Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Minor League Update-June 27, 2004

Minor League Update-June 27, 2004

With the Jays winning big in the late afternoon, the stage was set for a good night for the organization. The affiliates did not disappoint, going 4-2, with the big news being the end of Syracuse's slump and John-Ford Griffin's blast to cap a Fisher Cat comeback.

Syracuse 9 Indianapolis 4

Syracuse ended their seven game losing streak, behind the stellar pitching of Ryan Glynn and homers from Glenn Williams and Julius Matos. Glynn pitched 8 shutout innings, allowing 5 hits and no walks, while striking out six. Talley Haines was nicked for 4 meaningless runs in the ninth. Williams went 2-4 with a walk and scored 3 runs. Shawn Fagan reached base 4 times. Anthony Sanders made his debut in centerfield after being acquired earlier this week and had 2 hits. Gabe Gross went 1-4 with a walk, and Russ Adams wore an 0-5 collar.

Boxscore

Syracuse Post-Standard game story for Syracuse and Auburn games

Portland 4 New Hampshire 5

The Fisher Cats rallied late from a 4-0 deficit behind homers from Tyrell Godwin in the 7th inning and John-Ford Griffin in the eighth to defeat the Sea Dogs. Ryan Houston started and went six innings, giving up all 4 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. Houston struck out 6. Jordan DeJong went 2 perfect innings, with 2 Ks, for the win, and Dan Jackson pitched a perfect ninth for his 3rd save. Griffin and Mike Snyder both had 2 hits for the Cats, who overcame 14 strikeouts in the game. Aaron Hill singled to end his slump.

Boxscore

Union-Leader game story

Dunedin 1 St. Lucie 4

St. Lucie welcomed Justin James to the Florida State League in most unkind fashion. The Mets scored 2 in the first, and 1 in the third, and coasted to victory despite having 2 runners thrown out at the plate. James went 4 innings, and gave up 3 earned runs on 5 hits and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts. Chad Pleiness went 2 innings, giving up a run on 3 hits, while striking out 3. Tommi Ozuna and Brian Reed finished up. The Baby Jays could muster only 5 hits, but scored in the eighth when Ryan Roberts grounded into a double play after a Rodney Medina double got things started. Raul Tablado played short, went 1-4 with 2 strikeouts and made 2 of the Jays' 4 errors.

Boxscore

Lexington 5 Charleston 2

Brad Mumma's arrival in Charleston was also unpleasant. He gave up 4 runs, 2 of which were unearned courtesy of his own error, in 4 innings and the Alley-Cats did not have the scratch in them on this night for a comeback. Mumma gave up 6 hits and walked 2, while striking out 3. Felix Romero struck out 3 in 2 fine relief innings. Jermy Acey reached base 3 times, and William Rivera twice to lead the offence.

Boxscore

Auburn 7 New Jersey 2

A fine team pitching effort by Jordan Timm, Matthew Dalton, Chris Leonard and Joey McLaughlin Jr. carried the Doubledays to victory. Timm went 3.1 innings, allowing 1 earned runs on 2 hits and 1 walk with 4 strikeouts. The lefty's curve was at times devastating. Dalton struggled through 2.2 innings allowing 6 baserunners, but was touched for only one run. Leonard threw 2 hitless innings, walking 1 and striking out 3. McLaughlin was perfect in the ninth, striking out 2. Brian Hall and Aaron Matthews reached base 3 times, and Chip Cannon drove in 2 with a double and a single.

Boxscore

Pulaski 7 Greeneville 1

Another day, another rout for the undefeated P-Jays. Pulaski scored 5 in the 1st inning and 2 in the 3rd and put it in cruise control after that. Yuber Rodriguez, who had 4 hits, singled to drive in 2 and Jay Ashford tripled in 2 for the key hits of the first inning. Juan Perez went 6 innings of 5-hit ball, walking nobody and striking out 1. Edwards Rodriguez and Adrian Martin were even better in relief. Rodriguez threw one perfect inning and struck out 1 and Martin threw 2 perfect innings striking out 4.

