BJ Ryan returned to action today. He pitched a scoreless inning, striking out two and inducing a ground ball.
Can't ask for more than that.
Can't ask for more than that.
Can't ask for more from Ryan but a win or some offence from the rest of the fellas would be nice.
I see Diaz, Thigpen, Patterson, Lind and Coats have all been sent down
Can't ask for more from Ryan but a win or some offence from the rest of the fellas would be nice.
The regulars scored 4 runs and they lost with minor guys on the field. Tallet totally collapsed pitching the 8th which shouldn't be his role.
The offense doesn't look that bad. April was Eckstein's worse month last year and we all know Thomas takes forever to get going.
The regulars scored 4 runs and they lost with minor guys on the field. Tallet totally collapsed pitching the 8th which shouldn't be his role.
The offense doesn't look that bad. April was Eckstein's worse month last year and we all know Thomas takes forever to get going.
From Bastian....
"You're going to hit some bumps and some bruises along the way," Ryan said, "and you're going to hit some fatigue and some soreness, but it's healed now. The rest is between your ears."
....paying attention A.J.?
The ground ball was actually a bunt. Elliot Johnson astutely surmised that he had no hope or reaching base any other way.
Scott, that's a very optimistic way of looking at the game
I was there today. Ryan looked good, but he faced someone named Johnson who tried to bunt, and two lefthanders, one of whom was a major leaguer.Ryan overall looked fine, but I tempered my enthusiasm by looking at who he faced. The Jays started a team largely of mostly regulars with Zaun and Thomas missing, while Durham started for the Rays with Carl Crawford. Longoria came in later and simply hammered Accardo. Tallet faced a bunch of minor leaguers, whether it was in the 8th or not. The jays managed 3 hits by the time I left after 8, and scored 4 because Jacksons walks hurt him, coming ahead of Overbay. The team did not look particularly good today.
I was there today. Ryan looked good, but he faced someone named Johnson who tried to bunt, and two lefthanders, one of whom was a major leaguer.Ryan overall looked fine, but I tempered my enthusiasm by looking at who he faced. The Jays started a team largely of mostly regulars with Zaun and Thomas missing, while Durham started for the Rays with Carl Crawford. Longoria came in later and simply hammered Accardo. Tallet faced a bunch of minor leaguers, whether it was in the 8th or not. The jays managed 3 hits by the time I left after 8, and scored 4 because Jacksons walks hurt him, coming ahead of Overbay. The team did not look particularly good today.
Regarding Thomas, it's rather encouraging that he's had 23 at bats already; it seems at this point in his career it simply takes some time to get started, and he's starting earlier this year than the past few.
There seem to be snippets in every second article this spring about him taking grounders, chatting with the prospects in camp, taking relays from the outfield, all of which I think augers well, but we may have to change his nickname to the Big Friendly Giant.
There seem to be snippets in every second article this spring about him taking grounders, chatting with the prospects in camp, taking relays from the outfield, all of which I think augers well, but we may have to change his nickname to the Big Friendly Giant.
Off topic, but Sickels is pretty high on McGowan. His prediction for McGowan this year is 15-10, 3.50 ERA and 185/59 K/BB in 205 innings. Sickels also pegs McGowan as a candidate to throw a no-hitter.
Great new catcher data is out there now. Catcher block percentage from Dan Turkenkopf. It checks how many balls in the dirt each catcher saw and what percentage they kept from going to the backstop. In a tie for 5th place at 90% blocked is Greg Zaun. Ex-Jay Benji Molina is near the bottom at 81%. Then at the very bottom for guys with 100 chances you get I-Rod at 68%. Ugh. I always thought he was grossly overrated as a defensive catcher and this is early proof. I-Rod basically let 40 balls go past him with runners on base vs what Greg Zaun would've allowed in the same number of opportunities.
Highlights of Canada's win over Taiwan courtesy of You Tube.
Here's some video of the bench emptier. The Taiwanese players generally act as peacemakers in the incident after the Canadians claimed one of their players threw a ball into the Canuck bench. Stubby beats out a 2 out hit in the ninth down by one ( is he safe?). And finally a view from the crowd, I thought the Boys in section 518 could get a little rowdy.
Quite the crowd ! Maybe we could import some for the season. Two handed tomahawk chops? No need for a Dave Winfield exortation there.
