Jones cooling off at Rochester

BY JASON WILLIAMS
Pioneer Press

That Twins slugging prospect Garrett Jones of Class AAA Rochester didn't receive his first big-league call up during all the roster maneuvering last week could only mean one thing:

'He needs more time,' said Jim Rantz, the Twins' minor league director.

After a torrid start to his first season in Class AAA, Jones has cooled off. Entering Friday, his batting average had dropped to .275. His 10 home runs continued to rank him in the top 10 in the International League — but so did his 48 strikeouts in 48 games. Compare that with only nine walks in 178 at-bats.

'He'll do that,' Rantz said. Indeed, Jones had 98 strikeouts and 28 walks in 122 games (450 at-bats) with Class AA New Britain in 2004. He had 98 strikeouts and 32 walks in 117 games (404 at-bats) with Class A Fort Myers in 2003.

It wouldn't have done the left-handed hitting first baseman any good to sit on the Twins' bench, what with Jones needing as many at-bats as possible to try to work on his weaknesses. And it wouldn't have done the Twins any good to have another impatient hitter on their roster.

That is why the Twins opted to recall Michael Ryan from Rochester on Tuesday to replace struggling Terry Tiffee as the left-handed batter off the bench. Two days later, when infielder Nick Punto went on the disabled list, the Twins deferred on Jones and recalled Tiffee from Rochester.

That doesn't mean the 23-year-old Jones isn't a part of the Twins' future.

'We like him a lot,' Rantz said. 'We like his power. He's just trying to get through some adjustments right now.'

Bartlett update

Shortstop Jason Bartlett has had a rough time readjusting to life in the minors since the Twins optioned him to Rochester on May 19.

Through 11 games with the Red Wings, Bartlett was batting .244 (10 for 41) with one double, five runs, no home runs and no runs batted in. Perhaps the most surprising thing: Bartlett had committed four errors.

'He hasn't gotten on track yet,' Rantz said. 'He'll work it out and will be fine.'

Bartlett spent most of the week working with hall of famer Paul Molitor, the Twins' minor league base-running and infield coordinator.

Briefly

More proof that pitching is the organization's biggest strength: Rochester recorded three consecutive shutouts (Tuesday-Thursday) against the Richmond Braves. The Red Wings' starters, in order: Scott Baker (eight innings, four hits), Dave Gassner (seven innings, one hit), Boof Bonser (six innings, three hits). Entering Friday, Red Wings pitchers had 34 consecutive scoreless innings. 'You can't do any better than throw goose eggs,' Bonser told the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.

Power-pitching reliever Travis Bowyer of Rochester has been working a curveball and slider into his arsenal. Bowyer had 44 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings with 13 saves entering Friday.

Rochester outfielder Kevin West and Class A Beloit right-hander Anthony Swarzak have been named the Twins' player and pitcher of May, respectively. West, 25, batted .333 with four home runs in 23 games.

Swarzak, 19, was 5-0 with a 0.24 ERA in five starts.