Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Three Extra Inning Affairs, One Win, One Loss, One Suspended

Three Extra Inning Affairs, One Win, One Loss, One Suspended

On Sunday the Jays affiliates were 2-3, with one game suspended. Bluefield lost in extra innings, Lansing won in extra innings, and New Hampshires game was suspeneded in extras. Vancouver lost a close game, Dunedin lost and Buffalo had a field day against a former Blue Jays pitcher.

Lehigh Valley 4 - Buffalo 9

Buffalo hitters seemed to hit everything former Jay Jo-Jo Reyes threw at them, as they tagged him for 8 runs(7 earned) over 2.2 innings.

Brad Mills had a respectable debut for Buffalo, finishing with a line of 5IP 7H 3ER 1BB 2SO. Kyle Drabek followed up with 2IP 2H 1ER, and Ryan Tepera closed out the game with 2 scoreless innings.

New Hampshire 9 - Harrisburg 7 (12 Innings - Suspended in Bottom of the 12th)

This game was suspended in the bottom of the 12th with New Hampshire holding 9-7 lead.

Charlotte 9 - Dunedin 2

Usually 11 hits would amount a large amount of runs, but not today, as Dunedin only scored two runs. One of them came from Kevin Patterson and his 9th HR, and the other came from in the 8th when Nick Baligod scored on a Shane Optiz ground out.

Efrain Nieves allowed 3 ER over 4 IP, Tony Davis allowed 2 ER over 2.1 IP. Wil Browning had his worst outing of the year in Dunedin allowing 4ER over 1 IP including a HR to Torontoian Maxx Tissenbaum.

Lansing 3 - Burlington 2 (15 Innings)

Mitch Nay had his second double of the game in the top of the 15th. He later scored the game winning run when he was driven home by a Dawel Lugo single.

On the pitching side, all of the Lugnuts pitchers were solid across the board. Starlyn Suriel was given the start, and finished with a line of 5IP 4H 1ER 2BB 3SO. Matt Dermody followed up with 4IP 1R 0ER 1BB 2SO. After Matt, Roberto Espinosa and Francisco pitched the extra innings holding Burlington scoreless over 6 innings.

Vancouver 2 - Spokane 4

Starter Zak Wasilewski got the Canadians into a deep hole, that they were unable to get out of. His start only lasted 1/3 of an inning, in which he allowed 1 hit, and 4 walks which amounted to 4 runs (3 earned). The rest of the game the Canadians didn't allow a run with appearances from Mark Biggs, Alberto Tirado, Brett Barber, and Adaric Kelly.

Alexis Maldonado scored in the 3rd off of a Roemon Fields single. Franklin Barreto doubled to lead off the 6th, and was later driven in by a Christopher Carlson single.

Danville 2 - Bluefield 1 (12 Innings)

The Bluefield offense only managed to have 6 hits over 12 innings. Josh Almonte had 3 hits, and scored the only run in the first inning when Rowdy Tellez singled him home.

The pitching for Bluefield was solid, as starter Evan Smith pitched 5 scoreless innings. Oscar Cabrera allowed 1 earned run over 2.2 innings pitched, and Dusty Isaacs followed with 2.1 scoreless innings. Conor Fisk allowed one earned run over 2 innings pitched, and was credited with the loss, dropping his record to 3-2.

Three Stars

1. Starlyn Suriel
2. Matt Dermody
3. Mitch Nay

Posted by tercet on Monday, July 28 2014 @ 06:14 AM EDT.

Three Extra Inning Affairs, One Win, One Loss, One Suspended | 55 comments | Create New Account

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

Gerry - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 08:54 AM EDT (#290614) #

Frank Viola has been released.

finch - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 09:06 AM EDT (#290615) #

Jim Callis, formerly of Baseball America, released the MLB Pipeline's updated Top 20 Prospect Lists last night. I must say, I'm totally inline for the most part of their assessment of the organizational Top 20.

