Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Minor League Projected Assignments

Minor League Projected Assignments - Starting Pitchers

Yesterday I looked at the expected assignments for hitters coming out of spring training. Today I will look at the starting pitchers. Usually to start the season there will be at least one starter per two teams that is on the DL so for some teams I will list six starters.

Toronto

RA Dickey

Mark Buehrle

Brandon Morrow

Drew Hutchison

JA Happ

Esmil Rogers

Obviously this is the big question in spring training. If Rogers or Happ are the "losers" they will be on the DL or in the bullpen. I don't think Hutchison will be the odd man out here but if he is he will start in AAA.

Buffalo

One of the challenges in filling out the Buffalo rotation is understanding what will happen guys like Todd Redmond who are out of options. Will he pass through or will he be claimed?

Todd Redmond

Marcus Stroman

Sean Nolin

Kyle Drabek

Ricky Romero

Deck McGuire

I don't know if the Jays will continue to use Drabek in a starting role, based on his two TJ surgeries. I am also not sure if Deck McGuire will be a starter or converted to the bullpen. Given McGuire's strong finish to last season I think he might get a shot to start again. If the Bisons need another starter I can see one of the minor league free agents getting the job, Mike Broadway, Brian Moran or Liam Hendricks. Randy Boone is another option for a fifth starter.

New Hampshire

Aaron Sanchez

Tomo Okha

Marcus Walden

Austin Bibbens-Dirkx

Scott Copeland

Copeland would be in danger of being bumped if a starter was sent down from AAA or if one of the minor league free agents was given a spot. Casey Lawrence will challenge Copeland for the 5th spot.

Dunedin

Daniel Norris

Taylor Cole

Matt Boyd

Kendall Graveman

Casey Lawrence

Jesse Hernandez

It is unclear what role the Jays foresee for Gravemen so he is a wild card here. Otherwise it is many of the same names that ended the 2013 season in Dunedin plus Daniel Norris.

Lansing

To me the Lansing staff will be the most interesting to see when it is announced. The Jays have many good strong young pitchers who will be competing for the jobs.

Chase DeJong

Tom Robson

Jairo Labourt

Shane Dawson

Alberto Tirado

Zak Wasilewski

Jeremy Gabryszwski

Colton Turner

Alonzo Gonzalez

The first six would piggy-back over the first few months of the season. The other three would battle for the last two spots.

Posted by Gerry on Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 08:12 AM EDT.

Minor League Projected Assignments - Starting Pitchers | 57 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

92-93 - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 09:32 AM EDT (#283479) #

Can you really put Redmond into the Buffalo rotation? I'd think they want the other 5 guys getting starts if healthy, regardless of whether Redmond makes the Jays or clears waivers.

China fan - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 09:37 AM EDT (#283480) #

Gerry, are you expecting Jenkins to be in the Buffalo bullpen? Have the Jays stated this clearly, or is this your projection? I have the impression that the Jays aren't yet ready to declare him officially a reliever -- he was mostly a starter in the past 2 seasons -- but maybe I'm wrong.

Paul D - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 09:59 AM EDT (#283481) #

At some point, do you have to consider giving up on Romero? What does the team get by having him in AAA,l particularly if it comes at the expense of someone like McGuire?

85bluejay - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 10:22 AM EDT (#283482) #

I think Redmond gets traded before the end of spring training. Romero is a sunk cost and I don't think he should be given priority - since confidence, command & control are his main problems, I would start him in Dunedin and let him hopefully build from there.
With most of the Buffalo rotation having legitimate prospects status to varying degrees,I don't think the Jays would want them doing the Buffalo-Toronto shuttle unless it's for an extended audition - I see Hendricks getting some starts as he's the ideal candidate for the Buffalo-Toronto shuttle for short/emergency stints.

Gerry - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 10:31 AM EDT (#283483) #

I do expect Jenkins to be in the bullpen. He could easily start but the Jays have lots of starters and if Jenkins is now a reliever in the eyes of the Jays he might as well relieve in Buffalo. But I could easily be wrong.

Paul D - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 10:54 AM EDT (#283484) #

Not much of a surprise, but Stroman and Romero were sent to minor league camp today.

