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McGregory Contreras hit two home runs but unfortunately Vancouver lost. The GCL Jays won as Gabriel Moreno had three doubles. Brock Lundquist, Miguel Hiraldo and DJ Daniels each had three hits but their teams lost. Max Pentecost and Harold Ramirez had three hits each as New Hampshire won. Also in the New Hampshire game, Forrest Wall and Vlad Jr. homered. Graham Spraker had the pitching line of the night.

Buffalo

Buffalo 4-3. The lead went back and forth in this game. Rowdy Tellez had two hits to keep on his upward progression. Jonathan Davis had one double and two RBI. Richard Urena had a hit and an RBI. Anthony Alford got to wear the golden sombrero, 0-4, all K's.

Nick Tepesch pitched a three hitter over seven innings. Roberto Osuna pitched the eighth, one hit and a walk, with two K's. Justin Shafer had a nervous ninth, with the tying run on third, but held on for the save.


New Hampshire

New Hampshire won 7-3 with 13 hits. The "new guy" Forrest Wall homered and walked but struck out three times. Vlad Jr. had his usual two hits and his 13th home run. Harold Ramirez was 3-3, all doubles. Max Pentecost also had three hits and two RBI.

Jon Harris was bombed his last time out, he recovered to go six innings with two runs allowed.


Dunedin

Dunedin lost 9-3 and were down 6-0 after two. Connor Eller couldn't get out of the first inning and then Juliandry Higuera made it worse. Ty Tice was the bright spot, three perfect innings, four K's.

Brock Lundquist has become one of the most important hitters on the team since his promotion. He was 3-4 with a home run and is now hitting .339. Josh Palacios had two hits. Logan Warmoth and Kevin Smith picked up a hit each.


Lansing

Lansing won 2-1. This was a pitching dominant game. Graham Spraker pitched seven shutout innings, five hits, four K's.

For the offense, Ryan Gold had two hits, one double, and Norberto Obeso had two RBI.


Vancouver

Vancouver lost 3-2 to a walk off home run in the bottom of the ninth. It ruined a big day for McGregory Contreras who hit two solo home runs. It was good for Contreras who I labelled as disappointing yesterday. The two hits brought his average up to an even .250. Tanner Kirwer had one hit, a double, to keep his average at .313. Jesus Severino also doubled, he is the other .300 hitter at .327. Griffin Conine was 0-3 with two K's.

Nick Allgeyer made the spot start and went two innings, no hits. Juan Nunez followed and pitched five innings, two runs. Marcus Reyes took the loss.


Bluefield

Bluefield lost 7-6 by blowing a 6-4 lead after seven innings. Cre Finrock started but was rocked for four runs in the second. Troy Watson pitched well, he threw four shutout innings to get Bluefield back in the game. Grant Townsend and Sean Rackowski blew the lead.

The offense was strong, particularly the top of the order. Dominic Abbadessa, Rafael Lantigua and DJ Neal each had two hits. At the bottom of the order DJ Daniels had three hits with his first home run of the season.


GCL Jays

The GCL Jays won 6-5 in ten innings. Gabriel Moreno was 3-5, all doubles. He drove in two. Jordan Groshans was held to a 1-5 day. Leonardo Jimenez was 2-4, Steward Berroa 2-5. Addison Barger was 3-4 with a walk. Barger was the Jays sixth round pick this year but hasn't hit much although his average has ticked up recently.

The Jays pitchers had one strikeout between them in ten innings. Rafael Monsion pitched reasonably well, two runs over five innings, but had no strikeouts. Alexander Molina has not pitched well this season but went three shutout and hitless innings in this game.


DSL Jays

The DSL Jays lost 12-11. None of the pitchers did well. Among the hitters, Miguel Hiraldo was 3-5 and scored four runs. Alberto Rodriguez was 2-3 with three walks and a home run, his fifth. Rodriguez got off to a slow start, his average was under 200 on July 5th. But since then he has begun to hit and has raised his average by 50 points.