1. Daniel Norris (#29 Overall)
2. Aaron Sanchez (#40 Overall)
3. Dalton Pompey (#95 Overall)
4. Jeff Hoffman (#97 Overall)
5. Roberto Osuna
6. Max Pentecost (#9 Catcher)
7. Mitch Nay
8. Franklin Barreto
9. DJ Davis
10. Sean Reid-Foley
11. Sean Nolin
12. Dawel Lugo
13. Matthew Dean
14. AJ Jimenez
15. Alberto Tirado
16. Jairo Labourt
17. John Stilson
18. Chase De Jong
19. Richard Urena
20. Mathew Smoral

I agree with his list for the most part. I think I would have removed DJ Davis from the Top 10 and flipped him with Matt Dean so Matt Dean at 9/10 (Maybe Reid-Foley at 9) with DJ Davis at 13 (or the 11-14 range). I also would have put Franklin Barreto in the Top 5 and removed Osuna from there.

Someone asked him about Jeff Hoffman and Callis said had their been to TJ surgery, he easily would have been amongst the Top 50.

PeterG - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 09:35 AM EDT (#290617) #

This is totally flawed. Where is MIguel Castro? Should be top 5?

Beyonder - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 09:40 AM EDT (#290618) #

That's a strong list, though I think a case could be made that Miguel Castro should bump any of Smoral, De, Jong, Tirado or Labourt.

finch - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 09:43 AM EDT (#290619) #

WHOA! Totally forgot about Miguel Castro. Yes, he should be a Top 10 Prospect!!!!! I'll ask Callis; he follows me on twitter so I should get a response from him.

Mike Green - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 09:46 AM EDT (#290620) #

Barreto and especially Urena are too low. Hoffman is too high.

Pompey is now at .286/.369/.449 in double A at age 21. His W/K is actually a little better than it was in the FSL. After a rough start, he's been smoking. He has been caught stealing quite a bit over the last few weeks. Probably needs a visit from Tim Raines.

Lylemcr - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 10:02 AM EDT (#290622) #

It always disturbs me how high picks are automatically in the top 10. How is Hoffman a top player right now? I also think Barreto is higher as well.

whiterasta80 - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 10:41 AM EDT (#290626) #

Let Barreto keep flying under the radar. No need to anoint him as the next Travis Snider.

MatO - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 11:04 AM EDT (#290627) #

DJ Davis next to Franklin Barreto? There should be an ocean between the two. Derek Loveless is a better prospect than Davis and that's not saying much.

finch - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 11:07 AM EDT (#290628) #

Travis Snider? Who's that? ;)

I would go Jose Reyes :)
But the Jays won't make that Travis Snider mistake again with this kid.

uglyone - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 11:32 AM EDT (#290632) #

Nice to see a list that includes the new draftees.

The scouts seem to be sleeping on Castro right now. He missed BA's midseason org top 10 as well, while labourt made the cut.

The only other real quibble i'd have with this list is Davis being top 10, when really he might not even be top 20. Nay i understand because his line looks pretty good other than the lack of power....and they're pretty sure that power will come.

IMO flip castro and davis on the list.

Also think urena is too low.

uglyone - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 11:35 AM EDT (#290633) #

IMO top-8 has to be, in pretty much any order you want:

P Sanchez
P Norris
P Hoffman
P Osuna
P Castro

CF Pompey
C Pentacost
SS Barreto

hypobole - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 11:47 AM EDT (#290634) #

Don't mean to denigrate Callis, but is he a reporter ( e.g. Baseball America staff) or talent evaluator (KLaw, Hulet, McDaniel, Sussman)?

John Northey - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 12:05 PM EDT (#290636) #

Mid-season lists are interesting but always have certain flaws in that you tend to be remembering last year and can miss key items about this year as you don't know for certain if they are long term or short term issues. Still, nice to see 4 Jays in the top 100 with a 5th as 'belonging if no TJ'.

