Twins Minor League Report (6/15): Blankenhorn Blasts Way To Derby Title

Keep reading to find out more on the night in the Twins minor league system on Friday. As always, please feel free to discuss and ask questions.

TRANSACTIONS

• Jake Cave officially reported to Rochester after being sent down from Minnesota a day earlier. Joe Mauer was officially activated by the Twins, and they also recalled utility man Taylor Motter.
  
• Later in the day, the Red Wings announced that Trevor May was placed on their disabled list with some shoulder inflammation.
  

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 3, Buffalo 4

Box Score

The Red Wings scored two runs in the top of the ninth, but they needed a third run in order to tie as they fell to 30-34 on their season.

Zack Littell started. The right-hander gave up three runs on six hits over the first 5 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four. DJ Baxendale got the next four outs and was charged with only an unearned run. Luke Bard struck out one in the final inning.

Zack Granite led off and led the Red Wings offense. He went 2-for-3 with a walk.

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 1, Birmingham 4

Box Score

Kohl Stewart put together a good start, but the Lookout offense wasn’t able to provide any run support. Stewart gave up only an unearned run on four hits in five innings. He walked three and struck out five. Williams Ramirez came on and gave up three runs on three hits and a walk in an inning and a third. Sam Clay came on and got the final four outs, three of them on strikeouts.

Jimmy Kerrigan went 2-for-4. Tanner English was 2-for-3. Edgar Corcino had a single and a walk.

The Lookouts are now 35-33.

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers

Box Score

A large chunk of the Miracle roster was able to enjoy Day 1 of their All-Star break. However seven players were named to the Florida State League South All-Star roster.

On Friday night, infielder Travis Blankenhorn and Jayline Davis participated in the Home Run Derby. In the first round, Davis was eliminated after hitting three homers. Blankenhorn knocked eight home runs.He increased that number to 11 in the second round. He was even better in the finals where he hit 12 home runs to win the championship.

https://twitter.com/MiracleBaseball/status/1007767499549618176

In addition to Blankenhorn, the Miracle will be represented by RHP Tyler Wells, LHP Andrew Vasquez, 1B Lewin Diaz, OF Jaylin Davis and catcher Taylor Grzelakowski. OF Jimmy Kerrigan was also named to the team, but he was recently promoted to Double-A Chattanooga.

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 12, Peoria 4

Box Score

The Kernels’ offense showed up in a big way on Friday night. They scored 12 runs on 14 hits. Things got started quickly when Royce Lewis homerd in the first inning. It marked the fourth straight game that he has had a first-inning, extra-base hit. Lewis led the way, going 3-for-5 with his sixth homer and four RBI.

https://twitter.com/MiLB/status/1007849657039507456

The Kernels scored six runs in the fourth innings. Trey Cabbage drove in two with a double. Lewis drove in two with a single, and then Jose Miranda hit a two-run homer. Cabbage went 2-for-3 with a walk, his tenth double and three RBI. Miranda was 2-for-4 and the home run was his sixth of the year. Robby Rinn went 2-for-5 including his third Kernels homer. Andrew Bechtold had two hits including his eighth double.

Bryan Sammons was the beneficiary of the offensive support. The lefty put together a quality start. He gave up three runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out two to record his third win of the season. Melvi Acosta picked up his first save as he worked the final three innings. He gave up one run on two hits and two walks and struck one out.

The Kernels are now 32-35. They have two more games in Cedar Rapids before the Midwest League All-Star break. The Kernels will be represented by Jared Finkel, Brusdar Graterol, Royce Lewis and Alex Kirilloff in Lansing, Michigan. Kirilloff, who leads the league in home runs so far this season, will participate in the home run derby. Listen to the four of them discuss the All Star experience and what they’re looking forward to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=FBwVD2MnmxA

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Royce Lewis, Cedar Rapids Kernels (3-5, HR(6), 4 RBI)

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Kohl Stewart, Chattanooga Lookouts (5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0ER, 3 BB, 5 K)

PROSPECT SUMMARY

Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed:

#1 - Royce Lewis (Cedar Rapids) - 3-5, HR(6), 4 RBI, 2 R, K

#2 - Fernando Romero (Minnesota) - Did not pitch

#3 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - 0-3, BB

#4 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) - Did Not Pitch

#5 - Alex Kirilloff (Cedar Rapids) - 1-4, BB, K

#6 - Wander Javier - out of for the season

#7 - Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) - Did not play

#8 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) - Disabled List

#9 - Brusdar Graterol (Cedar Rapids) - Did Not Pitch

#10 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) - 0-4, BB, RBI

#11 - Zack Littell (Rochester) - 5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

#12 - Lewis Thorpe (Chattanooga) - Did not pitch

#13 - Lewin Diaz (Ft. Myers) - All Star break

#14 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) - 1-4, 2B(1), RBI, 2 K

#16 - Ben Rortvedt (Ft. Myers) - All Star Break

#17 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) - Florida State League Home Run Derby Champion

#18 - Yunior Severino (Extended Spring Training) -

#19 - Tyler Jay (Chattanooga) - Did Not Pitch

#20 - Felix Jorge (Chattanooga) - Disabled List, still no official timetable for return.

SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Buffalo (5:05 CST) - LHP Stephen Gonsalves (4-3, 5.89 ERA)

Chattanooga @ Montgomery (6:30 CST) - RHP Sean Poppen (0-3, 9.00 ERA)

Ft. Myers - Florida State League All Star Game (5:30 CST)

Peoria @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) - RHP Edwar Colina (2-2, 4.26 ERA)

Please feel free to ask any questions about Friday’s games, or ask any questions you may have.

Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!