Boxscore

Your three star selection
3rd star-John-Ford Griffin for the late game-breaking homer for New Hampshire
2nd star-Yuber Rodriguez, Pulaski's hit machine
1st star-Ryan Glynn- Syracuse's unlikely ace starter on this night
Honourable Mentions- Jordan DeJong, Glenn Williams

Posted by Mike Green on Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 11:04 AM EDT.

Minor League Update-June 27, 2004 | 60 comments | Create New Account

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_ainge_fan - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 11:29 AM EDT (#55078) #

How is it that Hall is hitting cleanup at Auburn? I don't know much about him, but reading his bio - history at 2B and CF, athletic, I kinda pegged him as more of a leadoff-#2,#3 hitter at this level, especially with more classic #4 options like Cannon/ Metropoulous/ Nielsen on the same team. Looks like another big year for the SS and Rookie league teams - lots of interesting prospects.

Any word on the unsigned draftees - Purcey, Thigpen, Jackson, Patton, Yates, Miller? I'b be curious to see how hard the Jays go after Miller - he looks like he can mash, and there tends to be one or two signability tries each year....

Looks like most of the signings (outside of the 6 above) look to be done - with the very large majority of guys left looking like draft and follows.

PS - Jordan DeJong seems to be coming on of late.

_Texas - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 11:52 AM EDT (#55079) #

Thigpen and Yates still can't be signed, because they're still playing in Omaha.

Mike Green - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 12:15 PM EDT (#55080) #

Ainge, Hall is an unorthodox #4 hitter- Cannon, Lind or Metropoulos would be more natural choices. I don't think it's really going to matter though. The Doubledays are likely to be an offensive powerhouse until the promotions of late July.

The theory running around here is that the Jays are close to the limits of their budget for the draftees, and they want to talk to Curtis Thigpen and then negotiate with Purcey and Jackson. Thigpen's performance in the CWS will probably lead to a somewhat increased signing bonus.

_Sneeps - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 12:19 PM EDT (#55081) #

My theory about Jackson and Purcey is that due to the amount of innings they pitched in college this year, the Jays are just giving their arms a little rest. At least that's what I'm hoping.

_Finn McCool - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 12:32 PM EDT (#55082) #

Hall has played in just 5 games so far, 3 of these games he hit second, once he hit fifth and yesterday he did indeed hit clean up. It's probably just a case of the jays seeing he best suited to hit, though I can't see Hall hitting clean up for very long you gotta believe that Cannon, Lind, or Nielsen are more suited to hit clean up than Hall

_ainge_fan - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 12:47 PM EDT (#55083) #

Mike, could be that they're close to maxing out their budget...hard to say, there's been so little press about the signings.

I'm holding out hope for all six to be signed, but in the order I identified - Purcey, Jackson, Thigpen, Patton, Yates then Miller....Thigpen was thought to be an overdraft anyway to save some money - hard to see him asking for *too* much. Miller and Patton would really firm up the depth at OF/1B - which isn't looking too bad right now, anyway.

A bit of a stretch, but this is where the flexibility with money comes in - JP talked about the money saved from selling off P.Walker for this sort of thing...might be why Batista's name was mentionned in trade talks last week (albeit in the Sun) and why Delgado's name might pop up more.

Sneeps, I'd be kind of thrilled if your theory was right - better yet, sign Jackson and Purcey to '05 contracts, like was done with Chris Leonard. Let them rest, and look out in '05. I don't think there's a CBA rule which prevents this...they can spend the winter in instructional leagues to catch up on the time missed.

Overall, this draft has really helped balance out the depth across positions in the organization - LHP, RHP, 2B, SS, OF spots, 1B - there's now at least 3 really interesting guys at all the positions save maybe 3B. But I guess you could still pretty conceivably shift any of Hill, Roberts and Metropolous in the future.

