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Not much to write about tonight that hasn’t been posted in its own entry. So here today, you’ll find pitching matchups for the Twins/Brewers series in Milwaukee as well as reports from the two affiliates that did play. Don’t forget that the Elizabethton Twins and GCL Twins who play their first games today.
Also, be sure to listen in tonight to the SethSpeaks.net Weekly Minnesota Twins podcast. A couple of guests are still being approached, but be sure to check it out at 9:00 tonight.
Here are the pitching matchups for this week’s series in Milwaukee:
- Tuesday – 7:05 – Francisco Liriano (2-8, 5.91, 1.52, .278) vs Jeff Suppan (5-4, 4.48, 1.59, .299)
- Wednesday – 7:05 – Nick Blackburn (6-2, 3.09, 1.25, .258) vs Braden Looper (5-4, 5.21, 1.39, .281)
- Thursday – 1:05 – Scott Baker (4-6, 5.22, 1.12, .249) vs Dave Bush (3-4, 5.67, 1.35, .272)
MINOR LEAGUE REPORT
Monday – SethSpeaks.net Hitter of the Day – Danny Berg, New Britain Rockcats
Monday – SethSpeaks.net Pitcher of the Day – Steve Hirschfeld, Ft. Myers Miracle
TRANSACTIONS AND NOTES
- I assume everyone read heard already that Danny Valencia has been promoted to Rochester?
- Travis posted his choices for Twins #6 prospect. See who got that spot, and then follow him through his top ten.
ROCHESTER REPORT
Monday –Rochester 4, Toledo 9 – Denard Span went 1-4 with a walk and a double in his first rehab game for the Red Wings. He was also caught stealing once. Dustin Martin was 2-4 with his ninth double. Matt Macri was 2-4 with his second triple. Trevor Plouffe was 2-5. Jason Jones started and gave up five runs in five innings. He allowed eight hits, walked three and struck out three. Reid Santos gave up four runs (2 earned) on four hits (two homers). He walked two and struck out two. Jesse Crain gave up a hit, but struck out two in a scoreless inning. Armando Gabino then threw a scoreless inning.
ROCKCAT RECAP
Monday –New Britain – No Game Scheduled.
MIRACLE MEMOS
Monday – Ft. Myers 3, Jupiter 4 – The Miracle returned to the field following their All-Star break. As they already clinched the first half title, the Miracle were able to give their all-star representatives this day off, with a couple of exceptions. Steve Hirschfeld, who pitched on Saturday, got the start in this game. He threw 5.1 shutout innings. He gave up six hits, walked two and struck out three. Santos Arias went two innings and gave up three runs on five hits. Blair Erickson got the final five outs, but he took the loss by giving up a run on two hits. Danny Berg went 2-4 with his second triple and two RBI. Jair Fernandez was also 2-4.
SNAPPERS SNIPPETS
Monday – Beloit – No Game Scheduled. All-Star Game on Tuesday.
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Seth, Do you have the feeling that we don’t have as many guys signed with the beginning of the rookies leagues today? Was this year’s draft later than normal so they had less time? Expect there will be lots of players still to be signed.
Seth, Waldrop has been moved back to AA, and looks like Zach Ward is gone:
New Britain, CT – The New Britain Rock Cats of the Eastern League made a roster move today, receiving RHP Kyle Waldrop from the Ft. Myers Miracle of the Single-A Florida State League. The 23-year-old Waldrop is scheduled to be in uniform tomorrow night (Tuesday, June 23) when the Double-A Rock Cats host Harrisburg at 6:35 PM at New Britain Stadium.
A 1st round selection out of Farragut High School (Knoxville, TN) in 2004 by the Rock Cats’ parent club – the Minnesota Twins – the 6’5”/215-pound hurler will be donning a New Britain jersey for the second time in his pro career. The Tennessee native was a mid-season call-up to New Britain in 2007, and subsequently appeared in 11 games for the ’07 squad – all starts – posting a 3-6 record and 5.34 ERA.
He missed the entire 2008 season as he recovered from off-season shoulder surgery.
In 2009, the lanky right-hander worked exclusively out of the Ft. Myers bullpen, helping the Miracle capture the First Half Championship of the Florida State League. Waldrop made 20 bullpen appearances for Ft. Myers this year, compiling a 3-2 record – with three saves – and a solid 3.09 ERA. He tossed a total of 35 innings in Florida, surrendering 12 earned runs while fanning 20 and walking seven.
Waldrop’s career mark is 33 -31 with a 3.98 ERA to go along with 360 strikeouts and 114 walks.
With reliever Zach Ward recently designated for assignment, it is expected that Waldrop
will fill that now vacant middle-relief role in New Britain.
Seth,
What do you know about Ramon Acosta? He’s 5-0 in 9 starts in the DSL and hasn’t given up an ER in over 54 innings.
I know it’s only the DSL, so I have no expectation on this kid but I couldn’t find any good info on him.
Thanks!
Roger, I’m not certain. It does seem that the draft (and the College World Series) are certainly running later, so that makes sense. Also, there is no rush. The pitchers like Gibson and Tootle and Bashore have high ceilings, so they’re not going to want them to throw a lot of innings this year anyway.
I heard and posted the Waldrop promotion over the weekend. It was time. Ward was actually released about a week ago. he just couldn’t find the strike zone consistently this year.
Ramon Acosta will be pitching out of the bullpen for Elizabethton this season, at least to start the season. He didn’t crack my Top 5 Twins Prospects from the DSL last year because he’s 4-5 years older than some in the league. That said, a 0.00 ERA is hard to ignore. Those were his season numbers from last year. It will be interesting to see how he does in the States.
Seth, Saw that the two shortstops (drafted #8 and #9) are on the GCL roster, so they must have signed. Making a nice run missing only #10 and #11 and will have all the top 12 signed…expect three of the top four which usually take a bit longer.
Meant that to be “except three of the top four”
Seth, do you know who the five starters are in ETon. Without any of the top three picks, they have the four Latin starters from last year’s GCL team, plus Stuifbergen and Hendricks. Also hopefully a healthy Marquis. Could be very strong staff when they get the kid from Indiana U.
Roger – the first five names on each list were set to be the starters as of about Saturday. I can’t think of it off the top of my head. I know Stuifbergen’s going opening day, followed by Hendriks, then three guys from the GCL last year, Garcia and Munoz and Sanchez maybe.
quite a bit of tall players for GCL.. Rory Rhodes 6-7 third baseman
Interesting opening day for GCL Twins, 4-1 win. I know there will be more players joining from the draft, but was great to see 18 year old Adrian Salcedo get the opening day start. And what a lineup; 2 players from the D.R. and South Korea, and 1 each from Puerto Rico, Australia, Venezuela, Taiwan and the Czech Republic.
Lin hit a HR…Rhodes, all of 17…double R, Daniel Santana started at SS 2 hits/double/R/RBI.
Lobanov finished the game with 5 Ks in 2 innings.
Twins also have a Frenchie in Frederic Hanvi. Stuifbergen had a nice day on the mound. In six innings he had 10k’s.