Future Twins shortstop Nick Gordon tees off in Double-A
The Minnesota Twins are reshaping their franchise with an injection of youth and prospects.
Every Thursday for the rest of the season, FOX Sports North will take a closer look at some specific young players -- as well as noting others who might be stepping up -- measuring, highlighting and evaluating their progress.
This is the 7th edition of the 2017 Young Twins Tracker.
Lewin Diaz (age 20/Low-A)
Last week: 5 games, 23 AB, 6 H, 0 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 1 BB, 6 K, .261 BA.
Season: 61 games, 236 AB, .280 BA, .323 OBP, .466 SLG, .789 OPS, 21 2B, 1 3B, 7 HR, 27 R, 35 RBI, 0 SB, 14 BB, 41 K.
Notable: Diaz had two multi-hit games last week, connecting three times in one game Friday. He also went 0-for-4 twice.
Stephen Gonsalves (age 22/Double-A)
Last week: 1 games (1 start), 1-0, 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 6 K
Season: 5 games (5 starts), 2-2, 3.00 ERA, 27 IP, 18 H, 3 HR, 7 BB, 32 K, .182 OBA, 0.93 WHIP
Notable: The left-hander struggled in his lone start last week, allowing five or more hits for just the second time this season. Gonsalves continues to rack up strikeouts, but he also allowed three earned runs and just his third homer of the season.
Nick Gordon (age 21/Double-A)
Last week: 7 games, 35 AB, 14 H, 3 2B, 1 3B, 4 R, 10 RBI, 1 SB, 2 BB, 10 K, .400 BA.
Season: 61 games, 255 AB, .318 BA, .382 OBP, .510 SLG, .891 OPS, 19 2B, 6 3B, 6 HR, 38 R, 41 RBI, 5 SB, 26 BB, 61 K.
Notable: Gordon stretched his hitting streak to nine games last week, and had at least two hits in all but one of them to raise his average to .318 on the season. The Twins may have added another shortstop with the No. 1 pick in the draft, but at this rate Gordon could starting seeing time with the big club as early as next season.
Tyler Jay (age 23/Double-A)
Season: 2 games (0 starts), 0-0, 4.50 ERA, 2 IP, 1 H, 1 HR, 3 BB, 2 K, .143 OBA, 2.00 WHIP
Notable: Jay, who was activated from the disabled list May 23, was put back on the DL on June 1 due to left shoulder impingement.
ByungHo Park (age 30/Triple-A)
Last week: 5 games, 20 AB, 4 H, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 1 BB, 4 K, .000 BA.
Season: 34 games, 132 AB, .189 BA, .262 OBP, .326 SLG, .588 OPS, 9 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 12 R, 11 RBI, 0 SB, 12 BB, 41 K.
Notable: Park continues to struggle down in Triple-A after missing a month with a strained hamstring, while Kennys Vargas -- his primary competition for a spot with the Twins -- has surged. Whatever groove he was in during spring training is long gone.
Fernando Romero (age 22/Double-A)
Last week: 2 games (2 starts), 2-0, 12 2/3 IP, 10 H, 3 R (3 ER), 5 BB, 13 K
Season: 13 games (12 starts), 6-5, 3.27 ERA, 71 2/3 IP, 67 H, 2 HR, 27 BB, 70 K, .241 OBA, 1.31 WHIP
Notable: Romero was solid in his first start of the week, allowing two runs on three hits through 5 2/3 innings. He kept it going Wednesday, giving up seven hits in seven innings but allowing just one run and throwing 67 strikes on 94 pitches.
Kohl Stewart (age 22/Double-A)
Season: 6 games (6 starts), 0-4, 5.63 ERA, 24 IP, 26 H, 1 HR, 22 BB, 14 K, .280 OBA, 2.00 WHIP
Notable: Stewart remains on the disabled list (placed there May 10, retroactively to May 8) due to left knee tendinitis.
Others: Rochester OF Zack Granite (14th round, 2013) stayed hot, going 13-for-25 at the plate with five doubles last week… SS Estamy Urena signed earlier this month and is thriving in the Dominican Summer League, and went 9-for-15 with two triples last week for the DSL Twins… Lookouts relief pitcher Mason Melotakis (2nd round, 2012) had nine strikeouts in three innings despite allowing an earned run.
Statistics courtesy milb.com
