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That is an unusual headline for a minor league update. Jose Bautista homered in his first rehab game in Dunedin but the Jays lost thanks to some poor pitching. Anthony Alford also homered in that game. The other rehabbers, in Buffalo, could not help the Bisons win. Chris Colabello looks like he will be staying in Buffalo with five strikeouts. Dalton Pompey had three hits. Conner Greene got the win for New Hampshire. Angel Perdomo had one bad inning and it cost Lansing. Vancouver lost while Bluefield and the GCL Jays both won.

Norfolk 5 Buffalo 4

Chris Leroux had been one of Buffalo's most reliable starters but he has gone "off the boil" recently. He gave up all five of Norfolk's runs in this game and now in four July starts his ERA for the month is 7.71. He was hit around for six hits and three walks in 5.2 innings. Matt Dermody did come on in the middle of the sixth and the first batter he saw singled to let a couple of Leroux's runs score. Danny Barnes punched out three of the four hitters he faced. Dustin Antolin worked a 1-2-3 ninth.

Dalton Pompey had three hits and was at the centre of the first two runs scoring. Pompey doubled to lead off the first and scored when Darrell Ceciliani singled. Pompey singled in the second to score Tony Sanchez. Buffalo's other two runs came in the eighth. Ceciliani scored on a David Adams double and Domonic Brown scored on a passed ball. That passed ball put Adams at third with one out but neither Sanchez nor Alexi Casilla could bring the run home. Pompey's third hit was a single in the ninth but he was stranded. Chris Colabello had a "mare", 0-5 with 5 K's. Ryan Goins was 1-5.


Reading 2 New Hampshire 4

New Hampshire were down 2-0 before they came to bat but they came from behind for the win. Conner Greene was on the mound and he surrendered a two run home run in that first inning. Greene went six and he did not have a 1-2-3 inning. Usually there was just one base runner, but the sixth was a challenge. A single, an error and a walk loaded the bases with one out. But Greene was able to get a pop up and a strikeout to escape. Greene was done after that sixth inning with 101 pitches thrown. He ended with five K's, it was a good, but not great, start.

The Fisher Cats started on their comeback right away. Dwight Smith delivered a sac fly in the bottom of the first to score Roemen Fields and make it a 2-1 game. Jason Leblebijian added a two run home run in the third. It was one of two hits on the day for Leblebijian who now has an OPS of .883 in AA. Leblebijian is 25 years old and it has to be pointed out that this batting in AA is an outlier on his career. It could be a sign that he has learned something new but caution is warranted. Ian Parmley walked in the sixth against Mark Leiter. Parmley went to steal second and scored thanks to two throwing errors on the play, one by the catcher and one by the centre fielder. John Stilson worked a two inning save.


Charlotte 8 Dunedin 5

Its good to have Jose Bautista in your lineup but you need pitching too. Justin Shafer was not good, five runs in 5.2 innings and neither was Brad Allen, three runs in 3.1 innings.

The Jays hit three home runs. The first one came off the bat of Jose. Anthony Alford hit a solo home run in the second. Gunnar Heidt added a two run shot in the third. But that was as good as it got. Heidt was the only Jay with two hits. Bautista was 1-3 with a K.


Clinton 3 Lansing 0

Angel Perdomo had a rough first inning. He loaded the bases with two singles and a hit batter. He did get to two outs but a double cleared the bases. From there Perdomo settled down until the fifth when he needed a play at the plate to keep it to three runs. Perdomo was pulled after five and 91 pitches. He did have five K's. Ryan Cook pitched well in relief for three innings.

The Lugnuts had eight hits, Andrew Guillotte, freshly back from Dunedin, had two as did Max Pentecost and the hot Connor Panas.


Vancouver 2 Spokane 7

There were few positives in this game. JB Woodman had two doubles, his third multi-hit game in the last week. He seems to be getting settled. Yeltsin Gudino did have a hit but after a bright start his average is down to .157. Rodrigo Orozco did not have a hit and his average is down to .250.

