Seth Stohs

Just a DH day. It can be a challenge at AAA creating lineups. For instance, James Beresford has played pretty much only 2B the last few years. For him to come back, he wants a real chance with the Twins. That means playing him all over, so he has. Lots of guys like that. Pretty much the Twins don't think that Polanco can be an every day SS and more of a 2B. He could play some 3B. But, Thursday was just a DH day.

I 100% guarantee that what I bolded is NOT the issue. Buxton is s a very focused young man. He''s struggling on a number off levels right now, but focus is not one of them. Effort is none of them.

He's very interesting, especially because of his age. I admit that I was quite surprised to see him star the season in Cedar Rapids. And then he didn't start the first two games of the season, so I figured maybe he was there to learn for a couple of months until the E-Town season begins. That's still possible, but if he keeps playing well, he'll stick. Ironically, aside from TJ White, Manuel Guzman was the key during the 8 days I was in Ft. Myers who jumped out to me. Solid middle infield glove. Terrific speed. Not a big guy. Good approach at the plate. Nice line-drive swing. He often was kept around for the AAA or AA game and would get a couple of ABs, and he looked calm in the box and slapped several singles. I thought Guzman would start in CR with Arraez in EST. Now they're both there. Both are little ,and so is Jermaine Palacios, but all three know how to hit.

JT Chargois is close. No question about that. I think he could come up at any time. Too early to have him jump ahead of JR Graham right now, but if Graham struggles and Chargois does well, I think he could certainly move up anytime. I like Meyer starting as well. I think that he gets stretched out, he gets to work on all three pitches and he gets to pitch in more situations. I think the rhythm comment you made is a good one too. I also think it's way too early to call Duffey a bust.

I would think you are not alone in this opinion.

