What's Up as the Year Ends

Sunday, December 28 2014 @ 06:38 AM EST

Nothing too exciting right now.  This is more a thread to clear out some minor stuff and start a new thread now that the 'current news' one is over 300 posts.

• As the year draws to the a close the Jays find themselves still looking for bullpen help and a stable 2B while having an extra catcher and no clear ace in the rotation. 
• The Hall of Fame is going to announce who made it shortly (January 6th) with the HOF Gizmo at BBTF showing 5 guys over 75% and a 6th very close (Big Unit, Pedro, Smoltz all near locks now, Biggio & Piazza currently over the magic line, Bagwell at 73.3% with 90 ballots public and counted). 5 players named to the HOF via the writers has occurred only once - the very first vote with Cobb/Wagner/Ruth/Mathewson/Johnson.
  
• Jays appear very interested in the Iron Man of Japan, Takashi Toritani, (even AA has admitted it) who has always been a SS and has played 1444 games in a row without missing an inning and a 372 OBP.
• John Gibbons option for 2016 will be officially picked up on New Years
• MiLB has the Jays positional All-Stars listed - a few who I never noticed are there as it lists who did the best, not who is the best prospect.
• Catcher -- Derrick Chung, Dunedin (49 games), New Hampshire (47 games): 31st round pick, had an 833 OPS in A+ and a 240/275/275 line in AA. At 26 last year he is needing to keep impressing to keep a job. Just converted to catcher in 2013, he certainly has been impressive throwing out 40%+ of  baserunners each year.  He can play 2B & 3B & 1B as well thus making him a super-utility man potentially.  If he can hit in AA in 2015 don't be surprised to see him in the majors in September.
  
• First baseman -- Dan Johnson, Buffalo (107 games), Toronto (15 games): now entering his age 35 season he has signed with the Astros hoping to get more ML time
  
• Second baseman -- Tim Locastro, Vancouver (67 games): Just 21 last year, has a lifetime 302/393/373 line in Rookie and A-.  A 13th round pick in 2013 he mainly has been at 2B & DH with a few games at SS and LF. A player who needs to keep impressing to survive, has to be feeling hopeful though as the Jays have shown a willingness to promote lower draft picks quickly if they produce (see Graveman for an extreme example)
  
• Third baseman -- Mitch Nay, Lansing (120 games), Dunedin (11 games): A first round pick in 2012, hit OK in Lansing (731 OPS) but had issues in Dunedin (466 OPS in 11 games). Entering his age 21 season is a serious prospect.
  
• Shortstop -- Franklin Barreto, Vancouver (73 games): now an A.
• Outfield -- Dalton Pompey, Dunedin (70 games), New Hampshire (31 games), Buffalo (12 games), Toronto (17 games) - likely starting in CF this year or in AAA and pushing hard for a ML job (see Pillar)
  
• Outfield -- Kevin Pillar, Buffalo (100 games), Toronto (53 games) - could be starting in CF this year, or in AAA and pushing hard for a ML job (see Pompey)
  
• Outfield -- Dwight Smith Jr., Dunedin (121 games): 1st round pick in 2011, just finished his age 21 season and saw his power increase while keeping a good OBP (284/363/453 in A+).  If he has a great year in AA could see ML time in September.
  
• Utilityman -- Ryan Schimpf, New Hampshire (50 games), Buffalo (67 games): a 5th round pick in 2009, he reached AAA at last in 2014 (67 games, 648 OPS).  Entering his age 27 season his best hope is to get a chance as an injury replacement.  Being a 2B first, then 3B certainly helps his odds, as does having time in LF/RF.  A smart move for him would be to volunteer to learn how to catch as well so he could be an emergency catcher - the more positions you play the better your odds.
  
• Right-handed pitcher -- Kendall Graveman, Lansing (four games), Dunedin (16 games), New Hampshire (one game), Buffalo (six games), Toronto (five games): now an A
  
• Left-handed pitcher -- Daniel Norris, Dunedin (13 games), New Hampshire (eight games), Buffalo (five games), Toronto (five games): Our #1 prospect
  
• Relief pitcher -- Arik Sikula, a RHP Dunedin (44 games), New Hampshire (12 games): 31 saves last year (A+/AA) with 1.9 BB/9 vs 12.3 K/9 and 0.5 HR/9... did anyone here notice?  Last year being his age 25 season and being a 36th round pick in 2011 might be why none of us really did.  If he can keep it up a ML call up could be in his future as relief pitchers can always sneak up on you.
  

Hopefully that all helps get some conversations going as we all recover from Christmas and prepare for the New Year.

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