What is interesting is they have a point system setup this year listing the Jays as #20 in MLB (based only on top 100 prospects and where in the top 100 they rank). The Rays and Tigers are dead last with no one in the top 100, Yankees #24 with 2 prospects, Orioles #16 with 2 good prospects, Red Sox #4 overall with 6 in the top 100 (dang it).

finch - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 12:19 PM EDT (#290637) #

The Cubs might have the best hitting prospect group of all time at the moment:

Kris Bryant
Javier Baez
Addison Russell
Arismendy Alcantara
Albert Amora
Jorge Soler
Kyle Schwarber
Billy McKinny

That list is just WOW!

bpoz - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 12:27 PM EDT (#290638) #

I too believe that M Castro should make the list.
So I thought to add a 21-40 list.

M Castro comes in at 21. From 36 to 40 I would like to add some older players that are doing very well IMO...T Cole, M Boyd, K Graveman, D Chung and R McBroom.
D. Smith Jr seems good, C Mallard, G Huffman & L Thomas are basically the same age and off to V Good starts. Lastly I like Dan Jansen and the HS pitchers from last year that are doing really well. There are some young and/or dominating latin players like Angel Perdomo for example.

uglyone - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 12:43 PM EDT (#290640) #

Finch...honest question...how does that group compare to the royals' group a couple years back?

I.e. Gordon, butler, moustakas, hosmer, myers, etc.

Hodgie - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 12:49 PM EDT (#290642) #

Unfortunately pedigree and PR often create a significant bias in these rankings. Take Pompey as an example. For players with 110+ AB in the EL (Pompey has 111), Pompey currently ranks 31st with a 127 wRC+. The only player as young as Pompey with a better performance has been Mookie Betts. Prospects like Josh Bell and Brandon Nimmo, both 21 and whom Pompey has played against in both the FSL and EL are ranked considerably higher despite comparable performances. Those performances do not even take into account defensive value. That said, Nimmo and Bell are high profile draft picks while Pompey's pedigree is already well known in these parts. Thus, Pompey barely cracks the Top 100 while Bell sits 33rd. If Pompey had a better pedigree or belonged to an organization with a higher profile he would mostcertainly be a Top 50 prospect.

Hodgie - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 01:02 PM EDT (#290643) #

As for the comparison to the Royals previously acclaimed prospect class, I made a similar comparison a few days ago. The more I have thought about it the less of a parallel I can draw. The Cubs list is considerably deeper with similar (projected) high impact talent in the top of the class. What separated the Royals class in my mind at the time was the inclusion of a number of high-end arms, something that is sorely lacking in Chicago. Time will tell but as of this moment it would appear only Gordon and perhaps Duffy could be considered impact players.

It will be fascinating to see if Epstein's strategy of collecting all the hitters in baseball is ultimately successful and how he figures to collect enough arms to fill a competent rotation. He isn't going to be able to find 5 Jason Hammels every season and relying solely on high end free agents and/or trade acquisitions may yield some results, at least until those arms break and there is no internal depth to compensate.

PeterG - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 01:05 PM EDT (#290644) #

That is just silly.....Davis is playing in a league where the average age is 2 years older than him.....and his numbers are nowhere near as bad as some are making them out to be. Next year will be an important one for him as it will likely determine just how high(if at all) he should be considered as a prospect. The jury is out imo. But comparing him to a non prospect who will be lucky to ever see AA is just plain ludicrous.

And I am not just picking just on this particular comment, so some half apology to MatO, as there have been a number of negative DJ posts of late, all being far far too premature imo.

uglyone - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 01:29 PM EDT (#290645) #

.212avg, .269obp, .591ops, 30.6k%.....unfortunately his numbers ARE that bad.

hypobole - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 01:42 PM EDT (#290648) #

Peter, Loveless is all of 3 months older than Davis. He has double the walk rate (13.4 vs 6.7) and a lower K rate (24.4 vs 30.6). His ISO is .134 vs Davis' .110. Yet he is a non-prospect while Davis is a Top 10 prospect? Other than speed, how is Davis superior to Loveless?