3 Stars

3rd star: Graham Spraker

2nd star: Gabriel Moreno

1st star: McGrgeory Contreras


Boxes

McGregory is McGreat | 53 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
krose - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 10:06 AM EDT (#362496) #
Noticed that Tepesch had a game score in the 70s last night. Always good to see the organization’s soldiers have an excellent game.
Shoeless Joe - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 10:50 AM EDT (#362504) #
McGregory Contreas has a truly interesting combination of power and extremely poor plate discipline. In many ways he's outperforming the highly touted and much older Griffin Conine, but I'm not sure that says much about Conine who's performance has cratered.
GabrielSyme - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 11:01 AM EDT (#362506) #
It's interesting that Contreras has gone from a guy with a good K:BB ratio to a poor one to an abysmal one while at the same time increasing his power output. He'll have to find a better approach to succeed at higher levels, and it's not clear if his power is really a carrying tool. He's pretty low on the prospect totem pole despite his superficially attractive slash line.
Mike Green - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 11:06 AM EDT (#362508) #
Extremely poor plate discipline in short-season ball is a big, big problem.  And the Jays have enough of that kind of problem.  Randal Grichuk illustrates the problem.  At 18, he was in the Midwest League and walked 9 times and struck out 50 times in 214 PAs.  His plate discipline was a very large problem but quite a bit smaller than Contreras given rates, age and developmental level.  Grichuk has had normal progression since then, but it's very hard to be an effective major league outfielder with an OBP under .300 (unless you're an ace defensive centerfielder like Pillar). 

Conine has a similar problem but under much better control (and he is likely working on it given his seasonal pattern).  I am glad though to have been wrong about his developmental path- I will likely get to see him in Vancouver this month. 
GabrielSyme - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 11:21 AM EDT (#362515) #
Grichuk would be an excellent outcome for a prospect like Contreras, or even Conine. His established level of play (good outfield defence, league-average hitter) is that of an average regular, maybe a second-division regular. I'd say that Grichuk illustrates that even without overcoming the problem of poor plate discipline, you can still succeed. It's still a big, big problem, though, because there is no room for that K-BB% to get worse as a prospect moves up the ladder. It's a tough gauntlet to run. And I don't think Contreras will bring the defensive or baserunning value that Grichuk has.
Mike Green - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 12:38 PM EDT (#362525) #
Grichuk would be a good outcome for Conine but not an excellent one.  Conine will never be the fielder that Grichuk is (or even close to that), but he's got the reasonable possibility of being a very effective power hitter, with a combination of hitting for a decent average, big power and taking a walk.  In other words, a classic corner outfielder. 

By the way, it's strange that Conine's Dad was able to hold a major league job until age 41.  He was a decent enough hitter at age 39, but overall a liability in the National League and yet he continued a couple of more years. 
jerjapan - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 12:59 PM EDT (#362526) #
Graham Spraker is emerging as a sleeper to me.  Drafted in the 31st round for a 1K bonus, he has 8.7 Ks and 1.9 BBs per 9 thus far in his career, and according to Nial O'Donohoe (perhaps a Bauxite?) in Jay Blue's prospect guide, has hit 95-98 after making some adjustments at the end of his college career. 

A 23 year old in Lansing is way too old for the level, but I'm excited to see the kid at a higher level.

PeterG - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 01:39 PM EDT (#362529) #
Agree on Spraker....similar profile to Maverik Buffo. Pitchers often move up quickly. These two relative unknowns are worth watching and for those who like them younger, Maximo Castillo (turned 19 in May) has had an up and down season but has tons of upside. He could come quickly as well.
Gerry - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 01:54 PM EDT (#362530) #
SRF, Jordan Romano and Patrick Murphy all scheduled to pitch tonight.
Gerry - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 06:16 PM EDT (#362555) #
Alford hit in the head, taken out of the game.
mendocino - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 06:20 PM EDT (#362558) #
No SRF, Murphy Smith gets start
Gerry - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 06:24 PM EDT (#362559) #
It is a doubleheader. Also Gibby has said they will do a bullpen game tomorrow, unless he is misleading the media and fans.
PeterG - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 06:44 PM EDT (#362560) #
Am listening to Buffalo game. SRF is still slated to pitch game 2 as of now. Alford seems ok and just taken out for precautionary reasons. He wanted to stay in.
Nigel - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 07:30 PM EDT (#362565) #
It’s only been around 100 ABs but Pompey is really playing well in AAA.
Shoeless Joe - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 08:13 PM EDT (#362570) #
I am extremely excited by Rowdy Tellez now, I really hope he gets a cup of coffee in September.
Gerry - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 08:45 PM EDT (#362572) #
SRF is indeed pitching in game two. Vlad Jr has homered again.
GabrielSyme - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 08:47 PM EDT (#362573) #
Nigel, thanks for pointing out Pompey's production so far. That's quite encouraging, and while his strikeout rate is a concern for a guy with only moderate power, it's not quite in the red zone.

Tellez is definitely recovering his prospect status, but even with a good average and reasonable plate discipline, he hasn't really shown the power even in AA to forecast him as an average starter, given his lack of defensive or baserunning value. He's getting to the point where the Jays should be fine giving him his shot, but I'm not getting my hopes up.
Gerry - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 08:48 PM EDT (#362574) #
Vlad gets Sunday off to go see his father get inducted into the hall of fame. There is a chance he just keeps on going to Buffalo.
greenfrog - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 09:08 PM EDT (#362575) #
Some positive performances so far tonight. Here are a few notes:

Bichette with a home run and a double.

