Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine
Joe Carter was in Vancouver and in a fitting tribute, the Canadians won it in walk-off fashion Tuesday night as they continue their playoff push. That was part of a 4-3 day for the affiliates. Dunedin was rained out.

Mike Reeves gets a pie in the face after a game-winning single against Salem-Keizer Tuesday night.


Pawtucket 1 Buffalo 0

Pawtucket, RIDrew Hutchison (0-2) got through 4 1/3 innings, giving up the only run in the fourth against the Red Sox. In total, he allowed five hits, two walks and a hit by pitch. He struck out five, had three ground ball outs and threw 50 of 85 pitches for strikes. Scott Gracey stranded a couple of runners for Hutchison after getting a double play. Justin Germano plunked a batter but went three scoreless innings with three strikeouts.

The Herd had five hits and hit into the same number of double plays. Andy LaRoche had two hits. A.J. Jimenez had a base hit. Moises Sierra struck out twice in a 0-for-4 performance but threw Jackie Bradley Jr. at first base from right field.


New Hampshire 8 Portland 6 4

Portland, ME — The Fisher Cats overcame a 4-0 deficit with a five-run third inning against the Red Sox affiliate. Andy Burns lifted a sacrifice fly to plate the first run. Kevin Nolan tripled another run home. Ryan Schimpf had a run-scoring double, Kevin Ahrens scored another with a ground ball and Jack Murphy capped off the rally with an RBI single. Murphy doubled home two more runs in the seventh and Burns had another run-scoring fly ball in the eighth to add some insurance. John Tolisano had three hits, including a double. Nolan and Murphy had two apiece with Nolan adding a stolen base. Adam Loewen singled and walked. Ahrens and Kenny Wilson both had doubles.

Deck McGuire dealt nothing but fours in his five innings of work as in four hits, four runs, four walks and four strikeouts. All four runs came in the second. Dayton Marze (1-0) was given a blown save after giving up a run in the sixth on two hits and a hit by pitch but he did strike out a pair. Ryan Tepera walked one but struck out five over two shutout frames. Alan Farina had an unearned run on two runs and a walk in the ninth but struck out a batter to gain his sixth save.


Lansing 6 Lake County 0

Lansing, MIDaniel Norris may have had his best start as a pro, permitting just four base runners over six scoreless innings. The Indians affiliate had just two hits, a walk and a hit by pitch. The lefthander struck out five and his ground out/fly out ratio was 10-0. Javier Avendano (8-6) was also dominant, walking just one batter over three innings and striking out four.

The Lugnuts scored all of their runs after the seventh-inning stretch. Chris Hawkins doubled home the first run before Carlos Ramirez followed with a two-run single. Dalton Pompey knocked home another run with a single. An Emilio Guerrero sac fly and a Dwight Smith Jr. single rounded out the scoring. Hawkins had two hits but Pompey was the on-base leader by walking twice to go along with his base hit. Jordan Leyland had two bases on balls. Christian Lopes singled and Santiago Nessy walked.


Vancouver 2 Salem-Keizer 1 (11 Innings)


Dan Arcila
, wearing #9, joins the celebration after scoring the winning run on a Mike Reeves base hit Tuesday night.

Vancouver, BC
— The C's answered the Volcanoes run in the top of the fifth with one of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Dawel Lugo singled home Ian Parmley after he singled and stole second. Andy Fermin drew a lead-off walk in the 11th and pinch-runner Dan Arcila moved to second on a Justin Atkinson bunt. Michael Reeves then lifted a fly ball just out of the reach of the leaping left fielder to score Arcila with the winning run. Reeves had three hits and Chaz Frank also reached three times with a base hit and two walks while adding a stolen base. Fermin had a hit and a walk. L.B. Dantzler was 1-for-5.

Lefty Kyle Anderson had a strong outing, limiting the Giants affiliate to a single run on four hits and a hit by pitch. He struck out six and had a 10-4 ground out/fly out ratio. Had Atkinson played a bouncing ground ball at third base instead of letting it play him, Anderson would have gotten out of the fifth unscathed. Instead, that led to the only Salem-Keizer run. Garrett Pickens spun three shutout innings with one hit and one strikeout while racking up five ground ball outs. Lefty Matt Dermody (5-1) survived two hits by striking out a pair of batters in the 11th.

