There were just two games on the schedule for the baby Jays on Easter Sunday. The clubs were 0-for-2 on the day. Since there wasn't much to report, I have included a bonus look at some of the young players in the system that face a make-or-break year in terms of their prospect status.
Colorado Springs 10 Las Vegas 4
Lefty Brad Mills had his roughest start of the young season against the veteran Colorado Springs club. With his secondary stuff lacking life, he allowed six runs in five innings on nine hits and two walks. Relievers Wil Ledezma and Rommie Lewis were also touched up for runs. Talented Rockies' outfield prospect Charlie Blackmon went 3-for-5 and scored a run. At the plate, the Las Vegas hitters were led by David Cooper, Danny Perales, and Ryan Shealy, each of whom had two hits. Cooper hit his 11th double and also walked. Every hitter in the lineup had at least one hit except Ryan Budde (who drove in a run) and Craig Stansberry.
Daytona 5 Dunedin 3
Former No. 1 draft pick Chad Jenkins received the start and scuffled early but he bounced back to have a solid game. The right-hander allowed two runs in six innings. He gave up six hits and two walks. He struck out just four batters but induced eight ground-ball outs compared to just two fly-ball outs. Aaron Loup was roughed up in relief and gave up three runs in two innings. Wes Etheridge worked a scoreless inning and struck out two. A.J. Jimenez had an eventful day. The catcher made an error and allowed a stolen base but he also erased two base runners and was involved in a double play. He was 1-for-4 at the plate with three strikeouts and may be a little worn down. Rehabbing Scott Podsednik went 0-for-4 at the plate while Dwayne Wise, working himself into game shape after signing as a free agent mid-month, went 2-for-3 with a double and a solo homer. He also walked. Kevin Ahrens went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Infielder Ryan Goins had a single and is now hitting .297 in his last 10 games.
It's hard to believe but the 2011 minor league season is nearing the end of its first month. There are a lot of exciting minor league story lines -- with many more to come in June with the amateur draft (Toronto has a plethora of high picks) and the start of the '11 short-season teams that will feature a number of young Top 30 prospects.
One of the early story lines that we'll want to watch throughout the season is the rise - or demise - of certain prospects in the system who entered 2011 in a make-or-break situation. There has been a huge influx of talent into the system over the past 12-18 months but there are also some names that are in danger of falling all the way off the prospect map and face walking papers or the dreaded "org player" tag.
Randy Boone, 26
This former University of Texas pitcher is a personal favorite of mine and I felt his ground-ball ways would eventually make him a useful middle reliever in the Majors. Already behind the eight ball as a college senior signee out of the 2007 draft, Boone's development was also stunted by two seasons in double-A after depth at the triple-A level in 2010 kept him in New Hampshire. The right-hander got off to a great start in 2011 at triple-A but blew out his elbow after just two starts and won't pitch again until early 2012.
Brad Mills, 26
Another college senior signee from the '07 draft, Mills breezed through the lower minors and reached triple-A in just his second full season of pro ball. However, he's struggled in brief MLB trials and is in his third season of triple-A ball. Mills' stuff is average-at-best but it plays up because of his solid control. He still needs to develop better command of his fastball and he's hurt by his fly-ball ways. If he can get down in the zone more consistently, Mills could be a useful big league pitcher.
Robert Ray, 27
Ray's history of battling injuries and inconsistencies in college followed him into pro ball. He has a solid average fastball but his secondary stuff - especially his changeup - has suffered with all the time that he's missed. Ray is currently on the DL with an undisclosed injury and has yet to pitch this season. Like those above him, he projects as a middle or long reliever in the Majors.
David Cooper, 24
Still just 24, this former first round draft pick is coming off of two disappointing seasons in double-A. Not known for his defense, Cooper's value is tied up solely in his bat, which is suddenly enjoying a resurgence thanks to the potent Pacific Coast League. His numbers are certainly aided by the league but he's also showing good gap power and a discerning eye at the plate - two things that made him an attractive draft pick in '08 but all but disappeared in 2009 and 2010. There is hope for him yet... just be cautiously optimistic.
Ronald Uviedo, 24
Acquired in a minor deal with the Pirates organization in 2010, Uviedo struggled during his introduction to the system, despite a solid strikeout rate (10.14 K/9). After a not-so-successful attempted conversion to starter, Uviedo is back where he belongs in 2011 - the bullpen. So far this season in double-A he has yet to allow an earned run in 8.1 innings of work. He could develop into a seventh or eighth inning guy with more consistency.
