Twins Minor League Report (7/31): Organizational Newcomers Shine

TRANSACTIONS

With all the trade activity, it was a busy day for transactions:

• Rochester (AAA): Trevor May was recalled by the Twins and would make his first MLB appearance since Tommy John surgery. Welcome back, Trevor! Chase De Jong and Tyler Austin were assigned to the Red Wings after their trades were made official.
  
• Chattanooga (AA): Assigned to the Lookouts after swapping organizations, were Devin Smeltzer and Luke Raley. Starter Tyler Wells was also promoted to the Lookouts from Fort Myers.
  
• Fort Myers (A+): Tom Hackimer was reinstated from the disabled list to take Wells' roster spot.
  
• Elizabethton (Rk+): Luis Rijo was assigned to the E-Twins after coming over from the Yankees for Lance Lynn. Pitcher Cole Sands was also moved from the 7-day DL to the 60-day.
  
• Gulf Coast Twins (Rk-): Zach Featherstone was placed on the 60-day DL.
  

RED WINGS REPORT

Scranton/WB 3, Rochester 8

Box Score

The Red Wings jumped on RailRiders bullpen contingent for this game, taking a 5-1 lead after three innings.

Four of those runs came in the third inning, where newcomer Tyler Austin homered to lead it off in his second at-bat in the organization, his seventh home run in Triple-A this year and 15^th overall (with eight in MLB). Oh, and it was a BOMB:

https://twitter.com/RocRedWings/status/1024451433393926145

Later in the frame the other three runs came across on a homer from Jon Kemmer, who was traded to the Twins in early July for cash. It also was his first in the organization.

Fernando Romero made the start for Rochester and was his usual self for the first six frames, allowing just one run (a HR) on two hits while striking out four. In the seventh he ran into trouble, surrendering two runs on three hits and two walks around a double-play ball to finish 6 2/3 solid innings. Reliever Jake Reed finished off the seventh and added two more scoreless frames. He did not allow a hit, walked two, and struck out two in picking up his second save of the year.

The offense added some insurance in the bottom of the seventh, courtesy of a Taylor Motter three-run home run. Motter (2-for-5, R, HR, 3 RBI, K), Willians Astudillo (2-for-5, R, RBI), LaMonte Wade (2-for-5, 2 K), and Kemmer (3-for-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI) each collected multiple hits in the victory.

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga @ Tennessee (Postponed due to rain)

The Lookouts were unable to even their series with the Tennessee Smokies due to rain on Tuesday. They will play a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 4:00PM CST. LHP Dietrich Enns was the scheduled starter today, with LHP Lewis Thorpe probable for your regularly scheduled tilt tomorrow.

MIRACLE MATTERS

Jupiter 2, Fort Myers 3

Box Score

With the score tied at one in the fourth inning, the rains throughout the area on Tuesday came into play, causing a delay and subsequently ending Charlie Barnes' start.

To that point Barnes had allowed just one run while scattering four hits and two walks in his 3 1/3 innings. He struck out one and was at 61 pitches before the interruption.

Adam Bray was summoned from the bullpen when play resumed and went 2 2/3 innings to get the Miracle to the seventh. He allowed one run (solo-HR) on three hits and struck out four. Hector Lujan then came on and finished the game with three scoreless innings. He gave up three hits, walked one, and struck out four to pick up his fourth win.

He got the W as his offense was able to scratch across single runs in the first, fifth, and eighth innings. Royce Lewis led off the game for the Miracle with his fifth double in the Florida State League and would score the games first run on a sac fly from Alex Kirilloff. In the fifth it was an RBI double from Taylor Grzelakowski, and another sac fly from Brandon Lopez in the eighth. Grzelakowski finished the game 3-for-4 to lead his team and despite going 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position on the game, the Fort Myers offense was able to do just enough.

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 8, Quad Cities 1

Box Score

The Kernels offense broke open a scoreless game in the fourth inning, sending ten men to the plate and scoring six of them. Akil Baddoo got it started by leading off with his 19^th double and Jose Miranda brought him in with a single for the first run of the game. They were followed by two-RBI doubles from both Jacob Pearson and Michael Davis. Gabriel Maciel drove in his first run for his new organization with a single to cap the scoring.

In the fifth, Cedar Rapids added two more runs as Miranda and Ryan Jeffers hit back-to-back home runs to start it. It was Miranda’s 14^th on the season, and Jeffers' second with the Kernels since being promoted a week ago.

On the bump for the visiting team, was right-hander Edwar Colina. He allowed just one run on five hits and two walks in six innings, notching a quality start. He also struck out seven and lowered his ERA to under 3.00 on the year. That lone run came on a solo homer in the fourth.

Jose Martinez picked up a three-inning save, his fourth of the year with three hitless innings in relief. He walked one and struck out two while needing just 27 pitches. Martinez also got an at-bat in this one (a K) as Cedar Rapids had lost their designated hitter after an injury to catcher David Banuelos (Jeffers took his spot behind the dish).

