Minor League Recap: This Weekend on the Farm
by Woodman663 on Jul 11, 2011 10:52 AM EDT
in Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Recaps
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PrintI was away over the weekend, so I missed three awesome Jays games, as well as a lot of minor league action. Let's recap!
Las Vegas (all-star break)
Vegas didn't play yesterday, and lost all of its three games on Friday and Saturday. Jesse Litsch was lit up for 9 runs in 4 2/3 innings, but as commenter siggian pointed out in our last recap, pitching at altitude is hard, especially for pitchers relying on movement rather than velocity. And while Vegas isn't in Coors Field territory, it's about a 1,000 feet higher than Chase Field, the 2nd highest altitude park in the Majors. A guy like Litsch who pitches to contact and is extremely oriented towards the movement on his cutter, slider and changeup will lose a lot of his effectiveness in Vegas. He K'd 5 and walked 3, so his command wasn't the best, hopefully he'll get sharper as he adjusts to the PCL's extreme environment.
Of course, the fact that the PCL is especially tough on control pitchers is also a problem for Brad Mills. The lefty gave up 7 runs in 7 innings on Friday, striking out three and walking one but giving up three home runs. He has never had an extended look in the big leagues unfortunately, and this would have been a good season for that. Hopefully the Jays will have an International League affiliate by 2013.
Adam Loewen had a homer and a double in those three games, and he has a 6/7 BB/K ratio so far in July (9 games). David Cooper though, has a 7/3 ratio, and his .444 OBP on the season is just nuts. Darin Mastroianni didn't get any hits this weekend, but he did walk 5 times.
New Hampshire (won 5-4)
Robert Ray had a great outing yesterday, going 6 innings and giving up just one earned, with 6 Ks and 0 BBs. Chad Jenkins had bad luck on balls in play on Saturday, registering 7 Ks and 0 BBs in 6 innings, but allowing 6 earned runs. But Zach Stewart had even worse results on balls in play: he allowed 6 earned runs in 4 IP, with 6 Ks and 0 BBs.
Travis d'Arnaud can not be stopped: he hit 3 doubles and a homer this weekend, and he's now hitting .314/.387/.555 in a pitcher friendly environment, as a catcher. That's got to make you a top prospect, and he once again made Baseball America's Hot Sheet this Friday. Anthony Gose is very streaky, but right now he's on a hot streak: he's hitting .316/.409/.684 in July. John Tolisano hit two dingers this weekend, he's at .236/.329/.423 for the season but has been better in June and July. He's 22 and having made the difficult step to AA-ball, he shouldn't be written off yet. The Cats won 2 of their 3 weekend games, both on walkoff homers; one from Tolisano, and the other from Moises Sierra.
Dunedin (lost 0-1, won 5-1)
Ninety-three is the number of Ks Nestor Molina has registered this season. Eight is the number of walks Nestor has issued this season. Six is the number of Ks Molina collected yesterday, while four is the number of innings he pitched. Zero is both the number of earned runs and walks he gave up. Eleven is Nestor Molina's Awesomeness Rating on a scale of 0 to 10. Oh, and Dustin McGowan had another two inning long rehab outing, which is why Molina could only go four innings of the first part of a doubleheader. Asher Wojciechowski pitched seven shutout innings on Friday, striking out six and walking none, but he's teased us with good starts before. He'll need to do it more often to prove his status as a good prospect.
Ryan Schimpf and Ryan Goins are both left-handed middle infielders named Ryan who were drafted from college and are on the old side, but hitting well at Dunedin. Goins has recently returned from the DL and is now hitting .305/.363/.460 after homering and tripling this weekend. Schimpf hasn't had many hits lately, but 10/11 BB/K ratio (61 ABs) is very promising when combined with his excellent power. When talking about 23 year old middle infielders, Kevin Nolan is another one who is performing well, after another homer yesterday he now has 7 homers this season (211 ABs) after hitting zero in his first two seasons (452 ABs). A.J. Jimenez seems to have been working on his patience at the plate, drawing 5 walks in his last 5 games. This is very unusual for the usually aggressive catcher, but definitely a good sign.
