Wow, seems like no one wants Dana's spot in the rotation, maybe they should have waited a bit before dumping him.  I listened to a little of the 51's game last nigt and Zep's slider was actually excellent early on but the announcers said the hitters were just sitting on his fastball and taking mighty hacks at it.  Sounds like he topped out at around 89 mph but it was consistently up in the zone.  Hopefully it's just a mechanical adjustment and he can get back on track. 

Dunedin has a double header today, and I saw this article in the sun this morning on Hech by Elliot, early reports on him are sounding great:

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/baseball/2010/05/30/14188621.html 

New Hampshire is a much more interesting team than Las Vegas at the moment.  Lots of intriguing prospects here.  For example, Bowman's OPS is now at .918, while Jeroloman's OPS is at 1.020.   Nice to have strong performances at two key positions (3B and C) where the Jays will need help in the future.   I'd like to see both of them at AAA at some point this season -- let's give them every chance at a major-league shot in 2011 if they are good enough.  Eric Thames also looks good, with an OPS of .878.    Cooper's OPS is still only .647 but he's had a hot stretch lately.   Mastroianni has an OPS of .735 but he has 20 stolen bases and an OBP of .366.   And this is without mentioning Emaus, Loewen, and of course pitchers such as Drabek, Collins, Magnuson and Farquhar.

Top 12 prospects with a quarter season prospective:

Wallace

Drabek

Hechavarria

D'Arnaud

Alvarez

Stewart  (might be better off grooming him as a late inning guy)

Thames

Emaus

Jenkins

Jiminez

Arencibia

McDade

Promosing short season players(Pierre, Marisnik, C. Perez)

Injured: Moises Sierra, J. Jackson

Where the H did they go: Scott Campbell

AA traded away the franchise and spend some cash to do it but the sysyem looks great and with some good drafting this year we could easily be a top 5 system at the end of the season with promotions slowing down and Drabek likely to remain a prospect and possibly Wallace as well.

Thoughts? Did I forget anybody? Just looking to generate some discussion on what appears to be a nice looking system taking shape

Hey guys,

This is kind of off topic, but does anyone have any idea why Wade Townsend hasn't pitched yet.  I though he was headed to Dunedin, but to my knowledge he hasnt pitched yet.

My memory of Carreno is a pitcher with an average fastball but a very good slider.  When I saw him pitch I think he used his slider too much as though he didn't have as much confidence in his fastball.  His success in Dunedin suggests he might have more faith in his fastball and perhaps he has developed a third pitch such as a change-up.

Wade Townsend was released in spring training.

China fan - thanks for the post.  I agree that New Hampshire is the gem of the farm right now.  Talent is great, but the new manager Rivera is doing a great job and the team seems to be rolling along like a well oiled machine.  Las Vegas has an infield that hits, but can't catch or throw.  I think that what I think the need is for Las Vegas. 

Bowman is really coming on with the lumber.  The Emaus-Diaz duo in the mid infield is probably the best in the system as far as defence goes.  I think it's important to keep the record going in New Hampshire, so I would not expect alot of movement from New Hampshire to Las Vegas.  But if folks are going up to AAA from AA, it most likely would be Emaus, Bowman or Diaz.  All three have 300+ averages with runners on.  Diaz has AAA experience, including great defence. His current BB/K ratio is almost 2 to 1, the best of the three. Emaus is great in the field too at 2nd with 0 errors.  Bowman is on top of the batting among the three.

So, I predict there will be some limited movement, probably depending on injuries.  If there is an injury in the Las Vegas outfield, you probably should add Calderone (also has AAA experience)  to the list.  He's hit 8 round trippers and he's hitting 300+ with runners on too.

Dave R - I do like to go to the Dunedin Stadium, also we are a short drive from Clearwater (Philly) and Tampa (Yankees).  I have to report that I have a great bias when it comes to Dunedin players.  I am a fool for Mike McDade.  He's a beast.  With forearms like Alley- Oop.  He has power from both sides of the plate.  I think he's one of the strongest hitters I've seen in minor league ball.  I hope he improves his physical conditioning, keeps his weight in check.  He's destined for the show if he does. 

I have a buddy who's a photographer.  Maybe I can get him to get me some pics of the Dunedin games he goes to.  I will try to figure out how to post those, if it is allowed.

Dunedin is full of tallent this year.  Well managed and they are a contender for the league title.  Hopefully I can get to a couple - three games a week.  So, if you folks will allow me,  expect to hear alot about A-Hech and my man McDade. 

The Jays would love to make it back to the International League but it takes two to tango.  The IL teams are interested in an affiliation that will sell tickets.  Many of them want a deal with a team that has some local following so they can sell tickets to see the future players for the locals favourite team. 

Although it is the Eastern League, if the Red Sox came knocking New Hampshire would drop the Jays like a hot potato.  When the Red Sox team, Portland, comes into town the Fisher Cats sell a lot more tickets.  I remember a few years ago the Fisher Cats manager, Bill Masse, got into trouble for criticizing the fans for cheering for the visitors, Portland, and not New Hampshire.  I also remember Randy Boone telling me that he was walking off the mound last year after a clean first inning and he noticed the crowd were giving him a big ovation.  Then he realized they were cheering for John Smoltz who was making a rehab start for Portland.

So back to AAA, you need to find an IL team that is unhappy with their current major league partner or a team that is losing it's partner to a better offer.  Then you try and pitch them to partner with you.  Unfortunately the Jays have had losing records at AAA for many years now.  Hopefully Alex A's emphasis on the farm system will convince someone to sign-on expecting lots of prospects to get the fans to come see.

The Edmonton Sun had an article last week discussing Edmonton's interest in a PCL franchise and specifically named Las Vegas as a target. While staying in the PCL isn't ideal, moving the Jays AAA affiliate from LV to EDM clearly would be.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/sports/columnists/terry_jones/2010/05/28/14166661.html