On a personal note, a big thank you to Joe Carter for signing my baseball card and to the Vancouver Canadians organization for bringing him to Nat Bailey Stadium. I waited nearly three hours in line but it was worth it and he was still signing autographs and posing for pictures after the game. He may need Tommy John surgery after all that!

Pulaski 5 Bluefield 1

Bluefield, WV
Jairo Labourt (2-2) was hurt by the long ball, serving up a pair of home runs that plated three runs for the Mariners. The lefty lasted four innings, allowing five hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Alberto Tirado pitched the other five frames and gave up two runs (one unearned) on five hits and a walk. He whiffed six and induced five ground ball outs.

The Jays waited until their last at-bat to break the shutout when Jorge Saez knocked home Matt Dean with a single. Dean had a base rap and was hit by a pitch. Mitch Nay had a pair of hits and Franklin Barreto doubled. D.J. Davis was 0-for-4.


GCL Tigers 6 GCL Blue Jays 1


Dunedin, FL Jesus Tinoco (0-5) suffered a hard-luck loss. He only gave up just one run on four hits while striking out six over five innings. That run came in his final inning of work. Southpaw Evan Smith surrendered a run on two hits and a walk while striking out a pair over two frames. Lefty Jacob Brentz was pounded for four runs on two hits, including a homer, and two walks over one inning. Kamakani Usui finished up with a scoreless frame that included a strikeout.

The Jays also waited until the ninth to ruin the Tigers shutout bid as Trey Pascazi singled home Edwin Fuentes, who worked a two-out walk. Josh Almonte had two hits and Rowdy Tellez had one. On the negative side, Pascazi and Gabriel Cenas had hat tricks.


DSL Blue Jays 6 DSL Braves 3

San Pedro de Macoris, DR
— The Jays got the early jump on the Braves with a first inning home run and a third inning sac fly by Juan Kelly. Eddy Alcantara lifted another sac fly in the fourth and stole home as part of a double steal in the sixth. Dean Bell also knocked home another run later in the inning with a base hit. The other run scored on an errant pick off throw in the fifth. Leudy Garcia led the way with three hits and Javier Hernandez had two. Kelly also drew a walk.

Angel Perdomo went the first 2 2/3 innings and had an unearned run among the two he gave up. The lefty allowed four hits and three walks while plunking two batters and ringing up 6 K's. Rauly Castillo (3-1) only walked one hitter and plunked another while whiffing three batters over 4 1/3 scoreless innings. Jhonny Hernandez permitted a run on four hits and a plunk but struck out two over 1 2/3 innings. Daniel Rodriguez struck out the only batter he faced to strand the bases loaded in picking up his second save.


Boxscores


*** 3 Stars!!! ***



3. Michael Reeves, Vancouver
— Has reached base in seven straight games and has an OBP of .390.


2. Kyle Anderson, Vancouver — Has walked just 12 batters in 71 innings and Northwest League opponents are batting just .237.


1. Daniel Norris, Lansing - Only one run allowed over his last four starts covering 20 innings while compiling a 25-6 K-BB ratio.


Wednesday's Probable Starters...

DSL Blue Jays — TBA @ DSL Brewers, 10:30 am ET.
GCL Blue Jays — TBA @ GCL Yankees2, 12:00 pm ET.
New Hampshire Marcus Walden (6-12, 3.68) @ Portland, 12:00 pm ET.
Dunedin Aaron Sanchez (3-4, 3.40) & TBA vs. Daytona, 5:00 pm ET (DH).
LansingEric Brown (1-2, 5.17) @ Great Lakes, 7:05 pm ET.
Vancouver — TBA @ Everett, 10:05 pm ET.
You Gotta Be Reeves! | 30 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
ogator - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 07:55 AM EDT (#278255) #
In my humble opinion, Kyle Anderson bears a remarkable resemblance to Jesse Litsch.
finch - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 08:51 AM EDT (#278256) #

Seems as if Daniel Norris has figured out this pitching thing. Matt Smoral, you're up next!

 

In other Blue Jays news, with Jose Bautista on the DL, we can really make up some ground on those bottom feeders netting us a top 5 pick!

