Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Minor League Playoff Update: September 8

Minor League Playoff Update: September 8

Charleston and New Hampshire had the day off, Frances made Dunedin wait another day and the Doubledays made another early exit.

New Hampshire vs. Binghamton -Game 1 starts tonight

Gustavo Chacin takes on Binghamton at home tonight for a 6:05 start. Brandon League will start game 2, Chris Baker goes in round 3. Frankie Rosario will start game 4 if necessary. Don't miss Craig Liadis' playoff preview in the Union Leader.

Dunedin vs. Tampa - Game 1 postponed

Hurricane Frances held the Florida State League idle for another day. Ismael Ramirez will get the start tonight if the game goes ahead. Neither team has seen action since last Thursday.

Charleston vs. Hickory - Game 1 starts tonight

If the weather holds out in Hickory, "Nasty" Mastny should get the start tonight. Jeff Rider has the playoff preview at the Charleston Gazette.

Mahoning Valley 7, Auburn 3 - Auburn loses series 2-0

Auburn's team on paper was very much a reversal from last year. Instead of great pitching, it was built on an explosive offense. In the end, however, it made no difference. They still had the best record in the league. They still stumbled at the end of the season. They were still eliminated in the very early stages of the playoffs .

Zach Jackson got the start even though he'd only had 4 starts as a pro and hadn't pitched particularly well in any of them. The decision proved costly for the Doubleday playoff hopes as he would struggle to go deep into the game. Jackson escaped the first inning unscathed despite 2 errors from his middle infielders. MV would open the scoring with 3 singles and a run scored off Jackson in the second. Auburn would respond with two runs in the 3rd inning highlighted by an RBI double by Ryan Klosterman.

Jackson breezed through the 3rd but would tire as MV scrapped their way to 4 more runs. Joey McLaughlin came on to retire the final two outs of the inning as well as pitched a shutout fifth inning. But the reliever gave up 2 unearned runs when asked to pitch the sixth. Brian Hall hit a solo homerun in the eigth but it was too little, too late as the Auburn Doubledays were again booted out of the playoffs much earlier than would be expected of the best team in the league.

Box score
Game story

Posted by Ryan01 on Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 11:17 AM EDT.

Minor League Playoff Update: September 8 | 71 comments | Create New Account

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

Pistol - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 11:27 AM EDT (#36166) #

This crap doesn't work in the NY-P playoffs.

Gerry - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 11:41 AM EDT (#36167) #

Auburn started very strong but they have been an average team over the last few weeks. Their offense in particular did not sustain their early momentum.

_Marc - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 11:47 AM EDT (#36168) #

The early elimination the last two years seems to be related to fatigue. Almost all the players are in their first year of pro ball, after playing college ball too, and Auburn has been playing most of the players every day. It seems like they are more interested in winning as many games during the regular season, than winning in the playoffs. If they really wanted to win the playoffs they would A) rest their regulars more often, and B) not have started Purcey and Jackson.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 11:58 AM EDT (#36169) #

Congratulations to the D-Days on a fine regular season, and tough luck on the early exit. I don't see why they would be any more fatigued than the opposition, Marc, or why last year's elimination has the slightest thing to do with this year's. While it's more meaningful than, say, a coin toss or a one game playoff, a best-of-three certainly doesn't "prove" much about the teams involved. The important thing is, there was a lot of great talent in Auburn again, whether they have a trophy to show for it or not.

The same applies to the other three clubs still in action. It's far more significant to be consistent over the five-month endurance test than it is to get hot (or go cold) for a few days in September. Winning any tournament is great, and I hope that the A and AA players get to spray some champagne, but they have already been extremely successful and should treat the playoffs as a celebration, not the defining aspect of the season.

Even with that perspective, the higher up the organizational ladder, the more excited I am about the results. I'd be disappointed if the Fisher Cats lost in the first round, because they have already demonstrated that they "own" Binghampton in big games. But those are good clubs in Altoona and Erie, so (if I may be forgiven the baseball "sin" of looking ahead) there are no guarantees in the final.

_MatO - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 12:17 PM EDT (#36170) #

From a winning perspective and a development perspective there was no reason not to start Purcey. He was pulled due to a pitch count while pitching a perfect game in his last start prior to the playoffs. He was terrific again in his playoff start. Jackson on the other hand had struggled. The offense was certainly hurt by Thigpen's late season injury.

