Steve Lein

With two affiliates traveling, there were only four games on tap for Tuesday. There was little offense in a few of those games, but the action in the others more than made up for it. A starter in Fort Myers delivered another strong performance in a shutout victory, while bombs went off in Elizabethton led by a standout performer drafted nearly two months ago to the day. To find out how all the Minnesota Twins prospects who were in action on Tuesday fared, read on! Image courtesy of Linwood Ferguson (photo of Griffin Jax) With two affiliates traveling, there were only four games on tap for Tuesday. There was little offense in a few of those games, but the action in the others more than made up for it. A starter in Fort Myers delivered another strong performance in a shutout victory, while bombs went off in Elizabethton led by a standout performer drafted nearly two months ago to the day. To find out how all the Minnesota Twins prospects who were in action on Tuesday fared, read on! TRANSACTIONS There were a few moves in the system before the games: The Chattanooga Lookouts sent LHP Casey Crosby on a rehab assignment to the GCL Twins. Also, in some sad news RHP Todd Van Steensel was released from the Lookouts roster. In Cedar Rapids, outfielder and 2018 first round draft pick Trevor Larnach was officially promoted. To make room, Jean Carlos Arias was sent back to Elizabethton, and Christian Cavaness was released from the Kernels roster. RED WINGS REPORT Toledo 5, Rochester 1 Box Score Starter Zack Littell had to try to work around a bunch of trouble in his outing, and he wasn’t able to on enough occasions. He finished 4 2/3 innings with 96 pitches (61 strikes), allowing five hits and five walks. Two errors from his defense led to five runs (two earned). This was more than enough for the Mud Hens as Rochester finished 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left five men on base. Gregorio Petit finished the day 2-for-4 with a double to lead the way. Edgar Corcino added a triple and scored their only run on a RBI single from Juan Graterol that followed. The bullpen duo of Luke Bard and John Curtiss combined to finish the game in scoreless fashion. Bard went 2 1/3, allowing one hit and striking out two. Curtiss finished the final two innings by allowing one hit and one walk. He struck out three. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Scheduled Day Off. After taking three out of five against the Mississippi Braves, the Lookouts got a day off on Tuesday before continuing the second half of their 10-game homestand against the Jackson Generals tomorrow. MIRACLE MATTERS Fort Myers 5, Lakeland 0 Box Score The Miracle got a fantastic start from right-hander Griffin Jax and as a result Jose Miranda’s first home run in the Florida State League would be all the run support needed, but the lineup added some insurance just in case. Jax pitched into the eighth inning where he allowed a leadoff double before getting a groundout for his final out. In his 7 1/3 innings, he gave up only four hits, walked one, and struck out seven. Of his 94 pitches 67 went for strikes and he retired twelve in a row at one point. He improved to 3-1 on the season. July’s Twins Daily MiLB Relief Pitcher of the Month, Jovani Moran, came on and finished off the victory with 1 2/3 scoreless frames to pick up his third save with Fort Myers. He retired all five hitters he faced including punctuating the win with his second strikeout to end it. The offense got two hits from Taylor Grzelakowski (2-5, RBI, 2 K) and Caleb Hamilton (2-for-3, R, 2B, RBI), While Miranda’s home run was a two-run shot in the eighth that made it 3-0. Royce Lewis singled, stole a base, and scored a run in five trips to the plate. Alex Kirilloff finished 1-for-4. KERNELS NUGGETS Scheduled Day Off. Cedar Rapids got a travel day on Tuesday to head further east across the state of Iowa. They will begin a five-game road trip with three versus the Clinton Lumberkings on Wednesday. E-TWINS E-TALK Kingsport 10, Elizabethton 16 Box Score The lack of offense in the other games on Tuesday was more than made up for in this one. The E-Twins racked up 16 runs on 16 hits, seven walks, and two errors against the Kingsport defense in a scoreboard slugfest. Even more remarkable was that the Mets scored their 10 runs on just six hits. Combined the teams finished 9-for-21 with runners in scoring position and left half as many runners on the bases as they scored. Chris Williams had a mammoth day, finishing 2-for-3 with two home runs and six RBIs. He also was hit by a pitch, had a sac fly, and scored three runs on the game. His first home run in the eight-run third inning was a three-run blast. His second was a two-run shot in the fourth. Robert Molina concluded the fireworks in the third with a grand slam. Williams now has 14 homers in 42 games with Elizabethton (that’s a better rate than Brent Rooker had last year, if you were wondering). Molina’s slam was his second in the Appalachian League and drove in five runs in total. Gilberto Celestino (2-for-6, 2 R), Colton Burns (3-for-4, 3 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Ricky De La Torre (2-for-5, R, K), and Lean Marrero (3-for-4, R, BB) joined Williams and Molina with multiple hits. With all that offense, the pitching wasn’t as great for the Twins. Luis Rijo made his first start with his new organization and due to an error in the fourth, ended his debut being charged with five unearned runs. In 3 2/3 innings he allowed two hits, walked two, and struck out four. Pedro Garcia went the next 3 1/3 and allowed five earned runs on three hits and four walks while striking out three. Zach Neff finished the game for the Twins with two scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and struck out one. GCL TWINS TAKES GCL Twins 2, GCL Rays 3 Box Score The Twins lineup was only able to muster three hits on the game and combined with drawing zero walks, they just didn’t have or make for themselves many opportunities. They were just 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left only one man on base. Their runs were courtesy of an Agustin Marte solo home run in the sixth (his first in the states), and an RBI single from Estamy Urena after Gabe Snyder reached second base on an error in the eighth. Despite all that the score was tied 2-2 heading into the ninth, so the Twins also had some good pitching. On a rehab assignment from Chattanooga, Casey Crosby struck out three in the first inning but due to a walk, a stolen base, error, and wild pitch also gave up an unearned run. Prelander Berroa went the next four frames and allowed an unearned run on three hits and one walk while striking out three. Junior Navas then threw two scoreless frames, allowing two hits and striking out two. Denny Bentley added a one-two-three eighth inning setting the stage for climactic ninth. When the Twins went down in order in the top half, Niklas Rimmel came on to pitch the bottom. He was greeted by a double from the leadoff man, got the next to fly out, but couldn’t escape as a single a few batters later walked it off for the Rays. STARS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day – Griffin Jax, Fort Myers Miracle (W, 7.1IP, 4 H, BB, 7 K) Twins Daily Hitter(s) of the Day – Chris Williams, Elizabethton Twins (2-for-3, 3R, 2 HR (14), 6 RBI) TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY #1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) – 1-for-5, R, SB (5) #2 - Alex Kirilloff (Ft. Myers) – 1-for-4, K #3 - Brusdar Graterol (Ft. Myers) – Did not pitch. #4 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) – 0-for-4, 2 K #5 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) – Did not pitch. #6 - Trevor Larnach (Cedar Rapids) – Did not play (officially promoted on Tuesday). #7 - Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) – Did not play. #8 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) – Did not play. #9 -Wander Javier – Out of for the season. #10 - Zack Littell (Rochester) – L (3-5), 4.2IP, 5 R (2 ER), 5 H, 5 BB, 3 K #11 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – Did not play. #12 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) – Did not play. #13 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) – 1-for-4, R, K #14 - Lewis Thorpe (Chattanooga) – Did not play. #15 - Ben Rortvedt (Ft. Myers) – Did not play. #16 - Yunior Severino (Elizabethton) – 1-for-6, R, 2 K #17 - Lewin Diaz (Ft. Myers) – Will have surgery on his wrist soon. Out for season. #18 - Ryan Jeffers (Cedar Rapids) – Did not play. #19 - Jacob Pearson (Cedar Rapids) – Did not play. #20 - Luis Arraez (Chattanooga) – Did not play. WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Toledo @ Rochester (6:05PM CST) – RHP Chase De Jong (0-1, 12.27 ERA) Jackson @ Chattanooga (6:15PM CST) – LHP Lewis Thorpe (7-4, 3.67 ERA) Fort Myers @ Lakeland (5:30PM CST) – RHP Clark Beeker (4-6, 4.04 ERA) Cedar Rapids @ Clinton (7:00PM CST) – LHP Tyler Watson (4-5, 4.76 ERA) Kingsport @ Elizabethton (6:00PM CST) – TBD GCL Rays @ GCL Twins (11:00AM CST) – TBD Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games! View full article

