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Toronto’s minor league season began in earnest yesterday as three affiliates played their opening games. Unfortunately, they all lost, but the other affiliate improved to 2-0 on the season. However, there are many debuts worth reading about, from Scott Campbell’s first game in Triple-A to how the 2007 draft class fared in their Dunedin debuts.

Las Vegas 6 @ Colorado Springs 9 Boxscore

Wade Miller got the call on opening day for the 51’s and did not impress, as Toronto’s relationship with Las Vegas did not get off to a positive start on the field. Miller only allowed two earned runs over 4.2 innings, but that figure hides how much he struggled. Miller allowed seven runs on two hits, but he walked seven batters and threw more balls than strikes. Brian Burres, who allowed a run over 1.1 innings with a pair of strikeouts, followed him out of the bullpen. Another new arm to the organization, TJ Beam, came next and Colorado Springs touched him for a couple of runs on four hits. He also allowed three stolen bases, as the Sky Sox went 5 for 5 on the bases. Sean Stidfole made a one-batter appearance to finish the bottom of the eight.

Joe Inglett led off and went 3-6 on the afternoon with a double and a run scored. Scott Campbell, playing in his first Triple-A game, followed him and went 2-5 with a pair of runs and a walk. Jason Lane also added a double, a walk and a run and cleanup hitter Randy Ruiz drove in a pair of runs on a double and a sac fly. Russ Adams and Aaron Mathews each went hitless, but both reached base on walks. JP Arencibia went 2-5 with a double and 2 RBIs in his Triple-A debut. In the bottom third of the lineup, Buck Coats added a single and Angel Sanchez reached base four times, as he drew three walks in five plate appearances. If this seems like a lot of baserunners to you, you aren’t mistaken. The biggest reason that Las Vegas lost this game may have been their 3-16 hitting with runners in scoring position and the fact they left 15 runners on base.

New Britain 3 @ New Hampshire 4 Boxscore

New Hampshire improved to 2-0 and picked up the only win for an affiliate on the evening. Reider Gonzalez started for the Fisher Cats and went six strong innings, only allowing two runs on five hits. New Britain leadoff hitter and Toronto native Rene Tosoni hit a leadoff homerun off Gonzalez for his only hit of the game. However, the Fisher Cats fought back in the bottom of the second and took a 3-1 lead. Brian Jeroloman reached on an error with one out and Sean Shoffit and Todd Donovan sandwiched walks around a fly out by Jonathan Diaz to load the bases with two out for New Hampshire’s second baseman. Brad “Might” Emaus delivered and drove home all three runners with a bases clearing double over Tosoni’s head.

The teams traded runs in the fourth inning on a New Britain sac fly and a Todd Donovan double that scored Jeroloman. After Gonzalez left the game, Celson Polanco, Rommie Lewis and Adrian Martin combined to pitch three innings of one-hit ball. Matt Moses hit a solo homer off Lewis, but otherwise the bullpen was great and Martin picked up his first save of the season. New Hampshire had eight hits, five of which came from Emaus or Jeroloman. Brian Dopirak added one of the other ones with a double, but David Cooper went 0-4 with a pair of strikeouts.

Dunedin 2 @ Clearwater 5Boxscore

Andrew Liebel’s debut did not go as planned, either. Unlike Miller, Liebel did not struggle with his control, walking only one and striking out four. However, Liebel was just too hittable and seven base hits over 3 innings led to five runs, all earned. In fact, it was 5-0 Clearwater after two frames. Chad Beck and Edgar Estanga each came out of the bullpen for 2 innings and struck out three batters. Trystan Magnuson closed out the game with a scoreless inning.

Like Clearwater, Dunedin got all of their runs off the opposing starter as the D-Jays scored a pair of runs off Kyle Drabek, as he struck out seven over 5 innings. Drabek gave up the only two hits Dunedin would have all game, as Moises Sierra and Eric Thames each had a base hit. Dunedin scored their two runs in the fourth, as Darin Mastroianni led off the frame with a walk and stole second. Kevin Ahrens walked and then both runners advanced a base on a balk. Manny Rodriguez popped up, but then Sierra singled home Mastroianni and Thames knocked in Ahrens. However, Jesus Gonzalez grounded into a force out and Matt Liuzza struck out to end the threat. Dunedin would only get two more baseunners the rest of the game, as Raul Barron and Ahrens each drew walks but never advanced further then first base. Justin Jackson was hitless in his High-A debut and Ahrens was 0-1 with a pair of walks. John Tolisano did not play, but Eric Thames and Sierra each went 1-4.

Fort Wayne 4 @ Lansing 0Boxscore

There is not a lot to write about here, as Anthony Bass and a pair of TinCaps relievers held the Lugnuts to four singles and did not allow any other baserunners. Kenny Wilson, Yohermyn Chavez, Jon Talley and Michael McDade had the hits for the Lugnuts. McDade and Balbino Fuenmayor hit into double plays, as Fort Wayne pitchers faced only two batters over the minimum.