Mike Green - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 12:50 PM EDT (#36171) #

It is certainly disappointing that the great 2002-04 Auburn clubs are a combined 1-6 in playoff action. There were a couple of managerial decisions during these playoff series that I did disagree with (Banks being held back last year, for one, and the decision to continue with Jayson Rodriguez for two innings in Game one this year, for another), but this is a minor aspect of the whole picture. The teams have been great, and have produced a number of players who we will be talking about for years.

I have no doubt that starting Purcey was the correct decision. He was the best pitcher on the club.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 07:37 PM EDT (#36172) #

There's a rain delay in Manchester, and it's not certain that they will get the game in tonight. MLB games have been postponed in New York and Pittsburgh, and there's a delay in Detroit.

Can anyone find Internet radio coverage of the FSL or SAL games?

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 07:41 PM EDT (#36173) #

http://www.fishercatsradio.com/search.htm
The Fisher Cats are at least going to start, after a 1:34 delay. COMN for the broadcast link, with Mike Murphy and Bob Lipman calling the action. Not sure I can provide play-by-play and watch hockey at the same time, but I'll try to fill in the highlights.

It's Chacin against the 19-year-old phenom Petit, who spent most of the year in A-ball.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 07:43 PM EDT (#36174) #

Gus has a reverse split; righties are hitting just .196 off him, lefties do better at .279, but the Binghampton lineup is by the book, mostly RH batters. Three up, three down in the top of the first, good guys coming to bat.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 07:55 PM EDT (#36175) #

RH Yusmeiro Petit was 1-1 in his only two EL starts, whiffing 10 in one of them. In the other, he walked five and fanned six, so draw your own conclusions. He was 9-2, 2.39 in Low-A, striking out 122 in 83 innings while allowing just 22 walks and 47 hits. Quite the body for a teenager; 6'0" and 230 (!) pounds.

Godwin struck out, Rich got a 1-out, broken-bat bloop single, then Hill had a couple of loud foul balls before striking out. Griffin flied out, so it's scoreless after one. Not a very big crowd; only the "die-hard fans" have braved the weather, according to Murph.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 08:00 PM EDT (#36176) #

Chacin, who struck out two in the first inning, needed just three pitchers to fan the cleanup hitter leading off the second. He is absolutely pounding the strike zone, getting ahead of everyone, and works so fast the batters are stepping out a lot, trying to disrupt his rhythm.

He strikes out the side! That's five of the first six hitters. Wow.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 08:08 PM EDT (#36177) #

Windy and wet, light rain falling. Hattig is late on the fastball, checks his swing to fall behind 0-2, swings and misses and is gone. Both Venezuelans are dealing some nasty stuff.

Jova rips one down the line, just foul, hardest hit ball so far by either team. Then he strikes out swinging. So does Singleton, and we're scoreless through two, with 10 of the 13 batters striking out and just one baserunner. Now that's a pitcher's duel!

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 08:16 PM EDT (#36178) #

Pressley, a .300 hitter who has given the Cats trouble, works a full count and draws the leadoff walk. Hietpas, a replacement for the traded Huber at C, also goes to 3-2 then fouls a few off, as the Mets have stopped chasing the close ones and have made Chacin throw more pitches already this inning than he did in the first two combined. It was worth waiting for, as Aaron Hill turns a bad hop into a nifty 6-4-3 twin kill. Next guy becomes the sixth K victim.

Zeroes after 2 1/2, 8-9-1 hitters coming up for NH.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 08:23 PM EDT (#36179) #

Chaiffredo fouls out to the first baseman on the first pitch. Snyder falls behind 0-2 and grounds out weakly to third. Let's hope the Cats have figured something out the second time through the order.

Godwin does foul a couple off, but strikes out again, and Petit has 6 K's of his own. Scoreless through three; a run will be absolutely huge tonight.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 08:30 PM EDT (#36180) #

Wayne Lydon works the count full, fouls one back, then K's looking (that's 7). Easy 1-3 comebacker, two away. Acuna draws a walk, but Chacin gets a ground ball on the next pitch to retire the side.

2-0 Tampa over Dunedin in the top of the third, I'm told. No report on the Alley Cats; that may be rained out or delayed.

