Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - 2008 Rosters Coming Into View

2008 Rosters Coming Into View

The Lansing Lugnuts and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats have announced their opening day minor league rosters and from that we can make some assumptions about the Syracuse and Dunedin rosters.

Travis Snider appears to be headed to Dunedin to start 2008.

Summary:

Travis Snider appears headed to Dunedin; David Purcey looks to be headed to AAA; Ricky Romero is back to AA; David Smith wins the last putfield spot in AAA, Ryan Patterson and Aaron Mathews head back to AA; Chip Cannon looks to be heading to AAA; Ahrens, Tolisano and Jackson to play in Lansing; Kyle Ginley returns to Lansing; Brett Cecil and Marc Rzepczynski appear headed to Dunedin.

Details:

The New Hampshire roster has been released on the Fisher Cat web site. As expected Brain Jeroloman, Josh Kreuzer, Ryan Klosterman and Anthony Hatch anchor the infield. Chris Gutierrez starts the year on the DL so Scott Campbell makes the unexpected jump to AA to handle second base. The outfielders include returning players Aaron Mathews and Ryan Patterson as well as promoted players Jacob Butler and Eric Nielsen. That means that David Smith is the only one of New Hampshire's 2007 infielders to make the jump to AAA and that is not really a big surprise.

By deduction the Dunedin roster would include JP Arencibia, Jonathon Diaz, Sean Shoffit, and the Canadian kids Chris Emanuele and Jon Baksh. There appears to be six potential starters to pick from, Brett Cecil, Marc Rzepczynski, Julio Pinto, Robert Ray, Adrian Martin and Reidier Gonzalez. Billy Carnline, Zach Dials, Paul Philips and Conor Falkenbach appear to be in the bullpen.

My latest guess at the rosters can be seen here. Stay tuned for more news coming soon.

It also looks like Chip Cannon will play in AAA. Joining Cannon will be Russ Adams, Joe Inglett, Hector Luna, Sergio Santos and Pedro Lopez. Adam Lind, Wayne Lydon, Matt Watson and Smith will handle the outfield.

The New Hampshire rotation includes Ricky Romero, Jean Machi, AJ Wideman, Brandon Magee and Scott Richmond who is the big suprise in that group. The bullpen includes returning pitchers Kyle Yates, Seth Overbey and Sean Stidfole as well as Michael MacDonald now a bullpen pitcher. Mike Gallo who pitches in the major leagues for Houston a few years ago is also in AA.

By deduction the AAA rotation looks like Josh Banks, Kane Davis, John Parrish, Gustavo Chacin and David Purcey. There are ten possible bullpen pitchers by my count, some will have to be "injured" or released.

Lansing Lugnuts roster is available here. 2007 draftees Kevin Ahrens, John Tolisano, Justin Jackson, Trystan Magnuson, Brad Mills, Alan Farina, and Michael McDade joins Yohermyn Chavez, Moises Sierra and Wesley Stone in Michigan. Eric Eiland is the highest drafted 2007 player to return to extended spring training. Kyle Ginley makes a surprise return to A ball, Ginley must still need to work on his off-speed pitches. Chi-Hung Cheng also returns after being injured for most of 2007. Brian Pettway is now a pitcher on the Lugnuts.

We can then guess at the Dunedin roster. JP Arencibia, Jon Diaz and Sean Shoffit are in the infield with Canadian kids Chris Emanuele and Jon Baksh in the outfield. There are six possible starting pitchers Brett Cecil, Marc Rzepczynski, Julio Pinto, Adrain Marin, Reidier Gonzlaez and Robert Ray. Billy Carnline, Zach Dials and Conor Falkenbach anchor the bullpen.

My estimate of the opening day rosters can be seen here. Stay tuned for more details.

Posted by Gerry on Saturday, March 29 2008 @ 10:35 PM EDT.

2008 Rosters Coming Into View | 44 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

timpinder - Saturday, March 29 2008 @ 11:02 PM EDT (#181689) #

Dunedin and Lansing will be fun to follow this year, they're both going to be loaded with prospects. I'm glad the Jays have decided not to rush Snider or Cecil too quickly to AA. One guy I'm interested to see in AA is Kreuzer, who isn't really a prospect, but had an awesome season last year in Dunedin. Fluke due to repeating the league or break out year? And of course Romero, who I'll step out on a limb here and predict will put it together this year and find his way to AAA and on the call-up list before the end of the season.