I've felt the same about Vargas, always wanted him to get an extended run and never did. As far as I can tell Davis was a good hitter at Texas Tech, but not a great one (didn't hit over .300). Not sure about his Shortstop abilities. And I'm with you on Benninghoff!

It hasn’t been an enjoyable few days for Twins fans as the trading deadline came and went with several players being sent to new organizations. While there wasn’t a huge splash of a prospect who was brought back in any of those deals, several intriguing players were added to the pipeline. One of them made a nice first impression yesterday with seven innings of no-hit ball, and on Tuesday more of the new guys made their first marks with the organization. Three games were also affected by rain, with two of them ending up postponed or suspended. To find out how all the new guys and the rest of your favorite Twins prospects fared on Tuesday, keep reading and be sure to ask questions or discuss in the comments! Image courtesy of © Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports (photo of Trevor Larnach) It hasn’t been an enjoyable few days for Twins fans as the trading deadline came and went with several players being sent to new organizations. While there wasn’t a huge splash of a prospect who was brought back in any of those deals, several intriguing players were added to the pipeline. One of them made a nice first impression yesterday with seven innings of no-hit ball, and on Tuesday more of the new guys made their first marks with the organization. Three games were also affected by rain, with two of them ending up postponed or suspended. To find out how all the new guys and the rest of your favorite Twins prospects fared on Tuesday, keep reading and be sure to ask questions or discuss in the comments! TRANSACTIONS With all the trade activity, it was a busy day for transactions: Rochester (AAA): Trevor May was recalled by the Twins and would make his first MLB appearance since Tommy John surgery. Welcome back, Trevor! Chase De Jong and Tyler Austin were assigned to the Red Wings after their trades were made official. Chattanooga (AA): Assigned to the Lookouts after swapping organizations, were Devin Smeltzer and Luke Raley. Starter Tyler Wells was also promoted to the Lookouts from Fort Myers. Fort Myers (A+): Tom Hackimer was reinstated from the disabled list to take Wells' roster spot. Elizabethton (Rk+): Luis Rijo was assigned to the E-Twins after coming over from the Yankees for Lance Lynn. Pitcher Cole Sands was also moved from the 7-day DL to the 60-day. Gulf Coast Twins (Rk-): Zach Featherstone was placed on the 60-day DL. RED WINGS REPORT Scranton/WB 3, Rochester 8 Box Score The Red Wings jumped on RailRiders bullpen contingent for this game, taking a 5-1 lead after three innings. Four of those runs came in the third inning, where newcomer Tyler Austin homered to lead it off in his second at-bat in the organization, his seventh home run in Triple-A this year and 15th overall (with eight in MLB). Oh, and it was a BOMB: https://twitter.com/RocRedWings/status/1024451433393926145 Later in the frame the other three runs came across on a homer from Jon Kemmer, who was traded to the Twins in early July for cash. It also was his first in the organization. Fernando Romero made the start for Rochester and was his usual self for the first six frames, allowing just one run (a HR) on two hits while striking out four. In the seventh he ran into trouble, surrendering two runs on three hits and two walks around a double-play ball to finish 6 2/3 solid innings. Reliever Jake Reed finished off the seventh and added two more scoreless frames. He did not allow a hit, walked two, and struck out two in picking up his second save of the year. The offense added some insurance in the bottom of the seventh, courtesy of a Taylor Motter three-run home run. Motter (2-for-5, R, HR, 3 RBI, K), Willians Astudillo (2-for-5, R, RBI), LaMonte Wade (2-for-5, 2 K), and Kemmer (3-for-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI) each collected multiple hits in the victory. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga @ Tennessee (Postponed due to rain) The Lookouts were unable to even their series with the Tennessee Smokies due to rain on Tuesday. They will play a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 4:00PM CST. LHP Dietrich Enns was the scheduled starter today, with LHP Lewis Thorpe probable for your regularly scheduled tilt tomorrow. MIRACLE MATTERS Jupiter 2, Fort Myers 3 Box Score With the score tied at one in the fourth inning, the rains throughout the area on Tuesday came into play, causing a delay and subsequently ending Charlie Barnes' start. To that point Barnes had allowed just one run while scattering four hits and two walks in his 3 1/3 innings. He struck out one and was at 61 pitches before the interruption. Adam Bray was summoned from the bullpen when play resumed and went 2 2/3 innings to get the Miracle to the seventh. He allowed one run (solo-HR) on three hits and struck out four. Hector Lujan then came on and finished the game with three scoreless innings. He gave up three hits, walked one, and struck out four to pick up his fourth win. He got the W as his offense was able to scratch across single runs in the first, fifth, and eighth innings. Royce Lewis led off the game for the Miracle with his fifth double in the Florida State League and would score the games first run on a sac fly from Alex Kirilloff. In the fifth it was an RBI double from Taylor Grzelakowski, and another sac fly from Brandon Lopez in the eighth. Grzelakowski finished the game 3-for-4 to lead his team and despite going 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position on the game, the Fort Myers offense was able to do just enough. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 8, Quad Cities 1 Box Score The Kernels offense broke open a scoreless game in the fourth inning, sending ten men to the plate and scoring six of them. Akil Baddoo got it started by leading off with his 19th double and Jose Miranda brought him in with a single for the first run of the game. They were followed by two-RBI doubles from both Jacob Pearson and Michael Davis. Gabriel Maciel drove in his first run for his new organization with a single to cap the scoring. In the fifth, Cedar Rapids added two more runs as Miranda and Ryan Jeffers hit back-to-back home runs to start it. It was Miranda’s 14th on the season, and Jeffers' second with the Kernels since being promoted a week ago. On the bump for the visiting team, was right-hander Edwar Colina. He allowed just one run on five hits and two walks in six innings, notching a quality start. He also struck out seven and lowered his ERA to under 3.00 on the year. That lone run came on a solo homer in the fourth. Jose Martinez picked up a three-inning save, his fourth of the year with three hitless innings in relief. He walked one and struck out two while needing just 27 pitches. Martinez also got an at-bat in this one (a K) as Cedar Rapids had lost their designated hitter after an injury to catcher David Banuelos (Jeffers took his spot behind the dish). Jeffers led the lineup with a three-hit night in five trips and his double was his fifth in seven games with the Kernels, while Miranda and Davis each added two hits to the effort. E-TWINS E-TALK Elizabethton 8, Johnson City 5 Box Score Another two of the Twins newest prospects had big games in this one. The first was outfielder Gilberto Celestino, who came in the Ryan Pressly deal with the Astros, reaching base in all five of his plate appearances. Those included three singles, a double, and a walk that also led to two runs scored and two RBIs. (I don’t know about you, but I like these new guys so far). He also stole his first base and was caught stealing once. The second was 2018 first-round pick, Trevor Larnach. He launched his first two home runs of his professional career, both solo shots. He led off the second inning with his first, and added his second to lead off the ninth. He also drew a walk. His first of the night was captured on video, so enjoy: https://twitter.com/kylee_rucker/status/1024447557735538691 The E-Twins also got multi-hit efforts Trevor Casanova (2-for-3, R, RBI, 2 BB), Alex Robles (2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, BB), and Lean Marrero (2-for-4). Given a 2-0 lead before he took the mound, starter Kody Funderburk ran into too much trouble in the second inning, and he was not able to finish it. In 1 2/3 innings he allowed four runs on four hits and two walks. He struck out one. Tanner Howell came on to limit the damage in that inning and did so along with three more scoreless frames. He allowed three hits and a walk while striking out four. As Elizabethton took the lead back while he was on the mound, he also picked up his first professional win. Johan Quezada was up next and was effectively wild, allowing only an unearned run on two hits and three walks in two innings, striking out one. Zach Neff picked up his third save with two scoreless innings to end it, allowing one hit and striking out four. GCL TWINS TAKES GCL Orioles 3, GCL Twins 1 (Game Suspended in fifth inning) Box Score This one was suspended after a leadoff walk from Christian Cavaness in the bottom of the fifth with the score 3-1 in favor of the Orioles. The Twins lone run to that point came on an RBI single from Erick Rivera in the fourth. The Orioles pushed three across in the second against Twins starter Tyler Benninghoff. In his four innings Benninghoff gave up those runs on two hits and three walks while striking out two. Erik Cha had come in for a one-two-three fifth, striking out two before the rain became too much to continue. It’s likely this game will be completed tomorrow after the Orioles and Twins meet again for their regularly scheduled game. STARS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day – Edwar Colina, Cedar Rapids Kernels (W, 6IP, ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 7 K) Twins Daily Hitter(s) of the Day – Trevor Larnach, Elizabethton Twins (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR (2), 2 RBI, BB, K) TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY #1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) – 1-for-3, 2B (5), BB, K #2 - Alex Kirilloff (Ft. Myers) – 0-for-2, BB, RBI (13-game hitting streak snapped) #3 - Brusdar Graterol (Ft. Myers) – Did not pitch. #4 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) – 1-for-5, K, 2 SB (8) #5 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) – Did not pitch. #6 - Trevor Larnach (Elizabethton) – 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR (2), 2 RBI, BB, K #7 - Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) – Game rained out. #8 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) – 1-for-5, R, 2B (19) #9 -Wander Javier – Out of for the season. #10 - Zack Littell (Rochester) – Did not pitch. #11 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – Did not pitch. #12 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) – 2-for-5, 2 K #13 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) – 1-for-3, BB, K, SB (6) #14 - Lewis Thorpe (Chattanooga) – Game rained out. #15 - Ben Rortvedt (Ft. Myers) – 0-for-3, BB, K #16 - Yunior Severino (Elizabethton) – 0-for-4, R, BB, 2 K #17 - Lewin Diaz (Ft. Myers) – Will have surgery on his wrist soon. Out for season. #18 - Ryan Jeffers (Cedar Rapids) – 3-for-5, R, 2B (5), HR (2), RBI, K #19 - Jacob Pearson (Cedar Rapids) – 1-for-4, 2B (9), 2 RBI #20 - Luis Arraez (Chattanooga) – Game rained out. WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Scranton/Wilkes-Barre @ Rochester (6:05PM CST) – RHP Zack Littell (2-4, 3.63 ERA) Chattanooga @ Tennessee, Game 1 (4:00PM CST) – LHP Dietrich Enns (0-5, 6.00 ERA) Chattanooga @ Tennessee, Game 2 – LHP Lewis Thorpe (6-4, 3.61 ERA) Jupiter @ Fort Myers (6:00PM CST) – TBD Cedar Rapids @ Peoria (7:00PM CST) – LHP Tyler Watson (4-4, 4.37 ERA) Elizabethton @ Johnson City (6:00PM CST) – TBD GCL Twins @ GCL Orioles (11:00AM CST) – TBD (May also finish Tuesday’s suspended game) Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games! View full article

