Twins Minor League Report (5/23): France Keys Twins Win, (Will) Holland Key in Saints Victory on Friday.

[Seth Stohs]

Image courtesy of Ashley Monjaras

The Twins earned a walkoff win thanks to France. On Friday night, it was Holland that helped Wallner, Festa, Gardenhire and company to a big win. 

TRIVIA
On Thursday, Matt Wallner hit two home runs in his first rehab game with the Saints. (you'll be happy to see how he did in this second rehab game on Friday) He has hit 38 total home runs in a St. Paul Saints uniform. That ranks third in the Saints Career Home Run Leaders (since 2021, of course). Which two players have more career home runs with the Saints than Matt Wallner? Leave your answers in the comments below. I'll answer the question around noon on Saturday, and if you got it right, I will think "Good job!"

CURRENT W-L Records
Minnesota Twins: 28-22
St. Paul Saints: 24-21
Wichita Wind Surge: 23-20
Cedar Rapids Kernels: 24-18
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: 19-24
FCL Twins: 9-5
DSL Twins: Scheduled to start on June 2.  

TRANSACTIONS
What? No transactions the whole day? Well, Carlos Correa was reinstated from the concussion list, but Ryan Fitzgerald was already optioned a day earlier.  

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul 10, Norfolk 2 
Box Score
If you are looking for offense from your minor-league affiliate, you might only want to read the Saints section today. (I’m kidding. You, of course, want to read it all, thoroughly, and add questions and comments.)

While the Tides scored first in the top of the first, a five-run second inning gave the Saints an early lead. The added on late in the game. And, they got strong pitching, and that rehabbing outfielder from Forest Lake played a big role in the win. 

Let’s start with pitching. David Festa made his first appearance in over two weeks due to an arm issue. He needed to use a lot of pitches, but his pitches looked good. In 3 2/3 innings, gave up one run on two hits and a walk. He had seven strikeouts. One of the two hits was a hard-hit ball to the left-center field gap that Emmanuel Rodriguez clearly lost in the sun and was unable to catch. That runner came around to score. 

Travis Adams came in and had one of his best performances of the season. He tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings. He gave up one hit, walked two and had six strikeouts to earn his third win in his long-relief role. Kyle Bischoff gave up one run on two hits and two walks in the ninth innings. He had two strikeouts. He just wanted to make things entertaining for the crowd at CHS FIeld. 

Matt Wallner was back in the lineup, one night after he homered twice in Game 1 of Thursday’s doubleheader. He was leading off and was the DH. He struck out on a questionable check swing in the first inning.  

The second inning began with a Jose Miranda walk. Mike Ford struck out. Emmanuel Rodriguez was hit by a pitch, and Armando Alvarez walked to load the bases. After Fitzgerald struck out on three pitches (two of which were on the edge and overturned), Will Holland walked to put the Saints on the scoreboard.

That brought Wallner to the plate. On a 2-1 pitch, the Tides’ starter tried to throw a four-seamer inside on Wallner, but he turned on it, hit it 103 mph right down the right field line. With Holland’s speed, all three runners scored and the Saints led 4-1.   

Mickey Gasper was hit by a pitch, and then Edouard Julien lined a single to center to drive in Wallner with the fifth run of the inning. 

Have we talked about the speed of Holland lately. Well, the Saints scored a run in the fourth inning because of it. With one out, Holland hit a routine ground ball to second base and beat the throw to first. With two outs, Holland stole second base and went to third on a throwing error. Soon after, #OldFriend Matt Bowman unleashed a wild pitch, and Holland scored easily.  

Holland led off the bottom of the seventh frame with a walk. He went to third on a solid single to center by Wallner. After two strikeouts, Miranda doubled to drive in Holland. Ford singled to drive in Wallner and Miranda and make it 9-1. 

The Saints added one more run in the bottom of the eighth inning to put them in double digits. Fitzgerald walked. He went to second on a Wallner single. With two outs, Julien walked to lead the bases, and then Miranda walked to score that 10th run.  

