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Minor League Update Minor League Update: August 20
Three wins in four games. Brian Hall digs the long ball and Syracuse loves the French.


Syracuse 8 Rochester 5

Syracuse fell behind early and it looked like yet another loss for the Chiefs. Josue Matos allowed four runs through four innings and the Chiefs were in familiar territory, down 4-1. But in the fifth Anton French hit a three run home run to tie the game. Then in the sixth Tim Whittaker singled in Julius Matos to put the Chiefs in front.

Syracuse held the lead until the bottom of the eighth. Bob File came into the game with two outs and a Jason Kershner runner on second. File gave up a hit to tie the game. In the ninth French led off with a single. Eric Crozier sacrificed him to second and then Russ Adams struck out but reached on a passed ball. A walk loaded the bases for Howie Clark who singled to drive in two runs and a groundout scored the third run. File got the win with a three up, three down ninth inning.

Julius Matos was 2-3 with two walks and three runs scored. French was 2-5 with two runs and three RBI's.

Game Story


New Hampshire - Scheduled Day Off


Tampa 9 Dunedin 4

Tampa entered this game with a chance to tie Dunedin for the division lead with a win. Neomar Flores started and held Tampa at bay for two innings, which allowed his teammates to get their bats going. Vito hit a two run home run in the first and Miguel Negron doubled home Raul Tablado to make it 3-0. Carlo Cota homered in the second to make it 4-0. But in the third inning Flores gave up a run and then two more in the fourth before giving way to Felix Romero who allowed both inherited runners to score to put Dunedin down 5-4. Tampa added a run in the sixth and three on two home runs off Brian Reed in the ninth. Tampa had 17 hits.

Ron Davenport and Negron had two hits each.


Charleston - Scheduled Day Off


Mahonong Valley 5 Auburn 14

At the start of the season Brian Hall set a personal goal to hit five home runs. He reached that goal early in the season so he adjusted his goal to ten home runs. Hall reached ten yesterday by hitting two round trippers and driving in seven. A three run home run in the second and a grand salami in the seventh made it a night to remember.

Curtis Thigpen doubled in a run in the first inning and scored on an error. Joey Metropoulos hit a two run home run in the second inning. Aaron Mathews had two hits and drove in three runs.

Casey McKenzie had a good start, four scoreless innings. The scrappers runs came in the last two innings.


Burlington 3 Pulaski 7

Burlington scored their three runs in the first two innings off Yesson Berroa who was done in the second. , Eddie Cannon and Aaron Tressler each pitched at least two innings of scoreless relief.

Pulaski tied the game in the third when Yuber Rodriquez doubled with the bases loaded. Pulaski added an unearned run in the fourth and Joshua Lex doubled in another in the fifth. Lex doubled again to drive in two more in the seventh.

Lex and Rodriguez each had a pair of doubles and three RBI's.

Our Three-Star Selection

The 3rd Star: Julius Matos, 2-3, three runs scored, two walks
The 2nd Star: Anton French, 2-5, 2 runs, three RBI's, scored the winning run
The 1st Star: Brian Hall, seven RBI's and two home runs

Posted by Gerry on Friday, August 20 2004 @ 09:26 AM EDT.
Minor League Update: August 20 | 64 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
_Marc - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 09:37 AM EDT (#22293) #
Next year Hall should set a goal to hit 15 home runs. It would kinda cool to have a second baseman with 30 home runs.
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Mike Green - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 09:59 AM EDT (#22294) #
Perhaps the main reason for the Doubledays' dominance this year is the play of Hall and Klosterman at 2nd and short. They play solid defence, they hit well and they're intelligent ballplayers. Plus Ryan Klosterman would fit right in at da Box.

Purcey's going tonight at home (so the game won't be on internet radio). If any Bauxite is near Auburn, it'd be well worth the trip to see him, and we'd love to get a first-hand report. He'll probably only go 2 or 3 innings.
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_R Billie - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 10:52 AM EDT (#22295) #
Brian Hall is looking like the best hitting value the Jays got. I don't know what his defence is like but if it's any good then the Jays might have something.
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Mike Green - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 10:56 AM EDT (#22296) #
http://www.dunedinbluejays.com/team/transactions.php
When Jason Arnold was promoted from Dunedin to New Hampshire, Jordy Templet went the other way to Dunedin. Justin Maureau was placed on Dunedin's disabled list a couple of weeks ago. COMN.
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_Marc - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:08 AM EDT (#22297) #
Templet has been doing his best impression of a rubber ball this year. He's been bouncing around everywhere. Never a good sign would an organization views you as a "filler."

