Seth Stohs

After last weekend - fair or not - I have pretty much zero interest in McKay with the 1.1 pick. I definitely understand the risks with Greene, but over the last two weeks, Kyle Wright has become the guy I would take. Potential to be an ace with much less risk than Greene. Maybe not quite the upside of Greene - due to throwing 96 instead of 102 - but much more likely to become a #2 pitcher that they need. And yet he still can be a #1 too.

One of my favorite people in the organization. He is an ambassador for baseball. The people in Cedar Rapids love him. Before a game I was at two weekends ago, the gates opened about an hour before game time. Watkins went up to the gates and welcomed fans as they walked in. It wasn't scheduled. He just does that sometimes (not all the time, but it was something we all noted in the press box). It's one example of who he is. For the most part, players love playing for him. His personality is infectious. He knows this game, the finer details. He expects players to work hard and do the little things, but he makes it fun, and that's important.

Wade isn't a CF, so English hasn't been taking any playing time from him. When English hasn't played CF, they have typically had Levi Michael out there. Wade is more of a corner who could play CF in a pinch (and has in the lower levels).

First, there is a Minor League Transactions thread where these moves were mentioned and can be announced, but I will attempt to answer your specific questions here. Vielma spent all of last year in Chattanooga. He hit pretty well there last year and continues to hit well there this year. He's also a tremendous defender. Gordon has hit very well in Chattanooga for about 5-6 weeks. So, it's an easy decision for who moves up now. What will be good, as I posted in that other thread, is that now both can play a lot more shortstop. English has appeared toward the bottom of some Top 30 prospect lists in the past, maybe even this year. His defense in CF alone makes him interesting. But yeah, he was off to a very slow start this season in Chattanooga. Hopefully heading back to Ft. Myers will kick-start his offense. Good to see TJ White back in action too.