MatO - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 01:47 PM EDT (#290649) #

Let's put Davis's numbers in perspective. Travis Snider always had K issues in the minors. As a 19 year old he K'd 129 times at Lansing. As of today, DJ Davis has K'd 129 times with 5 weeks left in the season! His OBP and SLG against lefties are barely above the Mendoza Line. As a comparison, Dalton Pompey, also as a 20 year old, hit .261 .358 .394 in Lansing.

PeterG - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 02:02 PM EDT (#290652) #

Seems that both BA and Jim Callis, as well as all other rating services very much disagree with u guys on Davis. Normally, I might dismiss some of them as just going along with the crowd but having listened to several Lansing broadcasts this year, I get the sense that DJ is still considered a top tier prospect. Too many of you focus on just numbers without having a real sense of how the player is actually viewed by his peers and his coaches.

Many were surprised when Sanchez was promoted both from AA to AAA and from AAA to the show. While his numbers did not seem to merit promotion, those who are paid to know ie his managers and coaches believed him to be ready. Seems they were right.

People just love to rag when they think they can find a prospect bust. And who knows, maybe the pessimists will be right on Davis. I still contend it is far too early to make such a judgement on a player that those in the business still seem to like.

Mike Green - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 02:03 PM EDT (#290653) #

Sometimes prospects do take steps forward. Alex Rios couldn't hit in the Sally League at age 19 and 20, but took one step forward in the FSL at age 21 and another in the EL at age 22. For right now, DJ Davis is a player with significant tools and no current ability to play full-season ball. Hopefully, he starts 2015 in the Midwest League rather than getting a social promotion to Dunedin.

He ought to not be a top prospect on any one's list, not because he can't succeed but rather because there are other players with better chances to do so.

whiterasta80 - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 02:12 PM EDT (#290654) #

I think you could argue that Jake Odorizzi "panned out" from that Royals prospect pool as well.

Personally I'd take the balance of the Royals system a few years back over the slightly better hitting of the Cubs current system.

The Royals ability to develop those prospects was downright embarrassing (even Odo needed to go to the Rays) but just because they didn't pan out doesn't mean it was a worse system at the time.

whiterasta80 - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 02:13 PM EDT (#290655) #

I do have more confidence in Theo's ability to get the most out of his prospects.

DJ Davis is Kenny Wilson until he proves otherwise. Granted there is a better chance than most that he takes a step forward, but right now he's all tools.

Mike Green - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 02:15 PM EDT (#290656) #

The situations of Sanchez and Davis are not similar at all. Sanchez had succeeded in a relief role in the minors, and many of us felt that he could do so in the major leagues and supported his promotion. I still doubt that he can be a successful major league starter any time soon. Nonetheless, Sanchez had succeeded by various measures at several minor league stops.

I hadn't noticed this before, but Davis has a July birthdate. He is actually 20 years old now, and has taken a step backward this month. In addition to all the strikeouts, he has 13 stolen bases in 28 attempts. If you honestly believe that Davis is a better prospect than Urena, then I guess you are welcome to that belief. It seems to me to be a function of a tools and draft order bias, with no regard whatsoever to performance and the translation of tools to skills.

uglyone - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 02:18 PM EDT (#290657) #

"Many were surprised when Sanchez was promoted both from AA to AAA and from AAA to the show. While his numbers did not seem to merit promotion, those who are paid to know ie his managers and coaches believed him to be ready. Seems they were right"

Wouldn't be too hasty there. Sanchez only has two Ks, and more troubling only has ONE swinging strike so far. As good as his stuff is he's not missing any bats so far. He hasn't walked anyone so far, but based on his milb numbers that won't last.

I'm hopeful that a bullpen role will cover his warts for now (i.e. That he'll simplify and throw strikes) but there's no guarantees there.

And i don't love the club's decision to stick him in the highest leverage spots right off the bat. It could blow up on them.

Lugnut Fan - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 02:19 PM EDT (#290658) #

I was a big proponent of DJ being shipped to Vancouver when the short season started. He has been extremely overmatched in the MWL. I had some argue that the Jays wouldn't do it because he was in his third year and it would be a step back in his development.