Jdog - Sunday, March 30 2008 @ 12:10 AM EDT (#181692) #

If that Romero prediction is out on a limb, I would have to say that limb has broken and fallen to the ground , due to the weight many bauxites.

One question for the experts or peanut gallery, is kevin ahrens officially moved to 3B for lansing or are they still going to use him at SS?

John Northey - Sunday, March 30 2008 @ 01:12 AM EDT (#181694) #

A big key for development, outside of talent which is always hard to get a perfect view of, is age. A player who is 21 in AAA is more often than not going to have a better career than a guy who is 29 in AAA. So, taking that as a thread what are we looking at in AAA? Thanks to Gerry's page I can quickly summarize. I'll mix in last years minor league baseball numbers (mix of A/AA/AAA) via Baseball-Reference.com just for the sake of (very roughly) eyeballing skill level. Age is their age as of July 1st 2008 (iirc that is how B-R works) while stats are BA/OBP/Slg

CA: Robinson Diaz: 24 320/346/413
1B: Chip Cannon: 26 241/334/434
2B: Russ Adams: 27 262/333/401
3B: Sergio Santos: 24 244/314/453
SS: Pedro Lopez: 24 284/346/368
LF: Adam Lind: 24 299/353/471
CF: Wayne Lydon: 27 258/327/359
RF: David Smith: 27 276/359/512
DH: Matt Watson: 29 203/267/341 in limited time in Japan, 920 OPS in AAA for Oakland in '05 in his last full time season

So for offense we have a lot of 27+ guys who are likely to never be more than injury filler, and 4 guys who are 24 and in their now or else seasons. Either they show enough to get to the majors permanently by September or they will be AAAA players the rest of their careers (most likely). No one in AAA jumps out as a star prospect (22 or less).

For pitchers it is Age W-L ERA IP BB SO
SP: Josh Banks: 25 12-10 4.63 169 24 101
SP: Gustavo Chacin: 27 0-2 7.45 10 3 5
SP: John Parrish: 30 2-2 5.71 52 37 41 as a ML reliever
SP: David Purcey: 26 3-5 5.37 62 16 55
SP: Kane Davis: 33 3-3 3.06 53 26 60 4 saves pitched only relief

Banks and Purcey are in make or break seasons while the rest are just hoping for some time in the majors at this point. Nothing to write home about as the depth is already in the majors (McGowan/Marcum/Litsch) or lower in the minors thus unlikely to help in '08.

I'm skipping bench and bullpen as those guys normally aren't top prospects and/or will have minimal impact if given a shot (with some exceptions).

So AAA isn't showing much. Matt Watson is the old surprise candidate while Santos is much younger than we remember given he is the same age as Lind. Santos and Lopez should both get time in the majors at some point while I see Watson as the likely call-up for the outfield in event of short term injury if Lind isn't doing well enough and Coats doesn't impress quick. Lopez is the dark horse for sneaking in a ML career if Eckstein gets hurt while Santos will need a few stars to align for his shot (Rolen long term injury plus Scutaro not doing too well plus Santos hitting well in AAA). We have to pray Purcey or Banks will make a breakthrough ala Litsch this season, or that Chacin finds some magic.

Marc Hulet - Sunday, March 30 2008 @ 10:07 AM EDT (#181699) #

Rzepczynski may not be in Dunedin... he hasn't pitched at all this spring and may be injured.

timpinder - Sunday, March 30 2008 @ 11:20 AM EDT (#181705) #

Jdog,

yeah, that wasn't much of a limb. I'll go further and say he'll be in the rotation at some point this year. As for Ahrens, I was wondering the same thing. However, with Jackson also playing in Lansing, it certainly looks like Ahrens has made the switch.

Mike Green - Sunday, March 30 2008 @ 11:51 AM EDT (#181708) #

Joel Collins isn't on the Lansing roster. I hope that he is healthy.

Dave Rutt - Sunday, March 30 2008 @ 12:07 PM EDT (#181709) #

tim, I'm with you on Lansing and Dunedin being really exciting. If the big boys falter like last year, at least we'll have the farm system to keep us interested.