Taylor Rogers, an eleventh-round pick in 2012 out of the University of Kentucky, made his MLB debut this afternoon against the Chicago White Sox. Rogers pitched 0.2 innings and gave up just one hit. Rogers spent all of 2015 with the Red Wings as a starter, compiling an 11-12 record with a 3.98 ERA. Finished off the 2015 season with 25 innings in the Arizona Fall League, going 2-2 with a 2.88 ERA but struggled with command walking 11 hitters. Rogers made just one appearance (out of the bullpen) for the Red Wings in 2016, pitching two scoreless innings. Transaction Report: As Seth wrote earlier today, the Twins signed MLB veteran outfielder David Murphy to a minor league deal, and he'll be reporting to Rochester on Friday. Rochester also activated Stephen Wickens from the DL. Chattanooga added infielder TJ White from Fort Myers to replace shortstop Engelb Vielma, who went to the DL with a hamstring strain. The TJ White promotion resulted in a chain of moves with Chris Paul being promoted to Fort Myers from Cedar Rapids, and Manuel Guzman joining Cedar Rapids from extended spring training.Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system: RED WINGS REPORT Rochester @ Buffalo Bisons Box Score Rochester was in Buffalo on Thursday afternoon facing the Buffalo Bisons and former Minnesota Twins pitcher Scott Diamond. Scott Diamond gave the Bisons a workman like 7.0 innings of six hit, one run ball to go along with six strikeouts, really keeping the Red Wings' bats at bay. Only Buck Britton (on of my favorite names in the Twins farm system) managed more than one hit. He had two, one was the Red Wings' only extra base hit of the day, a run scoring double in the top of the 6th inning to give Rochester a short-lived lead. Britton was a one man machine for the Red Wings. Big bopper Kennys Vargas was 0-3 with a walk and no strike outs. Also a one-man show - Pat Dean. Pat Dean pitched 8.0 innings of 5 hit, 2 run ball (1 earned) and was charged with the loss to fall to 0-2 despite a shiny 2.08 ERA. Dean induced 14 ground ball outs, but did not record a single strikeout. Dean was cruising through five before a Dalton Pompey double followed by an Andy Burns RBI single knotted the game at 1-1. An inning later, Jesus Montero (yes, that Jesus Montero) reached on a throwing error by third basement Heiker Meneses and was eventually doubled in by Junior Lake, giving the Bisons the lead, and ultimately the ball game. Final: Red Wings 1, Bisons 2 Alex Meyer will make his first start of the 2016 season on Friday. Meyer has previously pitched 4.0 scoreless innings of relief on April 10th against Scranton. LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN Jackson Generals @ Chattanooga Box Score After his first game back at third base since 2014 last night, Travis Harrison was back in the outfield on Thursday night. He finished the evening 1-5 and is hitting just .214 on the year. Daniel Palka came into Thursday's game with a team-leading four-game hitting streak and extended his streak to five games with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth. Mitch Garver was the big offensive force for the Lookouts, their only multi-hit player of the evening, going 2-3 with two walks, an RBI and a strikeout. The real story of this game isn't just these individual performances, but the way the team rallied, down six runs. The Lookouts got a big crooked number in the sixth with five runs, and four more in the seventh to come from behind and take the game 11-8. With just one hitter with multiple hits, this was a big team effort. David Hurlbut, the only Lookouts starter to record a decision in every game he started last year, left Thursday's game without a decision. Hurlbut pitched 4.0 innings, surrendering five runs (just two earned), on six hits, two walks, a home run and three strikeouts. In addition to 17 starts for Chattanooga in 2015, Hurlbut