Hall has eight errors at 2B so he isn't the most sure-of-hands but I don't think he's too bad either. He could find himself in the outfield at some point if he can maintain enough power to warrant a corner spot. With Hudson, Sequea, Rich, Roberts, Acey and Hall the Jays seem to have a number of options at the pivot. That's not including Adams, Cota and Hill, who could all end up there as well. That said, Sequea, Rich and Acey look like utility players, while Cota and Hill could end up at third and Adams or Hill could stick at SS. Depth is always a good problem to have.
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_MatO - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:21 AM EDT (#22298) #
According to the excellent draft summaries published in BB, Hall didn't play much 2nd base in college.
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_Bryan 501 - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:28 AM EDT (#22299) #
given their ages, do you think most of the auburn guys will go straight to Duneden next year, skipping charleston? I'm thinking guys like Thigpen, Klosterman, Lind, Hall, and Cannon.
If Thigpen went to Dunedin, do you think Diaz would be held over another half season at low A?
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Mike Green - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:29 AM EDT (#22300) #
http://gostanford.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/hall_brian00.html
COMN for Brian Hall's profile from Stanford. It tells a very good story. He played six positions (but not second base). He steals bases, and hits triples, so presumably has at least average speed, and he's got pop. He's now 22 years old.

Bearing in mind that he is making the transition to second base, I'm not worried about the errors. I've listened to quite a few games, and Hall seems to have fairly good range, and he definitely turns the DP reasonably well.

We'll see how Klosterman and Hall do in Dunedin next year.
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_Bryan501 - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:30 AM EDT (#22301) #
by the way, Marc, you never mentioned Tablado at middle infeild.
My prediction, if that guy hits 2 more homers this year, his name will not be left out or forgotten again.
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Mike Green - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:34 AM EDT (#22302) #
Good question, Bryan501. It wouldn't surprise me if Thigpen and Diaz were both in Dunedin to start next year sharing catching and DH duties, with one (Thigpen?) likely to be promoted to New Hampshire if his performance merits it at mid-season or so. Catching is a tough position, and there's no great need for a catcher to put in more than 100 games or so per season for their development.

I think all of the Auburnites you mention will start in Dunedin next year.
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_Chris H - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:40 AM EDT (#22303) #
Yeah, I think the Jays could have a good problem with their catchers next year...I would think Thigpen gets bumped up to Dunedin...and both Robinzon Diaz and Joey Reiman have done enough at Charleston to deserve promotions to Dunedin for the 2005 season...

If Thigpen performs well we could see a mid-season promotion to New Hampshire. I would think Diaz would be at Dunedin for the entire season.

Question would be, who catches for Charleston?

C.
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_Chris H - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:41 AM EDT (#22304) #
Sorry Mike - didnt see your response...
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_Bryan501 - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:45 AM EDT (#22305) #
I wonder who plays better D between Diaz and Thigpen. I've heard conflicting reports about them being strong or week in certain areas. I guess it's all just speculation at this point in their careers. I wish i could watch some of the minor league games so i could have my own opinion and not just rely on reports. Maybe some day i'll move to dunedin. yeah, in fact, in getting started with that, i'd better go ask my boss for a raise right now.
later.
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_Bryan501 - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:47 AM EDT (#22306) #
I'll catch for charleston. my boss said no to that raise.
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_Marc - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:49 AM EDT (#22307) #
I disagree. I see Thigpen and Diaz starting at separate levels. Both need to work on their skills behind the plate (according to JP) so splitting DH/C time doesn't do them a lot of good. I'd put Thigpen at Charleston and Diaz at Dunedin and if all goes well with Thiggy, jump him to New Hampshire at mid-season.

I didn't mention Tablado 'cause I was only mentioning people who could end up playing at 2B. Tablado is likely to play at SS or 3B.
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_Ducey - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:51 AM EDT (#22308) #
Weird. Some people checking in here have expressed disappointment about Adams' development. Some of those same people have said Hill is a good prospect, largely because of his bat.

However, with Adams' recent power spike, he is hitting .282/.349/.401 for a bad Syracuse team (maybe his recent output is related to better protection from French and Crozier?). Hill is hitting .275/.362/.399 at a lower level for a better team. Although he is a year behind, Hill might expect to experience some decline in his numbers upon promotion to AAA.

Are people just looking at HR's when they make their judgement. Offensively, they seem about the same, do they not? Maybe the snapshot taken at this time is not an accurate one?