Tommy Watkins has played the role of underdog since the Twins made him their 38th round draft pick in 1998 out of Riverdale High School in Ft. Myers. However, thanks to his hard work, attitude, attention to detail and drive, he lived his dream of playing in the big leagues, even if just for nine games before an injury ended his season prematurely. In 2010, Watkins began his second career when the Twins hired him as a minor league hitting coach In 2016, he moved up from Cedar Rapids to AA Chattanooga to be the Lookouts coach. However, in January, the Twins announced their coaching staff and long-time Twins minor league manager Jeff Smith was named the first base coach for the big league club. Doug Mientkiewicz wanted to be back in Ft. Myers to be nearer to his family, so he took Smith’s job as Miracle manager. Jake Mauer, who had spent the past four seasons as the Kernels manager, was moving up to Chattanooga to manage the Lookouts. The Cedar Rapids manager job was open, and Tommy Watkins had been waiting in the wings. Image courtesy of Seth Stohs, Twins Daily Tommy Watkins has played the role of underdog since the Twins made him their 38th round draft pick in 1998 out of Riverdale High School in Ft. Myers. However, thanks to his hard work, attitude, attention to detail and drive, he lived his dream of playing in the big leagues, even if just for nine games before an injury ended his season prematurely. In 2010, Watkins began his second career when the Twins hired him as a minor league hitting coach In 2016, he moved up from Cedar Rapids to AA Chattanooga to be the Lookouts coach. However, in January, the Twins announced their coaching staff and long-time Twins minor league manager Jeff Smith was named the first base coach for the big league club. Doug Mientkiewicz wanted to be back in Ft. Myers to be nearer to his family, so he took Smith’s job as Miracle manager. Jake Mauer, who had spent the past four seasons as the Kernels manager, was moving up to Chattanooga to manage the Lookouts. The Cedar Rapids manager job was open, and Tommy Watkins had been waiting in the wings. As a player, Tommy Watkins was always viewed by many as a potential coach. While a player, Watkins’ focus was always on playing the game. However, somewhere in the deeper reaches of his mind, he knew what he wanted to do following his playing career. Yes he wanted to coach, but he also wanted more. “(I wanted to) coach, but I always wanted to manage.” So when he was offered the Kernels manager job, he quickly accepted. He believes that it was the right time. “I think this year was a good time for me to start. I don’t think I was anywhere near ready my first year as a coach, or my fourth or fifth. It’s getting to know the guys, and learning the ropes, and how to do things I think helped me for now.” To this point, Watkins has led his team to an impressive start. The Kernels enter play on Tuesday with a 20-15 record through their first 35 games. As he is prone to do, Watkins pushes the credit elsewhere. “Great group of guys. I think they all get along great together. I think they play hard. I think that’s one thing that I saw coming out of spring training, that these guys get along and I think they’re going to get after it every day. I think our record can be attributed to the effort they put in every day.” But there have been some moments of nervousness and trepidation. While he has been in and around the game of baseball and seen it from a variety of roles, the role of manager is different. “I think the biggest adjustment is just trying to be organized and get things planned every day, lineup. Trying to keep everybody in line.” Watkins admitted he was especially nervous the first game of the season. “I was panicking a little bit. I grabbed the lineup cards and things like that. I sent Jake (Mauer) and Doug (Mientkiewicz) a group text and asked, ‘What do I do with the lineup? Do I put first name? Last name?’ They both answered, and Doug said, ‘Hey, relax, you’ll be fine.” But Watkins has also been supported by the organization. They have people in place who can help him out. The weekend I was there, minor league pitching coordinator Eric Rasmussen was there. So was new Special Assistant for Baseball Operations LaTroy Hawkins. Twins Minor League Director Brad Steil was there. “I think a lot of people have been a big help. (Minor League Infield and Baserunning Coordinator) Sam Perlozzo’s been a big help, been in town. A couple of nights ago, there were some things going on and I was like, ‘Sam, you’ve got to stand next to me.’ He said ‘Yeah I should have been over there to bounce some things off of me, but he said when I’m here, these are your guys. I’m just here to watch’.” Sam Perlozzo standing alongside Watkins Perlozzo has been a baseball lifer. He’s coached in various levels in the Mets, Reds, Mariners, Phillies and Orioles organizations. He’s coached in the big leagues and for parts of three seasons he was the manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Having a resource like that available, in person or on the phone, can be very valuable. Watkins worked as the hitting coach for Jake Mauer in Cedar Rapids for several seasons. Last year, he worked with Doug Mientkiewicz in Chattanooga. He said that he has learned so much from each of them. “Both of those guys, they let their staffs work. Jake and Doug were both good about it, the hitters were mine, and the pitchers were the pitching coach’s. They both put their input in and helped out whenever they want or need to.” Watkins subscribes to