Twins Minor League Report (5/9): Matthews Shines in Double-A Debut

Great report Ted & TD.  Can't wait to see the Kernels in person again later this summer.

That gives him a total of 37 strikeouts this year without issuing a single walk. 

Man, I'm getting excited about Zebby! 

Zebby Matthews was even better than his final stats. Through 6 innings, he threw 67 pitches and had 8 K's with, of course, no walks and one hit. Maybe got a little tired but he had the last batter but Schobel threw wildly to first base with two outs and two runs scored on the play.

Wichita has some good second basemen playing shortstop and the ball keeps finding them. I'm wondering if DeAndrade will be ready for a promotion in June.

Zebby is one step closer. Wallner had a good game but still struck-out twice, still the Mudhens' pitching was pretty awesome. 

37 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Wichita has some good second basemen playing shortstop and the ball keeps finding them. I'm wondering if DeAndrade will be ready for a promotion in June.

The Twins really only have two players in the minor league system who I see as a future MLB SS and that is De Andrade and Brooks Lee. That said, his bat isn't that much further ahead of where Noah Miller was last year at this time. De Andrade needs time at high A for his bat to develop.

Zebby is an example of the quality product being pumped out of the vaunted Minnesota Twins pitching pipeli... nevermind.

Zebby does have me excited, he is getting closer. From here anything can happen. 67 pitches, FF? That's impressive. Interesting about the look of his stuff DMan. I get it. Yes he's tossing mid 90's heat, but with the walk totals he's obviously right around the plate. It'll be interesting to see how this translates up the ladder. I've got to find the time to watch a few innings of this performance on MiLB TV.

Zebby looked great, totally unfazed by the step up in competition.

One of his breaking balls, I think the curveball, was a great out pitch last night.  Looked to have really good depth, staying in the zone a long time but just continuing to dive below the hitters bats.

I also liked how the few times he did fall behind he had multiple pitches to get back into the at bat.  There were two 2-0 counts in the last inning where he just grooved a back door slider into the outer third.

I don't think I saw too many changeups, which was one of the main weaknesses for Matthews last year and probably still the pitch he most needs to work on.

But just a fantastic, exciting start.

Great to see Matthews have an excellent first start in AA. Looking forward to seeing how he does against that level of competition and pitching in a hitter's environment in the Texas League. 

Pleased to see Balazovic have a good outing. He's been good the last several times out after a rocky start, so maybe he's starting to settle in to the season and is getting his legs under him as a reliever. He's got talent and those Ks are shiny; he just can't get himself in trouble with the walks. He could still be a bullpen option, and I'm glad he made it through waivers.

Yes I forgot to mention Balazovic, the forgotten man could be a key depth piece for this bullpen.

Don't know about the stuff yet, but I believe Miguel Cordero is the 3rd youngest player (by just a few days) to appear in the FCL this year, and by far the youngest pitcher (who are on average more than a year older than the hitters).

First appearance perfect with 4 punch outs in 3 innings.

Definitely going to be watching his progress.

The org has not really developed much pitching from their international signings at all, and I'm hoping that can start to change.

Will be fun to keep an eye on Zebbys progression. Varland really is fighting it. I think they give him two or three more starts. If he can't find any success by then, move him to the bullpen where he can be a power throwing weapon for the Twins like he was in the playoffs last year. We could use another good bullpen arm anyways...

Correction: just watched Tom F's video and Zebby had 90 pitches. On the season 38 strikeouts ZERO walks, smh.

Hitting 98 with the fastball.... Wowsers

Also noticed that Balazovic appears to have put together several very good outings in a row.  Kid was awfully good a few years ago at Wichita.  Does he still have it?  Sure would be nice if he helped the pen later this summer?

Also noticed Acuna now that the complex team is in action.  Recall he was awesome as a 16-year old in the DSL two years ago, then not so good in Fort Myers last year.  Its only a couple games, but lets hope some of that Acuna talent flowed into this young mans genes. 

55 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Will be fun to keep an eye on Zebbys progression. Varland really is fighting it. I think they give him two or three more starts. If he can't find any success by then, move him to the bullpen where he can be a power throwing weapon for the Twins like he was in the playoffs last year. We could use another good bullpen arm anyways...

Varland's 2 starts prior to yesterday weren't successful enough?  12 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, 13 K

I think there is more time to let him find some consistency.

Flying under the radar because of Zebby is ERod who had another productive night.  Time for him to see some AAA AB's.  His very high walk rate indicates he is being pitched around routinely.  

1 hour ago, Five minute major said:

Flying under the radar because of Zebby is ERod who had another productive night.  Time for him to see some AAA AB's.  His very high walk rate indicates he is being pitched around routinely.  

There are still going to be pitchers who will try him in AA. It's hardly going to hurt him to spend another month there: he's literally got 23 games in AA at age 21. he's still on a fast track if he moves up at midseason.

Every time Whorff has a good moment, I feel oddly compelled to post something akin to this... 🙃

Free Cespedes (or explain what exactly he still needs to work on at A)

1 hour ago, Dman said:

I don't know if you watched the game last night but I saw the at bat he got walked and ERod looked disinterested after the count went 0-2.  He knew the guy was going to walk him.  Once pitchers get behind in the count to him they seem to have little appetite to put things in the zone. In this at bat the pitcher did throw 0-3 strike down the middle but that was it.  Next ptich Rodriguez took his base.  Rodriguez know what he is doing at the plate.  Just needs to get\keep contact rate up and he is MLB ready IMO.

0-3 for a strike???

😉

13 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Hopefully, Lewis will be back in time for at least a half season of work

If we get really lucky, Canterino and Prielipp also pitch this year. Anyone hear anything about either one? They seem to be off everyone's radar, which is a bad sign.

I see Joey Wallner scored the Saints only run.