Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Minor League Update: May 4

Another bottom-heavy day for the Jays' system. Toronto and Syracuse lose, New Hampshire is rained out, Dunedin wins, and Charleston sweeps a double-header. Winning percentages by level so far this year: .308 (MLB), .423 (AAA), .500 (AA), .577 (Hi-A), .833 (Lo-A).

Rochester 3 at Syracuse 1

boxscore

Ex-SkyChief Pete Munro beat the SkyChiefs for the second time this year, running Rochester's record in the season series to 6-2. Munro allowed only three singles and a walk in six innings while striking out five. Chris Baker was nearly as sharp, fanning seven in six innings, but allowed a two-spot in the second and another run in the fourth, which was more than enough for Rochester on this night. Talley Haines and Dave Maurer held the Red Wings hitless over the final three frames, but Syracuse couldn't mount a comeback against Rochester's bullpen. The SkyChiefs' only run came in the eighth, when Guillermo Quiroz doubled and scored on a single by Jorge Sequea.

Syracuse tallied just five hits on the night: singles by Russ Adams, Alex Rios, Jeff Guiel (brother of Jay-killer Aaron), and Sequea, and Quiroz's double. Rios also drew a walk, making him the only SkyChief to reach base twice. Shawn Fagan and Simon Pond each wore the sombrero. Baker walked two and gave up nine hits in his six innings of work.

Oh, and how could I forget Glenn Williams? He drew a rare walk, his second of the season (against 23 strikeouts).

Akron at New Hampshire, postponed by rain

St. Lucie 4 at Dunedin 6

boxscore

You know you're having a pretty good season when a brutal start means three runs in six innings. Josh Banks allowed a pair of solo home runs to St. Lucie's batsmen, tripling his career total. He also surrendered a double, three singles, and a walk in six innings while striking out only four. Coupled with Dustin McGowan's implosion on Sunday, Banks' hiccup might prompt Blue Jays management to leave the kids where they are for the next few weeks. Then again, it might not. After all, Banks still got the win, running his record to a cool 4-0, and though his ERA rose by nearly a full run, it's still only 1.29. Dunedin jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first but fell behind 3-2 in the sixth before taking the lead for good with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Ron Davenport led the way with a two-run homer. Vito Chiaravalloti chipped in a double and a triple, and Jayce Tingler and Miguel Negron each singled twice; Tingler also drew a walk, giving him eighteen on the year against five strikeouts. (Tingler is in many ways the anti-Glenn Williams). Jason Waugh singled and walked in four trips to the plate. Manny Mayorson was the only D-Jay to be held hitless. Andy Torres and Bubbie Buzachero pitched well in relief of Banks, although Buzachero gave up a solo homer in the ninth, his second home run allowed this season.

Lakewood 2-0 at Charleston 4-1

boxscore (Game 1)
boxscore (Game 2)

Two typical games for the Charleston pitching staff. In the opening match, Shaun Marcum fired six-innings of two-run ball, both runs coming on a two-run fifth-inning homer by Bryan Hansen. Lakewood led 2-0 at that point, but the AlleyCats tied the game in the bottom of the fifth and put up another two-spot in the sixth to win 4-2. Marcum fanned six against one walk. Brian Reed pitched the seventh for the save. The nightcap was the Romero show, as Davis (5 IP, 1 H, 4 K) and Felix (2 IP, 1 H, 5 K) combined on a two-hit shutout. Clint Johnston drove in Juan Peralta in the first for the game's only run. Peralta went 2 for 5 with two walks on the night. Johnston went 3 for 5 with a walk and a double, and David Smith went 3 for 6. Ryan Roberts had two singles in six trips to the plate. Mike Galloway had three PAs in the first game, each of which ended in a different one of the True Outcomes (walk, strikeout, home run); he skipped the nightcap.

Adding the numbers up, it's not hard to see why Charleston is 19-4. AlleyCat pitchers fanned sixteen in fourteen innings on the night while only walking one. Conversely, AlleyCat hitters fanned only nine times and drew eight free passes. Pitchers who throw strikes and hitters who take balls will win a lot of low-A ball games.

Links of the Day

Matt Michael has a game story in the Syracuse Post-Standard

OurSportsCentral.com reports that Bob File is joining the Syracuse SkyChiefs and Chad Hermansen has been placed on the disabled list.

Online radio broadcasts, as always, can be found through theminorsfirst.com

Today's Games

Scranton (PHI) at Syracuse (David Bush), 6:00 PM
Akron (CLE) at New Hampshire (Gustavo Chacin, Todd Ozias), 5:05 PM (doubleheader)
Dunedin (Francisco Rosario) at Daytona (CHC), 7:00 PM
Lakewood (PHI) at Charleston (Ramon Mora), 6:05 PM

Three-Star Selection!