Wallner went 3-for-5 with the double and three RBI. Miranda was 1-for-3 with a double and two key walks. Holland was 1-for-2 with two walks. He scored three runs. Rodriguez was 1-for-2 with a walk and was hit by a pitch. 

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 1, San Antonio 2
Box Score
For the second straight day, there was a pitcher’s duel near the Alamo. Unfortunately, the Wind Surge ended up on the short end, losing 2-1 for the second straight night. They are just 4-9 on games decided by one run. 

Darren Bowen was very impressive in this game. The right-hander, acquired as part of the Jorge Polanco trade, made the start. He tossed five innings. He gave up one run on three walks and four strikeouts. He gave up no hits through his five innings, but when he left the game, it was tied. Joshua Mears, who earlier this week launched a home run recorded at 504 feet, was credited with a steal of home in the third inning which gave the Mission a 1-0 lead. He was one of two batters to walk in that inning. 

Bowen has now made seven starts (and one bullpen appearance) for Wichita. He is 2-0 with a 2.73 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP. In 33 innings, he has given up just 17 hits, walked 14 batters and struck out 26 hitters. 

With one out in the top of the fifth inning, Aaron Sabato singled. He came around to score on Ben Ross’s sixth double of the season to tie the game at 1-1. 

In the sixth inning, Michael Martinez replaced Bowen on the mound. The inning started with a double. With one out, Martinez fielded a ground ball and threw the ball wildly in the general direction of first base. That gave the Mission a 2-1 lead they held onto for three more innings. 

Angel Macuare threw two scoreless innings to keep it close. 

The Wind Surge scored one run on six hits and two walks. Sabato was 2-for-4. He has seven multi-hit games this season. Four of the hits went for extra bases. Ross and Tanner Schobel doubles. Rubel Cespedes and Andrew Cossetti each hit a triple. But the Surge was 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left seven runners on base.  

San Antonio is the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. A month ago, we kicked off another sister site, Padres Mission. Be sure to check it out and tell your friends from San Diego! Of our top 20 Padres prospects, seven of them are on the San Antonio roster.  

KERNELS NUGGETS
Game 1: Cedar Rapids 2, Fort Wayne 6 
Box Score
The Kernels jumped out to a fast lead in the first inning, but a four-run third inning for the TinCaps gave them an insurmountable lead. 

Kaelen Culpepper led off with a single to the hole at shortstop. He stole second, and then scored on a single by Kyle DeBarge. He stole his 21st base of the season, and then scored from second when the throw went into center field, and then the center fielder’s throw got past third base. 

Ty Langenberg made the start. He was charged with six runs on five hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings. He had seven strikeouts. Jeremy Lee got the final four outs of Game 1 for the Kernels. He gave up two hits, but no runs. He had three strikeouts. 

Cedar Rapids had seven hits in the game. Culpepper went 3-for-3 with two doubles and a stolen base. 

Game 2: Cedar Rapids 3, Fort Wayne 9 
Box Score
The Kernels fell behind again in Game 2, but through four-and-a-half innings, the game was tied 3-3. However, the TinCaps scored late and often. 

Cole Peschl made his first start of the season. He worked the first four innings and gave up three runs (just 1 earned) on five hits. He had five strikeouts and no walks. 

In the top of the fourth inning, Nate Baez led off with a single. He came around to score on Danny De Andrade’s fourth home run of the season. 

In the top of the fifth, Misael Urbina led off with his second homer of the season which tied the game at 3-3. 

Wilker Reyes came out for the fifth inning. He gave up two runs on one hit and two walks. He had two strikeouts. Jacob Wosinski came in for the bottom of the sixth inning. He was charged with four runs on two hits and two walks in just one-third of an inning. The big hit was a bases-clearing triple by Brandon Butterworth. Eston Stull came in and quickly got the final two outs. 

The Kernels had just three hits and five walks in the game. Jaime Ferrer walked twice. Kyle DeBarge walked twice and stole two bases. Culpepper stole his 10th bag of the season.  

Fort Wayne is the High-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. A month ago, we kicked off another sister site, Padres Mission. Three of our Top 20 Padres prospects play for the TinCaps including arguably the #1 prospect in all of baseball, Leo De Vries.   

