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Vancouver and Dunedin were your Tuesday winners.

Rochester 4 Buffalo 2
Hartford 7 New Hampshire 6 (10 Innings)
Vancouver 8 Hillsboro 2
Dunedin 4 Tampa 2
FCL Tigers 10 FCL Blue Jays 7

Boxscores



*** 3 Stars!!! ***

3. Jommer Hernández, Vancouver - 1/3, HR, BB, 2 CS

2. Alan Roden, Vancouver - 2/2, 2BB, HBP

1. Alex De Jesús, Vancouver - 4/5, HR, 3B, 2B, 7RBI



Notes

Casey Lawrence fired five shutout innings by scattering five hits and a walk and striking out three. Zach Pop took the loss by giving up three runs without getting an out. Jay Jackson and Brandon Eisert had perfect frames with Eisert striking out two. Tanner Morris and Cam Eden had a double and a single but the on-base leader was Davis Schneider with a hit and three walks. Eden stole his 34th base of the year but was also caught for just the second time. Addison Barger had a double.

A tough night for Chad Dallas who did strike out eight but had a game WHIP of three after surrendering six runs on seven hits—including a homer—and walking five over four innings. Juan Nuñez put up three zeroes and only allowed one hit while punching out two. Mason Fluharty stranded two runners for Connor Cooke in the ninth before taking the loss in the 10th. Rainer Nunez, Will Robertson and Miguel Hiraldo all had three-hit games with Robertson getting two doubles and Nuñez getting two of the four RBI between them. Leo Jiménez was 2-for-5 with a triple, Damiano Palmegiani had an RBI single and a walk and Orelvis Martinez singled and drew three walks.

Dasan Brown had a triple, a plunk and scored three runs. Michael Dominguez gave up one run on two hits and four walks and struck out eight for the win. Eric Pardinho put up two zeros and Sam Ryan put up one.

Manuel Beltre socked a home run in the eighth to give the D-Jays the win. Jeffrey Wehner had a double and RBI single and is hitting .388 in the early going. Ryan McCarty doubled and walked and Rikelbin De Castro singled and walked but made an error at short that resulted in the tying run scoring in the eighth. Tucker Toman was 0-for-4. Lazardo Estrada gave up a run on three hits but struck out seven and walked nobody. Alex Amalfi allowed an unearned run on five hits and one walk and racked up five whiffs over 3-2/3 innings. Lean Mendez stranded an Amalfi runner and got the win with 1-1/3 shutout frames.

Hyun Jin-Ryu was charged with a run on four hits but struck out five and walked nobody over three frames. Nolan Perry was roughed up for four runs (three earned) over 4-1/3 innings but struck out six. Yohangel Aponte homered, doubled and walked and Yeuni Muñoz went deep and heard ball four once. Stevie Berman had a base hit and a base on balls and Adrian Pinto took one for the team. Gregori Canó had a double.
De Jesus Gets De Cycle | 29 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
bpoz - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 08:58 AM EDT (#431099) #
A lot of AA hitters have made a big leap offensively this year. On a month to month improvement Orelvis has accomplished a lot from a horrible April and early May. Plate discipline against AA pitchers is probably a lot easier that it will be against AAA pitchers. Leo Jimmenez being healthy has done everything right, after a slow April. So 154 ABs if April is removed. His 2B/SS defense is outstanding and ML ready. He may be a good trade chip at the trade deadline or off season. Or he competes to replace Bo if Bo leaves. Palmegiani has provided excellent offense and is a 2021 draft pick. His D is considered mediocre at the moment.
Glevin - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 10:31 AM EDT (#431101) #
I would like to see Orelvis to AAA and DeJesus to AA soon. I don't think either has too much left to prove at their current levels. Both had rough starts but have been good for a while. (Orelvis' April was almost all-time bad and been great since, De Jesus had poor April and May and been amazing since)

Orelvis last 28 days: .910 OPS
De Jesus last 28 days: 1.128 OPS

hypobole - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 11:04 AM EDT (#431103) #
What's Orelvis' future position? If it's DH, I guess fast-track might work. But if the Jays want him to play the field, he has plenty left to prove. His defence has been atrocious.
Ducey - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 11:04 AM EDT (#431104) #
I diasgree.

