Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Whew! A Night to Forget on The Farm (1 for 5)

Whew! A Night to Forget on The Farm (1 for 5)

Tough night on the Farm. The Rookie Blue Jays were the only ones who managed a win. Anemic bats and innings that blew up on us were to blame.

Las Vegas 2 Portland 4

The 51s scared together just 7 hits and 2 runs but let the 5,426 home fans down by allowing 4 runs on no less than 15 hits by Portland. Suffering a run each in the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th, Las Vegas pitchers did manage 7 Ks. Robert Ray (6-6) got the loss allowing three of Portland’s runs. The good news in the field was that Las Vegas played an error free game.

Chris Lubanski (2 for 4, 2B, RBI) and Brad Emaus (2 for 4, 2B) had a multi-hit game and Mike McCoy (1 for 4,2B), Jason Lane (1 for 4) and Aaron Mathews (1 for 3) all added singles. Jarrett Hoffpauir (0 for 3, RBI) was credited with an RBI on a Sacrifice Fly to center field. Recently returned from the Show, JP Arencibia went 0 for 4 with a strike out.

New Hampshire 2 New Britain 3

The Fisher Cats, led by Adieny Hechavarria (3 for 5) in hits, totaled 11 hits but left 9 on base, falling to New Britain who put up just 4 hits on the day. 7,292 home fans saw B.J. LaMura (5-5) get tagged with the loss walking 2 and giving up a pair of runs in just 2 innings of work. Starter Scott Richmond logged 5 IP, striking out 6 and giving up a solo HR. The Fisher Cats had 2 throwing errors (Shawn Bowman – fielding, his 12th and Hechavarria – throwing, his 10th).

Other multi-hit performances were turned in by Eric Thames (2 for 4, HR, RBI) and Matt Luizza (2 for 4, 2B, RBI). David Cooper (1 for 4, 2B) smacked a 2 bagger, and Adam Calderone (1 for 4) and Adam Loewen added singles.

Dunedin 5 Clearwater 7

1,492 turned out to see the D-Jays wear their promotional purple jerseys in a local Cancer Society survivor night celebration. The D-Jays fell to Clearwater with Ryan Shopshire (0-1) took the loss despite 5 IP and 4K’s. He gave up 4 runs on 5 hits. Frank Gailey, Ross Buckwalter and Boomer Potts combined to strike out 7. Clearwater scored 2 in the 5th, 4 in the 6th and 1 in the 7th, but the D-Jays didn’t generate enough power from the plate to come back. Three errors plagued the D-Jays in the field with a pair of back to back fielding faux pas by Ryan Schimpf (his 2nd and 3rd) in the disastrous 6th inning. Anthony Gose had a throwing error, his 6th on the year.

Gose had 3 BB and scored twice. Multi-hit nights were turned in by Brian Van Kirk (2 for 3, HR, RBI) and Yan Gomes (2 for 4, 22B) who scored twice. Welinton Ramirez (1 for 4, RBI), Mark Sobelewski (1 for 3, 2B, 2BB) added one hit each. The D-Jays comeback stalled by leaving 8 on base (3 in the last two innings). Check out a couple of pics from Photog Jim Goins at last nights game in a photo post coming later.

Lansing 3 Fort Wayne 5

The Farm continued its slide on Saturday with another loss in Fort Wayne to the delight of 7,827 home fans. Losing pitcher Casey Lawrence (4-3) gave up 7 hits and 5 runs in 4.1 IP, but he did manage 5 Ks. Lawrence didn’t help his cause with an error on a pick-off attempt.

The Luggies’ anemic offensive performance was led by Balbino Fuenmayor (1 for 4, 2B, 2RBI’s). The other Lansing RBI credited was to Brad Glenn (1 for 4, 2B, RBI) who also scored a run. Another double was added by Jacob Marisnick (1 for 3, 2B) and singles were managed by Kevin Ahrens (1 for 4), KC Hobson (1 for 4) and Karim Turkamani (1 for 3).

