There were only two games on the minor league schedule on Monday night, but we can still say it was a perfect night.
Omaha 5 at Las Vegas 6
This game looked like a slugfest coming out of the gates, as Las Vegas jumped out to a 5-4 lead after just two innings. However, the teams would only score one more run each to keep this one relatively tame. Lance Broadway was the pitcher to allow those early runs to Omaha, but settled down and got through five innings for what seems like an above-average start for him.
As usual, there's lots to mention with regards to the 51s' offensive production. Jarrett Hoffpauir singled twice and hit a sacrifice fly. Brett Wallace doubled and walked in four trips. J.P. Arencibia went all Three True Outcomes, with one of each in four PAs. And The Big Lubanski had the biggest day, with a homer (his 9th), triple and walk.
New Hampshire - scheduled day off
Bradenton 3 at Dunedin 11
Dunedin got on the board right off the bat when Tyler Pastornicky singled, stole 2nd and 3rd, and then scored on an ground ball to the shortstop. Bradenton kept it close for five innings, but the D-Jays exploded for six runs in the 6th, turning this one into a laugher. Dan Perales, Al Quintana and Mike McDade all hit homers for Dunedin, and Quintana added 3 more hits including a double to have a great day at the plate. Adeiny Hechevarria singled twice, but also made two errors, while McDade added two singles to his tally.
Andrew Liebel was the starter, and had a positively Liebel-esque (Liebelous?) start, allowing nine base-runners in five and a third innings, leading to three runs. Chad Beck retired all five batters he faced, two on strike-outs.
Lansing - scheduled day off
Three Stars!
3. Mike McDade - 3 hits, HR
2. Chris Lubanski - 3B, HR, BB
1. Al Quintana - 4 hits, HR, 4 RBIs
Links
In the past three Monday MLUs we've taken in-depth looks at Jays' minor league teams to-date. Today concludes the first cycle of this feature, as we examine the AAA Las Vegas 51s.
The Pacific Coast League has four divisions of four teams each, and the 51s play in the Southern division of the Pacific League (there's also an American League, with Northern/Southern divisions). Las Vegas currently sits in last place at 16-22, 10 games behind the Fresno Grizzlies, San Francisco's AAA affiliate. Also in the division are the Reno Aces (19-20, Arizona's affiliate) and the Sacramento Rivercats (17-22, Oakland's affiliate).
Hitting
Brett Wallace has been great, we all know that. But I'm in no hurry to promote him (because I get to make that decision). For one thing, we always need to remember that both Las Vegas and the PCL in general inflate offense. Second, Wallace's K rate is very high (about 25.5%) and is not balanced by his walk rate (9.4%), and it would be nice to see the plate discipline rates improve before bringing him up. On the other hand, it must be difficult for a young hitter to change his approach when his approach is working so well. I mean, the guy has 22 extra base hits in 145 at bats. Maybe the only way he'll improve his plate discipline is by getting knocked down a peg in the majors, in which case he should be promoted ASAP. I have no idea, but that's why I'm a blogger and not a Prospect Developer. So, the minor league QOTD: what do you do with Wallace?
Jarrett Hoffpauir has been great and has become a Box favourite with his crazy BB:K ratio and surprising power. I would like to see him get a shot, but I'm not sure where to put him - the way Bautista's playing, I want to see him in the line-up every day. Chris Lubanski hit well but has plate discipline issues - perhaps he can be a platoon DH type, though we have plenty of those with Ruiz and Dopirak around. J.P. Arencibia has shown OK but not great power and plate discipline, but his batting average is not inspiring. He still has significant work to do. Brian Dopirak has been terrible after busting the door down last year.
Pitching
Brad Mills got off to a hot start, but though his K-rate remains impressive, his WHIP is up to almost a buck fifty. On the plus side, he's only allowed two home runs (this is especially important as a fly-ball pitcher). Bobby Ray has pitched well recently, but doesn't have great peripherals on the season. Rey Gonzalez has been allowing way too many hits.
In the bullpen, Rommie Lewis and Josh Roenicke have already gotten the call, and nobody else seems to want the call. Jesse Carlson has allowed a ton of hits, while David Purcey is still struggling with control.
Omaha 5 at Las Vegas 6
This game looked like a slugfest coming out of the gates, as Las Vegas jumped out to a 5-4 lead after just two innings. However, the teams would only score one more run each to keep this one relatively tame. Lance Broadway was the pitcher to allow those early runs to Omaha, but settled down and got through five innings for what seems like an above-average start for him.
As usual, there's lots to mention with regards to the 51s' offensive production. Jarrett Hoffpauir singled twice and hit a sacrifice fly. Brett Wallace doubled and walked in four trips. J.P. Arencibia went all Three True Outcomes, with one of each in four PAs. And The Big Lubanski had the biggest day, with a homer (his 9th), triple and walk.