Scott Campbell, 26
Injuries have wiped out the promise that Campbell once possessed. A former 10th round pick, this New Zealand native showed abilities that could have made him a strong bench player as he hit for average, took a healthy number of walks and could play a couple positions in the field. A nasty hip injury that required surgery wiped out his 2009 and 2010 seasons. Mostly healthy entering 2011, Campbell suffered another unrelated injury during the spring and is currently on the disabled list.
Kevin Ahrens, 22
The 2007 draft was met with a lot of hype and excitement that boiled over when the Jays club took a very prep-centric approach to the early rounds of the draft and selected such players as Ahrens, Justin Jackson, John Tolisano and Eric Eiland. The quartet has disappointed and Eiland was released this spring. Both Tolisano and Jackson have reached double-A but appear headed for platoon or bench roles unless they take big steps forward in 2011 and beyond. Ahrens, as well, needs a strong season and he's currently working to master high-A ball. After a slow start to the season he's been swinging better as of late (7 for his last 20).
Kenny Wilson, 21
Just 21, you really can't give up on Wilson yet but he needs to start showing signs of improvement. The former (surprising) second round pick out of a Florida high school, Wilson is loaded with speed and athleticism but he's still a raw baseball player. He's not known as a strong defensive player and uses his feet to make up for a lot of poor routes. At the plate, he strikes out way too much for a speed guy (His career strikeout rate is more than 30 K%) who has zero power. Wilson just needs to spread out at the plate and play some hack-and-slash small ball Ichiro style.
Balbino Fuenmayor, 21
One of the organization's biggest Latin investments ever, Fuenmayor had four disappointing seasons prior to 2011. Returning to Lansing for a third time this year, he looks like a very different player. Fuenmayor is still not a great fielder but he's already walked five times in 10 games after taking just nine free passes in 113 games in '09. His strikeout rate is also less than half what it was in 2010 (16.1 vs 35.5 K%). On the downside, he's not hitting for much power (.097 ISO), which can be death for corner infield prospects. It's still very early in the year and he's repeating a level for the third time but Fuenmayor is also just 21 years old. Time will tell.
Colorado Springs 10 Las Vegas 4
Lefty Brad Mills had his roughest start of the young season against the veteran Colorado Springs club. With his secondary stuff lacking life, he allowed six runs in five innings on nine hits and two walks. Relievers Wil Ledezma and Rommie Lewis were also touched up for runs. Talented Rockies' outfield prospect Charlie Blackmon went 3-for-5 and scored a run. At the plate, the Las Vegas hitters were led by David Cooper, Danny Perales, and Ryan Shealy, each of whom had two hits. Cooper hit his 11th double and also walked. Every hitter in the lineup had at least one hit except Ryan Budde (who drove in a run) and Craig Stansberry.
Daytona 5 Dunedin 3
Former No. 1 draft pick Chad Jenkins received the start and scuffled early but he bounced back to have a solid game. The right-hander allowed two runs in six innings. He gave up six hits and two walks. He struck out just four batters but induced eight ground-ball outs compared to just two fly-ball outs. Aaron Loup was roughed up in relief and gave up three runs in two innings. Wes Etheridge worked a scoreless inning and struck out two. A.J. Jimenez had an eventful day. The catcher made an error and allowed a stolen base but he also erased two base runners and was involved in a double play. He was 1-for-4 at the plate with three strikeouts and may be a little worn down. Rehabbing Scott Podsednik went 0-for-4 at the plate while Dwayne Wise, working himself into game shape after signing as a free agent mid-month, went 2-for-3 with a double and a solo homer. He also walked. Kevin Ahrens went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Infielder Ryan Goins had a single and is now hitting .297 in his last 10 games.
Last-Chance Prospects
It's hard to believe but the 2011 minor league season is nearing the end of its first month. There are a lot of exciting minor league story lines -- with many more to come in June with the amateur draft (Toronto has a plethora of high picks) and the start of the '11 short-season teams that will feature a number of young Top 30 prospects.
One of the early story lines that we'll want to watch throughout the season is the rise - or demise - of certain prospects in the system who entered 2011 in a make-or-break situation. There has been a huge influx of talent into the system over the past 12-18 months but there are also some names that are in danger of falling all the way off the prospect map and face walking papers or the dreaded "org player" tag.