Lansing (won 7-1)
Tall but soft-throwing lefty Egan Smith got 7 Ks in 5 innings and allowed just a single earned run yesterday. Based on age he should be in NH, or at least Dunedin, so he's not that highly regarded. Sleeper lefty Sean Nolin returned from the DL on Saturday and K'd 4 of the 15 batters he faced, but he did give up too many hits.
Michael Crouse's bat has been hot, but he's struck out a lot (he collected a golden sombrero on Friday). Marisnick hasn't been hitting as spectacularly (but did homer this weekend), but he has hit solidly, while Marcus Knecht seems to have nothing left to prove in low-A. Meanwhile, Carlos Perez has been a bit better, and K.C. Hobson is an on-base machine who doesn't display much in-game power (even though he should).
Short-season affiliates
A general trend seems to be that the hitting prospects are not impressing while the pitching prospects are performing well enough to have us excited and dreaming about a future rotation of great starter after great starter. Justin Nicolino might be the first to achieve that label. After striking out 9 (!) hitters in 5 innings on Saturday, Justin has now struck out an absolutely magnificent 36% of the batters he's faced while keeping the walks in check. Like Hutchison last year, I'd expect Nicolino to finish the season in Lansing.
Aaron Sanchez had been very disappointing until striking out 7 in 4 innings on Saturday. He also walked two and gave up a hit, but he didn't give up any runs. Myles Jaye was good as well, striking out 4 in 5 innings of work, allowing just a hit and a walk and no earned runs.
Meanwhile, Zak Adams is improving all the time, and he K'd 7 in 4 innings of work on Saturday while walking one, allowing two hits and giving up no runs. Adonys Cardona would finish the shutout with 3 Ks in 3 innings (it was game one of a doubleheader). Dalton Pompey hit his first professional home run.
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Nice write up here Woodman!
I had to vote for Gose..I had to…I <3 Speed..
"Ask yourself, "What would Ted do?" Then do the opposite."
- Barney Stinson
Great question, Woodman
Saw Alvarez pitch in Futures. Got the heat, but little command or movement and not much secondary stuff- sorry to say, but he looks looks bullpen material.
Gose has the highest upside, but probably will hit like Rajai, although with much better D.
I voted for d’Arnaud. Has the highest floor. A plus defensive catcher who hits .260-.280 and averages 15-20 HR’s in the majors is extremely valuable, and that’s not even the best case scenario.
Gose has shown way more power than Davis
and at a way younger age. Davis didn’t have nearly the success Gose has had at AA, and Gose is doing it at a young age. I think Gose is more likely to be a Michael Bourn type than a Davis type, but of course I’m a homer
WAR... WAR never changes.
Bourn is a great comp
Eastern League numbers for them are very similar, with Gose doing it at a younger age. It all depends on whether Gose can continue to close the holes in his swing, whether his hit tool will work in the majors. I guess i just like d"Arnaud a lot.
I think he is a little bit in between Bourn and Crawford. He likely won’t be a .300 hitter like Crawford but will draw more walks to make up for that like Bourn… but he also has that pop that Crawford has. If you look at Bourn, the most homeruns he has hit anywhere is 6.
good point
yeah, Crawford might actually be a better comp. of course, he’s got a long way to go before he’s Carl Crawford (unless you count 2011 CC) but if he keeps improving while moving up levels, who knows
WAR... WAR never changes.
at first i thought this poll was a no brainer
We need a solid CF, but if snider can play CF…then maybe we don’t need him and keep thames/snider/bautista in the OF.
I think i still would say Gose, although a hard throwing Good Reliever to use in high leverage situations (totally not a closer!), would fill a big hole as well
I don’t think Snider would be able to play CF anywhere as good as what I’ve heard about Gose’s defense.
"Ask yourself, "What would Ted do?" Then do the opposite."
- Barney Stinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 11, 2011 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
ofc not
but it be tough to give up that power, unless gose hits well in the majors.