that philosophy as well. Hitting coach Brian Dinkelman and Pitching coach JP Martinez are both back for their second seasons with the Kernels and third seasons as coaches in the organization. “The same thing goes here. I let Dink (Kernels second-year hitting coach Brian Dinkelman) and JP (Kernels second-year pitching coach JP Martinez) do their jobs. They’re real good at what they do. If I ever have anything to say, I run it across with them. They do a good job, so I try to let them work. Watkins coaching third base. For those that have seen Tommy Watkins working on the baseball field, whether as a player or as a coach or manager, it is clear that he truly loves the game. It shows. He has a lot of fun. He was nicknamed The Mayor when he played in Rochester. He was very popular during his years in New Britain. Wherever he’s been, he’s garnered fans and become popular with teammates. Back in 2003, the Ft. Myers Miracle even honored the hometown kid with a bobble butt promotion. No, really, a bobble butt. (See here) Watkins makes the long season for players fun. Two weekends ago, the team had some very early work on the field. They were doing bunting drills. The first group was some of the players less likely to bunt, and that went fairly quickly. The second group was more the speed guys who could use the bunt to benefit their games. Sam Perlozzo led the discussion, but Watkins and Dinkelman were very involved as well. Cones were set up down the third base line, indicating the ideal location for a bunt. Another set of cones formed a line from home plate to the edge of the grass/dirt in front of where a second baseman would play and starting past the pitcher’s mound. There were two teams and they had some scoring system based on how many they got within the designated goals. They were working, and they were being instructed, but they were doing it while having fun and being competitive. In fact, Watkins joined a group with Jermaine Palacios, Aaron Whitefield and Travis Blankenhorn, and they beat Brian Dinkelman’s group which included Christian Cavaness, Ariel Montesino and Brandon Lopez in what appeared to be a back-and-forth contest. Watkins coaching and participating in a bunting drill. It’s a long 140 game season with long bus rides, and Watkins continues to have fun with his job, even with the new role. “I don’t think my personality changes. I still try to be myself. We still have fun, but at the same time, when someone needs to be corrected, or you have to drop the hammer, you can’t be afraid to do it. I think I’ve done a pretty decent job of that. If I see something, I let them know. I try not to let anything slip.” As the Twins celebrate Hope Week this week in the Twin Cities, it’s a good reminder that Tommy Watkins does a ton of work in and around Ft. Myers throughout the offseason. Not only does he work out with rehabbing players or other minor leaguers in Ft. Myers in the offseason, but he takes groups to area hospitals and runs several camps for kids. It’s a great opportunity for the players to start giving back. It’s something that Watkins believes strongly in. This spring, he told me that they were making four to five hospital visits, at least, each week. But Watkins provides hope and lessons to all of the players he comes in contact with. Not only does he coach them up and work to instill the fundamentals of the game, but if they take the time to look up Watkins’ career, it should teach them about perseverance, believing in yourself and striving toward your goals. Watkins understands what the players are going through. He lived the life that they are living, and he reached that goal that each and every one of his players is striving for. He played in nine games in the major leagues, The Show. In fact, if not for an injury, he had kind of taken over as the Twins starting third baseman due to his .357 batting average. (Note, Brian Dinkelman also holds a career average of over .300 (.301, to be exact) in his 23 games with the Twins) Watkins signed as a late-round pick. He spent two seasons in the Gulf Coast League. He spent a year in Elizabethton. He spent a year in the Midwest League (Quad Cities). He spent two seasons with the Miracle. He spent 2004, 2005 and part of 2006 in New Britain before moving up to Rochester. A year later, mid-August 2007, Watkins got that surprise call. He was headed to the big leagues. He spent 2008 and 2009 in Rochester before hanging up the cleats. In 2010, he began his new career as a Twins hitting coach. And as was the case as a player, Watkins now has a goal of someday getting back to the major leagues as a coach, maybe even a manager. For now, he’s enjoying his role in the organization and working hard with his 2017 Cedar Rapids Kernels. “It’s been a lot of fun. It’s been a lot of new things. Just trying to get used to being in the role. It’s been a lot of fun though.” ------------------------------------------------------------------- Throughout the course of this season, the Cedar Rapids Kernels will have a camera crew following them at times. They are creating a documentary of their season. At least each month, there will be a new installment and some shorter videos as well. It should be a fun series to follow (so follow the Kernels on twitter to be updated). Here is the most recent installment. The crew mic'd up Tommy Watkins for a game against Lake County to find out what the manager talked about throughout the game. This is fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0yK5DNMIyE&feature=youtu.be View full article