De Jesus is 21. He was good in low A and lousy in A+ last year. He has had a hot 20 games. Let him keep it up for 60 and then we will talk. Hopefully he will learn to walk more as he is 29BB/69K over 64 games.

Orelvis has had a nice recent run. I'm not willing to overlook all of last year where he hit .203/286/446 and struck out 140 times, and the first part of this season where it was more of the same, until he shows the improvement is real. He again is only 21. Whats the rush?
Glevin - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 11:17 AM EDT (#431105) #
"De Jesus is 21. He was good in low A and lousy in A+ last year. He has had a hot 20 games. Let him keep it up for 60 and then we will talk. Hopefully he will learn to walk more as he is 29BB/69K over 64 games."

He's now had 597 PAs in A+ and apart from a bad stretch after he got traded last year, he's been good. I don't think he needs more time. Also, I think you can try to get hitters to be more selective although it usually doesn't work but "learning to walk" is an incredibly difficult skill to teach and De Jesus is on a pace for like a 60-65 BB season which is absolutely fine. Orelvis has had 768 PAs in AA.

I don't think you need to rush prospects but both players have spent a fair bit of time at their current level already and shown success.
uglyone - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 11:24 AM EDT (#431106) #
I wouldn't rush Orelvis. He's still young for his level and finally has had a couple of good months. Let him keep honing this new approach. If he keeps crushing it in AA there's no issue giving him a september callup all the way up to the bigs if we really want him in the bigs this year.
Mike Green - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 11:37 AM EDT (#431107) #
His defence has been atrocious.

I know that you have been watching quite a few of the games on milb.tv, hypo.  This is the first that I have heard the word "atrocious" to describe Orelvis' defence, and I'd like to know more.  Is it lead hands, poor throws, lack of athleticism or baseball sense, or some ghastly mix of two or three of them?  What with the rapidly-arriving climate crisis, the renewed threat of nuclear armaggedon and who knows what with AI, the particulars of atrocious defence seems almost like a respite. 
Ryan Day - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 11:40 AM EDT (#431108) #
I don't understand why they keep switching Orelvis between SS & 3B. If you really think he can be a MLB SS (which seems to be an extreme minority view), he's going to have a tough time improving only playing there part time. It seems simpler to lean into the inevitable and focus on making him the best 3B he can be.
Mike Green - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 11:59 AM EDT (#431110) #
Keith Law was impressed with Orelvis' defence at shortstop after last year.  I haven't seen enough of him in the field to have any kind of opinion. 
hypobole - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 01:11 PM EDT (#431113) #
Mike, more like atrocious lately. He's had 5 errors the past 10 or 11 games.

2 fielding on medium EV ground balls hit right at him at short. One was a bobble on what should have been a DP, but then compounded by flipping the ball into RF trying to get the force at 2nd.

He had a double clutch and then a bizarre lollipop well wide of 1st.

Made a good fielding play behind second, but then threw well wide of 1st. Now has 16 errors on the year.
John Northey - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 01:22 PM EDT (#431114) #
Quick look at Orvelvis' stats for fielding - there is only basic stats - suggests he needs to be moved to 3B and left there imo. At SS 276 2/3 innings, 33 PO 59 As 12 E 8 DP, at 3B 203 2/3 innings, 16 PO 29 As 4 E 4 DP. When your errors are higher than your DP at SS that is a very bad sign.

The Jays really need to make up their minds on where guys long term positions are IMO rather than jump them around so much. Yes, versatility is nice, but strong defense is nicer.
Nigel - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 01:25 PM EDT (#431116) #
I'm agnostic to promoting De Jesus and wouldn't be against it - he's certainly had a significant period of time at A+ and he's on fire right now. On the other hand, his play doesn't always scream promotion. Usually, it feels obvious when a position player needs a promotion out of Vancouver. De Jesus doesn't really feel that way and I can't quite describe it other than to say some ABs and plays with him you just wonder what's going on. There's a pretty interesting bat there (when he makes contact), he's a big guy and he's pretty athletic. One of the issues for a promotion though is what position is he going to play? I don't think he's a SS going forward so he might be playing the same turf as Martinez in NH.
Mike Green - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 01:38 PM EDT (#431119) #
Thanks, hypobole. Errors of various types while getting to a lot of balls, is not the worst problem for a young shortstop.
If the club wishes to persist with it, they should go slow, as you say. Or they could move him to third base
Hodgie - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 01:57 PM EDT (#431121) #
I can see why the Jays wouldn't want Orelvis playing SS fulltime in NH given that Jiminez is there - maybe that changes if one of them moves soon.
Glevin - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 04:24 PM EDT (#431126) #
I get why you keep a prospect at a position for a while before moving them down the defensive spectrum but there comes a point when it's clear they will never play at the position, let them get reps where they might end up.
Ducey - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 06:21 PM EDT (#431134) #
There is not a problem leaving a 21 yr old at SS. Its easy to move him to 3B in a year or two if he is not improving, but its hard to move him back to SS later.