Jeffers led the lineup with a three-hit night in five trips and his double was his fifth in seven games with the Kernels, while Miranda and Davis each added two hits to the effort.

E-TWINS E-TALK

Elizabethton 8, Johnson City 5

Box Score

Another two of the Twins newest prospects had big games in this one. The first was outfielder Gilberto Celestino, who came in the Ryan Pressly deal with the Astros, reaching base in all five of his plate appearances. Those included three singles, a double, and a walk that also led to two runs scored and two RBIs. (I don’t know about you, but I like these new guys so far). He also stole his first base and was caught stealing once.

The second was 2018 first-round pick, Trevor Larnach. He launched his first two home runs of his professional career, both solo shots. He led off the second inning with his first, and added his second to lead off the ninth. He also drew a walk. His first of the night was captured on video, so enjoy:

https://twitter.com/kylee_rucker/status/1024447557735538691

The E-Twins also got multi-hit efforts Trevor Casanova (2-for-3, R, RBI, 2 BB), Alex Robles (2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, BB), and Lean Marrero (2-for-4).

Given a 2-0 lead before he took the mound, starter Kody Funderburk ran into too much trouble in the second inning, and he was not able to finish it. In 1 2/3 innings he allowed four runs on four hits and two walks. He struck out one. Tanner Howell came on to limit the damage in that inning and did so along with three more scoreless frames. He allowed three hits and a walk while striking out four. As Elizabethton took the lead back while he was on the mound, he also picked up his first professional win.

Johan Quezada was up next and was effectively wild, allowing only an unearned run on two hits and three walks in two innings, striking out one. Zach Neff picked up his third save with two scoreless innings to end it, allowing one hit and striking out four.

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Orioles 3, GCL Twins 1 (Game Suspended in fifth inning)

Box Score

This one was suspended after a leadoff walk from Christian Cavaness in the bottom of the fifth with the score 3-1 in favor of the Orioles.

The Twins lone run to that point came on an RBI single from Erick Rivera in the fourth. The Orioles pushed three across in the second against Twins starter Tyler Benninghoff. In his four innings Benninghoff gave up those runs on two hits and three walks while striking out two. Erik Cha had come in for a one-two-three fifth, striking out two before the rain became too much to continue.

It’s likely this game will be completed tomorrow after the Orioles and Twins meet again for their regularly scheduled game.

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day – Edwar Colina, Cedar Rapids Kernels (W, 6IP, ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 7 K)

Twins Daily Hitter(s) of the Day – Trevor Larnach, Elizabethton Twins (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR (2), 2 RBI, BB, K)

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

#1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) – 1-for-3, 2B (5), BB, K

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Ft. Myers) – 0-for-2, BB, RBI (13-game hitting streak snapped)

#3 - Brusdar Graterol (Ft. Myers) – Did not pitch.

#4 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) – 1-for-5, K, 2 SB (8)

#5 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) – Did not pitch.

#6 - Trevor Larnach (Elizabethton) – 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR (2), 2 RBI, BB, K

#7 - Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) – Game rained out.

#8 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) – 1-for-5, R, 2B (19)

#9 -Wander Javier – Out of for the season.

#10 - Zack Littell (Rochester) – Did not pitch.

#11 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – Did not pitch.

#12 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) – 2-for-5, 2 K

#13 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) – 1-for-3, BB, K, SB (6)

#14 - Lewis Thorpe (Chattanooga) – Game rained out.

#15 - Ben Rortvedt (Ft. Myers) – 0-for-3, BB, K

#16 - Yunior Severino (Elizabethton) – 0-for-4, R, BB, 2 K

#17 - Lewin Diaz (Ft. Myers) – Will have surgery on his wrist soon. Out for season.

#18 - Ryan Jeffers (Cedar Rapids) – 3-for-5, R, 2B (5), HR (2), RBI, K

#19 - Jacob Pearson (Cedar Rapids) – 1-for-4, 2B (9), 2 RBI

#20 - Luis Arraez (Chattanooga) – Game rained out.

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre @ Rochester (6:05PM CST) – RHP Zack Littell (2-4, 3.63 ERA)

Chattanooga @ Tennessee, Game 1 (4:00PM CST) – LHP Dietrich Enns (0-5, 6.00 ERA)

Chattanooga @ Tennessee, Game 2 – LHP Lewis Thorpe (6-4, 3.61 ERA)

Jupiter @ Fort Myers (6:00PM CST) – TBD

Cedar Rapids @ Peoria (7:00PM CST) – LHP Tyler Watson (4-4, 4.37 ERA)

Elizabethton @ Johnson City (6:00PM CST) – TBD

GCL Twins @ GCL Orioles (11:00AM CST) – TBD (May also finish Tuesday’s suspended game)

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games!

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!