Batter's Box Interactive Magazine

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. put on a show for New Hampshire FC in Hartford. That's among the many highlights that saw the affiliates win three out of four Monday night.

Buffalo 4 Pawtucket 3 (12 Innings)

The Bisons were able to prevail under the new overtime rules that see each half-inning begin with a runner in scoring position. Jason Leblebijian scored on a Tim Lopes single after Roemon Fields bunted him over to third. Danny Jansen went 4-for-4 with a home run and Dwight Smith Jr. also went deep. Rowdy Tellez singled and walked. The hitters had trouble making contact by striking out 20 times with sombreros going to Leblebijian and Reese McGuire.

Joe Biagini gave up an unearned run on two hits and a walk with four strikeouts. Carlos Ramirez pitched 2-1/3 shutout innings with one walk and two whiffs. Sam Moll got the win.

New Hampshire 11 Trenton 1

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered, doubled and drove in six runs as part of a 3-for-3 night with a walk. Bo Bichette also had three hits that included a double and added a walk and a stolen base. Jonathan Davis had two hits, two hit by pitches and two stolen bases.

Jon Harris put in a workman-like five innings in which he yielded one run on four hits and a walk. He struck out three and induced seven ground ball outs to get the win. Conor Fisk (2-1/3 innings) struck out four and Danny Young (1-2/3 innings) added two more in shutout relief.

Palm Beach 9 Dunedin 1

Justin Dillon was jolted for three solo home runs over four innings—including one to former Jays farmhand J.B. Woodman—and Nick Hartman gave up two more long balls.

Anthony Alford had a single and a hit by pitch. John La Prise singled, walked and scored on an Eduardo Pinto single but struck out twice and committed three errors at third. Logan Warmoth had the night off.

Lansing 10 Fort Wayne 1

Kevin Smith went 3-for-4 with a home run, a walk and a stolen base while Cullen Large went deep for the first time in his professional caree as part of a two-hite gamer. Ryan Noda doubled, singled, was hit by a pitch and stole a base. Kevin Vicuna had a two-hit evening. Samad Taylor singled, walked twice and swiped a bag. Reggie Pruitt singled and walked and stole two pillows.

Maverik Buffo gave up an inside-the-park home run to start the game but that was all over four innings in which he rung up six batters. Donnie Sellers pitched a three-hitter over five frames and struck out 12 to get the win.

*** 3 Stars!!! ***

3. Donnie Sellers, Lansing

2. Danny Jansen, Buffalo

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., New Hampshire

Linescores

Posted by #2JBrumfield on Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 12:02 AM EDT.

VGJ AA-OK! | 45 comments | Create New Account

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

ISLAND BOY - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 06:12 AM EDT (#355892) #

Isn't the jump from A to AA the biggest one to make in the minors ? Vlad and Bo are chewing up this level just like the others, great to see ! The prospects in general are off to a nice start with many good performances.

China fan - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 08:14 AM EDT (#355896) #

It was nice to see the stolen bases, but Teoscar Hernandez struck out 3 times in 5 plate appearances. It's an issue that will need to be addressed.

Carlos Ramirez had one of the best outings by a pitcher yesterday: no hits and only one walk in 2.1 innings, mostly in extra innings. His ability to pitch multiple innings is useful, and he might be ahead of Luis Santos in the depth chart now, so there's a good chance that we'll see him in the Jays bullpen again this season.

Mike Green - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 08:53 AM EDT (#355900) #

Check out Jansen's homer.

Mike Green - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 09:00 AM EDT (#355901) #

And here's video of Guerrero Jr. and Bichette.

Jonny German - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 09:11 AM EDT (#355902) #

Interesting that Buffalo played McGuire at DH despite not having a 3rd catcher on the roster. I approve.

jerjapan - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 09:25 AM EDT (#355904) #

Ramirez has to be well ahead of Santos on the depth chart - kid ranked in the top twenty of some of our prospect lists, whereas Santos was a minor league FA and former org soldier. He's certainly put himself on the map, but Ramirez was ridiculous last year.