Myself, I think both are going to be fine players in the ML
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_Mylegacy - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:53 AM EDT (#22309) #
http://www.immune26.tv
Thigpen is 24! That's OLD for this level. The one trouble with drafting college guys like Thigpen is you REALLY don't know how good he is. The list of guys that kick butt at this level and then fall to earth as they go higher is legion.

Hopefully Curtis is a keeper but based on this year it's WAY too early to tell. At 24 he should be in AA or even AAA, if he'd been taken out of High School.
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_Dan - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:00 PM EDT (#22310) #
I don't think hes 24. Hes 22 since he was born in 83. Drafting college players is more conservative than hs players so you do get a better chance of how good he is. Competition in college is a lot higher than hs.
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_Chris H - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:01 PM EDT (#22311) #
Thigpen was born April 19th, 1983...think that makes him 21...
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_Ryan01 - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:02 PM EDT (#22312) #
Thigpen is only 21 (born Apr. 19/83). MiLB site is very unreliable for ages in the low minors. (Ryan Klosterman is listed as 104 years old)
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_Jacko - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:05 PM EDT (#22313) #

However, with Adams' recent power spike, he is hitting .282/.349/.401 for a bad Syracuse team (maybe his recent output is related to better protection from French and Crozier?). Hill is hitting .275/.362/.399 at a lower level for a better team. Although he is a year behind, Hill might expect to experience some decline in his numbers upon promotion to AAA.

Hill
DOB: March 21, 1982
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 195

Adams
DOB: August 30, 1980
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 178

People think Hill will hit for more power than Adams because:

(a) New Hamsphire is a _terrible_ hitters park. Syracuse is Neutral.

(b) Hill is playing ok at AA at a pretty young age (21).

(c) Hill is quite a bit stronger than Adams (2" shorter, but weighs almost 20 pounds more).

I think Hill's power numbers will improve quite a bit at Syracuse next year.
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Mike Green - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:05 PM EDT (#22314) #
Ducey, Hill's performance is in my view more impressive, although Adams' bat is less and less of a worry. Hill plays in a pitcher's park in a pitcher's league, Adams plays in basically a neutral park in a neutral league. Hill's 18 months younger.

For both, the question is where they will fit in defensively. There are a few choices, and I suspect that the question will be answered in 2005.
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_Bryan501 - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:07 PM EDT (#22315) #
yeah, given his age it'd be hard to send Thigpen to Charleston. If i wanted both him and Diaz starting, i'd start Diaz at charleston again next year. Diaz is young and he's gotta hit more than just singles or else he'll really drag down his team in dunedin. I'd start Thigpen at Dunedin, and hope to promote both of them at mid season if all goes well.
Marc, oops sorry, i thought you were talking middle infeilders, not just 2B, my bad.
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_Bryan501 - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:10 PM EDT (#22316) #
Klosterman is not 104 years old is he? damm, i didn't realize that. i'm taking him off my prospect list.
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_Brian B. - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:10 PM EDT (#22317) #
I won't be able to, but someone might want to try the Mahoning Valley Scrappers internet broadcast for the 7:05 Dave Purcey start tonight.

Here's the link to Mahoning Valley's web-site, the radio link is at the bottom:

Scrappers vs. Doubledays
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_Bryan501 - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:16 PM EDT (#22318) #
and speaking of ages, and next year, lets talk about Purcey.
Next year he'll be fairly old, but with almost no pro experience (he may get about 10 innings at auburn before the season ends).
where would you start him next year?
i'd say let him sink or swim in dunedin. if he swims, bump him up to New Hampshire.
HS prospects are so much more interesting, they have time to develop. if you're a 22 year old college grad, you pretty much gotta be great right away in order to make the show by the time you're 24.
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_Mylegacy - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:16 PM EDT (#22319) #
http://www.immune26.tv
Auburn's website says Thigpen was born 8/28/79 that makes him 25 next week.

This is the link: http://milb.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=milb-doubledays&page=milb-nyp/teams/L55/roster.aspx?team=L55
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_Loveshack - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:24 PM EDT (#22320) #
According to TexasSports.com Thigpen is 21. Here's the link.

http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/ba_pages/2003_04/bios/thigpen.html

Includes details of his high school and college career. This seems like a more reliable source to me.
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_Chris H - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:24 PM EDT (#22321) #
Originally, I didnt think the Jays would bump both Hall and Klosterman over Charleston...as the Jays have really only done this with a handful of recent draftees (Adams, Bush, Hill, Banks, Vermilyea, DeJong?, Peterson?)...despite said draftees performing very well in Auburn like Marcum and Mastny as two examples...

