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Two of the Jays' top pitching prospects took the hill last evening. One pitched a complete-game shutout; the other was pulled in the second inning for reasons of which this correspondent is unaware.

Syracuse 6, Ottawa 0

David Bush turned in his second consecutive strong start and the Syracuse SkyChiefs got a good offensive performance from the bottom two-thirds of their order en route to defeating the Ottawa Lynx 6-0. Bush pitched a seven-inning shutout (called early because of rain), surrendering only three singles, two walks, and a hit batsman while fanning six. While Syracuse's top three hitters (Jorge Sequea, Noah Hall, and Alex Rios) contributed just one single and one walk in thirteen plate appearances, each of the bottom six hitters (Simon Pond, Shawn Fagan, Glenn Williams, Gregg Zaun, Guillermo Quiroz, and Russ Adams) reached base at least twice. Pond, Zaun, and Quiroz each hit a double; Fagan and Williams hit home runs; Adams singled once and walked three times. Eric Bedard started for Ottawa and allowed four runs in as many innings. SkyChiefs alumni Chad Mottola and Pedro Swann earned two of Ottawa's three hits.

Bush earned his second win against one loss and improved his pitching line for the year to 18 IP, 18 H, 1 HR, 4 BB, 14 K, 4.00 ERA. Syracuse's top four starters (Baker, Bush, Matos, and Miller) have a nifty composite line of 50 IP, 40 H, 1 HR, 11 BB, 54 K, 2.70 ERA. Whether these pitchers will be pressed into service on the parent club remains to be seen, but it certainly seems that Syracuse fans will see better starting pitching this year than last.

New Hampshire 8, Norwich 2

Cam Reimers dug himself a pretty quick hole in this game, as Norwich's first four batters went single-walk-single-HBP to start the first inning. With one run in and the bases loaded with none out, Reimers induced a 5-2-3 double-play ball from Tyler Von Schell and then got Doug Clark to ground out to Dominic Rich to retire the side. The Navigators would strike again in the third inning on Daniel Ortmeier's one-out run-scoring triple, but Reimers once more worked out of a jam by getting Michael Cervenak to line out to Rich and then retiring Von Schell on a grounder to Danny Solano at third. The Fisher Cats struck back with three runs on five consecutive hits in the bottom of the frame. Matt Logan singled and moved to third on Solano's double down the left field line; both runners scored when Tyrell Godwin tripled to right. Dominic Rich's single up the middle cashed in Godwin with the go-ahead run, and Aaron Hill's double to right put runners on second and third with novody out. At this point, Norwich starter Chris Begg stole a page out of Reimers' playbook, retiring John-Ford Griffin (on a comebacker), Maikel Jova (on a foulout), and Mike Snyder without allowing a run to score. (Snyder's out was scored 1-6-3;if anyone was there, maybe you can fill us in on the play-by-play.)

Reimers wasn't perfect the rest of the way, but he held the line at two runs. A leadoff walk in the fourth was erased on a Hill-Rich-Snyder double play; in the fifth, Norwich again put a runner on third base with one out but failed to score. New Hampshire added an insurance run in the bottom of that inning on Griffin's double-play ball, and took the game to the bank in the sixth on Matt Logan's two-run double and Rich's two-run, two-out homer. Jordan DeJong loaded the bases with two out in the seventh but escaped the threat when Ortmeier flied out to Jova in right field. DeJong pitched an uneventful eighth and Kevin Frederick did likewise in the ninth.

Reimers got the win for his six innings of work, improving to 2-0 on the season. Rich was the offensive star for the Fisher Cats, coming only a home run short of the cycle while scoring two runs and driving in three. Matt Logan chipped in a single, a double, a walk, and a pair each of runs scored and RBIs. Aaron Hill also had two hits for New Hampshire.

