Seth Stohs

The Twins have had their share of PED guys too... this shouldn't affect their decision-making. Ryan commented a year ago that those guys have served their time.

Much ado about nothing.

Similar, though Herrmann never played in Low A ball and was an FSL All Star his first full minor league season. Swim is a good hitter with an incredible knowledge of the strike zone. He doesn't swing at pitches that aren't strikes. He'll hit a few doubles, but not much power.

Here's a good place to find it... ha! http://www.lulu.com/shop/seth-stohs-and-jeremy-nygaard-and-cody-christie/minnesota-twins-prospect-handbook-2015/ebook/product-21948998.html Tall, thin, fastball 90-91, touches 94-95, good breaking ball, improving change.

Very good point, and that's not always a given in Low-A ball.

I agree. Remember these should be updated no less than once every other week. But if you read the daily minor league reports and monthly award winners and such, there are plenty of opportunities for updates. And again, we'd love to have more people , more minor league players, written about.

Zach Granite hit the first home run of his professional career last night for Ft. Myers.

Twins Daily story on Cam Booser. He was a nominee for Twins Minor League Reliever of the Month for April 2015.

Garver was the Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Year in 2014 when he had a big year in Cedar Rapids.

Mat has written two articles for far for Twins Daily. The first was about the Kernels' reading program. The second was about having Ricky Nolasco rehabbing with them.

Here is a story I did on Westphal for Twins Daily during Spring Training: http://twinsdaily.com/_/minnesota-twins-news/minnesota-twins-minor-leagues/luke-westphals-long-road-to-the-twins-r3444 He's got good strikeout numbers. Even if Gonsalves replaces him in the rotation, I think Westphal can be a solid reliever. And he's left-handed.

He had a high ankle sprain. They're hoping he's out a week, but we'll see.

I've missed a few here... let's see, and feel free to add to this: Eddie Rosario, Michael Tonkin and Ryan Pressly to the Twins. Tim Shibuya and Madison Boer to the Lookouts. Ft. Myers played a few more extra innings games, so they've done the EST to Ft. Myers thing again. Van Steensel and Peterson to EST for a day or two with Jose Velez and Alexis Tapia coming to the Miracle. Navarreto to the DL with Rainis Silva replacing him. Any others I'm missing?

Those games are also pitching to live batters. I wasn't counting things like bullpen sessions or simulated games.

That's a little bit deceiving... Along with the 65 innings in E-Town and CR last year, he also threw (I'm guessing) another 30-40 in Extended Spring Training and probably 15-20 in spring training, maybe more. So in reality, he probably threw closer to 110-120 innings last year.