But I guess SS Juan Peralta needs to repeat at Charleston as this season was less then stellar for him...and Jeremy Acey seems to be doing okay at Charleston but I dont know if he deserves a promotion to Dunedin?...

Will definitely be interesting to see what the Jays eventually do...

Also, do the Jays re-sign 1B Johnston? He seems to have done well enough at Charleston to deserve a promotion...

C.
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_DJ - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:25 PM EDT (#22322) #
http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/ba_pages/2003_04/bios/thigpen.html
COMN for Thigpen's college bio. His DOB is, as four other people said above, 4/19/83. Do you really think the Blue Jays would take a 25-year-old with their second round pick?

Auburn's Web site is wrong. It's also wrong on Klosterman, so I don't think it's all that reliable.
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Craig B - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:25 PM EDT (#22323) #
Mylegacy, Auburn's website is wrong. Curtis Thigpen is 21 years old, born 4/19/83.

I have a new favorite prospect... Curtis Thigpen has the same birthday as my son.
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_Jacko - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:28 PM EDT (#22324) #
http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/ba_pages/2003_04/bios/thigpen.html

Auburn's website says Thigpen was born 8/28/79 that makes him 25 next week.

Given that most Americans hit college at the age of 18, it's pretty difficult to believe that a college junior like Thigpen is 24 years old.

COMN. His bio at the Texas Longhorns page says his DOB is April 19, 1983. That would make him 21, no?
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_Marc - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:35 PM EDT (#22325) #
I've actually been pretty disappointed with all the Jays' Web sites, including the major league one. They aren't kept up to date and they rarely include any information of use to anyone but an occasional fan of the game. Batter's Box should be hired to provide the content for them all and it would be a heck of a lot better.

Johnston is nothing but a depth player at 1B and with the Jays' increasing 1B depth I would think he is on his way out. Cannon will likely end up at Dunedin with Anderson, Hicks, Metropoulos and maybe Thomas fighting for 1B time in Charleston.
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_Anthony - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:36 PM EDT (#22326) #
They also had one recent bump over both Auburn and Charleston. Tingler. He did play the very end of the season in Auburn last year, but played for most of the year in Pulaski. He may still be in Dunedin next year, but he did skip both levels. If players make the jump past Charleston, there will probably also be decisions made about the players they are jumping over.
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_Marc - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:41 PM EDT (#22327) #
My projections for next year AAA to A-
Syracuse
Jason Arnold
Gustavo Chacin
Cam Reimers
Josue Matos
Todd Ozias

Adam Peterson
Jamie Vermilyea
Brandon League
Jordan DeJong
John Ogiltree
Ryan Houston

Guillermo Quiroz
JF Griffin/Eric Crozier
Dominic Rich
John Hattig
Adams and/or Hill
Anton French
Tyrell Godwin
Maikel Jova

Tim Whittaker
Jorge Sequea
Simon Pond
Justin Singleton

New Hampshire
Josh Banks
Francisco Rosario
Shaun Marcum
Ismael Ramirez
Dustin McGowan (DL)
Vince Perkins

Bubbie Buzachero
Tracey Thorpe
Andy Torres
Neomar Flores
Chad Pleiness

Paul Chiaffredo
Vito Chiaravalloti
Ryan Roberts
Carlo Cota
Raul Tablado
Rafael Medina
Miguel Negron
Ron Davenport

John Schneider/Jose Umbria
Rob Cosby
Scott Dragicevich
Manuel Mayorson
Jason Waugh

Dunedin
Justin James
Tom Mastny
Danny Core
Davis Romero
Kurt Isenberg

Brian Reed
Justin Maureau
DJ Hanson
Felix Romero
Joaquin Canizal
Brad Mumma
Matt Dalton

Robinzon Diaz
Chip Cannon
Jeremy Acey
Eric Arnold
Ryan Klosterman
Christian Snavely
David Smith
Adam Lind

Erik Kratz/Joey Wolfe
Joey Reiman
Brain Patrick
Jayce Tingler

Charleston
David Purcey
Zach Jackson
Mike MacDonald
Casey Janssens
Chris Leonard

Casey McKenzie
Brian Grant
Dewon Day
Joey McLaughlin
Eric Rico
Derek Tate
Scott Roy
Kyle Yates/Danny Hill

Curtis Thigpen
Joey Metropoulos
Brian Hall
Anthony Garibaldi
Juan Peralta
Nick Thomas
Yuber Rodriguez
Eric Nielsen

Brian Bormaster
Josh Lex
Graig Badger
Charles Anderson
Aaron Mathews
Jarad Mangioni
[ Reply to This ]
_Lucky - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:47 PM EDT (#22328) #
Bryan, If Lind, Hall,Thigpen, Klosterman, and Cannon all jump to Dunedin next year, what about Snavely, Smith, and Medina? Where do you think they will play?
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_Chris H - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:54 PM EDT (#22329) #
I have been thinking about next years rosters as well...