LHP was a big gap, but with Purcey, Jackson, Timm, Leonard and Cheng all added over the last year, that's less of a sore spot - and some of those guys could move pretty quick. The Jays draft plans always end up being very sound once you digest them abit. There's getting to be more and more high upside talent (Rodriguez, Cheng, Martin) and overall balance.

_Sneeps - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 12:54 PM EDT (#55084) #

Nice post ainge... I agree with everything you said, except for waiting until 05 to play Purcey and Jackson. I want to see those guys get back into the action ASAP.

Mike Green - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 01:14 PM EDT (#55085) #

For myself, I'm not that crazy about Zach Jackson. Pitchers with uneven deliveries, who have been overworked and who have a history of high pitch count outings followed by ineffective ones, scare me. I don't blame Zach for his usage by the Aggies, of course, but everyone has a history. I do like Thigpen. He's exactly the kind of player that scouts are not crazy for, but who can be an effective major leaguer anyways.

Check out Rodney Medina's line for the year so far. .264/.349/.426 doesn't sound like much, but if you dig a little deeper the news is very good. 4 doubles, 4 triples, 3 homers, 15 walks and 14 strikeouts in 129 ABs in a tough environment. In other words, he's got some pop, some speed, he makes contact, and he draws walks. He turns 23 in October, so the sooner he gets some double A experience the better. He does need a few more ABs in the FSL to prove he's ready.

_ainge_fan - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 01:58 PM EDT (#55086) #

Sneeps, I'm eager to see them play too. But I've often felt that with college guys, when you've just got them for three years, you can get better bang for your buck getting them for three full years in your system, rather than 2 and a 1/2.

Mike - does Jackson have a history of arm troubles? Not that I recall, but caution might be the best path. I'm not a big fan of high pitch counts either for younger guys, but maybe this was managed somewhat - less throwing between innings, less on the side....probably not, but maybe. US college pressure is a whole different kettle of fish. Then again, I don't even know if there *is* a reliable way to prevent pitching injuries. All the best efforts of the organization (watching pitch counts, careful promotion plans, etc.) haven't slowed them down. The Jays were pretty cautious with Rosario and McGowan amongst others, and they still got stung. Strength in numbers seems to be the best strategy while continuing to find the best management/prevention program possible.

His delivery, I'll take your word for it, can likely be straightened out with good coaching I'd think. The same thing was said about Isenburg, and last years results were encouraging after some time in the system. Makes you wonder if he's having delivery issues this year...BTW, teams get compensation picks for unsigned first round picks, is there compensation for unsigned supplemental picks?

Medina is certainly interesting enough - Davenport is also having a nice year and could use to boost his plate discipline, too. Tablado at SS is another nice move. That is the position he was drafted at, and the more versatility the better - Tablado and Acey can be added to the list of interesting prospects who might project at more than one position.

Mike Green - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 03:25 PM EDT (#55087) #

1st inning in Indianapolis:

Russ Adams not playing for the Sky Chiefs. David Bush vs. Jorge De La Rosa.

Top 1:

Sequea singles up the middle. Stubby Clapp walks. Shawn Fagan grounds into a double play. Glenn Williams walks on 4 pitches. Anthony Sanders strikes out.

Bottom 1:

Peter Bergeron walks (Bush gets ahead 0-2 and then fires 4 straight balls, with the last one being close). Bergeron steals second. A sac bunt and a sac fly produce a run. Corey Hart singles to right on a line and steals second. Wes Helms pops out to right.

_Jordan - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 03:28 PM EDT (#55088) #

I really wouldn't worry about the Jays signing their picks -- it may take a little longer this year, but it will come; many other high picks also remain unsigned in a volatile marketplace that's still in transition from the $8M signing bonus days. The Jays certainly wouldn't have drafted players -- especially in the first two rounds -- if they didn't think they could sign them.

While we're on the subject, look for a special two-part series here at Batter's Box on the Blue Jays' 2004 Draft, starting tomorrow. Featuring exclusive interviews with JP Ricciardi, Jon Lalonde and Keith Law, the articles will review the process leading up to Draft day and will provide insights on many of the top picks.