Las Vegas 51s
Randy Boone, 26
This former University of Texas pitcher is a personal favorite of mine and I felt his ground-ball ways would eventually make him a useful middle reliever in the Majors. Already behind the eight ball as a college senior signee out of the 2007 draft, Boone's development was also stunted by two seasons in double-A after depth at the triple-A level in 2010 kept him in New Hampshire. The right-hander got off to a great start in 2011 at triple-A but blew out his elbow after just two starts and won't pitch again until early 2012.
Brad Mills, 26
Another college senior signee from the '07 draft, Mills breezed through the lower minors and reached triple-A in just his second full season of pro ball. However, he's struggled in brief MLB trials and is in his third season of triple-A ball. Mills' stuff is average-at-best but it plays up because of his solid control. He still needs to develop better command of his fastball and he's hurt by his fly-ball ways. If he can get down in the zone more consistently, Mills could be a useful big league pitcher.
Robert Ray, 27
Ray's history of battling injuries and inconsistencies in college followed him into pro ball. He has a solid average fastball but his secondary stuff - especially his changeup - has suffered with all the time that he's missed. Ray is currently on the DL with an undisclosed injury and has yet to pitch this season. Like those above him, he projects as a middle or long reliever in the Majors.
David Cooper, 24
Still just 24, this former first round draft pick is coming off of two disappointing seasons in double-A. Not known for his defense, Cooper's value is tied up solely in his bat, which is suddenly enjoying a resurgence thanks to the potent Pacific Coast League. His numbers are certainly aided by the league but he's also showing good gap power and a discerning eye at the plate - two things that made him an attractive draft pick in '08 but all but disappeared in 2009 and 2010. There is hope for him yet... just be cautiously optimistic.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Ronald Uviedo, 24
Acquired in a minor deal with the Pirates organization in 2010, Uviedo struggled during his introduction to the system, despite a solid strikeout rate (10.14 K/9). After a not-so-successful attempted conversion to starter, Uviedo is back where he belongs in 2011 - the bullpen. So far this season in double-A he has yet to allow an earned run in 8.1 innings of work. He could develop into a seventh or eighth inning guy with more consistency.
Scott Campbell, 26
Injuries have wiped out the promise that Campbell once possessed. A former 10th round pick, this New Zealand native showed abilities that could have made him a strong bench player as he hit for average, took a healthy number of walks and could play a couple positions in the field. A nasty hip injury that required surgery wiped out his 2009 and 2010 seasons. Mostly healthy entering 2011, Campbell suffered another unrelated injury during the spring and is currently on the disabled list.
Dunedin Blue Jays
Kevin Ahrens, 22
The 2007 draft was met with a lot of hype and excitement that boiled over when the Jays club took a very prep-centric approach to the early rounds of the draft and selected such players as Ahrens, Justin Jackson, John Tolisano and Eric Eiland. The quartet has disappointed and Eiland was released this spring. Both Tolisano and Jackson have reached double-A but appear headed for platoon or bench roles unless they take big steps forward in 2011 and beyond. Ahrens, as well, needs a strong season and he's currently working to master high-A ball. After a slow start to the season he's been swinging better as of late (7 for his last 20).
Kenny Wilson, 21
Just 21, you really can't give up on Wilson yet but he needs to start showing signs of improvement. The former (surprising) second round pick out of a Florida high school, Wilson is loaded with speed and athleticism but he's still a raw baseball player. He's not known as a strong defensive player and uses his feet to make up for a lot of poor routes. At the plate, he strikes out way too much for a speed guy (His career strikeout rate is more than 30 K%) who has zero power. Wilson just needs to spread out at the plate and play some hack-and-slash small ball Ichiro style.
Lansing Lugnuts
Balbino Fuenmayor, 21
One of the organization's biggest Latin investments ever, Fuenmayor had four disappointing seasons prior to 2011. Returning to Lansing for a third time this year, he looks like a very different player. Fuenmayor is still not a great fielder but he's already walked five times in 10 games after taking just nine free passes in 113 games in '09. His strikeout rate is also less than half what it was in 2010 (16.1 vs 35.5 K%). On the downside, he's not hitting for much power (.097 ISO), which can be death for corner infield prospects. It's still very early in the year and he's repeating a level for the third time but Fuenmayor is also just 21 years old. Time will tell.