J.P. is taking in the Cats game; maybe one of the hitters can show him some man-strength this inning.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 08:37 PM EDT (#36181) #

Bottom 4, in a 0-0 game where both teams have combined for one hit, a blooper, and the pitchers have fanned a baker's dozen already. Rich swings and misses at the 2-2. That's 7 for Petit. Remember the dueling no-hitters between Kazmir and Chacin? So do the broadcasters.

Hill flies out to RF as Bob Lipman says, "it's obvious the ball isn't carrying." JFG gets ahead 2-0 but misses with a big rip, then pulls one hard but foul. He goes down looking, the 8th victim through four.

Something tells me an error, SB, bunt and sacrifice fly will add up to a big rally tonight. I hope it's for New Hampshire.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 08:42 PM EDT (#36182) #

Petit 8, Chacin 7 in the K race. Cats 1, Mets 0 in the hit column. The game was 90 minutes late getting started, but it is flying by.

Basak fans for the second time. Next guy pops softly to CF, the first ball that has left the infield for Binghampton. Rich stays with a tough hop and that's that. Chacin's now working on a scoreless streak of 23.1 innings vs. the Mets.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 08:49 PM EDT (#36183) #

OK, this kid is 19, and as Murph politely put it earlier, "has a low center of gravity" -- he's kind of pear-shaped. Perhaps he'll tire.

Nope. Hattig swings and misses (his second K, Petit's 9th). Man, they grow some pitchers in Maracaibo. Jova pops up to the catcher, but he drops the ball! The extra life may help, but of even more significance, Petit is done -- it appears to be a blister problem.

Good news; the Mets can't possibly have another like him, and they have to warm up somebody cold. It's Tim Lavigne, whose numbers aren't too scary.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 08:59 PM EDT (#36184) #

Petit threw 58 pitches: 1 cheap hit, no walks, 9 K's.

J.P. and Dickie Scott had a first-hand look; maybe they can get him from the Mets for Ligtenberg.

Lavigne, in 83.2 IP, mostly out of the bullpen, struck out just 44 and walked 39. He gave up 94 hits and had a 5.70 ERA. It was almost 8.00 in August, so things are looking up.

Jova had a 1-2 count when Petit departed, quickly worked it full, but grounded out. Two down, nobody on for Singleton, who gets ahead 3-0 and walks. Chiaffredo singles to left, but Snyder strikes out swinging, so it's still scoreless. Fear not; the top of the order will be coming up for the Cats in the sixth.

_R Billie - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:01 PM EDT (#36185) #

They wouldn't be able to make that trade until they get to July and the Mets are at least 7 games out.

_Rob - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:02 PM EDT (#36186) #

Will Petersen be able to "fix" Ligtenburg?

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:08 PM EDT (#36187) #

Chacin's at 67 pitches through five. He starts the sixth by allowing his first hit, a single up the middle by Hietpas. They were playing Velazquez to bunt, but Gus punches him out for his 9th K.

Lydon, who may be hurt (an errant throw hit him in the groin, and he missed several games -- ouch!) goes down looking; that's the hat trick. Hattig drops a ground ball that should have been the third out and the E-5 moves the lead runner into scoring position. Chacin doesn't care, he calmly sits down Acuna on four pitches for his 11th strikeout and the second inning he's fanned the side. Awesome.

_Rob - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:10 PM EDT (#36188) #

Wow, 11 K's through 6 innings?

Imagine...if you take that K rate with Doc's workload last year...you have 488 strikeouts.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:14 PM EDT (#36189) #

Petit had 9 in 4.2 innings, Rob. The hitters on both sides have had no chance.

Cats sixth, with a mere mortal on the mound, Godwin flies out sharply to left. Rich works a full count and draws the big walk, with Hill coming up.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:16 PM EDT (#36190) #

Hill gets ahead 2-0, then pulls one foul and fouls the next one straight back. On the 2-2, he hits a high fly to CF, but the wind holds everything up tonight. Two down for Griffin.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:18 PM EDT (#36191) #

JFG gets ahead 3-1. They throw over, but Rich is going nowhere. Ball four! Hattig's up with a RISP. Pitching coach Jerry Reuss makes a visit.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:20 PM EDT (#36192) #

Hattig lines out to second. Inning over. Need I say that it's scoreless?