Oops. I see I took the PA number as his AB's. Good call. As for your comps, it is a valid tool to look at. In Rooker's case though, I might try to make the restraints a little different. I'd use college-drafted hitters in their second professional season, ignoring age. Despite the strikeouts, Rooker's overall line at AA is even with Andrew Benintendi when he made his MLB debut. Brendon McKay (for obvious pitching reasons, but was Rooker's equal/better as a hitter in college), is in High-A hitting .200. Corey Ray is striking out just as much and walking at similar rates the past two months in the same league (Rooker has basically caught up to him for league lead in HR's and 2B's after starting so slow). Kyle Lewis is struggling in Seattle system. Matt Thaiss was in AA to start season (his third) and was promoted to AAA after a line like Rooker has... Just some of what I'd look at.

His rate at AA was not 9.1%, but I'm really responding because I do like how you pointed out Walker's BB improvement that year at AA as it went on. You also point out how he hit ~.200 with a ~.650 OPS from July to the end of the season where that BB improvement happened (also hit only 8 of his 31 HR's that season in that time-frame). Rooker is hitting about .315/.400/.625 since his BB improvement (with 13 of his 20 HR's, and 18 of his 28 doubles). It has done something very tangible to matter for him, basically because he is a much better hitter than Walker ever was.

Walker's highest BB rate ever was like 7.5% if I remember right, and that was while he also struck out over 35% of the time. He is the only player I can remember to strike out over 200 times in a MiLB season, so this isn't apples to apples for me. I do agree you want to see an improvement in Rooker's K-rate, but I'm not complaining the way he's hitting.

As I finally start checking everything this morning, I see that the box score and game log was updated and now shows this. Trust me, I didn't mix that up writing it!

I know the 10 games I singled out is a small sample, but that's a pretty good ratio... If I look a little harder, in April/May his overall ratio was 10 walks to 60 K's. In June/July, that's at 24 walks to 59 K's. He's definitely been improving the ratio, even if you don't care that the K-rate itself isn't improved. That's also directly related to when he started mashing, so I pay more attention to the production at this point.