Mike Green - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 03:36 PM EDT (#55089) #

2nd in Indianapolis:

Syracuse did not score. Bush had a good inning:

Mark Johnson grounded out to short. Chris Coste struck out swinging. Gemoll lined a single to right single, but was caught stealing.

1-0 Indianapolis after 2.

_Sneeps - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 03:43 PM EDT (#55090) #

Syracuse's broadcast still doesn't work, so I tried to pick it up from the Indy stream, and that doesn't work either. New Hampshire broadcasts haven't worked lately either.
Where are you picking up the action Greener?

Mike Green - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 04:10 PM EDT (#55091) #

My Indy broadcast is coming through clearly, including the extreme right-wing parts (the Iraq war is a fight agains the "plan for a Muslim-dominated world").

Anyways, after 4, David Bush still trails 1-0. Whitaker drew a leadoff walk for the SkyChiefs in the 5th. De La Rosa is gone (on a pitch count after an injury) for the Indians.

_Sneeps - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 04:23 PM EDT (#55092) #

Quiroz isn't playing is he?

_Rob - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 04:28 PM EDT (#55093) #

Strange. I'm not getting the Indy broadcast. I keep coming to this page. Syracuse has been a mess for a while now, so I'm out of options.

_Sneeps - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 04:40 PM EDT (#55094) #

Wow, a month of streaming is only $375 american. What a deal!

_David - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 05:07 PM EDT (#55095) #

Bush is still in the game after 7.2 innings, but still trails 1-0.

_ainge_fan - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 05:29 PM EDT (#55096) #

Raymon Sanchez - another smallish LHP out of the DR is starting the second game of Pulaski's twin bill tonight. I'll be curious to see how he does - he wasn't so great last year for Pulaski, but was really good in the DSL two years ago. Pretty strong K rates IIRC. Something changed too - originally, Berroa and Grant were listed as the starters.

The draft article sounds cool, Jordan. Pretty good times in TO - I really like the way all three of the major sports teams recent drafts - the Raps draft was solid, and the Leafs seem to be figuring it out. Babcock has a plan, and Barry Trapp is doing pretty well without premium picks.

_Finn McCool - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 06:05 PM EDT (#55097) #

Auburn is at it again, we're in the top of the third and already slaughter has begun it's 6-1 with Chip Cannon leading the way going 2 for 2 with 4 RBI's

_Finn McCool - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 06:09 PM EDT (#55098) #

Correction it's 5-1

_#2JBrumfield - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 06:50 PM EDT (#55099) #

Syracuse beat Indy 3-1 in 11 innings according to minorleaguebaseball.com. Bush went 8 innings, Kevin Frederick picked up the win with 2 innings in relief, and Jason Kershner nailed it down in the 11th for the save, striking out 2 of the 3 batters he faced. Paul Chiaffredo went 3-for-4 and drove in all 3 runs. Julius Matos was 3-for-3 with 2 walks and a run scored (early nominee for for the 3 stars) and Gabe Gross was 0-for-1 but walked and scored twice. 2 in a row for the Skychiefs, break 'em up!!!

_Tassle - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 06:57 PM EDT (#55100) #

So how long until Bush replaces Hentgen? It seems like it's only a matter of time now.

_Peter - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 06:57 PM EDT (#55101) #

It's now 7-1 Auburn in the 5th. Pulaski has won the 1st of a DH by a 3-2 score. New Hampshire has won behind Gustavo Chacin and Syracuse has emerged victorious in extra innings - win to Frederick, save to Kershner. Bush allowed only 1 run as the starter.

As far a Bush relacing Hentgen, that appears feasible but they might want to leave Dave awhile longer in AAA in which case they might try yesterday's Syracuse starter Ryan Glynn for a few stop gap starts.

