Tag: Devin Smeltzer

Three or more innings saves

Earlier this week on April 5 the Twins beat the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park by a score of 15-6. Matt Shoemaker started his first game in a Twins uniform and went six innings throwing 92 pitches and allowing three hits and one run before manager Rocco Baldelli said that was enough. The Twins had a 15-1 lead at that point and Shoemaker was in line for the win.

Randy Dobnak

Baldelli brought in his long man Randy Dobnak to finish things off and Dobnak did just that going the final three innings. The first two innings were uneventful but the third and final inning was interesting. The ninth inning started as you would like to see with Dobnak retiring the first two batters. But the next hitter Victor Reyes took Dobnak deep. Then he gave up a single, then a double and then a walk to load the bases for former Twins minor league outfielder and Tigers Rule 5 pick-up Akil Baddoo who crushed a Dobnak pitch for a grand slam home run and all of a sudden it was a 15-6 ballgame. No worries, Dobnak retired JaCoby Jones on a groundout and the game was over and the Twins had the 15-6 win.

Continue reading Three or more innings saves

A busy transaction day for the Twins

Brusdar Graterol

The Twins announced today that they have selected the contracts of right-handed pitcher Brusdar Graterol and outfielder Ian Miller from AAA Rochester. They have also recalled left-handed pitcher Devin Smeltzer and right-handed pitchers Zack Littell and Kohl Stewart. Additionally, they will return both catcher Willians Astudillo and outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. from their respective rehab assignments and reinstate both from the 10-day Injured List.

Ian Miller

In a separate transaction, the Twins have placed right-handed pitcher Kyle Gibson on the 10-day Injured List with Ulcerative Colitis, marking Gibson’s first trip to the Injured List since 2016. In 28 games (27 starts) for the Twins this season, Gibson has gone 13-6 with a 4.58 ERA (149.1 IP, 76 ER), 146 strikeouts and 45 walks. Replacing Gibson on the roster, the Twins have recalled left-handed pitcher Lewis Thorpe from AAA Rochester. Thorpe has appeared in six games (1 start) for the Twins this season, going 1-1 with a 4.40 ERA (14.1 IP, 7 ER), three walks and 14 strikeouts.

The Twins also announced today that they have activated Byron Buxton who has been on the IL since August 3. Sean Poppen was moved to the 60 day Injured List.

This is what baseball has come down to? Oh My!

Credit to Stew Thornley

This is the Twins shift in the game against the Texas Rangers Joey Gallo yesterday. A catcher (Mitch Garver) and pitcher (Devin Smeltzer) and first baseman (Miguel Sano) in their normal positions but no one else is on the dirt. Five outfielders and yet Gallo hits a double off the right field wall, he also had a bunt single. My friend Wayne Hattaway would tell you “this isn’t real baseball”. Everytime you go to a baseball game you have a chance to see something you have never seen before.

 

Twins minor league players of the week – Blankenhorn & Smeltzer

Travis Blankenhorn

The first 2019 Twins position player of the week is A+ Fort Myers Miracles infielder Travis Blankenhorn. Blankenhorn who is playing his fifth season of pro ball appeared in six games this past week hitting .300 with 6 hits in 24 PA’s including a double, a home run and 2 RBI. Blankenhorn also walked four times.  The 22-year-old Blankenhorn has already played second and third base as well as the left field this season.

Travis Blankenhorn was the Minnesota Twins third round draft choice in the 2015 June amateur draft. So far the only Twins draft choice to reach the big leagues from that draft is 32nd round selection LHP  Andrew Vasquez.

Devin Smeltzer

The first 2019 Twins pitcher of the week is LHP Devin Smeltzer of the AA Pensacola Blue Wahoos. In his second start of the 2019 season Smeltzer threw 8.1 shutout innings allowing just 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 8 and earning the win on just 85 pitches (65 strikes). So far this season Smeltzer is 2-0 in 3 starts and has allowed just one earned run in 18 innings on 9 hits, 3 walks, and 21 strikeouts.

Devin Smeltzer was a Los Angeles Dodgers 5th round pick in the 2016 June Amateur draft and traded to Minnesota along with outfielder Luke Raley, second baseman Logan Forsythe in the Brian Dozier deal on July 31, 2018. The Twins used Smeltzer in relief last season at Chattanooga after acquiring him from the Dodgers but this season he is doing what he likes best and that is starting.

Twins Minor League Report, 4-14-19

Arizona Fall League just around the corner

2018 Arizona Fall League rosters were announced August 30th and the Minnesota Twins players will make-up part of the Salt River Rafters along with players from the Diamondbacks, Rockies, Marlins and Nationals.  The club’s manager will be Tommy Watkins and strength and conditioning will be handled by Jacob Dean.

Players representing the Twins will be right-handed pitchers Griffin Jax and Hector Lujan, left-handed pitchers Alex Robinson and Devin Smeltzer, infielder Travis Blankenhorn, and outfielders Jaylin Davis, Luke Raley and Brent Rooker.

Griffin Jax

Hector Lujan

Alex Robinson

Devin Smeltzer

Travis Blankenhorn

Jaylin Davis

Luke Raley

Brent Rooker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

click on images to make them larger

Entering its 27th year, the AFL features six teams that are composed of players from all 30 Major League organizations. It offers the unique opportunity to gauge young talent against competition that usually is superior to what they experienced during the Minor League season. The rosters for this year’s AFL, are loaded with future stars. The group features 18 players ranked on MLB Pipeline’s list of the Top 100 Prospects.

Although I have not been to any AFL games the last few seasons I have attended a number of them in the past and it is a special treat to watch these young up and coming stars play ball. The price is right and often you will see more scouts than you will see paying fans. It is indeed a unique experience that I would recommend you partake in, if the opportunity presents itself.

 2018 AFL Schedule