12Ks out of the pen for Sellers and he only gets 3rd star? Tough night.

Sellers was considered a sleeper in the 11 round last year, signing for 125K, with a FB that can touch 96. A shorter guy who projects as a reliever, he was a 'hidden gem' of the draft per Ryan Mueller. The pick wasn't popular on the box - many of us felt the FO was playing things too safe with all the college pitchers without much of a secondary offering, but I continue to think there is value in relief prospects with the potential to move fast.

http://jaysfromthecouch.com/2018/02/07/blue-jays-donnie-sellers-2018-hidden-gem/

The top prospects look great. Big starts from Biagini and SRF, Noda resumes where he left off. Pretty exciting start to the minors thus far!

uglyone - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 09:31 AM EDT (#355905) #

there's a video of the vladdy hr taken by a fan floating around twitter that everyone should watch.. or at least listen to - the sound off the bat is incredible.

whiterasta80 - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 09:37 AM EDT (#355907) #

I still think Vladdy plays for this team this season. Possibly Bo too.

The team is off to a fairly good start- if they can maintain performance to mid-season and we still lack production from DH then I don't think you can ignore someone who is ready to be making adjustments at the MLB level.

Injuries force our hand in the infield would be another avenue.

uglyone - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 09:49 AM EDT (#355908) #

https://twitter.com/mattkardos/status/983518034164842496

just listen to that.

Mike Green - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 09:55 AM EDT (#355909) #

It's like thunder, lightning
The way you love me is frightening
You better knock, knock on wood

John Northey - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 11:09 AM EDT (#355912) #

I suspect the Jays management is trying hard to control themselves with Vlad (and Bo). They keep thinking 'keep him in the minors all year, then for a week or two next year and we gain an extra year of control'. I hope the Jays show some guts and find a way to sign him to a 10-15 year deal - IE: sign him for his whole career before it begins thus killing the need for fooling around with service time.

whiterasta80 - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 11:32 AM EDT (#355913) #

I've never understood the notion of fooling around with service time (ala Bryant). Yes it gets an extra year of control, but they are going to be performing at their absolute best in that extra year, probably driving up the price of an extension.

If you think that vlad or Bo won't help you at the major league level then I'll buy that argument for now. It has only been 2 weeks at AA and pitchers will presumably adjust. But if these two stay on the same trajectory for another 2-3 months then service time shouldn't come into play at all. We aren't the Marlins!

whiterasta80 - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 11:38 AM EDT (#355914) #

Also, if you get a reputation for ignoring service time I suspect that it will help in draft negotiation.

hypobole - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 11:46 AM EDT (#355916) #

Except, if Vlad and Bo turn out to be as elite as we feel they could be, why sign extensions? Young elite players are going to be steered to free agency by their agents. Harper, Machado this coming off-season. And with teams not overpaying the non-elites, as opposed to past years, there is a good chance for even more suiters with money to spend.

bpoz - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 11:49 AM EDT (#355917) #

I get your point whiterasta80. The Jays may or may not do service time strategy.

Stroman may be the only player that "service time" happened to. He moved up very fast. I cannot think of anyone else.

Nigel - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 11:55 AM EDT (#355919) #

jerjapan - Sellers didn't show anything like that kind of velocity in Vancouver. He's shorter (nothing close to his listed 6'1") and stocky with a slightly lower arm slot. He was around 90-92 last year. His best pitch was a slider that seemed to break late and hitters from both sides seemed to have trouble picking it up. His main issue, as a starter prospect, was a lack of a third pitch - particularly one with a change in velocity. I think he's an interesting LH reliever prospect. However, the 12 k's might suggest an uptick in velocity or, perhaps more interestingly, the development of a change or curve.

Waveburner - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 12:07 PM EDT (#355921) #

Nigel - Sellers is a RHP. Maybe you are thinking of someone else?