Maldoff - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 11:05 AM EDT (#283485) #

Gerry, what about guys like Javier Avendano, Matt Dermody and Brady Dragmire? Relievers or extended spring training?

bpoz - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 11:36 AM EDT (#283489) #

I assume that Roberto Osuna is not yet ready. Does anyone know when he will be ready. He is only 19 and was moving very fast.

Jdog - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 11:45 AM EDT (#283490) #

Wow that New Hampshire rotation after Sachez is completely void of anything with an ounce of ceiling/potential.

Gerry - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 11:45 AM EDT (#283491) #

Avendano could be in the running for one of the "older" starter spots in Lansing. However Avendano has been in the system for a few years now and hasn't progressed. Dermody has pitched mainly in relief and as a twenty-something round pick he would need to really shine to get a starting job. Dragmire could get a tandem starter spot instead of someone like Wasilewski. I think he would be on the bubble.

If the Jays do as I think and use tandem starters in Lansing, it will cut down on the relievers jobs available. The competition for those jobs will be intense.

Lylemcr - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 11:47 AM EDT (#283492) #

I like Romero alot... I wished someone would pick him up. He needs a fresh start somewhere else.

Gerry - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 11:53 AM EDT (#283494) #

Osuna did not have his TJ surgery until the middle of last season. If you remember he tried to rehab it first, took some time off, then came back and didn't pitch well. I think his surgery might have been in July. You won't see him pitch until towards the end of the season.

gabrielthursday - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 03:45 PM EDT (#283499) #

What about Rob Rasmussen getting a chance to start in New Hampshire? Or is he injured?

ayjackson - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 03:55 PM EDT (#283500) #

According to his Twitter account, Osuna threw for the first time on flat ground on March 3 and felt great. He said he would be throwing bullpens within a few weeks.

Jdog - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 06:17 PM EDT (#283501) #

Is Miguel Castro not in consideration for the Lansing rotation?

Lylemcr - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 07:07 PM EDT (#283502) #

Happ was hapless today.

Nobody wants to be #5...

John Northey - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 08:45 PM EDT (#283503) #

So, how is the battle for 4/5 slots?
Hutchison: 2.79 ERA in 3 starts, 9 2/3 IP 1 BB vs 16 K - sweet.
Redmond: 5.79 ERA in 5 games 14 IP 3 BB 9 K 4 HR - nice BB/K ratio but those dingers...
Rogers: 7.00 ERA in 4 games, 9.0 IP 3 HR 4 BB 12 K - nice BB/K ratio but those dingers...
Happ: 20.25 ERA in 3 starts, 4.0 IP 9 BB vs 5 K .... yikes!

Right now no question Hutchison is winning the battle in every respect. Redmond and Rogers have nice BB/K rates but dingers are an issue. Happ just has sucked out there in the ML games. If spring counts at all you'd have to think Redmond has #5 and Rogers #6/#8 in pen while Happ gets to be on the DL for 'cannot throw strikes disease'.

For the final slots in the pen... Assuming Loup, Janssen, Cecil, Delabar, Santos, McGowan are locks and Rogers, Redmond or Happ gets a slot leaving 1 open slot for the loser of those 3 and...
Jeffress: 3.68 ERA in 7 1/3 IP but 8 BB vs 4 K - yikes

Hmm... not an easy choice for the Jays. Jeffress has been very wild, as has Happ. Rogers is a lock I'd figure, leaving Redmond or Happ to fight with Jeffress for that last slot. If Happ gets the 'wild sickness' then Jeffress gets that slot for now but for how long? If his control is gone he is toast.

Gerry - Wednesday, March 19 2014 @ 09:43 PM EDT (#283504) #

I forgot about Rasmussen, as a newcomer to the org I am not sure how they see him.

Castro is too young and inexperienced for Lansing, in my opinion. If the Jay were to go really young then Matt Smoral might rate ahead of Castro.

gabrielthursday - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 02:09 AM EDT (#283505) #

John, I'm not sure why you have Rogers behind Redmond in the competition for 5th starter. They've both been homer-prone, but surely Roger's excellent strikeout-rate this spring at least cancels out the edge Redmond has had in walking fewer hitters. I'd give Rogers the edge given his superior stuff. I'd also put McGowan in the mix as having an outside chance. I think he's going 3 innings tomorrow, and if he can get up to an 80 pitch limit for the beginning of the regular season, he could finish his stretching out while in the rotation, as you can skip the nominal 3rd spot in the rotation once before it comes up again.

