Seth Stohs

It was a sweep for the Minnesota Twins and their minor league affiliates on Wednesday night. Wins have been infrequent for the Twins, and on this night, it their bats that led to the win. In the minors, it was more about the traditional way to win, strong pitching. Looking at the four starting pitchers in the minors, they combined to give up three runs over 27 innings. The bullpens then combined for nine scoreless innings. Pitching wins, and on this night, the Twins affiliates got some great pitching! Continue reading if you would like more information from your Minor League Report. By the end of the day on Thursday, the Twins will have drafted five players they hope to sign. Keep up with everything related to the draft here at Twins Daily. Image courtesy of Seth Stohs (photo of Fernando Romero) It was a sweep for the Minnesota Twins and their minor league affiliates on Wednesday night. Wins have been infrequent for the Twins, and on this night, it their bats that led to the win. In the minors, it was more about the traditional way to win, strong pitching. Looking at the four starting pitchers in the minors, they combined to give up three runs over 27 innings. The bullpens then combined for nine scoreless innings. Pitching wins, and on this night, the Twins affiliates got some great pitching! Continue reading if you would like more information from your Minor League Report. By the end of the day on Thursday, the Twins will have drafted five players they hope to sign. Keep up with everything related to the draft here at Twins Daily. RED WINGS REPORT Rochester 3, Buffalo 1 Box Score Tommy Milone put together another strong start for the Red Wings, and JT Chargois shut the door as the Red Wings improved to 35-25, the best record in the International League. Milone started and improved to 4-0 with a 1.94 ERA with seven strong innings. He gave up one run on eight hits and two walks. He struck out six. In the eighth inning, Mike Quade used three pitchers for one out apiece. David Martinez, Ryan O’Rourke and JT Chargois each got an out. Chargois pitched a clean ninth inning to record his fourth save. Buck Britton went 2-3 with a walk. John Ryan Murphy had the two biggest hits in the game. His fourth double drove in a run, and he also had an RBI single. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 5, Jacksonville 2 Box Score Aaron Slegers was solid on the mound again and his battery mate provided some of the power. Slegers worked the first seven innings. He gave up two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out two batters. Luke Westphal gave up a hit and a walk, but he pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Trevor Hildenberger pitched a quick, perfect ninth inning to record his eighth Lookouts save. Shannon Wilkerson led the offense. The outfielder went 3-4 with his fifth double. Travis Harrison added his 11th double and a walk. Leonardo Reginnato went 2-5. Stuart Turner added his third home run of the season. The first four runs (three earned) scored by the Lookouts came against former Twins minor leaguer, lefty Matt Tomshaw. He was a minor league Rule 5 pick of the Marlins following the 2014 season. The Lookouts are inching closer to that .500 mark at 29-30 on the season. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 1, Brevard County 0 Box Score Tyler Jay may not have had his best stuff, but the results were terrific again. Jay gave up seven hits and walked two, but he threw six shutout innings. He struck out four. He has now thrown 15 consecutive shutout innings to drop his season ERA to 2.18. He was replaced by Luke Bard who struck out two over two scoreless innings. Yorman Landa worked the ninth to maintain the shutout and record his third save. Miracle pitchers were helped tremendously by five double plays. The pitching had little margin for error as the Brewers’ affiliate held the Miracle offense to just five hits and struck out 15. The lone run came in the fourth inning. With two outs, Edgar Corcino singled. Chris Paul doubled him in from first base. TJ White batted third in his return from Chattanooga. Joe Maloney played his first game for their Miracle. They batted third and fourth, respectively, and each had one hit. Maloney’s hit was a triple. For Brevard County, former Twins prospect Zack Jones made his first appearance of the year on a rehab assignment. The Rule 5 pick threw one inning. He walked one and struck out two. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 6, Kane County 0 Box Score The reports coming out of Ft. Myers this spring indicated that Fernando Romero was throwing well, and throwing hard. He recently was promoted to the Kernels and has been fantastic ever since. On this night, the strong right-hander improved to 4-0 and dropped his ERA to 1.17 with seven shutout innings. He gave up four hits, walked one and struck out seven. Michael Cederoth worked the final two innings and kept the shutout. He walked one and struck out three. The Kernels got it going early. Zander Wiel had an RBI double. It was followed by a two-run blast off the bat of AJ Murray, his sixth homer of the year. In the seventh inning, the Kernels got RBI singles from JJ Fernandez and Luis Arraez, followed by an RBI double by Sean Miller. Arraez went 2-4 with a double. LaMonte Wade walked twice. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Fernando Romero, Cedar Rapids Kernels Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Shannon Wilkerson, Chattanooga Lookouts THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester @ Buffalo (12:05 p.m. CST) - LHP Andrew Albers Jacksonville @ Chattanooga (10:15 am CST) - RHP Kohl Stewart Ft. Myers @ Brevard County (5:35 CST) – RHP Keaton Steele Kane County @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) – RHP Miles Nordgren Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Wednesday games. View full article

I don't know. Maybe it's pitch mix. Maybe it's straight. Maybe he gets behind often. I'll do more digging, of course... but I care more about 'stuff' for guys at that level than numbers... though I'd say that's kind of the line.