Anyone know the status of Angel Perdomo? He doesn't appear to be on any rosters.

Nigel - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 12:15 PM EDT (#355922) #

Sorry Waveburner - my bad - mix up on LH vs. RH reference. Thanks

Gerry - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 12:19 PM EDT (#355923) #

The Lugnut media notes say Sellers throws a FB at 93, a slider at 81 and a change at 84. And he is right handed

Nigel - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 12:30 PM EDT (#355924) #

Thanks Gerry. Physically and in his repertoire, Sellers reminded me of Rios, although Rios showed an effective if inconsistent change in Vancouver.

uglyone - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 12:38 PM EDT (#355926) #

Rios is the same age as sellers, though, so he was much younger in vancouver.

Richard S.S. - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 02:26 PM EDT (#355940) #

It seems that $ 3,702.00 monthly rent is affordable housing in Vancouver. I’ve got to stop reading the items on my Google page. What are the kids paying when they get there?

Nigel - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 02:40 PM EDT (#355941) #

Richard, the players are generally billeted with host families. One of my friends acts as a host family most years.

John Northey - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 04:20 PM EDT (#355947) #

The trick is today they are guaranteed nada. They get hurt and that is it. But a long term deal, especially a lifetime one, sets them up and gives them the ability to relax on that front. I suspect most players are like most people - they want stability and to feel wanted. Now, a super-long term deal like that (10-15 years) requires a lot of creativity - perhaps bonuses for MVP's and All-Star appearances set up so it keeps impacting future earnings. IE: Win an MVP and pay from year 6 on goes up by $2 mil vs initial amounts. All-Star adds $500k. So make the All-Stars 10 times and add $5 mil a year to the pay. Win 3 MVP's and add $6 mil in annual pay thus a base of $20 mil (via options) goes up to $31 mil potentially if you are a superstar. If not then the Jays buy out options at say $1 mil a year for years 7-15 so Bo & Vlad can be wealthy but not a massive burden to the team if all fails.

85bluejay - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 04:32 PM EDT (#355949) #

I would be Shocked if Vlad & Bo signed longterm deals - I think they will bet on themselves - their fathers earned significant money in their careers, so the families are likely not needy with regards to money.

dan gordon - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 04:40 PM EDT (#355951) #

Good to see Travis Bergen healthy and pitching well. He was considered a good prospect a few years ago, but has had 3 years of injury trouble, pitching only 28 innings total from 2015 through 2017. So far so good this year with 5 K's, no walks and only 1 hit allowed in 2 2/3 innings for Dunedin. He's never pitched at Lansing, so they've skipped a level for him.

SK in NJ - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 05:10 PM EDT (#355957) #

Vlad Jr. and Bo both came from money (or at least had millionaire fathers) so it does seem like they would be less inclined to pounce on a team friendly long-term deal. However, I would not be against a deal that it is risky both ways. The Jays are 2.5 years away from having a clean slate as far as long-term contracts (basically waiting for Tulo's deal to end). The financial flexibility is going to be big enough to where they can offer big money and term (8-10 years) to generational prospects coming up through the system without having it negatively impact the roster. The more risk the team takes, the more likely that the players would at least be interested. In this case, the risk (in amount of years) would make sense.

Of course, it takes two to tango, so if the players want to bet on themselves, then not much you can do there except enjoy the six years and then be prepared to give them FA money after that.

jerjapan - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 06:21 PM EDT (#355963) #

Thanks for the update on Sellers Nigel!

