Wednesday 17 August 2011

Blue Jays Daily Prospect Update 16/08/11

Lets get todays report started off with a Brett Lawrie update.  Brett was 3-4 Showing great plate discipline once again though.


Rookie Level Dominican Summer League
-Not much to report, the only true prospects of the Jays weren't playing Gabriel Cenas (injury), Dawel Lugo (restricted status), Jairo Labourt (restricted status),  Osman Gutierrrez (restricted status).


Rookie Level Gulf Coast League
-GCL Bluejays were rained out. Damn that Florida weather.

Rookie Level Bluefield Blue Jays
-Deivy Estrada was lit up, 1.1 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
-Canadian Dalton Pompey went 0-5 with 3 K.
-Chris Hawkins was 1-4 with 1 K.
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Low A Level Vancouver Canadians

-this years 18th round pick Jonathan Berti was 1-4 and stole his 17th base

Mid-A Level Lansing Lugnuts
-Lansing had an off day today.

High A Dunedin Blue Jays
-AJ Jimenez was 1-2 with his 23 double, a walk and a strikeout.  He also was 1 for 2 in throwing out basrunners
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AA New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Anthony Gose 0-4, 2 K
- Travis d'Arnaud 0-4 2 K
- Mike McDade 0-3 1 BB, 1 K
- Moises Sierra had a day off.
- Dustin McGowan on the injury rehab went 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

AAA Las Vegas 51's
-David Cooper was 0-4
-Adeiny Hechavarria keeps up his hot streak 3-4
-Snider 1-4, 1 K

Sunday 7 August 2011

2010 Blue Jays Draft Update #1 - Deck McGuire


                On July 7th, 2010 Blue Jays fans waited with bated breath for their newfound saviour, although it was unknown to them at the time, Alex Anthopolous to make his first draft selection as Blue Jays General Manager.  Toronto fans had become frustrated under former GM J.P. Richardi, safe picks and failed HS players littered the lower minors all the way to the big leagues.  They wanted change. They wanted a new direction. They wanted hope.
Alex Anthopolous’ first MLB First Year Player Draft did just that.  With the 11th pick the Blue Jays selected Deck McGuire out of Georgia Tech, and never looked back.  Lets see how these players have done since being drafted.

1st Round, 11th Overall Selection: Deck McGuire, Right Handed Pitcher out of Georgia Tech
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Deck McGuire signed at the deadline on August 16th last year, and didn’t make his pro debut until this Spring with High-A Ball Dunedin Blue Jays. 

Hi-A Dunedin:
Normal #’s: 19 Games, 104.2 Innings Pitched, 89 Hits, 38 Runs, 32 Earned Runs, 38 Walks, 102 Strikeouts

Advanced #’s: 2.75 ERA, 3.63 FIP, 38.2% of BIP for GB, 39.6% BIP for FB, 11.3% BIP for LD, 7.8% of BIP for PU, 68 K’s Swinging, 7.8% FB For HR’s

His numbers showed pretty decent control (3.26 BB/9) and solid Fielding Independant pitching numbers.  He was able to keep balls from making solid contact (shown by his 11.3% LD Rate) And had 46% of his Balls in play go for Grounders and Pop ups.

He’s also since been moved up to AA New Hampshire.

AA New Hampshire:
Normal #’s: 2 Games, 13 Innings Pitched, 14 Hits, 6 Runs, 6 Earned Runs, 3 Walks, 11 Strikeouts

Advanced #’s: 4.15 ERA, 5.20 FIP, 52.5% GB, 25.0% FB, 17.5% LD, 5.0 PU, 7 K’s Swinging, 30% FB for HR’s

His control has transferred to AA, and has gotten more groundballs, but more LD’s too, which should be expected with the change in levels  and facing better hitters.  His FIP is inflated because of a ridiculous 30% of FB going for HR, that will not keep up.  Too Early to make many judgements from his AA numbers though!

Blue Jays Daily Prospect Update 06/08/11

Lets get todays report started off with a Brett Lawrie update.  Brett was 1-3 with 1 K.  Showing great plate discipline once again though.


Rookie Level Dominican Summer League
Two games were played in DSL today, but not much to report on the prospect front other then the DSL Blue Jays getting 1 hit, 0 walk and 12 strikeoutted.


Rookie Level Gulf Coast League
-Canadian CF, Dalton Pompey was 3-6 with 3 runs scored and was a HR from the cycle. 
-Recently signed 2011 draft pick Andrew Burns continued his torrid start to his pro career going 2-4 with 3 RBI and a HR.  He's batting .625 through his first 5 games.
-Santiago Nessy, a high ceiling catcher out of the Dominican was 2-5 with a double.  He only nailed 2 of 8 base stealers though, bringing his season total to an uninspiring 8 of 48 or 16.7%


Rookie Level Bluefield Blue Jays
-Not much to note offensively, although a pair of 2010 high round picks pitched for the Blue Jays.  Aaron Sanchez went 4 IP with 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, and Myles Jaye went 4 IP with 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K.