DJ's offensive numbers don't bother me and his 34% K rate doesn't bother me. What bothers me is his base running. He is supposed to be a speedster and tear up the base paths. The problem is he has been caught stealing 15 times in 28 attempts. He's too quick for that to be acceptable.

The other bothersome thing to me is that he seemingly can't pick the spin of the ball up out of the pitchers hands. He has a very high swing and miss percentage on anything that isn't a fastball and if the fastball is elevated, he can't catch up to that either (no one can really handle a high fastball, so I'm less concerned about that).

I don't expect every prospect to hit .300 in the MWL, but I did expect far more from Davis than what I have seen. Alford looked more developed offensively to me than Davis did and Alford has only played in 25 professional baseball games total.

MatO - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 02:20 PM EDT (#290659) #

The difference is that Rios never had contact issues. His numbers weren't impressive but it was never because he was striking out a lot. Davis has major contact issues and it's not like he's drawing a ton of walks to help compensate. He's not a high strikeout high walk guy.

uglyone - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 02:20 PM EDT (#290660) #

And of course, sanchez dominated at davis' level, and has never been remotely as bad as davis has been this year.

Mike Green - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 02:24 PM EDT (#290661) #

I agree, MatO. Severe contact issues are a big problem area for a player in their late teens. Your hand/eye co-ordination will never be better than it is then...(he said wistfully)

Mike Green - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 02:31 PM EDT (#290662) #

I guess the closest success story I can think of would be Mike Cameron. At age 19 in the Midwest League, he hit .228/.310/.342 with over a strikeout per game. He repeated a level at age 20 and struck out a little less. He broke out at age 23 in double A. Davis unfortunately has even worse contact issues than Cameron.

MatO - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 02:36 PM EDT (#290663) #

I imagine that Rios was this big string-bean when he was drafted and it took a number of years to develop power. Like Davis he was certainly athletic enough.

Mike Green - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 02:59 PM EDT (#290664) #

I'd guess that Rios' swing was a mess as a teenager, and that he made contact because of pure athletic talent.

Gerry - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 03:03 PM EDT (#290665) #

I tend to give prospects a break until they are 21. There are numerous stories of prospects who blossom then or college players who have a breakout season in their final year in school. Urena does look better than Davis now but some keep Davis ahead of him due to Davis being a #1 draft choice. I would have Urena higher. Davis played in the Appy league last season and Urena has better numbers this season despite being younger than Davis was.

hypobole - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 03:08 PM EDT (#290666) #

Getting back to Loveless for a moment, he and 3 other young guys (Pompey, Atkinson, Jansen) are all surprising me with their stronger than expected offensive showings thus far. Noticed all are from colder weather areas, 2 from Canada, the others from Wisconsin and Iowa.

uglyone - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 03:18 PM EDT (#290667) #

Jansen's definitely piqued my interest this year. Having a legit great year.

Mike Green - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 03:19 PM EDT (#290668) #

Plus, Urena is apparently a shortstop who can stick at the position.

Hodgie - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 03:39 PM EDT (#290670) #

"I do have more confidence in Theo's ability to get the most out of his prospects."

Just curious, this confidence is based on what? Ellsbury and Pedroia and ........

Marc Hulet - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 03:54 PM EDT (#290671) #

My personal Top 15 for the Jays would be:

Aaron Sanchez
Daniel Norris
Dalton Pompey
Franklin Barreto
Max Pentecost
Jeff Hoffman
Mitch Nay
Miguel Castro
Dawel Lugo
Richard Urena
Roberto Osuna
AJ Jimenez
Matt Dean
Sean Nolin
Matt Smoral

Mike Green - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 04:11 PM EDT (#290672) #

That's not exactly how I have it, Marc, but any differences are well within the usual range. I don't know how the Blue Jay system stacks up against other clubs, but I do like it more than I have in years.

uglyone - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 04:30 PM EDT (#290676) #

Yep, Marc, i like your list better than the others.

I'm not quite as hopeful as everyone seems to be on Nay, but i'll be happy to be wrong there. The system could use a legit power prospect, that's for sure.