The Canadians used six pitchers. Mike Jackson was the best, he struck out the side in his one inning. Matt smoral was at the heart of an ugly inning. he came on for the seventh and gave up a lead off single followed by two walks. He was yanked in favour of Nick Hartman who allowed all three runners to score through a hit batter, a walk and a wild pitch. Smoral's ERA is now 13.97.


Bluefield 8 Bristol 1

This game was tied at one after five innings but the Jays scored seven runs over the last four innings. The Pirates were generous, they made five errors leading to six unearned runs. The Jays scored eight runs with only seven hits, all singles. Reggie Pruitt scored three runs with two hits. Nick Sinay walked three times and scored twice. Nash Knight was 2-4 with 3 RBI. Vladdy was 1-4.

Denis Diaz went six innings and the one run off him was unearned, Jesus Severino at short made two errors. Jose Nova pitched a shutout inning that was unusual. It started single, double, wild pitch, walk. The key was that the lead-off hitter was thrown out trying to stretch the single. Nova escaped what was not a good inning for him. Brayden Bouchey pitched the last two.


GCL Braves 0 GCL Blue Jays 1

After their first loss of July on Tuesday, the Jays returned to their winning ways on Wednesday. However this was a tight affair with the Jays held at bay for most of the contest. The Braves held the Jays to just two hits through six innings. Bo Bichette led off the seventh with a single. With one out he stole second base. Joshua Palacios singled to centre but Bichette was thrown out at home. Then Palacios was picked off to end the inning. Two hits, two outs on the bases for the Jays. It looked like deja vu in the eighth. Antony Fuentes led off with a single and was sacrificed to second. Manuel Herazo singled to centre but again the centre fielder for the Braves threw out the runner at home. Herazo advanced to second on the throw home. DJ Daniels then singled the centre and it was third time lucky for the Jays, Herazo was able to score. Daniels was the only hitter with two hits, it brought his average up to .105. 2016 is a learning experience for the new draftee from high school.

Joel Espinal was the star on the mound for the Jays. He went seven innings with just three hits allowed. He had six K's and one walk. His ERA is down to 0.62. That's pretty good for the 19 year old Dominican.


3 Stars

3rd star: Dalton Pompey

2nd star: Denis Diaz

1st star: Joel Espinal


Boxes

Bautista Homers but the Jays Lose | 26 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
rafael - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 10:36 AM EDT (#326787) #
I needed to look up who that first star was... so I'll share ;
-- I didn't find his signing bonus or how heralded he was.

(2015) Blue Jays from Away DSL Reliever of the Year (2015)
Three-man race between Jairo Rosario, Joel Espinal and Alvaro Galindo. Espinal started the season as an 18-year-old (he turned 19 on August 15, 2015), posting a 2.18 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, and striking out 46 and walking 19 in 53 2/3 innings.

While all three were impressive, the combination of age and workload for Joel Espinal makes him the 2015 Blue Jays from Away DSL Reliever of the Year.
Gerry - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 10:38 AM EDT (#326790) #
One thing I noted this year in preparing the minor league updates was the walk totals for young pitchers. Over the years of following the minor leagues I am used to young pitchers issuing lots of walks until they can tighten their deliveries. Sean Reid-Foley is pretty typical of this, last year between two stops he walked 67 in 96 innings.

This year the Jays have many pitchers with great walk numbers. I think any young pitcher whose walk rate is less than 30% (per inning) is doing well. I don't know if the Jays improvement is a new org philosophy or just a fluke. Here are some numbers:

Justin Maese 2 walks in 32 innings
Francisco Rios 21 walks in 97 innings
Jose Espada 3 walks in 19 innings
Wilfri Aleton 4 walks in 26 innings
Guadalupe Chavez 3 walks in 23 IP
Joel Espinal 4 walks in 29 IP


Others who are decent include:

SRF himself, 31 walks in 101 IP
Jon Harris 24 in 84
Denis Diaz 6 in 21
Yensy Diaz 5 in 17
Hansel Rodriguez 8 in 24

Angel Perdomo is a bit of an outlier, he has 34 walks in 84 innings.