Vlad Jr. and Smith with home runs.

Tellez stays hot with a couple of doubles.

Strong starting pitching by Romano, Murphy and Smith.
Shoeless Joe - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 09:44 PM EDT (#362576) #
If you have a guy like Tellez with 60 raw power with a k rate of 15% the power is going to come.
greenfrog - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 09:48 PM EDT (#362578) #
Groshans and Moreno having good nights, too (5 hits combined so far).
Gerry - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 11:15 PM EDT (#362582) #
Another home run for McGregory.
mendocino - Friday, July 27 2018 @ 11:53 PM EDT (#362584) #
Jays sign RHP Troy Miller, a Jr out of Michigan forgoes his senior year. Played in Cape Cod League for the Chatham Anglers this summer and named to the all star game. Assigned to Van

Cape Cod stats
http://pointstreak.com/baseball/team_stats.html?teamid=3427&seasonid=31242&view=pitching
Glevin - Saturday, July 28 2018 @ 10:23 AM EDT (#362592) #
Vlad to Buffalo.
Gerry - Saturday, July 28 2018 @ 12:06 PM EDT (#362596) #
Can I say I called it at 8.48 last night? First?
mathesond - Saturday, July 28 2018 @ 12:37 PM EDT (#362597) #
Pics or it didn't happen :)
Gerry - Saturday, July 28 2018 @ 12:39 PM EDT (#362598) #
Just look up the thread to 8.48.
mathesond - Saturday, July 28 2018 @ 04:08 PM EDT (#362607) #
Why do you assume my comment is about you making your post? :)
scottt - Saturday, July 28 2018 @ 04:41 PM EDT (#362610) #
That's because you replied to Gerry's post directly.
mathesond - Saturday, July 28 2018 @ 05:10 PM EDT (#362612) #
Of course, it's possible I was talking about Vlad getting called up yo Buffalo. But that way lies madness.
scottt - Saturday, July 28 2018 @ 05:12 PM EDT (#362613) #
Then you should have replied to Glevin instead.
jerjapan - Saturday, July 28 2018 @ 07:58 PM EDT (#362618) #
Gerry, you called it man, as you often do with Jays' news.  The box remains my number one source.
greenfrog - Saturday, July 28 2018 @ 08:32 PM EDT (#362621) #
Third baseman Ivan Castillo, who turned 23 on May 30, has had quite a month for Dunedin. Entering tonight, he was hitting .349/.404/.500 in July, and he's 2/3 so far in today's game. His OPS by month:

April: 624
May: 632
June: 720
July: 904

Limited power so far, though (one home run in 2018).
greenfrog - Saturday, July 28 2018 @ 08:34 PM EDT (#362622) #
Wall and Spanberger are a combined 5/5 so far tonight.
Gerry - Saturday, July 28 2018 @ 09:43 PM EDT (#362625) #
Brock Lundquist, 2-3 with a home run, now hitting .359 for Dunedin. Its always interesting to see players who get better.
Gerry - Saturday, July 28 2018 @ 09:47 PM EDT (#362626) #
Eric Pardinho got bombed tonight, 8 hits allowed in less than 3 innings.
Gerry - Saturday, July 28 2018 @ 09:49 PM EDT (#362627) #
Bo Bichette, 3-5, 2 doubles and a home run. Maybe he wants a promotion to AAA too.
hypobole - Saturday, July 28 2018 @ 11:09 PM EDT (#362630) #
McGregory 2-2 with a 2B and 3B. Might be the NWL qualified ISO leader after tonight.
dan gordon - Sunday, July 29 2018 @ 12:05 AM EDT (#362632) #
Two more hits for J. Davis, now hitting .321 in Buffalo. McKinney had a double in 4 trips for the Bisons, hitting in the #5 spot.

Zach Logue had another good start for Dunedin, with 9 K's and 1 BB, 2 ER in 6 IP. It will be interesting to see how he fares in AA next year - if he continues to pitch well there, he's going to put himself on the radar for Blue Jay rotation possibilities.


Yes, Lundquist is looking great. Since the promotion to Dunedin, his BB rate has increased, his K rate has decreased, and his OPS has gone from .817 to 1.009. Great to see some of the less well known prospects like Logue and Lundquist doing so well. There have been a lot of good stories like that in the Jays' lower minors this year.


G. Moreno had another 2 hits tonight, and threw out another runner. He's 9 for 24 at nabbing base stealers, and hasn't made an error, although he does have 5 passed balls (15 games). He's almost duplicated Gurriel's multi-hit game streak, now with 10 out of 11 games with 2+ hits, and his OPS is up to 1.098.


