Jays Minor League Affiliate/Prospect Discussion Thread

[Michael Bradley]

The entire bench is a weak spot on this team. Jason Phillips and Matt Stairs are both 1B parading as a catcher and outfielder respectively. Smith and McDonald are redundant; both are no-hit middle infielders, they just hit from different sides. The bench was put together by the 3rd grader. It's terrible. Now with Glaus and Johnson possibly missing time, it's going to be exposed badly.

[Holmes]

Probably call up John Hattig if Glaus where to go on the DL. But the guy has had a brutal start to the season.

and what happened to Lind's plate discipline this year?

[aligator]

Travis Snider was the star of Friday night's action on the farm, going 4 for 5 and is now 7 for 15 on the seaon. Also for the winning Lansing team, Canadian pitcher Aaron Wideman gave up 2 runs(1 earned) in 5 1/3 innings and struck out 8. Remember, however, this is Low A and these players are a long way away yet.

Couple of players had 2 hits for Dunedin in a losing cause - Jacob Butler and Cory Patton who has been hot of late.

New Hampshire won their game behind a quality start by young Jesse Litsch. He struggled in the 1st inning but settled down to go 6 with 3 runs allowed, 4 K's. Manny Mayorson had 3 hits. On the downside, Chip Cannon was 0 for 5, striking out all 5 times. He is off to a horrible start, really struggling so far this season. I had thought it wise to try and include him in a deal after his great AFL season but that didn't happen. Fortunately, the big club doesn't need a 1st sacker in the near future.

[OldNo7]

Maybe Travis will get an early promotion this year?

[-MetA4-]

Chase Lirette, 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K (W 1-0)

[aligator]

Despite 3 wins out of 5 games played, prospect highlights were scarce on Saturday. As MetA4 posted, Chase Lirette pitched 6 shutout innings with 8 strikeouts. For 16th and 17th round picks Ginley and Lirette appear to be more than worthwhile gambles, only going so low in the draft due to signability issues. So, kudos to those responsible for bringing them into the Blue Jay fold. The only other pitching performace worthy of mentioin was 6 shutout innings by Ty Taubenheim at Syracuse.

Amomg hitters, J F Griffin hit his 4th home run of the year for the Chiefs. Eric Kratz was 3 for 3 for the FIsher Cats of New Hampshire. Although Dunedin is scuffling some, both Jacob Butler and Adam Calderone are hitting over .400 for the year.

[aligator]

Lansing the only team to play Sunday. Starter Zach Dials pitched 5 shutout innings with 3 K's while reliever Ed Rodriguez went 2 scoreless frames with 2 K's. At the plate, Brian Pettway had 3 hits, lifting his season average to .360.

[OldNo7]

It appears that our farm system never gives up a run?

[aligator]

It appears that our farm system never gives up a run?

I am only posting the highlights, including the worst like Cannon's 0 for 5, and not a full game report of each game. If that is desired, then someone with more available time will have to do it. Brandon Magee?

[OldNo7]

No no, it was a tongue-in-cheek comment because it seemed every post had a shutout involved. Your updates are much appreciated!

[aligator]

Thanks. And there have been some very good pitching performances but it's early and pitchers have the advantage. Magee, however, has been dreadful. I would think that another bad outing might bring about a demotion. Actually, the entire Dunedin team seems like it may be weak and it's looking like Lansing will be strong behind the good pitching. New Hampshire should be above average to strong and Syracuse a touch below average(again). What it's all about, though, is individual performances and I will try to highlight the best(and the worst) going forward.

[aligator]

Not many highlights from last night. Nothing of real interest in the Dunedin loss except that the team doesn't score much. The 2 guys previously reported over.400(Butler and Calderone) both took ofers. Speaking of which, the same ofers for Pettway and Snider at Dunedin, at least in a winning cause. Conversely, a couple of guys who weren't producing much, Sean Shoffit and Yuber Rodriguez had 2 hits each as did Jonathan Diaz. Nate Starner had another quality start but just barely - 6 innings and 2 runs allowed. Julio Pinto was the best of 3 relievers, going 2 innings, 0 runs, 3 K's. Pinto has started the year strongly.

[aligator]

-Lansing won, Dunedin lost
Ginley went 3 2/3 innings for Lansing, giving up 2 runs, 4K's while none of the relievers impressed
3 players with 2 hits - Yuber Rodriguez(now a respectable .261), Matt Liuzza(rising to .364) and Jason Lane(still well below the Mendoza line at .133)

For Dunedin, Brandon Magee started and gave up 2 runs in 4 innings with one K. 3 players with 2 hits included: Jacob Butler(.365), Cory Patton(.262) and Anthony Hatch (.250)

To help keep things in perspective whem comparing pitchers, remember that Kyle Ginley is 20 years old and that Brandon Magee is almost 25(July).

[Michael Bradley]

Very good results so far for Dave Purcey. He had his 2nd start of the season today and pitched great.

7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 11 K

His numbers on the year: 2 GS, 0.68 ERA, 13.1 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 18 K, 0 HR

If Purcey can maintain his command as he moves up to AAA, coupled with McGowan's recent performances, it's going be to very good news for the Jays.

[-MetA4-]

The HUGE thing with Purcey is only 2 BB in 13 IP. Apparently he fixed a problem in his delivery during instructionals, if he holds this up then he could really get back on track.

[Holmes]

That some encouraging numbers by Purcey. We really can't afford to have that draft pick go to waste when looking at our system. Hopefully his success continues. Everytime I hear about him the first thing i think of is a green train.

[aligator]

Great news on Pucey. His pitching was clearly the highlight of the night. Another mound performance worthy of mention came from McGowan though he was only average this night- 5 innings, 3 runs(1 unearned), 5 K's, 3 walks. He threw too many pitches apparently. That seems to be the stumbling block between him and the show. But so far this season, both of the pitchers have exhibited some encouraing signs. Now if we can get the same from Ricky Romero......Actually, I should mention that Jesse Litsch pitched fairly well also though he was outduelled - 5 innings, 2 unearned runs, 3 hits, 3 K's, 3 walks. Litsch is just as much, if not more of a prospect than the others, as he is 22 years of age and has moved quickly since coming out of South Florida CC. Seth Overbey pitched 2 1/3 scoreless relief innings for Lansing, now 6 2/3 innings for the season .000 ERA.

Less to get excited about from the plate though Travis Snider was the standout with a triple, double and single in 5 trips. Sean Shoffit and Scott Campbell, both off to slow starts, rebounded somewhat with 2 hits for Lansing.

Although Dunedin continues to lose, 3 players are hitting - Adam Calderone had 2 hits and a BB, ave.346 - Jacob Butler clubbed a HR and is batting .364. After a slow start, Anthony Hatch has come alive and is hitting .273 while quick starter Cory Patton has slipped to .239

Small sample sizes in BA's from NH but for what it's worth - Aaron Mathews at .435, Eric Kratz at .467 and John Schneider at .429

[OldNo7]

So seriously, when is Snider getting promoted since the pitchers he is facing are obviously overmatched.

[whiterasta80]

So seriously, when is Snider getting promoted since the pitchers he is facing are obviously overmatched.

Absolutely no need to rush him at all. Mid-season at the earliest... and that's if he's hitting over .320.

[aligator]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Agreed.