Baseball notebook: Minnesota Twins employ roving nutritionist to make sure minor leaguers eating properly

CEDAR RAPIDS — You've heard of roving pitching instructors in baseball, roving hitting instructors, roving catching instructors. Kate Moran is the roving nutritionist for the Minnesota Twins.

Yes, that's a real thing. Moran was in Cedar Rapids for a few days during a week-long Kernels homestand to counsel players on their eating habits and to make sure they were getting appropriate pregame and postgame meals.

She is in her second season with the Twins organization. Based at the Twins' complex in Fort Myers, Fla., she travels twice during the season to each of Minnesota's minor-league affiliates, including the Dominican Republic.

'I love it. I'm really lucky to have this job,' she said. 'I worked in higher education at different universities (before), so I love this age group. Especially with pro athletes, they are eager to learn. They want the edge, and nutrition is definitely an edge for them.'

The Kernels have meals prepared for them by in-house chefs before all games, home and road. These are of the healthy variety: lots of chicken, whole grains and vegetables.

And fruit. Moran said this group of players loves its fruit.

'Fueling them before and after the game, working with our clubhouse managers to provide food during the game and while they are here during the day,' she said of her duties. 'Educating them on healthy options. How to eat on the road, while they are on the bus. Make sure sleep is a priority for them. Managing their stress, managing their eating habits, just educating them on the long-term career.'

She'll even tour grocery stores with players to point out proper nutritional choices. The days of eating at ballpark concession stands, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Wendy's is out for Twins minor leaguers.

Those used to be staples for minor leaguers, who receive just $25 a day in road meal money. Moran did OK a pizza party earlier this season thrown by the Kernels Booster Club, but that's the exception and not the rule.

'Now and again they'll have some more indulgent meals, but we try and keep it health focused about 80 percent of the time,' she said. 'We focus on good nutrition and health. Then the other 20 percent of the time, maybe it's postgame after a day game or they have an off day, they can have more of those 'treat' meals. We just try to keep them happy. Happy and healthy.'

DAYTON'S SIRI SETS MWL HIT-STREAK RECORD

Outfielder Jose Siri of the Dayton Dragons set the Midwest League for getting a hit in the most consecutive games Monday night and just kept extending it ... until Friday night.

That's when Siri saw a 39-game hit streak end. An eighth-inning double in a loss Thursday night to Great Lakes increased Siri's impressive streak to 39.

The previous MWL record of 35 was set by Waterloo's Tony Toups in 1977.

The overall minor league record is 69 games, set by Joe Wilhoit in 1919. He played for Wichita in the defunct Western League.

PEORIA'S TORSCLAIR WITH UNIQUE CYCLE

Stefan Trosclair entered the eighth inning of the Peoria Chiefs game Friday night against Beloit just 1-for-3 with a home run. He ended it with the cycle.

The infielder batted twice in a 10-run eighth inning, picking up a double and triple. He got one more opportunity in the ninth to hit and singled to left for one of the more unique cycles you'll see.

SCHEBLER TO DL

Former Cedar Rapids Prairie prep Scott Schebler was placed on the 10-day disabled list last week by the Cincinnati Reds.

Schebler first hurt his left shoulder making a diving catch in a game in June and it has hindered him since. Schebler hit just .146 in July.

HOW THEY'RE DOING

Jake Adams (University of Iowa) — Big first baseman went 2-for-3 with his eighth home run of the season Friday night for Short Season-A Tri-City (Astros). Hitting .193 in 33 games, with 18 RBIs overall.

Joel Booker (University of Iowa) — Back-to-back two-hit games for the outfielder at high-A Winston-Salem (White Sox), boosting overall batting average to .203 in 32 games.

Matt Dermody (University of Iowa) — Four relief appearances since returning to big leagues for Toronto Blue Jays last week. Picked up his first MLB win with three-inning shutout stint against Los Angeles Angels. Has 15.75 ERA in five appearances overall this season.

Ryan Erickson (University of Iowa) — Nine pitching appearances for Arizona Rookie League White Sox, has a save and 9.26 ERA.

Blake Hickman (University of Iowa) — Is 3-5 with a 4.10 ERA in 12 starts for low-A Kannapolis (White Sox). Has allowed fewer hits (66) than innings pitched (68).

Jon Keller (Cedar Rapids Xavier) — Is 0-1 with a save and 1.29 ERA in four relief appearances since joining high-A Frederick (Orioles). Also has spent time at Short Season-A Aberdeen and Double-A Bowie.

Mitch Keller (Cedar Rapids Xavier) — Promoted this week by Pirates from high-A Bradenton to Double-A Altoona. Went 6-3 with a 3.14 ERA in 15 starts for Bradenton.

Derrick Loveless (Solon) — Outfielder went 2-for-4 Friday night with his first home run of the season for Double-A New Hampshire (Blue Jays). Hitting .253 in 57 games for Fisher Cats.

Mason McCoy (University of Iowa) — Shortstop had three hits and an RBI Friday night for Short Season-A Aberdeen (Orioles) to boost his batting average to .325 in 26 games.

Tyler Peyton (University of Iowa) — Has pitched five innings and given up just a run in each of his last two starts for low-A South Bend (Cubs). Has 3.74 ERA and 3-3 record in 14 games for Cubs.

A.J. Puk (Cedar Rapids Washington) — Struck out 13 in 6 2/3 innings in his start Thursday night for Double-A Midland (Athletics). Has 5.66 ERA and 1-3 record in eight starts for RockHounds.

Jake Yacinich (University of Iowa) — Shortstop went 5-for-20 with three RBIs in six games he appeared as emergency injury recall to Triple-A Salt Lake (Angels). Has been sent back to high-A Inland Empire, where he is hitting .269 in 71 games.

l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com