Good Morning and Happy Birthday America!  The Twins organization had another winning week at 23-18 with only Beloit playing less than .500 ball.

Anthony Swarzak was called up by the Twins and will take Kevin Slowey's spot in the starting rotation (Swarzak last pitched on Sunday, June 28th).  Slowey was placed on the DL after last night's game with a right wrist injury.  Estarlin De Los Santos and Luke Hughes both are back in Ft. Myers with the GCL Twins on rehab assignments.  The Twins released Luis Ayala, who had been designated for assignment.  Ken Lipshez of the New Britain Herald is reporting that Yohan Pino will replace Carlos Gutierrez in the Rock Cats starting rotation.  Sean Henn was outrighted to Rochester with Brian Duensing replacing him in the Twins bullpen.  LaVelle E Neal III is reporting that the Twins have made an offer to Dominican super prospect Miguel Angel Sano.  Rochester hitting coach Riccardo Ingram has taken a medical leave of absence.  He will be replaced by Rich Miller moving up from Beloit with the Twins hiring former catcher Chris Heinz to be the hitting coach at Beloit. 

Five Rock Cats were named to the Eastern League All-Star game including Anthony Slama, Whit Robbins, Brian Dinkelman, Matt Fox and Rene Tosoni.  Anthony Swarzak was the only Red Wing named to the International League All-Star Team...looks like he will miss that game.  The Twins also signed one recent draft pick this week, left handed pitcher Matt Tone who was the 14th round pick and will join the Elizabethton Twins.

Rochester Red Wings (AAA) (3-2, 38-40, 4th place, -7.0 games)

The Wings moved up a spot this week while gaining a half game on the division leading Scranton/WB Yankees. 

Jeff Manship was strong last night in a 6-2 win, pitching 7.0 innings with 5 hits, 1 run and 2K/4BB to pick up his first win in AAA.   Anthony Swarzak was strong his last time out in Sunday's 6-2 win, pitching 7.0 innings with 2 hits, 1 run and 5K/2BB.  Swarzak leaves Rochester for the Twins with a 4-4 record in 10 starts (65.2 innings) with a 2.34ERA, 1.10WHIP and 43K/16BB.  Brian Duensing had a 4-6 record in 13 starts (75.1 innings) with a 4.66ERA, 1.41WHIP and 44K/19BB before joining the Twins.  Jesse Crain has appeared in 6 games (7.0 innings) with a 5.14ERA, 1.86WHIP and 11K/6BB.  Crain allowed a run in both of his appearances this week, 2.0 innings with 2 hits and 3K/2BB last Sunday and 1.1 inning last night with 3 hits and 1K/1BB.  Rob Delaney has appeared in 11 games for the Wings (16.0 innings) with a 5.06ERA with 11K/6BB.  He allowed 4 earned runs in two games and only 1 run in the other nine.  Armando Gabino followed an eye opening May (10 games, 14.1 innings, 0.63ERA with 11K/7BB) with a solid June (8 games, 17.2 innings, 2.55ERA with 12K/2BB) to improve his ERA to 3.09 in 24 games (46.2 innings).

Danny Valencia is hitting in AAA like the top prospect he is.  In his first 9 games, Valencia is hitting .371/.389/.629 with 3 doubles, 2 home runs and 6 RBI.  Alexi Casilla also continues to hit very well in AAA, .331/.379/.413 in 31 games (121 at bats).  David Winfree hit .294/.374/.412 in 85 June at bats with 1 home run, 12 RBI and 11 walks with only 12 strikeouts.  Winfree now has 9 home runs in 261 at bats while hitting .280/.315/.471.  First baseman Justin Huber has been a strong addition to the Red Wings lineup this season, hitting .279/.358/.487 in 226 at bats with 10 doubles, 2 triples, and a team high 11 home runs and 44 RBI.  Trevor Plouffe has the second most RBI, 41, while hitting .236/.293/.360 in 267 at bats. 

New Britain Rock Cats (AA) (3-5, 41-38, 2nd place, -5.0 games)

The Cats lost a doubleheader yesterday with Matt Fox and Cole DeVries as their starters.  For the week, they held on to second place while dropping 2.5 games further behind Connecticut.

