Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine
Kudos to the New Haven Ravens, who knocked off the New Britain Rock Cats 2-1 in the deciding match of their five-game series last night to advance to the Eastern League Championship Series. The Ravens did something their parent Blue Jays don't do very often -- beat Eric Milton. The rehabbing lefty threw four solid innings, but gave up a mammoth home run to recycled Jays prospect Anthony Sanders and an RBI double to Shawn Fagan, giving the Ravens a lead they never relinquished. Sanders' homer, only the fourth to ever clear the centrefield wall at Yale Field, travelled an estimated 500 feet. Chris Baker, of all people, threw 7 shutout innings for the victory, while Adam Peterson issued a hit, two walks and a wild pitch, but escaped a jam in the 9th inning to preserve the win.

The Ravens now move on to face the 88-53 Akron Aeros in a final that will involve a lot of travel (500 miles separate the two cities), but that also previews the futures of the two parent clubs, Toronto and Cleveland. Some people are saying that these two organizations have the best farm systems in the game, and glancing at the rosters, it's easy to see why. Led by young stars Grady Sizemore, Fernando Cabrera and Jeremy Guthrie, the Aeros complement a AAA Buffalo club that has already donated to the Indians Victor Martinez, Brandon Phillips, Cliff Lee, Travis Hafner, Jody Gerut, Chad Durbin, Billy Traber, Coco Crisp and Alex Escobar. That's a powerful collection of talent, and it's slightly ahead of the Blue Jays collection of young stars, no slouches either: Gabe Gross, Jason Arnold, Corey Thurman, Jayson Werth, Alexis Rios, Guillermo Quiroz, John-Ford Griffin, Russ Adams, Dustin McGowan and David Bush, to name just some. The Jays-Indians series in the mid-'00s are going to be some of the best games played in the majors.

Gil Quiroz update: the Ravens catcher is out of hospital and well on his way to an apparent full recovery, which is great news. There was some thought that he might suit up for the deciding Game 5, but the Jays decided to play it smart and gave him the whole series off. It remains to be seen whether Quiroz will play in the finals against Akron -- he's a gamer, so I'm betting that he does.

The news was less good in Dunedin where, in between rainouts, the D-Jays were shut out for the second consecutive game by the Port St. Lucie Mets, 4-0 this time after a 7-0 whitewash in the opener. Dunedin managed just one hit on the night, and while DJ Hanson pitched relatively well -- 6 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 Ks -- he also surrendered two homers that sealed the deal. It's now up to Jesse Harper to stave off elimination for Dunedin in the third game of this series. As has been noted earlier here in Da Box, Auburn was swept out of the NY-Penn League playoffs, hardly a crushing blow considering it was a three-game freaking series. Seriously, why not just flip a coin to decide rather than giving the series to the first team to win two games? Anyway, it may be just as well that Auburn is done for the year -- the team had a lot of college players who haven't had a break since the first game of their final collegiate season earlier this year. They deserve an extended break.

Minor-League Playoff Update | 22 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
_R Billie - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 01:52 PM EDT (#92414) #
Taking away Hill and Vermilyea who made significant contributions to many of the Doubledays' wins probably had a minute effect on this series but really it just came down to two cold games by the offence. It's a hard pill to swallow but I think it hardly puts a dent in what this team got done this year. Dunedin should be fun to follow next year and hopefully much of that talent will be contributing to the new AA team by the end of the year.

Dunedin's season is hanging by a thread now but Vermilyea made a very nice appearance which is encouraging and they should find themselves with more depth in '04.

New Haven sure made it interesting and certainly missing Q's bat at catcher played a factor. The good thing is that Gassner, McGowan, and Bush are in position to start the first three games of the next series.
Coach - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 02:05 PM EDT (#92415) #
It would have been really unfair for both Dunedin and New Haven to lose to Milton. Must have been a big thrill for the Ravens to beat a big-leaguer. Let's hope that excitement gets them off to a good start in the final. If GQ can contribute, even better.

Dunedin should be fun to follow next year

So should Syracuse.
_Jordan - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 02:37 PM EDT (#92416) #
The Skychiefs could reasonably field this lineup next spring.

C Guillermo Quiroz
1B Shawn Fagan
2B Jorge Sequea
SS Jimmy Alvarez
3B Simon Pond
LF Jayson Werth
CF Alexis Rios
RF Gabe Gross
DH Tony Zuniga

SP Jason Arnold
SP Corey Thurman
SP David Bush
SP Dustin McGowan
RP Mike Smith
RP Vinny Chulk
RP Jordan DeJong
RP Adam Peterson