Its a good sign for the future of the minor league pitchers.
PeterG - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 10:51 AM EDT (#326791) #
Gerry, do you (or can you find) have any news on Clinton Hollon? He has been eligible to pitch for awhile and has not yet appeared.
Mike Green - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 11:08 AM EDT (#326794) #
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stole his 6th base in 7 attempts yesterday.  That's a 30 steal pace. This time he took 3rd base at the front end of a double steal. 

It has been a promising debut for him in many ways.  He might even be getting the hang of third base.

uglyone - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 11:27 AM EDT (#326795) #
That's a really encouraging start by Greene. Hopefully those strikeouts keep coming.
bpoz - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 11:54 AM EDT (#326798) #
Over the years I have seen AA SPs go to the Majors with very little AAA IPs.
Stroman is one.
Hutch has only played 8 AA games, all starts. He has good AAA numbers this year. But there is no room in the rotation so far this year for him.

So next year Greene and SRF should have enough AA experience to get into the Jay's rotation if needed desperately.Even possibly J Harris if he get promoted to AA at some time next year.
Also F Rios. He has good numbers and will get promoted but I don't consider him seriously. He came from obscurity. S Nolin, M Boyd and K graveman.
PeterG - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 12:02 PM EDT (#326799) #
Graveman is pitching well right now so I would not discount Rios.

Where did Kevin Pillar come from? Foolish point imo.
uglyone - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 12:21 PM EDT (#326803) #
Rios is pitching about as well in A+ as Graveman did, but is 2yrs younger.
#2JBrumfield - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 12:29 PM EDT (#326805) #
The Northwest League transactions page has fourth-round pick Joshua Palacios and reliever Travis Bergen going to Vancouver from the Gulf Coast League.
Gerry - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 12:43 PM EDT (#326807) #
I asked about Hollon and I got somewhat of an answer. Hollon is expected back to the Blue Jays complex in Dunedin in the next week or so and then he will start baseball activities. He is not close to getting into a game. I asked if he had devloped an injury while he was suspended and the answer was no.

The next part is pure speculation on my part....I wonder if Hollon went for some treatment for addiction that delayed his return?
PeterG - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 12:49 PM EDT (#326808) #
That is the most likely answer I think. The other possibility, though less so, is that he is being held back as a possible trade chip.
Gerry - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 12:55 PM EDT (#326809) #
Injury updates:

AJ Jimenez should be back in the next few days

Rowdy Tellez seems to be OK. He has a bruise on his thumb after a collision. Should be back after his 7 day DL stint.

Mitch Nay had a knee operation. He is back to being able to handle physical demands, needs to get up to speed with baseball activities. Probably at least a few weeks away.

DJ Davis should be back in the next few days.

Lane Thomas, unknown.

Max Pentecost will catch when everyone (playing and medical staff as well as the player) agree he can cut loose on his throws. He is not at that point yet and no one knows exactly when that time will come.
PeterG - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 01:08 PM EDT (#326810) #
Some of these injured players could be candidates to play in Australia this winter.
jerjapan - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 01:24 PM EDT (#326811) #
Leblejian was team MVP in Australia last year, playing alongside several Jays farmhands - the suspended David Harris, Phil Kish and Derick Loveless. 

Everything I've read about him praises his D, even at SS, and his versatility.  If his offensive regression isn't too major, he could be a quality utility IF.  I always think the winter season guys have a leg up - AFL positions have been a good predictor of intriguing minor league relief arms for the Jays for the past few years. 

That said, the Canberra Cavalry are a relatively long way off the radar.

http://web.theabl.com.au/index.jsp?sid=t4066

#2JBrumfield - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 02:47 PM EDT (#326815) #
Bo Bichette was pulled from today's game in the bottom of the second inning in today's GCL game. He struck out swinging in his first-inning at bat and handled a couple of groundballs at short in the second before being replaced by Alfredo Bohorquez.