Tampa 5, Dunedin 3

Francisco Rosario started for Dunedin but left with two out and the bases loaded in the second inning. He was replaced by Tracy Thorpe, who struck out Gabe Lopez to end the threat; at press time, I did not have any information on the reason for Rosario's early departure. The D-Jays drew first blood in the bottom of the third inning when Jayce Tingler brought Jose Yepez in from second with a two-out single. Thorpe gave the run back in the top of the fourth and put runners on first and third with two out before being lifted for Vince Perkins. Perhaps Thorpe had accumulated some good karma by stranding Rosario's runners, as Perkins fanned Bronson Sardinha to preserve the tie. Perkins was in his 2003 Charleston form for the next two innings, fanning four hitters, three on called strikes. Ron Davenport's double in the bottom of the sixth drove in Tingler (who had reached on an error) to give Dunedin another lead. However, Perkins lost his command in the seventh, coughing up two runs on a single, an HBP, a wild pitch, and another single. Dunedin knotted the score at three in the bottom of the inning on Carlo Cota's bases-loaded, one-out sacrifice fly, but Davenport grounded to first to strand the remaining runners. Perkins surrendered the lead once more in the eighth on three singles and a walk (intentional) before being replaced by Andy Torres. Just as Thorpe's good turn to Rosario was repaid by Perkins, so was Perkins' good turn to Thorpe repaid by Torres, who induced a 5-4 double-play ball to retire the side. However, Dunedin went in order in the eighth, and the Yankees added an insurance run in the top of the ninth. Manny Mayorson's two-out single in the home half of the ninth brought the tying run to the plate in the imposing 5'8", 155-pound figure of Jayce Tingler, and Tingler would line out to second to end it.

Rosario pitched 1.2 innings, allowing one hit and three walks against two strikeouts. Perkins had a pretty good game by DIPS: 3.2 IP, 1 BB, 5 K, but in real life he also gave up six hits. His line for the season is now an absurd 9.1 IP, 17 H, 0 HR, 4 BB, 10 K. Count me firmly in the camp that thinks that his hits allowed will normalize over the long term. Tingler and Yepez were the only Jays with two hits. Vito Chiaravalloti went 0-for-4.

Links Of The Day

1. Syracuse: boxscore, game log, wrap-up.
2. New Hampshire: boxscore, game log, wrap-up.
3. Dunedin: boxscore, game log.
4. Vito Chiaravalloti was named FSL Player Of The Week for the "week" of April 8-18.
5. The Union Leader speculates that Dustin McGowan is not long for New Hampshire.

Today's Games

Syracuse vs. Ottawa (BAL), 6:00 PM
New Hampshire vs. Norwich (SFG), 6:05 PM
Dunedin vs. Lakeland (DET), 7:00 PM
Charleston vs. Greensboro (FLA), 6:05 PM

Three-Star Selection!

This was a tough one. The first two stars are obvious (although the order is debatable), but no one else really stood out from the crowd. In the end, I decided to give it to the guy who didn't make an out in four trips to the plate.

Our Third Star: Russ Adams, Syracuse. Three walks and a single in four plate appearances. Drove in two runs, and would have scored a few times if Syracuse's top of the order had done anything with the bat.
Our Second Star: Dominic Rich, New Hampshire. Single, double, triple, two runs scored, three runs batted in. Rich is now hitting .333, and he's doing his best to claw his way back into the Jays' middle infield plans. Jorge Sequea should be listening for footsteps.
Our First Star:David Bush, Syracuse. Seven innings of efficient shutout ball. Other than a rough first outing, Bush seems to be adapting just fine to AAA ball, thank you very much.
Minor League Update: April 20 | 39 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
_David R - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 03:57 AM EDT (#71442) #
The mighty Tingler has struck out!
Pistol - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 08:06 AM EDT (#71443) #
What’s the best way to break Bush into the majors? Should he go right into the rotation, or should he go in the bullpen?
_Kristian - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 09:16 AM EDT (#71444) #
Pistol: I asked JP Riccardi this off season if they would consider using Bush and/or Arnold as relievers to ease their transition to the majors. Being that Bush and Arnold were closers in College I thought it might make some sense but JP's response was that they are starting in the minors and they plan on keeping them as starters even if they were to come up to the majors.Of course performance and other factors might dictate changes in this plan.
_Jordan - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 09:31 AM EDT (#71445) #
I'd keep Bush in the rotation until such time as he demonstrates that he can't handle it. I don't think that day is coming for awhile yet.

