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Minor League Update Deck McGuire? Who?
Deck McGuire had his second consecutive quality start, pondering the question will the Jays protect him for the upcoming rule 5 draft this winter?  Aaron Sanchez was dealing for Dunedin after leaving his last start early due to blister issues.  Drew Hutchinson and Kyle Drabek each pitched 3 innings for Buffalo.  Bluefield won both games in a double-header against Bristol.


Buffalo 8 – Rochester 3

In Drew Hutchinson’s second AAA he a pitched a 3 inning stint, in which he gave up 2 earned runs on 4 hits with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts.  Joel Carreno followed pitching 2 innings giving up one unearned run.  Kyle Drabek pitched three innings scoreless innings, giving up no hits, with no walks and three strikeouts.

On the offensive side Clint Robinson, and Moises Sierra each hit a home run.  Andy LaRoche and Ricardo Nanita each scored two runs as well. 

 

New Hampshire 7 – New Britain 2

Deck McGuire had his first career complete game tonight, as he pitched 9 innings giving up 2 earned runs on 6 hits with 6 strikeouts.

Kenny Wilson had two hits, and two stolen bases.  Adam Loewen had a triple, and Brad Glenn scored two runs before being promoted to Buffalo.

 

Dunedin 5 – Lakeland 0

A start after blister issues, Aaron Sanchez was fantastic, as he pitched 5 scoreless innings giving up 4 hits, with a walk, and 6 strikeouts.

Dunedin scored four runs in the first inning off a rehabbing former Blue Jay in Octavio Dotel.  Derick Chung singled home two runs, KC Hobson grounded out scoring another, and Marcus Knecht scored Jon Berti on a sac-fly.

 

Lansing 6 – West Michigan 2

Lansing’s offense put up a combined 12 hits tonight which plated 6 runs.  Emilio Guerrero was 3-4 with a double, triple, and two runs scored.

Ben White threw 6 innings giving up 2 unearned runs, with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts.  Javier Avendan, Ian Kadish and Arik Sikula followed as they each pitched a scoreless inning.

 

Vancouver 10 – Everett 1

LB Dantzler continued to be a pleasant surprise as he hit his 8th home run off the season, and Canadian Michael Reeves hit his first home run of the season.  Ian Parmley scored three runs, and Chaz Frank scored two runs.

BC’s Tom Robson continued to pitch well this year as pitched 5 innings giving up one earned run with 2 hits, 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts.

 

Bluefield 1 – Bristol 0 (7 Innings)

Zak Wasiliewski had another excellent start, today Zak pitched 5 scoreless innings giving up 6 hits with 4 strikeouts.

Mitch Nay scored Alexis Maldonado off of a sac fly in the third inning.

 

Bluefield – Bristol (7 Innings)

Alberto Tirado had another gem today in which he pitched 5 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit with 2 walks, and six strikeouts.

DJ Davis hit his 5th home run of the season, and Matt Dean had 3 hits which amounted to 3 RBIs.

 

GCL Blue Jays 1 – GCL Yankees 7

The GCL Jays had a pitching nightmare today, as they gave up 11 hits, and 11 walks which amounted to 7 runs.  Matt Smoral pitched the 7th inning and continued to struggle as he gave up 2 hits, and 2 walks while giving up one run.

The offense only had 4 this all game, and Gabriel Cenas singled home Andrew Florides with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning.

 

DSL Blue Jays 2 – DSL Tigers 5

The DSL Jays were behind from the start as the Tigers scored 4 runs in the top of the first inning.  Jays starter Juliandry Higuera had a bad first inning, but pitched well afterwards.  His line at the end of his outing 5 innings pitched, 9 hits, 5 earned runs, with 1 walk and 5 strikeouts.

Deiferson Barreto had two doubles, and Juan Kelly was 2-3 with a double in a game which the Jays scored two runs on eight hits.


Three Stars

3-Tom Robson

2-Aaron Sanchez

1-Deck McGuire

Posted by tercet on Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 09:52 AM EDT.
Deck McGuire? Who? | 29 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
92-93 - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 10:05 AM EDT (#278055) #
Why is it even a question as to whether the Jays should protect Deck McGuire?
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jerjapan - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 10:48 AM EDT (#278063) #
Because if he continues to pitch well he could be the sort of arm taken given his pedigree.  I could see him doing fine in mop-up duty for a non-contender next year. 
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92-93 - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 10:52 AM EDT (#278064) #
Heh. I was leaning the other way, as in I thought it was obvious he needs to be protected. I don't see why he wouldn't be.
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ayjackson - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 10:56 AM EDT (#278065) #
I'm sure there'll be room, but it just depends who's #41 on the roster.
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ayjackson - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 10:58 AM EDT (#278066) #
I think we need a scouting report on Zak Wasilewski.
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uglyone - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 11:36 AM EDT (#278068) #
Clint @StivBators
BP on Stroman "One of the most inspiring minor league pitching performances I’ve seen this year."


in other news, non-prospect Brad Glenn has been promoted to AAA to replace Pillar.
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Gerry - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 12:17 PM EDT (#278073) #

I saw Wasilewski pitch in extended spring training and I mentioned him in my report.  In extended, with two games on at the same time, and when you are scouting the hitters as well as the pitcher, you don't get the same detailed looks as you get when you follow a regular season game. 