Not saying you're right or wrong, but I'd be very curious of your top 30 or 40 and who all you would have ahead of them... With both, there are certainly holes and question marks, but that's true of any organization's 11-20 and beyond, and frankly, all prospects.

Yeah, my bad... the way Machado was pimping it, I assume it was a home run and not a fly out.

Thanks! Like I tell everyone, I take a ton of pictures and hope a few turn out well.

I believe he has to be added this offseason... or potentially be lost.

Well, the All Star game is in Cedar Rapids in two weeks. He'll probably play in that and move up the next day. I'm OK with two weeks. At that point, he'll have like 60 games in Low A, which isn't a lot. So, he's not behind any curve or anything.

I think he'll play in the big leagues, but when you have a 35% K rate in AA, and now a 50% K-Rate in AAA, imagine what his K-Rate would be in MLB... He's been batting 7th most of the season. The story is the same as it always has been... Some adjustment needs to be made. He has increased is BB-Rate the last several years, but he'd have to take advantage of every mistake pitch to be successful. He'll likely get a shot, but something needs to click. That said, he's just 24 in AAA. Nothing wrong with him spending a couple of years there working on putting the ball in play. If he can drop that rate to 30%, then there's a chance, and this is just his first option year so no real rush.

I like Chad... really good person... But in his second season at at Ft. Myers, he is hitting .190/.254/.267 (.521) in 42 games this year.

He won't. (unless hurt)

I mean, I get that, but he's essentially league average age, and I'd rather have him tearing it up and taking the types of at bats that he is than seeing him struggle. He can only play at the level he's playing at.

Man, it's a good one! In fact, before the game, the on-field PA guy did a segment with Wade on his mustache before one of the games i was at. Ha!

Walking isn't really the problem for Walker. I mean, his IsoD this year in AAA is .076. Palka's in AA is .082. It's just about the contact.

Updated... yes, meant walked!

Can't imagine many feel bad for Machado either... He literally walked halfway to first base glaring at Ventura in the previous at bat when he homered off of him. So, I don't feel bad for Machado, who has a history of his own issues... But Ventura is an idiot. 99 mph fastballs are nice, but he's a bit beyond intense and into the realm of crazy.

Yup, several high-ceiling types in Extended Spring Training... Aren't stats readily available so I've talked to a few people...

Lots of transactions on Tuesday: Joe Maloney and TJ White sent from Chattanooga to Ft. Myers. Engelb Vielma promoted to Chattanooga. Chad Christensen was released from Ft. Myers. Alex Perez was promoted from Cedar Rapids to Ft. Myers.