A comment on the unsigned first rounders - another reason for this not yet mentioned is the glut of pitching already at Auburn. When Purcey, Jackson and Yates are signed 3 guys will likely have to be released. Giving these candidates a few games to sort themselves out isn't a bad idea.

_John S - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 07:17 PM EDT (#55102) #

http://milb.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=minorbaseball&page=milb-app/teams/M28/roster.aspx?team=M28
As a random aside, COMN and check out the Pulaski roster. They have an 104 year old electron playing third base!

It's no wonder the poor guy is 0 for 5 this year.

_Sneeps - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 07:20 PM EDT (#55103) #

Auburn also has a 104 year old electron on their roster.

_Jordan - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 07:23 PM EDT (#55104) #

Bush's line: 8 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K. It won't be long now....

_Dan - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 07:24 PM EDT (#55105) #

Hi, longtime box reader, first time poster. Just wondering if we might see jackson sent to charlston and purcey sent to dunedin? With them being first round picks, college pitchers and the fact that charston and dunedin both won their first half titles, maybe they could afford to maybe strugle a little untill they adjusted to a higher level of compition than rookie ball. Im sure there are a few older pitching prospects that can do with a promotion

_Sneeps - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 07:30 PM EDT (#55106) #

7th rounder Randy Dicken in for his first action as a Doubleday, and as a professional baseball player.
-His first batter hits a single to center field.
-Fly out to the right fielder, 1 out 1 on.
-Walks the next guy, 2 on, 1 out
Dicken must be a bit nervous
-Strikes the next guy out looking, 2 on, 2 out
-Grounder to short, force at 2nd, end inning.

_Fawaz K - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 07:30 PM EDT (#55107) #

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1830535
Freddy Garcia has been shipped to the South Side with Ben Davis and cash. The Mariners di pretty well, picking up Jeremy Reed, Miguel Olivo and Michael Morse(?).

_Sneeps - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 07:32 PM EDT (#55108) #

Dan, I've been wondering where Purcey and Jackson will go as well, and I've come to the conclusion that they're likely headed to Charleston when/if they sign. Charleston is the only staff that needs quality pitching, and being 21 and 22 years old, I don't think it's a stretch to put those guys there.

_Peter - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 07:35 PM EDT (#55109) #

Garcia going so early could set up a bidding war for Batista if JP is inclined to deal him. Ordinarily, this might not be the best move at the present time, but if the market situation allows the Jays to get more than he is worth(say 2/3 top prospects), you gotta do it.

Also, in Charleston another Mastney masterpiece, 7 shutout innings in a 6-1 victory.

_S.K. - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 07:42 PM EDT (#55110) #

There's no excuse for Bush to be in the minors and Hentgen to be pitching every 5th day in the majors after today's performances.

Bush: 4.06 era, 99.2 ip, 108 h, 20 bb, 88 k, 7 hr

He's already 24. He's ready.

_Fawaz K - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 07:43 PM EDT (#55111) #

They've got Batista locked up for two more years. I imagine J.P. would have to be blown away to give up his 2/3 starter for the next couple of years given the carnage surrounding the Jays' young pitching.

_David Paul - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 07:50 PM EDT (#55112) #

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20040627&content_id=781693&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp
COMN for new mlb.com article by Spencer Fordin. He must be reading the Box:

"...the Jays don't have anyone knocking on the door. Triple-A prospect David Bush is pitching well, but Toronto wants to give him more experience at the highest level of the minor leagues. Under other circumstances, Tosca admitted that moving Hentgen to the bullpen would be a consideration."

_Jordan - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 07:53 PM EDT (#55113) #

Dan, thanks for posting! We'll have more information about this in our 2004 Draft articles starting tomorrow, but the plan right now appears to be for Purcey and Jackson both to start at Auburn. They've both thrown a lot of innings this year, and the Jays would like them to start off in the Doubledays bullpen and get their feet wet there. But if they do as well as expected, they should move up quickly, as David Bush and Josh Banks did before them.

The Mariners got Jeremy Reed for Garcia? I've just changed my mind about Bill Bavasi.

