Twins Minor League Report (8/5): Ryan Gallagher Sits 'Em Down

[Matt Braun]

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (photo of Ryan Gallagher)

TRANSACTIONS
No moves were made on Wednesday.

Saints Sentinel
St. Paul 4, Louisville 1
Box Score
Ryan Gallagher: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
HR: None
Multi-hit games: Kaelen Culpepper (2-for-4, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI), Gabriel Gonzalez (2-for-4)

The Saints breezed to a win on Wednesday.

Don’t look back in anger? Sure. But many Louisville hitters must have stared backwards in angst or frustration. Ryan Gallagher was a menace: the righty whiffed a season-high nine across an also season-high six innings of work, allowing a lone earned run in the process. He earned 12 swing-and-misses over 80 pitches. It was a superlative performance from a hurler who entered the day with an ERA over 6 with St. Paul, and ends it at… 5.99. a  A step in a journey that hopefully has many more like this.

The Saints did need many runs on the day, so the mild four-score (no Lincoln) total they received turned out to be plenty. Kaelen Culpepper started out the day with a double whacked off rehabbing big leaguer Nick Lodolo, and a Gabriel Gonzalez single and Walker Jenkins double play ushered in the first run of the game.

Three empty frames begat a fruitful middle-innings excursion, in which Culpepper once more dropped his barrel on a low Lodolo changeup for a double—this time to plate two. Cody Morissette then smacked a two-bagger the next inning to score the fourth and final run of the day.

Ruddy Gomez, Marco Raya, and Julian Merryweather combined for three scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Merryweather struck out three to earn the save.

The Bats are an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, who recently called up outfielder Héctor

Rodríguez, a long-time antagonist in these writeups. In his stead, infielder Leo Balcazar, ranked 16th on the team, served as the best prospect on Wednesday. He went 0-4. 

Wind Surge Wisdom
Wichita 7, NW Arkansas 6
Box Score
Sam Armstrong: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
HR: Graham Brown (1)
Multi-hit games: Khadim Diaw (2-for-3, R, 2 BB)

A late surge delivered a win to Wichita on Wednesday.

Down two in the fifth, the Wind Surge decided to run wild. Marek Houston stole, and then stole some more, concluding his odyssey with a safe swipe of third. Then Khadim Diaw walked. Of course he stole second. A wild pitch advanced Houston to the dugout, high-fiving his teammates, while Diaw took third. A Brandon Winokur sacrifice fly plated the trailing Diaw. 

Wichita returned the following inning to plate one more, with Kyle DeBarge doubling and Jay Thomason singling to send the Wind Surge into the lead.

Naturally, NW Arkansas responded with immediate vigor. A lead for all of a deep breath. Three scored on a homer and—like Wichita before them—they tagged on one more run in a follow-up inning.

That could have been the game. Better teams have folded in such a scenario. But Wichita’s batters felt themselves in a vengeful mood—and they struck with a violent, deadly, deciding blow. Three walks fattened the bases. One pitcher gave way to another. Fortune remained displeased. The incoming Zachary Cawyer surrendered one of the free passes before settling in against Graham Brown. He fired a fastball to the outfielder and Brown crushed the offering to center, sending the ball over the fence for a grand slam, his first AA hit.

Drew Beam, the starter for the Naturals on Wednesday, ranks as the 12th-best prospect in the Royals system. He allowed three earned runs in six innings. 

Kernels Nuggets
The Kernels attempted to play but were thwarted by mother nature, who ended matters in the bottom of the 3rd in a 1-1 game. The match will be continued on August 6th. 

Mussel Matters
Fort Myers 4, Bradenton 2
Box Score
Callan Fang: 3 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
HR: None
Multi-hit games: Aidan Teel (2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI), Quentin Young (2-for-4, R)

The Mighty Mussels were victorious on Wednesday.

This was not the offensive explosion of Sunday’s match; rather, this time, the Mighty Mussels proved they had finesse, too, and turned six hits and six walks into four runs.

How? Let’s see together. A Quentin Young single, a Charlie Scholvin hit by pitch, and a wild pitch placed two on with one out. Yovanny Duran grounded out to coax Young home. The third continued the shenanigans. With the walks and passed balls and the like. Two free passes set up Aidan Teel with an opportunity to crack the game in half, and he did exactly that, driving in a run with a double mere inches away from a homer. No problem: Bryce Fowler cleaned up the scraps with a two-run single. 

The aforementioned Fowler was an undrafted signee out of the University of Alabama. He literally signed over the past weekend. Perhaps he and Connor Prielipp and Riley Quick can wax mirthfully on the days of Nick Saban in years of yonder. 

Callan Fang tossed a season-high 63 pitches across 3 1/3 innings of work, allowing one earned run. He struck out four and walked three. Michael Hilker netted an old-school save with 2 1/3 frames to end the game, striking out five without allowing a run. Somewhere, Goose Gossage smiles (probably not). 