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 3, Lakeland 6
Box Score
The Mussels tried to mount a comeback in the ninth inning, but it was too little too late. 

Eli Jones started and went the first five innings. He was charged with three runs (1 earned) on four hits. He had three walks and four strikeouts. 

Lefty Brennen Oxford got the sixth inning. He gave up three runs on three hits and a walk. He struck out two batters. Jacob Kisting worked the final two innings without any further damage. He gave up two hits and had one strikeout. 

The Mussels didn’t score their first run until the sixth inning. They scored two in the top of the ninth but came up well short of the needed runs. The team had six hits, five walks and had three hit batters. Well, Dameury Pena was hit by a pitch twice. Unfortunately, they went 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 11 on base. 

Jefferson Valladares hit his fifth double. Yohander Martinez hit his first triple of the season. He also walked twice. So did Maddux Houghton.  

Rehab updates: Rayne Doncon played third base. He went 2-for-5 and stole a base.. Payton Eeles was 1-for-3 with a walk. He also stole a base.  

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Twins 4, FCL Red Sox 3
Box Score
Matt Gabbert made 13 appearances between the FCL Twins and Fort Myers. Unfortunately, arm pain and ultimately surgery meant that he missed the entire 2024 season. On Friday, he made his third rehab appearance in the FCL. He went three innings, and gave up one run on three hits. He had three strikeouts and no walks. 

Eider Machuca came on and gave up one run on one hit and a walk in the fourth inning. Juan Cota struck out two batters over two scoreless, hitless innings. With a two-run lead heading into the ninth, Xavier Kolhosser entered. He gave up a leadoff triple which he followed with a strikeout. He hit a batter, and the game was turned over to Liam Rocha. The game-tying runner stole second base. Rocha got a ground out that drove in the runner from third base. With the tying run 90 feet away, Rocha got a strikeout to end the game. 

Down 1-0 going to the third inning, Jayson Bass and Ricardo Paez started the inning with singles. They were then successful on a double steal. Bass scored the tying run on a Yilber Herrera sacrifice fly. 

With one out in the fourth inning, Ariel Castro and Ricardo Pena walked. Following a groundout, Bass walked. The catcher threw toward third, but the ball went into the outfield and allowed Castro to score. Pena later scored on a wild pitch. 

Leading 3-2 going to the seventh (and final) inning, Luis Fragoza walked and Bass singled him to third. Fragoza scored on a sacrifice fly by Paez, an insurance run that proved important in the bottom of the inning. 

The Twins had five hits and six walks. Bass went 2-for-2 with a walk. He also stole two bases. 

PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Hitter of the Day  
Matt Wallner (St. Paul): 3-for-5, 2B(1), 2 R, 3 RBI, K
Kaelen Culpepper (Cedar Rapids): 3-for-6, 2 BB, 2-2B(7), 1 R, 2 K, 2-SB(10). 

Pitcher of the Day 
Travis Adams (St. Paul): 4 1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K, 58 pitches, 38 strikes (65.5%)
Darren Bowen (Wichita): 5 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 73 pitches, 44 strikes (60.3%) 

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Check out the Prospect Tracker for much more on our updated Twins Top 20 prospects after seeing how they did on Friday.

#3 - Emmanuel Rodriguez (St. Paul) - 1-for-2, BB, HBP, R.
#6 - Kaelen Culpepper (Cedar Rapids) - Game 1 (SS): 3-for-3, BB, 2-2B(7), R, SB(9), Game 2(DH): 0-for-3, BB, 2 K, SB(10)
#9 - Brandon Winokur (Cedar Rapids) - Game 1(CF): 0-for-3, K; Game 2(SS): 0-for-3, 2 K. 
#11 - Kyle DeBarge (Cedar Rapids) - Game 1(2B): 1-for-4, R, RBI, 3 K, SB(21); Game 2(CF): 0-for-1, 2 BB, K, 2-SB(23)
#14 - Gabriel Gonzalez (Wichita) - 0-for-3, BB. 
#17 - Tanner Schobel (Wichita) - 1-for-4, 2B(11)