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:25 PM EDT (#36193) #

Vermilyea warming up; Chacin's 88th pitch is his 12th strikeout. These teams played a classic 1-0 ballgame and five others were decided by two runs during the regular season, so this really isn't a surprise.

Gus walks Basak (his third BB) and Basso comes out for a chat, or to buy time.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:31 PM EDT (#36194) #

He falls behind Baldiris 2-0 but gets a flyball out to CF. Singleton, to his credit, was awake for his first chance. Pressley becomes the 13th Met to take a U-turn, and that's probably it for a brilliant pitching performance.

Chacin hasn't lost since June 5, and he won't tonight. Absolutely amazing.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:35 PM EDT (#36195) #

Jova fouls off a couple of 3-2 pitches, and goes yard! 1-0 Cats!

Thomas - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:36 PM EDT (#36196) #

Outstanding news.

And Chacin might get a well-deserved win.

*Fingers crossed.*

_Rob - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:40 PM EDT (#36197) #

Is it the stretch in Manchester now? I think Chacin just pitched the 7th, but I'm not sure as to what inning it is...

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:40 PM EDT (#36198) #

It was a leadoff blast to left that had just enough to get out. Lydon went to the wall and leaped, but couldn't bring it back.

Vermilyea sat down again in the bullpen. Either he's ready, or they have decided to bring Chacin out for the eighth.

Singleton is retired, but Chiaffredo lines a base hit to right-center. Some "serious" weather is apparently right around the corner; if it starts to rain, the Fisher Cats should start swinging at everything, even throws to first, or let themselves get picked off. Snyder singles down the 3B line, and that's it for Lavigne. Lefty Royce Ring is coming in to face at least the next couple of batters.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:41 PM EDT (#36199) #

One out, bottom seven, Rob. Pitching change, big storm brewing.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:44 PM EDT (#36200) #

Godwin flies out, but Rich lines one off the CF's glove for an RBI double -- it's now 2-0.

Is anyone else listening? I have to walk the K-Dog and take out the garbage, so if someone can pick me up, it's appreciated.

_Rob - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:45 PM EDT (#36201) #

I'll take over until the Jays game starts -- I'll just switch from Howarth/Wilner to Murphy/Lipman, then back at 10.

_Alex Obal - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:46 PM EDT (#36202) #

I finally got Windows Media to work and just got the feed, so I'm up for an inning or two if nobody else is here.

_the shadow - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:46 PM EDT (#36203) #

Great job Coach, this is really exciting !!!!

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:46 PM EDT (#36204) #

Hill pops out to the catcher. It looks like Vermilyea is coming in to try to hold the 2-run lead.

_R Billie - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:47 PM EDT (#36205) #

Second and third for Aaron Hill with two outs. Hill pops out to the catcher sliding near the steps of the dugout.

2 runs on 4 hits for Cats and they lead Game One 2-0.

_Rob - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:47 PM EDT (#36206) #

Fisher Cats leave two on to end the 7th. They got two runs, both covered above by Coach.

2-0 after 7.

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:47 PM EDT (#36207) #

Thanks, guys. See you in the Jays game thread.

_Rob - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:47 PM EDT (#36208) #

I'll take over until the Jays game starts

Or all three of us will do it. ;)

_whizland2000 - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:48 PM EDT (#36209) #

Guustttavoooooo!!!!!!

The one and only!

_Alex Obal - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:49 PM EDT (#36210) #

Nice. I'd play the Scott Carson role, except I don't have any stats to work with. I was actually scoring yesterday's game until I gave up hope in the top of the 6th. Can't remember the last time I did that.

I'll take the PBP if everyone leaves for the Jays game at 10, Coach isn't back, and the game is still on.

_Rob - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:49 PM EDT (#36211) #

(So...who's calling the action?)

Vermilyea in to pitch now with a two run lead in the top of the eighth.

_Rob - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:54 PM EDT (#36212) #

Well, it's your choice, Alex. I can take it or I can listen to the Jays pregame.

I'll take the stats role if you want. BA has some here. ;)

Meanwhile, two quick outs for Vermilyea.

_R Billie - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 09:55 PM EDT (#36213) #

Vermilyea pitching induces a weak grounder to short on a 2-2 pitch and Hill assists on the first out. Vermilyea actually runs to cover the play beyond first on routine grounders.

