Twins Minor League Report (7/4): Fireworks on the Fourth

Man, it sure looks like Varland is cooked as a starter. Long past due to stick him in the bullpen and see if his stuff plays up like it did last year. Anyone know why or how Varland was able to come back out to pitch in the second inning when he was relieved in the first inning? Or did I read that wrong? Either way, move Louie to the pen ASAP...

14 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Man, it sure looks like Varland is cooked as a starter. Long past due to stick him in the bullpen and see if his stuff plays up like it did last year. Anyone know why or how Varland was able to come back out to pitch in the second inning when he was relieved in the first inning? Or did I read that wrong? Either way, move Louie to the pen ASAP...

sounds like they moved him to left field for a few batters. No idea why, but why not?

How long until we see Bengard to A+, Culpepper to AA, Mathews to AAA, Varland to the BP?

Varland to bullpen... optimize two pitches and build toward being a key piece in the pennant race 

12 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

Don't make too much about of Eeles being the choice.

C'mon Seth it would be pretty hard to make too much of the next José Altuve!

43 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Anyone know why or how Varland was able to come back out to pitch in the second inning when he was relieved in the first inning? Or did I read that wrong?

You read it correctly. Chris Williams came in to pitch and Varland moved to LF to finish the 2nd inning. Then, Varland pitched the 3rd. He had over 30 pitches in the 1st and threw a lot in the 2nd. I know the amount of pitches thrown in an inning is something the Twins think can lead to injury. Therefore, they wanted Varland to pitch more but not keep going in the 2nd. Has to be a little embarrassing to do but Varland just has to pitch better.

Saints strike out 12 times but Wallner had none of them. He went 2 for 4.

50 minutes ago, Dman said:

If he does well enough to stay there then he looks like a top 30 prospect to me. 

I actually think this is great minor league news for Eeles that they think this highly of him. But, look at the names Seth listed. This is terrible news for Eeles being an MLB prospect. The Twins never jump guys up two levels for players they view as true prospects (possible exception for end of year playoffs but that is almost always a one level bump).

Just now, Dman said:

I think the book is out on Louie.  I think he needs another pitch or something.  His mix just isn't playing anymore.

 

Yes this just isn't good for his confidence anymore. Everybody seems to think he is a slam dunk out of the pen, but I remember some hard contact along with some big defensive plays when he was in the pen last year. Still have high hopes for him in that role and now would be the time to do it. Their starter depth is sketchy though with Festa and all, so I understand the reluctance.

45 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

Shuffield went on the IL, so he wasn't available to be that guy this time. 

Don't make too much about of Eeles being the choice. St. Paul is an offensive league. He'll probably put up numbers, just as guys like Shuffield and Prato and Mikey Perez and Ernie Yake have when sent there. There certainly is the aspect that he can handle it. He's mature. He takes the type of ABs that will translate into quality ABs there.  

It is interesting they had Eeles jump AA and not move someone from AA up to AAA and him up to AA though.  What I take from it is they see Eeles as a career minor league guy actually where others they want a more linier growth in their moving up leagues.  With Eeles skipping AA, for now, may be more of just need that he can fill more, or was closer to St. Paul to fill in.  

6 minutes ago, Dman said:

Shuffield would have been OK if he kept hitting,

Rare for us, but I disagree on this. In 2022, Shuffield got everyone excited because he had an OPS of .856 in St. Paul. He was healthy to start 2023 (correct me if I missed some injury) and started out the year in Fort Myers. Fairly or unfairly, these players get labeled as nothing more than minor leaguers IMO.

1 hour ago, wabene said:

Yes this just isn't good for his confidence anymore. Everybody seems to think he is a slam dunk out of the pen, but I remember some hard contact along with some big defensive plays when he was in the pen last year. Still have high hopes for him in that role and now would be the time to do it. Their starter depth is sketchy though with Festa and all, so I understand the reluctance.

Strib said this morning that Festa was going back to St. Paul today.  Didn't have an answer on the other half of that move, but indicated that Paddack would be eligible to come off the IL on Monday when his next turn in the rotation comes around.

Just now, roger said:

Strib said this morning that Festa was going back to St. Paul today.  Didn't have an answer on the other half of that move, but indicated that Paddack would be eligible to come off the IL on Monday when his next turn in the rotation comes around.

Winder called up, probably for 3 days.

Doesn't seem that anyone has a clue what is going on with Varland?

Saw that Jenkins played again and again was involved in their scoring.  Great seeing him getting on the field more often this week.

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

If st Paul is useless as an indicator of readiness,as Seth states, maybe they need to make a change, which they won't. 

Varland has to go to the bullpen at this point. 

Is that what @Seth Stohs has said? It is an offensive league so the run scoring context is different. I think it is fair to say slash stats or ERA are not useful as an indicator of readiness. I do think AAA play is valuable and a good indicator for the trained eyes of the staff. The pitch level and swing level data may also show some indication of readiness or lack of readiness in a large enough sample.