SATURDAY PITCHING PROBABLES
Kansas City @ Minnesota (1:10 PM CT) - RHP Zebby Matthews (0-1, 12.00 ERA)
Norfolk @ St. Paul (DH @ 5:07 PM CT) - RHP Marco Raya (0-3, 12.06 ERA), RHP Andrew Morris (1-1, 3.44 ERA)
Wichita @ San Antonio (7:05 PM CT) - LHP Christian MacLeod (0-1, 1.38 ERA)
Cedar Rapids @ Fort Wayne (5:35 PM CT) - RHP Chase Chaney (1-1, 4.50 ERA)
Fort Myers @ Lakeland (5:30 PM CT) - LHP Dasan Hill (0-0, 1.26 ERA)
FCL Red Sox @ FCL Twins (9:00 AM CT) - RHP Joel Garcia (0-0, 3.38 ERA) 

Please feel free to ask questions about the teams, the rosters, and discuss Friday’s games, or anything else Twins minor-league related!

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[ryan189]

I dont understand why they keep lewis and Raya in the rotation who have been awful and adams in relief who has the lead in innings pitched for st paul

[Seth Stohs]

2 minutes ago, ryan189 said:

I dont understand why they keep lewis and Raya in the rotation who have been awful and adams in relief who has the lead in innings pitched for st paul

Personal opinion with zero insight... They're "grooming" him for a very much functional role in the big leagues. Teams talk about how nice it would be to have a long reliever, and I can't imagine that any teams are really actively trying to figure out how to develop a long reliever. Yes, a starter can come up and be a long reliever, but that person may not have figured out a plan for how to get ready to come in to the 4th inning but be adaptable enough that if you need to come into the 2nd inning, you can. 

With guys like Raya and Prielipp (personal opinion, wisely) being limited to 50 pitches (under the more controlled environment of a starter), I can't help but think that teams will need to develop an idea for how they can best utilize those types. 

Right now I'm thinking Prielipp as Raya is probably further away. Huge upside, and if they can get 4-5 innings in 65-70 pitches, having another guy able to go 3-4 innings might be good. 

I've actually thought about your very question, and obviously specifically with Travis. He can start. He's thrown a lot of innings in recent years, been very durable. 

(second reminder: I am mostly just thinking out loud)

[ryan189]

3 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

Personal opinion with zero insight... They're "grooming" him for a very much functional role in the big leagues. Teams talk about how nice it would be to have a long reliever, and I can't imagine that any teams are really actively trying to figure out how to develop a long reliever. Yes, a starter can come up and be a long reliever, but that person may not have figured out a plan for how to get ready to come in to the 4th inning but be adaptable enough that if you need to come into the 2nd inning, you can. 

With guys like Raya and Prielipp (personal opinion, wisely) being limited to 50 pitches (under the more controlled environment of a starter), I can't help but think that teams will need to develop an idea for how they can best utilize those types. 

Right now I'm thinking Prielipp as Raya is probably further away. Huge upside, and if they can get 4-5 innings in 65-70 pitches, having another guy able to go 3-4 innings might be good. 

I've actually thought about your very question, and obviously specifically with Travis. He can start. He's thrown a lot of innings in recent years, been very durable. 

(second reminder: I am mostly just thinking out loud)

I agree but weird you put adams on the 40 man coming off his best season and limit him coming out of the pen .

[Doctor Gast]

4 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

Personal opinion with zero insight... They're "grooming" him for a very much functional role in the big leagues. Teams talk about how nice it would be to have a long reliever, and I can't imagine that any teams are really actively trying to figure out how to develop a long reliever. Yes, a starter can come up and be a long reliever, but that person may not have figured out a plan for how to get ready to come in to the 4th inning but be adaptable enough that if you need to come into the 2nd inning, you can. 

With guys like Raya and Prielipp (personal opinion, wisely) being limited to 50 pitches (under the more controlled environment of a starter), I can't help but think that teams will need to develop an idea for how they can best utilize those types. 

