Welcome to 2004! The minor-league baseball season got underway last night, and all four of the Blue Jays’ top farm teams saw action. We’ve got pitching duels, slugfests, extra-inning nail-biters and a brand-new fun feature to track the best prospects in the system. Batter’s Box is very happy to renew its in-depth coverage of Toronto’s minor-league system. Here we go:
Rochester 7 Syracuse 2
Starting the home opener was top prospect David Bush, who followed up a sterling 2003 campaign with an excellent spring training. None of which prevented him from being clobbered in his Triple-A debut: 7 runs on 9 hits and 1 walk in 4 innings, with just 3 strikeouts. Bush allowed all 7 runs in the first 2 innings, including 4 in the 1st after two were out; on the positive side, he hung around for two more scoreless innings after learning, the hard way, to rely more on his breaking stuff. Young pitchers need to figure out that they need more weapons and a different approach at higher levels; those lessons are normally delivered through a sound thumping, which is probably for the best.
The lone bright spot on offence was reclamation project Chad Hermanson, whose three hits included a home run. Russ Adams doubled in his first Triple-A at-bat, but was stranded there and went hitless the rest of the day. Among other positive signs, Rule 5 acquisition Talley Haines was masterful in three scoreless innings of two-hit relief, while Dave Maurer and newly acquired Jason Frasor each added a shutout frame.
New Hampshire 3 New Britain 2
It was a successful franchise debut for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, as they won a nail-biter on the road from local rival New Britain, defeating top Twins prospect JD Durbin in the process. For you trivia buffs out there, Dominic Rich got the first Fisher Cat hit, while Cameron Reimers recorded the first strikeout and got the first win with 5 solid innings (5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR). Reimers was ably supported by his bullpen, as fast-tracked Brandon League threw two shutout innings (97 mph fastball, just one hit), to be followed by Kevin Frederick (struck out the side) and Adam Peterson (his first save).
Robert Cosby was the hitting hero, cranking New Hampshire's first-ever home run into the wind and adding two more hits and all three RBIs. Aaron Hill and Maikel Jova also had safeties in their first Double-A games. The celebrations in Manchester, which has waited two years for a ballclub, were immediate and heartfelt. It’s only been one pre-season and one game, but I already like this city and this hard-working franchise.
Dunedin 14 Clearwater 11
Yikes! Didn’t someone say the Florida State League was a pitchers’ circuit? Not last night in Clearwater, as the two teams combined for 25 runs in the D-Jays’ extra-inning victory. After blowing a four-run lead in the bottom of the ninth to allow a tie, Dunedin pushed across 3 runs in the top of the 11th to seal their first victory of 2004. Like his mirror image David Bush, Josh Banks received a rude welcome to his new level, getting touched up for 4 runs in 2 innings (though just 1 was earned) on 4 hits; more positively, he struck out 3 and walked nobody. Most of the relievers who followed him failed to do much better: including Neomar Flores (2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K), Jamie Vermilyea (2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1BB, 1 K), and the ninth-inning combo of Francisco Ozuna and Bubbie Buzachero (combined 1 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K). Riding to the rescue were Chad Pleiness (shutout innings in the 5th and 6th, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K) and Andy Torres, who pitched the last two scoreless innings (3 H, 1 BB, 3 K) for the win.
Now for the good news: the D-Jays offence came to play. They were led by centerfielder Miguel Negron, whose four hits included a double and the game-winning safety in the 11th; Negron swiped a base for good measure. Joining the hit parade were 3B Raul Tablado (homer, 3 H, 2 R, 2 RBI) and Box favourite Vito Chiaravalotti (2 hits, including his first round-tripper); right fielder Ron Davenport also homered. Leadoff hitter Jayce Tingler had two hits and a walk, scoring twice, while shortstop Manny Mayorson added two hits of his own. It was an exciting start to 2004 for what should be the Blue Jays’ best farm team.