And wow, 34 votes already o.o
by bowling_kid25 on Jul 11, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, when do I get my votes.. :(
"Ask yourself, "What would Ted do?" Then do the opposite."
- Barney Stinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 11, 2011 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Sweet
When are we getting King Felix?
Happiness is a long walk with a putter.
by craig in calgary on Jul 11, 2011 11:18 AM EDT reply actions
haven't you heard?
We already got him this morning: AA traded Rivera, CoPa and a baseball bat signed by Jose Bautista for him…
"Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assaults of thought on the unthinking." (J.M Keynes)
Is there a decent scouting report on teh Internets on Jon Berti? Just curious since he’s hitting for a good average along with taking walks (not much power thou) at Vancouver and I’m interested in hearing a bit more about him.
This just posted:
blawrie13 Brett Lawrie
Ladies and gentlemen we’ve reached our goal " let’s play ball "
YES!
"Ask yourself, "What would Ted do?" Then do the opposite."
- Barney Stinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 11, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Will he be reporting to Vegas here soon? August call up?
Happiness is a long walk with a putter.
by craig in calgary on Jul 11, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Meh..we could probably get a little bit for CoPa, to make it a little less crowded?
"Ask yourself, "What would Ted do?" Then do the opposite."
- Barney Stinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 11, 2011 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
You doubtin' me hater?
"Ask yourself, "What would Ted do?" Then do the opposite."
- Barney Stinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 11, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
gotta be around the trade deadline
wait to see if anyone gets moved to give him a spot, or they will have to just kick someone out =D
by bowling_kid25 on Jul 11, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I could either see CoPa traded or Thames sent down so he can have everyday playing time in Triple-A.
"Ask yourself, "What would Ted do?" Then do the opposite."
- Barney Stinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 11, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
what?
no way do they send thames down
FLAG
BAN
FLAG
by bowling_kid25 on Jul 11, 2011 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
BRO..I'm not saying I would do it..
I’d probably dump CoPa..
"Ask yourself, "What would Ted do?" Then do the opposite."
- Barney Stinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 11, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
You're right though
Those are the two big candidates. Sometimes I wish it was Rajai when I watch him swing at those low and away breaking balls…
Well Rajai is signed through 2012 with an option for 2013, and he can do big things on the bases (when he actually gets on the bases) Patterson has awful awareness, and is pretty bad baserunner despite his solid speed.
"Ask yourself, "What would Ted do?" Then do the opposite."
- Barney Stinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 11, 2011 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Playing time for Thames is the part that’s hard to figure… I know others disagree but I do not see Snider being an effective CF which means that Davis sticks around. Easiest solution I see is too have Thames & EE platoon at DH while being backups at Corner Outfield/Infield
Dump EE
and have snider/thames take turns getting field experience and dh’ing =)
by bowling_kid25 on Jul 11, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Nope, not EE, hes just hittin his stride.
"Ask yourself, "What would Ted do?" Then do the opposite."
- Barney Stinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 11, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
he is a streaky hitter
it will fall apart. I’d rather see our future play not a guy who can’t be trusted in the field.
by bowling_kid25 on Jul 11, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
True, but I’m not sure hes the one to get dumped, I bet it’s Patterson, not many people have as much power and strength as EE, and when EE is hot, not many people can top him.
"Ask yourself, "What would Ted do?" Then do the opposite."
- Barney Stinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 11, 2011 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
its more about whats better for the team
Rivera was a better hitter then patterson no? Don’t see him on the team and CoPa is.
by bowling_kid25 on Jul 11, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Could send 'airmiles' McCoy back down
Of course, this would only really work with Thames DHing and EE on the bench; Wouldn’t want to leave MacDonald as only backup infielder. Worst case scenario has Hill and Escobar getting knocked out. You’d have to slide Lawrie to 2nd, With EE at 3rd and JMac at ss.
by BuffaloSojourn on Jul 11, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
PCL starts back up on Thursday
Do we expect Lawrie will head straight there?
I wouldn`t trade for King Felix. .It`s not worth it.
Not with our starting roation almost set for a few years.