Bradenton shortstop Wyatt Sanford ranks as the fourth-best prospect in the Pirates’ system. He homered once in four at-bats.

Dominican Daily
The DSL Twins did not play as rain poured down and washed away any possibility of a game.

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Ryan Gallagher
Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Graham Brown

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed. Click here to rank your post-trade deadline Top 20 prospects now. 

#1 – Walker Jenkins (St. Paul) - 0-4
#2 – Vahn Lackey (Fort Myers) - 0-2, BB, K
#3 – Kaelen Culpepper (St. Paul) - 2-4, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI, 2 K
#5 – Marek Houston (Wichita) - 1-5, R, 2 K
#7 – Eduardo Tait (Cedar Rapids) - 2-4, BB
#11 – Gabriel Gonzalez (St. Paul) - 2-4, K
#13 – Carson Tinney (Fort Myers) - 0-3, R, BB, 2 K
#14 – Khadim Diaw (Wichita) - 2-3, R, 2 BB
#15 – Brandon Winokur (Wichita) - 1-4, RBI, K
#17 – Quentin Young (Fort Myers) - 2-4, R, K
#18 – Ryan Gallagher (St. Paul) - 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
Louisville @ St. Paul (7:07 PM) - RHP Zebby Matthews
Wichita @ NW Arkansas (7:05 PM) - RHP Ty Langenberg
Cedar Rapids @ South Bend (6:05 PM) - RHP Adrian Bohorquez
Fort Myers @ Bradenton (5:30 PM) - RHP Matt Barr
DSL Nationals @ DSL Twins (10:00 AM) - TBD

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[wesnewy]

I don't know much about Ryan Gallagher. Is he someone with some upside? I see he is only 23 and has struggled so far in AAA this year.

[DJL44]

5 hours ago, wesnewy said:

I don't know much about Ryan Gallagher. Is he someone with some upside? I see he is only 23 and has struggled so far in AAA this year.

5th starter or middle reliever upside.

[Jack Pine]

Zebby starting for the Saints now?  

[Dman]

That was a great line for Gallagher, but that Bats team only has two hitters with a .900 OPS and the rest aren't that good.  I went back and watched and his changeup was really good as was the high fastball but he only throws 91-93.  So it look like 5th starter stuff or maybe long relief as highest upside unless things change.  Still a great night for him.

I was just saying yesterday maybe Culpepper needs a few weeks with the bat and now he has looked good the last three games.  Getting hit's off rehabbing major leaguers makes him look good as well.  A few more good games and I wouldn't be surprised to see him called up.

Small sample size, but Aiden Teal seems have a good approach and is starting off well at A ball.  I wonder if he might exceed expectation's?  

[Old Twins Hat]

I guess the formula for Twins' management is to not allow young MLB players to accrue service time during a work stoppage.  That or they've been so focused on pitching they haven't really thought about how to get more offense from AAA. 

Either way, it's a glaringly poor show: three catchers, Tristan Gray, a lot of lefty outfielders with potential, and of course, Buxton on the IL.

The window is closing.

 

[jmlease1]

7 hours ago, wesnewy said:

I don't know much about Ryan Gallagher. Is he someone with some upside? I see he is only 23 and has struggled so far in AAA this year.

He was a nice acquisition at last year's deadline for half a season of Willi Castro, maybe he can become something.  I think he probably ends up as a middle reliever, but you never know. Will probably be starting in AAA next season and won't need to be added to the 40-man yet, so they'll give him some time to develop. If he can find some consistency he'll get more interesting? Seems like he settled down a little in July after a pretty rough intro to AAA so he's worth keeping an eye on to see how his season finishes. I wouldn't rank him in the top 20 prospects or anything, but there could be something there.

I would like the Twins to quit dinking around and call up Culpepper. Sure he was probably pressing a bit when he came back in July, but he seems to have put that behind him nicely. How many more games do we need him to get in AAA to show he's "ready"?

[MMMordabito]

I know there is an easy "I don't care about Prospect Promotion Incentives" response to this, but ...

The FO could be considering PPI for both Jenkins and Culpepper next season.  

[rdehring]

49 minutes ago, Dman said:

That was a great line for Gallagher, but that Bats team only has two hitters with a .900 OPS and the rest aren't that good.  I went back and watched and his changeup was really good as was the high fastball but he only throws 91-93.  So it look like 5th starter stuff or maybe long relief as highest upside unless things change.  Still a great night for him.

I was just saying yesterday maybe Culpepper needs a few weeks with the bat and now he has looked good the last three games.  Getting hit's off rehabbing major leaguers makes him look good as well.  A few more good games and I wouldn't be surprised to see him called up.