For Syracuse -

I dont know if Jova or Singleton deserve a promotion to Syracuse at this point...Jova has a BB/K ratio of 11/73 in 400 at-bats...not good. Singleton is only hitting .231 with a BB/K ratio of 30/131 in 386 at-bats. I wouldnt be surprised to see both of them repeat AA.

I am also one of those fans (who might be in the minority) who thinks Josh Banks starts at Syracuse/AAA next year.

And, obviously we could see Crozier on Toronto's Opending Day MLB roster in 2005.
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_Jacko - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 12:55 PM EDT (#22330) #

Johnston is nothing but a depth player at 1B and with the Jays' increasing 1B depth I would think he is on his way out. Cannon will likely end up at Dunedin with Anderson, Hicks, Metropoulos and maybe Thomas fighting for 1B time in Charleston.

As long as he's not taking up a spot on the 40-man roster, I don't see any issues with him hanging around.

He's kind of new to the whole hitting thing after he spent the first four years of his professional career trying to be a pitcher.

I presume that if Johnston was retained, he would get sent to Dunedin next year.
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Pistol - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 01:24 PM EDT (#22331) #
and speaking of ages, and next year, lets talk about Purcey.

where would you start him next year?

I imagine he'll be on the Bush/Banks plan. Start next year in Dunedin, and move up if it's warranted at the midpoint call ups. If that goes well start the next year in Syracuse.

I dont know if Jova or Singleton deserve a promotion to Syracuse at this point...Jova has a BB/K ratio of 11/73 in 400 at-bats...not good. Singleton is only hitting .231 with a BB/K ratio of 30/131 in 386 at-bats. I wouldnt be surprised to see both of them repeat AA.

And it wouldn't surprise me if they ended up released. They're going to be getting squeezed by others coming up pretty quick.
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_Marc - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 01:36 PM EDT (#22332) #
As long as he's not taking up a spot on the 40-man roster, I don't see any issues with him hanging around.

Why keep him around if he takes valuable at bats away from prospects? This year was fine because the Jays lacked depth at 1B but not they have quite a bit.

I think it would be crazy to start Purcey at Dunedin with his history of control problems and lack of experience. The guy is going to get in about 10 innings of work at most this season and is one of the furthest of all first round college picks from being ready for the major leagues. Until this year he was a one-pitch pitcher. Give the guy some time to develop his secondary pitches. You don't want him to regress like Isenberg did when he was jumped to Dunedin. And that was after he dominated Auburn.
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Mike Green - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 01:43 PM EDT (#22333) #
The team might be a little more cautious with Purcey than with Bush/Banks for two reasons. Purcey had workload issues in college, and he has to work on his control. As a result of the workload issues, he's had a slower start than Bush/Banks. As for the control, it's desirable that he masters it before he gets to the majors. That might very well take 3-4 years. I expect Purcey to start next season in Dunedin, with a fine defence behind him, but his promotion timetable is likely to be fixed to his control.
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_DaveInNYC - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 02:03 PM EDT (#22334) #
Can anyone tell me what's going on with Vince Perkins?

Is his future still as bright as it was in the middle of last season, or have the injuries and the lack of control really set him back a few steps.

I still think the kid has the potential to be a frontline starter or a closer. Thoughts?
[ Reply to This ]
Mike Green - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 02:06 PM EDT (#22335) #
http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=42591
Anyone need a pick-me-up from the season from hell. How about a Kevin Gray article on the Fisher Cat winning streak? COMN.
[ Reply to This ]
_Jacko - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 02:10 PM EDT (#22336) #
re: Johnston

Why keep him around if he takes valuable at bats away from prospects? This year was fine because the Jays lacked depth at 1B but not they have quite a bit.

I don't think Thomas or Anderson are going to make a 2-level jump from Pulaski to Charleston. And Hicks hasn't exactly been lighting it up at Auburn since his promotion.

The 2004 draft was definitely 1B heavy, but other than Chip Cannon, I'm not sure if any of those guys are going to be ready for Dunedin (let alone Charleston) by the start of 2005.

