Minor League Report (9/3): The Usual Suspects

[Matt Braun]

I mean, was Matt Wallner not going to hit?

 

TRANSACTIONS
OF Carlos Aguiar reinstated from 7-day IL at Ft. Myers
Cedar Rapids placed RHP Luis Rijo on 7-day IL 
LHP Jovani Moran optioned to St. Paul

Saints Sentinel 
St. Paul 9, Omaha 4 
Box Score
Jordan Balazovic: 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
HR: Chris Williams (8)
Multi-hit games: Matt Wallner (3-for-4, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI, 1 BB), Cole Sturgeon (3-for-4, 2 R, RBI, BB)

St. Paul won decisively on Saturday.

It was an all-around offensive breakout; eight batters scored a run in an 11-hit, seven-walk effort. Matt Wallner may have collected the most RBIs, but this was a democratic affair; the lone hitter to not score a run drove one in. Chris Williams swatted a solo home run.

Jordan Balazovic pitched arguably his best outing on Saturday; the righty struck out six while allowing a lone run over his four innings of work. It may not be the most impressive start ever, but a step in the right direction is always welcome.

Michael Feliz netted four outs with one strikeout; Williams’ AAA OPS is now over 1.000.

Wind Surge Wisdom
Wichita 2, Springfield 8
Box Score
Brent Headrick: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
HR: None
Multi-hit games: Yunior Severino (2-for-4), Anthony Prato (2-for-4, 2B)

Wichita played a game to forget on Saturday.

The defense was the major bugaboo; the team committed five errors, with two blunders attributed to Yunior Severino and three stemming from Jair Camargo. It’s difficult to win many games with that sort of performance.

Brent Headrick worked around his fielders in admirable fashion, allowing two earned runs over five innings with seven strikeouts. The lefty has 42 strikeouts over 29 innings since the beginning of August.

Both runs scored late as Ernie Yake singled home a runner in the 7th, and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. brought one in with a 9th inning sacrifice fly. Keirsey also sto le two bases, giving him 37 on the season.

Blayne Enlow struck out four over two innings; Anthony Prato’s double was the sole extra-base hit.

Kernels Nuggets 

The rain ended this game before it could start; the Kernels will play a doubleheader on Sunday.

Mussel Matters
Fort Myers 6, Bradenton 3
Box Score
Tomas Cleto: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
HR: Nate Baez (1)
Multi-hit games: Kala’i Rosario (2-for-4, 2 R), Nate Baez (2-for-4, HR, 2B, R, 3 RBI)

The Mighty Mussels won a tame game on Saturday.

Nate Baez dominated the story; the catcher cracked a double and blasted a homer on his way to three RBIs. He hasn’t played much this year—the 2022 draft pick has just 47 at-bats—but more games like this could set the foundation for a phenomenal 2023 season.

Kala’i Rosario was the Robin to Baez’s Batman, drumming a double and scoring a pair of runs in Saturday’s effort.

Tomas Cleto was effectively wild. The starter allowed a single hit but walked four in his scoreless outing, perhaps even flummoxing himself regarding pitch location. It was no matter; Cleto walked away with a sparkling ERA, and that is all the Mighty Mussels could ask for.

Noah Miller tripled for the 4th time this season; Niklas Rimmel pitched two scoreless innings to end the game.

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Brent Headrick
Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Matt Wallner

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed:
#4 - Austin Martin (Wichita) - 1-4
#7 - Noah Miller (Ft. Myers) - 1-5, 3B, K
#9 - Matt Wallner (St. Paul) - 3-for-4, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI, 1 BB
#11 - Jordan Balazovic (St. Paul) - 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
#14 - Edouard Julien (Wichita) - 0-3, BB, 2 K
#15 - Blayne Enlow (Wichita) - 2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
#20 - Kala’i Rosario (Ft. Myers) - 2-for-4, 2 R

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
Omaha @ St. Paul (5:07 PM) - RHP Josh Winder
Wichita @ Springfield (6:05 PM) - TBD
Cedar Rapids @ Dayton (12:09 PM) - TBD
Fort Myers @ Bradenton (11:00 AM) - LHP Jordan Carr

 

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[ashbury]

Season stats can be even more misleading in AAA than the majors, due to constant personnel changes, but Omaha has had a good offense this year, so Jordy Blaze's four innings may be better than we know.

[FlyingFinn]

I like Headrick as much as anyone but pitcher of the day? He gave up 3 runs, 2 earned including a HR in 5 innings. Cleto gave up no runs over 4 innings. Don't like his wildness then how about Balazovic's 4 innings, giving up 1 ER and only walking 2.

Wallner is on fire! This is exactly his Wichita time went - started so cold that a few on TD said he's no good and then gets so hot that some people are calling for an immediate callup to the Twins.

Rosario and Enlow continue their current streaks, the first good and the second bad.

[saviking]

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

I like Headrick as much as anyone but pitcher of the day? He gave up 3 runs, 2 earned including a HR in 5 innings. Cleto gave up no runs over 4 innings. Don't like his wildness then how about Balazovic's 4 innings, giving up 1 ER and only walking 2.

Wallner is on fire! This is exactly his Wichita time went - started so cold that a few on TD said he's no good and then gets so hot that some people are calling for an immediate callup to the Twins.

Rosario and Enlow continue their current streaks, the first good and the second bad.

My guess is they will wait for next year to call up Wallner due to Laurnach coming back. Wallner needs to be ready for the 2024 season when they can  buy out Keplers contract. Laurnach in left and Wallner in right will be a pretty sight to see .. 

[roger]

Highlight of the day for me is Balazovic.  This young man COULD be special.  Every small step towards becoming that is so important.

[DocBauer]

Great step for Balazovic. He needs to get right and I believe he will. Still think the early knee issue and late start just messed with his mechanics and then with his head. I still consider him a top prospect unless he proves otherwise in 2023. I expect a huge turnaround. 

Losing CES in trade stunk because I think his bat has a chance to be pretty special, and I saw him as a possible replacement for Kirilloff at 1B if AK's wrist doesn't come round. But low and behold, Williams is having a monster year, best one of his career, and at 2 different levels. Good timing to break out!

[D.C Twins]

So happy for Wallner... must be really special to in front of his family and friends at AAA and hopefully eventually at MLB for years to come. 

His hard work is paying off and hopefully he'll join the likes of Mauer and Hrbek as a 'home-town hero!"

[puckstopper1]

12 hours ago, ashbury said:

Season stats can be even more misleading in AAA than the majors, due to constant personnel changes, but Omaha has had a good offense this year, so Jordy Blaze's four innings may be better than we know.

I believe this is accurate especially since the lineup last night included Royal's regulars Oliveras and Pasquantino who are on rehab assignments with the Storm Chasers.

Balazovic's outing was certainly encouraging.

[Five minute major]

5 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Great step for Balazovic. He needs to get right and I believe he will. Still think the early knee issue and late start just messed with his mechanics and then with his head. I still consider him a top prospect unless he proves otherwise in 2023. I expect a huge turnaround. 

Losing CES in trade stunk because I think his bat has a chance to be pretty special, and I saw him as a possible replacement for Kirilloff at 1B if AK's wrist doesn't come round. But low and behold, Williams is having a monster year, best one of his career, and at 2 different levels. Good timing to break out!

I am terrified that CES is going to be the next David Ortiz for Twins fans.  I am convinced he is going to be something special.