Brad Emaus hasn't been up at Las Vegas very long, but he seems to have figured AAA out already. Meanwhile, another Brad contributed to a victory in Dunedin on a night when two of the affiliates were resting.

Draft day is here.  This years first round draft choices appear to be the most uncertain in several years.  A few years ago, Jim Callis of Baseball America was able to predict the first thirteen or so picks of the first round.  This year the picks, once you get past the top three, are a guessing game.  The talent level for picks from 4 to 40 is supposed to be very even, which should help the Jays.  This year they have seen the top players ten or more times instead of three times.  They should have more information than other teams and so should be able to make more educated selections.  The fun begins at 7:00.  There will be 50 players drafted tonight.  The Jays will select four of them at 11; 34, 38; and 41.  We will update this thread with the picks as they happen.

UPDATE:  Shocker!  Washington selects the former artist known as catcher Bryce Harper, outfielder Bryce Harper of the College of Southern Nevada first overall.

1. Washington - Bryce Harper, OF, College of Southern Nevada.
2. Pittsburgh - Jameson Taillon, RHP, Woodlands HS, Texas.
3. Baltimore - Manny Machado, SS, Brito Harper HS, Florida.
4. Kansas City - Christian Colon, SS, Cal State Fullerton.
5. Cleveland - Drew Pomeranz, LHP, Mississippi.
6. Arizona - Barret Loux, RHP, Texas A&M.
7. New York Mets - Matt Harvey, RHP, North Carolina.
8. Houston - Delino DeShields, Jr., OF, Woodward Academy, Georgia.
9. San Diego - Karsten Whitson, RHP, Chipley HS, Florida.
10. Oakland - Michael Choice, OF, Texas-Arlington.

A strong start by Henderson Alvarez and some listless D-Jays bats were some notable events on a 3-1 Sunday.

The first round of the draft is Monday night.  The Jays choice is still a matter of intense speculation.  The picks in front of the Jays appear to be up in the air and the Jays don't know who will be left when their first pick comes around.

New Hampshire had a big come from behind win against league leading Altoona with Adam Loewen and Shawn Bowman leading the hitters.  Kyle Drabek had an odd start with lots of walks and strikeouts.  Dunedin won in extra innings while Lansing lost a rain shortened affair.  Las Vegas lost as Tacoma hit a grand slam off Brad Mills.

Friday night was a fun night at the ballpark for Blue Jay fans.  The Yankee fans in the house, and there were a lot of them, didn't have much to cheer about.  Jose Bautista was Da Man and Brett Cecil was outstanding too.

Some of you may have heard that Mike Wilner, the Fan 590 pre and post-game host, has been given the weekend off by Rogers who own both the Fan 590 and the Jays.  If you remember the Jays lost a tough game against the Rays on Tuesday and on Wednesday Wilner asked Cito about his bullpen strategy in that game.  Either Cito or the Jays, or both, didn't appreciate the conversation and so Mike was a few days off to reconsider his interfacing with the manager. 

It's an abbreviated "I was at the Jays game last night" version of the minor league update.  Dunedin were the only winners Friday paced by a 15 hit attack.  Lansing also had 15 hits but came out on the losing end.  Las Vegas and New Hampshire scored just one run each.

Marc Rzepczynski made his best rehab start of the year last night, and two of the affiliates won last night. I won't tell you which ones though! Unless, you know, you read the article where we list the scores and describe what happened in the games.

The video tour of the Lansing roster continues with three starting pitchers.  Ryan Shopshire and Dave Sever started on Saturday and Sunday during my trip to Lansing.  I caught Ryan Tepera throwing a side session in the bullpen.

Lansing defeated Cedar Rapids by a couple of runs and Dunedin’s ninth-inning comeback fell a run short. However, the real action on the evening came in Pennsylvania, where Zach Stewart faced off against Phillipe Aumont and 20 runs were scored in the game.

The Jays lose as Tampa Bay again rallied in the late Innings to win 7-3.

Ken Griffey Jr. is retiring? Impossible!

The greatest second-generation player in the history of the Great Game -- but only the second-greatest player born in tiny Donora, Penn. -- has apparently decided to call it quits.

Once considered the inevitable successor to Hank Aaron, The Kid "stalled" at 630 dingers. Anyone ever see him play live? Share your memories, live or otherwise, of Ken Griffey Jr. here on Da Box.

Thanks for 22 wonderful seasons, Junior.

The teams that mustered more than four runs were winners Tuesday night.  One of them came close to nailing an impersonation of the big league club's come from ahead loss.

The Jays start the third month of the season with the 5th best record in baseball, bested only by the Rays, Yanks, Twins and Padres.