New Hampshire - scheduled day off
Bradenton 3 at Dunedin 11
Dunedin got on the board right off the bat when Tyler Pastornicky singled, stole 2nd and 3rd, and then scored on an ground ball to the shortstop. Bradenton kept it close for five innings, but the D-Jays exploded for six runs in the 6th, turning this one into a laugher. Dan Perales, Al Quintana and Mike McDade all hit homers for Dunedin, and Quintana added 3 more hits including a double to have a great day at the plate. Adeiny Hechevarria singled twice, but also made two errors, while McDade added two singles to his tally.
Andrew Liebel was the starter, and had a positively Liebel-esque (Liebelous?) start, allowing nine base-runners in five and a third innings, leading to three runs. Chad Beck retired all five batters he faced, two on strike-outs.
Lansing - scheduled day off
Three Stars!
3. Mike McDade - 3 hits, HR
2. Chris Lubanski - 3B, HR, BB
1. Al Quintana - 4 hits, HR, 4 RBIs
Links
- As usual, Monday's links start off with the Hitters and Pitchers of the Week and for the second consecutive week there were two Jays honoured. Last week it was Robert Ray in Vegas and Darin Mastroianni of the Fisher Cats. This week, Adam Calderone has made it two in a row for Cats hitters, and once again I'll let MILB.com's Josh Jackson take us away:
Eastern League
Adam Calderone, New Hampshire
.393/.419/.929, 11-for-28, 3 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 7 R, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 SB
Adam Calderone, who spent most of 2009 with the Fisher Cats and is in his fifth season in the Blue Jays organization, had an 0-for-3 game on Monday and was 0-for-4 Wednesday but still managed to flirt with a .400 average for the week and drove in at least one run in every game from Tuesday to Sunday. His two homers and three RBIs in Thursday's series opener against Portland set the tone. By the end of the four-game weekend set, Calderone drove in nine runs and scored seven, helping New Hampshire take three of four games versus the Sea Dogs.
- The other Jays' recipient came down in the Florida State League, where Welinton Ramirez was handed Player of the Week accolades:
Florida State League
Welinton Ramirez, Dunedin
.542/.538/1.042, 13-for-24, 4 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 4 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 0 SB
Aside from a 1-for-3 game on Monday, Toronto prospect Welinton Ramirez drove in at least one run on every day of the week. In fact, from Tuesday to Saturday, he drove in at least two runs in every game, and he kept the RBI streak alive on Sunday by slugging a solo home run. In the closing two games of a series in Palm Beach, on Wednesday and Thursday, Ramirez went 5-for-9 with five RBIs, a homer, two doubles, a walk and two runs scored. He doubled and tripled to drive in three on Friday and doubled and singled to plate three more on Saturday.
In the past three Monday MLUs we've taken in-depth looks at Jays' minor league teams to-date. Today concludes the first cycle of this feature, as we examine the AAA Las Vegas 51s.
The Pacific Coast League has four divisions of four teams each, and the 51s play in the Southern division of the Pacific League (there's also an American League, with Northern/Southern divisions). Las Vegas currently sits in last place at 16-22, 10 games behind the Fresno Grizzlies, San Francisco's AAA affiliate. Also in the division are the Reno Aces (19-20, Arizona's affiliate) and the Sacramento Rivercats (17-22, Oakland's affiliate).
Hitting
Brett Wallace has been great, we all know that. But I'm in no hurry to promote him (because I get to make that decision). For one thing, we always need to remember that both Las Vegas and the PCL in general inflate offense. Second, Wallace's K rate is very high (about 25.5%) and is not balanced by his walk rate (9.4%), and it would be nice to see the plate discipline rates improve before bringing him up. On the other hand, it must be difficult for a young hitter to change his approach when his approach is working so well. I mean, the guy has 22 extra base hits in 145 at bats. Maybe the only way he'll improve his plate discipline is by getting knocked down a peg in the majors, in which case he should be promoted ASAP. I have no idea, but that's why I'm a blogger and not a Prospect Developer. So, the minor league QOTD: what do you do with Wallace?