also threw briefly for the Miracle after starting the season on the DL, and made a spot start for the Rochester Red Wings. Hurlbut throws a 90+ mph fastball and will mix in a cutter, change and slider. Hurlbut gave way to Mike Strong in the top of the fifth with Chattanooga down 5-2. Strong gave up a double and then walked the next two batters he faced before being lifted for Corey Williams. All three of Strong's runners would eventually come around to score before the inning was over. With the Lookouts down 8-2, the pitching staff shut down the Generals for the next four innings. Corey Williams would pitch two scoreless innings, Jake Reed earned the W with two scoreless innings of his own and J.T. Chargois picked up his first save of the year with a scoreless ninth inning. Final: Generals 8, Lookouts 11 MIRACLE MATTERS Brevard County Manatees @ Fort Myers Box Score Tanner English led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run to left center field. The Miracle added two more runs in the inning to go out in front 3-0 and held the lead the rest of the way. As a team, Fort Myers racked up 13 hits and 5 walks to counter seven strikeouts. Tanner English was 2-4 with that home run, a single and a walk. Logan Wade had a multi-hit night as well, 2-5 with an RBI. Chad Christensen and Austin Diemer also had a pair of hits. Diemer also added a stolen base. Defensively, the Miracle had a poor night, kicking things off with a fielding error by third basement Chris Paul on the first hitter of the night. The Miracle commited three more errors in the first six innings. Kohl Stewart, starting his second game of the year, was unfazed by the poor defense behind him, going 6.0 innings with 6 strikeouts and just one walk. Stewart allowed just one hit and moved his record to 1-0 while lowering his ERA to 1.50. Raul Fernandez replaced Stewart and covered the seventh and eighth innings without allowing an earned run, but not without some trouble, walking three batters, allowing a pair of hits and being charged with an unearned run. Brian Gilbert allowed another run in the ninth, walking one, giving up one hit, and he stuck out one. Final: Manatees 2, Miracle 7 KERNELS KORNER Clinton Lumber Kings @ Cedar Rapids Box Score The Lumber Kings put a run on the board in the top of the first inning to put the Kernels down 1-0, but they rallied in the bottom half of the inning with three runs of their own. Kernels starting pitcher Andro Cutura allowed one more run in the top of the third, but otherwise pitched a very solid 6.0 innings. Cutura gave up just two hits, walked two, struck out six and was charged with two runs (one earned). Cutura is now 2-0 for the Kernels with a 2.45 ERA. Cutura was replaced by C. K. Irby who pitched two scoreless innings of relief and Nick Anderson finished the game for Cedar Rapids to seal the victory. The Kernels leadoff man Luis Arraez put on a show with a home run and a pair of singles as part of a 3-4 night with two runs scored and two RBIs. Rafael Valera and LaMonte Wade, hitting second and third, were each 2-4, giving the Kernels seven hits from the top of their order. Sean Miller, the number eight hitter, also picked up a pair of hits, going 2-3 with two runs scored. All told the Kernels had 11 hits, four for extra bases. Final: Lumber Kings 3, Kernels 7 TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Hitter of the Day - Luis Arraez - Cedar Rapids Kernels Pitcher of the Day - Kohl Stewart - Fort Myers Miracle FRIDAY'S PROBABLES Rochester @ Buffalo (5:05pm, MiLB.tv) - Alex Meyer (0-0, 0.00) vs. Wade LeBlanc Jackson @ Chattanooga (6:15pm) - Sam Gaviglio vs. Aaron Slegers (0-0, 3.00) Fort Myers @ Daytona (6:05pm) - Tyler Jay (1-0, 1.80) vs. TBD Clinton @ Cedar Rapids (6:35pm) - Kyle Wilcox vs. Sam Gibbons (1-0, 1.80) Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games. -ERolf Click here to view the article