The Jays have been beset by underwhelming performances by the guys competing for those 4th and 5th rotation slots (with the major exception of Hutchison) and the last spots in the bullpen. That Redmond and Rogers are in the lead despite their mediocre showing shows just how poorly Happ, Stroman, Romero, Nolin and Drabek have failed to answer the challenge. Including Hutchison and McGowan, there were nine or so players competing for two spots. That just one of them can be said to be having a good spring is surprising and a little disappointing.

John Northey - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 06:58 AM EDT (#283506) #

Good point about McGowan being in the running still, although McGowan's 4 IP with 3 BB vs 2 SO (and 3 ER) doesn't inspire confidence. Rogers vs Redmond is more a coin toss than anything else at this point, my gut says the Jays would rather have Redmond in a rotation and Rogers in the pen than the other way around but I could be mistaken. If those 2 are the final ones standing I'd say do a tandem start with a 5 IP limit for each, alternating who starts (Redmond one game, Rogers 5 days later, then Redmond again, then Rogers, etc.).

It has been disappointing that no one other than Hutch has really shown much in that battle. The thing to remember though is the last start tends to be the most vital. As I recall the Jays debated between Jimmy Key and someone else up until their final starts way back when and luckily Key kept it together while the other guy didn't. One never knows.

Ryan C - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 10:27 AM EDT (#283507) #

McGowan's 4 IP with 3 BB vs 2 SO (and 3 ER) doesn't inspire confidence

Can 4 IP in Spring training actually tell you anything of value? Other than maybe being able to tell if a guy is healthy or not, how much can you really glean from such small samples of what is essentially a glorified practice.

Beyonder - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 10:30 AM EDT (#283508) #

Since someone mentioned Castro, BA put out its list of top 20 DSL/VSL prospects list earlier this week. 2 Blue Jays prospects are on the list: Miguel Castro and Richard Urena. Here is a synopsis of Ben Badler's comments on both:

Castro: While still skinny, Castro's fastball velocity has "skyrocketed" since being drafted, going from 90-91, to now sitting at 93-96, and touching triple digits. (He has been clocked as high as 103 mph). His fastball generates some sink from his 3/4 arm slot. Best secondary pitch is a change-up. Badler thinks Castro will move through the system very quickly, but could really stand to put on some weight.

Urena: Consistently squares up the ball and puts together quality at-bats. No home run power yet, but getting stronger (was 4th in league in doubles last year). An average runner, Urena has good quickness, smooth hands, good footwork, and an above-average arm. The Blue Jays jumped Urena to the GCL at the end of last season. Advanced enough to start at Bluefield next year, but will soon find himself bumping into Barreto and Lugo a level above him.

John Northey - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 03:41 PM EDT (#283515) #

I was more looking for either wildness (3 walks in 4 innings isn't 'wow' either way) or lack thereof. Spring can give that as an indicator, same with K's. BB-SO ratio I'd figure to be important. I'd love to have a good historical database of spring stats to do some deeper comparisons rather than gut feel but that's all we got so that's what I go with.

China fan - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 03:46 PM EDT (#283516) #

So that was a very impressive performance by McGowan today: 3 shutout innings, one hit, no walks, 5 strikeouts. Gibbons today was expressing a preference for McGowan as a reliever, but there will be increasing pressure for him to try a starting role in he continues to pitch like this. Apparently he threw 48 pitches today. If he can increase to 70 pitches by the end of spring training, could the Jays put him into the rotation?

Ron - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 04:29 PM EDT (#283519) #

McGowan faced Byrd, Ruiz, Frandsen, Mayberry, Franco, Valle, Hanzawa, Gwynn, Castro, Thomas, and Hollands. Looks like nobody told the hitters they were allowed to take a pitch. Spring Training stats are basically worthless. The only thing I learned today is that McGowan can throw around 50 pitches without getting injured.

Ron - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 04:35 PM EDT (#283521) #

Correction Time, McGowan only threw 22 pitches. The Philly hitters combined to take 1 pitch in 3 innings. Looks like they had a very important afternoon event to attend and wanted the game to end as soon as possible.

China fan - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 04:43 PM EDT (#283522) #

"....McGowan threw only 22 pitches...."

Are you taking that number from Gameday, by any chance? It's very well-known that Gameday doesn't do accurate pitch counts in spring training. They just put up token numbers (3 pitches for a strikeout, etc). You didn't actually believe that McGowan retired 9 hitters with 22 pitches, did you? Correction time indeed...