aka his significant other is having a baby.

Another big day of transactions: Michael Tonkin outrighted to Rochester. Nick Tepesch optioned to Rochester. Engelb Vielma promoted to Rochester. Ben Paulsen released. Adalberto Mejia to the "temporary inactive list" Ryan Strausborger off the DL and sent to Chattanooga. TJ White activated from DL in Chattanooga. Tanner Englished sent from Chattanooga to Ft. Myers. Chris Anderson released by Twins/Ft. Myers. Zack Tillery added to the Kernels (the corresponding move from Tyler Wells going on their DL late last week). That might be it. Hey, if others see minor league transactions, please feel free to add them here.

He was activated from the DL today... I think his health was fine... I know he was working on some things on the field.

Not sure how much credit this is for the front office, or if it's Molitor and Allen... and the fact that Santana's been terrific.

According to Chris Blessings, Paul Clemens left the game with a trainer... here's the tweet:

We are now about six weeks into the season. Statistics are starting to show meaning. At the same time, we’ve seen that batting average and other rate stats can still change quite a bit in just a week. But it is time for us to share the current Twins minor league statistical leaderboard. Below, you will find out which hitters and which pitchers are off to the best starts over a bit of an extended time to start the year. What do these statistics mean? Well, they may mean something different to different people. We aren’t factoring in age or level of competition. We’re simply highlighting the leaderboard and giving recognition to these young men. But first, let’s take a quick look at how the Twins’ affiliates currently stack up in their leagues. Rochester is 17-14. The Red Wings are 2.5 games back of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the International League North Division. They’re in third place in the division. In the first half, Chattanooga is 20-16. That puts them in third place 2.0 games behind Tennessee, and they are in third place in the division. Ft. Myers is the lone affiliate under. 500. They are 17-20 and in fourth place in their division, 7.0 games behind the division leader, Bradenton. Cedar Rapids is 20-15 to start the season. They are currently tied with Kane County (19-14) at the top of the Midwest League’s Western Division. Image courtesy of Seth Stohs, Twins Daily (Top L to R: Nick Anderson, LaMonte Wade, Clark Beeker, Bottom L to R: Sean Poppen, Nick Burdi, Aaron Whitefield) We are now about six weeks into the season. Statistics are starting to show meaning. At the same time, we’ve seen that batting average and other rate stats can still change quite a bit in just a week. But it is time for us to share the current Twins minor league statistical leaderboard. Below, you will find out which hitters and which pitchers are off to the best starts over a bit of an extended time to start the year. What do these statistics mean? Well, they may mean something different to different people. We aren’t factoring in age or level of competition. We’re simply highlighting the leaderboard and giving recognition to these young men. But first, let’s take a quick look at how the Twins’ affiliates currently stack up in their leagues. Rochester is 17-14. The Red Wings are 2.5 games back of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the International League North Division. They’re in third place in the division. In the first half, Chattanooga is 20-16. That puts them in third place 2.0 games behind Tennessee, and they are in third place in the division. Ft. Myers is the lone affiliate under. 