Batter's Box Interactive Magazine

Alternate title: The Showchinko. The Showchinkshow?

Reno 8 at Las Vegas 4

What a boring box score. Snider didn't play, Cooper, Thames and Loewen didn't do much, and Scott Richmond pitched. Must I recap this? Sigh.

Actually, Cooper and Loewen each had a hit and a walk, which is pretty good, I just kind of assume that kind of production from them at this point. A bunch of journeyman minor leaguers had two hit nights. Chris Woodward even hit a homer. I guess Wil Ledezma deserves a mention too, having struck out five in three innings, allowing no earned runs.

Still, pretty boring game prospectly.

New Hampshire - scheduled day off

Brevard County 10 at Dunedin 8

Dunedin got off to a great start in this game. Before recording an out, the D-Jays had scored four runs: Justin Jackson reached on an error, Kevin Ahrens doubled, and then Sean Ochinko brought them (and himself) home with a three-run bomb. Not to be outdone, Brad Glenn followed with a solo shot.

Unfortunately, Asher Wojciechowski couldn't hold the lead and was out of the game before the fifth inning, having given up seven runs on 11 hits. Woj has had some good starts, but on the whole his season line is ugly: 73 IP, 90 H, 22 BB, 55 K. It's certainly far too early to worry, but it looks like we should start settling in for a long development process.

Dunedin made this one close by scoring three in the seventh - guess what, on another three-run blast from Ochinko. For those playing at home, that's six RBIs. Were it not for the DH, this would have been a laugher.

Lansing didn't play Monday as their all-star game is scheduled for Tuesday.

Yakima 2 at Vancouver 3

Like Dunedin, Vancouver started the game well, getting two runs right off the bat. Unlike Dunedin, the Canadians got enough pitching (Ben White, 5 IP, 1 ER, the bullpen (Shane Davis, Phillip Brua, Drew Permison), scoreless the rest of the way) to hold the lead.

Jonathan Jones was the spark-plug at the top of the line-up, reaching base thrice including on a triple and stealing a base. Shane Opitz and Pierce Rankin each had two hits.

Bluefield will start their season on Tuesday night against the Elizabethton Twins.

GCL Pirates 5 at GCL Blue Jays 3

In the Baby Jays' first game of the season, 18-year-old Venezuelan Deivy Estrada got the call and pitched quite well. Estrada allowed just a single run in his five innings, allowing seven runners to reach base while striking out four. Estrada also induced 8 GBs to 3 FBs.

Estrada's offensive compadres didn't help out much, though, so the young righty couldn't pick up his first win of the season. Kevin Patterson doubled and scored twice, and Jorge Vega-Rosado, who entered the game for Dickie Thon, hit a solo homer.

MILB doesn't seem to have the DSL score, but the DSL website does. Check it out here (scroll down near the bottom): DSL Tigers 2 at DSL Jays 1

Jairo Labourt (that t at the end really seems wrong to me, but we'll go with it) was great, pitching four innings of one-hit, one-walk ball, striking out five. Doesn't look like Gabriel Cenas played.

Three Stars!
3. Jairo Labourt: 4 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K
2. Deivy Estrada: 5 IP, 1 ER, 4 K
1.Sean Ochinko: 2 HR, 6 RBI

Posted by Dave Rutt on Tuesday, June 21 2011 @ 01:27 AM EDT.

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

TamRa - Tuesday, June 21 2011 @ 03:47 AM EDT (#237109) #

I'm begining to mull the idea that when Hutchison is promoted, maybe Woj could step down to Lansing for 4-6 weeks at least.

DLyons - Tuesday, June 21 2011 @ 09:35 AM EDT (#237111) #

I wonder if Woj is working on his changeup and this is affecting his numbers at Dunedin. The scouting reports last year said he had a killer FB/SL combo but lacked a third pitch, which is why he was projected as a reliever. Given that it takes some time to develop a feel for the changeup, this might explain his struggles so far. If the Jays are serious about making him a starter, they would have working on his changeup quite a bit and not worrying about his stats.

Shane - Tuesday, June 21 2011 @ 11:14 AM EDT (#237117) #

Travis Snider suffered a concusion?? Is this being discussed in here at all anywhere???

dan gordon - Tuesday, June 21 2011 @ 11:17 AM EDT (#237118) #

Snider is going to see a neurologist today to find out the severity of the concussion, according to The Fan 590.

China fan - Tuesday, June 21 2011 @ 11:43 AM EDT (#237122) #

I think we're all hoping it's an Escobar-type concussion, which only cost him a couple games. Not sure if that's possible at this point .