Another positive sign as Ryan doesn't have any unusual soreness the day after his outing:
It sounds like the Jays are going to start Brett Cecil in AA this year. They're going to have three former first round left-handers between AA and AAA this year. I like the depth. I'm optimistic that at least one of them will be ready to step in by mid-season at the latest: (Romero's going to get it together this year, you heard it here first)
The homerun count will probably be down this year with Thomas and Stairs aging and Glaus gone. If Wells doesn't step up and Rios isn't healthy, power could be down considerably.
On the bright sight, Hill, Overbay and Rolen have all looked good so far and the catcher position is improved over last year.
On the bright sight, Hill, Overbay and Rolen have all looked good so far and the catcher position is improved over last year.
It sounds like the Jays are going to start Brett Cecil in AA this year. They're going to have three former first round left-handers between AA and AAA this year. I like the depth. I'm optimistic that at least one of them will be ready to step in by mid-season at the latest: (Romero's going to get it together this year, you heard it here first)
Throw in lefties Eric Fowler and Gus Chacin and there's a lot of port side depth in the upper minors. Whether a couple of them can contribute when injuries pop up is another question.
I would add that the suggestion that Cecil would start in AA was somewhat veiled. Bastian referred to him as a AA pitcher, but I'm not convinced by the story that he's starting the year there. Ricciardi did say that Cecil, Romero and Magee were all pitching well. That's encouraging.
The homeruns will be there. The Jays don't have anyone who will hit 40+ (unless you think Thomas has one more big year left in him), but they have four players who average 25+ homeruns a year (Stairs, Wells, Thomas and Rolen). Rios should also hit 25+. Overbay hit 22 homeruns in 2006, and Hill could hit 18-22. I wouldn't be surprised if anywhere from 5 to 7 of the Jays' starting lineup hit 20+ homeruns, and Zaun and Barajas could combine to hit around 15. There's a lot of doubles power too.
The team's IsoP was above league average in 2007, and will probably be so again in 2008. The major offensive problem was the lack of runners on base. They should be a little better in this respect in 2008, thanks to the arrival of Eckstein and perhaps returns to career norms from Overbay, Wells and Johnson.
Good game from the scrubs today, taking down the Twinkies. Jeroloman was 3 for 4 with a double and, of course, a walk. Tolisano got his second and third at bats of the year and tripled and scored. Jmac was 3 for 3.
Does anybody know if Burnett is pitching the Home Opener or is he pitching in NY?
They're going to have three former first round left-handers between AA and AAA this year. I like the depth. I'm optimistic that at least one of them will be ready to step in by mid-season at the latest: (Romero's going to get it together this year, you heard it here first)
Got my first look at Purcey the other day on MLB.TV and was impressed. Very easy delivery, hitting mid-90's on the (inconsistent/unreliable spring training) gun. Hit his spots but not a lot of movement. Only (only?) a consistent off-speed pitch away from something special, me thinks.
Does anybody know if Burnett is pitching the Home Opener or is he pitching in NY?
I would probably assume that he would pitch Game 2 of the Yankees series, but I might play with the idea of having him pitch the Home Opener because of the weather. I've noticed that Burnett has had control problems in cold weather (I recall Detroit last year and a cold late August in Cleveland in 2006), and with that questionable nail, it might be worth considering. The Jays have a two game series after the opening homestand in Baltimore, and see Kansas City and Boston on a road trip in late April. They could dodge quite a bit of cold April weather.
Speaking of where the prospects are going, does anyone know when the minor league rosters are supposed to be finalized?
Speaking of where the prospects are going, does anyone know when the minor league rosters are supposed to be finalized?
I can't anaswer your question except to say that MiLB opening day is April 3 and Syracuse seems to be keeping a running tab on their roster as reassignments happen.
Ryan pitched another inning today. Four batters faced - one hit, one strikeout. Brandon League, added to his GB ratio today as well. I think he's at 14:2 now. So pick our Seven Man Pen from these nine candidates:
BJ Ryan (L), Jeremy Accardo, Scott Downs (L), Brandon League, Brian Wolfe, Jason Frasor, Brian Tallet (L), John Parrish (L), Randy Wells (Rule V)
(btw, yet another ST stinker from the offense today. Outside of Hill and Overbay, everybody blows right now.)
Thanks for the update ayjackson.
So, where is the pen at now?
Mortal locks...
Jeremy Accardo, Scott Downs (L)
If healthy (and it looks it) also mortal lock...
BJ Ryan (L)
Being shifted to starting role...
