Seth Stohs

The next time someone says that the Twins (or whichever team) is wasting roster spots by signing minor league free agents and hoping, remind them of Jerome Williams’ performance against the Twins on Tuesday night in LA. Formerly one of baseball’s top prospects (12-13 years ago), Williams has been signed as a minor league free agent several times. He should be proud of his three-hit shutout against the Twins. He had Twins hitters baffled all night (insert joke about how difficult that really is to do, if you choose). Francisco Liriano gave up four runs in 5.1 innings. Torii Hunter again had his number. The Twins lost 4-0, but it was all about Jerome Williams on this night. Since there is pretty much zero to be positive about with the Twins game, here is a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights from Tuesday: ROCHESTER 2, EMPIRE STATE 5 The Red Wings were back on the road at home as they played three games in Rochester as the “Visitor” on the scoreboard against the Empire State Yankees (formerly Scranton/Wilkes Barre). Daryl Thompson was on the mound for the Red Wings and his line was actually better than it looked. And it looked pretty good. Through six scoreless innings, he gave up just one hit. He started the seventh by giving up two hits and was charged with a run. Casey Fien replaced him and gave up a run in 1.1 innings. Tyler Robertson came in and gave up three runs on two hits and a walk in 0.2 innings. Ben Revere led the offense with a 3-5 day. He doubled for the first time on his AAA season. Brian Dozier was 2-4 with a walk. Rene Rivera was 2-4 with a double and a stolen base. Rene Tosoni returned to the lineup. He batted third and played in left field. NEW BRITAIN 6, HARRISBURG 1 (12 Innings) There were a couple of good stories in this game. First, BJ Hermsen made his AA debut. He gave up a single run in the bottom of the 1st inning, but that was it. The right-hander gave up just one run on four hits in seven innings. He walked one and struck out five. Blake Martin and Brett Jacobson each pitched a scoreless inning. Second, Caleb Thielbar came in and pitched two scoreless innings, the 10th and the 11th frames. He traveled to New Britain on Monday morning and was fortunate to record the final out of the Rock Cats win that night. He recorded the save on Monday night and thanks to the Rock Cats 12th inning rally, he recorded a win in his second outing. Third, Daniel Turpen pitched a scoreless 12th inning. He walked none and struck out two. Turpen has put together a strong early season as well. Last year, in over 50 innings, he walked 35 and struck out just 33. In 15 innings with the Rock Cats thus far this year, he has 16 strikeouts to go with zero walks. Fourth, despite little offense through most of the game, the Rock Cats exploded for five runs in the top of the 12th. Danny Lehmann knocked in what proved to be the game winning run. Later, Wilkin Ramirez doubled in two more runs. Pedro Florimon was the only hitter with more than a hit. He as 2-6 (And is hitting .290) and stole his sixth base. FT. MYERS 3, PALM BEACH 9 This game was actually much closer than it appears. Marty Popham started and gave up three runs on nine hits and two walks in 6.1 innings. Edgar Ibarra came in and got out of the 7th, but he gave up six runs (just two earned) on four hits and two walks. Oswaldo Arcia went 3-4 with his third triple. Jairo Perez went 2-3 with a walk and his third home run. Michael Gonzales was 2-4. BELOIT – No Game Scheduled The Snappers enjoyed a day off on Tuesday. Wednesday morning, they’ll make the drive over to Cedar Rapids, IA, for a three-game series. --- Players of the Day for Tuesday, May 1, 2012 Hitter of the Day – Oswaldo Arcia [ATTACH=CONFIG]833[/ATTACH] Pitcher of the Day – BJ Hermsen [ATTACH=CONFIG]832[/ATTACH] (Photo by Thrylos) --- A Look Ahead – Wednesday, May 2, 2012 Schedule Rochester @ Empire State – RHP Cole DeVries New Britain @ Harrisburg – LHP Andrew Albers Ft. Myers @ Palm Beach – LHP Pat Dean Beloit @ Cedar Rapids – RHP Matt Summers --- If you have any questions or comments on the Twins minor league system, players, teams, etc., leave them in the Comments and I’ll try to answer them!

buh-dump-bump!!

It's a subjective list... opinion based... and I'm completely fine with people ranking them themselves (as I mentioned). I think ERA, WHIP, K/9, BB/9, K/BB, BAA, and all kinds of things matter... I don't know how I would rank or prioritize them. I also hope that we'll have more people considered for this list next month.