China fan - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 04:48 PM EDT (#283524) #

"....Spring Training stats are basically worthless...."

And yet a lot of fans have been panicking about the 5th starter on the basis of the spring-training stats of Happ, Redmond, Rogers etc.

I agree that we can't use spring-training stats to conclude that McGowan is definitely ready for a rotation slot. On the other hand, we also shouldn't assume -- purely from spring-training stats -- that Happ, Rogers and Redmond are useless pitchers. Spring training is just one of many factors that have to be considered. But recall that the Jays essentially used spring-training numbers (and observation) in 2013 to conclude that Romero should be demoted and replaced by Happ in the rotation. It does count for something.

John Northey - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 04:54 PM EDT (#283525) #

Rogers certainly helped himself in the 5th starter battle too - 4 2/3 IP 5 H 1 R/ER 1 BB 6 SO.

Right now I suspect the Jays braintrust is leaning towards Happ still (not sure why) but Rogers is probably in the #6 role while McGowan is a close #7. I still like a tandem starter thing for McGowan with someone (Happ or Rogers). Redmond is still there too as well. Nice to finally see someone other than Hutchison put up a good game in this battle.

How did Sierra look in CF? Hopefully not lost. Good to see Kratz get a couple of dingers too.

China fan - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 05:11 PM EDT (#283526) #

Meanwhile, the Jays were reported to have multiple scouts watching Jeff Samardzija pitching today. (He's pitched 3.2 scoreless innings against Seattle so far today.) Does anyone think the Jays should offer a package of (say) Stroman and Smoral for him? It would make an immediate and huge difference to the Jays chances of contending this season -- whereas Stroman might not even crack the rotation this year. It might take a package of several prospects, plus a Redmond or Rogers, but it could be worth the price (as long as Sanchez is not involved).

Beyonder - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 05:20 PM EDT (#283527) #

My own suspicion is that if that were the price for Samardzija, that deal would have already been done. I think the asking price is Stroman and Sanchez, which I hope they don't do.

Ron - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 05:24 PM EDT (#283528) #

CF, I did use Gameday for the pitch counts. I wasn't aware they don't list the accurate pitch counts for Spring Training games.

It's a good sign that McGowan was around the 50 pitch mark today. Too bad Gibbons doesn't view him as a starter because despite the fact he's already 31 years old, I think he has the biggest upside out of Happ, Redmond, and Rogers

China fan - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 05:28 PM EDT (#283529) #

I think the Cubs have been asking for Sanchez and Stroman, but I can't see the Jays accepting that price for Samardzija. They'll hang onto Sanchez for sure. But it's possible that the Cubs price has diminished somewhat in the past couple of months. They may have realized that they won't get their asking price. They can trade him now, or wait until July when the price might be even lower. At this point, they might be willing to listen to a non-Sanchez package, and I assume that's why the Jays are taking a close look at Samardzija today.

85bluejay - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 05:34 PM EDT (#283530) #

I like Rogers because he had the best GO/AO rate of jays starters last year, a good trait in the AL east small ballparks - he should benefit from the jays improved defence - the hopeful re-emergence of his change-up, he had a decent one as a prospect in Colorado - the improvement in his SO rate in winter & spring is also a plus.

China fan - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 05:40 PM EDT (#283531) #

The Jays have released Luis Perez and picked up OF Matt Tuiasosopo on waivers from Arizona. Tuiasosopo is a possible platoon partner for Lind. As for Perez, I guess he hasn't recovered as strongly from the TJ surgery as the Jays were hoping. The bullpen is overcrowded anyway.

China fan - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 05:44 PM EDT (#283532) #

Matt Tuiasosopo, unfortunately, seems to hit LHP about as well as Lind, according to his major-league splits. So maybe not an ideal platoon partner for Lind. Maybe just the next Dan Johnson.

85bluejay - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 05:46 PM EDT (#283533) #

Tuiasosopo is the kind of veteran bench bat that Gibbons wanted - he didn't seem too excited about youngster Sierra as a bench player - also, I wonder if teams are inquiring about Sierra (I'm looking at you Seattle) - it's looking like Hart can't play the OF much

Lylemcr - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 05:55 PM EDT (#283534) #

HEre is a link for all the JPA haters

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2014/03/rangers-put-j-p-arencibia-in-minor-league-games-in-hopes-he-improves-at-plate.html/

He was sent to the minors.