So I'm not sure exactly who Johnston would be taking AB away from at Dunedin. Joey Reiman?
[ Reply to This ]
_MatO - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 02:12 PM EDT (#22337) #
Don't know what the latest problem with Perkins is. His previous injuries this year I believe were not arm related (foot and back?). He seemed to be taking a bit of a step forward with his control but the injuries have made this mostly a lost season.
[ Reply to This ]
_Marc - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 02:22 PM EDT (#22338) #
Hicks was actually demoted to Pulaski, but only because Anderson has been battling an injury and because there weren't enough at bats for him in Auburn.

Most of the 1B drafted this season will be in either A team, because normally a college player only spends one season in short season ball or they aren't considered a prospect (the age factor). Two level jumps from rookie ball aren't that uncommon, especially since the Appalachian League is almost as advanced as the NYP League (as opposed to the Gulf Coast or Arizona). In the past the Jays have thought nothing of jumping college players from the Appy league to low A. Joey Reiman did it and had similar, if not lesser, numbers to Anderson.

You also have to consider who else you would play at Charleston if not some of the Pulaski people. You're not just going to move the entire Auburn roster up there.
[ Reply to This ]
Mike Green - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 02:43 PM EDT (#22339) #
Nick Thomas has already had 2 seasons of short-season ball. He's young enough and has performed well enough that he deserves a full-season shot. The organization is definitely backed up at 1B/DH at the lower levels. Some talent will be lost undoubtedly in the off-season.
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_Slim Jim - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 03:21 PM EDT (#22340) #
I believe that both Purcey and Jackson start next season at Dunedin. If you can't send your $1 Million plus college pitchers to the FSL in their first full season, you've drafted the wrong guys.
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_Bryan501 - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 03:43 PM EDT (#22341) #
Lucky, who cares about Medina? as for snavely and smith, there's room for 4 OF on a team.
I'd have smith as the 4th, but rotate him through so that all 4 play fairly regularly.
[ Reply to This ]
_Chris H - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 03:51 PM EDT (#22342) #
I dont think people are incorrect in suggesting Purcey and Jackson should start in Dunedin...but what happens to everybody else?

Surely, Tom Mastny, Daniel Core and Davis Romero deserve promotions to Dunedin? Romero might start the year in the bullpen again...and, what of Vince Perkins? Does he start in New Hampshire or stay at Dunedin? Does his performance (or injury issues) warrant a promotion to the next level? Lastly, Isenberg will probably start the season at Dunedin as well...

C.
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_Peter - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 04:03 PM EDT (#22343) #
Add me to the faction that suggests that Purcey and Jackson should start at Charleston and I believe they will. I also believe Thigpen will start there too as Diaz is almost certain to get the promotion to Dundedin. Diaz has less options to prove himself than will have Thigpen and having spent an entire season successfully at Low A is a virtual certainty to start at High A next year.
[ Reply to This ]
_John S - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 06:11 PM EDT (#22344) #
I'd start next year with the following rosters

Notables in Syracuse

MLB or SYR: Quiroz, Crozier, Adams, Sequea
Other players: Rich, Hill, Hattig, Griffin (+X required veterans)

Pitching: Arnold, Chacin, League, Peterson, Vermilyea (+6 veterans)

New Hampshire

Chiaffredo
Chiaravollotti
Roberts
Tablado
Cota
Davenport
Negron
Jova (fills a spot until Snavely is promoted)
Johnston (Johnston, Snyder, or a AA free agent would fit here)
Umbria, Solano, Tingler

IR - Cosby (if he's healthy, then he takes Cota's spot, with Cota, Arnold, and Esposito all bumping down a level)

Banks
Rosario
Marcum
Ramirez
Perkins (perhaps put him on the League plan, and give Houston a chance to start for a couple months)

Buzachero
DeJong (I'd start him here, and promote him if things go well)
Reed
Torres
Thorpe
Houston

Dunedin

Diaz (either Diaz or Thigpen; depends on spring training I think)
Cannon
Hall (keep the Hall and Klosterman show together!)
Klosterman
Arnold
Snavely
Medina
Galloway
Reiman
Schneider, Mayorson, Patrick, Smith

Mastny
James
Purcey (I think Purcey and Jackson should be ready for high A)
Jackson
Isenberg (If Hanson is healthy, I put him here, moving Icy to Cha)

F Romero
D Romero (his innings should be managed like this year)
Dalton
Canizal
Mumma
Core (moves into the rotation if a spot opens)
Pleiness (would like to see him at AA, but no room)

Charleston

Thigpen
Metropolous
Acey
Peralta
Esposito
Lind (I think a few months here make sense)
Rodriguez
Mangioni
Nielsen
Corrente, Rivera, Matthews, Thomas

