Extra-inning heartbreak at two levels as a couple high-end prospects stay hot.
Buffalo Bisons
John Stilson walked home the winning run in extras which surely is going to blunt his hopes of featuring anytime soon in a Major League bullpen. Danny Barnes, on the hand, was dominant in relief—striking out five in two and two-thirds innings of work. It’s a shame that Rowdy Tellez doesn’t play a different position because he might be the ideal guy to call up and spark our offence. Someone to occupy the media for a couple days and potentially bop a few long ones? He had two hits and walk, by the way.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Conner Greene is still struggling with the walk, but at least he’s striking people out. He now has eleven in nine and a third of work after tallying seven tonight. Gunnar Heidt has had a nice start to the season. He homered for the second straight game. Anthony Alford is coming back down to earth a bit. He was hitless tonight, but still managed a walk and a stolen base. Alford’s start is encouraging. You find with some of the uber-tooled prospects that they don’t quite realize that they can impact the game with one of their other tools if the bat isn’t working.
Dunedin Blue Jays
Dunedin had a long day. They played twice—going one-and-one—dropping an eleven-inning affair. Connor Panas had a hit and is now hitting at .300+ clip. Many of you will know of Panas’s dad either through the High Park Little League program or through his umpiring at all levels in the GTA area. I have a great deal of respect and appreciation for Panas Sr. for his commitment to the sport in the area. Oddly enough, Panas got me thrown out of a rather contentious high school baseball game where he was coaching the opposing team. Alas I was foolishly wearing an earring during the game, which Panas keenly brought to the attention of the unaware umpire (I guess I got myself thrown out). I’m not sure whether Panas Jr. will get much further than High-A ball, but it would be great for baseball in the GTA area to see that last name and such a staple in the scene up with the Big Club, at least for a cup of coffee.
Lansing Lugnuts
Bo Bichette had two hits and two walks. My word, if you haven’t seen his homer last week, go out and do it and come back and tell us how amazing it is. Nineteen year-old prospects insiding out fastballs to right-center is no joke. That’s a pretty exciting left-side.
Three Stars
3. Patrick Murphy
2. Jarrett Grube
1. Gunnar Heidt
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