Right now I'm thinking Prielipp as Raya is probably further away. Huge upside, and if they can get 4-5 innings in 65-70 pitches, having another guy able to go 3-4 innings might be good. 

I've actually thought about your very question, and obviously specifically with Travis. He can start. He's thrown a lot of innings in recent years, been very durable. 

(second reminder: I am mostly just thinking out loud)

I guess I'm in the camp of clamoring for long RPs. Thanks for your insight. Prielipp & Raya are the most obvious for the need of long relief, but any one in the rotation, especially the young ones, can come up with a clunker & not last much over 5 if that. Proper long RPs saves the rotation & BP arms, to keep them fresh through the season & into the post.

[Doctor Gast]

4 hours ago, ryan189 said:

I agree but weird you put adams on the 40 man coming off his best season and limit him coming out of the pen .

I know many will disagree with me, but IMO all promising SPs should have some experience at a long RP & get their feet wet in the MLB as a long RP.

[Doctor Gast]

Great trivia question, Seth. I believe Keirsey is the Saints' HR leader. Is Severino the runner-up?

Holland is an exciting young man. I was disappointed that Payton Eeles was injured & not given the opportunity to be called up to MLB.

[FlyingFinn]

21 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Holland is an exciting young man.

A few people have called for Holland to be called up. I don't see it unless it would be in the Kiersey role. I can't ever recall a AAA batter who bats 9th consistently getting called up. The Twins (and every other team) want the future MLB guys getting more AB's in the minors (and Kiersey always batted at the top on the lineup).

[Linus]

6 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

Personal opinion with zero insight... They're "grooming" him for a very much functional role in the big leagues. Teams talk about how nice it would be to have a long reliever, and I can't imagine that any teams are really actively trying to figure out how to develop a long reliever. Yes, a starter can come up and be a long reliever, but that person may not have figured out a plan for how to get ready to come in to the 4th inning but be adaptable enough that if you need to come into the 2nd inning, you can. 

With guys like Raya and Prielipp (personal opinion, wisely) being limited to 50 pitches (under the more controlled environment of a starter), I can't help but think that teams will need to develop an idea for how they can best utilize those types. 

Right now I'm thinking Prielipp as Raya is probably further away. Huge upside, and if they can get 4-5 innings in 65-70 pitches, having another guy able to go 3-4 innings might be good. 

I've actually thought about your very question, and obviously specifically with Travis. He can start. He's thrown a lot of innings in recent years, been very durable. 

(second reminder: I am mostly just thinking out loud)

I like this thought process. Pitching roles are changing as we speak. If you forget all the traditional roles there are ways to get innings out of your best pitchers in a variety of ways. 

[Linus]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

I know many will disagree with me, but IMO all promising SPs should have some experience at a long RP & get their feet wet in the MLB as a long RP.

I actually agree with this idea. Why not have a promising young pitcher occupy the last couple spots in the pen instead of the retread vets?  The whole “gotta keep em stretched out” theory isnt really valid anymore. Keep them stretched out so they can go 4.2 innings?  You could have Festa and Sim or Mathews pitching 3 innings twice a week and save other arms while getting rid of marginal pitchers like Alcala and Funderburk. 

[Major League Ready]

That appears to be enough rehabbing for Wallner.  Get him back in the Twins lineup very soon. 

[Doctor Gast]

18 minutes ago, Linus said:

I actually agree with this idea. Why not have a promising young pitcher occupy the last couple spots in the pen instead of the retread vets?  The whole “gotta keep em stretched out” theory isnt really valid anymore. Keep them stretched out so they can go 4.2 innings?  You could have Festa and Sim or Mathews pitching 3 innings twice a week and save other arms while getting rid of marginal pitchers like Alcala and Funderburk. 

Thanks Linus. I'm glad we agree on something. IMO the goal is to get our SPs up to the MLB & then get them built up to go over 5 innings. I like your idea of having Simmy, Festa & Zebby up. ( Festa's dead arm so early has me concerned.) & then we have Adams, Prielipp & Raya(?). I like Alcala & Funderburg, they have a purpose if used properly. 