_Peter - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 07:59 PM EDT (#55114) #

Auburn clinging to a 7-4 lead after 5. Pulaski up 4-2 after 3, attempting to sweep a DH.

My point regarding Batista - with there being so few sellers at present, JP may well be blown away if a bidding war erupts for Batista. The Dodgers for example are desperate for a starter just to stay in the race. Their system is loaded and they could well overpay without hurting that much. They made a good offer for Garcia and couldn't get him. The white sox had to give up arguably their best prospect to get it done. If the Jays can get such an offer, I think they will do it. Put that together with something for Delgado and Cat if they can come back healthy and you could be looking at 5/6 almost to already ready major league prospects to compete for positions next year.

_Finn McCool - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 08:02 PM EDT (#55115) #

We do have an alternative to bring up David Bush, and that is Justin Miller, does anybody know how his recovery is coming?

_ainge_fan - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 08:07 PM EDT (#55116) #

Dan - good point about Charleston and Dunedin both being playoff bound eventually. I bet we'll see some of the highly touted draftees getting some time in that higher pressure environment, though as Jordan points out - maybe not right off the bat. Finding room for Jackson, Purcey and Yates shouldn't be too much of a problem. There are enough guys who could move up to Charleston/Dunedin to allow for them, with enough guys at those stops who might be at the end of their line.

Really nice trade for SEA - Reed's a good one, and Olivo is already better than Davis IMO. A deal like that would have to be tempting if it were offered for Batista. The way Lilly has been going, he's looking more than capable of following Halladay in the rotation - which is another factor that might support such a move if the Jays keep spinning their wheels.

Mastny should be in Dunedin.

_George - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 08:08 PM EDT (#55117) #

I doubt the Jays sign Purcey, Jackson and Thigpen. Thigpen's stock has been flourished due to his performance in the College playoffs. Purcey and Jackson i beleive are holding up because they probably want more incentives in their contract(s). Plus, the Blue Jays apparently won't be signing them because of their limited budget.

_S.K. - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 08:12 PM EDT (#55118) #

Bush is 24 and has logged 100 successful AAA innings. I don't know what else he has left to prove down there, and what additional "experience" they supposedly want him to get. He's ready. Bring him up.

As for the Freddy Garcia trade, makes you wonder just what teams might give up in return for Batista. I wouldn't trade him though. He can't be replaced from within, and Ricciardi's track record for anything related to pitching is just disgustingly bad.

_Finn McCool - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 08:16 PM EDT (#55119) #

Re:I doubt the Jays sign Purcey, Jackson and Thigpen

I find it hard to beleive the jays would sign all these lower round draft choices and not leave enough money in the till to sign thier top 3 picks, that just doesn't make any sense

_Peter - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 08:18 PM EDT (#55120) #

There is little to no chance that Purcey, Jackson and Thigpen don't sign. They lose all their bargaining power if they return as seniors and might be looking at 1/10 of what they could get signing with the Jays.

Auburn has won to start 7-3. Pulaski now up 7-2 after 4, attempting to start 7-0.

_greenfrog - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 08:18 PM EDT (#55121) #

I don't think the Jays should trade Batista (and I would be surprised if they do). Trading him would mean conceding defeat for 2005, and possibly 2006. Does anyone remember how painful the rotation shuffle was last year? In Batista and Lilly, the Jays have two very respectable--and relatively cheap--starters for 2005 (Lilly) and 2005-06 (Batista). It's much easier to round out a rotation with a couple of 4-5 guys (say, Bush and a free agent), than it is to find front-end or mid-rotation starters.

Alternatively, the Jays could go after a #2 starter in the off-season, and push Batista/Lilly back to 3/4 (probably where they belong, in the natural order of things). If the Jays don't re-sign Delgado, they may have some extra cash for pitching. Of course, what JP really needs is an extra $20 or $25 million in his payroll budget.