Mike Green - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 05:05 PM EDT (#290677) #

John Lott reports on twitter that Tony LaCava (it's nice to have a named source) advises that Dalton Pompey was removed because of leg tightness and may be back tonight.

John Northey - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 05:50 PM EDT (#290679) #

The minor league crew here will have a challenge this winter that is for sure - who the heck do you put in the top 30 and what do you do with Hoffman (TJ)?

For an oddity... an article at MLB shows how much each team spent and how far over slot they were overall. If it is accurate the Orioles went way over which doesn't make sense as I figure we'd have heard if someone lost draft picks. Maybe they signed a lot for the $100k limit for picks in round 11 and beyond, but otherwise it doesn't make sense. Just 3 teams were below their cap, the Jays and Nationals were both in the 98% of cap range while the Astros only spent 46% due to not signing their top pick which led to them not signing other picks who they had above slot deals with. The same article lists the Jays as the big winners in talent in the draft once all signings were done which is nice to see.

hypobole - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 07:03 PM EDT (#290685) #

No Pompey in the NH lineup tonight, but Kendall Graveman has been promoted and is starting for the Fisher Cats.

whiterasta80 - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 10:11 PM EDT (#290750) #

"I do have more confidence in Theo's ability to get the most out of his prospects." Just curious, this confidence is based on what? Ellsbury and Pedroia and ..... Actually its more of an indictment of the Royals development. That being said, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Lester, Papelbon, Justin Masterson are all worthy names.

uglyone - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 10:40 PM EDT (#290754) #

Gideon Turk @gideonturk
Source:Roberto Osuna threw a simulated game in DUN yesterday. Looked impressive according to those in attendance.

more good news.

Hodgie - Monday, July 28 2014 @ 11:27 PM EDT (#290762) #

I'll give you Lester but Masterson did not become the pitcher he is until reaching Cleveland and Papelbon is a reliever. Not exactly a breath taking achievement in development over what, 8 seasons?

acepinball - Tuesday, July 29 2014 @ 12:17 AM EDT (#290764) #

Would Hanley Ramirez count?

Hodgie - Tuesday, July 29 2014 @ 12:35 AM EDT (#290765) #

Well, Epstein didn't acquire Hanley or trade him and he was already Boston's best prospect so if you want to give Theo credit for not screwing him up for 2 years that seems like faint praise.

Lugnut Fan - Tuesday, July 29 2014 @ 07:09 AM EDT (#290768) #

I'm really pulling for Graveman. He was one of those high round "value picks" that I don't think anyone thought much of at the time, but is starting to open eyes. Good sinker ball pitcher that is intriguing.

finch - Tuesday, July 29 2014 @ 10:01 AM EDT (#290774) #

uglyone,
Sorry for the delayed the response. For me, the difference between the KC prospects from a few years ago in comparison to the current Cubs prospects are positions. Bryant is a great power bat playing 3B. Both Russell and Baez are power bats playing at SS. Alcantara shows power, not as much as the other 2, and has speed, and a lot of it. Will he stick at SS? Probably not but he would transition well to the OF or 2B. Almora has a projectable bat but there's not one amazing tool. He's the type of player that the Red Sox, under Theo, love. I would compare him to Trot Nixon. Soler is another huge power bat and Kyle Schwarber, drafted as a C adds significant value if he can stay at that position. He hits for a high average and has a power bat. He has elite level power so a corner OF spot is doable for him. Billy McKinney has a projectable bat.

The thing that separates this group is their blue chippers in the infield. great potential to have elite 3B, SS, and 2B going forward. Plus, these blue chippers are great trade bait to add elite pitching. A SS that hits for power will fetch more in a trade than the same player at the OF position. IMO, that's what separates the 2 groups.

bpoz - Tuesday, July 29 2014 @ 11:51 AM EDT (#290783) #

The Lugnuts are in the playoff hunt. Their position players seem OK.
I have been waiting all year for the pitchers to make a big improvement.

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