I actually agree with both of you. Burroughs served little purpose on the roster, other than being left-handed. But the pattern and DL usage and mentioned by Nick is 100% accurate. That said, if Morneau is able to play on Friday or Saturday (guessing not likely), then it was the right decision not to DL him... however, I still would have taken a pitcher off the 25 (and possibly 40) man roster. The Twins were already at 39, I believe.

This also should not be minimized. If he couldn't run last night, I'm completely on board with him not catching for a few days. Just adds to this move making sense.

Every manager wants a backup catcher. There isn't one manager in baseball that doesn't. Again, When Mauer catches, Doumit plays somewhere else. And vice versa. So every day, Butera would be the backup catcher. Yes, it is a third catcher, but when the other two are starting every day, I don't have a problem with it at all.

"The Twins aren't so deep that they can afford the luxury of carrying 3 catchers, especially while they are carrying 13 pitchers," When the first two catchers are every day players, then the third catcher is really the backup catcher... He's really the #2 catcher, regardless of which starting catcher starts that day and which plays another position. I do agree that carrying 13 pitchers is a bit much.

Burnett's been pretty good so far.

Butera will be the 3rd catcher... He will hardly play and he'll not hit much... I get the snide sarcasm, but it's not a big deal... The big deal is losing Morneau, if that's what happens.

The newest "Get to know the Snappers" installment is up, and it's on Corey Williams. Check it out here: http://beloit.snappers.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120501&content_id=30120362&vkey=news_t554&fext=.jsp&sid=t554

According to 1500espn, Drew Butera is headed to Los Angeles to join the Twins. Right now, he is a possible addition to the Rochester roster, pending what they learn about the wrist of Justin Morneau. Of the players on the 40 man roster, Butera makes the most sense. Joe Mauer will likely get more time at 1B with Ryan Doumit doing the catching. Of course, this doesn't bode well for Chris Parmelee who needs to play. Of the three catchers that went to camp with the Twins and started the season in Rochester, Butera has far-and-away been playing the best.

http://www.milb.com/multimedia/vpp.jsp?content_id=21048149&sid=t509 Check out the new Miracle Insider Show (Episode II). There are profiles/interviews with OF Lance Ray and IF Levi Michael. There's a look at how the Miracle are celebrating their 20th year in Ft. Myers. And more.

Sano is in USA Today this morning in an article about Bobby Valentine being the producer of Peletero. There is a nice 1:15 clip from the movie. I enjoy seeing all of the MLB stuff he wears in the small clip. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2012/04/pelotero-documentary-dominican-miguel-sano-bobby-valentine/1

someone would have to do some research and show me that winning in the minor leagues leads to winning in the big leagues. Don't get me wrong, the purpose of every game is for the Twins to win. During the game, the pitchers and hitters should be doing everything they can to try to win. That said, if a manager is instructed to play the team's top prospect, even if he isn't currently as good as another player today... I want them playing the struggling prospect.

I know many people care about the win-loss records in the minor leagues, but for me, it doesn't matter at all. The minor leagues are 100% about player development and what is best for the individuals, to make them the best big leaguer. I do think that being part of a team and learning what types of things can help a team win are part of that development.

For what it's worth AND nothing personal, but I really hope you're wrong too!

Ryan's most recent Twins Daily blog entry: http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?490-Back-to-Beloit-Housing-in-the-Midwest

Tweeted this Sunday night: Last year, RH RP Daniel Turpen walked 35 and struck out 33 in 59.2 IP. In 14 IP so far this year, he has 0 walks and 14 strikeouts.

Selected Twins Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month (April) by Twins Daily: http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?493-Twins-Minor-League-Relief-Pitcher-of-the-Month-April

Recorded a save for the Rock Cats by getting the final out in the bottom of the 12th inning of their 1-0 win on Monday (4/30).

According to the Miracle Baseball twitter feed this morning, Salcedo suffered a broken nose. "He suffered a broken nose on the line drive that skipped up and hit him in the face." Ouch!! No news on if it will mean some time on the DL. I would think some.

He wasn't better than any of the guys they had starting in AAA... but now that he's been promoted to Rochester, he'll get a shot.

Tuesday - May 1 - Wilkin Ramirez promoted from Ft. Myers to New Britain. Cole Nelson promoted to Ft. Myers from Extended Spring Training.