Gets ahead quickly 0-2 on Velasquez. The count runs full. Batter fouls off ball four in on his hands. Another foul. Strike three called and Vermilyea gets the benefit of the call on the outside corner.

Next hitter bunts foul 0-1. Strike two on the breaking ball down the middle. Cuts down and in. Swing and foul tip on the 1-2 pitch and Liden has struck out for the fourth time in the game.

Cats lead 2-0 with three more outs to go.

_Alex Obal - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 10:00 PM EDT (#36214) #

JFG strikes out on three pitches for out #1; Hattig flies out to center; Jova gets ahead 2-0 but Ring battles back and catches him looking for strike three.

_Rob - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 10:00 PM EDT (#36215) #

With R Bille covering PBP, I will play Scott Carson:

Vermilyea entering today's game:
57.1 IP, 39 K, 12 BB, 2.51 ERA, 0.96 WHIP. Nice.

Cats lead 2-0 with three more outs to go.

That's what I like to hear! 2-3-4 due up for Mets, though. Who's the NH closer? DeJong? League?

Tampa beat Dunedin 6-0, by the way. The Yankees got 3 in the eighth to put the game away. Only two hits for the D-Jays.

_R Billie - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 10:00 PM EDT (#36216) #

Bottom 8th. Lefty Royce Ring to face Griffin. He is caught looking on an 0-2 curve for the first out.

Hattig will bat righthanded against the lefty. Flies out to center on an 0-1 pitch.

Jova is up. He provided the first run of the game on a solo homer earlier. Gets ahead 2-0. Takes a strike on the outside corner. Foul tipped, 2-2. Caught looking inside and Ring has a 1-2-3 inning.

Cats lead 2-0 with 3 more outs to go.

_Rob - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 10:02 PM EDT (#36217) #

With R Bille covering PBP

Oops. Two corrections:

1) Bille --> Billie.
2) R Billie and Alex covering PBP. So I am Scott Carson. ;)

Mike Green - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 10:04 PM EDT (#36218) #

I just got back from a school supplies safari. It looks like I'm the 4th man in the booth, so I'll just listen. Go F-Cats!

_R Billie - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 10:05 PM EDT (#36219) #

Jordan DeJong in to try to close it out. He is 14 for 17 in saves with a 2.86 era this year.

Pagan takes strike one. He bunts foul and it's quickly 0-2. 1-2 pitch and a high fly deep to right field and it's foul into the empty bleachers. Slider down and in, 2-2. Down and in, full count. Lined deep to centerfield, Singleton going back and is there for the first out.

_Rob - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 10:07 PM EDT (#36220) #

Due up for NH:

Pagan: .287/.346/.405 (449 AB)
Acuna: .300/.333/.376 (500)
Harper: .247/.309/.437 (174, some games previously in A ball)

Wow. What a lineup. ;)

Two strikes, two outs here!

_Alex Obal - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 10:08 PM EDT (#36221) #

I guess it's two-wave attack. I get the quick and dirty results, and then Billie brings the vivid detail.

It's DeJong in to pitch, in case you didn't know yet. Pagan flies out to center for out number one. Acuna strikes out swinging and we're down to the last out. The Mets' last hope is Brett Harper, and DeJong gets him swinging to finish it off!

_R Billie - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 10:08 PM EDT (#36222) #

DeJong to Ocuna and he pulls the first two pitches foul. 0-2 SWING and a miss on the offspeed pitch and that's the 16th punchout for the Cats tonight.

Mets down to their final out. Low for ball one. Swing and a miss, 1-1. Harper swingsss and misses at the changeup, way out front, 1-2. 1-2 SWING AND A MISS, STRIKE THREE.

DeJong strikes out 2 batters in a 1-2-3 ninth and the Cats get 17 in all on the night. They take Game One by a 2-0 score.

_Rob - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 10:08 PM EDT (#36223) #

Game over!

Sorry to post ahead of the updates, R Billie, but 17 K's for NH pitchers in the game! Wow.

Mike Green - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 10:11 PM EDT (#36224) #

YES!

_Rob - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 10:11 PM EDT (#36225) #

I guess it's two-wave attack

Hey, that might work pretty well.

The Batter's Box Radio Network Playoff System:

Bauxite A gives quick updates if needed; if it's the 4th and there's no score, he's not really needed. However, he is a vital part of the team in the later innings.