Janssen
MacDonald
Leonard
Perez
Tate

Day
Roy
Hill
Rico
Tressler
McLaughlin
McKenzie

Extended spring training on the bubble guys (for Charleston duty)
Anderson, Patton, Harper, J Rodriguez, Yates, Bell, Timm, Pidutti
* I think Grant, Cheng, and Martin should start next year at Auburn
[ Reply to This ]
_#2JBrumfield - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 09:30 PM EDT (#22345) #
Minor League Scoreboard Update

New Hampshire @ New Britain - postponed
Tampa 16 Dunedin 1 - Top 8th
Mahoning Valley 3 Auburn 1 - Top 3rd
Charleston 6 Hagerstown 3 - FINAL

Syracuse is pounding Ottawa tonight 8-2 but Tampa is bombing Dunedin 16-1 in the top of the 8th.

In Ottawa - Anton French singled home a run and Eric Crozier brought in 2 more with a double off Ottawa pitcher and former Jay Matt DeWitt in the top of the 8th to make it 8-2 Skychiefs.

Bottom 8th - Ottawa batting, Aquilino Lopez on the mound for Syracuse

Lopez's numbers
26 APP 1-6 5 SV, 7.39 ERA

* Leadoff batter out 1 out
* Hammond singles
* Single to right, Hammond advances to 2nd
* Raines strikes out 2 out
* Garabito reaches on infield single to 1st - Crozier doesn't get to the bag in time after realizing Lopez wouldn't get there - Lopez having left arm checked but shakes it off - BASES LOADED
* Clark makes diving catch in left on the warning track 3 out

0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on base

After 8 innings - Syracuse 8 Ottawa 2
[ Reply to This ]
_#2JBrumfield - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 09:39 PM EDT (#22346) #
Top 9th - Syracuse 8 Ottawa 2. Syracuse batting.

Pitching change for Ottawa - Craig House is on in relief of Matt DeWitt

House's numbers.......

0-0, 11.37 ERA - called up from Double A Bowie 2 weeks ago

* Clark grounds out to 2nd 1 out
* Sanders reaches first on infield single to 3rd
* Whittaker strikes out swinging 2 out
* Hermansen walks - Sanders advances to 2nd
* Solano flies out to centre 3 out

0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on base

After 8 1/2 inning - Syracuse 8 Ottawa 2

Scoreboard Update

Auburn 7 Mahoning Valley 6 (Top 7th)
[ Reply to This ]
_#2JBrumfield - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 09:47 PM EDT (#22347) #
Bottom 9th - Syracuse 8 Ottawa 2. Ottawa batting. A.Lopez pitching for Syracuse.

* Leon singles to right
* Mendez strikes out swinging 1 out
* Leon advances to 2nd on defensive indifference
* Swann singles to left, Leon advances to 3rd - Swann battled back from an 0-2 count before singling on a 3-2 pitch
* Gil called out on strikes 2 out
* Hammond grounds into a fielder's choice 4-6 - Swann out at 2nd 3 out

FINAL SCORE - SYRACUSE 8 OTTAWA 2
[ Reply to This ]
_#2JBrumfield - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 10:01 PM EDT (#22348) #
Quick RECAP

Syracuse Highlights.....

Anton French - 3 hits,including 2 RBI singles
Julius Matos - RBI single
Howie Clark - 2 run double
Eric Crozier - 2 run double

Ottawa Highlight...

Former Jay Chad Mottola homered for the Lynx

R H E
Syracuse 8 16 0 - 10 LOB (56-72)
Ottawa 2 8 1 - 6 LOB (56-72)

WP - Talley Haines 3-2
LP - John Maine 4-7

Attendance - 2340 at Lynx Stadium

Tomorrow's pitching match-up -

SYR Mike Smith (4-6, 6.64) vs. OTT Andrew Lorraine (2-4, 5.11)- 6:05pm
[ Reply to This ]
_Anthony - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:20 PM EDT (#22349) #
In Dunedin, three new pitchers:

Erik Kratz 1.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.00
Scott Dragicevich 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0.00
Jason Waugh 1.0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0.00

Pretty good showing for the three of them.

No earned runs over three innings when the pitchers gave up 16 runs in just four innings.
[ Reply to This ]
_DaveInNYC - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:43 PM EDT (#22350) #
The boxscore at milb.com shows Casey Janssen as the pitcher tonight for Auburn, not David Purcey?