Each year I like to update my Top Prospect rankings right before the draft. My most recent rankings were done for the 2016 Prospect Handbook, so last December. (I posted them here in March) It’s time for a new ranking as several things have happened, including players “graduating’ from prospect status as well as a couple months of games and new information. Yesterday, I posted my choices for Twins Prospects 21-40. Today, I’ll be sharing my choices for Twins Prospects 11-20. As you could probably guess, tomorrow I’ll share my Top Ten Twins Prospects. These prospect rankings are fun. They’re not scientific. They involve many factors including, but not limited to, age, performance, level of competition, reports from players, coaches, front office types, as well as my eye test from spring training, a trip to Cedar Rapids and watching several games on milb.tv. There are several purposes for writing these. First, it gives you some names to consider as you are reading our minor league reports. Second, these players (and really all of the minor leaguers, but I’m not going to rank 150 players!) deserve to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to their profession. Third, it’s always fun to discuss these lists and the players involved. Image courtesy of Seth Stohs (photos of Daniel Palka, Adam Brett Walker) Each year I like to update my Top Prospect rankings right before the draft. My most recent rankings were done for the 2016 Prospect Handbook, so last December. (I posted them here in March) It’s time for a new ranking as several things have happened, including players “graduating’ from prospect status as well as a couple months of games and new information. Yesterday, I posted my choices for Twins Prospects 21-40. Today, I’ll be sharing my choices for Twins Prospects 11-20. As you could probably guess, tomorrow I’ll share my Top Ten Twins Prospects. These prospect rankings are fun. They’re not scientific. They involve many factors including, but not limited to, age, performance, level of competition, reports from players, coaches, front office types, as well as my eye test from spring training, a trip to Cedar Rapids and watching several games on milb.tv. There are several purposes for writing these. First, it gives you some names to consider as you are reading our minor league reports. Second, these players (and really all of the minor leaguers, but I’m not going to rank 150 players!) deserve to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to their profession. Third, it’s always fun to discuss these lists and the players involved. I’m pretty certain that not 100% of you will agree with 100% of my rankings. In fact, I’m certain no one would share the exact same Top 40, so feel free to discuss in the forum. I enjoy answering any questions you may have. With that, let’s get started. #20 - LHP Randy Rosario - 22 - Ft. Myers Miracle While his record is just 2-5 and he has a 3.95 ERA so far this season, Rosario is all about the tools and the talent. After missing a year with Tommy John surgery, he returned to the Kernels for half of the season last year. He was added to the 40-man roster based on stuff. He just recently turned 22, has already had a surgery and returned throwing left-handed in the mid-90s. He’s still building up and the sky is the limit for him. #19 - 1B Lewin Diaz - 19 - Extended Spring Training Diaz was the Twins big international signing in 2013 from the Dominican Republic. At 6-3 and 255 pounds, it is pretty evident what his biggest attribute is on the baseball field. He has a tremendous amount of power, but he could eventually be a solid all-around hitter. Reports from Ft. Myers are that he is hitting very well right now and has for most of extended spring training. He is a work-in-progress at first base having played some in the outfield as an amateur. His best position might be DH. He ended last season by hitting just .157 in 14 games at Elizabethton, but three of his eight hits went over the fence. He’ll likely return to the E-Twins for the short-season. #18 - 3B Trey Cabbage - 19 - Extended Spring Training At 6-3 and just over 200 pounds, Trey Cabbage is another great athlete in the Twins system. He was selected in the third round of the 2015 draft and signed quickly. He hit .252 in 33 games in the GCL. He has played mostly third but also some shortstop this spring. Reports are that he was really crushing the ball early in EST. With a strong, smooth, left-handed swing, he has the potential to hit for power while also being willing to use the whole field. In a few weeks, he’ll head to his home state of Tennessee and play for the Elizabethton Twins. #17 - SS Wander Javier - 17 - Dominican Summer League Based solely on his signing bonus ($4 million), Javier should be much higher up this list. However, he’s just 17 and made his professional debut on Saturday in the Dominican Summer League. In two games, he’s 1-7 with two walks and a double. The stats, of course, are completely meaningless. At that age, it’s all about the tools, and Javier is blessed with a shed full of tools. Most believe that he can stay at shortstop. He has a strong arm. He can run well. He should hit, and many think he will eventually hit for a lot of power. That’s how a guy gets a big signing bonus. Now, time for the development. #16 - OF Adam Brett Walker - 24 - Rochester Red Wings Walker has moved up one level each year since the Twins drafted the Milwaukee native out of Jacksonville University in the third round of the 2012 draft.Since then, he has provided a ton of power. Last year in AA Chattanooga, he led the Southern League with 31 home runs and 106 RBI. Walker has been discussed many times in the pages and forums of Twins Daily. He struck out 40% of the time last year in AA, and right now he’s striking out nearly 50% of his plate appearances in AAA. He remains productive, however, hitting just .215, but with 12 home runs and 26 RBI. He is just 24-years-old and in just his first option year, so the hope would be that he can find incremental improvements the rest of this year and into next year. Defensively he is a good athlete, but struggles throwing. #15 - RHP Alex Meyer - 26 - Rochester Red Wings 2015 was a tough year for Meyer on many counts, including on the mound. He began this season in the Red Wings starting rotation and after three starts, he was called up to the Twins to pitch long relief. However, two starters went on the disabled list and Meyer had to be pushed back to allow him to make a start. He made one start in Houston, and knowing that Ervin Santana would make his next scheduled start, Meyer was sent down to Rochester right away to allow a bullpen arm to be called up to take a spot until Santana came off the DL and made the start. That’s where things get interesting. Upon his return to Rochester, he pitched a bullpen and felt some soreness in his right shoulder. The organization decided to shut him down and skip a start. The soreness hadn’t subsided and the timing kept being pushed back. Because the minor league 7-day DL is not retroactive, they were hopeful that he would soon be better and get right back into the rotation. However, when it had been four weeks, he was given an MRI and it showed some inflammation. He was put on the DL. At 26, the hope is that he can be healthy soon and find a role he can be successful with with the Twins. As we saw early this year, his 96-97 mph fastball is terrific, and his curveball can be devastating. #14 - LHP Lewis Thorpe - 20 - Extended Spring Training Thorpe had Tommy John surgery last April and missed the entire year. This spring, he was feeling well and starting to get back on the mound. Recently, he had a setback. Thorpe came down with mono which will cost him time again, building his strength up. Hard to believe after he missed a full year that Thorpe is still just 20. Signed in 2011 from Australia, Thorpe burst on the scene when he added weight and fastball velocity, touching 95, in 2013 in the GCL. He pitched for the Kernels in 2014. Hopefully he can get back on the mound soon and eventually spend some time with an affiliate in 2016. #13 - LaMonte Wade - 22 - Cedar Rapids Kernels Wade was the Twins ninth-round draft pick in 2015 out of the University of Maryland. After playing 1B for a couple of years, he moved out to center field for his junior season. Unfortunately, he broke his hamate bone and missed time that year. That’s how he was available in the ninth round. He immediately started showing his talent in Elizabethton where he hit .312 with 22 extra base hits. He also walked 46 times and struck out just 34 times. He ended the season with a few games in Cedar Rapids, including their playoff run. He was our choice for Twins Minor League Hitter of the Month in April and continued to play well in May. Overall, he’s still hitting .318 with a .438 on base percentage and nine extra-base hits. Again he shows a very professional at-bat and has struck out 22 times to go with 38 walks. He was named a starter in the Midwest League All Star game in Cedar Rapids and could be in line for a promotion to Ft. Myers in the season’s second half. #12 - RH RP Nick Burdi - 23 - Chattanooga Lookouts Burdi struggled a year ago in his first full season as a professional at AA until he went down to Ft. Myers for a short time. He turned things around and pitched well for the Lookouts late in the year and then in the Arizona Fall League. He had a strong showing in big league camp this spring. Unfortunately, he has been shut down twice already this year with arm ailments. Neither was the shoulder or the UCL, so that’s the positive. He is currently on the DL with a bone bruise on his elbow which can be very painful. He is starting a throwing program. It’d be nice to have him back in the second half. At this point he may not be an automatic for a call up in the second half. #11 - OF Daniel Palka - 24 - Chattanooga Lookouts The Twins acquired Palka this past offseason from the Diamondbacks in exchange for catcher Chris Herrmann. Palka made a strong first impression when he joined the big league club for a game in spring training and homered in his first two at- bats. And then hit another one the next day. He is tied with Adam Brett Walker for the organizational lead in home runs this year with 12. Palka can play some first base though this year Doug Mientkiewicz has played him mostly in right field. He is willing to take walks and, like Walker, one area to watch with him is his strikeout rate which currently is sitting at 30% this year (Walker was at 35% last year in AA.. A year ago in Visalia, he hit .280 with 36 doubles, 29 homers and 90 RBI. He also stole 24 bases, but has just three so far this year. Palka was the third-round pick of Arizona’s in 2013 out of Georgia Tech, though he is just 10 days younger than Walker. So there they are, my choices for Twins prospects 11-20. What are your thoughts these ten guys? Discuss them below in the comments or feel free to ask any questions you may have. Tomorrow we’ll post the choices for the Top 10 Minnesota Twins prospects At that point, you will have my choices, and I’d enjoy comparing my list to your Top 10 or Top 20 or Top 30, etc. View full article