Thanks for all this Gerry. The minor league crew always does great work here.

smcs - Monday, March 31 2008 @ 07:58 AM EDT (#181736) #

Stellar work again by the Minor League Crew. I look forward to more of the same throughout the year.

You have Trystan Magnuson listed as a starter at Lansing. I thought he was supposed to be a reliever, or are the Jays taking the same path with him as they are with Brett Cecil, try him as a starter, and if he does not work, send him to the 'pen? Isn't it also odd that Magnuson is starting at Lansing, considering he has never pitched a professional inning (arm injury/tiredness and visa troubles derailed him last year, if I remember)?

Maldoff - Monday, March 31 2008 @ 01:42 PM EDT (#181777) #

2 comments:

1) Joel Collins is currently listed on the shell roster at MiLB.com. Take that for what it's worth?

2) Pettway is being converted to a pitcher? Can anyone confirm this? Doesn't seem to make much sense to me, but does anyone have any more information?

Marc Hulet - Monday, March 31 2008 @ 03:06 PM EDT (#181783) #

Pettway is becoming a pitcher... He was a two-way player in college and did not show much improvement with the bat and was stuck in A-ball for two straight years. He did not allow an earned run in spring training.

MatO - Monday, March 31 2008 @ 03:10 PM EDT (#181784) #

Yes Magnusson will be tried as a starter first just like Cecil (or David Bush in the past). He's starting at Lansing which is the least that would be expected of a high college pick. Purcey and Romero went to Dunedin despite hardly pitching in their draft years.

Pettway's days as a hitting prospect were over. The one time I saw him he seemed to have a strong arm so why not try him as a pitcher?

Mike Green - Monday, March 31 2008 @ 08:58 PM EDT (#181807) #

It's a good idea. He is a little old to pull a Dave Stieb, but maybe, just maybe, he might be a useful pitcher down the road.

ChicagoJaysFan - Monday, March 31 2008 @ 09:49 PM EDT (#181812) #

I'd first like to say that Minor League coverage like this is one of the greatest features of this website.

Secondly, as many have said, our Dunedin and Lansing teams really will be a great barometer for what the future of this team looks like. Ideally, especially in Dunedin, there are a few people that are looking at a mid-season promotion (Cecil and Snider immediately pop into mind). If the Lansing and Dunedin rosters don't change at all through the year, that's not a good omen.

timpinder - Monday, March 31 2008 @ 11:05 PM EDT (#181820) #

ChicagoJaysFan,

I think that's true for Dunedin, where if Cecil, Snider and Arencibia are still in A+ at the end of the year then things have obviously gone badly for them. But I don't actually expect a lot of movement in Lansing. Tolisano, Jackson, Ahrens and Chavez are all just teenagers in their first year of full season ball. The only big name prospect I hope to see move up to A+ this year is Chavez. He started a year earlier than the other top prospects when he was 17 years old, he has two years of pro ball under his belt, plus he put up an .883 OPS in the GCL last year!
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/C/Johermyn-Chavez.shtml

ChicagoJaysFan - Monday, March 31 2008 @ 11:17 PM EDT (#181821) #

Timpinder,

You're right about Lansing. Not sure what I was thinking when I wrote that. One need only look at one of the examples I listed as needing to move up from Dunedin - Travis Snider still looks pretty good as a prospect (understatement) and he spent the whole year in Lansing last year at the same age as most of the guys there.

Marc Hulet - Tuesday, April 01 2008 @ 01:03 PM EDT (#181847) #

I received the Dunedin roster from the Jays:

L   Cecil, Brett
R   Gonzalez, Ray
R   Martin, Adrian
R   Pinto, Julio
R   Ray, Robert
R   Rodriguez, Kenny

R   Benitez, Armando
R   Blackwell, Chad
R   Dials, Zach
R   Falkenbach, Connor
R   Phillips, Paul
R   Polanco, Celson
R   Rodriguez, Edward

Arencibia, JP
Corrente, David

Franko, Paul
Emaus, Brad
Sanchez, Luis
Gonzalez, Jesus
Diaz, Jon
Dopirak, Brian
Quintana, Al

Calderone, Adam
Emanuele, Chris
Patton, Cory
Shoffit, Sean
Snider, Travis

Interestingly, defensively-challenged infielder Sean Shoffit is going to see time in the outfield and Snider is in Dunedin rather than New Hampshire, likely due to his elbow injury. Brian Dopirak is a first baseman who was a former top prospect in the Cubs system. There is no sign of Ben Harrison or Jonathan Baksh on any roster so they may be hurt or were released.

