Twins Minor League Report (5/23): The Future Is Bright

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 1, Norfolk 2

Box Score

The Red Wings fell to the Tides in a game that lasted less than two and half hours. And that brevity was thanks to a lack of offense from both lineups.

Tyler Duffey made his 2015 AAA debut (and fourth career AAA start) on Saturday. His seven-inning effort, which included six strikeouts, six hits and two earned runs on 98 pitches (62 strikes) was eerily similar to his AAA debut last year: six innings, seven strikeouts, two runs on five hits, 96 pitches and 60 strikes. Of course, he took the loss today (and got credit for a win last year). Duffey took the rotation spot of Alex Meyer, who was shifted to the bullpen.

The only bullpen work went to the rehabbing Casey Fien who pitched one inning. He faced four batters, retiring three and walking the other.

Kennys Vargas doubled and had two hits. He was DHing for the Wings and had the team’s only “run production” with his one RBI. Eric Farris and Danny Ortiz also doubled.

Rochester is clinging to a small lead over Pawtucket in the IL North.

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 11, Mobile 3

Box Score

This team. Wow.

Just looking at Saturday’s lineup - with the exception of Heiker Meneses, Mike Gonzales and possibly Stuart Turner - you’re looking at a group of guys that could conceivably be the crux of the Twins lineup.

Byron Buxton, who went 3-for-5 with his 11th triple and 13th stolen base and three runs scored, is the future in center field and leadoff hitter.

Jorge Polanco might be the organization’s best shortstop right now. He scored three runs on three singles and a walk and is batting .309. He did commit his eighth error of the season.

Miguel Sano drove in three runs and finished a home run short of the cycle. He’s up to .250 now.

Travis Harrison, Max Kepler and Adam Brett Walker combined to go 5-for-15 with two doubles and four runs scored and batted in. Those are three corner bats that are taking off this year… in an organization that suddenly has tons of corner bats.

And that’s not even all the prospects.

Jose Berrios wasn’t great tonight, but he managed to survive six innings. He allowed two runs on a walk and six hits. He struck out five. Berrios was not his normal self, throwing only 55 strikes in 88 pitches. And while his inefficiency didn’t cost him runs, it did keep him from going deeper into the game.

Jake Reed gave up an unearned run in two innings. He struck out four.

Tim Shibuya finished it off with a scoreless ninth.

The Lookouts improve to 27-16.

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 3, Brevard County 1

Box Score

Lots of good news coming from Fort Myers on a Saturday night that ended with a Miracle victory.

Kohl Stewart was making his third start post-injury and he didn’t appear to show any lasting effects. According to Brice Zimmerman, the Miracle’s announcer, Stewart was sitting in the 92-94 mph range with his fastball and was mixing in some sliders. While there is no official pitch count, he did complete seven innings, allowing only four hits and one run. He struck out five and picked up his first ever FSL win.

Brandon Peterson picked up a hold with a scoreless eighth, but the fireworks started when J.T. Chargois came in to pitch a perfect ninth inning. He touched 99 multiple times on the gun and even flashed a 100 (though the official reading was only 99.9 mph). He struck out two and picked up his 4th save.

While there is no indication that it’s going to happen, I would like to see Chargois in Chattanooga to see if he and Burdi could malfunction any radar guns.

Offensively, there isn’t much to speak of. They did just enough to win. Bryan Haar had two hits and the only extra base hit (a double). He drove in two runs and scored once. Chad Christensen scored the other two runs.

Ryan Walker got a hit in his high-A debut and Alex Swim got another hit - but only one - and dropped his batting average to .335.

Fort Myers climbed to within one game of .500 (21-22).

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 6, Beloit 7 (10 innings)

Box Score

After battling back from a three-run deficit in the ninth inning, the Kernels were unable to complete their comeback, losing to Beloit in 10 innings.

There was plenty of offense tonight; unfortunately, there was more offense from the home team at Pohlman Field than from the visitors.

Only Max Murphy failed to record a hit, with Blake Schmit, Trey Vavra, Brett Doe and Pat Kelly all having two hits. Schmit hit his first low-A home run and also stole his first base. Schmit drove in two runs as did Zack Larson. Nick Gordon went 1-for-5 with two strikeouts and a walk.

Keaton Steele made his first start in full-season ball and was bounced in the fifth inning. He allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks. Three fly balls left the park. He did strike out six and got eight ground ball outs, which is encouraging.

Jose Velez gave up a home run and struck out four in 2.1 innings.

Michael Cederoth, who ‘s been in the pen for the last week after making six starts to begin the season, took the loss. He gave up five hits and the winning run in the tenth. He struck out three in 2.1 innings.

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Kohl Stewart

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Miguel Sano

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester at Norfolk (12:05 CST) – LHP Tommy Milone

Cedar Rapids at Peoria (2:00 CST) – RHP Zach Tillery

Chattanooga at Mobile (2:05 CST) – RHP Greg Peavey

Ft. Myers vs Brevard County (3:05 CST) – RHP Aaron Slegers

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