Hodgie - Tuesday, June 21 2011 @ 11:56 AM EDT (#237124) #

Sorry for the double post, meant to post this here. Drew Hutchison was named the MWL pitcher of the week after going 2-0 with the following line:

12IP 6H OR 3BB 17K

Hutchison in fact is currently riding a 27 inning scoreless streak, during which time he has compiled the following line:

27IP 13H 0R 3BB 38K

Even more impressive, 3 of those 5 starts were against the other teams that qualified for the playoffs (Bowling Green, Burlington, Quad Cities). I believe it was mentioned in a recent interview that Hutchison was not challenging MWL hitters enough earlier in the season. I am guessing that is no longer considered a problem. Would I be correct in assuming that the only reason he isn't pitching deeper into games is inning management for the season? Despite the high strikeout totals his pitch counts can't be that high considering almost nobody is getting on base.

Anders - Tuesday, June 21 2011 @ 12:03 PM EDT (#237125) #

I believe the Jays keep most of their guys in the lower levels on pretty strict pitch counts (~90 pitches.) A cursory glance reveals that the Lugnuts have had one start of more than 6 innings all year.

Also, for what it's worth, Keith Law seems to think that Hutchison could be a top-100 prospect next year.

Kelekin - Tuesday, June 21 2011 @ 12:37 PM EDT (#237132) #

Interesting pitching match-up today in the GCL. For the Jays, we have Cardona going, and the Pirates will be running Luis Heredia out there, who almost was a Jay as well.

Kevin Nolan is back with the D-Jays, and Danny Perales is up to Vegas.

finch - Tuesday, June 21 2011 @ 01:10 PM EDT (#237135) #

Is Hutchison our best pitching prospect at the moment? Or would you rate Sanchez higher?

Dave Rutt - Tuesday, June 21 2011 @ 01:15 PM EDT (#237137) #

I think you could make a case for Alvarez, but Hutchison is certainly climbing the charts.

Kelekin - Tuesday, June 21 2011 @ 01:57 PM EDT (#237147) #

I think on profile you still have to go with McGuire until he really falters.

Cardona had a fantastic debut - 3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K. Zak Adams not so much - he allowed 7 runs total, only registering 3 outs.

TamRa - Tuesday, June 21 2011 @ 04:15 PM EDT (#237163) #

At the moment I have them:

Alvarez
Sanchez
McGuire
Stewart
Hutch
Jenkins
Molina
Woj
Syndergaard
Cardona

(But I admit the Sanchez over McGuire thing is more instinct that anything else)

bpoz - Tuesday, June 21 2011 @ 06:28 PM EDT (#237184) #

I think for SPs Cecil, Mills, Stewart, tie Drabek/Alvarez & McGuire all have a chance to show their stuff at the ML level in 2012. To be honest I would be shocked if anyone else pitched at the ML level in 2012, except Hutch but he is being promoted slowly. Carreno, I only see as a reliever.
IMO that time line excludes Sanchez, Cardona etc...

Kelekin - Tuesday, June 21 2011 @ 08:16 PM EDT (#237190) #

Another great debut - Syndergaard goes 4 IP, allowing 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, and striking out 8! Mitchell Taylor in the game now.

ayjackson - Wednesday, June 22 2011 @ 12:02 AM EDT (#237203) #

Excellent outings for 21 year-old Alvarez, 18 year-old Syndergaard and 17 year-old Cardona. Some exciting arms down there.

cybercavalier - Wednesday, June 22 2011 @ 12:30 AM EDT (#237204) #

Just a minor note with no intention to spoil the party on Lawrie: I reminded myself of Sean Burroughs, who was hyped as the next star but is trying to get back to the majors at age 30. By the way, is the Jays interested in bring Burroughs in ? He could be a low cost gamble at 3B and a mentor from whom Lawrie could learn for experience and history of a prospect path to the MLB.

Chuck - Wednesday, June 22 2011 @ 08:58 AM EDT (#237212) #

is the Jays interested in bring Burroughs in ? ...He could be a low cost gamble at 3B and a mentor from whom Lawrie

The Jays allowed Jeff Burroughs to end his career as a Blue Jay. No need to extend that courtesy to his son.

Better that Lawrie should have a mentor with a track record of success.

I was always curious about the love Sean Burroughs received in prospect circles. No power and minimal patience -- not a good combo. He did have a hell of a little league world series, though. That'll have to serve as his best baseball memory.

Ryan Day - Wednesday, June 22 2011 @ 09:26 AM EDT (#237214) #

Burroughs reminds me a bit of Casey Kotchman, another best-prospect-in-the-world who could hit for average and had good control of the strike zone, but not a lot of power or walks. IIRC, everyone said "The power will come", but then it didn't, and that was pretty much that. Both started their careers with solid seasons, but failed to develop. (Though Kotchman is having a solid season for Tampa)

Mike Green - Wednesday, June 22 2011 @ 09:33 AM EDT (#237215) #

Chuck, Burroughs went .291/.383/.402 with a positive W/K at age 19 in double A ball. Prior to that, he had hit .350 with a positive W/K at age 18 in the Midwest League. As of age 19, you'd have to describe his plate control as excellent. The scouts thought that he'd develop medium range pop in his 20s. His offensive profile would have been pretty comparable to Wade Boggs', with the important difference that Burroughs struck out somewhat more often.