I'm a big booster of David Bush and I'm looking forward to his Toronto debut; that said, I wouldn't get too super-charged about his last two shutout efforts. They were both against an Ottawa club that boasts such luminaries as Geronimo Gil, Chad Motolla and Pedro Swann. If he keeps this up against stiffer opposition, then it'll be time to promote him.
_Kristian - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 09:36 AM EDT (#71446) #
I agree with Jordan, lets see how Bush does against a lineup such as Rochester. That being said its a great start for him and I would think that he has moved past Arnold at this point. Jordan whats your take on Arnold this year? Is this his make or break year? If he dosent get his velocity up I am not sure what role he could fill with the Big Club.
_Kristian - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 09:52 AM EDT (#71447) #
Anyone get any info on Rosario yet?
_Ryan01 - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 09:54 AM EDT (#71448) #
Gil, Motolla and Swann may only be AAAA players but they all have very solid AAA numbers and have seen major league action. As have Mendez, Cust and Leon. Then you have a pretty solid prospect in Fontenot and that's a pretty solid lineup. I don't think facing the Mike Fontenots, Gabe Gross' etc are necessarily the toughest step in succeeding at AAA. Facing those minor league vets who've been to war and seen every trick in the book are often the toughest outs for young prospects.
_coliver - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 10:34 AM EDT (#71449) #
How would you classify Glenn Williams? He is not an AAAA player, but keeps getting starts all over the field with the Skychiefs. I am perplexed
_coliver - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 10:34 AM EDT (#71450) #
How would you classify Glenn Williams? He is not an AAAA player, but keeps getting starts all over the field with the Skychiefs. I am perplexed.
_Jordan - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 12:02 PM EDT (#71451) #
It's too early to tell with Arnold, but this is not the direction he or the organization wanted to see him go starting off 2004. He made some adjustments to his arm angle in spring training, but thus far they haven't had the desired effect. I'm sure he'll get another couple of months to work on things -- cold weather is harder on some guys than others -- but if he gets to a full year in Triple-A with no improvement, they may want to start thinking about another approach, perhaps a bullpen role.

Glenn Williams from Australia wouldn't be considered a prospect at this point -- he's 26 -- and he's never hit higher than .275 or had more than 15 homers at any stop in his lengthy minor-league career. But he's one of those guys whom every team needs: a veteran who knows his way around the league, can help break in the younger players, and keeps a minor-league team steady when more talented but streakier prospects are up and down. Ryan's point about the Lynx's AAAA veterans is well-taken, but you want your farm teams to have a mix of these Crash Davis types and the true major-league prospects. The Jays are maintaining that balance pretty well throughout their system.
_johnnnyS99 - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 12:10 PM EDT (#71452) #
http://fanhome.com
Basball America has now news on Rosario in the Tuesday Daily Dish.
_johnnnyS99 - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 12:44 PM EDT (#71453) #
http://fanhome.com
Basball America has no news on Rosario in the Tuesday Daily Dish.
_Sneeps - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 03:09 PM EDT (#71454) #
I emailed Ken Carson from www.dunedinbluejays.com asking him why Rosario was pulled from the game after 1.2 innings. He told me that he taken out of the game because he was on a pitch count.

Phew!!!
_Jordan - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 03:45 PM EDT (#71455) #
Good news -- thanks, Sneeps!
Gerry - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 04:10 PM EDT (#71456) #
I emailed Ken Carson from www.dunedinbluejays.com asking him why Rosario was pulled from the game after 1.2 innings. He told me that he taken out of the game because he was on a pitch count.