When your affiliates win three of four games and you have two of your top pitching prospects going, you expect the competition for stars to be tight. In actual fact, no one really stood out from the crowd on this evening. I have a bias against giving stars to pitchers who allow home runs, and you can feel free to argue with my choices, but...

Our Third Star: Vito Chiaravalloti, Dunedin. Big Vito had been in a bit of a slump before sitting out Friday and Saturday's games, but he's 3 for 7 with a double, a triple, and a walk in his first two games back.
Our Second Star: Felix Romero, Charleston. It's easy to get overlooked when you're pitching out of the bullpen in Charleston for the third consecutive season, but Romero's five Ks in two innings on this night give him 30 in 18 innings on the season. Oh, and he picked up his eponymous teammate to complete a two-hit shutout.
Our First Star: Davis Romero, Charleston. One hit in five shutout innings. Enough said.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 01:08 AM EDT.

Minor League Update: May 4 | 52 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

_MatO - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 08:51 AM EDT (#67614) #

Davis Romero has now allowed 10 baserunners in 17 2/3 innings (6H,3W,1HB). He just turned 21. I don't think we've ever seen a scouting report on him other than he's a short lefty.

Mike Green - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 09:34 AM EDT (#67615) #

Great job with the updates, John (and Steve, Gerry and Jordan).

Marcum so far has 3 walks and 33 Ks in 34 innings. I'd say that he was ready for Dunedin.

_Jordan - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 09:47 AM EDT (#67616) #

Mat, Davis has been mentioned here a couple of times in the past, but I've not been able to find a full-scale scouting report on what he throws. From what I've heard, the ball just flies out of his hand, and his fastball is a lot harder than you'd think a man that size could hurl. "Short" doesn't begin to describe Romero, though: the Official Site has him listed at 5'10, 156 pounds. Romero is small -- even in an age when the bias against short pitchers is disappearing, that's small. And even though size isn't everything in baseball, it also isn't nothing: just as Jayce Tingler needs a minimal amount of power to succeed at higher levels, so too will Romero need a baseline amount of strength to blow his stuff past the quickest of bats.

All that said, he just turned 21 at the end of spring training, and he's added about 15 pounds in the last year or so, so there's every reason to think he'll continue to grow into his body and get some more giddyup on his stuff. In the meantime, I'll see if I can learn more about what he's throwing now. Incidentally, I'm very pleased to see that Davis was given a start last night; if the Jays can successfully turn him into a full-time starter, he becomes just that much more valuable.

Speaking of the Official Site: if anyone from the Jays' MLB Webpage is reading this, could we get the minor-league roster pages updated? Right now, the Charleston Alley-Cats evidently have ten players on their roster, while the Syracuse Skychiefs are carrying 39 guys, including an innovative 19-man pitching staff.

It's great to see Vito cranking out the extra-base hits again; it looks like his brief power outage was indeed injury-related. And it's great to see Juan Peralta reach base four times in an evening.

Winning percentages by level so far this year: .308 (MLB), .423 (AAA), .500 (AA), .577 (Hi-A), .833 (Lo-A).

LOL, John. At this rate, Pulaski's not going to lose a single game this year. :-)

Mike Green - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 10:33 AM EDT (#67617) #

http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/guidrro01.shtml
Jordan, this was Davis' second start of the season. The Alley-Cats are using him as the 6th starter for doubleheaders. COMN for Davis' target major leaguer. Heck, you've got to aim for something.

_Jordan - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 10:42 AM EDT (#67618) #

Mike, you're quite right; I had overlooked that previous start. Considering how well he's done in that role, it would be nice if the Jays could give him some more starting opportunities. Then again, who would he replace in the rotation right now? Embarrassments of riches can be a problem sometimes....

Mike Green - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 11:45 AM EDT (#67619) #

Hmmm, well you could promote Neomar Flores to AA and Shaun Marcum to Dunedin. Or you could move Rosario to the bullpen until he's able to throw more than 3 innings, and promote Andy Torres from the Dunedin pen to the New Hampshire pen and promote Marcum to Dunedin. Decision, decisions. Will that be jelly beans or ju-jubes?

I'm quite sure that Dickie Scott will have it all figured out, and moves will be made by May 15.

_JohnnyS99 - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 11:46 AM EDT (#67620) #

Why is Felix Romero still at Charleston? And why is Andre Torres still in Dunedin after impressing last year? Doesnt make sense to me. Torres needs to be tested in AA.