I'll stand by them not giving up on this year, but I will say that they absolutely should care about what is best for the young players' development.

I'd love to see Gordon move up. I'm guessing if he does, he would mostly play 2B with Vielma at SS, though they could alternate too.

Based on what? Since Steil took over, they've been much, much more aggressive with promotions. Maybe Gordon has grown (he is bigger) and improved and will be ready for AA by midseason... I think he'll have some struggles in the FSL, some ups and some downs. I'm not saying he won't move up. I'm just saying that it's really hard to know now. He got off to an equally fast start last year (as noted above) and after about 10 games, he slumped mightily for a month and then was solid for the rest of the year. He's off to a great start, but let's see where it goes after 6 weeks. I hope at that point, we're both optimistic about pushing for him to be promoted.

Wilfredo Tovar is at SS for Rochester. I can't see Vielma hitting enough to move up to AAA. If Gordon is hitting really well, they'll move him up... But, let's let it play out a little bit more.

I will be surprised, unless Vielma is still on the Disabled List, which I doubt.

I would be surprised if they did.

It's been tweeted by several.

Way too early to give up on 2016.. Murphy is better than Quentin or Sweeney. Kepler should not be on a bench. He should be in AAA playing (or MLB playing). Buxton looks overmatched and as much as it's nice to say he should develop and figure things out in MLB, at some point, it becomes too much. The Twins don't want him to lose confidence and they want to do what is best for him short-term and long-term. Rosario hasn't looked good either. I see no downside to this.

The Minnesota Twins announced that they have signed veteran outfielder David Murphy to a minor league deal. The Red Wings announced he will be there on Friday. It is likely he will not spend much time in Rochester before joining the Twins.The 34-year-old Murphy is best known for his years in Texas where he hit .275/.337/.440 (.777) over seven seasons. He spent 2014 and the first half of 2015 with Cleveland before being traded to the Angels in the second half last year. He went to spring training this year with the Red Sox. Of course, this starts an interesting debate about a couple of things. First, when he is called up to the Twins, whose spot on the 25-man roster will he take? Max Kepler would be a likely candidate as he is already not playing a lot.Byron Buxton could be sent down, allowing Murphy to play in left field with Eddie Rosario moving over to center (or Kepler).Could Murphy be a bench bat and replace Oswaldo Arcia?That brings us to the second part of the question. When the Twins call him up, he will have to be added to the 40-man roster? Who would come off of it? There are several candidates, of course, but if it is Arcia, that would kill two stones with one bird (as our friend Domingo Ayala might say). When I initially heard this news this morning, I thought maybe he would just get some time in the Rochester outfield as Adam Brett Walker has missed several days already with a strained oblique, but Murphy will be brought up quickly. What do you think will happen with this over the next few days? Click here to view the article

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Guessing there is a reason that TJ White was promoted to Chattanooga.