If you woke up this morning hoping to read about how amazing a bunch of the Minnesota Twins’ top prospects fared in yesterday’s games, I’m happy to report you’re definitely not going to be disappointed! There were huge games from three first-round draft pick hitters, and the best pitching performance amongst a long stretch of great ones for a top pitching prospect. Image courtesy of Seth Stohs, Twins Daily (photo of Stephen Gonsalves) If you woke up this morning hoping to read about how amazing a bunch of the Minnesota Twins’ top prospects fared in yesterday’s games, I’m happy to report you’re definitely not going to be disappointed! There were huge games from three first-round draft pick hitters, and the best pitching performance amongst a long stretch of great ones for a top pitching prospect. To find out just how great each of those prospects were on Tuesday, keep reading and be sure to discuss in the comments! TRANSACTIONS There were some moves in the system before the games: Chattanooga (AA): Pitcher Casey Crosby was activated from the disabled list and sent to the Gulf Coast League on a rehab assignment. He made the “start” for the GCL squad in that game. Fort Myers (A+): Lewin Diaz was placed on the disabled list with a right thumb fracture. To take his place Ben Rodriguez was promoted from Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids (A): To take Rodriguez’s place, 2018 2nd-round draft pick Ryan Jeffers was promoted from Elizabethton. GCL Twins (RK): In addition to Crosby, outfielder Christian Cavaness was also sent on a rehab assignment to the GCL. RED WINGS REPORT Rochester 2, Indianapolis 0 Box Score Top prospect Stephen Gonsalves took the mound for the Red Wings looking to improve even further on his six-start stretch where he had lowered his ERA from 5.89 all the way down to 3.34. He delivered his best of that bunch on Tuesday, tossing seven scoreless innings. He allowed just five hits, struck out four, and most importantly in that time frame, issued zero walks. He gave up a leadoff triple in the fifth, but his defense caught that runner at home on the next batter. Gonsalves then finished by retiring the final eight hitters he faced. Of his 98 pitches, 68 went for strikes (69%) and he improved to 7-3 on the year in Triple-A. D.J. Baxendale earned his fifth hold with a scoreless eighth inning when he worked around two hits. In his first appearance since being optioned (again), Alan Busenitz picked up his fifth save with a one-two-three ninth, striking out the final two hitters to punctuate the win. On offense the Red Wings got multi-hit efforts from leadoff man Gregorio Petit (2-for-4, R, 2B, K) and LaMonte Wade (2-for-4, R, 2 K). Willians Astudillo and Jeremy Hazelbaker added doubles to the effort. Miguel Sano finished 1-for-2 with an RBI, a strikeout and two walks. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Pensacola 10, Chattanooga 8 (10 innings) Box Score While the Triple A game was all about a top prospect pitcher, this one focused on a top prospect hitter who has been heating up as the season has gone on. Of course, I’m talking about Brent-He’s So Hot Right Now-Rooker. In the first inning, Rooker got the Lookouts on the board with a two-run home run, his nineteenth of the season and his teammates added two more runs for the early 4-0 lead. He would follow a Zander Wiel single to lead off the second with one of his own, but both ended up stranded. That’s when the Blue Wahoos pounced on starting pitcher Omar Bencomo. They tallied eight runs across the third and fourth innings to take the lead. Bencomo finished five frames, but his ten hits allowed came in quick succession to give up those runs (seven earned). He walked none and struck out five. Chattanooga was able to tie the game in seventh inning, and again it was due in part to Rooker. After two runs had already crossed he came up with the bases loaded and delivered a two-run double, his 27th of the season which tied him with fellow top prospect (and trade rumor target) Corey Ray for the Southern League lead (Ray also leads him by one in homers, Rooker now leads league in RBI though!). Rooker added another single in the ninth, but again would be stranded. Rooker finished his game 4-for-5 with a walk to go along with his extra-base hits and four RBI. His average is now up to .272 on the season and .366/.490/.805 over his last ten games, which includes FIVE home runs, FIFTEEN runs batted in, and a 10:12 base-on-balls to strikeouts ratio. I’d probably promote him soon. Unfortunately for the Lookouts, that effort wasn’t enough when this one got to extra innings. After Bencomo’s exit, Cody Stashak went the next two scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and struck out three. Tyler Jay worked out of a jam of his own making in the eighth, then got two outs in the ninth before handing it over to Williams Ramirez. Jay allowed one hit, walked one, and struck out one in 1 2/3 innings. Ramirez got the final out in the ninth and two K’s to start the tenth inning, but a home run to the next batter proved to be the end. The Lookouts got the tying run on base with no outs in their half, but couldn’t push any one across (Rooker didn’t get a chance, unfortunately). Chattanooga got a hit from every batter in the starting lineup, and had four other hitters with two or more hits on the day. They included Zander Wiel (2-for-4, R, 2 BB, K), Chris Paul (2-for-6, R, 2B, 2 K), Jaylin Davis (3-for-6, R, 2 2B, RBI, K), and Ryan Walker (2-for-5, RBI, BB, 2 K). Jordan Gore also delivered two RBI. MIRACLE MATTERS Fort Myers 4, Jupiter 1 Box Score For his second consecutive outing, lefty Charlie Barnes delivered an impressive performance. He left the game with two outs and runners on second and third in the seventh, but neither runner would score so he allowed just one run in his 6 2/3 innings. That came on six hits and one walk allowed, while striking out two. His ERA on the season now rests at a solid 2.82 for the Miracle. He also evened his record at 5-5 as his offense backed him up with a couple of blasts to put crooked numbers on the board. In the second inning, it was a two-run shot from Travis Blankenhorn, his ninth of the season. In the eighth, it was Alex-He’s Been Hot All Year-Kirilloff with a two-run bomb to the opposite field, his third with Fort Myers and his sixteenth overall on the year. He also finished this game 3-for-3 with two runs scored and drew a walk and is now hitting .370 in