Twins Minor League Report (4/1): Zebby Matthews Wrecks the Clippers, Saints Dominate Again

14 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Keaschell ok?

He played in the field tonight at 2B. Since he’s been mostly DH all spring, I’m assuming they didn’t want him to play a full 9 innings.

Austin Martin had a couple of highlight plays in leftfield. Keaschall looked fine at second base considering the time off from field play in games. He did get hit on his hand but there wasn't a report during the game. Matthews looked really good and it seemed like he was using a few pitches to work on getting swings out of the zone. Much like Festa last week, Matthews could have gone 8 innings. It makes some sense to pull him early in consideration of a promotion by May. Tough to judge Adams because there was such a significant difference in stuff compared to Zebby, but Adams pitched well.

Austin Martin made a couple of really nice defensive plays in left field.  He had to go up and over the wall to get an out on a foul ball in the third, and then he nailed a runner at home with a nice throw for a double-play in the 6th.  

🥷

7 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Austin Martin had a couple of highlight plays in leftfield. Keaschall looked fine at second base considering the time off from field play in games. He did get hit on his hand but there wasn't a report during the game. Matthews looked really good and it seemed like he was using a few pitches to work on getting swings out of the zone. Much like Festa last week, Matthews could have gone 8 innings. It makes some sense to pull him early in consideration of a promotion by May. Tough to judge Adams because there was such a significant difference in stuff compared to Zebby, but Adams pitched well.

not tough to judge adams topped out a 96.3 no walks 1 hard hit the ball over the bag was foul and the first hit play was probably a error was a easy pick. zebby looked great the confidence is there looks like he has taken the next step  pitching so far has been lights out

18 minutes ago, Dman said:

Matthews was very efficient throwing 5 innings on 57 pitches to Adams 2.2 innings on 53 pitches. Zebby looked in control and the batters seemed so frustrated being down 0-2 all the time.  He just kept throwing strikes and it seemed like they wanted to make him work so they didn't swing early all that much.  It didn't work out well for them IMO.

The whole Saints team had lot's of good at bats making their pitchers work and they drew 10 walks.  It paid to be patient and players laid off of some tough pitches.  Approaches were very good for the most part all night.

Was not impressed with Cartaya.  It looked like he was trying to be patient but the swing just looks stiff to me with too much swing and miss.  Feels like a long way to with the bat IMO but it was cold out there so maybe when the weather warms he'll look better?

This is going to be a fun team to watch.  Probably more fun than watching the Twins.

11 pitch last batter for adams ran up the pitches on adams and the bad fielding in the first cost him a lot of pitches still had 7 whiffs to zebby 10 

7 hours ago, Dman said:

This is going to be a fun team to watch.  Probably more fun than watching the Twins.

It's early days, but you may be right on target with that assessment.

Very happy to see the Saints playing ball again, and more importantly to see these Minor League reports back for another season. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

It was only one start and he'll have to keep getting these results, but Zebby sure seems ready to take the next step. Now hitting 99 mph with his control sounds deadly. If Paddack continues to struggle and Mathews keeps this up, maybe they send Paddack to the pen as the long man and get Zebby up in the rotation a month or so from now.

1 minute ago, JD-TWINS said:

Paddack needs to shift to PEN - Monday’s 96-97MPH in first inning down to 91MPH in the third inning paints the picture on how he/his arm/team benefits by him throwing 1-2 inning outings with max effort in relief!!

He keeps showing that trend in the next start or two, your suggestion might be heeded by the Twins. 

Another great Saints game, I wished the Twins were rained out & Saints could play instead, Great pitching & great hitting. INFer Martin played a great LF & got on base 3X as a leadoff hitter.

10 hours ago, Dman said:

Was not impressed with Cartaya.  It looked like he was trying to be patient but the swing just looks stiff to me with too much swing and miss.  Feels like a long way to with the bat IMO but it was cold out there so maybe when the weather warms he'll look better?

Agree that Cartaya needs to work on his swing. He does seem to be improving on recognizing pitches compared to when I watched him a few times last season. Time will tell with his bat.

On the other hand, Cartaya looks pretty good behind the plate. He is quick blocking the ball. Cartaya is still young and if he can improve just a bit he has an MLB future. 

On 4/1/2025 at 10:48 PM, Dman said:

Was not impressed with Cartaya.  It looked like he was trying to be patient but the swing just looks stiff to me with too much swing and miss. 

That's why he was free.