Low A Level Vancouver Canadians

-Jesse Hernandez allowed only 1 hit and 2 walks over 5 IP, while striking out 3
-Jonathan Berti was 2-3 with a walk while Shane Opitz was 2-4 with 2 SB.

Mid-A Level Lansing Lugnuts
-Jake Marisnick was 2-4 adding his 27th stolen base of the season as well.
-Marcus Knecht was 0-2 with 2 walks

High A Dunedin Blue Jays
-Nothing to note other then Kevin Ahrens hitting his 12th HR of the season.

AA New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Not much to note, quiet night from Gose, d'Arnaud and Sierra.  Hechavarria had the night off.

AAA Las Vegas 51's
-David Cooper was 0-3 with 2 walks, and Adam Loewen was 3-4 with a double and a walk.

Friday 5 August 2011

Brett Lawrie's Debut

Well, it was the day Blue Jays fans had been waiting for ever since Brett Lawrie was acquired from the Brewers for fan favourite Shawn Marcum. Lawrie was impressive in camp making the switch from 2nd base to 3rd well.  Where he showed off his potent bat to the tune of 12-41 (.293 Avg.), 2 2B, 2 HR, 3 SB and a .326 OBP.  Some Jays fans were so upset when the 21 year old Canadian was sent to the minors, but as we have seen with Travis Snider, players need to prove themselves at the highest level of the minors. Brett Lawrie did just that, setting the AAA Pacific Coast league on fire as one of the youngest players.  Finally today, August 5th, 2011, the omnipotent Brett Lawrie made his Major League Baseball debut.

Lets review his debut!

At the plate: Lawrie showed some good plate discipline today, lets break it down At bat by at bat.


First Career plate appearance:  Single, Line Drive to CF.

0-0 Count: Takes a Cut Fastball for a Ball (90.3 MPH) pitch to the outside corner.  Gets a favourable call, as according to Brooks Baseball PitchFX, its about 3 inches from the bottom and outside of the zone.
1-0 Count: Takes a Cut Fastball for a Ball(90.3 MPH) pitch to the outside corner.  Close call, looks to be just outside the zone.
2-0 Count: Fouls off Four-Seamer (93.2 MPH) pitch down the middle of the zone.
2-1 Count: Fouls off Curveball (79.9 MPH) pitch down and away, in strike zone.
2-2 Count: Line Drive off Four-Seamer (92 MPH) pitch down and in, hit to centerfield for a single. Drives in a run.

Second Career plate appearance: Ground out to 3rd Base.

0-0 Count: Takes a Four-Seamer for a Ball (89.6 MPH) pitch high, 6 inches above strike zone.
1-0 Count: Takes a Cut Fastball called strike (87.5 MPH) pitch right down the middle.
1-1 Count: Takes a Curveball for a Ball (78.1 MPH) pitch outside of zone 3 inches
2-1 Count: Takes a Curveball for a Ball (76.6 MPH) pitch high, just at the edge of zone.
3-1 Count: Ground ball on a Fastball (91.3 MPH) pitch belt high, outer half of plate.

Third Career plate appearance: Called out on strikes.

0-0 Count: Takes a Four-Seamer for a called strike (91 MPH) pitch high and inner half of zone.
0-1 Count: Takes a Four-Seamer for a Ball (90.3 MPH) pitch way outside of the strike zone, 18 inches.
1-1 Count: Takes a Slider for a called strike (75.2 MPH) pitch belt high, inner half of zone.
1-2 Count: Takes a Changeup for a Ball (84.5 MPH) pitch low almost in dirt.
2-2 Count: Takes a Four-Seamer for a called strike (90.5 MPH) pitch high, outside corner, close call could be called a ball or strike three.

Fourth Career plate appearance: Single, Ground ball to left field.

0-0 Count: Takes a Curveball for a Ball (77.9 MPH) pitch in dirt.
1-0 Count: Ground ball off a Four-Seamer (90.8 MPH) pitch letter high in zone.  Hit to left field for a single. Base Runner thrown out at the plate.

In The Field

Not too many plays in the field for Lawrie, but breaking down the 2 that stand out for all the wrong reasons.

The Error:  On the error, Lawrie just played the ball too aggressively and got a bad bounce off the dirt.  Once he is talked to in the dugout about how he doesn't have to play it that aggressively (It was hit fairly sharply), and MLB players don't run faster then in AAA.

The Boot To Escobar: Again playing the ball too aggrassively trying to backhand it on the short hop, and the ball bounced in the dirt and off the glove bouncing to Escobar.  No real qualms with this play.  He knocked the ball down on the short hop, he would have had to play it on the in-between hop other wise and thats always dangerous.  If the ball gets by him on the hop, its going to be a run scoring and runners on 2nd and 3rd. So good on him for knocking it down.