John Northey - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 06:38 PM EDT (#355965) #

Of course, in the end we don't know what the #1 motivation for Vlad and Bo is. Vlad Sr had 2 teams that covered the vast majority of his career (1 year each with Texas and Baltimore at the end plus a few months in the minors with the Jays to end it), Dante Bichette bounced around a lot outside of a long stretch in Colorado where he was loved for a long time. Both saw how having a 'home town' made a difference and saw others who stuck in one place were viewed at a higher level than those that bounced around. Not much question the elite of the elite are in one city the vast majority of their career and are viewed as greater than the bouncers by many fans and tandems are rare (Trammell & Whitaker in Detroit, are there any more recent examples of guys who stuck together for a decade plus who were HOF calibre?). I suspect that could be the 'secret weapon' if the Jays want to sign the two of them long term - they get to stay together for their careers in one place which can only enhance their long term reputations. Imagine the left side of the diamond being Vlad & Bo for 15 years then both go to the HOF together.

Yeah, yeah, way ahead of reality here. Still, that might be a good way to make it work. Ideally get a few others signed too (Stroman, Sanchez, Osuna ideally) to make it clear this is a long term team, not a flash in the pan. I wonder if the Jays are looking at Donaldson at 1B for the future so they can justify signing him. Hmmm. That would leave the OF, 2B, CA, and a lot of pitching slots open. Hopefully Alford and others can step up and take a few of those over. Ideally following the Cleveland of the mid 90's method - get stars as kids and sign them long term.

codyla - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 07:17 PM EDT (#355969) #

Jeremy Gabryszwski's official Twitter profile states "former" professional pitcher. Does anybody actually know if was released or retired? Or why?

Gerry - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 07:31 PM EDT (#355971) #

Farm notes:

Dunedin are rained out
Lansing face MacKenzie Gore, the #1 LHP in baseball per BA. Maximo Castillo is making his first start
Danny Jansen made an out so his BA is under 1000. He was also hit by a pitch
Max Pentecost has thrown out a runner

dan gordon - Tuesday, April 10 2018 @ 11:38 PM EDT (#355993) #

Bichette and Gurriel with 2 hits each tonight, both hitting in the high .300's, as is Kevin Smith, who had 3 hits today. Rios, Breslow and Castillo all had poor games on the mound.

jerjapan - Wednesday, April 11 2018 @ 07:43 AM EDT (#356001) #

Gabz didn't pitch last year, after struggling badly in his first shot at AA - I just assumed he retired sometime after the 2016 season concluded.

Is Kevin Smith being converted to 3B, or is he just playing there because of Vicuna at SS? I'd thought they would split the action at short.

John Northey - Wednesday, April 11 2018 @ 08:45 AM EDT (#356005) #

Don't know for sure but I'd guess the Jays are trying to see if Smith can handle multiple positions. Smart as it opens up possibilities as he goes through the system. Thus far his bat looks good enough for 3B so using him there as well as SS makes a ton of sense. I suspect the Jays will experiment with him at 2B at some point as well.

Just doing a quick 'legacy' check....
Kody Clemens: 313/500/563 in 5 games at Lansing. He is about a year older than average for that league so hopefully if he keeps it up he'll be moved to Dunedin at some point this year.
Bo Bichette: 393/433/464 in 6 games, 30 PA's
Cavan Biggio: 353/389/765, 4 games 18 PA's (4 doubles, 1 HR)
Vladimir Guerrero: 304/379/696 in 6 games 30 PA's

I think that covers all the children of ex-major leaguers in the system. There were a couple of names that caught my eye but might have just been co-incidental.

hypobole - Wednesday, April 11 2018 @ 08:56 AM EDT (#356006) #

Lansing has the trio of trio of Taylor, Smith and Vicuna. When Taylor had a day off, Vicuna went to 2nd with Smith at SS. By all accounts I've read, Smith is the only one of the 3 with the arm strength to play 3rd base.

China fan - Wednesday, April 11 2018 @ 09:45 AM EDT (#356011) #

John, don't forget Dwight Smith Jr.....