500. They are 17-20 and in fourth place in their division, 7.0 games behind the division leader, Bradenton. Cedar Rapids is 20-15 to start the season. They are currently tied with Kane County (19-14) at the top of the Midwest League’s Western Division. With that, let’s look at the minor league statistical leader board (through games on Saturday, May 13). HITTERS (Rate numbers- minimum 89 plate appearances) Plate Appearances - Chris Paul (152), Nick Gordon (150), Zander Wiel (147), Jermaine Palacios/Jonathan Rodriguez (144), Max Murphy (142), Lewin Diaz (140), Engelb Vielma/Travis Blankenhorn (137) Batting Average - LaMonte Wade (.327), Nick Gordon/Jermaine Palacios (.321), Chris Paul (.317), Edgar Corcino (.298), Lewin Diaz (.293), Mitchell Kranson (.292), Aaron Whitefield (.289). On-Base Percentage - LaMonte Wade (.470), Nick Gordon (.387), Max Murphy (.373), Edgar Corcino (.364), Engelb Vielma (.363), Jermaine Palacios (.354), Mitchell Kranson (.353), Matt Hague (.344) Slugging Percentage - Aaron Whitefield (.509), Lewin Diaz (.504), LaMonte Wade (.495), Jermaine Palacios (.489), Zander Wiel (.474), Nick Gordon (.470), Mitchell Kranson (.462), Jonathan Rodriguez (.426) OPS - LaMonte Wade (.965), Nick Gordon (.857), Jermaine Palacios (.843), Aaron Whitefield (.831), Lewin Diaz (.825), Mitchell Kranson (.810), Zander Wiel (.793), Max Murphy (.772). Hits - Chris Paul (45), Jermaine Palacios (44), Nick Gordon (43), Lewin Diaz (39), Zander Wiel/Max Murphy/Jonathan Rodriguez/Edgar Corcino/Engelb Vielma (34). Doubles - Lewin Diaz (14), Zander Wiel (12), Mitchell Kranson (10), Jonathan Rodriguez/Tommy Field (9), Chris Paul/Nick Gordon (8), three with 7. Triples - Jermaine Palacios (5), Zander Wiel/Rafael Valera (4), Nick Gordon (3), seven with 2. Home Runs - Aaron Whitefield/Daniel Palka (5), Jaylin Davis/Lewin Diaz/Dan Rohlfing/Jonathan Rodriguez/LaMonte Wade (4), seven with 3. Runs Scored - LaMonte Wade (26), Jermaine Palacios (25), Jonathan Rodriguez (22), Max Murphy (20), Aaron Whitefield/Nick Gordon (18), Daniel Palka/Tommy Field (17), three with 16. RBI - Zander Wiel (23), Nick Gordon/Lewin Diaz (20), Jonathan Rodriguez/Engelb Vielma (18), Jermaine Palacios/Travis Blankenhorn (16), three with 15. SB - Zack Granite/Aaron Whitefield (7), Tanner English (6), Jermaine Palacios/Jaylin Davis/LaMonte Wade (5), three with 4. THE STARTING PITCHERS (Rate number - minimum 27.0 innings) Innings Pitched: Dereck Rodriguez (45.0), Jose Berrios (39.2), Sean Poppen (39.1), Clark Beeker (38.2), Fernando Romero (35.2), Randy LeBlanc (35.0), Aaron Slegers/Tyler Wells (34.0) ERA: Jose Berrios (1.13), David Hurlbut (1.59), Sean Poppen (2.29), Clark Beeker (2.56), Tyler Wells (2.65), Dereck Rodriguez (2.80), Randy LeBlanc (2.83), Felix Jorge (3.45). WHIP: Jose Berrios (0.81), Clark Beeker (1.01), Cody Stashak (1.03), Dereck Rodriguez (1.09), Sean Poppen (1.12), Tyler Beardsley (1.21), Jason Wheeler (1.312), Randy LeBlanc (1.314). K/9: Tyler Wells (11.9), Eduardo Del Rosario (11.2), David Fischer (10.0), Cody Stashak (9.0), Sean Poppen (8.9), Jose Berrios (8.8), Fernando Romero (8.3). BB/9: Cody Stashak (1.1), Clark Beeker (1.2), Dereck Rodriguez (1.4), Sean Poppen (1.6), Jose Berrios (1.8), Tyler Beardsley (1.9), Lachlan Wells (2.0), Aaron Slegers (2.1). K: Tyler Wells/Nik Turley (45), Sean Poppen/Jose Berrios (39), Eduardo Del Rosario (34), Fernando Romero (33), Cody Stashak/Dereck Rodriguez (32). Wins: Clark Beeker (5-1). THE RELIEF PITCHERS (Rate numbers - minimum 11.0 innings, and less than 2 starts) Innings Pitched: Brady Anderson (25.2), Randy Rosario (21.0), Anthony McIver (20.2), Sam Clay/Ryan Eades (20.1), Luke Bard (18.2), Williams Ramirez (18.0), Michael Theofanopoulos (17.2). ERA: John Curtiss (0.00), Nick Burdi (0.66), Mason Melotakis (1.17), Nick Anderson (1.26), Logan Lombana (1.59), Jonny Drozd (1.65), Hector Lujan (1.80), Andrew Vasquez (1.84). WHIP: Tom Hackimer (0.65), Mason Melotakis (0.72), Nick Burdi (0.73), Nick Anderson (0.77), DJ Baxendale (0.85), Alan Busenitz (0.95), Randy Rosario/Hector Lujan (1.00). K/9: Luke Bard (14.9), Andrew Vasquez (14.1), Alex Robinson (13.2), Nick Burdi (11.9), John Curtiss/Todd Van Steensel (11.7), Alan Busenitz (11.4), Williams Ramirez (10.5). BB/9: Tom Hackimer (0.5), Brady Anderson (1.1), Hector Lujan (1.2), Nick Anderson (1.3), DJ Baxendale (1.4), Jonny Drozd (2.2), Mason Melotakis (2.3), Alex Robinson (2.5). K: Luke Bard (31), Andrew Vasquez (23), Alex Robinson/Williams Ramirez (21), Michael Theofanopoulos/Todd Van Steensel/Sam Clay (20), Ryan Eades/Anthony McIver (19). Saves: John Curtiss (5), Tom Hackimer/Alex Wimmers (4), Mason Melotakis/Jonny Drozd/Max Cordy (3), Nick Anderson (2), 12 with 1. Feel free to ask questions about any of the players or teams. View full article