Walker is out for a bit with a strained oblique.

Though it should show up on tomorrow's (or tonight's?) Minor League Report... Stephen Wickens was taken off the Rochester DL. Chris Paul was promoted to Ft. Myers. Manuel Guzman promoted to Cedar Rapids. Update: TJ White promoted to Chattanooga.

In 2015, Eddie Rosario was called up in mid-April to replace an injured Oswaldo Arcia. At the time of his promotion, it was assumed he would be up for two weeks and go back to Rochester to continue his development. Instead, he became a key cog to the Minnesota Twins surprise success. Join me for this Prospect Retrospective on Eddie Rosario, and later, see how you can meet Eddie Rosario. In his rookie season, he experienced a lot of success. He filled the stat sheet in most offensive categories as well as playing great defense and leading the league in outfield assists. However, his free swinging tendencies have made him a strong candidate for regression in 2016. That’s been what has happened to this point, just eight games into the season, but he is immensely talented and has long qualified as a prospect despite some on and off the field issues that he has dealt with.BACKGROUND In late September of 1991, Eddie Rosario was born in the Puerto Rican community of Guayama. The city is home to approximately 45,000 people and located on the Caribbean Sea, on the southwest side of the island. Reports have indicated that he lived in some tough neighborhoods and wasn’t in the baseball hotbeds of the island. However, it was baseball that helped him break out. THE DRAFT The Twins drafted Rosario in the fourth round of the 2010 draft out of Rafael Lopez Landron High School. At the time, he was considered the most polished hitter from Puerto Rico in the draft. Immediately, he was drawing comparisons to former Phillies and Yankees outfielder Bobby Abreu. PRO CAREER 2010 After signing, he went right to the GCL. In 51 games, he hit .294/.343/.438 (.781) with nine doubles, two triples and five home runs. He also used his speed to steal 22 bases in 27 attempts. The numbers themselves don’t matter in the low levels of the minor leagues, but Rosario started to show some of the tools that he was drafted for. He showed that he could hit for average as well as showing plenty of extra-base pop in his bat. He also showed speed. Though he was known as a guy who didn’t have any great tools, he was known for being solid all around. 2011 In 2011, Rosario became a top prospect. He would again team with Miguel Sano and provide the fans of Elizabethton with many thrills that summer. While Sano put up a tremendous offensive line, hitting .292/.352/.637 (.988) with 18 doubles, seven doubles and 20 home runs, it was Rosario who was named the Appalachian League’s Most Valuable Player. Rosario played 67 games and hit an incredible .337/.397/.670 (1.068) with nine doubles, nine triples and 21 home runs. He also stole 17 bases in 23 attempts. Most nights, Rosario hit third with Sano hitting fourth. Following the box scores that year was a lot of fun as the two compete with and against each other. They fed off of each other and pushed each other to be better. They also weren’t afraid to support each other. Rosario and Sano both graced the cover of the 2012 Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook. 2012 In 2012, Rosario moved up to Beloit. Because the Twins liked his bat and envisioned him being able to move up quickly, they moved him to second base. At the time, there was not a clear future second baseman in the system. Despite having above average range in centerfield and a powerful arm, Rosario was willing to do what was needed of him. Early in the season, he showed very little range at second base. Later in the year, he had become an adequate-at-best defensive second baseman. Throughout the season, he would get a weekly start in center field for the Snappers. However, once the Midwest League playoffs started, Rosario found himself in center field each game. Offensively, he played in 95 games and hit .296/.345/.490 (.835) with 32 doubles, four triples and 12 home runs. He also stole 11 bases but was caught 11 times as well. Rosario was limited to 95 games because he needed surgery on his face. One day before a game, he was around third base when a line drive in batting practice hit him squarely in the mouth. He required surgery and missed about six weeks of game action. 2013 Sano and Rosario continued to team together throughout 2013 as well. They began the season in Ft. Myers. Rosario hit .329/.377/.527 (.903) with 13 doubles, five triples and six home runs. The Miracle won a first half title more than a week before the league All Star game. While both players earned Florida State League All Star honors, they moved up to New Britain the day after the team clinched a playoff spot. He finished with 70 games in New Britain. There, he hit a solid .284/.330/.412 (.742) with 19 doubles, three triples and four home runs. He played nearly exclusively at second base throughout the season. He went to the Arizona Fall League where he hit just .238/.262/.275 (.537) with two extra base hits in 20 games. It was in the AFL that things kind of got out of control for Rosario. Soon after he returned to Puerto Rico, reports came out that he acknowledged that he had tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Of course, several months later, it came out that he had been suspended for a drug-of-abuse and would miss the first 50 games of the 2014 season. 2014 Rosario was given permission by the Twins to miss spring training for ‘personal’ reasons. That carried over into his 50 game suspension. When the 50 games were complete, he played eight games in Ft. Myers, almost as a rehab of sorts. He then went back up to AA New Britain and he struggled mightily. In 79 games, he hit just .237/.277/.396 (.672) with 20 doubles, three triples and eight home runs. He returned to the Arizona Fall League and this time really played well. In 24 games, he hit .330/.345/.410 (.755) with four doubles and two triples. He also homered in the championship game. In November, he was added to the 40-man roster. 2015 Paul Molitor became the Twins manager in the offseason. Molitor had spent a lot of time working with Rosario in his previous role as a roving minor league instructor. They worked together at second base, and they worked on base running and more. Rosario had an advocate in Molitor. Rosario went to spring training and really impressed the manager. He hit just .233/.227/.442 (.669), but Molitor frequently praised the outfielder. In 23 games in Rochester, he hit .242/.280/.379 (.659) before getting called up. That’s when he was called up, and that’s why it was so surprising when he hit .267/.289/.459 (.748). He hit 18 doubles 15 triples and 13 homers. He stole 11 bases and had 16 outfield assists. 2016 Sure, Rosario has looked like a different player so far this season. He has been even more aggressive but at some point he’s going to have a hot streak. SCOUTING Rosario is not a big guy. He’s listed at just 6-1 and 180 pounds. However, he is strong. He also has some very strong hands and wrists. When he is on, he is driving line drives to the left side of the diamond because he is able to wait longer and still hit the ball hard the other way. At times, it’s clear he tries to do too much and pulls too much. He swings at everything. As you can see from his pre-AA stats, he used to be more willing to walk. He’ll never walk in 10% of his plate appearances, but if he can get that back up to 7-8%, he should be successful. Looking back at my Top 30 Twins Prospects history, here is where I had ranked Eddie Rosario coming into each of his seasons. 2011 - 17 2012 - 2 2013 - 7 2014 - 5 2015 - 8 SEE EDDIE ROSARIO You can meet EddieRosario at AME Sports in the Rosedale Mall this Saturday from 5-6:30 PM. Tickets are just $20 and allow you to get ANY item signed and a photo opportunity FREE. If you haven’t been to an AME event, you’ll find it different than other autograph signings where fans are herded through just for an autograph. Indeed, AME Sports was created to provide a private, personal and fun experience for the fans to meet their favorite athletes. And Twins Daily readers get a special welcome. Just mention Twins Daily when you buy your ticket and you’ll be entered to win a $25 gift card from AME. Click here to view the article