China fan - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 06:34 PM EDT (#283535) #

This is probably over-optimistic, but it might be worth noting that Tuiasosopo was sporting an OPS of 1.117 for the Tigers in early July last season after 96 plate appearances. His hitting line at that point was an impressive .342/.458/.658. His drastic decline after that point was possibly injury-related, since he had a rib-cage strain in late June. Anyway, a hot streak in 96 PAs last season doesn't necessarily transform him into a platoon DH or a back-up OF (he hasn't played a single inning at CF in his major-league career), but it might explain what caught the Jays attention.

ogator - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 06:42 PM EDT (#283536) #

Arencibia was not "sent to the minors." The Rangers had him taking some at bats in minor league games to help sharpen his hitting. Would that it were that easy!

Original Ryan - Thursday, March 20 2014 @ 08:28 PM EDT (#283538) #

Tuiasosopo was also responsible for this great moment, albeit against the Blue Jays.

John Northey - Friday, March 21 2014 @ 07:47 AM EDT (#283541) #

Tuiasosopo has just 401 PA in the majors, 207/290/356 76 OPS+ but spread over 4 seasons - his age 22/23/24 seasons and age 27. He originally climbed fast through the minors but stalled with the Mariners, went to the Mets AAA team in 2012 and the Tigers last year.

AAA: 1960 PA 252/353/413 although lots was in the PCL. AA: 789 PA 236/337/343

Doesn't jump out as that useful from those stats. His one full year in AAA in the IL (2012) he hit 242/329/361. I see him as a AAA player, not a major leaguer. His value is in his ability to play a lot of positions - in the minors he has played 100+ games at 3B and SS, 40+ at 2B/LF/1B/RF plus 8 games in CF - sadly most SS time was back when he was 18-20 years old. Most of last year was in the majors with Detroit where he played LF mainly, 13 games at 1B and 2 innings at 3B. In 2012 in AAA (his last full year there) he hit 856 OPS vs LHP and 636 OPS vs RHP. In 2011 (also full time in minors) he hit for an 848 OPS vs LHP vs 694 vs RHP. If he can do that in the majors then he has value to the Jays mixed with Lind, especially since he could be used at 3B to spell Lawrie (let Lawrie DH) as well as going to LF or RF to give Cabrera or Bautista a day off.

A lot to like with his flexibility and ability to hit LHP. He sucks vs RHP in the minors (in 2011/2012 at least) so that might explain his poor overall stats. Guess we'll see what happens.

Chuck - Friday, March 21 2014 @ 08:57 AM EDT (#283542) #

A lot to like with his flexibility and ability to hit LHP.

In his major league career he has hit LHP slightly worse than RHP. He looks like a warm body who'll sometimes take a walk. Beyond that, not worth any excitement.

China fan - Friday, March 21 2014 @ 09:20 AM EDT (#283543) #

"....Beyond that, not worth any excitement...."

Except for those first 96 plate appearances for the Tigers last season. Could the Jays catch lightning in a bottle, or was it a complete fluke?

Paul D - Friday, March 21 2014 @ 09:30 AM EDT (#283544) #

Except for those first 96 plate appearances for the Tigers last season. Could the Jays catch lightning in a bottle, or was it a complete fluke? Voros Law: Anybody can hit just about anything in 60 At Bats.

greenfrog - Friday, March 21 2014 @ 09:45 AM EDT (#283545) #

Interestingly, Tuiasosopo's OPS in AAA steadily declined over the course of four years (from ages 23 to 26) -- an impressive feat.

2009: 842
2010: 791
2011: 735
2012: 690

That's how you get yourself released. On the bright side, he's in his age-28 season, so he should be right around his peak potential performance in 2014.

bpoz - Friday, March 21 2014 @ 11:07 AM EDT (#283547) #

Thanks for the news on Osuna. So this is a 2 year setback. Too bad, I had high hopes for him because he had great results in his minor league career to date.
On the bright side, pitcher's arms seem stronger after TJ I have heard. So 2015 & 2016 may get him to AAA and only 21 in 2016.

Lylemcr - Friday, March 21 2014 @ 11:09 AM EDT (#283548) #

I loved Tuiasosopo's brother as the quarterback of the UW Huskies.