Cole DeVries had two starts this week while picking up two losses.  Last Saturday he allowed 2 runs on 6 hits with 5K/1BB in 7.0 innings of a 3-0 loss with 5K/1BB.  Yesterday, he allowed 10 hits in 4.1 innings with 6 runs (3 earned) and 5K/1BB as the Cats lost 6-4.  For the season, DeVries has a 5-7 record with a 3.13ERA, 1.38WHIP in 83.1 innings with 54K/25BB.  Matt Fox was the starter in last Sunday's 3-4 loss, pitching 5.1 innings with 8 hits, 3 runs and 4K/3BB.  Yesterday, he allowed 7 runs on 6 hits with 4K/6BB in 3.2 innings of a 8-5 loss.  Fox has a 3.58ERA and 1.43WHIP in 83.0 innings with 64K/36BB and 6-3 record.  Yohan Pino made a spot start on Wednesday, pitching 5.0 innings of a 3-1 win with 5 hits, 1 run and 6K/1BB.  Pino had a 0.00ERA in 8 games (13.0 innings) in June with 2 hits and 10K/2BB.  He hasn't made a lot of headlines, but Kyle Waldrop has a 1.04ERA in 6 appearances (8.2 innings) since his promotion from Ft. Myers.  Alex Burnett has a 2.11ERA and 0.98WHIP in 15 appearances (21.1 innings) with 17K/7BB.

It was reported that Wilson Ramos is still several weeks away from returning from his hamstring injury.  Erik Lis hit .315/.378/.483 in 89 June at bats to get his average back to .303/.376/.440 with 13 doubles and 6 home runs.  All-Star Brian Dinkelman is hitting .302/.389/.438 (31 walks and 37 strikeouts) with a team high 20 doubles while his 37 RBI are second to Rene Tosoni's team high 47.  Utilityman Toby Gardenhire is hitting a solid .272/.336/.325 in 114 at bats. 

Ft. Myers (Hi-A) (4-2, 5-3, 1st place, +1.5 games)

The Miracle began the second half in a position they are comfortable in, first place.

Many of us have closely followed the career of Deolis Guerra since his arrival in the Santana trade.  Guerra, who is in his third season in the Florida State League, pitched his best game as a Twin last night as he took a no hitter into the eigth inning of a 2-1 win.  Guerra didn't make it, but pitching 7.1 innings with 1 hit, 1 unearned run with 6K/1BB may be that spark which will ignite the fire within him and take him to the next level before year end.  Guerra leads the Miracle with 86.1 innings (16 games/15 starts) with a 6-8 record, 4.69ERA, 1.39WHIP and 57K/25BB.  Michael McCardell pitched an excellent game Thursday, 7.0 innings with 7 hits, 1 run and 9K/1BB to pick up his eighth win against five losses.  McCardell has a 4.05ERA with 66K/16BB in 80.0 innings.  David Bromberg was also excellent in Monday's 5-1 win, pitching 6.1 innings with 5 hits, 1 run and 3K/1BB.  Bromberg leads the staff with a 2.57ERA with a 6-0 record with 72K/35BB.  Santos Arias has a 4-0 record with an excellent 2.32ERA and 1.22WHIP in 24 games (42.2 innings) with 29K/10BB.  Spencer Steedley is one of the top relievers in the FSL with a 4-0 record, 0.95ERA, 1.03WHIP and 37K/11BB in 38.0 innings.

Chris Parmalee had an excellent June, hitting .293/.386/.547 with 4 home runs and 15 RBI to raise his numbers to .265/.349/.457 in 234 at bats with a team leading 10 home runs and 44 RBI.  Ben Revere is hitting .310/.379/.372 with 45 runs scored and 28 stolen bases in 40 attempts.  Revere also has more walks (26) than strikeouts (24).  Rene Leveret, who was leading the team in hitting early this year, is hitting .278/.369/.373 in 169 at bats.  D. J. Romero is making adjustments which are yielding results, hitting .322/.386/.494 in 87 June at bats with 3 home runs and 15 RBI.

Beloit Snappers (A) (2-4, 2-6, 8th place, -4.0 games)

The Snappers begin the second half in a familiar spot, last place.  This has been a disappointing season as the Snappers haven't played like one would expect from a team filled with so many of the players that led Elizabethton to an Appalachian League championship last year.  Fortunately, the second half has just begun and a nice winning streak would get them right back into the hunt for a title.