T.J. White was the 18th round selection of the Minnesota Twins in 2014 out of UNLV. His professional career was delayed several weeks due to an injury. In 2015, he leads the Cedar Rapids Kernels in games played, manning the hot corner at third base most nights. Image courtesy of Seth Stohs T.J. White was the 18th round selection of the Minnesota Twins in 2014 out of UNLV. His professional career was delayed several weeks due to an injury. In 2015, he leads the Cedar Rapids Kernels in games played, manning the hot corner at third base most nights. Born and raised in Las Vegas, T.J. White attended athletic powerhouse Bishop Gorman High School. It may be best known right now as the school that produced Cordell Broadus (Snoop Dogg’s son), but it has a strong baseball history too. In fact, former Twins outfielder Marty Cordova, who was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1995, is from the school. While at Bishop Gorman, White teamed with some really good players, including Texas Rangers top prospect Joey Gallo. Gallo hit 42 home runs last year between Class A and AA after hitting 40 homers in 2013 in Low A. They both play third base now, and they both played third base in high school. So, how did that work? Well, earlier in their years there, White played third base while Gallo played shortstop. That changed heading in to White’s senior season. According to White, “My senior year, we switched. I played third up until my senior year in high school and he played short. We talked and went to the coach and said, ‘I want to play short and he’s going to get drafted as a third baseman.’ (The coach) said, ‘Alright, you guys do it.’ It was a good experience.” When asked about it, Joey Gallo replicated White’s story. “I was playing short. He was playing third. He was going to go to college as a shortstop, and I was going to be a third baseman so we asked our coach to switch. Our coaches went ‘Yeah, alright. Do it.’ We just switched. We were a little amazed how easy it was to convince him.” Gallo spoke very highly of the Twins third base prospect. “He’s always been one of my best teammates to play with it. He was always one of my best friends as well. We always did everything together. We were always in a big group together. He was always ready to play the game and always had a lot of fun. One of the best guys I’ve played with, that I can remember.” While Gallo went to the Rangers with the 39th overall pick in the 2012 draft, White knew where he was going after high school. He stayed at home and played an UNLV. “Being from Vegas, it was a pretty easy choice because there were about nine guys including myself from in town that were all going there together. We all talked to each other and planned it out that way. So we had nine guys incoming from Vegas.” Was Gallo the one that got away? “We tried! That’s for sure!” While at UNLV, the teams experienced quite a bit of success. As you would expect with that many young players coming in together, that success didn’t happen right away. “First year was a little rough, but the next two years we did really well. We had good chemistry, having all played against each other and then with each other. It was fun.” White played third, shortstop and second base. Mostly he played third base. “I think my sophomore year I played mostly all at short. My junior and freshman years were at third base.” He spent a summer playing for the YD Red Sox in the Cape Cod League and really enjoyed the experience. “It was a blast. It was awesome. Great baseball,” He continued, “The towns, small little cities they have there. You get to play against the top competition, the guys you hear about from the teams you don’t get to play. You get to play with them and against them.” Last season, while playing in the conference tournament, T.J. White broke the hamate bone at the base of his hand. He continued to play, but it certainly affected his draft status. The Twins took him with their 18th round pick. “I always heard seven to twelve in the beginning. Then I had the injury. So I kind of knew. I broke my hamate the weekend of conference tournament. Then I played regionals with it. I actually had surgery the day before the draft. I kind of knew that would push me back a little bit.” There was still no question that he would sign with the Twins. He told his UNLV coaches that he was going to sign. “I talked to the Twins and they said, ‘Rehab three weeks there.’ That way I didn’t have to take up a roster spot. So, I signed three weeks in and finished up my rehab.” He went to Ft. Myers and got into eight games with the GCL Twins just to get some at-bats. He finished the season by playing in five games at Elizabethton. “It was a little different. Coming back from the injury, it wasn’t ‘I’ve got to get into pro ball.’ It was more like ‘Get the hand to feel well.” I worked out a little bit. I got a lot of ABs. I wasn’t trying to put too much pressure on myself. I was just trying to get healthy.” White came to spring training this year, healthy and ready to compete. “It was a blast. I was finishing up working out and getting everything going. I feel good. Had a good spring training.” White takes pride in his defense at third base saying “I’ve always been pretty solid.” He is 5-10 and about 220 pounds. He’s stocky and very strong, but he also runs really well. “My speed is coming back, so I’m hoping to get a couple bags this year.” Despite his strength, White hasn’t been a home run hitter. “I’ve always been a good contact hitter, two strikes has been one of my strengths.” That said, it is something that he is looking to incorporate into his game. “I’ve been talking to Tommy (Watkins), trying to get a bit more power. I think that’s what I need to develop more. More power, so I think that’s one of the things we’re going to be working on. I’ve always been a doubles guy, gap-to-gap. Home runs is what we’re trying to produce. A little more pop, big guy.” For hitting coach Tommy Watkins, it’s not just about the homers. “I don’t worry so much about home runs. Home runs come as they get older and they get their man strength as I like to stay. Just trying to get him to drop more and use his legs. He’s a guy that, when he stands up, he uses his legs and understand that we walk around on our legs all day long.” White began the 2015 season slowly. Through the first 15 games, he was hitting just .215. Maybe it was the cold, but he has turned things around recently. In his last ten games, he is hitting .333/.386/.436 (.822). That’s a trend that we should see continue. As the power comes, White is certainly one to watch. View full article

I think Tapia is a really good prospect. Watched him a couple of times this spring. He's a big guy! He throws pretty hard and looks like he has the makings of some pretty good secondary pitches too. Definitely one to watch. Velez is interesting. Little guy, left-handed. Very hard worker. Very interesting delivery. He could use some deception and be a guy who sticks with it and eventually gets a shot.