Clay's streak is impressive since his first outing of the year. Nick Anderson started his season with 13.1 scoreless innings, and that ended tonight. Good day for the Twins organization... And... I'm still waiting for Lewis Thorpe's return. He put on instagram that he was pitching on Thursday, but we shall see.

Like the other night when they brought him in with the tying run on second and the go-ahead run on 1st and one out in the 8th, and he got the final five outs to preserve the win...???

I just tweeted something to the effect... when will Twins fans stop worrying so much about what Kintzler doesn't do (get a lot of strikeouts) and start realizing that he's been really good for the last year (and was good for Milwaukee before his knee injury for a decent amount of time). The guy has incredible movement and sink on a 93 mph fastball. He gets a lot of ground balls. He's poised and pretty calm. He's got a closer's mentality. He fields his position. He generally avoids solid contact . Will he have an occasional game where he gets hit hard, or when not missing bats will mean that a few seeing-eye singles or bloops will cost them... but the hard-throwing closer types have those games too. I think it's time to stop worrying about Kintzler as closer and start pushing him for an All Star appearances. (OK, maybe not yet) But until he has a bad week or two as the closer... roll with it.

Yeah, I like their strategy this year. Vielma has the potential to be a decent batting average hitter, so I have no problem with him spending a half season in Chattanooga. And both are legit shortstop prospects, and there's also a chance that both will need to play second base in the big leagues. So, I like what they're doing.

Everyone always told me that Wade wasn't a passive hitter and that despite not a lot of home runs early, he has tremendous power. When I talked to him last year, he talked about having a plan of attack in every plate appearance. But he's looking for specific things and if he doesn't get it, he is willing to wait. He has a first-pitch approach, and he has a two-strike approach. he's also really strong and when he looks for something and gets it and tries to turn on it and pull it, he can hit the ball a long ways. He's a very impressive young guy, and it's good to see him playing this well.

Isn't that different vision or those different views on things from falvey and levine, who are leading things... And Deron Johnson got a 'promotion' but not really... Sean Johnson is very good and ready to do things well!

It's possible they changed their minds when Kernels SP Tyler Wells went on the DL today. He could make a start or two for Cedar Rapids until Wells comes back and then he can move up... then again, Keaton Steele was sent to EST too, so there is an open spot.

Not sure... I grabbed it right off of his Instagram and Facebook pages... would have been a good game for him to eat some low pressure innings.

Not really Twins related, but I thought this was a fun article in the Pioneer Press about what the St. Paul Saints players do during their offseason. http://www.twincities.com/2017/05/12/what-do-st-paul-saints-players-do-in-the-offseason-to-make-ends-meet/ Former Twins minor leaguers include Corey Williams, Tony Thomas, Mark Hamburger, and the Nate Hanson part is terrific, about getting to be a dad! Take 5 minutes to read this... it's fun... Favorite line (from Nate Hanson):