the Florida State League. https://twitter.com/kirilloff19/status/1022109421546156033 Hector Lujan was the first man called in from the bullpen, and finished the seventh and eighth innings before running into some trouble in the ninth. With two runners on and the game-tying run at the plate, Ryan Mason came on to shut it down with one out. He got the next two hitters, including a strikeout, to do so. Lujan finished with no runs allowed on one hit, two walks, and four strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings. Mason picked up his fifth save on the year. KERNELS NUGGETS Scheduled Day Off The Kernels had the day off on Tuesday as they finished a 5-1 road trip and head home for a five-game homestand versus the Clinton LumberKings and Quad Cities River Bandits. The series with the Bandits is of the two-game home-and-home variety, which they will repeat in August. The Kernels currently lead the Midwest League Western Division with a 22-9 record in the second half. E-TWINS E-TALK Elizabethton 10, Burlington 3 Box Score A late scoring burst from the Twins turned this one into another blowout, as they racked up ten runs on fifteen hits as a team. With the score tied at three going into the seventh, they put two runs on the board to take the lead and added on five more in the eighth. First-round draft pick Trevor Larnach led the lineup with a 4-for-5 night at the plate. It included his first professional extra-base hit, a double. He tallied three runs scored, four RBI, and stole his first base. He has at least one hit in every game he’s played so far and his average is a SSS .450. Elizabethton also got multiple hits from Yeltsin Encarnacion (2-for-5, 3 R, 2B, BB, K), Chris Williams (3-for-4, R, 2 2B, 3 RBI, BB, K), Alex Robles (2-for-5, RBI, K), and Lean Marrero (2-for-5, 2 R). Austin Schulfer got the start and went the game’s first three innings. He allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out three. Brian Rapp then came on and went the next 2 2/3 innings. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk, along with racking up four strikeouts. Kody Funderburk then finished it with 3 1/3 scoreless. He walked in an inherited runner that charged him with a blown save, but also picked up his first professional win as he surrendered two hits, walked one and struck out four. GCL TWINS TAKES GCL Rays 8, GCL Twins 3 Box Score After being activated from the disabled list in AA, Casey Crosby made a rehab appearance to start this game. He got two outs with the help of a pickoff move to first base but walked two batters before his day was done. Frandy Torres then came on and gaveup a grand slam before recording the third out and the Twins were never able to recover. Torres added a scoreless second inning and finished with three earned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two. Tyler Benninghoff toed the rubber next and delivered three scoreless frames. He struck out four and allowed two hits and a walk. Edit (box score updated on 7/25): Tyler Benninghoff finished three scoreless innings, but then ran into trouble to start the sixth inning. He would get one out due to a caught stealing, but an RBI single and RBI double ended his day. In total he pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out four. The Rays extended their lead against Petru Balan in the sixth inning, and in total he allowed four runs on five hits and three walks in two innings. He struck out one. Petru Balan then came on with Benninghoff responsible for two runners who would both score before getting out of the inning. He would add a scoreless seventh and in total allowed two hits, one walk, and struck out one in 1 2/3. Steven Cruz finished the game with two scoreless innings. He walked three and struck out four. On offense the Twins managed just five hits and drew zero walks but were able to scratch three runs across thanks to going 2-for-3 with runners in scoring position and 2018 28th round draft pick Austin Hale’s first professional home run. Kidany Salva added a double and Victor Tademo and pinch hitter Samuel Vasquez collected the other RBIs. Vasquez pinch hit for Christian Cavaness, who was making his first in-game appearance in almost a year. STARS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day – Stephen Gonsalves, Rochester Red Wings (W, 7 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 4 K) Twins Daily Hitter(s) of the Day – Brent Rooker, Chattanooga Lookouts (4-for-5, R, 2B (27), HR (19), 4 RBI, BB) TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY #1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) – 0-for-3, BB, 3 K #2 - Alex Kirilloff (Ft. Myers) – 3-for-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, BB #3 - Brusdar Graterol (Ft. Myers) – Did not pitch. #4 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) – 0-for-4, K, SB (5) #5 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) – W (7-3), 7 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 4 K (3.04 ERA in Triple-A) #6 - Trevor Larnach (Elizabethton) – 4-for-5, 3 R, 2B (1), 4 RBI, SB (1), K #7 - Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) – 4-for-5, R, 2B (27), HR (19), 4 RBI, BB #8 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) – CR did not play. #9 -Wander Javier – Out of for the season. #10 - Zack Littell (Rochester) – Did not pitch. #11 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – CR did not play. #12 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) – 2-for-4, R, 2 K, 2 SB (5) #13 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) – 1-for-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K #14 - Lewis Thorpe (Chattanooga) – Did not pitch. #15 - Ben Rortvedt (Ft. Myers) – Did not play. #16 - Yunior Severino (Elizabethton) – 0-for-5, K #17 - Lewin Diaz (Ft. Myers) – On disabled list with fractured thumb. #18 - Ryan Jeffers (Cedar Rapids) – CR did not play. #19 - Jacob Pearson (Cedar Rapids) – CR did not play. #20 - Luis Arraez (Chattanooga) – 1-for-5, BB WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester @ Indianapolis (6:05PM CST) – RHP Kohl Stewart (0-2, 4.70 ERA) Pensacola @ Chattanooga (10:15AM CST) – TBD Fort Myers @ Jupiter (5:30PM CST) – RHP Tyler Wells (7-4, 2.97 ERA) Clinton @ Cedar Rapids (6:35PM CST) – RHP Edwar Colina (3-3, 3.11 ERA) Elizabethton @ Burlington (10:00AM CST) – TBD GCL Twins @ GCL Rays (11:00AM CST) - TBD Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games! View full article

