 3rd road trip after seeing Surge in Springfield and Wichita) and came away with a few observations.

1. Although battling some early command issues, Tyler Watson pitched effectively completing 4 shutout IP.  Came away wondering if FO plan is to keep Watson as a SP as it appears he pitched exclusively out of the bullpen earlier this year,

2. Nice day by Wander Javier with 2 hits..1 being a missile line drive triple to left center in the 4th inning.  Javier also had a nice game defensively with 5 assists at SS.

3.  Came away impressed with DaShawn Kiersey.  Despite a low average he has a strong OBP (.365). Kiersey hit the ball hard in each AB and also stole a base.

4. Beyond the performance of Watson I was very impressed with the performance of RP Derek Molina. He was lights out in his 2+ IP this afternoon.  Great command with a quality fastball, but even better was his offspeed pitches.  Although Molina's overall season numbers might not look that great-----since June 17th-----8 games (all in relief) he's pitched 17.33 innings allowing only 2 ER (1.04 ERA).  Moreover, his dominance over the last 3 weeks can be proved with a miniscule 0.40 WHIP.......6 hits with only 1 walk over those 17.1 IP.  Molina has also registered 24 K's over that span.  14th round pick from 2017 draft---keep an eye on this kid!

5.  Great to see Kernels finish off the sweep vs. Peoria despite the bats having an overall down day.  Some of that may have been attributed to Julien and Camargo both getting the day off.

and finally

Having never attended a game in Cedar Rapids despite growing up in the area (Cedar Falls) many years ago when they were a Giants, Cincy and Angels affiliate---I was blown away by the game day experience. Had 2 box seats behind Kernels dugout for a total of $26.00.  Parking was free!  Stadium is easy to find in Cedar Rapids.  Concessions are extremely affordable with a great variety of options.  As great as all that was, the Kernels game day staff was extremely friendly not only to my spouse and I, but to fans in every part of the park.  Also, on Sundays--all kids 12 and under eat FREE!!   If anyone is looking for a fun road trip with a quality team to root for------get to a Kernels game this season.  You will not leave disappointed.

[roger]

As pointed out in the article and by Darwin 22, a six game sweep by the Kernels is impressive.  Also a question, what do we know about Rozek?  Seems recently signed at 25 year old, but doesn't have any prior minor league track record?

[ashbury]

14 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

The are the St. Paul Mirandas for me right now....

His stats at AAA are still riding on the coattails of his insane first game.  Good for him, but take that game out and his AAA OPS is around .660 and dropping. I can't imagine the front office is contemplating an imminent trade of Donaldson just to accommodate the prospect.