My report was short and to the point...Wasilewski has been one of the pleasant surprises in camp. Wasilewski, a lefty, features a nice 91-92 fastball with a change-up and a slider. His command was pretty good.

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ayjackson - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 12:32 PM EDT (#278074) #
I knew you would come through for us, Gerry. Shame on me for assuming you hadn't already done so!
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whiterasta80 - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 12:32 PM EDT (#278075) #
Am I missing something on Michael Reeves? He seems to get more coverage in these updates than any 21st rounder with zero power in history.

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ayjackson - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 12:38 PM EDT (#278076) #
I guess they could just omit Vancouver altogether in these updates.
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Gerry - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 12:45 PM EDT (#278077) #

Michael Reeves is from Peterborough, Ontario, it's just some hometown lovin'.

Having said that, he has hit very well for Vancouver and deserves some kudos.  Don't forget Kevin Pillar, 32nd round.

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Gerry - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 12:51 PM EDT (#278078) #
The Jays have a lot of Canadians, Brett Lawrie, Mike Nickeas, Adam Loewen, Michael Crouse, Marcus Knecht, Dalton Pompey, Tom Robson, Shane Dawson, Michael Reeves, Justin Atkinson, Eric Brown, Nathan DeSouza, Sean Ratcliffe and Sean Valeriote.  I think we highlight the Canadian players when we can.
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uglyone - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 01:01 PM EDT (#278079) #
Reeves' lack of power is the only thing unimpressive about him, IMO.

by all reports he's excellent defensively, and has shown very good patience and contact ability already. even if he never shows any power, a plus defensive catcher with a good OBP will always have value.
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tercet - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 01:23 PM EDT (#278080) #
Well Deck's results havent been great, but most 1st round college picks get protected.  Even though Deck has pitched better the last few weeks, it would be admitting he is a wasted pick if you don't protect him.
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John Northey - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 01:41 PM EDT (#278081) #
Jays first rounders...
Most recent to make it to majors: Chad Jenkins - 16 first round picks since he was picked in 2009, none have reached yet.
Most recent to be worth 1 or more bWAR: J.P. Arencibia & Brett Cecil 2007 (2 of 5 first rounders that year)
Most recent to be worth 5+ bWAR: Ricky Romero 2005 at 9.8 and dropping (well, if he was allowed to pitch)
Guys worth 10+ WAR: Roy Halladay (65 in 1995), Chris Carpenter (34.5 in 1993), Shawn Green (34.5 in 1991), Vernon Wells (29.8 in 1997), Lloyd Moseby (27.6 in 1978), Alex Rios (26.9 in 1999), Aaron Hill (25 in 2003), Shannon Stewart (24.7 in 1992), and Steve Karsay (11.2 in 1990)
Guys in the 5-10 WAR range: Ricky Romero 2005, Felipe Lopez 1998, John Cerutti 1981, Billy Koch 1996, Ed Sprague 1998

On average the Jays 1st rounders have been worth 9.8 WAR if they reach the majors, with 54% having reached.  Remove the 16 picks after Jenkins and you have 72.9% reaching.

After Jenkins the 2010 picks were Syndergaard, Wojciechowski  and Sanchez all of whom are likely to make it right now plus Deck McGuire who is finally starting to give us some hope. Funny though that 2012 pick Marcus Stroman might make it before any of the others and might have been here already if not for that PED issue last year.  However given how late in the year it is and the 40 man roster seeming a bit crowded they might let him stay in the minors until next year.
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whiterasta80 - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 02:27 PM EDT (#278082) #
Its funny, I'm probably also wired to notice Reeves so much since he is from my hometown. I actually went to school with his brother Jeff (and former Jays picks Mike Tisdale and Steve Murray).

Jeff has definitely been a pleasant surprise and you have to love the on base skills. I just think that he needs to develop some power in order to be considered a prospect at the position.