IMO, Twins need to focus on maximizing the development of our inhouse players, even if they aren't in the future plans. Because like in Alcala's case, he can be an effective  high-leverage RP when used properly & come the deadline, many teams are looking for RPs. Alcala & (LHP) Funderburg (if Prielipp is brought up) can bring premium returns.

[terrydactyls]

19 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Thanks Linus. I'm glad we agree on something. IMO the goal is to get our SPs up to the MLB & then get them built up to go over 5 innings. I like your idea of having Simmy, Festa & Zebby up. ( Festa's dead arm so early has me concerned.) & then we have Adams, Prielipp & Raya(?). I like Alcala & Funderburg, they have a purpose if used properly. 

Zimmy, Festa, and Zebby followed by Adam's, Prielipp and Raya and using Alcala and Funderburg properly?  That's eight pitchers.  What happens to Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Paddock, Duran, Jax, Sands, Stewart, etc.?  How large of a pitching staff do you want?

[jorgenswest]

8 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

Which two players have more career home runs with the Saints than Matt Wallner?

Brady Shoemaker and Ole Sheldon?

I guess there have been two more recent Saints also.

[Jeff K]

I am wondering why Kaelen Culpepper hasn't moved to AA.  He is seemingly ready.

[Aerodeliria]

2 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

A few people have called for Holland to be called up. I don't see it unless it would be in the Kiersey role. I can't ever recall a AAA batter who bats 9th consistently getting called up. The Twins (and every other team) want the future MLB guys getting more AB's in the minors (and Kiersey always batted at the top on the lineup).

That would make France 🇫🇷 and Holland 🇳🇱 allies I suppose....

[mikelink45]

Okay - Wallner is ready - no more delay!  Nice to see Kaelen Culpepper performing so well.  I think he will move up the prospect list quickly - maybe number 2.  

At some point it would be nice to see a leaders board across the minors - I love seeing the prospect list, but I know there are others performing well and it is hard to keep track of all of them.  

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, Major League Ready said:

That appears to be enough rehabbing for Wallner.  Get him back in the Twins lineup very soon. 

My guess would be Monday in Tampa after the Royals and their lefties leave town. He sure looks ready, though. And McCusker sitting on the bench never playing in Minneapolis isn't helping him at all anyways so may as well switch them for today's games, if you ask me.

[jmlease1]

1 hour ago, Jeff K said:

I am wondering why Kaelen Culpepper hasn't moved to AA.  He is seemingly ready.

I don't think it'll be long. He missed a little time to injury, and I'm guessing they wanted to make sure he was all the way back and comfortable first. He's doing great. I don't think it makes a ton of difference if he gets moved to AA in May or June? He's making it easy to get excited about him, though.

[Doctor Gast]

3 hours ago, terrydactyls said:

Zimmy, Festa, and Zebby followed by Adam's, Prielipp and Raya and using Alcala and Funderburg properly?  That's eight pitchers.  What happens to Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Paddock, Duran, Jax, Sands, Stewart, etc.?  How large of a pitching staff do you want?

That's what you call depth.

[LambchoP]

Wallner sure looks ready. Probably will get the call Monday and get Mccusker sent back to St Paul so he can play everyday again. Sitting on the bench wasn't helping him. I think Adams could be very useful out of the big league pen. Finally, a reliever who could go 3-4 innings, could really save our pen and be insurance against short starts by Paddack/Zebby or Festa. Culpeper is on fire, I'm guessing he joins Gonzalez in AA soon. Hopefully Eeles moves up soon too. What is up with Jenkins?!? Dude sprained his ankle I get it, but to miss a quarter of the season? Same thing happened last year with the hamstring. Is he really this brittle at his young age, or are the Twins being overly protective of him? Either way, he's missing way too much valuable experience and development time. He needs to be on the field everyday. I really hope this guys not a bust, they've got a lot of plans around him....

[jorgenswest]

3 hours ago, LambchoP said:

I think Adams could be very useful out of the big league pen. Finally, a reliever who could go 3-4 innings, could really save our pen and be insurance against short starts by Paddack/Zebby or Festa.

