The Minnesota Twins Single A teams continue to win while the other teams haven’t. Plenty of standouts at all stages of the MiLB nearly a month into the season.
After the first week of the MiLB season, Rochester and Chattanooga were off to slow starts while Fort Myers and Cedar Rapids were trending up. Nearly a month into the season the trend among all four teams hasn’t changed.
Rochester Red Wings (8-11)
The big Minnesota Twins news this week was the call-up and eventual debut of Jose Berrios. While he didn’t get the win or pitch well, he showed glimpses of what’s to come.
The Twins MiLB Weekly Roundup featured three Rochester Red Wings pitchers last week. Berrios, Alex Meyer, and Tyler Duffey were pitching exceptionally well with sub 2.00 ERA’s. All three received a call up shortly after writing the feature in three consecutive days.
Jason Wheeler was subsequently called up from Chattanooga. Wheeler made his first start with the Red Wings Wednesday, pitching 7 strong innings allowing one earned run on six hits and one walk. In five starts (one in Triple A, four in Double A), Wheeler has a 1.74 ERA. He has also kept base runners to a minimum as his WHIP is 0.97.
But all eyes are on Byron Buxton as he tries to find a better approach at the plate. The amount of strikeouts were too much to keep writing his name in the lineup card which is the reason for the demotion.
With Eddie Rosario struggling, all Buxton has to do is show he can take a walk and then something most might not have predicted could happen. Rosario and Buxton could swap places.
It’s hard to imagine but don’t kid yourself, Rosario has to be sent down as well. The moment Buxton produces at the plate with the Red Wings, it’s time to swap him and Rosario. This can all change of course if Rosario goes on a hot streak or Buxton continues to struggle.
Other Notables: The Twins granted David Murphy his release on April 25 and announced his retirement. The Twins signed him on April 14. He played 10 games and hit just .194. He wanted to spend more time with his family 11 days after signing a contract. Additionally, Reynaldo Rodriguez has been suspended for 80 games due to a positive drug test.
Was slashing .234/.290/.328 in 64 at-bats. Last year, played full season w/ Rochester hitting 16 HR. #MNTwins https://t.co/vvkCMGbcRp
— Martin Schlegel (@mschlegel34) April 28, 2016
Next: AA and A Ball