Venezuelan Henderson Alvarez got the start for Lansing and took the loss, despite surrendering only one earned run over four innings. Alvarez struck out four and did not walk a batter, but also allowed a second run to score on a McDade error. Alvarez turned the ball over to another Venezuelan, as Yorman Mayora came out of the bullpen and allowed the third run over 2.2 innings of one-hit ball. Jared Potts and Michael Barbara finished the game off for Lansing with Barbara rescuing Potts by allowing none of his two inherited runners to score, although Barbara surrendered the fourth run in the ninth inning.

Three Stars:

3rd Star – Angel Sanchez, 1-2, R, 3 BB, 1 TB

2nd Star – Reider Gonzalez, 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K

1st Star – Brad Emaus, 3-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 4 TB

Day of Debuts | 11 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
ayjackson - Friday, April 10 2009 @ 07:47 AM EDT (#198135) #
Joe Inglett was 3 for 6 with 0 RBI and 7 LOB.  That's tough to do.
Pistol - Friday, April 10 2009 @ 08:46 AM EDT (#198138) #
Between last year, winter league, spring training and now game one, Emaus is looking to be a solid prospect.  He was a good find for one of the Jays scouts in the 11th round.

The 2007 draft is shaping up to be an excellent one.  Ironically, this was the year the Jays didn't go with a heavy college emphasis in the draft, but they might end up with their best college class:  Cecil, Mills, Arencibia, Emaus, and Rzepczynski.

timpinder - Friday, April 10 2009 @ 09:36 AM EDT (#198140) #
When Hill was still a SS in the Jays' system there was speculation that he might shift over to 3B because of his solid arm.  Hill could make a solid 3B, but it sounds like Emaus is more suited to 2B.  If Emaus does force the Jays' hand and Hill's power numbers come back to 2007 levels or better, could Hill to 3B, Emaus to 2B be a realistic possibility?  If Ahrens doesn't show much this season in A+, it might make sense with Rolen's contract up after next year.
Chuck - Friday, April 10 2009 @ 09:45 AM EDT (#198141) #

Just eyeballing Hill subjectively, it appears that it is his range at second base much more than his arm that allows him to stand out. I think a move to third base would under-exploit his biggest defensive asset.

Denoit - Friday, April 10 2009 @ 09:58 AM EDT (#198142) #
I think Hill's numbers would project better at SS. He has + defence at 2B, so I dont see any reason he couldn't handle SS. If Rolen proves he is healthy this year, even if he only plays 140 games I would try to resign him at a better price (5M). He is 34 so his time is limited but not unreasonable to think he has at least 2 or 3 good years left in him. As long as they have a backup plan for an injury. If Hill handles the SS position and if Emaus translates his numbers to the MLB that could be a potent middle infield.
Denoit - Friday, April 10 2009 @ 10:14 AM EDT (#198143) #
Adam Loewen wasn't in the lineup? Is he injured? I thought the Jays wanted to give him a bunch of AB's this season.
85bluejay - Friday, April 10 2009 @ 10:33 AM EDT (#198144) #

Rolen is signed through 2010 - hopefully the jays will have a much better idea wether Ahrens is a prospect/suspect / Campbell can hit enough to play 3rd/Soblenski

(SPELL)/unheralded prospect? - before having to commit to Rolen.

Emaus gives the jays lots of possibilities - the moves mentioned in the above post plus if salary flexability is needed - trade Hill and make Emaus 2nd - Use Emaus

to acquire a ss (eg. Emaus to Brewers for Escobar) - A prospect rich farm system gives a team all kinds of options - it's easily the best way to build a long term

contender - why I am so much in favour of the Jays spending more money on drafts/int'l signings and less on expensive free agents/long term contracts.     

Gerry - Friday, April 10 2009 @ 11:42 AM EDT (#198145) #
Here is a story from the Las Vegas Sun that talks about the change in affiliation in Vegas and some of the shortcomings of Cashman Field.
Dewey - Friday, April 10 2009 @ 12:27 PM EDT (#198147) #
"Beer prices also will go up, but servings will be increased from 24 ounces to 32 ounces."

Wow, even if it is American beer, 32 ounce servings should improve the quality of the games--if not the ambience!
ayjackson - Saturday, April 11 2009 @ 12:09 AM EDT (#198165) #
On a day where Richmond struggled with the big club, forgotten prospect Bryan Bullington pitched well at AAA.  Four innings in relief of Hayhurst, Bullington allowed an earned run on four hits, no walks and two strikeouts.  He recorded eight ground ball outs.
Richard S.S. - Saturday, April 11 2009 @ 04:05 AM EDT (#198168) #
Early in Aaron Hill's career, there was a telecast discussing his future by ???????.  It was mentioned he was a decent short stop, a good third base, but a much better second base.  His abilities to play SS & 3B make him a Star at 2B.  When he can no longer play 2B, he will decide, because he does not and may not have the power for a corner position.
Day of Debuts | 11 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.