A few weeks ago I talked about it still being early when looking at stats. The affiliates have now played around 30 games and while its not early any more its also not far enough into the season to be definitive about stats lines. However, a few players have been so consistent that it does look like they are taking the next step. I am speaking of Max Pentecost, Danny Jansen, Bo Bichette and Vlad Guerrero. They have hit in most games with rarely a let down. Other hitters who started hot like Dwight Smith and Anthony Alford have had down periods where you wonder will the hot or not lead the way.

Two wins and two rain delays down on the farm (Thursday night). Connor Panas hot a walk off homer and the Fisher Cats overcame a rough Sean Reid-Foley start.

The Blue Jays visit their 14th favourite American League ballpark for the Cinco de Mayo weekend - Tropicana Field.

Casey Lawrence is back in AAA and he pitched five good innings. Lawrence's start helped Buffalo split a double header. New Hampshire lost, again. Dunedin's hot bats were cooled off while the Lugnuts participated in another slugfest.

The affiliates won just one of three on Tuesday. Buffalo's game against Rochester was rained out. They will play two today at Coca-Cola Field.

A good start to the month of May on the farm as both affiliates put one in the win column. Buffalo and Lansing had the night off.

The Blue Jays are in New York to play the Yankees for the first time in 2017.


Image from Canada.com.

Pitcher development does not move in a straight line. When a pitcher dominates start after start it could be time to think of a promotion but when a pitcher is new to a level, or trying to learn something new, progress is uneven. It was that way for several prospect pitchers over the weekend. Meanwhile, the hitters keep on hitting. For those of you who took a break from the minors over the weekend Vladimir Guerrero tweaked his knee in a run down on Friday. It is not thought to be serious but he has not played since.

The Jays limp home looking for their first back to back wins of the season. I am sure they would settle for winning two of three in this series without winning back to back. The bats are a little better than they were but not firing on all cylinders. The pitching is hit and miss, now its the bullpen that's coughing up games. This is the last weekend of April, May arrives on Monday. Slow April's can be recovered from, but the team needs to get off to a good May start and they can get ready for that by playing well against the Rays.

After yesterday’s debacle some good news from down on the farm. The affiliates were 3-1 highlighted by a come from behind victory down in High A.

Only one win in six games for the affiliates. Some of the hot hitters are cooling off and batting averages are returning to normal levels. The affiliates defense was poor on Wednesday. Each of Jon Harris, Francisco Rios and TJ Zeuch were not helped by their defense and had unearned runs allowed. The error rolls for Wednesday included Anthony Alford, Cavan Biggio, Bo Bichette, Tim Lopes, Brad Jones, Ryan Hissey and Emilio Guerrero.

Another .500 night on the farm with Dunedin getting into the win column. Buffalo's doubleheader in Norfolk and New Hampshire's home date against Trenton were washed out.

The Blue Jays visit the St. Louis Cardinals in their first interleague road series of 2017.

New Hampshire lost a one-run game. Lansing won big.

Four wins on Sunday made for a good day on the farm. The affiliates at this stage of the season have played between 15 and 18 games. Some of the hitters have gaudy numbers, when can we say it's for real and not just a hot streak? At the end of April, 20-25 games in, a hitter could still be on a hot streak. A hitter could have a weakness and it might not be until the second time though the league that the weakness gets exploited. If April is still a small sample size, what about May? A hot streak that extends until the end of May is good and probably 80% to 90% for real. There have been hitters who had a big first half and tailed off in the second half. It doesn't happen too often but it can. To me a streak that goes to mid-June is getting to 95% real. It could earn the hitter a mid-season promotion.

Pitcher evaluation can happen a little bit faster, the one game sample size is bigger and opposing teams can adjust mid game. A pitcher who stays hot through the end of May is real for me.