If you look back at the minor league careers of Boggs and Youkilis, you do see something interesting. They're posting W/Ks of 65-22 and 89-40. You will see plenty of positive W/Ks for prospects who do not succeed, but it might very well be that if you see ones of 2/1 or better at appropriate age/developmental level that this might be a marker of something special.

Maldoff - Wednesday, June 22 2011 @ 09:35 AM EDT (#237217) #

Anyone know why the Bluefield game was suspended last night?

Gerry - Wednesday, June 22 2011 @ 09:43 AM EDT (#237218) #

Rain

Gerry - Wednesday, June 22 2011 @ 09:46 AM EDT (#237219) #

What was shaping up as a smooth opening flight for Bluefield�s newest Appalachian League birds instead turned into a rough, wet landing.

Holding a 5-1 seventh inning lead in Tuesday night�s season opener, the Blue Jays saw Elizabethton rally to force a 5-5 tie before two weather delays � the second bringing heavy rain which drenched O�Brien Field � forced the game�s suspension after nine innings.

Game story. BTW, the game story is filed under the byline Bucky Dent.

China fan - Wednesday, June 22 2011 @ 09:48 AM EDT (#237220) #

Mike, that's an interesting point about W/K ratios. And if it's true, it's not good news for the Jays. Of all their main prospects at AAA and AA, none have anything close to a 2-1 ration of walks to strikeouts this year. David Cooper, who I still think is under-rated, is the only significant prospect at AAA or AA who is in positive territory this year. He has a 22-18 ratio.

Mike Green - Wednesday, June 22 2011 @ 10:03 AM EDT (#237221) #

China, I wasn't suggesting that a 2/1 W/K is a necessary element of success. Rather, that it is unusual enough to be a marker of something that the scouting community often misses. Youkilis was described as the "Greek God of Walks". This captures one of his strengths, the ability to discriminate between pitches in and out of the zone and to not swing at pitches outside the zone, but not the other, the ability to make contact with pitches in the strike zone.

Ryan Day - Wednesday, June 22 2011 @ 10:16 AM EDT (#237223) #

Youkilis is interesting, because he traded some of his walks for a significant increase in power. He hit 299/442/439 in the minors, but 293/394/498 in the majors, showing 20-30 hr power after never even hitting double digits in the minors.

I read an article about him a year or two ago that suggested drawing walks in the minors is easier, since pitchers don't have great command of their stuff. You can wait for the perfect pitch, and take a walk if it doesn't arrive. Eric Thames made a similar comment about the low minors being fastball-heavy, but AAA might be the first time you're exposed to pitchers who have consistent control of a good breaking ball. A good eye is incredibly important, but you've also got to be able to handle less-than-ideal pitches, or else pitchers will find your holes and eat you alive.

Mike Green - Wednesday, June 22 2011 @ 10:37 AM EDT (#237225) #

You'll see plenty of good breaking balls (from perhaps 1/4 to 1/3 of the pitchers) in double A. An 89-40 or a 65-22 W/K is a statistical marker which suggests that the batter is able to hold his own on those.

Youkilis' major league record for his first 1000 PAs was entirely consistent with his minor league record. Fewer walks (naturally) and about the same power. Like Bautista (but to a lesser degree), he added significant pop at age 29.

Chuck - Wednesday, June 22 2011 @ 11:23 AM EDT (#237230) #

As of age 19, you'd have to describe his plate control as excellent.

Yup. I was going from memory, one probably born of his play in the majors rather than the minors. There clearly was a lot more basis for optimism than I suggested when you consider his minor league record. Thanks for the correction.

I guess Burroughs' biggest issue was that he never developed any power. This is odd when you reconcile it with the memory of him as a chunky little league pitcher.

MatO - Thursday, June 23 2011 @ 11:40 AM EDT (#237319) #

It's interesting that Burroughs' rival for best 3rd base prospect at the time, Hank Blaylock, crashed and burned as well, although he did get off to a great start. His minor league K/W was excellent as well except that he had more power than Burroughs. Just goes to show that even the can't miss can miss.

Mike Green - Thursday, June 23 2011 @ 12:08 PM EDT (#237325) #

With Hank Blalock, you don't have to ask "y"...he was no Mookie.

Blalock at least had some major league success. A few players decline from age 22 to 27, some stay put, but most advance. Blalock isn't quite the poster boy for Category 1 (that might be Cesar Cedeno), but he is certainly in it.

MatO - Thursday, June 23 2011 @ 12:48 PM EDT (#237332) #

Actually, every time I tried to think of his first name I kept getting Mookie in my head.

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