On April 9 Rosario faced 18 hitters (5 IP, 3 H, 0 BB)

On April 14 Rosario faced 18 hitters (3.1 IP, 4 H, 4 BB)

On April 19 Rosario faced 9 hitters (1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 BB)

The pitch count must be very strict to have him removed with two outs in the inning.

If the pitch count was the same from the 14th to the 19th he must have had some very long AB's yesterday. Let's assume a 72 pitch limit. For his first two starts he throw an average of four pitches per hitter. Yesterday his average was eight if the pitch count was unchanged. That is a lot of pitches per hitter.

It is also possible that his pitch count was reduced after his last start due to some mild soreness.
Mike Green - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 04:13 PM EDT (#71457) #
Tonight, Justin Miller goes for Syracuse, Dustin McGowan for New Hampshire and Ismael Ramirez for Dunedin.
Mike Green - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 04:15 PM EDT (#71458) #
The Union-Leader article indicates that Rob Cosby is out for the season with an injury. Solano may be the third baseman for the time being.
_MatO - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 04:20 PM EDT (#71459) #
Perhaps there is an inning specific pitch count for Rosario. Say he reaches 25 pitches in an inning then they'll take him out as a precaution regardless of what the total pitch count is.
_Sneeps - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 04:32 PM EDT (#71460) #
I'm still suspicious, but that's what their PR guy wrote me in the email.

I don't really see a reason for him to lie, but you never know in sports today. Fans of the Leafs will understand where I'm coming from.
_Steve Z - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 06:16 PM EDT (#71461) #
Thanks to the Fisher Cats broadcasters for the on-air plug (for this site) during today's pre-game "organizational roundup".

Re: Arnold
Jonathan Mayo, MLB.com, has the update on Jason, and the adjustments he is making under coach Arnsberg
_Steve Z - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 06:40 PM EDT (#71462) #
Rios homers in the second inning; 3-0 Chiefs.

McGowan is shutting out Norwich through two. 0-0.
_Ryan01 - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 07:25 PM EDT (#71463) #
Solano had an RBI triple to give the Cats a 1-0 lead in the 3rd. McGowan hasn't given up any runs but has walked 4 and only struck out 2 through 5.
_ainge_fan - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 09:28 PM EDT (#71464) #
Seems there's a little more to Danny Core than meets the eye....or my eyes from last year, anyway. 6.0ip, 8k's, 1 hit, 0 bb's tonight in Charleston. He did *ding* two batters. Though the "MGD" - "Mike-Green (early start time) Disclaimer" is quite possibly in effect, this is a very good start for a guy who looked last year like he'd be bullpen material in '04 (due to the volume of other arms performing so well). Hey Mike, did you ever notice an increase in hit batters with the early Charleston games?
Any word on the health/progress/status of: Chad Mulholland, John Wesley, Amos Day, Chi-Hung Cheng, Chris Leonard, Justin Maureau, DJ Hanson, Jesse Harper, Bob File, Jayson Durocher, Juan Campos, Derrick Nunley?
I mean, just looking at it, that's a full pitching staff of pretty promising (to varying degrees) but not currently active pitchers. Nice to have this kind of depth.
_ainge_fan - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 10:28 PM EDT (#71465) #
Vinnie Chulk, late inning reliever? 2-inning save tonight, 4k's. His strikeout rates as a reliever were strong before his move to the rotation in '02, and he now has 12 in 8+ip. There are a number of decent candidates to move up from AAA right now should the need arise, which should bode well for providing more development time for some of the more prized pitchers like Dustin McGowan. Baker, Matos and Chulk (off the top of my head) are all going well enough that they provide good options.
_Sneeps - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 10:57 PM EDT (#71466) #
Chad Mulholland, John Wesley, Amos Day, Chi-Hung Cheng, Chris Leonard, Justin Maureau, DJ Hanson, Jesse Harper, Bob File, Jayson Durocher, Juan Campos, Derrick Nunley?

Wow.. that is a lot of injuries.
_Ryan01 - Tuesday, April 20 2004 @ 11:30 PM EDT (#71467) #
Wow.. that is a lot of injuries.