Auburn Jamestown (Postponed)

GCL Blue Jays 6 GCL Braves 2

The Babiest of Jays took the only win on the farm Saturday. Winning pitcher Nicholas Purdy (3-3) allowed just 4 hits and threw a K in the rain shortened contest. Multiple RBIs were credited to Cody Lassley (1 for 3, 2RBIs) and Art Charles (2 for 3, 2RBIs).

Posted by mamboon on Sunday, August 22 2010 @ 11:29 AM EDT.

Whew! A Night to Forget on The Farm (1 for 5) | 24 comments | Create New Account

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

China fan - Sunday, August 22 2010 @ 12:26 PM EDT (#221273) #

That was a pretty dominant 5 innings by Scott Richmond: 6 strikeouts, one hit, zero walks, and he faced only 2 batters more than the minimum. He's had a tough time with injuries over the past 12 months -- it would be a nice story if he could return to the majors someday. As others have pointed out, with his platoon splits, he might have a future as a ROOGY, if nothing else. Or, perhaps more optimistically , a long reliever and spot starter to replace Tallet.

China fan - Sunday, August 22 2010 @ 12:40 PM EDT (#221274) #

One further note on the Fisher Cats: Eric Thames has been on fire recently, and his OPS now stands at .901, which is by far the highest of any regular on the team. It looks like it's all coming together for him now -- he's been hitting .479 over the past 10 games, and his slugging average is .641 over the same period. And he's just 23 years old. It's probably too late for him to get a taste of Las Vegas this season, but he deserves it. Maybe a full season of AAA next year, and then he'll have an excellent chance of following in Adam Lind's footsteps by 2012.

TamRa - Sunday, August 22 2010 @ 01:17 PM EDT (#221275) #

if he returns to normal v. LHP, he probably wouldn't even need a full year at AAA - but there might not be a spot for him on the major league roster when he gets ready (if that day is in 2011)

jgadfly - Sunday, August 22 2010 @ 04:13 PM EDT (#221278) #

Also of note in Dunedin's win in addition to his 3 walks , Anthony Gose was 3 for 3 in stolen bases. In the last 5 games (including today's game) Gose has walked 6 times after having walked only 4 times in his previous 18 games . In the same 18 game stretch Gose was caught 4 times in 6 SB attempts . In the last 5 games, he has 5 SB's in 6 attempts . Hopefully things continue to come together for him.

jgadfly - Sunday, August 22 2010 @ 04:43 PM EDT (#221279) #

As an update, Gose had an additional walk in this afternoon's game. He now has 7 walks in his last 5 games as opposed to 4 in his previous 18.

dan gordon - Sunday, August 22 2010 @ 04:47 PM EDT (#221280) #

And Wallace is really struggling with Houston. His 1 for 4 today brings his average up to .203. No HR's in 59 AB's.

92-93 - Sunday, August 22 2010 @ 05:07 PM EDT (#221281) #

More telling is Wallace's 22:3 K:BB through his first 66 PA with only 2 XBH, both doubles. Good thing HOU dumped Feliz because it made no sense to be platooning Wallace, he hits LHP better and is probably much better off with a daily playing routine.

uglyone - Sunday, August 22 2010 @ 08:42 PM EDT (#221282) #

Quite an impressive foursome of AA relievers right now:

A.Farina (23): 13.5k/9, 2.5k/bb
R.Uviedo (23): 10.3k/9, 2.4k/bb
D.Farquhar (23): 9.9k/9, 2.0k/bb
T.Magnusson (25): 7.8k/9, 6.3k/bb

Interested to see how they all do in AAA next year.

katman - Sunday, August 22 2010 @ 10:06 PM EDT (#221285) #

I've been surprised by just how poor AAA pitching has been for us this year. Hopefully, next year will see some good prospects move up there, to go with pitchers like Mills who may be on the cusp.