Nigel - Wednesday, April 11 2018 @ 12:43 PM EDT (#356028) #

hyperbole, you might be right that Smith is the only one of the three who has the arm to play third, but I'd be a bit surprised if that were the case. Taylor is definitely a 2B only. But Vicuna is an excellent defender and has a strong arm. I would think he has the arm for 3B as well. I have read that Smith is a strong defender too so I suspect that they will rotate Smith and Vicuna at SS. Vicuna also played a reasonable amount of 2B last year to give Warmoth time at SS so he may have more experience at 2B than Smith. When all of Smith, Vicuna and Taylor are in the line-up then I would guess that the best defensive set up is Smith 3B, Vicuna SS and Taylor 2B (if only because I would guess (but don't know) that Vicuna is a slightly better defender at SS than Smith). A bit of a nice problem to have.

John Northey - Wednesday, April 11 2018 @ 12:51 PM EDT (#356032) #

I think Dwight Smith Jr forgot his bat this year - 111/111/444 - 1 for 9 but that one was a home run. 0 walks, 3 K's. Still just 10 PA, one was a sac bunt so wouldn't put much weight if any on it at this point.

hypobole - Wednesday, April 11 2018 @ 01:45 PM EDT (#356040) #

Nigel, I only know what I've read re: Vicunas arm.

"At just 140 pounds, Vicuna’s frame does present some issues. His throwing arm does not have ideal power from the shortstop spot. If it did, Vicuna would profile as a top-level defender and have the ability to fill in at third base if needed in a utility role. Weaker arms are typically moved to second base, but Vicuna’s offensive profile is a tough fit there."

https://baseballtoronto.com/2018/02/15/baseball-toronto-top-prospect-report-44-ss-kevin-vicuna/

"Average arm strength at best, which may be slightly generous. Despite nearly double-plus glove, likely won’t have the arm strength to play shortstop in an everyday role for too much longer. Lacks velocity behind throws, merely average carry and accuracy. Lean, frail frame doesn’t provide physicality to get much momentum behind his throws, either, and it’s unlikely he picks up significant arm strength through development. Arm (and body type) would be more of a fit at second base, or in a utility role."

http://baseballcensus.com/2017/10/13/toronto-blue-jays-kevin-vicuna-scouting-report-baseball-player-evaluation-video-2017/

bpoz - Wednesday, April 11 2018 @ 01:48 PM EDT (#356041) #

Somehow I lose a lot of posts. D Smith Jr found his bat.

What is a good ratio of Ks to BBs? 60/40?

hypobole - Wednesday, April 11 2018 @ 01:51 PM EDT (#356043) #

Should send Smith to the minors.:)

In all seriousness, he hit a (announcer's term)"majestic" drive that barely went foul, then hit a Grand Slam his next PA.

Nigel - Wednesday, April 11 2018 @ 02:01 PM EDT (#356044) #

Thanks hyperbole. That's interesting stuff. The 140lbs is definitely right and its a real problem for him at the plate. I didn't see the "average arm at best" though. But maybe I don't see enough SS's live to be a good judge. That's certainly possible. He doesn't have a cannon but I would have described his arm as at least average for a SS which is a pretty good arm. The one thing I can say is that if Vicuna has a "meh" arm then Warmoth has no arm at all because Vicuna definitely showed a better arm than Warmoth. I saw them play together and on back to back nights last year.

Waveburner - Wednesday, April 11 2018 @ 02:25 PM EDT (#356045) #

I agree with Nigel on Vicuna. If his arm is too weak for SS, then Warmoth doesn't have a prayer of sticking at SS. Warmoth's arm really stood out as weak in Vancouver. Did not see the same issue with Vicuna.

uglyone - Wednesday, April 11 2018 @ 03:32 PM EDT (#356052) #

Is it bad if I see the name "Smith" and just assume he doesn't have the athleticism to play short?

hypobole - Wednesday, April 11 2018 @ 04:30 PM EDT (#356063) #

I don't know if the consensus is that Vicuna's arm is too weak for SS. He may not throw harder in the future, but he could improve his accuracy.

BP gave Warmoth's arm strength a 40 (vs the 50ish grade other sites give Vicuna's arm), but still thinks he could stick at short. Ah, who knows?

https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/eyewitness_bat.php?reportid=426

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