Is Quantril's dad Paul?

The Chattanooga Lookouts roster returned 19 players who were part of the 2015 Southern League championship. Heading into Wednesday’s game, they were just 1-5 on the season. They used some power to get their second win, and their first home win. An intriguing prospect was promoted to the big leagues. The Miracle rotation began its second time through the rotation with a good start! Really good. Continue reading to find out more detail about Wednesday in the Twins farm system:TRANSACTIONS As you now know, Glen Perkins was placed on the disabled list, while Taylor Rogers received his first promotion to the big leagues. Expect Stephen Wickens to be removed from Rochester’s disabled list on Thursday. RED WINGS REPORT Rochester 7, Lehigh Valley 6 Box Score In a back and forth game, it came down to whoever had the last at-bat. Fortunately, the Red Wings were the home team and got to bat last. Reynaldo Rodriguez singled to the gap to score Buck Britton with the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Tyler Duffey made his second start, and for the second time, he was unable to complete five innings (though the first time was due to rain). Duffey flirted with danger the first four innings but was able to get out of those innings unscathed. However, in the fifth inning, a couple of runs crossed the plate. In all, Duffey went 4.2 innings and gave up two runs on six hits. He walked four and struck out four. He needed 96 pitches. He was replaced by Loek Van Mil who gave up a soft single to right to score the second run. He went 0.2 innings and gave up one run on three hits and two walks. Buddy Boshers relieved him and got the next five outs. He was charged with one run on three hits. Brandon Kinzler got the final two innings and gave up two runs in the top of the ninth. Along with his game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth, Rodriguez went 3-5 with his first double. Lead off hitter Darin Mastroianni went 3-4 with a walk and a double. Wilfredo Tovar went 2-3 with a walk and a double. James Beresford went 2-4. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 5, Jackson 2 Box Score A couple of big flies help the Lookouts to their first home win of the 2016 season.. Dalton Hicks got the scoring started in the 4th inning with a long, two-run, opposite field home run. When Jackson cut the lead to one, Daniel Palka pushed the lead back to two in the 6th inning with his first home run of the year. In the 8th inning, Travis Harrison knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly. Later Dalton Hicks added another RBI, singling in a run. Hicks was 2-4 with his first home run and three RBI. Hicks also stole his first base of the year, matching his career high which he also hit in 2012, 2014 and 2015. Palka had a big game. He went 3-4 with his second double to go with his first home run. Mitch Garver was also 2-4. DJ Baxendale got the start and was credited with his first win of the year. The right-hander gave up just one run on seven hits and a walk in five innings. He struck out three. Brett Lee came on and gave up one run on two hits over two innings. Brandon Peterson struck out two in a perfect inning. Marcus Walden pitched a perfect ninth for his first save of the year. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 3, Brevard County 0 Box Score In his first start of the season, Stephen Gonsalves gave up a three-run homer in the first inning. He proceeded to throw five scoreless frames after that. On Wednesday, he made his second start and threw six shutout innings. The lefty gave up just two hits, walked three and struck out four. That is 11 consecutive scoreless innings, if you’re counting. Another left-hander, Luke Westphal came in for the 7th and struck out the side. Righty Trevor Hildenberger worked two scoreless innings to record the save. Hildenberger needed just 16 pitches to get through the two innings. Nick Gordon again led the way on offense. The shortstop went 3-4 with a double and drove in a run. The Miracle had seven total hits. Trey Vavra had the only other extra base hit, a double. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 1, Kane County 4 Box Score The Kernels were unable to muster much offense. LaMonte Wade had two of their four hits in this game, raising his season batting average to .385. Jermaine Palacios had the lone extra base hit, a double. He scored later on a sacrifice fly from Zander Wiel, who also walked once. Randy LeBlanc made his second start. The right-hander from Tulane went the first six innings. He gave up just two runs on four hits. He walked two, hit three and struck out six. Logan Lombana pitched the seventh and gave up two runs on four hits and a walk. John Curtiss came on for the eighth inning and struck out one in a perfect inning. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Stephen Gonsalves, Ft. Myers Miracle Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Daniel Palka, Chattanooga Lookouts THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester @ Buffalo (1:05 CST) - LHP Pat Dean Jackson @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) – LHP David Hurlbut Brevard County @ Ft. Myers (12:00 CST) – RHP Kohl Stewart Clinton @ Cedar Rapids (1:15 CST) – RHP Andro Cutura Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Wednesday games. Click here to view the article