My concern next year is more focused on AA. We seem to be a bit short on pitchers who are showing serious dominance at A-ball, with some highly touted prospects not really there yet, and others taking steps back. The 2010 draft may help at AA in future years, but does anyone else see a long year in New Hampshire next year, barring prospects coming in via off season trading?

Kelekin - Sunday, August 22 2010 @ 11:31 PM EDT (#221286) #

That was my biggest concern. I think we'll have a fair amount of deserving relievers in NH, but that's about it. Arguably, the only people who might be in line to go to NH based on performance anyways are (and keep in mind most of these guys can't walk and are only barely deserving):

C: D'Arnaud/Gomes (because Jimenez needs to play every day)
1B: Michael McDade
2B: Justin McClanahan

And then maybe you challenge Tolisano.

SP: Joel Carreno, Chuck Huggins
RP: Matt Daly, Frank Gailey, Boomer Potts, Evan Crawford, Ross Buckwalter

So when you consider how many AA players deserve to be in AAA next year, it's going to be a really down year for NH. I think our AAA and A ball affiliates will be the most exciting.

I think our AAA team is going to be a blast next year.

TheBunk - Sunday, August 22 2010 @ 11:43 PM EDT (#221287) #

Yeah the AAA and A affiliates are definitely gonna be the long season teams to watch next year but I don't think the New Hampshire offense it going to be TOO awful. d'Arnaud, Hechevarria, Gomes, McDade, and Sierra isn't a great offense but I think it could be a middling one.

Waveburner - Monday, August 23 2010 @ 12:57 AM EDT (#221288) #

I agree about the AA rotation, it could be a real mess next season unless Jenkins/McGuire/Alvarez advance quickly. My guess would be Boone repeats there for a third straight season (AAA has the losers of the battle for #5 spot-Rzepczynski/Mills/Litsch/Hill/Drabeck/Stewart). I think Gonzalez gets released. So that leaves 4 spots open. <br>Carreno seems a likely candidate to move up with excellent K/IP and K/BB rates. Alvarez will have to repeat High A as he has been pulverized most of the season. Needs a third pitch and to throw more quality strikes. Not sure what to make of Jenkins, he has been very underwhelming. Unless he looks vastly improved in spring you have to think he starts at High A. Huggins has had another solid season in High A, but was hit very hard in AA (Only 2 starts though). It may just be too much for his average stuff, and a move to the bullpen might be his best shot at AA success. Likely at least gets a couple starts in AA given the lack of options. I suppose you could give Liebel what would likely be his last shot at AA given the other options on the way up, but he was bad before getting injured repeating High A this season. Probably not a viable candidate, but maybe he was hiding an injury all along and can return to his late-'09 form. I suppose they could keep Reyes in AA as a starter, or demote Perez back down to AA if they don't lose him when they inevitably take him off the 40 man. Maybe even demoting Ray to AA is an option, although personally I'd like to see him converted to the pen a la Purcey since 2011 will be his last option season. Most likely the Jays will bring in a minor league vet or two to tide things over in AA until Jenkins et al are ready.

Kelekin - Monday, August 23 2010 @ 01:28 AM EDT (#221289) #

Based on his age, I can't imagine they'd put Boone back in AA. It's probably going to be a one and done situation. Next year will be his chance to prove he's a viable option and if he can't, he'll be released. It'll be interesting to see what they do with Reidier Gonzalez and Luis Perez. I don't care for either one of them.

TheBunk - Monday, August 23 2010 @ 02:33 AM EDT (#221291) #

I think with the starter crunch at Triple A, Perez is just going to be turned into a reliever, I remember an interview with a coach from New Hampshire on here that mentioned Perez would be best out of the bullpen. Assuming none of the following guys make the ML roster out of camp, Farina, Magnusson, Uviedo, Farquhar and Perez could be a reaaaaaally fun pen to watch.

dawgatc - Monday, August 23 2010 @ 04:17 AM EDT (#221292) #

never understood why relievers take so long to develop - I would figure 2-3 years max and they are either ready or they're not - most of them are 2 maybe 3 pitch guys -I would not hesitate to put any of those guys in the jays pen if we lose frasor'downs'gregg etc..