Three Cedar Rapids Kernels have been named Midwest League All Stars today. Luis Arraez and LaMonte Wade were selected as starters while Sam Clay makes it as a reserve. Also, the Kernels coaching staff of Jake Mauer, Brian Dinkelman and JP Martinez will coach the Western team.

For a guy like Granite, OPS is a pretty meaningless stat (in my opinion). Simply, he isn't going to hit for any power. His doubles are singles that he turned into doubles. Slugging Percentage for him will be pretty much his batting average. Speed is 100% his game... well, that and professional plate appearances.

Well, of the three games I went to 10 days ago or so, he was the DH two of them and played 2B once. He's 'OK' with the glove and the thought is second base is his position - in other words, he's not moving over second. He's not a great athlete at this point. Maybe that'll come with time. Granite won't add power... He's Ben Revere in that sense. But he is an ideal leadoff type of hitter.

I don't know what the expectation is for him... I coudln't care less about his age. If he gets to the big leagues as a 26 or 27 year old and is a starter for 3-5 years. I'm good with that. If he's putting together a .680 OPS with some doubles and good D, we'll take that. I don't know why expectations would be any more than that. If expectations were more than that, I'd probably rank him MUCH higher on the list than 21.

Five Chattanooga Lookouts players will play in the Southern League All Star game, and they'll be coached by their Lookout coaches. Doug Mientkiewicz will manager the team and his coaches Ivan Arteaga and Tommy Watkins will join him. The players: Daniel Palka Travis Harrison Mitch Garver Trevor Hildenberger DJ Baxendale