While Adams has come in as a reliever they have given him a routine of a starter. The rain has messed with the schedule but they are using him about every 5th day. He has had a few occasions where he had three days rest but he seems more of a planned piggyback starter than a relief role where he comes to the park unsure if he will pitch that day. He is getting experience coming in mid inning so they might see him on a Sands progression where he shuffles back and forth initially with the opportunity to step up and ascend the bullpen ladder.

[bean5302]

15 hours ago, ryan189 said:

I agree but weird you put adams on the 40 man coming off his best season and limit him coming out of the pen .

Adams doesn't profile as a likely MLB rotation option.

He doesn't strike a ton of guys out, and he doesn't have a truly elite ground ball rate. Exit velos for Adams at AAA this year are 90.3mph which probably becomes 91-92mph at the MLB level. He projects more like a somewhat lower ceiling version of Louis Varland.

[bean5302]

8 hours ago, Jeff K said:

I am wondering why Kaelen Culpepper hasn't moved to AA.  He is seemingly ready.

He wasn't showing as much XBH power earlier this year, but the ISO has been tracking up recently. The strikeouts have tracked up with the increased power production, too, though. I'm sure he'll be in AA before the end of the year at this pace, but he didn't even have 150 PA post draft last year. There's been plenty to work on. Playing a half a season at AA would still be moving up quick.

[Seth Stohs]

TRIVIA ANSWER: 

#1 - Chris Williams.
#2 - Mark Contreras.

[ryan189]

16 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Adams doesn't profile as a likely MLB rotation option.

He doesn't strike a ton of guys out, and he doesn't have a truly elite ground ball rate. Exit velos for Adams at AAA this year are 90.3mph which probably becomes 91-92mph at the MLB level. He projects more like a somewhat lower ceiling version of Louis Varland.

well adams has better numbers then varland ever did in AAA and varland was used as a starter most of the time so kind of makes my point

[bean5302]

51 minutes ago, ryan189 said:

well adams has better numbers then varland ever did in AAA and varland was used as a starter most of the time so kind of makes my point

No, it doesn't, and no, Adams' numbers aren't better than Varlands.

a24 - AA
Adams - 108.0 IP, 3.67 ERA, 3.34 FIP, 3.58 xFIP, 9.08 K/9 (24.5%), 2.33 BB/9 (6.3%), 42.5% GB, 13.4% IFFB
Varland - 105.0 IP, 3.34 ERA, 4.40 FIP, 4.30 xFIP, 10.20 K/9 (26.4%), 3.34 BB/9 (8.7%), 41.2% GB, 18.2% IFFB
The numbers at age 24 were very similar between the two. Varland missed more bats, walked a few more, and generated more pop ups than Adams, but Adams allowed fewer fly balls.

a24 - AAA
Adams - 19.0 IP, 5.21 ERA, 6.46 FIP, 5.90 xFIP, 4.26 K/9 (11.4%), 3.32 BB/9 (8.9%), 50.0% GB, 21.7% IFFB
Varland - 21.1 IP, 1.69 ERA, 2.29 FIP, 3.38 xFIP, 11.39 K/9 (32.1%), 1.27 BB/9 (3.6%), 35.3% GB, 22.7% IFFB
No contest. Adams was virtually unplayable last year in AAA as he couldn't generate any swings and misses while generating only 1 good line for a starter in 4 attempts, though his last appearance was limited as he was out of the bullpen. Varland was lights out dominant.

At age 25, Varland was almost immediately pitching for the MLB club, and holding his own until the scouting reports started getting out.

You're allowed to have your favorite players and just decide they're going to be great, but don't come to a factual debate only armed with feelings.