Delmarva 6, Charleston 4
History almost repeated itself last night in Charleston, where once again the Delmarva Shorebirds held the Alley-Cats perfect through 5 innings on Opening Day. Last year’s game went to the 9th inning before the perfecto was broken up; last night, the Cats broke through in the 6th inning, but the end result was the same. Charleston starter Danny Core was hit hard, allowing all 6 runs on 10 hits and a homer (no walks, 2 Ks) in 4 1/3 IP. Bright spots on offence included third baseman Eric Arnold, who singled, doubled, scored a run and drove one in, and young catching prospect Robby Diaz, who drove in 2 runs with a single. The Alley-Cats felt badly for letting down the home crowd, but they also promised better things ahead.
With Opening Day now behind us, it’s time to introduce a new feature here in the Batter’s Box minor-league corner: the Three-Star Selection. As every Canadian with a pulse (and many others, too) knows, the Three Stars are selected to recognize the top achievers in each game. In our version, we’ll be recognizing the three Jays prospects who had the best performances in the previous day’s games (since we’re unabashedly hometown rooters, only Jay prospects will be eligible). Each Three-Star Selection earns a player points, based on his ranking; the players with the most points at the end of the year will be declared the organization’s Three Stars of 2004 and will be honoured accordingly.
So, for our first Three-Star Selection, please give it up for:
Our Third Star: Cameron Reimers, Manchester (5 innings of 5-hit ball, recording the first win in Fisher Cat history) – 1 point
Our Second Star: Miguel Negron, Dunedin (4 hits, including the game-winning single in extra innings) – 3 points
Our First Star: Robert Cosby, Manchester (3 hits, 3 RBIs, and the first home run in Fisher Cats history) - 5 points
Finally, here’s a useful stat package to get your minor-league analysis off to a good start: a series of minor-league park factors for each full-season farm team’s stadium throughout baseball. A completely neutral home park has a score of 1,000; hitters’ parks score above 1,000 and pitchers’ parks score below it. Here’s a look at the Blue Jay farm teams’ parks, as well as the average score of all the parks in their league (all data is from the 2003 season only):
Syracuse 997 (International League 986)
New Hampshire unknown (Eastern League 1029)
Dunedin 939 (Florida State League 896)
Charleston 962 (South Atlantic League 950)
Interestingly, three of the Jays’ home parks actually play as stronger hitters’ stadiums than the league as a whole. On the surface, this bodes well for the organization’s highly touted pitching prospects, who often play in tougher conditions at home than on the road. This study, by Baseball America, will no doubt require more research and refinement over time, but this is an excellent start and a real service to minor-league forecasters.
Rochester 7 Syracuse 2
Starting the home opener was top prospect David Bush, who followed up a sterling 2003 campaign with an excellent spring training. None of which prevented him from being clobbered in his Triple-A debut: 7 runs on 9 hits and 1 walk in 4 innings, with just 3 strikeouts. Bush allowed all 7 runs in the first 2 innings, including 4 in the 1st after two were out; on the positive side, he hung around for two more scoreless innings after learning, the hard way, to rely more on his breaking stuff. Young pitchers need to figure out that they need more weapons and a different approach at higher levels; those lessons are normally delivered through a sound thumping, which is probably for the best.
The lone bright spot on offence was reclamation project Chad Hermanson, whose three hits included a home run. Russ Adams doubled in his first Triple-A at-bat, but was stranded there and went hitless the rest of the day. Among other positive signs, Rule 5 acquisition Talley Haines was masterful in three scoreless innings of two-hit relief, while Dave Maurer and newly acquired Jason Frasor each added a shutout frame.
New Hampshire 3 New Britain 2
It was a successful franchise debut for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, as they won a nail-biter on the road from local rival New Britain, defeating top Twins prospect JD Durbin in the process. For you trivia buffs out there, Dominic Rich got the first Fisher Cat hit, while Cameron Reimers recorded the first strikeout and got the first win with 5 solid innings (5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR). Reimers was ably supported by his bullpen, as fast-tracked Brandon League threw two shutout innings (97 mph fastball, just one hit), to be followed by Kevin Frederick (struck out the side) and Adam Peterson (his first save).
Robert Cosby was the hitting hero, cranking New Hampshire's first-ever home run into the wind and adding two more hits and all three RBIs. Aaron Hill and Maikel Jova also had safeties in their first Double-A games. The celebrations in Manchester, which has waited two years for a ballclub, were immediate and heartfelt. It’s only been one pre-season and one game, but I already like this city and this hard-working franchise.
