Twins Minor League Report (7/16): Keuchel Strong Again, Brooks Lee Stars

[Ted Schwerzler]

There were plenty of storylines to look into on the farm Sunday. Dallas Keuchel went again for the Saints, and Jorge Polanco began a rehab assignment. Wichita exploded for a bunch of runs, and Brooks Lee continued to be the straw that stirs that drink.

 

Image courtesy of Tim Grubbs

TRANSACTIONS

• 2B Jorge Polanco begins a rehab assignment with St. Paul

SAINTS SENTINEL 
Durham 5, St. Paul 3
Box Score

Making another rehab start for the Saints, Dallas Keuchel continues to force a decision on the Twins with an opt out at the end of the month. He did give up some gap contact, but only one turned into a double. Mixing pitches, he had Durham’s hitters off balance much of his outing.

Toby Gardenhire allowed Keuchel to work into the sixth inning today. He finished allowing a homer to Rays prospect Austin Shenton, and did give up one other run. On the day he allowed three runs (one earned) on eight hits while striking out six and walking none.

After an Austin Martin error on a routine grounder cost the Saints a run in the top of the first inning, they went to work having Polanco bat third as their designated hitter. His first at bat during the rehab assignment was a nicely smoked double to the left-center gap.

Getting on the board during the second inning, Chris Williams continued his great year at Triple-A. Blasting another homer, he’s continued to make the Twins take a serious look at putting him on the 40-man roster.

Durham grabbed a pair in the sixth inning, jumping back out to a 3-1 lead. Answering in the bottom of the seventh inning, Anthony Prato put a ball in the right-center gap. When the Bulls outfielders nearly collided for the catch, Mark Contreras raced home and Prato wound up at third. Alex De Goti singled down the left field line, and Prato jogged the last ninety feet to tie it.

Working into trouble, Ronny Henriquez walked in a run to give Durham a 4-3 lead with no outs during the top of the ninth inning. A passed ball was credited to Jair Camargo on a Kody Funderburk pitch, and the Bulls added another. Funderburk did grab a pair of strikeouts, but the Saints needed two in the ninth inning to force extras. Unfortunately the rally came up short and 5-3 was how this one would end.

Polanco and Contreras were the lone hitters with multiple hits for St. Paul today.

Talking about his start after the game, Keuchel noted it had been nine days since he was last out there. "I was very fortunate to go six and get up to 90 pitches...I'm not going to complain about that outing." Asked about his opt out he said, "to the best of my knowledge, I think it's the 21st. For me this is about building up and getting comfortable. I'm sure in the coming days we'll figure something out. I signed here for a reason, I'd like to still be here...I had multiple offers on the table. The worry of having a job is not there. It's more about, I love competing. I feel good enough to get outs in the big leagues. We'll see what happens."

The changeup was exceptional today for the Saints, and Keuchel noticed the wind blowing out would make the pitch play differently during his pre-game bullpen. "I love my changeup. I will say the way the wind was playing, it usually gives me a little bit more run and sink. Usually that hurts the breaking ball a bit. I told Camargo, I'd like to get the breaking ball going early, but we didn't really have to with the way the pitches were moving."

Keuchel did see success last year at Triple-A with the Rangers, but unfortunately it didn't translate. That seems to be much more mental than stuff. "Last year I was pushing for pension and a couple of different things that had added stress I never had focused on before in my life. A lot of it is the same, but mentally I'm back on the competitive train."

Playing in his first rehab game with the Saints since re-injuring his hamstring, Polanco said he feels great. Seeing live pitching for the first time, ripping a double immediately was nice. "The plan is to play five or six games here and see how I feel. I believe I'm playing second base on Thursday." In comparison to his previous rehab stint for the same injury Polanco said, "this time we have been a bit more conservative than just the two weeks. I will continue getting treatment and loose the rest of the year."

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 13, Springfield 12 (F/10)
Box Score

Travis Adams took the ball for Wichita this afternoon and hit a rough patch during the fourth inning. Working 3 2/3 Adams allowed four runs on five hits and a pair of walks. He did strike out three today.

