Thursday saw the AAA and AA teams playing at home again. There was a Jesse Litsch sighting. And Tim Collins looked good.
The AAA and AA teams played the Phillies again at the minor league complex. The two A level teams were playing at the Philly complex.
In the AAA game Bobby Ray started and like Marcum yesterday gave up a three run home run. Ray was followed by Tim Collins, Willie Collazo and Sean Stidfole.
Collins pitched two innings, the first one against the #2, 3 and 4 hitters. Collins struck out the first two hitters before John Mayberry Jr. lined one to third. Collins got the first two outs of his second inning before allowing a single but he retired the next hitter to finish with 2 IP and one allowed runner. Collins' fastball sat at 90-92 mph and he also used a curveball and a change-up. Collins used his change more than his curve as he worked to improve it. Collins was impressive against AAA hitters.
Zach Jackson started the AA game and he was followed by Frank Gailey, Boomer Potts and Ross Buckwalter. Eric Thames played again and got at least one hit. John Tolisano also played in the AA game - this time at third base.
On one of the other fields Jesse Litsch pitched to some of the extended spring training guys and handled them easily. I am not sure when Jesse will be back on a mound for real but he looked good today.
With Cecil being sent down today it looks like the AAA rotation will be Cecil; Stewart; Mills; Ray and Gonzalez. Rey Gonzalez is the one surprise there he did pitch well at New Hampshire last season and the Jays did add him to their 40 man roster over the winter. The other options are veterans like Lance Broadway, Zach Jackson and Sean Henn.
AA starters should include Kyle Drabek; Bobby Bell; Andrew Liebel; Luis Perez and perhaps Randy Boone. Final rosters will be announced Friday or Saturday.
I also had a Gustavo Pierre sighting today. Pierre is a big guy, 6'3" or 6'4", with wide shoulders and was working out at shortstop on one of the back fields. I should have some pictures and some video in the next few weeks.
As a follow up to the Wallace question yesterday I took some pictures and I will post them next week when I am back in town.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20100401211748520