Small sample size, but Aiden Teal seems have a good approach and is starting off well at A ball.  I wonder if he might exceed expectation's?  

Last night's start by Gallagher got me wanting to know more about him.  Thanks, Dman and jmlease for your comments.  Would he be the next man up after Zebby and Rojas, should the Twins need more starters?  Speaking of Zebby, will be interesting to see if he makes his start tonight.  With Ryan flying back to the Twins Cities to meet with the doctors today, Zebby's next start might be with the Twins.

Don't know if I have ever seen baserunning like Wichita last night.  Houston stole two bags and Diaw three, including each stealing third.  Love it!  

Agree with those above who would like to see Culpepper with the Twins, soon.  

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

1 hour ago, Old Twins Hat said:

I guess the formula for Twins' management is to not allow young MLB players to accrue service time during a work stoppage.  That or they've been so focused on pitching they haven't really thought about how to get more offense from AAA. 

Either way, it's a glaringly poor show: three catchers, Tristan Gray, a lot of lefty outfielders with potential, and of course, Buxton on the IL.

The window is closing.

 

The equation this year is not the normal cost.   Also the accruing of time is not the primary cost to consider this year.  .  

1. In a lockout players on the 40 man cannot work or communicate with coaches or work in facilities starting December 1st.  

2. They cannot play in the minor leagues if a lockout occurs.  

3. If they play in more than 45 games they lose status for rookie of the year awards and draft compensation.  

Tristan Gray and Jackson are not the reason we are losing games.   This gets exhausting.   Last night Caratini hitting in the double play with bases loaded and 0 outs and the Home Run off Minter was the difference maker.  

[Dman]

16 minutes ago, rdehring said:

 Would he be the next man up after Zebby and Rojas, should the Twins need more starters?  Speaking of Zebby, will be interesting to see if he makes his start tonight.  

I could be wrong, but just given he has been pushed so fast to AAA and hasn't been consistent and doesn't even have a ton of experience there it seems unlikely he'd be next arm up.  

It's not overly dominant stuff though it has played up at times, but I don't think they'd want to add him to the 40 man early. They'd likely go with an older arm they wouldn't be afraid to lose on the waiver wire.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Tait and Young both are heating up.  For younger hitters they can be streaky - but I think they are both adjusting to the level they are playing in.  Their is long road for young with an extremely high strikeout rate, but its good to see both making some hard contact and getting on base.   

Gallagher had a nice night.   All of the pitching in the minors seems to have turned a corner after the deadline.  

Those hitters we took in the 10th through 15th round of this years draft all look solid.  Schlovin and his HBP make me laugh. 

Teel  .389/.476/.500

Turner  .294/.478/.471

Lane   .300/.364/.700

Schlovin   .333/.571/.333  (He had a 13% HBP rate in college and is continuing it with 3 HBP in 14 PA)  -  14 PA    3 hits, 2 BB 3 HBP

 

Schlovin's upside is likely limited compared to the other 3. However I have a feeling I am going to enjoy tracking him doing everything he can to help his team and taking HBP at an extremely high rate.   

Collectively this might be the most advanced group of hitters we have drafted since I have followed the team.  Even though Tinneys average is down,  all of them are taking professional at bats.    

At this point I just hope next year the pitchers from this draft show as much promise as the hitters are showing.  

 

[Mike Sixel]

Diaw is really getting my attention this year. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

5 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Diaw is really getting my attention this year. 

Diaw has been solid.  Still questionable on whether he is a catcher or not,  but the bat definitely appears to play.  

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Diaw has been solid.  Still questionable on whether he is a catcher or not,  but the bat definitely appears to play.  

I'd move him to the OF full time at this point, but I don't think it hurts to have him catch. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Lackey has now thrown out 5 attempted base steals  out of 12 total attempts.   Pretty dang impressive.  The throw is very low to the ground and easy for the SS to apply the tag.  On a line every time.  

[jmlease1]

8 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Diaw is really getting my attention this year. 

Mine too. I see him as more of a trade asset than a likely MLB Twin right now (I think the team is higher on Tait's potential?) but if he continues to hit  with his athleticism he'll find a defensive home even if it's not at catcher long term. But I have no problem with continuing to give him time there right now, because he's still doing ok there. I'll be interested to see how he finishes the season, especially in terms of the pop in his bat. If can hit a few more doubles in Wichita through the end of the season it should be pretty fun. if he's getting 25-30 doubles along with the occasional dinger, that'll be a profile that works with his contact skills, speed, and understanding of the strike zone.

It'll be interesting to see how they arrange their catchers in the organization next season. Really fun to see them have real organizational prospect depth at that spot, rather than hoping an Andrew Cossetti type might figure something out...