_Steve Z - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 01:35 PM EDT (#67621) #

Then again, who would he replace in the rotation right now?

Danny Core might want to put together a string of first-star outings right about now! The fact that he was an early-round draft pick (by JP and Co.) last year means, rightly or wrongly, he'll get a longer look.

---

Here are a few additional links:

1. Zach Chalifour, RotoTimes, has a short summary of rising prospect Josh Banks.

2. Allen Lessels, Union-Leader, has some news and notes from New Hampshire, including the following Mike Snyder injury update:

...first baseman Michael Snyder, out of the lineup since April 26, is due to have his right wrist examined today, the manager said. Snyder reportedly strained his wrist while high-fiving first base coach Jim Bowie after hitting a two-run, eighth-inning, home run at Akron last Monday. �They wanted to immobilize it for five days,� Basso said...

No comment!

3. Michael Dailey, Daily-Mail (I kid you not) has the story of 20-4 Charleston's homefield advantage. See, if they can build a home edge (with only 605 attendees) at terrifying Walt Powell Park, the Jays can surely do the same at the Dome. Can you think of any innovative ways to bring a little bit of the Walt Powell "magic" to 1 Blue Jay Way?

4. University of North Dakota record-breaking pitcher JJ Scheving was scouted on the weekend by the Jays. The 2004 Entry Draft is only a month away!!

5. As John pointed out, today's games can be heard live. In fact, for the first time this year every game has an audio link, including a highly anticipated duel between Francisco Rosario and Andy Sisco, 7:00, in Daytona. (Remember what happened though, the last time I hyped a highly anticipated prospect matchup?!)

_Steve Z - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 01:38 PM EDT (#67622) #

Further to #5, we need to establish a system whereby at least one Bauxite listens to each minor league game, giving us the updates! It might get more interesting that watching the parent club (or Leafs game) tonight! Any takers???

Mike Green - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 01:55 PM EDT (#67623) #

Steve, I'll listen to bits and pieces of the Syracuse game tonight. When the short-season starts, you can count me to listen to quite a few Auburn games. I really enjoy the broadcast crew there.

Mike Green - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 01:57 PM EDT (#67624) #

Mike Snyder injured his wrist while high-fiving a coach after a home run? Obviously a new set of drills is required in camp!! Keep those wrists straight- pretend it's a tennis ball and your hand is the racquet...

_Steve Z - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 02:01 PM EDT (#67625) #

Watt Powell Park! Have I been misspelling it the whole time?!

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 02:01 PM EDT (#67626) #

Steve,

That's a great idea! I'll volunteer to fill in for any game needed as long as it doesn't conflict with a Blue Jays game (I can't give up on them, ever, and every game is a new chapter)

_Steve Z - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 04:43 PM EDT (#67627) #

Alright, then Mike Green's on for the Chiefs game (David Bush, 6:00) and Robert, you can report on the Rosario/Sisco 7:00 matchup. All we need is a volunteer for the Charleston game (Mastny; 6:00), and a couple for New Hampshire's double dip (Chacin, Ozias; 5:00), and then it's all system's go!

_JohnnyS99 - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 04:45 PM EDT (#67628) #

University of North Dakota record-breaking pitcher JJ Scheving was scouted on the weekend by the Jays. The 2004 Entry Draft is only a month away!!

This guy should be obtainable, I dont think he is ranked by Baseball America, and he is a senoir in a NCAA Divison II

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 05:35 PM EDT (#67629) #

I can't do the Dunedin game because the Jays are on (see above), but I'll try to keep one ear on that game.

Mike Green - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 06:07 PM EDT (#67630) #

The connection for the Syracuse game isn't working, so I'm tuning into the NH game. The Fisher Cats are in the midst of their biggest rally of the season.

_Sneeps - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 06:23 PM EDT (#67631) #

Syracuse doesn't play tonight.

_goatboy - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 06:23 PM EDT (#67632) #

No Skychiefs baseball today, it's a scheduled day off

Mike Green - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 06:29 PM EDT (#67633) #

No wonder the Syracuse connection isn't working. The Sky Chiefs are off tonight. Bush goes tomorrow.

Fisher Cats are ahead 4-3 after 3 and 1/2. Godwin has tripled and doubled to lead the offence. The wind is blowing out a gale to right as it was on Sunday. Gustavo Chacin seems to have good stuff today, but he's been victimized by a wind-aided homer and ground-rule double.

Mike Green - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 06:30 PM EDT (#67634) #

Incidentally, Ryan Houston gets the start in the 2nd game of the double dip for the Fisher Cats.