[ryan189]

1 hour ago, bean5302 said:

No, it doesn't, and no, Adams' numbers aren't better than Varlands.

a24 - AA
Adams - 108.0 IP, 3.67 ERA, 3.34 FIP, 3.58 xFIP, 9.08 K/9 (24.5%), 2.33 BB/9 (6.3%), 42.5% GB, 13.4% IFFB
Varland - 105.0 IP, 3.34 ERA, 4.40 FIP, 4.30 xFIP, 10.20 K/9 (26.4%), 3.34 BB/9 (8.7%), 41.2% GB, 18.2% IFFB
The numbers at age 24 were very similar between the two. Varland missed more bats, walked a few more, and generated more pop ups than Adams, but Adams allowed fewer fly balls.

a24 - AAA
Adams - 19.0 IP, 5.21 ERA, 6.46 FIP, 5.90 xFIP, 4.26 K/9 (11.4%), 3.32 BB/9 (8.9%), 50.0% GB, 21.7% IFFB
Varland - 21.1 IP, 1.69 ERA, 2.29 FIP, 3.38 xFIP, 11.39 K/9 (32.1%), 1.27 BB/9 (3.6%), 35.3% GB, 22.7% IFFB
No contest. Adams was virtually unplayable last year in AAA as he couldn't generate any swings and misses while generating only 1 good line for a starter in 4 attempts, though his last appearance was limited as he was out of the bullpen. Varland was lights out dominant.

At age 25, Varland was almost immediately pitching for the MLB club, and holding his own until the scouting reports started getting out.

You're allowed to have your favorite players and just decide they're going to be great, but don't come to a factual debate only armed with feelings.

I could not imagine putting that much time into that because of a comment go outside smell some fresh air sorry it hurt you so much I'm not judging anyone on 19 innings at the end of a year first time in AAA  but I guess you know more then anyone

[ryan189]

5 hours ago, bean5302 said:

No, it doesn't, and no, Adams' numbers aren't better than Varlands.

a24 - AA
Adams - 108.0 IP, 3.67 ERA, 3.34 FIP, 3.58 xFIP, 9.08 K/9 (24.5%), 2.33 BB/9 (6.3%), 42.5% GB, 13.4% IFFB
Varland - 105.0 IP, 3.34 ERA, 4.40 FIP, 4.30 xFIP, 10.20 K/9 (26.4%), 3.34 BB/9 (8.7%), 41.2% GB, 18.2% IFFB
The numbers at age 24 were very similar between the two. Varland missed more bats, walked a few more, and generated more pop ups than Adams, but Adams allowed fewer fly balls.

a24 - AAA
Adams - 19.0 IP, 5.21 ERA, 6.46 FIP, 5.90 xFIP, 4.26 K/9 (11.4%), 3.32 BB/9 (8.9%), 50.0% GB, 21.7% IFFB
Varland - 21.1 IP, 1.69 ERA, 2.29 FIP, 3.38 xFIP, 11.39 K/9 (32.1%), 1.27 BB/9 (3.6%), 35.3% GB, 22.7% IFFB
No contest. Adams was virtually unplayable last year in AAA as he couldn't generate any swings and misses while generating only 1 good line for a starter in 4 attempts, though his last appearance was limited as he was out of the bullpen. Varland was lights out dominant.

At age 25, Varland was almost immediately pitching for the MLB club, and holding his own until the scouting reports started getting out.

You're allowed to have your favorite players and just decide they're going to be great, but don't come to a factual debate only armed with feelings.

unplayable in AAA last year watch the games

first game 5ip 4 hits 3rr 3 walks not great but playable

2nd game 6ip 3hits 2er 1 wal I think they call that a quality start so playable I think

3rd game sucked 5ip 5er 7hits not good but managed to go 5  seen worse

4th game 3ip 3hits 1er 1bb nothing wrong with that 

so I guess your right unplayable

 

[bean5302]

3 hours ago, ryan189 said:

I could not imagine putting that much time into that because of a comment go outside smell some fresh air sorry it hurt you so much I'm not judging anyone on 19 innings at the end of a year first time in AAA  but I guess you know more then anyone

I could have just pulled some random quote out of my backside and tried to pass it off as fact, I suppose. Instead, I took 2 minutes to look up some data and type it out. It'll help other people who are wondering why Adams isn't higher in the depth chart.

FYI, just got in from taking the bike out for a test ride to make sure everything is in order after swapping in a new battery. It's nice out today!