With a pair of scoreless innings behind them, the Wind Surge scored first when DaShawn Keirsey Jr. homered for the 11th time this season, making it 1-0.

Things went downhill from there for the Wind Surge as Springfield scored four runs in the fourth inning, and another pair in the fifth inning. Continuing to stay hot, Brooks Lee roped his 29th double of the season, bringing in Ernie Yake, and Wichita had a run during their half of the fifth. Keirsey Jr. followed suit with his 14th double, and the base knock worked to bring Lee home. Yunior Severino kept the carousel turning when he singled home Keirsey Jr. and the deficit was now just two.

Stepping in after a pitching change, with Severino and Alex Isola on board, Pat Winkel blasted a three-run shot to put Wichita back out in front. Aaron Sabato followed with a single, and the Wind Surge had scored six runs on nine hits in the fifth inning before recording an out. Sabato scored on a Yake ground out to make it an 8-6 game, and Lee recorded his second hit of the inning to bring home Yoiyner Fajardo and make it a 9-6 lead.

Despite having come all the way back once, the Wind Surge was determined to do it a second time. They gave up four runs in the top of the sixth inning, now looking at a one-run disadvantage again. Watching another come across in the seventh inning, Springfield now lead 11-9

Answering with two in the seventh, it was none other than Lee with his ninth home run. The two-run shot brought home Yake and evened it at 11.

Despite scoring 11 runs on 16 hits, it wasn’t enough for the Wind Surge to win this in regulation. Springfield went to bat first with their 11 runs on 20 hits drawing even, and attempted to drive in a run against Wichita reliever Alex Scherff. They did bring home the inherited runner, but that’s where the door was slammed. Isola then stepped in and delivered a walk-off inside-the-park-home-run to end this one in hilarious fashion.

Lee contributed four hits, along with Isola, while Keirsey Jr. had three. Severino, Sabato, and Fajardo all had two hit games.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Beloit 13, Cedar Rapids 6
Box Score

It was Christian MacLeod’s turn on the bump today for Cedar Rapids, he went four strong allowing one run on five hits. He walked three and struck out three during the outing.

The Kernels kicked things off with a run in the first inning when Kalai’ Rosario brought home Tanner Schobel with a ground out. Then in the third inning, Cedar Rapids added again after Noah Cardenas doubled home Rosario and Jorel Ortega. Jose Salas followed with a ground rule double to drive in Cardenas and the lead stretched to 4-0.

In the fourth inning Cardenas drove in Schobel with a sacrifice fly before Noah Miller singled home Rosario. Beloit did push a run across in the fourth inning, but they were staring at a 6-1 deficit.

Matthew Swain came on for the Kernels and had a tough outing giving up four runs without recording an out. Niklas Rimmel closed down the rally and preserved a one-run lead for Cedar Rapids through five.

The pitching woes continued during the sixth inning however, and Cedar Rapids watched Beloit bring home six more putting them behind 11-6. Seeing Beloit drive in two more during the eighth inning, this wound up being a game the Kernels would prefer to forget. After leading 6-0, they were outscored 13-0.

Schobel, Ortega, and Cardenas each had a pair of hits for Cedar Rapids to help with their nine total on the day.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Clearwater 10, Fort Myers 8 (F/10)
Box Score

Andrew Morris got the start this afternoon and he was nearly perfect over four innings. Allowing just a single hit and two walks, Morris didn’t give up and punched out four. He dropped his ERA to 2.74.

Starting things off with three runs in the first inning, Fort Myers scored on a pair of blasts. Carson McCusker continues to be on fire and blasted his sixth homer for the game’s first run. Mikey Perez also hit his sixth homer, a two run shot scoring Rafael Cruz.

Clearwater came roaring back during the fifth inning with a six-spot, and then added another in the top of the sixth inning. Fort Myers saw their lead disappear and needed to get to work. Allowing an eighth Clearwater run in the top of the seventh, the Mighty Mussels flexed in the bottom half.

