Twins Minor League Report (8/14): This Silly Game We Love; One Affiliate Won 1-0, Another Lost 19-18

[Seth Stohs]

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (photo of Merphy Hernandez)

TRANSACTIONS   
It’s a rarity, but on Friday, there were no transactions in the organization.   

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul, Iowa (Postponed by rain) 
Box Score
I feel like I haven’t seen any rain for a month. But over the past 24 hours in Des Moines, they have had more than two inches of rain and it’s still coming down. So, Friday night’s game has been postponed, and the teams will attempt to play two games on Saturday.   

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 1, Corpus Christi 0
Box Score
It was a little cooler in Wichita on Friday than it was on Thursday. At game time on Thursday, the temperature was 104. On Friday night at first pitch, it was down to just 103 degrees. 

Wisely, the two teams decided to play a quick game. Wind Surge pitchers were fantastic. Preston Johnson made the start and tossed five shutout innings. He gave up just one hit, walked none, and had five strikeouts. Sam Armstrong came in next and struck out three batters over three scoreless innings. He gave up three hits. Hanging on to a 1-0 lead, Paulshawn Pasqualotto earned the save with a perfect ninth inning.  

Wichita pitchers gave up just four hits in the game. Wichita hitters recorded just four hits in the game. They also walked four times and twice were hit by pitches.

In the fourth inning, Brandon Winokur and Garrett Spain walked. With two outs, Jake Rucker came through with a line-drive single to center field. 

Rucker went 2-for-2 with a walk and the lone RBI. Spain had a single and a walk. 

KERNEL NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 0, Wisconsin 6
Box Score
One night after the Kernels shut out the Timber Rattlers, Wisconsin returned the favor by shutting out Cedar Rapids. 

Justin Mitrovich started and gave up one run on four hits over four innings. He walked three and had seven strikeouts. Merit Jones came in and gave up four runs (2 earned) on three hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings. He had four strikeouts. Mike McKenna came in and gave up an unearned run on three hits over the final 1 1/3 innings. He also had a balk and a wild pitch. 

The Kernels had just five hits and two walks in the game. They also struck out 13 times, nine of them credited to Ethan Dorchies who tossed 6 2/3 innings for the Rattlers. 

Jayson Bass went 1-for-2 with two walks. The team was 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base. 

The Rattlers are the High-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. For more on the Brewers, Rattlers and the Milwaukee organization, check out fellow DiamondCentric site, Brewer Fanatic. Most of their Top 20 prospects have spent time in Wisconsin this season but are now up in Biloxi including outfielder Braylan Payne who played in Cedar Rapids on Thursday and was promoted to Biloxi on Friday. #2 Prospect Luis Pena is a Top 20 global prospect and 2026 draft pick, and #16 Prospect Sawyer Strosnider are with the Rattlers. 

MIGHTY MATTERS
Fort Myers 10, Clearwater 12
Box Score
First the game was delayed. They started 66 minutes after the scheduled start time. And then they played the longest, nine-inning game of the season, three hours and 26 minutes. 

When the Threshers scored seven runs in the top of the fifth, it gave them a 12-4 lead. To that point, they had scored in each of the first five innings. 

To the Mussels' credit, they didn’t give up. Even in the bottom of the ninth, there was a short time when the game-tying run was at the plate. But the comeback came up shy. The Mussels scored 10 runs on 12 hits and seven walks. They also were 9-for-9 in stolen base attempts. 

Merphy Hernandez has become an intriguing prospect. On Friday night, he went 3-for-4 with a walk and four stolen bases. He now has 39 steals this season. Ramiro Dominguez went 2-for-4 with two walks and his 23rd and 24th doubles. He stole his 23rd base. Isaiah Lane was 2-for-5 with his third double and third triple. Luis Fragoza went 1-for-2 with two walks and his 11th and 12th steals. Charlie Scholvin went 1-for-3 with two walks and a stolen base. 

The only other extra base hit was off the bat of Vahn Lackey, his second triple. He also accomplished his first Golden Sombrero, his first four-strikeout game. While he will shortly be making the move north to Cedar Rapids (and rightfully so), he has hit just .200/.365/.350 (.715) with two doubles, two triples and five RBI.   