Welcome to the world of pitching prospects. And I'm not sure but I don't think all of them are injured, just not assigned to teams at the moment. There are after all, only so many roster spots available.

Wesley I believe had Tommy John surgery last summer so he'll be out for a while, most likely all year.

Cheng is only 18 and has no professional experience. I see no reason for him not to be starting in rookie ball. Hopefully that's the only reason he is inactive at the moment.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Mullholland, Day and Leonard jump in at Charleston/Dunedin a month or so from now when injuries/promotions start happening. Leonard hasn't pitched in nearly two years. It would seem sensible to me that they may be just being cautious with him and giving him 1/2 to 3/4 of a season instead of just throwing him in there from the start.

I believe 'scout' had the latest word on Harper a few days ago, saying he is back throwing and could be in Manchester soon. 'rick' posted that Campos was released about a week and a half ago in yesterdays minor league thread.
_R Billie - Wednesday, April 21 2004 @ 01:38 AM EDT (#71468) #
I was at the Pedro/Doc game tonight and according to Coach who got exactly two words in to JP before the game ("How's Rosario?"), the reason for the removal was tightness in the bicep so he was removed as a precaution. He may or may not miss his next start over this but they are not concerned.

JP also apparently had this to say about the minor league coverage on the Batter's Box: "You guys are sick." Which Coach says should be taken as a compliment.

After tonight's start, Justin Miller is officially on a roll once you take into account his strong spring. His numbers thus far:

1-1, 2.16, 16.2ip, 16h, 6r, 4er, 4bb, 21k, 2hr

Pretty darn good. If Miller can maintain his command he could be a poor man's Roy Halladay, complete with the penchant for giving up the occasional homerun. Toss in Chris Baker and maybe Josue Matos for some additional darkhorse back of the rotation types.

Russ Adams still has to deal with cutting down his errors but his offence seems to be coming along. After his 12th game tonight he's sporting these numbers:

42ab, 10h, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 5bb, 4k, .238 avg

If he keeps up that k/bb and k/ab ratio then his average should keep inching up with playing time. And the fact that 6 of his 10 hits have gone for extra bases has to be a good sign for those concerned about his lack of power.
_Jeff Geauvreau - Wednesday, April 21 2004 @ 01:57 AM EDT (#71469) #
Let's see Roll Call : Xerone here , Mike Green , ainge_fan & myself. The old Official site mimor league nuts now reside at Batter's Box.

I have been lurking a lot because of my workload. I love this website indepth coverage on all things Blue Jay. Yes J.P we are sick, please tell us when Leonard will see some action. :-)
_John Neary - Wednesday, April 21 2004 @ 07:34 AM EDT (#71470) #
Thanks, R Billie.
_Jordan - Wednesday, April 21 2004 @ 08:47 AM EDT (#71471) #
Chad Mulholland, John Wesley, Amos Day, Chi-Hung Cheng, Chris Leonard, Justin Maureau, DJ Hanson, Jesse Harper, Bob File, Jayson Durocher, Juan Campos, Derrick Nunley?

Of that list, I would classify only Hanson and Wesley as seriously injured. Leonard is on his way back from surgery, though I don't expect to see him at full strength till next spring; Durocher is father along in his recovery and was pitching in spring training. Cheng was rumoured to have a bad wing when the Jays signed him, but I've seen nothing to back that up, and I doubt this organization would fly to Taiwan to sign an injured teenage pitcher. Maureau, Harper, and File are hurt, but I don't think any of their owies are serious. Campos was released. And I think Mulholland, Day and Nunley are fine, just not assigned yet. I'll update this list if and when I learn more.

Today's minor-league update will be a little late, but you should have it by about noon or so.

JP also apparently had this to say about the minor league coverage on the Batter's Box: "You guys are sick." Which Coach says should be taken as a compliment.