Early this season their starting pitching was the problem, however, their rotation has been solid for some time.  Bobby Lanigan made two starts this week, picking up his seventh win in eleven decisions in Saturday's 6-2 win while getting a no decision in last night's 5-4 loss.  Lanigan, who had a 2-1 record and 1.73ERA in June (5 games with 26.0 innings) leads the staff with 86.1 innings with a 4.48ERA and 69K/19BB.  Brad Tippett has been the Snappers' most consistant starter all year, as evidenced by his 5-3 record and 2.89ERA in 13 games (71.2 innings) with 60K/14BB.  Tipplett also had a no decision in Tuesday's 4-1 loss while pitching 6.0 innings with 4 hits, 1 unearned run and 4K/4BB.  Michael Tarsi has been excellent since joining the Snappers last month, with a 3-1 record in 10 games (4 starts) with a 1.95ERA, 1.22WHIP and 38K/12BB in 37.0 innings.  With Joe Testa off to Ft. Myers, Matt Williams is the team leader with 5 saves in 23 games (31.0 innings) with a 2.32ERA and 28K/13BB. 

Aaron Hicks had a big game last night, going 2 for 4 with a double and triple.  He has struggled in his first 11 games (37 at bats), hitting .216/.362/.324 while getting 9 walks with only 10 strikeouts.  Recent 22nd round pick, catcher Buddy Munroe has 3 hits in his first 8 at bats.  Ramon Santana is hitting .300/.388/.469 with 6 home runs and 35 RBI in 207 at bats.  Top prospect Angel Morales missed much of the second half of June while struggling since his return.  Morales leads the Snappers with 7 home runs while hitting only .206/.275/.369 in 214 at bats.  Michael Harrington has a team high 22 doubles while hitting .230/.278/.374 in 230 at bats.

Elizabethton Twins (Advanced Rookie) (6-1, 10-1, 1st place, +3.0 games)  

The Twins stretched their lead an additional 2.0 games over second place Johnson City.

The Twins starting staff has been very solid this summer, led by Angelo Sanchez who got his first win in Saturday's 8-3 win by pitching 5.0 innings with 5 hits, 3 runs and 7K/1BB.  Sanchez picked up his second win in Thursday's 12-4 win, pitching 6.0 innings with 6 hits, 2 runs and 6K/1BB.  Dutch pitcher Tom Stuifbergen also has a 2-0 record with a 4.24ERA in 3 starts with 20K/2BB.  Stuifbergen got the win last night, 7-5, pitching 6.0 innings with 9 hits, 4 runs and 6K/1BB.  Miguel Munoz had a strong start in Wednesday's 8-3 win, pitching 5.2 innings with 5 hits, 1 run and 4K/0BB, also picking up his second win without a loss.  Munoz leads the staff with a 2.53ERA and 1.13WHIP in 10.2 innings with 13K/1BB.  Recent second round pick Billy Bullock has a 1.69ERA in 5.1 innings with 7K/0BB.  Ramon Acosta did not allow an earned run in 54.2 innings in the DSL last summer.  That has changed, however, he has an excellent 1.80ERA in 5.0 innings with the Twins. 

If it weren't for the incredible week of a teammate, Tyler Ladendorf would be this week's Player of the Week.  In his first 11 games (42 at bats) with the Twins, this former second round pick is hitting .429/.519/.762 with 5 doubles, 3 home runs and 14 RBI.  After hitting .204/.308/.392 in 147 at bats in the GCL last summer, it is great seeing this young prospect off to a great start this season.  Many aren't aware that Aaron Hicks didn't have the highest batting average for the GCL Twins last year.  Anderson Hidalgo hit .364/.453/.466 in 88 at bats, just missing having enough at bats to qualify for the league title.  Hidalgo is playing third base this year while hitting .276/.371/.448 in 29 at bats.  Josmil Pinto is a catcher/designated hitter with 4 home runs (including 1 grand slam) and 13 RBI in 30 at bats, hitting .267/.258/.767. 

GCL Twins (Rookie) (2-1, 5-1, 1st place, +2.0 games)

The GCL Twins lost a couple games this week to rain while doubling their lead over the Orioles.

