FanPost

Minor League Report...July 22nd

This will be short as my son and I are in Cleveland, watching the Twins keep their hot streak going!

Transactions

Dan Leatherman and Jon Staatz, two recent college free agent signees, were promoted to Elizabethton.  Walter Patton was sent back to the GCL Twins from Elizabethton.  Shannon Stewart was placed on the DL by the Twins, Rondell White was called back early from a rehab assignment at Rochester.  Torii Hunter was placed on the DL with Josh Rabe called up from Rochester.  This year's 23rd round draft pick, pitcher Thomas Wright signed his contract and joined the GCL Twins.  Finally, Edwardo Morlan was activated from the DL by the Beloit Snappers.

Rochester Red Wings (AAA) (4-4, 57-44, 1st/+2.0)

The Red Wings maintained their slim lead over Scranton.  

Matt Garza started 2 games with a win and a loss.  Garza pitched 13.0 innings, allowing 5 earned runs on 9 hits with 13K/3BB.  Mike Smith pitched a gem on Tuesday, a 9.0 inning complete game shutout with 4 hits and 11K/2BB.

New Britain Rock Cats (AA) (5-3, 43-54, 5th/-11.5)

The Rock Cats had their first winning week in awhile, and began closing the deficit behind league leading Portland.  Will they make another late run like last year?  If so, will they be successful this year and make it to the playoffs?

Kevin Slowey got the win in both starts this week.  Kevin pitched a 9.0 inning complete game on Saturday, allowing 2 hits and 4 earned runs with 5K/2BB.  On Thursday Kevin pitched 7.1 shutout innings, allowing 5 hits with 5K/3BB.  Brian Duensing made his first start pitching reasonably well.  He received no decision pitching 5.2 innings with 8 hits, 4 runs (3 earned) and 1K/2BB.  Denard Span has been on fire this week raising his average to .290.  He had four multi-hit games including a 4 for 5 game last Saturday with 2 doubles, 2 runs and 2 rbi.  Alexi Casilla hasn't missed a beat moving up to AA.  In his first 39 at bats, Casilla is hitting .282 and has been successful in all four steal attempts.

Ft. Myers Miracle (Hi-A) (5-1, 15-11, 2nd/-0.5)

The Miracle got back into their groove winning 5 of 6 this week, and now trail Clearwater by only a half game.  Their defense continues to be less then expected as last night they won the first game of a double header 8-7, however, only 2 of the runs were earned.

Brandon Roberts had the week minor league players dream of, going 13 for 24 with 3 walks, 4 doubles, 8 runs, 4 rbi and his 34th stolen base.  Trevor Plouffe had his best game of the year in last nights first game, going 3 for 4 with 2 doubles and 3 rbi, raising his average to .224.  Plouffe continues to lead the system in errors with 22.  David Winfree had two multi-hit games this week and is now hitting .256 following his recent return from the DL.

Beloit Snappers (A) (3-3, 15-13, 5th/-3.0)

The Snappers were 3-3 this week staying within reach of first place Kane County.  Can they put together one hot streak and get into playoff contention?

Ryan Mullins had two great starts this week (0-1).  He lost on Sunday, however pitched 6.2 innings with 4 hits, 2 runs (1 earned) and 10K/2BB.  Last night Ryan pitched 7.0 innings with 6 hits, 2 runs (1 earned) and 7K/1BB.  He hasn't been getting the wins but is now pitching like the pitcher we knew last year at Elizabethton.  Alexander Smit has pitched very well since he was moved back to the starting rotation.  In his only start this week, Smit got the win pitching 6.2 innings with 3 hits, 0 earned runs and 8K/2BB.  Eduardo Morlan returned from the DL pitching 1 inning of relief last night with 1 hit and 1K/0BB.  

Whit Robbins has cooled a bit and is now hitting .338Ave.  Paul Kelly had a good week raising his average to .275.  Erik Lis also raised his average this week to .319.

Elizabethton Twins (Rookie) (7-1, 21-8, 1st/+7.5)

What is it about the Elizabethton franchise.  They don't have the record of last year's dominant team, however, lead second place Greenville and Kingsport by 7.5 games.  Also, this year's team is not loaded with college players with several of their top pitchers high school players from last year's draft.  Maybe the fact that Manager Ray Smith won his 500th game this week has something to do with this franchise's success.

Danny Valencia signed last week and is hitting .324 in his first 34 at bats.  It is likely this college player should be moving up to Beloit in the next few weeks.  Danny Santiesteban has been hot the past week or so, raising his average to .235 with 2 triples, 3 home runs and a team leading 15 rbi.  Last week's Twins Player of the Week Dan Leatherman made three appearances with the Elizabethton Twins this week.  He continued his hot start pitching 7.0 innings with 3 hits, 0 runs and 5K/1BB.  Brian Kirwin had a good start on Monday, getting the win in a 6.0 inning performance with 3 hits, 2 earned runs and 4K/3BB.  Alex Burnett made two starts, pitching 10.0 innings with 13 hits, 7 runs (4 earned) and 10K/2BB.  Sean Land had another very good start pitching 6.0 innings with 5 hits, 1 earned run and 4K/2BB.

GCL Twins (Rookie) (3-3, 17-11, 1st/+1.5)

The rookie league Twins maintained a 1.5 game lead over the cross town Red Sox.

Top pick Chris Parmalee hit his team leading 4th homer this week to go with two multi hit games and is now hitting .279.  Joe Benson has cooled a bit with his average now at .297 to go with his team leading 3 triples, 3 home runs and 17 rbi.  Deibinson Romero had the game of the week on Monday, going 3 for 5 with a triple, home run, 2 runs scored and 4 rbi.  Romero is now hitting .272 with a team leading 20 rbi.  David Gassner continues his rehab assignment with the GCL Twins, pitching in two games this week for a total of 5 innings.  David Bromberg had an excellent start on Wednesday, pitching 7.0 innings with 4 hits, 2 earned runs and 5K/1BB.  

Watch for my player and pitcher of the week on Seth's site on Monday.