Hopefully, it's not injury related or anything serious. Maybe a promotion?
ramone - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 06:16 PM EDT (#326817) #
Gerry, you said Tellez should be back after the 7 day DL, does McBroom's promotion today to AA cast that in doubt?
Gerry - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 07:01 PM EDT (#326819) #
Not necessarily. They might want to give McBroom a taste of AA. The Blue Jay person I spoke to didn't seem concerned today. There is also roster construction issues, I will check that later.

Jon Harris was promoted to Dunedin today.

AJ Jimenez is back tonight.
Gerry - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 07:07 PM EDT (#326820) #
New Hampshire don't have a first baseman on the roster without McBroom. They would have to have Leblebijian, Guerrero or Opitz play there. Dunedin have LB Dantzler who can play first with McBroom moved up.

Bottom line, I don't think McBroom's promotion is a reflection on Tellez's injury.
ramone - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 07:13 PM EDT (#326821) #
That makes sense, thanks for the info and updates Gerry.
ISLAND BOY - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 08:19 PM EDT (#326823) #
Gunnar Heidt seems to be a name rarely mentioned when discussing prospects yet he was promoted to Dunedin earlier in the season and seems to be hitting decently there. If you happen to see this Gerry, or anybody who might have seen him play, what is the scoop on him ?
Hodgie - Thursday, July 21 2016 @ 10:02 PM EDT (#326824) #
Vlad Jr. 1-2 today with 2 SB to go along with 3 BB. A 17 year old in the Appy league sporting a 13 BB%, .190 ISO and 8-1 in steals? He may be built differently than his father but the force sure does seem strong in that family.
dan gordon - Friday, July 22 2016 @ 01:12 AM EDT (#326825) #
This is getting repetitive, but Barnes had another shutout inning Thursday, with 2 strikeouts, no hits, no walks. This is the first time all season he has pitched on back to back days. Given his injury history, it's not surprising they were cautious with that, but perhaps they now wanted to see how he would respond to use on consecutive days, and it looks like he passed with flying colours. Could be they are seriously considering calling him up. He now has a K/BB ratio of 57/5
Mike Green - Friday, July 22 2016 @ 08:45 AM EDT (#326826) #
Barnes has morphed into an extreme fly-ball pitcher over the last 2 years.  It's not only the Ks that are way up- the BABIP is way down.  Estrada also had excellent K rates in the pen.
uglyone - Friday, July 22 2016 @ 10:24 AM EDT (#326828) #
Vladdy

Year: 118pa, 12.7bb%/14.4k%, .296bip/.270avg, .190iso, 128wrc+
Last 75pa, 16.0bb%/10.7k%, .377bip/.344avg, .213iso, 173wrc+

and stolen 8 of 9 attempts.

This kid might be our best prospect.
Mike Green - Friday, July 22 2016 @ 10:59 AM EDT (#326829) #
There aren't too many players who can more than hold their own in the Appy league at age 17, let alone a young 17 (Guerrero's birthday is in March).  Ken Griffey Jr. was tearing up the Northwest League at that age (and was a full-time major leaguer at age 19).  Robin Yount hit about as well as Vladdy Jr. has in the NYPL at age 17 (and was in the majors as a regular the next year- this would never happen now). Alex Rodriguez was more than 18 months older than Vladdy Jr. when he made his debut in the Midwest League and tore it up.   Only Griffey Jr. was really ahead of Guerrero from a hitting perspective.

The key difference between these players and Vladdy Jr. is defensive.  You could probably stick him at first base next year in full-season ball and he might be ready to go at some point in 2018 (that's age 19 if you're counting).  The time frame if he is going to be a third baseman is likely to be considerably longer.  I suppose it is also possible that he ends up in the outfield.

uglyone - Friday, July 22 2016 @ 11:04 AM EDT (#326830) #
if the legs are showing legit mobility, quality corner OF defense becomes a real possibility. I'm sure he doesn't have daddy's arm but i bet you it's still pretty darn good. which i guess is why they're trying him at 3b.
Bautista Homers but the Jays Lose | 26 comments | Create New Account
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