Gross should be in the majors by June, though, as should Arnold and Thurman. Fagan bombed out in his first trip to Syracuse earlier this year, so it may be another year of Glenn Burnham -- but if he's healthy and cuts down on his strikeouts, John-Ford Griffin could be at first base for Syracuse. Russ Adams will probably be up from Manchester before July, and maybe well before then. And the closer could be Adam Peterson, Jordan DeJong or someone we don't yet know about. Add into this group the usual six-year FAs and anyone JP acquires by trade in the off-season, and it could be interesting in the International League next season.
Mike Green - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 03:29 PM EDT (#92417) #
I agree that Syracuse looks to have a fearsome team. A couple of quibbles about the lineup. They'd probably DH Pond and play Zuniga at third to save their pitchers a few unearned runs. I also expect that Dave Gassner and Cam Reimers will be on the Syracuse staff. I also expect that Corey Thurman and Vinny Chulk will break camp with the big club, as I don't see the team adding much in the way of (big-league) free agent pitching this off-season.
_Nigel - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 03:31 PM EDT (#92418) #
Jordan, I have heard JP comment that they would like to see Peterson as a starter. They haven't used him that way to date due to a heavy college workload. If they go that route, I doubt they would start him in AAA.
_R Billie - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 03:55 PM EDT (#92419) #
Dave Gassner is another guy like Reimers who isn't a big prospect but has probably shown all he can at AA so they'll need to try to make some room in Syracuse. That's much easier if both Thurman and Chulk make the bigs, I would hope in long relief roles.

Maybe they would start Pond at third...afterall these guys will have to get used to pitching with a Hinske-like fielder behind them. ;)
_whizland2000 - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 04:48 PM EDT (#92420) #
I want to know are there any blue jays shortstop prospects in the newly released baseball america top 20 shortstops list in the minors.
_Jordan - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 04:52 PM EDT (#92421) #
I'd love to see Peterson as a starter too. In his final season at Wichita State, he posted a nifty 83-82-23-91 line, which helped him to an 9-3, 3.58 record in 15 games. He was allowed to throw three complete games, however, and the fatigue he brought with him into the organization prompted the conversion to relief. But he has three good pitches (fastball/curve/change), and that would seem better suited to a starting role. He's currently closing in New Haven, but if Bush and McGowan get the promotions to Syracuse expected of them, Peterson may slide back into the AA rotation next season to build up his stamina. I just wish they'd do the same for Jordan DeJong.

Thurman absolutely should head north with the team next spring, but it's up to him; he's had a few spot opportunities in Toronto and has not really capitalized on them. I could see him opening the year in the bullpen, where he seemed more comfortable, but that depends on how desperate the Jays are for starters. I don't think he has a lot more to learn in the minors; he appears to need the confidence to challenge big-league hitters with strikes.

At this rate, Vinny Chulk looks like he has more of a future with the organization than does Mike Smith, but neither one of them figures to be good for high-leverage innings in the majors. The future looks bright for the Blue Jays' pitching staff, but 2004 could be the same kind of struggle 2003 was.
_Scott - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 04:59 PM EDT (#92422) #
Russ Adams was pegged at #8, behind Freddy Sanchez of the Pirates and ahead of Joel Guzman of the Dodgers. There was not much new in the write-up. A scout said that he would be moving to second base as a result of his weak arm. Apparently, most of his errors were throwing related. Aaron Hill did not get mentioned, not sure why. Juan Peralta got listed as "others to watch".

As well, I am not sure if it has been mentioned but Rios got some pretty heady press in the NH Register today. And, it was more for his defense than his offense.

"New Haven center fielder Alexis Rios is considered the clear favorite to win the Eastern League most valuable player award. Any doubts about Rios being the best player in the league were put to rest during the division series.

Cliburn said his pitchers would work around Rios at every opportunity. "Sort of like a Barry Bonds situation," Cliburn said.

Rios, whose .352 regular-season average led the league by 23 points, made Rock Cats’ pitchers pay during the postseason. He hit three home runs and was hitting .368 through the first four games.

He was also nothing short of spectacular in center field, especially during Game 4 at New Britain Stadium.

After throwing out Torres at the plate in the fourth inning, Rios left the crowd in awe with a highlight-reel play in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Rios came from seemingly nowhere to make a full-extension, diving catch on what appeared to be a sure hit on Terry Tiffee’s liner. If that wasn’t enough to take the crowd’s breath away, Rios got up and threw a strike to first, doubling up the runner. "He might be the best center fielder I’ve ever seen," New Britain radio play-by-play man Jeff Dooley said of Rios immediately after the incredible catch and throw."
_DS - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 05:16 PM EDT (#92423) #
Just thinking about Wells and Rios patrolling the Jays outfield for years to come makes me giddy.
_Ken - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 05:17 PM EDT (#92424) #
had a big grin on my face as i read that.

Can't wait to see what Rios gets up to in AAA
_benum - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 05:22 PM EDT (#92425) #
If for nothing other than the Rios Interbrew-signability pick and the rebuilding of Halliday, it should be remembered that Gord Ash will deserve some credit for the rebuilt Jays.
_Cristian - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 06:11 PM EDT (#92426) #
And now there is talk that the Brewers have an up and coming farm system. Maybe history will absolve Gord Ash after all.
_Nigel - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 06:31 PM EDT (#92427) #
Actually, when it comes to scouting and a farm system I do not think anyone needs to absolve Gord Ash. For the most part, he did an excellent job of that or allowing others to do that (for which he must get full credit) while he was here. Gord's problems had to do with his lack of understanding of what skills were unique at the major league level and hence should command high, long term salaries (see: Gonzalez, Alex).
Pistol - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 06:35 PM EDT (#92428) #
I don't think too many people dispute Ash's ability to pick young players.