Coach - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 06:31 PM EDT (#67635) #

The Jays have acquired Stubby Clapp from the Cleveland Indians for the famous PTBNL or cash considerations. Clapp, who will probably be on Team Canada at the Olympics, had been on the AAA Buffalo Bisons roster, but hadn't seen any action there. He'll now report to AA New Hampshire, as Mike Snyder was placed on the DL with his high-five injury. It may even be one of those cases where he was already in Manchester with the Akron club and simply changes clubhouses in time for tonight's doubleheader.

Mike Green - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 06:39 PM EDT (#67636) #

Interesting stat reported by the Fisher Cat radio crew: JFG is 1-16 with 11 strikeouts against lefties for the season.

_goatboy - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 06:57 PM EDT (#67637) #

I can just imagine the public address announcer going " now batting
Stubby Clapp"

Coach - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 07:12 PM EDT (#67638) #

I had to look him up on the Baseball Cube to recall Stubby's given name -- it's Richard. The Windsor native got a big league cup of espresso with the Cardinals in 2001, going 5-for-25 in the Show. At 31, he's a AAA journeyman who can help the youthful Fisher Cats and should be a big part of the national team in August.

_goatboy - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 07:23 PM EDT (#67639) #

Thanks Coach, the guys got a great baseball name have you heard that
he is headed to New Hampshire, lord knows they can use any offense they can get.

_goatboy - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 07:37 PM EDT (#67640) #

Wow Rosario's out of the game in just the first inning. He gave up
a couple of unearned runs, Dunedin making 2 errors already, he
also waked 3, but Rick Langfords just come out and pulled Rosario.
Some things got to wrong with Rosario to be take out this early

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 07:39 PM EDT (#67641) #

Dunedin Report:

The Baby Jays jump on top 1-0 after sparkplug Jayce Tingler is hit by a pitch, advances to second on a balk and hustles in to score on a 2-out throwing error by the shortstop.

Daytona has answered back with 2 runs so far in the bottom of the first. Two batters reached on errors (first and third basemen), prolonging the inning. Rosario walked three batters, two after the second error. Rosario faced 7 batters, walked three, struck out none, allowed a stolen base and gave up NO HITS.

He was yanked and Vermilyea came in and got the final out on a line out to the 2B on a full-count pitch.

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 07:50 PM EDT (#67642) #

No runs for the bottom of the order; Scott Dragicevich reached on a single. Going to the bottom of the 2nd, 2-1 Daytona.

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 07:54 PM EDT (#67643) #

Bottom 2nd: Vermilyea induced a grounder to 2nd base, allowed a bloop single, a sac bunt, and then picked the runner off second base for a relatively easy inning.

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 07:59 PM EDT (#67644) #

Baby Jays go quietly in the third. Tingler hit a soft liner to second; Cota struck out swinging on a curveball; Davenport grounded out 4-3.

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 08:06 PM EDT (#67645) #

Vermilyea works an effective 3rd, getting his first strikeout and retiring the other batters on a lineout to second and a flyball to centre. He's faced 7 batters, given up 1 hit, struck out 1, picked off 1.

Mike Green - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 08:08 PM EDT (#67646) #

I left the NH game at the same time as Chacin with 2 outs in the 6th. He was strong to the end, and ended up with 1 walk (on a 3-2 pitch to Franklyn Gutierrez who had fouled off a couple) and 4 strikeouts. He worked ahead on the count constantly, and missed a lot of bats, with both fastball and curve. By the way, Mike Murphy is a fine announcer, in the Denny Matthews vein (dry, all the details you need to know even if you've missed an inning or two).

The Fisher Cats rallied for 4 more in the bottom of the 6th and won 8-5.

_goatboy - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 08:09 PM EDT (#67647) #

Stubby Clapp is in New Hampshire already and is starting the second
game of todays double header at second base, Dominic Rich getting the second game off

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 08:12 PM EDT (#67648) #

Vito leads off the 4th with a chopping infield hit over the pitcher's head. Negron was caught looking on a curveball. Jason Waugh rolls into a 6-4-3 double play.

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 08:18 PM EDT (#67649) #

Bottom of the 4th. Vermilyea allows a groundball single and gets three groundball outs.

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 08:28 PM EDT (#67650) #

Top of the 5th: Dragicevich leads off with a walk. A high pop fly to LF follows. Mayorsan strikes out looking for opposing pitcher Rich Hill's 5th K. Tingler grounds to second to end the inning. Still 2-1 Daytona.

_Evair Montenegr - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 08:34 PM EDT (#67651) #

COMN to see an article (in spanish about Romero) it is from two years ago and in it says that he throws a 93 MPH fastball but it didn�t says anithing about others pitches.