Sister - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 10:09 AM EDT (#278257) #
I was at the New Hampshire game last night in Portland. First, the score is incorrect, it was 8-6 for NH. Random thoughts:

We sat right in front of the NH radio booth. In Portland, the seat furthest from the field are in front of the "boxes" and broadcast booth. It was nice to get the commentating while the game was ongoing. The play by play announcer was using MiLB gameday with pitchFX and was pulling up tidbits from the site during the game. He also charted the game.

Deck had one bad inning and was unhittable the rest of the way. This seems to be his MO when he has a bad game.

Jack Murphy caught and he is a modern day Crash Davis. He got banged up a number of times off of foul tips and the trainer was out at one point. But he smashed a bases clearing double.

Tepera was firing tonight. He hit 96 on the gun and I asked the NH announcer if this was his normal stuff or if the gun was hot. He said this was his usual stuff since coming out of the pen. He was overmatching the Portland players, particularly after he started off with the walk. Impressive.

Kenny Wilson looked good at the plate. Will be keen to see him going forward. Burns looks to have righted his slow start.

I wore my Expos jersey to the game. A Portland staff member came up to me to let me know that I was the second person at the game wearing an Expos jersey (haha).

ayjackson - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 10:13 AM EDT (#278258) #
I updated my Top 10 Blue Jays prospects as of this morning. Impressive group...

1. Franklin Barreto, SS
2. DJ Davis, CF
3. Jairo Labourt, LHP
4. Chase DeJong, RHP
5. Mitch Nay, 3B
6. Matt Dean, 1B
7. Alberto Tirado, RHP
8. Clinton Hollon, RHP
9. Zak Wasilewski, LHP
10. Adonys Cardona, RHP

...especially considering it's the top 10 "Bluefield" Blue Jays prospects.
Gerry - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 10:34 AM EDT (#278259) #

And I was at the Lansing game last night.  Daniel Norris was very impressive.  He sat 94-95 with the fastball and was around the zone.  he didn;t walk anyone until the 6th inning but he did have a few 3 ball counts.  his change up was very good and he got a lot of swinging strikes with it.  He also showed a curveball and a slider but both were inconsistent.  I thought he looked great.

I saw two games in Lansing and I will have a scouting report up next week.

Gerry - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 10:38 AM EDT (#278260) #
I spoke with Mike Barnett the Jays roving hitting instructor about Kenny Wilson.  He said they had changed his setup, as in his hand position, as he hoped that would help him going forward.  They felt he was bringing his hands too far back in his setup and a more neutral setup would work for him.
ayjackson - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 11:00 AM EDT (#278261) #
Richard Urena makes his GCL debut today after hitting .296/.381/.403 for the DSL Jays.
Lugnut Fan - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 11:30 AM EDT (#278262) #

Sorry I missed you Gerry.  This work stuff gets in the way more and more.

Norris' curve has been inconsistent for the most part all year, and the slider has been coming along although it is still a work in progress.  Personally, I think the biggest thing is Daniel's mindset.  With the positive results he has seen in the second half, he is pitching with a lot more confidence and isn't nibbling.

uglyone - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 12:04 PM EDT (#278263) #
nice to see Norris picking it up for sure.

also nice to see an uptick for Tirado recently, especially in terms of strikeouts (18k in his last 14ip).

and does anyone know if Tinoco has added much velo since we signed him? he's starting to put up some good performances.

knock on wood, but our recent spate of IFA signings is starting to look kinda impressive.

(off the cuff insta-rankings here...)