Rubel Cespedes drove in Maddux Houghton on a ground out before Cruz scored Ricardo Olivar with a ground out of his own. Perez then blasted his second dinger of the day, a two-run shot scoring McCusker, and bringing Fort Myers within one. Kyle Schmidt singled home Dylan Neuse before the inning was over, and this thing was knotted at eight.

Unable to push a run across during the ninth inning, the pair headed to extras. Scoring their inherited runner and tacking on another one, Clearwater applied pressure making it 10-8 going into Fort Myers’ final at bats. Perez stepped in with the bases loaded, but didn’t find a way to do more damage and that’s how this one ended.

Both McCusker and Perez had a pair of hits on the day, with each leaving the yard. 

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day – Andrew Morris (Fort Myers) - 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB 4 K
Hitter of the Day – Brooks Lee (Wichita) - 4-6, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2B(29), HR(9)

PROSPECT SUMMARY

We will again keep tabs on the Twins top prospects. You’ll probably read about them in the team sections, but if they aren’t there, you’ll see how they did here. 

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

#1 - Brooks Lee (Wichita) - 4-6, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2B(29), HR(9)
#4 - Edouard Julien (Minnesota) - 1-1, R
#11 - Austin Martin (St. Paul) - 1-4, K
#12 - Jose Salas (Cedar Rapids) - 1-5, RBI, 2B(9)
#13 - Noah Miller (Cedar Rapids) - 1-5, RBI
#19 - Yunior Severino (Wichita) - 2-4, R, RBI, 2 BB

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul @ Omaha (12:05PM CST) - TBD
Wichita @ Amarillo (7:05PM CST) - TBD
Peoria @ Cedar Rapids (6:35PM CST) - TBD
Fort Myers @ Bradenton (5:30PM CST) - TBD

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Sunday’s games! 

 

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[IndianaTwin]

Will be interesting to see how they handle Keuchel. If the opt-out is indeed the 21st, and given that this is the 16th, can they throw him on Friday and then pick up the option after the game? 

[pierre75275]

I wonder how much time Brooks Lee has left in AA.

I also wonder if the plan is to bring him to AAA this yr, and the bigs next yr to give him a shot at ROY and a draft pick.

I know thats putting the cart in front of the horse but I still wonder if the FO has an eye on that scenario 

[Jocko87]

56 minutes ago, pierre75275 said:

I wonder how much time Brooks Lee has left in AA.

I also wonder if the plan is to bring him to AAA this yr, and the bigs next yr to give him a shot at ROY and a draft pick.

I know thats putting the cart in front of the horse but I still wonder if the FO has an eye on that scenario 

They better. Not saying it has to happen but they for sure need to be thinking about things like that where you could get a free 1st rounder.  That new program completely changes prospect speed.

[jorgenswest]

3 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

Will be interesting to see how they handle Keuchel. If the opt-out is indeed the 21st, and given that this is the 16th, can they throw him on Friday and then pick up the option after the game? 

It is not ideal to call up someone from AAA right after a start. If that is the opt out date they probably need to make that decision now. Otherwise they end up short in the bullpen.

[OptimisticTwinsFan]

Dreaming of Lewis - Correa - Polanco - Julien - Lee infield/dh lineups with Kirilloff/Wallner in the OF. 

[tony&rodney]

Brooks Lee has been solid all year but approach at the plate has become more aggressive. Something has clicked and Lee looks even more confident than previously.

The first half of last year, Matt McClain (Cincy shortstop) looked pretty solid yet nothing special at the same time.  Something clicked in his game as he finished with a strong second half which carried over into his rookie year this year with the Reds. Brooks Lee should be better and is a switch hitter which should help with adjustments to MLB pitching. Where will Lee play on the dirt next season?

[Doctor Wu]

Fun win for the Wind Surge! In addition to the that, other nice performances from Brooks Lee, Keirsey, and the suddenly interesting Dallas Keuchel. Hmm ... what's gonna happen with that guy? If they bring him up, who loses a spot in Minnesota?

