It was exciting day on the farm as the affiliates went 4-1 and won a couple of close games.

Okay, we've got the junior-high pun out of the way. Yes, I headlined this feature in a way that invites frivilous, juvenile humor. But that's only because none of the four men surnamed "Cassidy" who have played in the major leagues (including 2002 Blue Jay righty reliever Scott) have gone by "Butch."

Perhaps most surprising Butch-related factoid of all is that none of the 26 men who played big league ball bearing that nickname are currently active. And that's not likely to change any time soon, as none of the nearly 40 minor leaguers to have that appellation are active either, though two were briefly in 2009

Some other notes that will affect our roster-building ...

There wasn’t much to write about on the farm last night, as there was a rainout and two blowout losses. The only bright spot came in Florida, where Dunedin won in extra innings with a 17-hit effort after tying the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Jay's lose in the 10th.

For the last couple of miles you've been swerving from side to side.

It was almost a perfect night for the Jays organization as only one affiliate failed to get in the win column.

I hope this review makes up for the couple of months I missed there.

is playing the Royals.

All four minor-league teams won on Monday, though a Dunedin double-header loss prevented the farm from having a perfect night.

Today we feature some of the catchers in the lower levels of the organization. 

It is generally my firm conviction that when your team needs to establish something positive, there is simply nothing quite like seeing the Kansas City Royals on the schedule.

Watch that come back to bite me....

A fairly tame day on the farm but a 25 year-old continued an incredible start to his season.

Two excellent pitching performances and some excellent hitting helped Dunedin and Lansing to wins.  New Hampshire won despite a weak start by Bobby Bell while Las Vegas were fogged out.  Henderson Alvarez gave up one run over seven innings while Ryan Tepera did better, shutting down Bowling Green over seven innings with only three hits allowed.  On the hitting side Mark Sobolewski and Tyler Pastornicky were the stars, neither of them made on out on Saturday.  Pitchers have perfect games, hitters don't but these two had perfect Saturday's.  Eric Thames, David Cooper, Tim Collins, Daniel Perales, Travis D'Arnaud and Bradley Glenn also played well.

Ubaldo Jimenez just threw a no-hitter at a pretty good Braves line-up. As a young pitcher with a crazy motion, I'm sure some Rockies fans will be wringing their hands at the 128 pitches he needed to overcome 6 walks, but for the moment I'm sure everyone is just enjoying the moment.

So, did anyone watch the game?

Colorado Springs is one of the toughest parks for a pitcher, the elevation is over 6000 feet and the thin and dry air doesn't help breaking balls move as much as at sea level.  Think Denver with another 800 feet added on.  But Brett Cecil did fine Friday, pitching six innings and only giving up one earned run.  JP Arencibia provided the early offense with a run and two RBI's.  Brett Wallace and Brian Dopirak went back to back in the ninth to cap the win.

The other three teams were not as fortunate.  Travis D'Arnaud went deep again and Tyler Pastornicky appears to back in the groove.  Adam Loewen got his first home run of the season.  Randy Boone pitched well in relief.  Chad Jenkins improved on his first start ut didn't dominate.  Read all about it below.