It's the rest of the things that were a challenge.

----

JP has talked about Peterson being a closer in Toronto so I'd be mildly surprised if he was switched to a starter in the future.

---

Stupid business trip to Maine will cause me to miss the Ravens game tomorrow and Wednesday. I was on vacation last week and missed all of the New Britain games. I can sure time em.......
_DS - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 06:36 PM EDT (#92429) #
Wasn't Gord in favour of letting Gonzalez walk, but was overruled by ownership? I seem to remember Rogers wanted to keep the more popular players here because they thought it would improve the team's popularity.
Mike Green - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 10:02 PM EDT (#92430) #
I fully expect the first half of next season to be a struggle for the Jay pitching staff. But, the benchmark for major league readiness for a young starter is minimum 15 good starts in double A and 15 good starts in triple A. Bush, McGowan and Arnold all have one-half of the equation, and I'm betting that by mid-June at least one will have the other half. My money's on David Bush, but you could make a case for any or all of them.
Gerry - Monday, September 08 2003 @ 11:01 PM EDT (#92431) #
Dunedin wins on Monday 13-5. They trail 2-1 in the best of five final.
_Wildrose - Tuesday, September 09 2003 @ 11:43 AM EDT (#92432) #
Regarding Peterson during my sojourn to the inlaws cottage sans internet and T.V., I listened to a lot of Jays radio broadcasts.

In early August on two different occasions J.P. discussed Peterson with Jerry. In the first discussion J.P. compared Peterson to a young Jason Isrinhausen (a young 95-96 mph power pitcher more suited to the bull-pen). In the second he named Peterson as one of the top 4 pitching prospects in the system. If you read J.P.'s interview on this blog he also mentions young Adam as a top prospect.

I just found it surprising since you don't hear much buzz about this fellow. He certainly has J.P.'s attention.
_R Billie - Tuesday, September 09 2003 @ 01:50 PM EDT (#92433) #
JP definately has his favourites. Bordick has always been a favourite of his; though he recognizes the player's limitations offensively he also appreciates the approach and maturity they play with. This is really Adams' strength. I've always doubted whether he would stay at short as his arm strength has always been an issue...scouts usually don't suggest a player might have to switch positions unless there's a very good reason. Unless Russ can develop a David Eckstein type consistency with his throws he won't be able to stay at short. Of course Eckstein wasn't a major league rookie until he was about 26 years old so in that sense Adams is already ahead of him.

Aaron Hill wouldn't be on the list because I doubt they include 2003 draftees. He would make the Jays top prospect lists for 2004 and rank well ahead of Adams. Actually I'm surprised Adams is as high as 8th for minor league shortstops...I'm not sure if this is a comment on the lack of talent coming up at that position or whether his package as a player is greater than the sum of his parts.

Rios, Wells, and Gross with Werth/Kielty as spares would make a pretty darn fine defensive outfield in 2005. Possibly the best two-way outfield in the game. A couple of these guys will likely be traded by then though. Maybe as soon as next year. If the Jays can get even passable offence at firstbase post-2004 then they may not miss Delgado at all. Sign a veteran thumper for DH and let Phelps/Griffin handle first.
Mike Green - Tuesday, September 09 2003 @ 10:15 PM EDT (#92434) #
It's time to debunk JF Griffin. Hitting left-handed at Yale Field (with its short right-field porch), his stats were simply not those of a productive major league outfielder, let alone a first baseman. The major league equivalency would be roughly .250/.330/.420. He turns 24 this fall, so you really cannot be expect huge improvement.

Phelps is another story, of course, and it is a mystery to me why the Jays have not given him more time at first to learn the position (and to give Carlos Delgado's knees more rest). Maybe the Jays have decided that he simply doesn't have the tools for the job defensively, although frankly I would be surprised if he couldn't learn it bearing in mind his background as a catcher.
Gerry - Tuesday, September 09 2003 @ 11:18 PM EDT (#92435) #
New Haven lost game one of the final 7-3 to Akron. Akron started Francisco Cruceta, one of Cleveland's top pitching prospects. Cruceta throws low nineties and mixes in a good slider and changeup. Gassner was lit-up. Akron had 16 hits in the game. Dominic Rich had the only multi-hit game (2) for the Ravens.

McGowan and Bush can get the Ravens back into it in games 2 and 3.

Dunedin's season ended with a 10-0 loss. Dunedin had to face Scott Kazmir, one of the Mets top prospects and a first round pick in 2002.
Minor-League Playoff Update | 22 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.