Rough night in the minors as only New Hampshire was able to pull out a win. Dunedin was rained out. At least Aaron Hill and Gabe Gross had decent nights.

From 1998-1999, Jose Lima went 37-18 with a 3.65 ERA for the Astrodome-based Astros. Since then, he's gone 29-38 and hasn't had an ERA below four and a half (usually way, way above) till this year's limited action. He's living proof that the label "20-game winner" just doesn't have the, shall we say, cachet it once did. He's also 0-1 in one lifetime Skydome start with a 13.50 ERA. All of which to say, despite his 8 innings of shutout ball against Arizona late last month, this is a game that the Blue Jays and Miguel Batista should approach with confidence. Slugging Howie Clark again plays first base; Josh Phelps again sits. Today's question: should Phelps be playing his way out of his funk, or is he simply playing himself deeper into it? What's up with Josh Phelps?

Dick Scott, the Blue Jays Farm Director, has a busy week ahead of him. He has to assign all the new draftees to their short season minor league teams. He also has a group of players in extended spring training who need a team. Players in EST include John Wesley, Jermy Acey, Amos Day, maybe Chris Leonard, DJ Hanson, and of course James Pidutti.

J.P. and company threw us a few curves yesterday, especially with the selections of Curtis Thigpen, Adam Lind and Donnie Hill with their 2nd and 3rd round picks. All three were relatively unheralded by both scouts and the statistically inclined.

Most of the players chosen in day two will not be signed. The clubs will take highschoolers who will end up going to a 4-year college program(me) or to junior college as possible draft-and-follows, or college prospects who will return for their senior year in the hopes of improving their draft position.

I see another hurdle approaching.
Say we can, say we will,
Not just another drop in the ocean.

This is just a thread to discuss Cheer Club plans for the LA and Arizona homestand. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make any games this series, but someone will surely step up to lead this little group of wilful men.

On the eve of the big club drafting 18 more Major League hopefuls, the boys already on the farm got it done with three wins in four tries.

I lie in wait with open eyes
I carry on thru' stormy skies

Folks, I'm sorry to do this twice in such short order, but real life again precludes a full Advance Scout (and I had some good stuff this week!) I'll try and supplement it and/or re-post it this week. In the meantime, here are the pitching probables and lineups for the Jays' first interleague series of the season.

Stay tuned Friday for a pinch-hit Scout from the lovely and talented Robert Dudek.

Here's a clean thread to discuss the flurry of picks that are almost upon us. I feel like I'm in a great restaurant after I've ordered, just waiting for the food to come.

The Blue Jays first round selection is David Purcey, LHP, Oklahoma University

Thanks to my front-running Toronto Walrus coming abruptly back to the pack the last couple of weeks, there are now eight teams within 10 games of first place in the BBFL Alomar division. Actually, my Delgado-less, Wagner-less club wasn't so bad this week; Scott's Austin Senators were simply better. The 8-2 final could have been worse — it was 11-1 for a while — so I'm grateful for "halving" two categories.

AGF, after trailing the SABR Magicians most of the week, pulled out a 6-6 tie on Sunday and is now looming large in my rear-view mirror, a mere two games back. The Eastern Shore Birds are third, only 4.5 games off the lead, after defeating the Thunderbirds 7-5. With a 12-0 whitewash of the melting-down Springfield Isotopes, the Moscow Rats made by far the biggest move of the week, from ninth to fourth. Red Mosquitos beat hannibal's cannibals 7-2 and are now tied for fifth with Mebion Glyndwr, who won a 7-5 decision over gashouse gorillas. Six more teams are within just four games of the final spot in the championship playoff bracket.

Syracuse had a big finish and David Bush had his second straight strong start.

No thank you or please no regard for the time
We never cry we never retreat
We have no conception of love or defeat

Tim Hudson threw a complete game against the Jays patchwork lineup yesterday afternoon in the Jays 4-0 loss to Oakland.