Also! Lawrie playing is another awesome news.
I still don`t think it`s worth trading for starting pitching when our farm is fulled to the brim with it.
Felix wouldn`t be here for long and I wouldn`t want to lose any of these three prospects.
Really?
You wouldn’t trade for a proven, dominant, young pitcher who is the ace of the other team and would be the ace or second pitcher on the Jays staff for two high caliber but unproven prospects?
I’d do that in a heartbeat and I’d toss in Jo-Jo or Cecil as a sweetner to make it happen.
it doesnt really matter
its just a poll to think about just pick one lol
by bowling_kid25 on Jul 11, 2011 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Set?
Let’s not confuse “set” with “potential”. Ricky and Morrow are set. There is still huge question marks around Drabek, Cecil, Litsch, Stewart, McGowan and everyone else. They have potential, but so did alot of other pitchers who flamed out in the majors.
Happiness is a long walk with a putter.
by craig in calgary on Jul 11, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
good points
though I think Cecil is more set than you seem to, just based on his very solid 2010.
WAR... WAR never changes.
I agree. King Felix is better than 10 maybes, but
it would depend on when. Having King Felix in ‘11 and ’12 then losing him to free agency? When is he signed/controlled until? I’d keep the maybes. I’d rather see the Jays do something in the offseason for a Grienke type – someone they can control for several years without having to commit $100M+.
To every complex problem, there is an answer that is simple, easy to understand and wrong
if you're talking about Greinke when he went to the Brewers
they only got him for 2 years, but they decided that was probably their window, so they traded a bunch of prospects for 2 good-great starters and have 3 excellent position players. Greinke will likely cost 80M easily, and if you look past his ERA he’s been absolutely outstanding
WAR... WAR never changes.
set, really?
seems pretty ridiculous to say our rotation is almost set for a few years, particularly given the way our starters have struggled with consistency this year. There may be some pitchers with potential in the middle and lower minors, but it’s hard to imagine that most or all of them will turn out to be quality major league starters – and I’d be amazed (but very happy) if ANY of them turned out to be nearly as good a pitcher as Felix.
You can never have enough quality starting pitching, particularly given the dangers of losing young starters to injury along the way. Honestly I’d trade all 3 of those players for Hernandez in a heartbeat, if only for the pleasure of watching him and Ricky in the same rotation for a couple of years. Maybe that’s why I’m not a baseball executive.
Anthony Gose is very streaky, but right now he’s on a hot streak: he’s hitting .316/.409/.684 in July.
#arbitrarybounds
WAR... WAR never changes.
If Seattle would trade Felix for all 3 of them i´d say Deal in a hurry!
"Touch ´em all, Joe!"
by jaysfanfromeurope on Jul 11, 2011 1:27 PM EDT reply actions
This
anyone who thinks otherwise is insane. Felix can be argued for as one of the best pitchers in baseball, he is still incredibly young. i’d trade any 3 of our best prospects for him without blinking.
Onions Baby Onions
guess i'll have go to the doctor
cause im INSANE IN THE MEMBRANE
by bowling_kid25 on Jul 11, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn't
say trade our 3 best, but I’d trade those 3 for him. Not sure his contract situation but if an extension could be worked out thru 2016, I’d do it. Maybe try and get Chavez back while I’m at it. This is no knock on those 3 either, they’ll be good.
BABIP
“Chad Jenkins had bad luck on balls in play on Saturday, registering 7 Ks and 0 BBs in 6 innings, but allowing 6 earned runs…”
Excuses, excuses.
Heard Keith Law on the radio earlier...
and he was raving about D’Arnaud. Nice to hear from a guy whose opinion is as highly regarded as his. He also had good things to say about Alvarez. Unfortunately, he backed up what I thought of Thames – probably has platoon OF/DH upside.
nothing really wrong with that
as long as he’s a lefty that mashes righties (can’t find MiLB splits anywhere)
WAR... WAR never changes.
Yeah of course
What I was trying to say is that he’s unlikely to continue the production he’s putting up now.
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