Mike Green - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 08:40 PM EDT (#67652) #

In the second game, Akron scored in the top of the 1st, but the Fisher Cats loaded the bases on a single by Godwin and walks to Solano and Hill. JFG had a long sacrifice fly, and now Logan grounds out, so it's 1-1 after 1.

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 08:51 PM EDT (#67653) #

Bottom of the 5th:

Vermilyea allowed a single and a double, but erased the first on a groundball double play. He struck out his second batter to end the inning.

His line: 4.1 IP, 4 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 2 K, 15 BF, 1 GIDP, 1 pickoff, 1 sac hit against.

TOP 6th:

The heart of the order went quietly - Vito reached on a HBP, but Negron lined hard to the shortstop to end the inning.

BOTTOM 6th:

Baby Jays pitcher Santo Valdez struck out two batters swinging and got a grounder to 2nd from another to end the frame.

Top 7th:

Ex-Jays farmhand Chris Mowday in to pitch for Daytona.

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 09:04 PM EDT (#67654) #

Top of 7th:

Waugh hits a hot shot to the third baseman, who makes the play. Dragicevich and Snyder walk on several close pitches. The Dayton manager is tossed for arguing balls and strikes. A wildpitch advances Dragicevich to third; he then scores on Mayorsan's bloop single. Tingler moves the runner up with a hard grounder to first base, but Cota strikes out on a changeup to end the inning. Tied 2-2.

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 09:28 PM EDT (#67655) #

Bottom 7th:

Valdez was let down by his defence. A leadoff single went to third on an errant pick off throw. A grounder to third failed to score the runner, but a drippler to first base did, as Davenport bobbled it and the batter reached. After a ground single up the middle, Valdez closed the inning out with a shallow fly to right and a foul pop caught by the third-baseman.

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 09:32 PM EDT (#67656) #

Top 8th:

Defensive goat Ron Davenport grounded out 6 to 3 to start the inning. Vito lined a single to left (now 2 for 3 with HBP). Negron hit into a force out. Waugh singled and Dragicevich walked (now 1 for 1, three walks) to load the bases. Snyder fought off several pitches and flared a 2-run single to left, to give the Baby Jays a 4-3 lead. Mayorsan grounded to the pitcher to end the threat.

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 09:36 PM EDT (#67657) #

Bottom 8th;

Ozuna in to pitch for Dunedin. The first batter attempts a bunt and pops up to the catcher. Next up - tough chopper to third, Dragicevich makes a very nice play to retire the batter. A flyout to leftfielder Jayce Tingler ends the inning. 4-3 Jays.

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 09:48 PM EDT (#67658) #

Top 9th:

Mowday only pitched the 7th; Nick Martin worked the 8th and Thomas Atlee starts the 9th for Daytona.

Tingler ground to first to lead off the frame. Cota, who has struck out in all 4 PAs tonight, grounds out in his fifth. Davenport singles. Vito up - c'mon Vito hit a gapper - he hits it to right for another single, Davenport moves to third. Negron liner to centre, Davenport scores to make it 5-3 Jays. Waugh strikes out to end it.

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 09:51 PM EDT (#67659) #

Bottom 9th:

Robert Nunley in to close the deal.

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 09:52 PM EDT (#67660) #

Bottom 9th:

The broadcaster said Robert, baseball America lists him as Derrek Nunley.

robertdudek - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 10:02 PM EDT (#67661) #

Nunley worked inside the whole inning. He managed to hit two batters getting two on a groundout and pop out. With 2 on and 2 out, he nearly plunked another before ringing him up for a called third strike to end the ball game.

Final score - Dunedin 5, Daytona 3

Star of the game: Scott Dragicevich - a hit, 3 walks and several nice defensive plays on a night with few hard hit balls.

_goatboy - Tuesday, May 04 2004 @ 10:07 PM EDT (#67662) #

Thanks for the updates Robert

Craig B - Wednesday, May 05 2004 @ 09:38 AM EDT (#67663) #

Robert, that was awesome!

_Jordan - Wednesday, May 05 2004 @ 10:48 AM EDT (#67664) #

Agreed -- Robert, thanks very much for the play-by-play! I'd encourage anyone else who'd like to contribute by way of radio transcripts to do so on the minor-league threads. If I had a sound card on my system, I'd be right there too.

Gerry - Wednesday, May 05 2004 @ 11:21 AM EDT (#67665) #

Dustin McGowan will be staying at New Hampshire for a couple of more starts. The Jays would like to see two consistent starts before he gets promoted.

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