China fan - Tuesday, April 01 2008 @ 01:25 PM EDT (#181851) #

Armando Benitez is on the roster at Dunedin? Does that mean he has finally received his work permit? And why is he starting out in Dunedin -- is it simply because that's the nearest minor-league team to the training camp where he's been working out? Or is he in worse shape than we imagined? Surely he'll be there for only a few games, if he's got his work permit finally.

Maldoff - Tuesday, April 01 2008 @ 02:42 PM EDT (#181856) #

Other guys I was surprised not to see on rosters: Bill Carnline, Eric Fowler, Graham Godfrey, Marc Rzepczynski and Joel Collins.

Marc Hulet - Tuesday, April 01 2008 @ 02:46 PM EDT (#181857) #

Godfrey was traded to Oakland for Scutaro. Fowler and Carnline had shoulder problems last year and may be hurt.

ramone - Tuesday, April 01 2008 @ 06:06 PM EDT (#181871) #

Any idea where Collins will be?

Marc Hulet - Tuesday, April 01 2008 @ 07:04 PM EDT (#181875) #

Collins had a great spring training - batted almost .500 (9 for 21 with four doubles and a homer), so I don't know why he is in extended spring training.

timpinder - Tuesday, April 01 2008 @ 10:58 PM EDT (#181884) #

Marc,

where did you find Collins' stats? I've tried to find the Jays' minor league boxscores or stats on-line but I haven't been able to. If you have a link I'd appreciate it.

ChicagoJaysFan - Tuesday, April 01 2008 @ 11:25 PM EDT (#181886) #

Marc,

where did you find Collins' stats? I've tried to find the Jays' minor league boxscores or stats on-line but I haven't been able to. If you have a link I'd appreciate it.

I know you asked for minor league stats, but Marc did refer to Collins' Spring Training stats, so if that's what you want - here is a very ugly version.

mendocino - Tuesday, April 01 2008 @ 11:43 PM EDT (#181889) #

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=847

released: RHP's Jeremy Cummings, Nathan Melek, Scott Richmond, Dushan Ruzic, Ted Serro and Jeremy Zick. LHP's Ben Harrison and Ron Lowe. C Sal Fasano.

Marc Hulet - Wednesday, April 02 2008 @ 09:14 AM EDT (#181903) #

I think the naming of Scott Richmond as one of the released players is a mistake because he appears on the Double-A roster given to me by the Jays...

Anyway, if you want minor league spring training stats for many of the Jays' prospects, read this new free, weekly magazine devoted to the system.

timpinder - Wednesday, April 02 2008 @ 11:13 AM EDT (#181908) #

Thank you.

Marc Hulet - Wednesday, April 02 2008 @ 02:37 PM EDT (#181933) #

jgadfly - Wednesday, April 02 2008 @ 03:08 PM EDT (#181937) #

Marc... great work!...highly recommended... a quick question... Did Snider not get any at bats once he was sent down to the minor league complex and have you heard anymore about his elbow ?

Marc Hulet - Wednesday, April 02 2008 @ 03:14 PM EDT (#181938) #

No Snider did not play in minor camp. He's starting in Dunedin so they can keep him in the warm weather, he can continue to strengthen the elbow and work off the rust from not playing in three weeks. Dick Scott said Snider would definitely have started in Double-A if it had not been for the elbow.

Mike Green - Wednesday, April 02 2008 @ 03:44 PM EDT (#181941) #

According to Dick Scott, director of player development, Joel Collins, currently in extended spring, could be moving on to a full-season club because catch David Corrente in Dunedin has developed some elbow soreness and could begin the year on the DL. Collins was simply a victim of the Jays' solid catching depth.

This will be good news, provided the Jays actually give Collins a chance. If the Jays give Arencibia two-thirds of the catching assignments and Collins one-third in Dunedin, I am confident that it will be clear by the year that Collins is actually at the top of the catching depth chart, notwithstanding being drafted 9 rounds after Arencibia. Collins and Jeroloman might make a good platoon in a couple of years.