1. RH R.Osuna (18): '13 A 42.1ip, 10.8k/9, 2.3bb/9, 5.33era, 3.55fip --- '12 A-/Appy: 43.2ip, 10.1k/9, 3.0bb/9, 2.27era, 2.80fip
2. SS F.Barreto (17): '13 Appy/GCL: 217pa, 6.2bb%, 21.0k%, .884ops, 154wRC+
3. RH A.Tirado (18): '13 Appy: 45.1ip, 8.5k/9, 3.4bb/9, 1.59era, 3.18fip --- '12 Appy/GCL: 48.0ip, 7.3k/9, 3.2bb/9, 2.62era, 2.89fip
4. SS D.Lugo (18): '13 A-/Appy: 226pa, 2.2bb%, 14.2k%, .754ops, 110wRC+ --- '12 GCL: 183pa, 3.8bb%, 13.7k%, .604ops, 82wRC+
5. LH J.Labourt (19): '13 Appy: 47.0ip, 8.2k/9, 2.5bb/9, 1.72era, 3.16fip --- '12 GCL: 38.0ip, 9.2k/9, 5.5bb/9, 3.79era, 3.65fip
6. RH J.Tinoco (18): '13 GCL: 42.1ip, 8.7k/9, 4.3bb/9, 4.46era, 2.75fip --- '12 GCL/DSL: 43.0ip, 7.1k/9, 2.7bb/9, 4.40era, 2.80fip
7. RH A.Cardona (19): '13 Appy: 25.1ip, 9.6k/9, 4.6bb/9, 5.68era, 3.12fip --- '12 GCL: 15.2ip, 11.5k/9, 5.7bb/9, 6.32era, 3.58fip
8. RH M.Castro (18): '13 GCL/DSL: 61.0ip, 11.7k/9, 2.1bb/9, 1.77era, 1.54fip --- '12 DSL: 20.1ip, 8.9k/9, 4.9bb/9, 4.87era, 3.94fip
9. SS R.Urena (17): '13 DSL: 275pa, 10.2bb%, 15.3k%, .789ops, 137wRC+
10. 3B G.Cenas (19): '13 GCL: 139pa, 10.1bb%, 20.1k%, .794ops, 134wRC+ --- '12 GCL: 192pa, 6.8bb%, 24.0k%, .538ops, 68wRC+
10. LH O.Cabrera (19): '13 GCL: 22.1ip, 8.9k/9, 5.2bb/9, 7.25era, 3.11fip --- '12 DSL: 34.0ip, 10.6k/9, 4.0bb/9, 2.12era, 2.44fip
Gerry - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 12:08 PM EDT (#278265) #

From my July 24 interview with Dane Johnson:

 

BB: Tell me about Jesus Tinoco.

DJ: Tinoco is a power righthander, a very interesting kid.  Nice delivery, smooth arm action, another guy at 93-95, sometimes 96, has hit 97.  Comes out good, the lanes on his fastball are good.  Again ne needs to corral the command, which has taken a nice turn for the positive since spring training.  Back then he just got to North America, trying to figure out what's it all about.  His curveball is 12-6, its going to be plus, and he has a good feel for the change-up.  Again it's about consistency and going out there and getting the reps every 5 days, 60 pitches every 5 days and we are seeing progress every time out.  He has a nice body, big physical looking kid.

ayjackson - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 12:35 PM EDT (#278266) #
From Wasilewski to Tinoco, Gerry's got us covered!
Ryan Day - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 01:06 PM EDT (#278267) #
This story about Norris' start suggests the Jays have been making him throw his fastball more, particularly early in the game. IIRC, the Jays were doing something similar with Sanchez.
uglyone - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 01:08 PM EDT (#278268) #
nice. thanks gerry. makes him even more interesting. I remember him being 91 and projectible when we signed him, but with him in the high 90s now that's pretty exciting.
Lugnut Fan - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 01:32 PM EDT (#278269) #

You are correct Ryan,

Early in the season when everyone was in a panic about Norris' numbers, you have to understand that they told him he was only allowed to throw a fastball and a change up, well pretty much exclusively fastball.  They took his arsenal away from him until mid May or so.  Since then, you have seen his numbers improve drastically.

James W - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 02:24 PM EDT (#278271) #
Aaron Sanchez has still got to be at the top of the franchise's prospect list, doesn't he? Or am I missing something?
ramone - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 02:44 PM EDT (#278274) #
I watched Hutch last night, so much better than his last outing, his fastball command was great through the first 3 IP anyway, down in the zone hitting the corners. Showed his great changeup as well. I think he tired a little by the 4th and 5th. Pawtucket broadcast said he was throwing in the low 90's.
Beyonder - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 02:45 PM EDT (#278275) #
Uglyone's list contains only IFA signings -- not drafted players.
uglyone - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 03:25 PM EDT (#278277) #
So 17 year old SS Urena, fresh off a promotion from the dominican, promptly has a 3 for 5 day in his north american debut today, with a double, rbi, and 2 double plays thrown in for good measure.