Jay has been pretty good the last month or so. See last entry in my Adopt-A-Prospect for him: http://twinsdaily.com/topic/29282-tyler-jay-2018/ I still think they will both pitch in MLB. I'm interested in a bullpen see-what-you-got finish to this season for Kohl.

If you're really worried about that, at that point I'd expect it'd be your setup guys/closer coming in the game...

To me, this is the part that this helps. First pitcher gets through the toughest outs the first time. Then, hopefully, you're starter may not even have to be used for that "3rd time through the order". Say your bullpen starter goes 2 innings, faces 7 or 8 batters. Your starter then gets through the seventh with a 1.00 WHIP for the game (probably optimistic). That's five innings from your "starter" where he faced 20 hitters. He's just starting to face the lineup the third time at that point, and it's at the bottom of it, not the top/middle.

I actually kinda like this concept. Whether it works in execution is still up for debate I think. As far as that concept goes, I imagine the theory is when starting a game you are facing the other team's best hitters. Any time you fall behind your odds to win decrease. So this puts potentially a big shut down bullpen arm in to get you through that first wave of hitters. Also can help you stay away from keeping a "starting" pitcher in too long, or having to worry as much about them throwing 100+ pitches if they're rolling.

Maybe it's just me, but I'll always take an OBP that high driven by a high batting average over a guy who gets it with walks...

Tyler Jay has pitched in seven games since the last update, and here's how they went: 06/29/2018 @TNS - 1.0 IP, H, K 07/04/2018 BIR - 2.0 IP, 0 H, 2 K 07/07/2018 BIR - W, 1.1 IP, 0 H, K 07/11/2018 @JAX - 1.1 IP, H, ER, 2 K 07/13/2018 MTG - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 K 07/16/2018 MTG - 2.0 IP, H, 2 K 07/19/2018 @MOB - S, 1.1 IP, H, 3 K In that time frame he lowered his ERA from 3.64 to 2.88. Over 12 total innings, he has allowed only one earned run on just six hits and zero walks while striking out 14. Jay appears to be dialing it in now, and I'd imagine he's getting close to a promotion to AAA for the 2nd half of the year. Cumulative 2018 Stats: 2-1, 2.88 ERA, 25 appearances, 40.2 IP, 41 H, 12 BB, 40 K, 1.30 WHIP, .258 BAA, 3 holds, 2 saves

Fun to see that Rooker currently is tied for the Southern League lead in doubles, is second in home runs, and third in RBI.

Barnes certainly has some intrigue, but I don't think he has an upside of more than a back-end MLB starter. Control and his changeup can take him far enough for that, but without another standout (he will only touch 90 with his fastball as far as I know) pitch I don't see much more. I think he will always have success in the minors.