Incidentally, I don't think JP can be criticized for signing Hentgen. Batista and Lilly have both worked out very well. In the free-agent pitching department, 2 out of 3 is pretty good. Hentgen was an inexpensive gamble. Based on his performance last year, it was reasonable to think that he would pitch tolerably well as a #4 or #5 starter.

_David Paul - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 08:18 PM EDT (#55122) #

I agree with S.K., especially after today's performance. Let the BUB (Bring Up Bush) campaign begin!

George: the Blue Jays apparently won't be signing them because of their limited budget. According to whom?

_ainge_fan - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 08:19 PM EDT (#55123) #

Auburn comes out on top, 9-4, in a seven inning game. Pulaski is on their way to a sweep. Make that an organizational sweep. Sweet.

_johnnnyS99 - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 08:38 PM EDT (#55124) #

Why Bring up Bush, if Miller should be coming off the DL sometime soon??

_Finn McCool - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 08:46 PM EDT (#55125) #

JP won't trade Batista, he has said as much a couple of times. Plus they would need to replace him, and no matter how well David Bush is playing in Syarcuse he is no replacement for Batista. The bottem line is Batista is only a short term fix but the jays would be much worse off without him now.

_George - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 08:53 PM EDT (#55126) #

So are you guys telling me that Blue Jays would be able to sign Purcey, Jackson, Thigpen, Patton and Yates? Because they are taking a lot of time and had they signed Purcey and Jackson, they would've made a strong run at heading towards Charleston.

_Sneeps - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 09:06 PM EDT (#55127) #

Well, the CWS is officially over now as Texas lost to Cal State 3-2. Thigpen went 0-6 in the finals, so maybe that might drop his demands (if they are infact high) a little bit? Anyways, this means that any/all college ball players are available to be signed by their respective teams. Hopefully all of our picks will be signed and designated by this time next week.

Can you imagine Auburn with Purcey, Jackson, Thigpen and Patton in the lineup? I feel bad for the rest of the teams in the NYPL... they'd just just scary.

_Finn McCool - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 09:07 PM EDT (#55128) #

George only 10 first round picks have signed so the fact that Percey, and Jackson have not signed yet is not surprising Thigpen couldn't sign he was playing in the College world series, his team Texas accually lost the campionship to Cal State Fullerton Titans today so I think he will probably be the first of these three to sign.

One important factor that sould not be forgotten, every time the jays have needed money Ted Rogers has come up with it, it will be no different this time.

_David Paul - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 09:30 PM EDT (#55129) #

Why Bring up Bush, if Miller should be coming off the DL sometime soon??

You're bringing him up because you think he's better than what you've got and can win a few games. It's all dependent Hentgen moving to the pen or Shady Oaks Retirement Bullpen. If Miller is coming back soon, I would agree there isn't much point.

Mike Green - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 09:40 PM EDT (#55130) #

Miller's been on the DL 4 weeks with a right hamstring injury. In light of his prior arm surgery, I'd be very surprised if they don't send him down for a few rehab outings, perhaps in Dunedin.

_Jordan - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 09:40 PM EDT (#55131) #

George, if you can name the last first- or second-round draftee the Jays have ever failed to sign -- including in the tight-fisted Interbrew years -- let me know. There are numerous good reasons, all of which have been delivered by other posters, why the Blue Jays will sign Purcey, Jackson and Thigpen in due course. Against these arguments, there is only a vague sense that the process is taking too long. It's not. If 25 other first-round picks have signed and Purcey/Jackson have not, you can start worrying. Until then, relax and enjoy the summertime.

Miller's hamstring injury evidently isn't yet fully healed; he can pitch okay, but he's not yet able to run or to adequately cover first base. Hopefully, he won't be much longer. Batista will not be traded. And I agree that it's time for David Bush to become a Blue Jay and Pat Hentgen to shift gracefully (as he does everything else) into the role of long reliever/full-time mentor.

Halladay
Batista
Lilly
Miller
Bush

I like that rotation.