Shane - Wednesday, April 02 2008 @ 04:20 PM EDT (#181946) #

What was the issue with Snider's elbow, again?? I hadn't yet heard all spring.

CeeBee - Wednesday, April 02 2008 @ 06:28 PM EDT (#181953) #

Great article Marc. Interesting tidbits and stats to boot. Thanks for all the effort and the time spent.

wacker - Wednesday, April 02 2008 @ 11:12 PM EDT (#181967) #

i heard Arencibia has a slight hamstring pull and they kept liuzza in dunedin for now and another catcher (not sure of the spelling) Quint??? is also in dunedin. yes? no?

Marc Hulet - Thursday, April 03 2008 @ 09:29 AM EDT (#181994) #

Dick Scott told me David Corrente in Dunedin had a sore elbow and that he could end up on the DL. He did not mention a problem with Arencibia, though. And yes, Al Quintana is there but he's more of a back-up infielder that can be a third catcher.... although that was his role in college.

Gerry - Thursday, April 03 2008 @ 01:51 PM EDT (#182029) #

Syracuse start their season at 2 pm today, David Purcey faces Homer Bailey. The Chiefs lineup features Curtis Thigpen at first, Russ Adams in right field, Sergio Santos at short and Jorge Valendia at shortstop.

The other three affiliates play tonight.

China fan - Thursday, April 03 2008 @ 02:05 PM EDT (#182031) #

Two shortstops? I know the team is worried about Santos and his defensive problems, but this is an extreme solution!

FisherCat - Thursday, April 03 2008 @ 03:37 PM EDT (#182039) #

I'm likeing what I'm seeing in Syracuse so far...

Robinson Diaz 2 for 2; Adam Lind HR(1) and Purcey 1hit thru 4+

Plus, I love that Blue Jays management finally smartened up and put Russ Adams in the outfield. Call it a hunch, but I think he's gonna flourish out there.

Hopefully the final year in Syracuse for the Jays is a positive one!

John Northey - Thursday, April 03 2008 @ 04:01 PM EDT (#182043) #

FisherCat - if Adams hitting cleanup is what the Jays are doing for Syracuse then I feel sorry for whoever gets the Jays AAA team next :P

Still, watching this on Gameday and Purcey finishing with 6 IP, 7 K's, 2 H, 2 BB's and 90 pitches is pretty positive stuff.

Shane - Thursday, April 03 2008 @ 04:03 PM EDT (#182044) #

So is it a mystery as to what's wrong with Travis Sniders elbow, or does no one know? Thanks.

FisherCat - Thursday, April 03 2008 @ 04:17 PM EDT (#182046) #

So is it a mystery as to what's wrong with Travis Sniders elbow, or does no one know? Thanks.

You should be able to track it down in Jordan Bastian's notes on the Jays homepage from like March 10th or so. IIRC, it was just a tender elbow that didn't limit him from DH'ing, but that's all he did in the last 10 or so appearances with the big leaguers.

Marc Hulet - Thursday, April 03 2008 @ 05:29 PM EDT (#182050) #

The Jays are not going to tell you exactly what's wrong with his elbow... no organization is going to be completely candid.

- it's hurt
- he's DHing for now
- when it stops hurting, he's going to under go a throwing program to strengthen
- when it's at full or near full strength he'll return to the field
- when he can play outfield regularly, he'll go to Double-A

wacker - Thursday, April 03 2008 @ 06:44 PM EDT (#182054) #

soreness in the elbow of snider, would you assume (you know what happens when you assume) it could be alittle tendonitis? i've had it on both inside and outside of elbow, very painful..rest the best medicine!

Shane - Thursday, April 03 2008 @ 07:10 PM EDT (#182060) #

Right. What i'm getting at is I hope it's not going to be a Albert Pujols tommy-john situation that's not being revealed - know what I mean?

wacker - Friday, April 04 2008 @ 10:17 PM EDT (#182173) #

marc your info is correct, collins is in lansing....liuzza in dunedin, still hearing arencibia might be down for about three weeks. you hear anything...peace

2008 Rosters Coming Into View | 44 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.