He might be too low in my insta-rankings up there.
Ryan Day - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 03:50 PM EDT (#278278) #
Interesting comments from John Farrell on Red Sox vs Blue Jays player development:
I found Toronto to be a scouting-based organization, which to me is on one plane, one-dimensional. You're looking at tools. Here, it's a player-development based system. ... Well, in the player-development vein, you're going to look at things in three dimensions: mentally, physically, fundamentally to address and develop people, or develop an organization.
TheBunk - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 05:07 PM EDT (#278279) #
Im conflicted on the Farrell quote. On one hand, I like the occasional bit of substance in place of the usual media speak. On the other hand, it's a very ungrateful thing to say about the organization that gave you your first manager position and facilitated a trade to Boston.

I can't wait until Boston underperforms and Farrell gets the boot.
hypobole - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 05:40 PM EDT (#278281) #
I do have to agree a bit with Farrell's comments about the Jays overemphasising tools. Over and above the Jays minor leaguers seeming lack of fundamentals, there seems to have also been some bypassing of character. A case in point would be the 2010 draft with Mitchell Taylor, Brandon Mims, and to a lesser extent Ehlers and Thon (although the latter's character issues are probably more senior than junior).
ayjackson - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 05:52 PM EDT (#278282) #
I'm not sure how fundamentals aren't important with roving experts like Raines, Alomar and Fasano visiting each team. They're not watching them bench press and do high jump.
rtcaino - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 05:53 PM EDT (#278283) #
Is it just me, or was that an uncharacteristically coherent statement from Mr. F?

Hopefully his comments are not reflective of the minor league development program.

This season suggests it could very well be indicative of the Major League evaluation process.

AA has stated that they need to review how they evaluate talent. At least he's aware of it. Just hope that Syndergaard doesn't haunt us for the next decade.
greenfrog - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 06:00 PM EDT (#278284) #
Farrell's comments might be accurate, but I'm not sure exactly what he means. Is he saying that the Jays are neglecting the development of important aspects of their prospects, such as character development, mental skills, baseball fundamentals (like framing pitches, hitting the cutoff man, plate discipline, etc.)?

I would be interested in hearing what other insiders have to say on the subject - Butter, for example, or someone like John Manuel. This question gets as some of the "big picture" issues I've been wondering about lately, such as team/organizational identity, effective scouting and development, etc.

Farrell can be annoying, but he's been around the game for a while and has worked for a few organizations, on the field and in the front office.
TheBunk - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 07:10 PM EDT (#278289) #
I agree that the Jays emphasize tools above all else. Though, the latter seems like confirmation bias. So many rounds in a baseball draft, I think you could pick and choose players from Red Sox drafts who have questionable character.
uglyone - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 07:41 PM EDT (#278290) #
Farrell should worry about holding on to his wildcard spot, with his team at .500 over its last 40 games.
Sister - Wednesday, August 21 2013 @ 08:53 PM EDT (#278297) #
I'm in the Boston area right now and Farrell is getting lambasted on local sports radio. The topic, no big surprise to us, is his bullpen use in the San Fran series.

Farrell brought in Workman in a 7-1 game on Monday.

Farrell pulls Peavy in the 6th with a 2-1 lead. Peavy is quoted as saying "Are you F'N kidding me". He then, in a tie game in the 9th with the bases loaded brings in Villreal who promptly walks in the winning run. The closer is on the bench waiting for the save.

Then, in a 12-1 game he brings in the closer who needs work.

Anyway, the locals are not happy folk right now.
bpoz - Monday, August 26 2013 @ 10:42 AM EDT (#278423) #
I did not realize that Tepera threw that hard. I thought he was a control pitcher. He may make it as a relief pitcher.
ayjackson - Monday, August 26 2013 @ 11:26 AM EDT (#278424) #
I'm not seeing where Tepera's velocity was referenced in this post.
Gerry - Monday, August 26 2013 @ 11:47 AM EDT (#278427) #
3rd comment from the top, by sister.
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