_Finn McCool - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 10:05 PM EDT (#55132) #

Re: Can you imagine Auburn with Purcey, Jackson, Thigpen and Patton in the lineup? I feel bad for the rest of the teams in the NYPL... they'd just just scary.

You are right Sneeps when, and I do say when, these 4 sign with the jays that Auburn will be scary, more scary infact than last years Auburn team which went I think 53-17 but with great pitching and good timely hitting. This years Auburn team could have both great hitting and great pitching .

But to make them even scarier let's not forget the jays 4th round pick Robert Janssen who's signed but as far as I know not yet been assigned to any minor league team.

Gerry - Sunday, June 27 2004 @ 11:02 PM EDT (#55133) #

The bonus's paid to draft choices are relatively predictable. The Jays knew they had two first round picks so they have a budget for the picks. The win/loss for the high round selections makes signing very probable. Their only win in not signing would be to move up from mid first round to high first round nest year. That moves the bonus from, say $2 mil to $3 mil. Alternatively if you are a pitcher there is the risk of injury, and you could get nothing. The Jays picks will sign, just give them time.

_ainge_fan - Monday, June 28 2004 @ 12:16 AM EDT (#55134) #

E. Cannon (44th rd) must have signed recently since he showed up in the Pulaski box score tonight - wonder if some others have too.

Assuming no, that leaves just seven college draftees unsigned:
1) LHP Purcey, 1S) LHP Jackson, 2) C Thigpen, 6) OF Patton, 13) RHP Yates, 41) RHP Feldcamp, 49) 1B Miller* Signability pick - draft eligible sophomore.

The first five are pretty likely to sign, Feldcamp who knows, and Miller I'm hoping. Still 12 JuCo's unsigned, and 5 HS'ers - who might end up as Juco's. JP has often said they want guys who want to play (read: aren't going to be tought to sign), so I'm pretty confident deals will get done.

That's 28 of 52 signed within three weeks of the draft (26 of the top 37 which includes 6 JC/HS)- not bad.

_George - Monday, June 28 2004 @ 01:03 AM EDT (#55135) #

Bottom line: Jays havn't signed their top three picks, which are very crucial for their rebuilding plan. But, that's OK, i guess. Blue Jays have time to sign them. I have a feeling that these players will likely enter next year's draft if Toronto does not fulfill their demands.

_Cristian - Monday, June 28 2004 @ 01:57 AM EDT (#55136) #

George,

Bottom line: I don't put much faith into your 'feeling'. There is little reason why these players won't sign. As college players, they have little leverage and unless they think they will be top 10 picks next year, they won't make more money next year by holding out. Compound this with the possibility that an injury next year can cost them more than a million dollars and it's likely they will sign this year.

Purcey and Jackson have been ridden hard by their colleges so I doubt the Jays care that much whether they are signed immediately. In fact, I'd wager the Jays are happy to give their arms a break for the time being.

As has been stated many times over, negotiations with Thigpen could not have begun until his college season was over. You can't critisize the organization for not signing him yet. Maybe next year, the Jays should only sign players on losing teams so that they can be signed immediately after the draft and get an extra month of crucial development time in short season ball.

An important factor to remember is that JP got the GM job by laying out a plan to Rogers as to how he was going to build a championship team through the draft. The job was given to him over more recognized 'name' candidates. Having to pay for draft picks isn't a shock for ownership. They are on board with JP's plan and the number of picks the Jays got was no big secret. The money is there for these draft picks long before the Jays knew which players would be selected. Remember as well that most players make their demands known to the teams before the draft.

Look, I could go on but I'm going to stop here. You haven't been swayed by reason yet so I have little hope that I'll be the one that causes you to have an epiphany.

_johnnnyS99 - Monday, June 28 2004 @ 09:15 AM EDT (#55137) #

George, its waaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy To early to talk about these picks not bieng signed. Of course they will be signed, why would JP draft them otherwise. In case you did not notice, JP drafted alot of college senoirs, to save money for these top 3 picks.

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