Brian Wolfe - we really need more at the moment so I bet on a AAA start with hopes of a quick call-up.
Fighting it out for 4 slots with spring IP-BB-SO-ERA...
5-2-2- 1.80 Brandon League
3-2-4- 0.00 Jason Frasor
4-0-5-13.50 Brian Tallet (8 hits)
8-4-8- 4.50 John Parrish (2 HR's)
5-3-5- 0.00 Randy Wells (Rule V)
7-0-5- 1.29 Shawn Camp (5.27 ERA lifetime in majors)
Early betting is that Tallet and Parrish are fighting for one left handed slot to mix with Downs unless one of the others blows it. Given a 7 man pen Wells should be a lock for a slot since I doubt the Jays want to give him up. The low inning total for Frasor is not a good sign for him while it appears the Jays are taking a long look at Camp and Parrish.
Frasor could be dumped at a fraction of the $1.125 he signed for, not that it is a lot in todays baseball world, while Tallet is making just $640k so no incentive there to keep or dump. The rest are minimum wage or near it so no big deals there either.
My bet is Frasor gets sent down, again, or is released while one of Camp or Parrish makes the team.
So, where is the pen at now?
Mortal locks...
Jeremy Accardo, Scott Downs (L)
If healthy (and it looks it) also mortal lock...
BJ Ryan (L)
Being shifted to starting role...
Brian Wolfe - we really need more at the moment so I bet on a AAA start with hopes of a quick call-up.
Fighting it out for 4 slots with spring IP-BB-SO-ERA...
5-2-2- 1.80 Brandon League
3-2-4- 0.00 Jason Frasor
4-0-5-13.50 Brian Tallet (8 hits)
8-4-8- 4.50 John Parrish (2 HR's)
5-3-5- 0.00 Randy Wells (Rule V)
7-0-5- 1.29 Shawn Camp (5.27 ERA lifetime in majors)
Early betting is that Tallet and Parrish are fighting for one left handed slot to mix with Downs unless one of the others blows it. Given a 7 man pen Wells should be a lock for a slot since I doubt the Jays want to give him up. The low inning total for Frasor is not a good sign for him while it appears the Jays are taking a long look at Camp and Parrish.
Frasor could be dumped at a fraction of the $1.125 he signed for, not that it is a lot in todays baseball world, while Tallet is making just $640k so no incentive there to keep or dump. The rest are minimum wage or near it so no big deals there either.
My bet is Frasor gets sent down, again, or is released while one of Camp or Parrish makes the team.
Projected Jays' lineup:
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/features/column.aspx?sport=MLB&columnid=2&&articleid=30062&pg=5
I like the speed from 1st - 4th and the fact that Thomas has been bumped to 5th. If Thomas doesn't show any signs of hitting by March 30th I'd like to see him moved back to 6th, between Overbay and Stairs. Overbay's doubles will be better served behind Wells and Rolen than behind Thomas and Stairs.
Does anybody know if Burnett is pitching the Home Opener or is he pitching in NY?
Halladay opens in NY on March 31,
Burnett follows April 2,
McGowan goes April 3,
Marcum pitches the Jay home opener against Boston April 4,
Listsch April 5, (Halladay could always bump him one game)
Halladay April 6, (or Litsch if Halladay bumped him)
As a result, Halladay, Burnett and McGowan are skipping spring starts against NY.
Marcum is also dodging his start against Boston
Halladay opens in NY on March 31,
Burnett follows April 2,
McGowan goes April 3,
Marcum pitches the Jay home opener against Boston April 4,
Listsch April 5, (Halladay could always bump him one game)
Halladay April 6, (or Litsch if Halladay bumped him)
As a result, Halladay, Burnett and McGowan are skipping spring starts against NY.
Marcum is also dodging his start against Boston
I am THE biggest Shawn Camp fan on this site, and probably in all of Blue Jay Land. But if Shawn Camp made the team over Jason Frasor or Brandon League based solely on spring performance, I'd be disappointed.
As for the lineup, it could be worse, and if Rios and Wells must bat 2-3 then I'm glad Thomas isn't hitting immediately after them. Hitting the lefties back-to-back is easily avoidable. I'd be curious to see what the lineup looks like with McDonald in.
As for the lineup, it could be worse, and if Rios and Wells must bat 2-3 then I'm glad Thomas isn't hitting immediately after them. Hitting the lefties back-to-back is easily avoidable. I'd be curious to see what the lineup looks like with McDonald in.