Kelekin - Monday, August 23 2010 @ 07:48 AM EDT (#221295) #

I am hoping that this year was being used to find out who had the potential to start, and that they'll do the right thing and start converting players into relievers. We have the potential to have a really great bullpen in the future, if we start converting some of these guys who just can't quite make it as a starter.

ayjackson - Monday, August 23 2010 @ 09:57 AM EDT (#221297) #

Alvarez will have to repeat High A as he has been pulverized most of the season.

Pretty harsh assessment. A 4.04 FIP for a 20 year-old in high A is pretty encouraging, especially when he throws 94-96 on his FB and has the best change-up in the league. His K/BB rate is excellent and his K/9 rate improved over the cours of the season. His was a story of two halves - a lucky first half and an unlucky second half. I agree he starts back at Dunedin next year but to say he was pulverized most of the year is difficult to understand.

John Northey - Monday, August 23 2010 @ 10:56 AM EDT (#221299) #

2011 will be an interesting challenge for AA. You have a solid rotation it appears for the majors ...
Marcum/Romero/Morrow/Cecil/ pick from group

For AAA it will be darn good too...
Rzep/Mills/Litsch/Drabeck/Stewart/Hill (one goes to majors)

For AA you then get the winners of A+ plus anyone who is left behind by the promotions plus any AAAA'ers you have around.

Of course, some might go to the majors in the bullpen and you still have Scott Richmond (working his way back) and Robert Ray, Randy Boone, and Jo-Jo Reyes (among others I'm sure). Phew. The AA team could end up being a lot stronger in the rotation (baring injury) than most.

bpoz - Monday, August 23 2010 @ 11:07 AM EDT (#221300) #

We could have 3 teams in the post season. The GCL Jays are .5 games out. I agree AA will be weak next year. Carreno, Huggins and Bell should be SPs there maybe C Everts. I hope they have a very deep pen. But lots of opportunity for in-season promotion to AA for position players and pitchers.

Kelekin - Monday, August 23 2010 @ 06:24 PM EDT (#221325) #

ayjackson: I'm sorry, but the fact the guy had a .300 or higher opponent batting average every month after April does not sound very encouraging. He is absolutely lucky to have the ERA he does. And yes, I get the fielding might not be fabulous, but that's a huge gap.

ayjackson - Monday, August 23 2010 @ 11:37 PM EDT (#221328) #

His (Alvarez's) LD% has been very low and his BABIP has been freakishly high.

Waveburner - Tuesday, August 24 2010 @ 12:19 AM EDT (#221331) #

My comment was based on his hits allowed and ERA by month. I do not know where to find more advanced minor league numbers. If you are correct about his BABIP, then that changes my opinion of him somewhat. It's still a lot of hits and while his K/BB is good his K/9 is not. He's still just 20 and I think he's a great prospect but I don't think he starts in AA next year. A callup midseason or even earlier wouldn't surprise me but I think you start him back in High A.

ayjackson - Tuesday, August 24 2010 @ 07:48 AM EDT (#221340) #

I agree he'll likely start at high A next year.

FYI, Minor League Splits has some advanced data for prospects. For June/July, Alvarez' BABIP was over .400, but his LD% was less than 15%. On the season, his .346 BABIP and 17% LD rate would suggest he's been slightly unlucky. I'm not certain I trust the data that much, but it's the best information we have.

Marc Hulet - Tuesday, August 24 2010 @ 08:47 AM EDT (#221343) #

FanGraphs has advanced minor league stats, too. I'd agree Alvarez is undervalued by the general fan... He has a good fastball and is still learning to use his secondary stuff but shows promise. His ground-ball rate is good, his control is excellent for his age, and he's definitely been unlucky based on the metrics. The defense in high-A has not been very good, either, which hurts GB pitchers. At just 20, he remains an exciting sleeper.

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