Why was Purcey scratched?
[ Reply to This ]
_DJ - Saturday, August 21 2004 @ 12:41 AM EDT (#22351) #
Purcey was never listed as the starter anywhere but here. MiLB had Janssen listed as the starter earlier today. I think someone on this site got the information wrong and everyone ran with it.
[ Reply to This ]
_Val - Saturday, August 21 2004 @ 08:23 AM EDT (#22352) #
This was in an article
from www.syracuse.com

Toronto happy to wait to see what Purcey's got

Pitcher David Purcey, Toronto's No. 1 pick in the 2004 draft, waited a long time to put his name on the contract. Now that he has, he'll have to wait even longer to pitch.

Purcey, a 6-foot-5 lefty out of Oklahoma, arrived in Auburn on Sunday. As part of Toronto's conservative development program, Purcey will slowly work his way back into game form. He's not scheduled to face live action until Aug. 23.

It's the same strategy that Toronto is following with pitcher Zach Jackson, a 2004 supplementary first-round pick who recently signed and is working his way toward game conditions. He will likely pitch for real in mid-August.

"It's definitely difficult (waiting)," Purcey said. "Watching people play and not being able to play is hard. But they are taking the conservative route with us."
[ Reply to This ]
_Lucky - Saturday, August 21 2004 @ 09:04 AM EDT (#22353) #
Bryan, I agree about Medina, but I really like Smith. His defence has been great this year, and from what I gather, he has more speed and a stronger arm than Snavely, and hits better for average, with good power. Also, Snavely doesn't bat against lefties.
[ Reply to This ]
_Rob - Saturday, August 21 2004 @ 07:53 PM EDT (#22354) #
These are my notes from Thursday's Syracuse game; I'll give them to you here as something to read after that 10-3 blowout down in Camden Yards.

Gerry's excellent update told you that "Syracuse loves the French." Well, the folks in Rochester didn't. Boos cascaded down on poor Dave Gassner after the homer. I was sitting in the seventh row behind home plate for ten bucks American. Gotta love the minor leagues.

Random notes taken during the game:
  • Russ Adamseses' D at short looks fine. By my scorecard, he tagged out a slow catcher, caught a perfect throw from Quiroz (read on) to nail Mike Ryan at second, caught an easy popup and made two groundouts look easy. If you were basing an opinion on his defense based entirely on this game, there would be no problem.
  • Rochester's Ariel Prieto is a bad defensive third baseman. He missed four plays, one of which I would have made. And that's not hyperbole.
  • Josue Matos (is that Josh-OOH, as the PA guy said it, or HO-zoo?) was hitting 83-85 with his fastball (according to the scout's radar gun located six rows in front of me) and had a changeup or something going 69-73, which really fooled Todd Dunwoody in the second. Good lord, he looked like he was swinging before Matos even threw the pitch.
  • Poor, poor Jorge Sequea. He looked lost at the plate, despite singling in the eighth. Also made an error. I think I know why J.P. traded for/called up Menechino and Clark when the O-Dog and Woody got hurt, despite having Sequea on the 40-man.
  • Mike Nakamura showed his AAAA stuff. He never broke 76(!) on the gun, but he struck out two in his inning of work.
  • Somebody decided, with the game tied at 5 in the top of the ninth, to bunt with Eric Crozier, who was batting second behind The Frenchman. To bunt with Eric Crozier. There's a reason Marty Pevey is a manager and I'm just a guy who italicizes things he's already said, but that baffled me.
  • Sorry, Alexis Israel Rios, I am no longer in love with you. GQ, are you free next Friday? He certainly wasn't free last Thursday, as he was busy being great behind the plate and confirmed my opinion that he will be the 2005 Opening Day catcher for your Toronto Blue Jays.


Oh, and Dave Gassner looked fine. I learned that Rochester has cheesy promotions every half-inning, but it was way better than the Mr. Sub Hat Shuffle.

Harmon Killebrew was there as well, the only guy my dad recognized. ("Who's this Howie Clark guy?")

Once people found out I was from Toronto (well, the GTA, but they don't know where Burlington is) they asked me all kinds of questions about the ferry. Damn that ferry. I never want to hear about it again.

One more thing: Don't get lost outside the stadium at 10 pm on a Thursday, looking for the I-90 inner loop on-ramp.
It's not pretty.
[ Reply to This ]
_Rob - Saturday, August 21 2004 @ 07:55 PM EDT (#22355) #
something to read after that 10-3 blowout

The Toronto-Baltimore game ended up 10-4, but it was 10-3 when I started typing that. You knew what I meant, I'm sure.
[ Reply to This ]
Mike Green - Saturday, August 21 2004 @ 08:41 PM EDT (#22356) #
Thanks, Rob, for the game report.
[ Reply to This ]
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