Cristian Hernandez made his second Mussels start. The 21-year-old gave up three runs on five hits in 1 2/3 innings. He struck out one batter. Brent Francisco came on and gave up four runs on five hits and a walk over 2 2/3 innings. Brad Rudis gave up five runs on four hits and a walk in 1 2/3 innings. Adam Falinski came in and gave his team what they needed, three shutout innings.

Of note, as I expected when the Twins traded Jhomnardo Reyes to the Orioles for Dean Kremer, the Twins promoted Yovanny Duran from the FCL Twins to the Mighty Mussels. In seven games, he has hit .231/.344/.423 (.767) with two doubles and a home run. He also has five walks to four strikeouts. Certainly not huge numbers, but having watched several of his plate appearances, he is holding his own. Jordan Smith has him hitting leadoff now, and he’s earned it with quality plate appearances. Defensively, he had two outfield assists on Friday night. And he won’t turn 19 until November 3rd.   

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
DSL Twins 18, DSL Phillies 19
Box Score
Most of the time when your offense starts the game with innings scoring three, three, five, and six, there’s a decent chance you’re going to win. Weird stuff can happen in the DSL. The DSL Phillies scored 11 runs in the first innings and then they scored four in the fifth inning and three more in the top of the sixth. The Phillies scored their 19 runs on 14 hits and 14 walks. The Twins scored 18 runs on 17 hits and five walks. Phillies defenders committed four errors. The Twins defense had five errors. 

Yosangel Braffit started and was charged with five runs in the first inning and got just one out. Aldwin Morillo came on and gave up six runs (5 earned) on three hits and three walks and he got just one out. Arthur de la Cruz came in and got the final out of the first inning. 

Braffit came back in for the second inning and went two scoreless innings. Like the rule or not, this is what it is meant for. And remember, the DSL players are six promotions from the big leagues. Stats are fairly meaningless. It’s all about development. Braffit could struggle, sit back down, think, get coached, overthink, and then go back on the mound and work on things. Miguel Martinez came in. He gave up one run on one hit and two walks and recorded just two outs. Jesus Moreno gave up four runs on three hits and three walks in 1 1/3 innings. Herkyn Taveras came on and worked the final two innings. He gave up three runs (1 earned) on four hits and a walk. 

Jhon Gonzalez went 4-for-5 with his fifth triple. He scored twice and drove in five runs. Jeferson Abreu went 2-for-4 with a walk, his eighth double, and his fifth home run. Fabian Ulloa went 2-for-4 with three runs and three RBI. Daiyer Barboza was 2-for-5. Abel Sosa was 2-for-5 with two RBI. Enmanuel Merlo was 2-for-4. Luis Duarte went 1-for-2 with two walks. Jendy Martinez went 1-for-3 with a walk and was hit by a pitch. He scored three runs and drove in two runs. 

PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Hitter(s) of the Day  
Merphy Hernandez (Fort Myers): 3-for-4, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI, 4 SB (39)
Jhon Gonzalez (DSL Twins): 4-for-5, 3B(5), 2 R, 5 RBI,  

Pitcher(s) of the Day 
Preston Johnson (Wichita): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 54 pitches, 42 strikes (77.8%)

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Check out the Prospect Tracker for much more on our Twins Top 20 prospects. See how they did today.   

UPCOMING PROBABLES
Saturday, August 15
St. Paul @ Iowa (DH @ 4:08 pm CT) - LHP Kendry Rojas (2-0, 3.72 ERA), RHP Trent Baker (3-3, 5.40 ERA) 
Corpus Christi @ Wichita (6:05 pm CT) - RHP Cory Lewis (1-7, 3.97 ERA)
Wisconsin @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 pm CT) - LHP Cesar Lares (0-5, 13.00 ERA) 
Clearwater @ Ft. Myers (5:05 pm CT) - RHP Ramiro Villanueva (0-4, 4.96 ERA)
FCL Twins - Season Complete. 
DSL Tigers @ DSL Twins (9:00 am CT) - No Game 

CURRENT W-L Records
Minnesota Twins: 60-63
St. Paul Saints: 66-50
Wichita Wind Surge: 45-65
Cedar Rapids Kernels: 44-66
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: 61-49
FCL Twins: 33-26
DSL Twins: 17-33 

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

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[terrydactyls]

Two Vahn Lackey comments.  First, on his triple, Clearwater's CF looked like Keaschall.  And second, every caught stealing looks identical.  Very fast to his feet; the exchange from glove to hand is even faster; his throw to second is a laser; and the arrival point is on the first base side of the base and no more than two feet off the ground.  I think this highlighted throw was the furthest from the tag that I've seen.  