And take it we shall. :-)
_Ryan01 - Wednesday, April 21 2004 @ 09:10 AM EDT (#71472) #
Russ Adams still has to deal with cutting down his errors but his offence seems to be coming along

Wow, I checked Russ' stats after reading that and was pleasantly surprised to see him still sitting at three errors on the season. That makes 9 consecutive games without an error for Russ as I believe all three of those came in the first three games of the season.
Mike Green - Wednesday, April 21 2004 @ 09:21 AM EDT (#71473) #
Aingefan, I didn't check the HBP numbers in Charleston, but didn't notice any differences home vs. away early last year. I'll watch for it this year.

Subjectively, I'd be surprised if there were a difference. The last thing to go in poor visibility conditions is the self-preservation instinct. Last year, facing fastballs from League and Perkins with the twilight sun in one's face might very well have brought that self-preservation instinct straight to the fore.

Actually, I could check on the early start strikeout phenomenon more precisely by using the logs to track strikeouts in innings 1-4 vs. innings 5-8 at home and away during April-June.
Gerry - Wednesday, April 21 2004 @ 09:22 AM EDT (#71474) #
I had heard that Wesley was back to full strength and throwing well in spring training. Look for him to be ready on one of the short season teams.
Mike Green - Wednesday, April 21 2004 @ 09:23 AM EDT (#71475) #
Jordan- "Durocher is father along in his recovery". When my youngest reached 4, I kinda felt that way.
_Jordan - Wednesday, April 21 2004 @ 09:35 AM EDT (#71476) #
Eep! I need more coffee....
_Ryan01 - Wednesday, April 21 2004 @ 09:43 AM EDT (#71477) #
In addition to my last post I believe Hill also had three errors after three games and has gone 7 straight errorless games since. Not quite Bordick-esque streaks yet but a good sign nonetheless.

Another comment I heard about a certain New Hampshire middle infielder listening to some of the F-Cats broadcast was one of the announcers comments that "I know we rave about his defense but... " before going on about another of the players positive attributes. This surprised me a little as it turned out the player they were talking about was Dominic Rich, who from everything I've heard is not exactly a slick gloveman. May be a case of reputation preceding the player.
_Geoff - Wednesday, April 21 2004 @ 11:11 AM EDT (#71478) #
Chad Mulholland, John Wesley, Amos Day, Chi-Hung Cheng, Chris Leonard, Justin Maureau, DJ Hanson, Jesse Harper, Bob File, Jayson Durocher, Juan Campos, Derrick Nunley?

Of theses guys only Mulholland, Wesley, Day, Cheng, Leonard, Durocher and Campos aren't assigned to the regular roster or disabled list's of one of our teams. Wesley, Leonard and Durocher are all coming back from surgery so it makes sense for them to be in extended spring training. Campos was released. As for Mulholland, Day and Cheng, none of them ever seemed like they were solid candidates to escape rookie ball this year in this organization anyway.

I think everyone is just about accounted for.

Also, let me add that the minor league coverage here deserves every compliment it gets, including 'sick.' Great work!
Mike Green - Wednesday, April 21 2004 @ 11:26 AM EDT (#71479) #
http://www.charlestonalleycats.com/frameset.html
Starters for today: Jason Arnold for Syracuse, Gustavo Chacin in Manchester and Kurt Isenberg for Dunedin.

Speaking of "sick" coverage, it's Weenie Wednesday in Charleston. Get your dogs for 50 cents. COMN. I wonder if they're good ballpark franks.
Gerry - Wednesday, April 21 2004 @ 11:41 AM EDT (#71480) #
Starters for today: Jason Arnold for Syracuse, Gustavo Chacin in Manchester and Kurt Isenberg for Dunedin

and Justin James for Charleston.

Arnold has had two starts of 4.1 innings each. Per yesterday's minor league report he is looking to change his mechanics.

Chacin was hit on April 9th but had a scoreless 5 innings on April 16th

Isenberg was bombed his first time out. On April 16th Isenberg pitched five scoreless innings.

James had 10 K's in his first start but allowed five runs last time out

So two of todays starters are coming off of good starts and two had poor starts last time out
Minor League Update: April 20 | 39 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.