B.J. Hermsen followed his no-hit first start with his second win last night, 5-2.  Hermsen pitched 5.1 innings with 4 hits, 2 runs (1 earned) and 4K/1BB.  Shooter Hunt made his second rehab start with the GCL Twins in Tuesday's 4-1 loss, pitching 4.0 innings with 2 hits, 1 run, 4K/6BB, 2 wild pitches and 1 hit batter!  Blayne Weller didn't get the win in Monday's game against the Orioles that is scheduled to be completed today.  Weller pitched 5.0 innings with 2 hits, 1 unearned run and 5K/0BB.  I wrote about Adrian Salcedo often last summer as the 17 year old starter compiled a 4-4 record with a 1.65ERA in the DSL.  In 2 games (9.0 innings) this summer, Salcedo has a 1.00ERA, 1.00WHIP and 10K/0BB.  Recent 16th round pick Dakota Watts hasn't allowed a run in 4.0 innings with 3K/2BB. 

Who is Kennys Vargas?  He is an 18 year old Puerto Rican first baseman who isn't in the media guide, didn't play professional ball last year and wasn't a draft pick.  What he has done is another question.  In his first 5 games in the GCL, Vargas is hitting .438/.500/.938 in 16 at bats with 2 home runs (including a grand slam last Sunday) and 8 RBI.  Another young player who is making people take notice is centerfielder Wang-Wei Lin who is hitting .385/.467/.577 in 26 at bats.  Hyeong-rok Choi is hitting .333/.385/.500 in 12 at bats while outfielder Hyun-wook Choi is hitting .333/.375/.400.

DSL Twins (Dominican Summer League) (3-3, 18-11, 3rd place, -2.5)

The DSL Twins slipped a spot in the standings while losing 1.0 game to the division leading White Sox.

Pedro Guerra had another great start in Tuesday's 7-0 win, pitching 6.0 shutout innings with 2 hits and 7K/0BB.  Guerra has a 3-0 record without allowing an earned run in 31.0 innings with 30K/5BB.  Renzo Reverol has a 4-1 record including a win on Thursday, 6-1, when he pitched 7.0 innings with 3 hits, 1 unearned run and 7K/1BB.  Reverol has a 2.08ERA, 0.72WHIP and 35K/4BB in 34.2 innings.  Eddy Santana leads the bullpen with 4 saves in 10 games (13.0 innings) with a 5.54ERA and 12K/3BB.  Seventeen year old Luis Nunez has a 1-2 record and 4.11ERA in 8 games (15.1 innings) with 16K/4BB.  Fellow seventeen year old reliever, Francisco Nunez, has a 2-0 record and 1.59ERA in 8 games (22.2 innings) with 3 saves and 28K/3BB. 

Yorby Martinez (20) is hitting .293 in his last ten games while Candido Pimentel (18) has had back to back multi hit games the last two days.    

Player of the Week 

Some of us were surprised when the Twins moved Danny Rams from EST to the Miracle when a catcher was moved up to fill in for an injured catcher.  After all, this 2007 second round pick hit only .258/.311/.361 with 13 RBI in 97 at bats for the GCL Twins that summer.  Rams followed his rookie season by moving up to Elizabethton last year where he hit .228/.301/.423 with 24 RBI in 149 at bats.  When he was drafted, Rams was reported to be one of the better high school power hitters in the draft.  Although he didn't hit a home run in the GCL in 2007, Rams did hit five with Elizabethton in 2008.

Although there isn't a lot of information available out of extended spring training, Rams must have made an impression to get the call to the Miracle.  He responded by getting four hits in thirteen at bats (.308 Average) with 2 doubles and 3 RBI.  It appears that the Twins want Rams to experience success, thus, they sent him back to Elizabethton rather than to Beloit who certainly needs a few hitters.

Rams has responded with an incredible start including a week he will certainly remember.  In six games, Rams hit 10-24 (.417 Average) with 8 runs scored, 1 double, 5 home runs and 13 RBI with 4 walks and 11 strikeouts.  In 39 at bats in 10 games this season, Rams is hitting .410/.500/.949 with 13 runs scored, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs and 18 RBI.  It will be interesting to see how long Rams and Tyler Ladendorf remain in Eastern Tennessee?