We know that Twins Daily readers follow the Twins farm system each day with these reports. I would imagine you were equally excited to see Eddie Rosario promoted to the big leagues, and even more excited when he launched the first MLB pitch he saw into the bleachers in left centerfield. His Rochester Red Wings didn’t get much offense, and neither did the potent bats in Chattanooga. Ft. Myers and Cedar Rapids have been really struggling to generate offense, but on this night, they both got strong hitting to go with their usually stellar pitching. Image courtesy of Seth Stohs (Jose Velez, Max Murphy) We know that Twins Daily readers follow the Twins farm system each day with these reports. I would imagine you were equally excited to see Eddie Rosario promoted to the big leagues, and even more excited when he launched the first MLB pitch he saw into the bleachers in left centerfield. His Rochester Red Wings didn’t get much offense, and neither did the potent bats in Chattanooga. Ft. Myers and Cedar Rapids have been really struggling to generate offense, but on this night, they both got strong hitting to go with their usually stellar pitching. Read below for all of the scores and highlights from the Twins minor league system, starting with some transactions. TRANSACTIONS Rochester lost Doug Bernier as he was promoted to the Twins. Levi Michael was put on the 7-day disabled list with his ankle sprain. After the game, the Miracle promoted Madison Boer to Chattanooga Before the Miracle game, Brandon Peterson and Todd Van Steensel were sent to extended spring training while Jose Velez and Alexis Tapia came across the parking lot to play for the Miracle. (As they had done earlier in the year; this is procedural after the Miracle played two more extra innings games prior to Wednesday.) RED WINGS REPORT Rochester 1, Indianapolis 3 Box Score Minor league teams rarely fly. Those long bus rides are famous, or infamous, in the minors. However, the International League is spread all over the eastern half of the country. The Red Wings had an early-morning flight to Indianapolis. Pat Dean made the start and the left-hander went the first 5.2 innings. He gave up three runs on nine hits and three walks. He struck out just one. Mark Hamburger made his return to the bullpen and got five outs. He gave up no runs despite giving up two hits and a walk. Ryan O’Rourke got the final two outs. The Red Wings didn’t produce much offense on this day. They had six hits, but were able to cross home plate just once. That happened on a solo home run off the bat of Josmil Pinto. The Red Wings saw a couple of old friends in this game. Right-hander Deolis Guerra got the win. He gave up three hits and struck out one in 2.1 innings out of the bullpen. Third baseman Deibinson Romero went 2-4 with two doubles. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 3, Jackson 4 Box Score The Lookouts got close but weren’t able to catch Jackson on this night, falling by one. Alex Wimmers made the start. He gave up two runs on three hits over six innings. He walked four and struck out seven. Tim Shibuya came on and gave up two runs on two hits and a walk in his two innings. Cole Johnson struck out two in his perfect inning. Max Kepler went 2-4 in the game. In the bottom of the ninth, he drove a ball that was caught at the wall in center field. Travis Harrison had a walk and his eighth double. Adam Brett Walker added an RBI double. Byron Buxton’s eight-game hitting streak came to an end after an 0-4 night. He did have an RBI. Miguel Sano went 0-3 and walked once. He also committed his sixth error. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 9, Bradenton 0 Box Score The Miracle scored three runs in the first inning. In the third, they put up a five-spot. They received very good pitching and got a needed win, in regulation. The top four hitters in the Miracle lineup each had two hits. Zach Granite, Engelb Vielma and Alex Swim went 2-5. Brian Haar was 2-4. Niko Goodrum provided power with his two-run home in the first inning. It was his fourth of the season. Tanner Vavra added his second double. Chih-Wei Hu made the start. The right-hander from Taiwan threw five shutout innings. He gave up five hits, walked one and struck out two. He needed just 79 pitches and 51 of them were strikes. Lefty Jose Velez came on and struck out four (and walked none) in three perfect innings. Right-hander Alexis Tapia gave up a hit in a scoreless inning. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 8, Wisconsin 2 Box Score Through five innings, the score of this game was 2-2. John Curtiss worked the first six, got a lead, and then the two most dominant relievers in the Midwest League came on to, well, dominate the final three innings and close out the team’s 16th win. Curtiss was charged with two runs on six hits in those six innings. He struck out eight without issuing a walk. Trevor Hildenberger came on and struck out three in two perfect innings. Cam Booser got the final three batters out, two of them on strikeouts. Hildenberger’s season ERA now sits at 0.60 while Booser’s is at 0.69. The Kernels scored three runs in the sixth and another three runs in the seventh to take control of this game. Max Murphy led the way. He went 3-5 with his third triple and three RBI. Trey Vavra went 3-5. He also had another outfield assist. Tanner English added a double. Rainis Silva, who was recently promoted when Brian Navarreto went on the DL, went 1-3 with a walk. He doubled in his first MWL at bat. The 19-year-old is the youngest player on the Kernels roster, about five months younger than Nick Gordon. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Jose Velez, Ft. Myers Miracle Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Max Murphy, Cedar Rapids Kernels THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester @ Indianapolis (10:05 am CST) – LHP Taylor Rogers Jackson @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) – RHP Tyler Duffey Jupiter @ Ft. Myers (6:05 CST) – RHP Ethan Mildren Clinton @ Cedar Rapids (6:30 CST) – LHP Stephen Gonsalves Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Wednesday games. View full article

But if he's a prospect, they have other guys who could be optioned/DFAd.

I'm in agreement that it was largely because of the thumb injury that wasn't allowed (or wasn't admitted) to heal. The guy can hit. I'd love to see him DHing or PHing with the Twins!

That would be awesome!

Great photo.

Agree that Ryan shouldn't answer any questions of timeline... but it's fun to think of for us! And... I'm thinking they could find a 40 man spot for him if necessary.