I tried to think of MLB catchers who have shown little pop for comparison: the best I could come up with was Yadier Molina (just massively rushed to the majors, took 4 years to develop his hitting) and Ryan Hanigan. Everyone else (including Jonathan Lucroy surprisingly) showed quite a bit more pop.
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whiterasta80 - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 02:30 PM EDT (#278083) #
Sorry, Mike has been a pleasant surprise. Jeff blew out his arm at Winthrop. Damn the no edit feature.
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Mike Green - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 02:47 PM EDT (#278084) #
Reeves will be 23 next month and he's in the Northwest League.  Catchers sometimes do have strange career paths, so it is not beyond the realm of possibility that he makes it to the major leagues as a platoon player in 3 or 4 years.  Left-handed hitting catchers do have an advantage; it's the one position where platoons are easy to negotiate even with modern roster construction.
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John Northey - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 03:32 PM EDT (#278087) #
Guys like Reeves are fun to root for, but odds are extremely against him making it.  21st round picks rarely make it, and at 22 in low A ball his odds are even lower.  A walk heavy 723 OPS won't work well, he needs to develop his average and/or power to survive in higher levels. As a catcher if he is strong defensively he could have a decent minor league career until his 30's but odds are even if he makes it he'd be no more than an emergency callup or a September #3/4 catcher. 

FYI: of all the 625th overall picks only 6 reached the majors with just one having any real impact, Jason Varitek who didn't sign with Houston but went to college and ended up as a first round pick a few years later.  I guess Mike Fontenot (great 2008 otherwise replacement level)and Andy LaRoche have had some impact but neither is worth 5+ WAR lifetime.
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Mike Green - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 04:03 PM EDT (#278089) #
Tercet, it's Drew Hutchison. 
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Jake W - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 05:57 PM EDT (#278090) #
Commenting on McGuire's outing a BP writer says "(h)is entire arsenal is, for a lack of a better word, 'soft'". I guess the question is who is he next best alternative use of the 40-man roster spot.
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ayjackson - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 06:30 PM EDT (#278093) #
That's not good for baseball or adult films.

One other note, BA's GCL guy, Chris King, said that Barreto's future is likely 2B or CF.
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PeterG - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 07:07 PM EDT (#278095) #
Speaking of 40 man spots and  Deck's inclusion/exclusion, what other prospects may need to be added in order to be protected from Rule 5.
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greenfrog - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 09:21 PM EDT (#278102) #
Pretty solid start for Norris tonight, although he did allow a HR and a double. A nice pitching line: 5 4 1 1 1 8
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jayBlue - Thursday, August 15 2013 @ 09:48 PM EDT (#278104) #
Guessing and hoping that Norris finishes the season with the challenge of High-A.
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#2JBrumfield - Friday, August 16 2013 @ 12:51 AM EDT (#278111) #
I was at the C's game last night. Tom Robson was up to 92-93 with his fastball and touched 94. Justin James was around 86-87 but did reach 90 at one point. Sidearmer Brandon Dorsett was pitching in the 72-77 MPH range to finish off the nine.

The two teams had to deal with showers for most of the game. The AquaSox starter apparently had trouble with his footing on the mound as he plunked Chaz Frank and Ian Parmley on back-to-back pitches to start the game. The grounds crew had to work on the mound, causing a short delay. That didn't stop the C's from scoring three runs in the frame and that put them on their way.

L.B. Dantzler's home run was a real crowd pleaser as he "slugged the mug". The ball hit the A&W mug in right-center field to give everyone in attendance a Teen Burger and a Root Beer. It was a night of firsts for Peterborough's Mike Reeves and Guelph's Shaun Valeriote. Reeves belted his first pro home run and Valeriote got his first hit of the season.

Defensively, Justin Atkinson made a nice diving stop on a ground ball to first and did a fine job picking off a short hop on a throw from third.
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TamRa - Friday, August 16 2013 @ 05:21 AM EDT (#278112) #
Speaking of 40 man spots and  Deck's inclusion/exclusion, what other prospects may need to be added in order to be protected from Rule 5.

Easy rule of thumb: (since you know about Deck) Any college player from that draft (2010) and any high school player from the previous draft (2009) - then just advance one year in the draft history to answer the same question this time next year.

(of course, this won't cover Latin players, but most of them are signed young so as a rule of thumb treat the latin guy as a high school player and look for him to have been signed 2009 or earlier to be eligible)

The only guys that jump right out at me are Marcus Walden (marginal) and Justin Jackson (depending on the ceiling you see as a pitcher)





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uglyone - Friday, August 16 2013 @ 11:28 AM EDT (#278123) #
re: Reeves

IMO it's hard to criticize him for "only being in low-A" when he just got drafted this summer.

Especially since the team still has hopes for Santiago Nessy, who's getting all the time at C in A-ball.
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jerjapan - Friday, August 16 2013 @ 01:57 PM EDT (#278125) #
Hey TamRa, are you still maintaining your blog?  I've always enjoyed following your thoughts and minor league updates.
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The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.