Bauxite B has the detailed result of each half-inning.

And you can always have A do the stats, or Bauxite C can do it.

BBRadio continues to grow, gentlemen. :)

Coach - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 10:13 PM EDT (#36226) #

It's a team effort. Nice job, everyone. Way to go, F-Cats!

_R Billie - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 10:18 PM EDT (#36227) #

What a game for the AA veteran Chacin. Walks 3 and strikes out 13 through 7 shutout innings. He didn't allow a hit until the leadoff hitter in the 6th inning and I believe that was the only one he allowed.

The Cats caught a bit of a break as Petit had to leave the game before he could get through 5 innings due to a blister. They were doing nothing against him as he had allowed just the 1 hit versus no walks and 9 strikeouts.

_greenfrog - Wednesday, September 08 2004 @ 10:58 PM EDT (#36228) #

Amazing performance by Chacin. Amazing season.

Coach - Thursday, September 09 2004 @ 12:40 AM EDT (#36229) #

The Cats caught a bit of a break

Absolutely. No way Jova takes Petit deep, the way he was pitching, and it might have remained scoreless for as long as he could go. He was every bit as impressive as Chacin, and for a teenager, that's tremendous. But sooner or later, one of the bullpens had to blink, and the Cats are very deep out there, with Arnold and Banks now available to relieve. I think they could have thrown zeroes as long as necessary.

_Peter - Thursday, September 09 2004 @ 08:51 AM EDT (#36230) #

When we offerred our comments on possible 40 man rosters a short while back IIRC no-one included Jordan deJong. In light of his 15 saves out of 18 tries and his ERA under2.80, should this ommission be reconsidered. He has finished strongly and if it continues throughout the playoffs I would suggest that exclusion from the 40 man may well produce a claim from another organization.

Mike Green - Thursday, September 09 2004 @ 09:11 AM EDT (#36231) #

Jordan DeJong this season: 69.1IP, 69H, 30W, 57K, 2 HR allowed. In a pitcher's park in a pitcher's league, this is OK but nothing spectacular. He has been improving as the season has gone on.

I'll be updating the 40 man roster article as the Rule 5 draft approaches.

_Marc - Thursday, September 09 2004 @ 09:14 AM EDT (#36232) #

There is a chance that another team would take DeJong BUT other teams usually take starters in the draft and young ones at that. DeJong is not young. That said, I am a DeJong fan. I think he'll be safer to leave off the roster than someone like, say, Chacin or Ismael Ramirez. Both of whom can become 6-year minor league free agents if they're not added to the roster so either way they'd be gone after the seasons they had.

Craig B - Thursday, September 09 2004 @ 11:29 AM EDT (#36233) #

There is a chance that another team would take DeJong BUT other teams usually take starters in the draft and young ones at that. DeJong is not young.

I'd be quite happy to see DeJong taken. Simply put, there is very little chance he could stick with a major league team for a whole season, or even through camp, and if he were taken he would fetch $50,000 and then be offered back for $25,000 - leaving the Jays in a profit situation.

Pistol - Thursday, September 09 2004 @ 11:36 AM EDT (#36234) #

Jordan DeJong this season: 69.1IP, 69H, 30W, 57K, 2 HR allowed. In a pitcher's park in a pitcher's league, this is OK but nothing spectacular.

Agreed. A 1.43 WHIP in AA doesn't indicate a strong prospect to me.

If the Jays lost him because they didn't protect him it wouldn't be a big deal (at least to me).

But he does have a cool delivery.

_R Billie - Thursday, September 09 2004 @ 01:50 PM EDT (#36235) #

I don't think the Jays can afford to protect guys like DeJong. If he was dominating it would be a different situation but neither his stuff nor his numbers are particularly tremendous. He's got that great changeup but he walks way too many guys given the amount of hits he's allowed.

Ramirez and Chacin definately have to be protected as of course do Adams, Peterson, League, Crozier, Bush, and maybe Tablado.

_Neal T. - Thursday, September 09 2004 @ 05:46 PM EDT (#36236) #

[Unfortunately, we had to delete this comment due to legal concerns. If the author could contact me at craig@battersbox.ca to provide a source, I will be happy to restore the comment. We're very, very sorry for having to do this.]

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