[tarheeltwinsfan]

The Twins need to hire the Wichita Wind Surge PR person, who somehow convinced 6, 778 fans to attend a game in 103 degree weather. 

[rdehring]

I know Houston has been stealing a lot of bases.  Didn't realize he leads the organization with 47.  With his defense and speed, he doesn't have to hit a ton to be a valuable starter at short.  But it sure appears his bat is going to be the frosting on his cake.

Have been checking each day how Fragoza has been doing.  Looks like I am going to need to start checking on Duran also.

Looking forward to tonight's start by Rojas.  Is it likely he will be the extra pitcher added on September 1?

[LyleCole]

When I went to a recent Miracle  Mighty Mussel game, one guy that really needs to advance up the Twins prospect list is Luis Fragoza.   He is a pure hitter with a solid approach at the plate, and in the couple of chances I saw of him in RF he looks like a solid corner outfielder.  While speed is not his game, he is 16 SB with just 2 CS.  He is listed at 6-1  160 lbs but he has obviously added muscle to his frame and I would estimate he is at 190 lbs.  

I think he is a much better prospect than Reyes, whom we traded.   He now has 30 XBH with 13 HR.   He is hitting .316 with a .587 slugging percentage.   He will turn 20 in late October so he is facing competition that is an average of 2.0 years older.   Lots of time to work him through the minors and see if he can continue this approach as he moves to higher competition levels.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

1 hour ago, rdehring said:

I know Houston has been stealing a lot of bases.  Didn't realize he leads the organization with 47.  With his defense and speed, he doesn't have to hit a ton to be a valuable starter at short.  But it sure appears his bat is going to be the frosting on his cake.

Have been checking each day how Fragoza has been doing.  Looks like I am going to need to start checking on Duran also.

Looking forward to tonight's start by Rojas.  Is it likely he will be the extra pitcher added on September 1?

47 steals so far this year is very impressive by Houston. Plus, plus defense at the key defensive position and.... hitting .300 this year. I am ready for Houston's debut with the Twins.

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

47 steals so far this year is very impressive by Houston. Plus, plus defense at the key defensive position and.... hitting .300 this year. I am ready for Houston's debut with the Twins.

Houston's past 10 games .167/.271/.190 OPS .461 wRC+ 28, 10.4% BB, 35.4% K.

[twinstalker]

4 hours ago, terrydactyls said:

Two Vahn Lackey comments.  First, on his triple, Clearwater's CF looked like Keaschall.  And second, every caught stealing looks identical.  Very fast to his feet; the exchange from glove to hand is even faster; his throw to second is a laser; and the arrival point is on the first base side of the base and no more than two feet off the ground.  I think this highlighted throw was the furthest from the tag that I've seen.  

Four strikeouts in a game at low A is not something a first rounder does, much less a college guy, third pick in the draft.  If this isn't concerning to someone, that someone doesn't understand what makes a good prospect and how absolutely rare this is.  Low A for college first rounders is simply a place for the organization to keep an eye on the guy, make sure he's not a lemon, before moving up.  Lackey has 15 Ks in 52 PA (29%), and at this level a college first rounder should have a K rate of around 10%

[tarheeltwinsfan]

6 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Houston's past 10 games .167/.271/.190 OPS .461 wRC+ 28, 10.4% BB, 35.4% K.

He's in a slump.

[bean5302]

15 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

He's in a slump.

Yes, he is. Maybe the Twins are waiting to see if he comes out of it before promoting him even to AAA, much less MLB 🙄

[tarheeltwinsfan]

21 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Houston's past 10 games .167/.271/.190 OPS .461 wRC+ 28, 10.4% BB, 35.4% K.

Good point.