I don't understand the release of L. Perez. Maybe his injury was worse or something like that. He was really good 2 years ago.

John Northey - Friday, March 21 2014 @ 11:14 AM EDT (#283549) #

The splits for Tuiasosopo in 2013 are pretty secondary - just 48 PA vs RHP to get that 910 OPS - add an 0 for 4 and it drops to 843, a drop of 67 points. Given he had 137 PA vs LHP odds are he only saw the worst RHP possible and in extremely few PA. I trust his minor league splits a lot more.

As to his OPS in the minors dropping for 4 years lets see how he did just vs LHP those 4 years (includes ML time)...
2009: 888 (826 vs RHP) - small time in majors (7 games)
2010: 655 (688 vs RHP) - significant time in majors (138 PA)
2011: 848 (694 vs RHP)
2012: 856 (636 vs RHP)

What is odd is in the majors both times he got 100+ PA he had reverse platoon splits. Very odd given his minor league record, especially in 2011/12 where he had a big split in the traditional way. If the Jays went with a 7 man bullpen there would clearly be a spot for him, but with an 8 man pen you would have to risk losing Sierra on waivers. Would someone take him? Hard to say. Would it matter much? Right now I don't see Sierra as an everyday player in the major so it might be worth the risk if the Jays feel they need added flexibility off the bench.

Chuck - Friday, March 21 2014 @ 02:11 PM EDT (#283551) #

We had the father. How about the son? John Mayberry appears to be available. He has a career 847/668 OPS split, so would seem to slot in as a nice partner for Lind, though his defensive shortcomings make him less than ideal as a reserve player. Is what he brings worth his $1.6M contract? Or do you just save a million bucks and go with Sierra or Pillar?

John Northey - Friday, March 21 2014 @ 02:19 PM EDT (#283552) #

I'd probably just pocket the million myself but those figures do look good... 274/321/526 vs LHP lifetime, but 240/296/460 last year. He can play RF and CF (346 innings in CF last year) plus LF and 1B. However, on the negative his UZR/150 in CF lifetime is -19.1 which I suspect Sierra could do, while LF is -0.2 and RF is 12.0 (just 559 innings). First base is a -1.6.

Hrm... he is tempting and $1.6 mil isn't much in baseball terms. He isn't a free agent until after the 2016 season too. Former first round pick makes him the type AA loves also. Depends on what the Jays think they have in Sierra I think - if he is ready then he might do that himself. If not then Mayberry does make sense as a platoon partner/4th outfielder.

92-93 - Friday, March 21 2014 @ 06:22 PM EDT (#283566) #

Spring training stats are not meaningless when they belong to guys openly competing for jobs.

Richard S.S. - Friday, March 21 2014 @ 06:53 PM EDT (#283567) #

It now looks likely that Aaron Sanchez will be the first permanent move of this Team in mid-May. Six weeks of A.A. time should be enough. As for who comes up if there's a early injury/blatant ineptitude of a Starter, I don't know.

John Northey - Friday, March 21 2014 @ 06:59 PM EDT (#283569) #

Given the rotation has Morrow and McGowan it is easy to imagine an injury happening before June. If not and if Morrow/Hutchison/McGowan are all pitching well then leave Sanchez down until something happens. It'd be nice to have that kind of issue after a winter of trying so hard to get a new starter and failing to find no room for a prime prospect due to the rotation doing well. Given how bad the Jays luck has been for the past 2 decades (outside of Halladay, Delgado, Bautista, and Encarnacion) it would be sweet.

Gerry - Friday, March 21 2014 @ 07:34 PM EDT (#283571) #

It's easy to get excited now but Sanchez wouldn't be the first pitcher to go down to the minors and get bombed after looking so good against major leaguers. He might have to get his head re-oriented to face minor leaguers.

Thomas - Friday, March 21 2014 @ 07:45 PM EDT (#283572) #

Jon Morosi had an article up at Fox Sports about how the Marlins are in a better position than the Jays a year after the big trade. There is a big caveat about their respective divisions, but it's not a bad read from a mainstream site.

Richard S.S. - Friday, March 21 2014 @ 10:33 PM EDT (#283574) #

I think that acquiring Jose Reyes was a Home Run, everything else was just gravy.

Minor League Projected Assignments - Starting Pitchers | 57 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.