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

1 minute ago, jmlease1 said:

Mine too. I see him as more of a trade asset than a likely MLB Twin right now (I think the team is higher on Tait's potential?) but if he continues to hit  with his athleticism he'll find a defensive home even if it's not at catcher long term. But I have no problem with continuing to give him time there right now, because he's still doing ok there. I'll be interested to see how he finishes the season, especially in terms of the pop in his bat. If can hit a few more doubles in Wichita through the end of the season it should be pretty fun. if he's getting 25-30 doubles along with the occasional dinger, that'll be a profile that works with his contact skills, speed, and understanding of the strike zone.

It'll be interesting to see how they arrange their catchers in the organization next season. Really fun to see them have real organizational prospect depth at that spot, rather than hoping an Andrew Cossetti type might figure something out...

I would assume Diaw moves to AAA with Olivar.   Tait if he continues this hot streak the remainder of the year very well could end up in AA to start the year.  Then Lackey and Jimenez in A+.  Tinney in A with either Carabello or Prather.  

[DataNerd]

11 hours ago, wesnewy said:

I don't know much about Ryan Gallagher. Is he someone with some upside? I see he is only 23 and has struggled so far in AAA this year.

He's legit, consensus 11-20 in the org.  Fastball gets good movement but only averages 93, cutter/changeup/slider all have been solid but unspectacular at missing bats.  He looks more like a back of the rotation starter, could be mid-rotation if the fastball ticks up, imo probably heads to the pen to get that velocity and becomes a 7th inning guy

[DJL44]

3 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

I would like the Twins to quit dinking around and call up Culpepper. Sure he was probably pressing a bit when he came back in July, but he seems to have put that behind him nicely. How many more games do we need him to get in AAA to show he's "ready"?

Eight

[FlyingFinn]

1 hour ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Tait if he continues this hot streak the remainder of the year very well could end up in AA to start the year.  Then Lackey and Jimenez in A+.

Tait and Lackey will be interesting. Lackey is older and played college. He should move faster and should surpass Tait at some point, possibly even at the start of next year. Do we really want both on the same team if we want each to catch more than 50% of the time (I haven't paid attention if Tait is currently playing catcher more than 50% of their games)?

[Mike Sixel]

6 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Tait and Lackey will be interesting. Lackey is older and played college. He should move faster and should surpass Tait at some point, possibly even at the start of next year. Do we really want both on the same team if we want each to catch more than 50% of the time (I haven't paid attention if Tait is currently playing catcher more than 50% of their games)?

I don't think either needs to catch half the time. I'd have them together next week. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

14 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Tait and Lackey will be interesting. Lackey is older and played college. He should move faster and should surpass Tait at some point, possibly even at the start of next year. Do we really want both on the same team if we want each to catch more than 50% of the time (I haven't paid attention if Tait is currently playing catcher more than 50% of their games)?

Most times they are carrying 3 catchers.  They really seem to be trying to minimize the wear and tear so most players playing a secondary position - Diaw OF, Tait DH (43 games out of 91), Even in a 50/50 split that isn't the worst outcome.  I could argue Lackey might be the best thing for Tait.  A peer that could naturally push him and give him some helpful pointers that isn't just coming from a coach.  Sooner or later they will be at the same level.  

[purplesoldier4u]

3 hours ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Tristan Gray and Jackson are not the reason we are losing games.   This gets exhausting.   Last night Caratini hitting in the double play with bases loaded and 0 outs and the Home Run off Minter was the difference maker.  

Witt's GG play was the reason Caratini didn't get a base hit and two RBI. If you're going to place blame, give some credit too.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Just now, purplesoldier4u said:

Witt's GG play was the reason Caratini didn't get a base hit and two RBI. If you're going to place blame, give some credit too.

To be fair due to the inability to watch Twins games live I get to follow on ESPN Gamecast.  In either case, We went from odds of scoring 2+ runs to the result of only getting 1 run.   There are always game changing plays and Witt is a game changer.   Even still the Twins are on the verge of being swept and in the last 2 series with the royal have been outplayed significantly.   The anemic offense continues to haunt.  

[jmlease1]

32 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Most times they are carrying 3 catchers.  They really seem to be trying to minimize the wear and tear so most players playing a secondary position - Diaw OF, Tait DH (43 games out of 91), Even in a 50/50 split that isn't the worst outcome.  I could argue Lackey might be the best thing for Tait.  A peer that could naturally push him and give him some helpful pointers that isn't just coming from a coach.  Sooner or later they will be at the same level.  

Lackey also played some 3B last year in college, maybe that could be a spot where he gets some reps if they just want him getting more ABs and there isn't enough DH time. I'm not super worried about how they will divide it up, just think it'll be interesting.

Would not be surprised to see Diaw in AAA to start next season, with Tait & Lackey in AA. But no matter how it shakes out, this is a really good problem to have...