With only three Minnesota Twins minor league affiliates in action on Tuesday, this is going to be a relatively quiet report. There’s good news in that, however, as it is also quiet because the pitching staffs of two them delivered shutout efforts, including an excellent game from one of their top picks in the 2017 draft. Alex Kirilloff also came back from his Futures Game appearance and had a multi-extra-base-hit effort as he continues to adjust to the Florida State League. Image courtesy of SD Buhr (photo of Charlie Barnes) With only three Minnesota Twins minor league affiliates in action on Tuesday, this is going to be a relatively quiet report. There’s good news in that, however, as it is also quiet because the pitching staffs of two them delivered shutout efforts, including an excellent game from one of their top picks in the 2017 draft. Alex Kirilloff also came back from his Futures Game appearance and had a multi-extra-base-hit effort as he continues to adjust to the Florida State League. TRANSACTIONS Before we get to the games, there was some roster shuffling in the lower levels of the minors: Catcher Robert Molina was activated from the seven-day disabled list with the Cedar Rapids Kernels, and then assigned to the Elizabethton Twins. The GCL Twins activated pitcher Junior Navas from the disabled list and he closed out the game on Tuesday. The Twins also received infielder and 2018 draftee, Hunter Lee from Elizabethton. RED WINGS REPORT Louisville 12, Rochester 5 Box Score The Bats swarmed Red Wings starter Adalberto Mejia from the get-go in this one, with the home team falling behind 7-2 after three innings. Mejia recovered to finish six innings, including retiring the last seven hitters he faced, but it was too little too late. Those seven runs came on eight hits in the first three innings, and Mejia would only allow a walk after that. He also struck out seven. Louisville turned it into a blowout against the bullpen duo of Luke Bard and Jake Reed, who combined to allow five more runs on four hits and two walks in the final three innings. Bard allowed a home run but also struck out four. Reed struck out one and finished the game. On offense Rochester got multi-hit nights from Nick Gordon (2-for-4, R, 2B, RBI, BB, SB) and Andy Wilkins (2-for-3, R, HR, RBI, BB). Wilkins’ home run led off the ninth inning and was his second in as many games since being promoted to the Red Wings. Kennys Vargas contributed an RBI double in the first inning to drive in Gordon, who had clubbed his 11th double earlier in the frame. Stephen Gonsalves will take the hill for the Red Wings in the series’ rubber match Wednesday night at Frontier Field. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Scheduled Day Off After playing games for 19 consecutive days, the Lookouts got a much-needed day off. They hit the road to face the Mobile BayBears for five games beginning tomorrow night. MIRACLE MATTERS St. Lucie 0, Fort Myers 5 Box Score Fort Myers took a 1-0 lead after the first inning as the top prospect duo of Royce Lewis and Alex Kirilloff got them started. Lewis led off the game with his first double in a Miracle uniform. A batter later Kirilloff brought him home with his sixth Florida State League double. That was all starter Charlie Barnes would need, as he held the Mets scoreless for seven innings to pick up his fourth win. Barnes scattered five, walked none, and struck out two. He also had thrown just 89 pitches, with 57 going for strikes (64%) so maybe he even had some more in him if it was necessary. It wasn’t as the Fort Myers offense added to their lead with a single run in the fourth, and three more in the sixth. A sac fly from Joe Cronin made it 2-0 in the fourth, and Kirilloff led off the sixth with his second home run with the Miracle. In that same inning Ben Rortvedt drove in one with a sac fly, and a Brandon Lopez double would plate the third. Kirilloff and Lopez each collected two hits to pace the lineup. Travis Blankenhorn clubbed his 18th double and scored two runs. In addition to his double, Lewis also drew a walk in four trips to the plate. Colton Davis finished the final two innings for the home team and kept the shutout intact. He allowed one hit, walked two, and struck out two. KERNELS NUGGETS Scheduled Day Off Cedar Rapids had Tuesday off as they finished a 4-2 homestand last night. They will travel to Midland, Michigan tomorrow to begin a six-game road trip against the Great Lakes Loons. E-TWINS E-TALK Scheduled Day Off Elizabethton was the third of the organization’s affiliates to have the night off on Tuesday. Leading the Appalachian League West Division with a 19-9 record, they’ll face the bottom-dwelling Greeneville Reds to begin a six-game homestand on Wednesday night. GCL TWINS TAKES GCL Twins 1, GCL Orioles 0 Box Score The teams combined for just nine hits in this one, with none of them going for extra bases, and no earned runs allowed by the pitching staffs in a 1-0 shutout for the Twins. A catcher interference play in the seventh inning put a runner on for the Twins, and after some small ball that runner scored on a wild pitch for the only run of the game. Leading the offense was Erick Rivera out of the eighth spot in the lineup, who finished 1-for-2 with two walks. The pitching for the Twins was obviously excellent in this one. Right-hander Donny Breek made the start and went the first four innings. He allowed two hits, walked three, and struck out four. Regi Graci went the next 3 1/3 innings to pick up his second win. He gave up only a hit and a walk while striking out two. Osiris German faced two hitters to end the ninth and retired both, including one on a K, to pick up his first hold in the GCL. In his GCL debut after being activated, righty Junior Navas delivered a one-two-three ninth to pick up his first save. He struck out one. STARS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day – Charlie Barnes, Fort Myers Miracle (W, 7 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 2 K) Twins Daily Hitter(s) of the Day – Alex Kirilloff, Fort Myers Miracle (2-for-4, R, 2B (6), HR (2), 2 RBI) TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY #1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) – 1-for-3, R, 2B (1), BB #2 - Alex Kirilloff (Ft. Myers) – 2-for-4, R, 2B (6), HR (2), 2 RBI #3 - Brusdar Graterol (Ft. Myers) – Did not pitch. #4 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) – 2-for-4, R, 2B (11), RBI, BB, SB #5 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) – Did not pitch. #6 - Trevor Larnach (Elizabethton) - Could play by Wednesday (per Doogie) #7 - Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) – Scheduled off day. #8 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) – Scheduled off day. #9 -Wander Javier – Out of for the season #10 - Zack Littell (Rochester) – Did not pitch. #11 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – Did not pitch. #12 - LaMonte Wade (Rochester) – 0-for-4, 3 K #13 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) – 1-for-4, 2 R, 2B (18), K #14 - Lewis Thorpe (Chattanooga) – Scheduled off day. #15 - Ben Rortvedt (Ft. Myers) – 1-for-2, RBI, BB #16 - Yunior Severino (Elizabethton) – Scheduled off day. #17 - Lewin Diaz (Ft. Myers) – Did not play. #18 - Ryan Jeffers (Elizabethton) – Scheduled off day. #19 - Jacob Pearson (Cedar Rapids) – Scheduled off day. #20 - Luis Arraez (Chattanooga) – Scheduled off day. WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Louisville @ Rochester (6:05PM CST) – LHP Stephen Gonsalves (6-3, 3.66 ERA Chattanooga @ Mobile (6:35AM CST) – LHP Paco Rodriguez (3-0, 3.60 ERA) St. Lucie @ Fort Myers (6:00PM CST) – RHP Tyler Wells (7-4, 2.85 ERA) Cedar Rapids @ Great Lakes (6:05PM CST) – RHP Edwar Colina (3-3, 3.43 ERA) Greeneville @ Elizabethton (6:00PM CST) – TBD GCL Orioles @ GCL Twins (11:00AM CST) - TBD Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games! View full article

From what I recall, he's definitely an elite defender, and it was developed while in the minors because he wasn't a catcher when drafted. Bat plays in the PCL okay, not much in majors yet but he's also only turning 24 tomorrow. Now that I've thought a lot more about it though, I think others are right and I'm probably undervaluing Gibson. If they were into trading him they could shoot higher for sure.

I think it's pretty obvious contracts for players Dozier's age now, who can only play one position (that I don't consider one of the "up the middle" important ones, or that many teams even have a need for on the FA market), and are known mostly for power output, aren't getting what had been expected anymore in Free Agency. I'm fully aware how good Dozier has been the last two seasons and I'd love to see him get paid just as much as you, I think. But I really don't think he's going to unless it's from the Twins.