In Conclusion

Brett Lawrie had a good showing at the plate (2-4, 1 K, 1 RBI).  He did a good job taking close pitches, and didn't swing at a single pitch out of the strike zone.  I was impressed by his patience and the fact that he got ahead in the count in 3 of his 4 Plate appearances.

Blue Jays Daily Prospect Update 04/08/11

In The News

Blue Jays top prospect Brett Lawrie had his contract purchased by the team and was called up to the show, while the yo-yo like treatment of Travis Snider continues as he was sent to the minors.  Luis Perez was called up as well to take the place of Carlos Villanueva who was placed on the Disabled List.

Let Me Vent
The awful management of Travis Snider under former GM JP Richardi and Manager Cito Gaston has continued with Alex Anthopolous and John Farrell. Despite Snider raising his average 41 points (24 G, 26-100, .360 AVG, 2 HR, 10 2B) since returning to the Blue Jays after re-working his swing but is mired in a 6-44 (.136) slump over his last 11 games.  You can't get a good judge on a player after 25 games! That is the second time this year he's been sent down after 25 games.  Wasting his option years with yo-yo'ing, now next year he is in a make or break year at just age 24.  I can understand him struggling though, he was a raw talent with great tools when he was selected 14th overall in 2006.   Raw talents shouldn't be spending only 1302 plate attempts in the minors.  Travis was never a player that should be in the majors by his 20th birthday like he was.  Travis spent all of 70 plate attempts at AAA Syracuse! Thats 18 games worth of action at the highest minor league level.   Yes Travis showed well, but he should have been kept in AAA the whole season in 2009.  I didn't mind giving him a taste of the big leagues when rosters expanded in 2008, but send him back to AAA to work on his plate approach and hitting lefthanders.  Travis wasn't a polished college prospect, he was a RAW toolsy HS player who impressed in the minors, but never was allowed to grow into his tools.

The last part of my vent is about Anthopolous' assertion that Thames has been playing better.  Over Thames' last 11 games, he's hitting 7-41 while playing below average defense.  Since Snider came back up on July 4th, Thames is 22-97 (.226).  Snider was a plus defender in RF and LF, so I really don't understand where AA is getting this from.  Despite AA's motto that we aren't about winning this year, he certainly makes it seem that way by going for "who is playing better" rather then by who can learn more in the majors vs. minors.  In my humble opinion, Thames should be in Las Vegas right now, not Snider.

Daily Prospects Lines

AAA
David Cooper went 2-5 with 3 runs scored and a double (44th of the season) to bring his average to (.377).
My thoughts: Cooper will be back in the Bigs this year.  He's tearing the cover off the ball in AAA.  While people say not to put stock into AAA numbers, his numbers aren't all power related.  While he does have 54 XBH, doubles have always transfered well from PCL to MLB.  If he was hitting like Willy Mo Pena, I'd be more concerned.  Along with his 46-33 K/BB ratio, he's hitting 24.6% of BIP as line drives.  Line Drives in PCL transfer well as it is flyball hitters in PCL who see their numbers drop dramatically in the majors *cough* Wood *cough*.  His park adjusted wOBA (info) has him hitting AAA pitching at the same sort of rate as Adrian Gonzalez is hitting MLB pitching, of course there is a LARGE difference between the 2 and Cooper is not Mr. Gonzalez, but that is his comparable MLB wOBA.

Adam Loewen was 3-4 with 3 runs scored, a walk and a double (40th of season) bring his average to (.322)
My thoughts: Adam Loewen continues his conversion from pitcher to position player and has impressed while doing it.  Much like Cooper, he doesn't have a high Flyball rate (only 22.2%), and boasts a pretty good 21.9 Linedrive%, which would transfer well to the bigs.  He's hitting for more power then Cooper (Loewen has 15 dingers) but also has 40 doubles on the season and 3 triples! While he does have strike out issues (striking out in 23.2% of PA), he does walk at a decent enough rate 10.3%.

AA
Chad Jenkins - 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.  74 pitches, 51 strikes, 23 balls.
Extremely impressive outing by Jenkins, even if the final strike out numbers don't show it.  Of his 51 strikes, 13 were whiffs by batters (25.5%, MLB average is 8.5%). 

Adeiny Hechavarria - 0-2, 3 BB
Anthony Gose - 2-5, 2B (17th), 1 SO
Travis d'Arnaud - 1-4, 1 K
Moises Sierra - 1-3, 1 BB

A+
AJ Jimenez - 1-3, 1 BB

A
Micheal Crouse - 1-5, 2B (25th), 1 K
Carlos Perez - 1-4, 2B (15th)
Jake Marisnick - 1-4, 1 BB
Marcus Knecht - 1-1, 2B (27th), 4 BB
K.C. Hobson - 0-4, 1 K
Daniel Barnes - 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

A-
Nothing of note.

R - Bluefield
Christopher Hawkins - 2-4
Mitchell Taylor - 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K


R - Gulf Coast League
Joe Musgrove 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K