The Minnesota Twins posted a 1-0 win in Cleveland on Friday night in a very quick game. The minor league games in the system were not as quick, but three out of four of the affiliates won. Rochester had some late-game runs off of an #OldFriend. Chattanooga and Cedar Rapids used plenty of offense and solid pitching to record wins. Finally, an experiment is not going real well in Ft. Myers. Image courtesy of Seth Stohs, Twins Daily (photo of Mitchell Kranson) The Minnesota Twins posted a 1-0 win in Cleveland on Friday night in a very quick game. The minor league games in the system were not as quick, but three out of four of the affiliates won. Rochester had some late-game runs off of an #OldFriend. Chattanooga and Cedar Rapids used plenty of offense and solid pitching to record wins. Finally, an experiment is not going real well in Ft. Myers. Find out everything and more that happened happened in the Twins system on Friday night, starting with the transactions of the day. TRANSACTIONS Following the Twins 1-0 win in Cleveland, the Twins announced (or made it official) that Jose Berrios was being recalled from Rochester and will start on Saturday. The other half of the transaction made for good speculation, but in the end Nick Tepesch was optioned. In Ft. Myers, Shane Kennedy was activated from the temporarily inactive list while Keaton Steele was sent to extended spring training. Down in Cedar Rapids, right-hander Tyler Wells was placed on the 7-Day disabled list. He said that he’s been fighting a bit of biceps tendinitis. He noted that it didn’t affect his velocity, “just discomfort.” He expects to miss just one start. A corresponding move will be made in the next couple of days. The Kernels play on Saturday, but they get Mother’s Day off. RED WINGS REPORT Rochester 2, Pawtucket 3 Box Score It was a quick game in Pawtucket on Friday night, but it ended with a nice, one-run win for the Red Wings. Rochester came into the game with a team ERA of just 3.13 which was second in the International League (Buffalo 3.08), and that number went down in this game. Jason Wheeler returned to the Red Wings rotation and provided a very quality start. The lefty gave up one run on five hits over six innings. He walked and struck out none. Trevor Hildenberger provided two innings of scoreless ball, with a walk and a strikeout. The game was tied at one until the eighth inning when Zack Granite doubled. Niko Goodrum followed with an RBI triple to give the team the lead. Matt Hague added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly. The Wings eighth inning runs came off of former Twins reliever Blaine Boyer. Hague's proved to be a needed insurance run. Alex Wimmers came on for the ninth inning and recorded the save despite giving up a run. It was his fourth save of the season. Granite led the offense. He went 3-4 with his first two doubles of the season. He also stole his fourth base. The team had just five total hits in the game. The win kept the Red Wings above .500 at 16-14. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 9, Montgomery 2 Box Score The Lookouts recorded a nice, big win on Friday night, 9-2. LaMonte Wade is becoming a big prospect right before our eyes. The outfielder went 2-3 with a walk, was hit by a pitch, hit his fourth home run, drove in three runs and stole his fourth base. It was kind of a showing of all that he is as a player. Jonathan Rodriguez’s 14-game hitting streak came to an end on Thursday, but he returned on Friday with a 2-4 game including his ninth double. Engelb Vielma went 1-2 with two walks. Dan Gamache added a walk and his third double. Nick Gordon had a walk and a single. Felix Jorge made the start. He gave up just two runs (one earned) on nine hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out three. Ryan Eades came on and recorded the final out of the fifth inning. He then went the remaining four innings without allowing a run. He gave up two hits, walked two and struck out six in what could be his strongest appearance of the season. The Lookouts are now 19-16 on the season. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 2, Charlotte 11 Box Score The Chris Anderson Experiment is off to a rocky start, and on Friday night, it got really rocky. The former first-round pick of the Dodgers started and gave up 11 runs (10 earned) on 11 hits and four walks in just three innings. (He also faced five batters in the fourth inning. Four of them scored.) Mike Theofanopoulos worked the next two innings without allowing a run. Anthony McIver worked 1.2 innings without allowing a run. He walked one and struck out one. He also hit two batters and was ejected after the second one. Alex Muren recorded the final four outs. The Miracle offense scored two runs on just three hits. Max Murphy went 1-2 with a walk. Chris Paul was 1-3 with an RBI double, his seventh of the year. Red Wing native Ryan Boldt went 2-4 with a walk in the game for Charlotte. Ft. Myers fell to 16-20 on the season. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 7, Bowling Green 3 Box Score The Kernels put together a solid game on Friday night in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Dominic Carlini IV started for Cedar Rapids. The left-hander worked the first five innings. He gave up three runs on four hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out five for his first win of the season. Alex Robinson came in and struck out two over two shutout innings. Tom Hackimer recorded his fourth save of the season with two shutout frames. Mitchell Kranson led the Kernels offense. He went 4-5 with his ninth and tenth doubles. Jaylin Davis went 2-5 with his third double, which was a two-run double in the first inning. Travis Blankenhorn and Lewin Diaz were also 2-5 in the game. Shane Carrier added his fifth double of the season which drove in a run. The Kernels improved to 19-15 on their season. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Ryan Eades, Chattanooga Lookouts Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Mitchell Kranson, Cedar Rapids Kernels SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester @ Pawtucket (12:05 CST) - RHP Aaron Slegers Birmingham @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) - RHP Fernando Romero Ft. Myers @ Charlotte (5:05 CST) - RHP Dereck Rodriguez Cedar Rapids @ Bowling Green (6:35 CST) - RHP Clark Beeker Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Friday’s games. View full article

I didn't realize that Tepesch had an option remaining. That's good to have a guy at Rochester who can provide innings when needed.