As mentioned, M. Contreras is having quite a game, with a single, double, triple, steal, and an error, with 3 innings to go. He is 13 for his last 32 (.406) with 3 HR's. Canadian Tanner Kirwer is also having a good season for the C's, and is 1 for 3 with a walk in his 1st 4 trips tonight, and is batting .325. He's a bit old for this level, at 22.
hypobole - Sunday, July 29 2018 @ 11:14 AM EDT (#362643) #
Just checked FG and McGregory's .284 ISO is now tops among qualified batters, although 2nd overall pick Joey Bart doesn't have the PA's to qualify, but has a ridiculous .442 ISO.
hypobole - Sunday, July 29 2018 @ 11:29 AM EDT (#362645) #
Was this Jays mid-season prospect posted? It's almost a month old now, but some interesting insights from a guy who watches a lot of minor league games.


https://prospectstorm.com/2018/07/03/toronto-blue-jays-2018-mid-season-top-15-prospects/
bpoz - Monday, July 30 2018 @ 08:38 AM EDT (#362686) #
Quite nice, this new way of updating the action as it happens. Pardinho getting hit hard. Bo having a nice night. Etc ...
bpoz - Monday, July 30 2018 @ 08:44 AM EDT (#362687) #
19 Hr so far for K Smith.
bpoz - Monday, July 30 2018 @ 11:42 AM EDT (#362710) #
I really like C's Plus baseball. J Winckowski has a FB high at 95 mph. He has 3 pitches FB, Slider and Changeup. So he has a chance.

I can see Pardinho, Winckowski and Pondler forming a decent rotation for Lansing next year.
Marc Hulet - Monday, July 30 2018 @ 12:00 PM EDT (#362711) #
That Vancouver velo is based on the stadium gun, though, which runs hot 2-3 mph on average. I'm pretty sure he's still mostly 90-93 mph on a legit gun.
Nigel - Monday, July 30 2018 @ 12:26 PM EDT (#362712) #
I didn't see him last night, but when I saw him a few weeks ago, Mark's numbers are bang on. Having said that, the Nat Bailey gun is generally not hot unlike just about every other in-stadium gun that I have seen. Its actually funny watching visiting pitchers try and figure out why the in-stadium velocity readings are so low. You also have to differentiate between hitting 95 on a pitch or two versus where they sit for the majority of their pitches. Someone who sits 93-90 might hit 95 every once in a while (although, more likely, its the occasional bad read from the gun).
bpoz - Monday, July 30 2018 @ 12:30 PM EDT (#362714) #
Thanks Marc. So he is something like Max Castillo? Castillo has given up 6 of his 10 Hr this year in in the 4 games before his last start.
I have hopes that they both develop into low bb and low Hr pitchers. More hits and less Ks than IP may not be that bad.

We will see.
PeterG - Monday, July 30 2018 @ 12:31 PM EDT (#362715) #
re Lansing rotation: what about Wymer and Murray or do we think that they have a good shot at Dunedin?
85bluejay - Monday, July 30 2018 @ 12:34 PM EDT (#362716) #
Nigel, if you've seen them this year, is there any reason for optimism on Jesus Severino & Bryan Lizardo?
bpoz - Monday, July 30 2018 @ 01:02 PM EDT (#362719) #
To me it looks like the GCL Jays will not make the playoffs. Everyone else has a shot. But I don't know the playoff format for Buffalo.
Nigel - Monday, July 30 2018 @ 01:53 PM EDT (#362722) #
I have seen a lot of Lizardo over the past three years. First of all, three seasons in Vancouver is unheard of and essentially tells you what the organization thinks of him. He has long demonstrated an inability to hit. In his first two years he had actually managed to improve his defence at 3B to something close to acceptable but even that appears to have regressed this year. I don't see anything salvageable there. I thought that he would be released this past offseason and was surprised when they brought him back.

I have to withhold comment on Severino. I've only seen him play twice. He doesn't play every day, which I think tells you that the organization isn't that high on him.
bpoz - Monday, July 30 2018 @ 02:03 PM EDT (#362723) #
Good call Peter G on Wymer and Murray. I really cannot say about them. They are playing well. So maybe Dunedin. What about J Maese? Espada to Lansing?

I see Max Castillo in Dunedin so far.

I really like the rotations for AA and AAA.
bpoz - Monday, July 30 2018 @ 02:22 PM EDT (#362724) #
Does anyone want to take a shot at the Lansing position players for next year?

You got old players Cal Stevenson .327 Avg, 10-0 SB, 39bb 14K.


Then young compared to old in the GCL. Groshans, G Moreno and L Jimenez.


Bluefield has a lot of good players. I still have to figure out Vancouver.
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