Dunedin 14 Clearwater 11
Yikes! Didn’t someone say the Florida State League was a pitchers’ circuit? Not last night in Clearwater, as the two teams combined for 25 runs in the D-Jays’ extra-inning victory. After blowing a four-run lead in the bottom of the ninth to allow a tie, Dunedin pushed across 3 runs in the top of the 11th to seal their first victory of 2004. Like his mirror image David Bush, Josh Banks received a rude welcome to his new level, getting touched up for 4 runs in 2 innings (though just 1 was earned) on 4 hits; more positively, he struck out 3 and walked nobody. Most of the relievers who followed him failed to do much better: including Neomar Flores (2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K), Jamie Vermilyea (2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1BB, 1 K), and the ninth-inning combo of Francisco Ozuna and Bubbie Buzachero (combined 1 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K). Riding to the rescue were Chad Pleiness (shutout innings in the 5th and 6th, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K) and Andy Torres, who pitched the last two scoreless innings (3 H, 1 BB, 3 K) for the win.
Now for the good news: the D-Jays offence came to play. They were led by centerfielder Miguel Negron, whose four hits included a double and the game-winning safety in the 11th; Negron swiped a base for good measure. Joining the hit parade were 3B Raul Tablado (homer, 3 H, 2 R, 2 RBI) and Box favourite Vito Chiaravalotti (2 hits, including his first round-tripper); right fielder Ron Davenport also homered. Leadoff hitter Jayce Tingler had two hits and a walk, scoring twice, while shortstop Manny Mayorson added two hits of his own. It was an exciting start to 2004 for what should be the Blue Jays’ best farm team.
Delmarva 6, Charleston 4
History almost repeated itself last night in Charleston, where once again the Delmarva Shorebirds held the Alley-Cats perfect through 5 innings on Opening Day. Last year’s game went to the 9th inning before the perfecto was broken up; last night, the Cats broke through in the 6th inning, but the end result was the same. Charleston starter Danny Core was hit hard, allowing all 6 runs on 10 hits and a homer (no walks, 2 Ks) in 4 1/3 IP. Bright spots on offence included third baseman Eric Arnold, who singled, doubled, scored a run and drove one in, and young catching prospect Robby Diaz, who drove in 2 runs with a single. The Alley-Cats felt badly for letting down the home crowd, but they also promised better things ahead.
With Opening Day now behind us, it’s time to introduce a new feature here in the Batter’s Box minor-league corner: the Three-Star Selection. As every Canadian with a pulse (and many others, too) knows, the Three Stars are selected to recognize the top achievers in each game. In our version, we’ll be recognizing the three Jays prospects who had the best performances in the previous day’s games (since we’re unabashedly hometown rooters, only Jay prospects will be eligible). Each Three-Star Selection earns a player points, based on his ranking; the players with the most points at the end of the year will be declared the organization’s Three Stars of 2004 and will be honoured accordingly.
So, for our first Three-Star Selection, please give it up for:
Our Third Star: Cameron Reimers, Manchester (5 innings of 5-hit ball, recording the first win in Fisher Cat history) – 1 point
Our Second Star: Miguel Negron, Dunedin (4 hits, including the game-winning single in extra innings) – 3 points
Our First Star: Robert Cosby, Manchester (3 hits, 3 RBIs, and the first home run in Fisher Cats history) - 5 points
Finally, here’s a useful stat package to get your minor-league analysis off to a good start: a series of minor-league park factors for each full-season farm team’s stadium throughout baseball. A completely neutral home park has a score of 1,000; hitters’ parks score above 1,000 and pitchers’ parks score below it. Here’s a look at the Blue Jay farm teams’ parks, as well as the average score of all the parks in their league (all data is from the 2003 season only):
Syracuse 997 (International League 986)
New Hampshire unknown (Eastern League 1029)
Dunedin 939 (Florida State League 896)
Charleston 962 (South Atlantic League 950)
Interestingly, three of the Jays’ home parks actually play as stronger hitters’ stadiums than the league as a whole. On the surface, this bodes well for the organization’s highly touted pitching prospects, who often play in tougher conditions at home than on the road. This study, by Baseball America, will no doubt require more research and refinement over time, but this is an excellent start and a real service to minor-league forecasters.