[2wins87]

MLBPipeline - Brooks Lee tapping into power

1.087 OPS in July now. I kind of expect they'll want to see him sustain his current level of hitting for a bit longer, but one thing I've noticed is that the Texas league seems to have a disproportionately low number of left handed pitchers this year.

I would argue both Lee and Severino could benefit from moving to AAA just to see lefties a bit more often.

[Ted Schwerzler]

14 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

Will be interesting to see how they handle Keuchel. If the opt-out is indeed the 21st, and given that this is the 16th, can they throw him on Friday and then pick up the option after the game? 

I wonder more if he doesn't make a spot start for the Twins that day who are in the midst of 13 games in 13 days.

[Ted Schwerzler]

12 hours ago, pierre75275 said:

I wonder how much time Brooks Lee has left in AA.

I also wonder if the plan is to bring him to AAA this yr, and the bigs next yr to give him a shot at ROY and a draft pick.

I know thats putting the cart in front of the horse but I still wonder if the FO has an eye on that scenario 

Can't imagine he's there much after August first. Austin Martin is playing some 2B at St. Paul, but he looks brutal on the dirt.

[Ted Schwerzler]

11 hours ago, OptimisticTwinsFan said:

Dreaming of Lewis - Correa - Polanco - Julien - Lee infield/dh lineups with Kirilloff/Wallner in the OF. 

I love all of these names, but Polanco probably isn't around next year without figuring things out. Injuries bring his option into question, even with it converted to team. Also, Kirilloff/Wallner isn't an ideal defensive corner situation.

I hope all of these guys can be dudes though.

[Ted Schwerzler]

36 minutes ago, Doctor Wu said:

Fun win for the Wind Surge! In addition to the that, other nice performances from Brooks Lee, Keirsey, and the suddenly interesting Dallas Keuchel. Hmm ... what's gonna happen with that guy? If they bring him up, who loses a spot in Minnesota?

Cole Sands ;)

[IndianaTwin]

16 minutes ago, Ted Schwerzler said:

I wonder more if he doesn't make a spot start for the Twins that day who are in the midst of 13 games in 13 days.

I had a similar thought after @jorgenswest's excellent point above and after looking at the schedule as well. Give him Friday or add him to the roster and Friday and give him Saturday. Either way, it gets them through that window and buys them most of two weeks to see how things play out and what it means for IL stints and the trade deadline. 

[John Belinski]

I know that Lee is young, but other young players have played in the majors and been good players. The Twins do not really have a good player to play 3rd base so is Lee worth a try? 

[nicksaviking]

4 hours ago, John Belinski said:

I know that Lee is young, but other young players have played in the majors and been good players. The Twins do not really have a good player to play 3rd base so is Lee worth a try? 

Unless the plan is for Polanco to be at 3B and Julien 2B, there's really not much to lose by calling up Lee other than service time. I mean is there really much downside if the only other options they'll consider is Farmer and Castro?

Call up someone anyway. If not Lee, than Severino or Prato; one of the guys who'll need a 40 man decision this off season.

[NeverSeenATwinsPlayoffWin]

Can Keuchel be a mop-up/6th starter for the Twins? I don't think Sands throws strikes often enough to be effective in this role long term and come late September/October, Keuchel's experience likely comes in handy. I worry that there will be a logjam in the bullpen when Thielbar/Stewart return and/or the Twins acquire another arm via trade, though that's not a bad problem to have. 

Given the depth of the Twins, I think the most likely scenario would be for the Twins to promote him before the opt-out, have him make one or two starts/appearances, then trade him to a team like Padres/Mets/Cardinals for international bonus pool money. I can't imagine that he'll stick around unless one of our top 5 get hurt or the Twins go on a losing streak and have a fire sale.

[OptimisticTwinsFan]

11 hours ago, Ted Schwerzler said:

I love all of these names, but Polanco probably isn't around next year without figuring things out. Injuries bring his option into question, even with it converted to team. Also, Kirilloff/Wallner isn't an ideal defensive corner situation.

I hope all of these guys can be dudes though.

Don't care about "ideal" defensive corner OFs -- give me an .800-.900+ OPS's across the board and we'll go from there.