Jarrett Hoffpauir has been great and has become a Box favourite with his crazy BB:K ratio and surprising power. I would like to see him get a shot, but I'm not sure where to put him - the way Bautista's playing, I want to see him in the line-up every day. Chris Lubanski hit well but has plate discipline issues - perhaps he can be a platoon DH type, though we have plenty of those with Ruiz and Dopirak around. J.P. Arencibia has shown OK but not great power and plate discipline, but his batting average is not inspiring. He still has significant work to do. Brian Dopirak has been terrible after busting the door down last year.
| Player | POS | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | AVG | OPS | E |
| Brett Wallace | 3B | 37 | 145 | 27 | 45 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 31 | 89 | 14 | 38 | 0 | 0 | .369 | .614 | .310 | .983 | 3 |
| Jarrett Hoffpauir | 2B | 36 | 139 | 24 | 46 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 23 | 69 | 18 | 8 | 2 | 0 | .403 | .496 | .331 | .899 | 7 |
| Chris Lubanski | LF | 34 | 116 | 20 | 31 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 19 | 64 | 7 | 29 | 1 | 0 | .307 | .552 | .267 | .859 | 0 |
| Aaron Mathews | LF | 10 | 29 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .375 | .448 | .310 | .823 | 0 |
| Chris Aguila | OF | 25 | 93 | 17 | 29 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 40 | 12 | 23 | 2 | 1 | .389 | .430 | .312 | .819 | 2 |
| Jesus Merchan | IF | 32 | 119 | 15 | 37 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 2 | .362 | .437 | .311 | .799 | 8 |
| Jeremy Reed | LF | 30 | 109 | 14 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 40 | 13 | 16 | 1 | 2 | .350 | .367 | .275 | .717 | 1 |
| Jorge Padilla | OF | 23 | 76 | 10 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 24 | 11 | 16 | 2 | 1 | .387 | .316 | .263 | .703 | 1 |
| Luis Figueroa | IF | 28 | 100 | 11 | 28 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 38 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .314 | .380 | .280 | .694 | 7 |
| J.P. Arencibia | C | 29 | 112 | 12 | 25 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 41 | 11 | 27 | 0 | 0 | .293 | .366 | .223 | .659 | 1 |
| Kyle Phillips | IF | 9 | 29 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .303 | .310 | .207 | .613 | 1 |
| Christian Colonel | 3B | 24 | 66 | 5 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 18 | 7 | 16 | 0 | 1 | .329 | .273 | .258 | .601 | 9 |
| Brian Dopirak | 1B | 34 | 129 | 10 | 29 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 | 45 | 4 | 23 | 0 | 1 | .250 | .349 | .225 | .599 | 1 |
| Raul Chavez | C | 10 | 37 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | .211 | .216 | .189 | .427 | 3 |
Pitching
Brad Mills got off to a hot start, but though his K-rate remains impressive, his WHIP is up to almost a buck fifty. On the plus side, he's only allowed two home runs (this is especially important as a fly-ball pitcher). Bobby Ray has pitched well recently, but doesn't have great peripherals on the season. Rey Gonzalez has been allowing way too many hits.
In the bullpen, Rommie Lewis and Josh Roenicke have already gotten the call, and nobody else seems to want the call. Jesse Carlson has allowed a ton of hits, while David Purcey is still struggling with control.
| Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | HB | BB | SO | WHIP | HLD | GF |
| Brad Mills | 3 | 3 | 3.68 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44.0 | 44 | 19 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 48 | 1.45 | 0 | 0 |
| Robert Ray | 3 | 3 | 3.83 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 42.1 | 43 | 19 | 18 | 2 | 4 | 19 | 27 | 1.46 | 0 | 0 |
| Reidier Gonzalez | 4 | 2 | 7.78 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41.2 | 61 | 39 | 36 | 7 | 3 | 16 | 29 | 1.85 | 0 | 0 |
| Lance Broadway | 0 | 5 | 6.94 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36.1 | 48 | 29 | 28 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 23 | 1.93 | 0 | 0 |
| Zach Jackson | 1 | 1 | 3.67 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27.0 | 24 | 14 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 19 | 1.48 | 0 | 4 |
| Steven Register | 0 | 2 | 6.14 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22.0 | 29 | 20 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 18 | 1.59 | 2 | 3 |
| Sean Henn | 1 | 0 | 3.00 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 21.0 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 17 | 1.81 | 3 | 2 |
| Jesse Carlson | 0 | 1 | 6.75 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18.2 | 31 | 21 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 1.77 | 2 | 7 |
| David Purcey | 2 | 1 | 3.78 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16.2 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 22 | 1.56 | 6 | 3 |
| Marty McLeary | 0 | 2 | 11.57 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14.0 | 33 | 24 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 3.00 | 0 | 1 |
| Brett Cecil | 2 | 0 | 2.45 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11.0 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 1.36 | 0 | 0 |
| Josh Roenicke | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0.58 | 2 | 2 |
| Rommie Lewis | 0 | 1 | 2.35 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 7.2 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 1.70 | 0 | 7 |
| Jeremy Accardo | 0 | 0 | 5.14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7.0 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1.71 | 0 | 7 |
| Merkin Valdez | 0 | 1 | 17.55 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.2 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 3.45 | 1 | 1 |
| B.J. LaMura | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.00 | 0 | 0 |