Bo was certainly not a good fielder in his first two full MLB seasons (20+) errors, and he was 23/24 then.

Unless Orelvis doesnt have the arm or quickness for the position you leave him and hope he will learn the footwork and throws with more practice.
Hodgie - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 07:12 PM EDT (#431135) #
Maybe the Jays are hoping for the Bogaerts career arc for Martinez with the leather - they are very different hitters obviously.
John Northey - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 07:13 PM EDT (#431136) #
To me the biggest question is what happens in 2024 when it comes to Orvelis, Leo Jimenez (786 OPS in AA age 22, SS/2B), Damiano Palmegiani (3B/1B 826 OPS in AA age 23), Luis De Los Santos (age 25, 771 OPS between AA/AAA SS/3B/2B/1B), Rafael Lantigua (age 25, 806 OPS in AAA 3B/SS/LF/RF/2B), Otto Lopez (age 24, 600 OPS in AAA SS/2B/LF/CF/3B), and Addison Barger (653 OPS mostly in AAA, age 23, SS). Those guys all have a shot at taking over at 3B should Chapman not resign. 2B is also possible if Merrifield leaves and Biggio/Espinal don't look like a solid combo in 2024. If you can play SS odds are you can shift to 2B or 3B depending on your arm. Lots of options but will any be ready to play everyday in the majors with a 700+ OPS? No idea. Barger looked great in spring but flopped in season and has been hurt, Orvelis has looked great this year after a horrid April but April did happen as did 2022. The rest all have their own question marks. Lets hope someone pulls ahead of the pack this year so the Jays have an easier time letting Chapman go as I figure they'll want to save the $10-20 mil a year he'll cost.
Nigel - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 07:27 PM EDT (#431137) #
John, there is zero chance that Lantigua or Lopez are taking over from Chapman at 3B. Regardless of your view of their status more generally as prospects, neither of them are remotely capable defensively at 3B. Lopez doesn't have the arm or even an infielder's defensive instincts but might be a "break in case of emergency" defender at 3B. Lantigua isn't even that - I'm not sure that he has any position he can play adequately defensively.
Gerry - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 08:14 PM EDT (#431138) #
I would leave Orelvis in AA for another month. I would promote him with a month left in the AAA season so he can get used to the level and the pitchers, ready for 2024.

I would probably look at the same timing for De Jesus, assuming he keeps his current form.
greenfrog - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 08:17 PM EDT (#431139) #
I imagine the plan is for Orelvis to take over third base for the Jays at some point in 2024 (or at the latest by spring 2025).
Hodgie - Wednesday, July 05 2023 @ 10:57 PM EDT (#431142) #
Apparently, Leo Jiminez does not want to be forgotten about. While Orelvis 'Walking Back Into the Top 100' Martinez was doing his new thing (1-2 + 2BB) Jiminez was busy flexing his muscles going 3-5 (2B, HR) with 5 RBI. As a freshly turned 22-year-old, Leo is still one of the younger players in the Eastern League.
Kelekin - Thursday, July 06 2023 @ 12:31 AM EDT (#431146) #
Agree with what's being said here that there is no real reason to rush them. When you go beyond the most visible stat line there are plenty of things to improve still. AAA has eight infielders right now and already rotates heavily.

Let them keep doing what they're doing and evaluate for the last month of the season.
John Northey - Thursday, July 06 2023 @ 01:16 AM EDT (#431148) #
Excellent point Kelekin. I love seeing guys jump levels quickly - more exciting, hoping they will be here soon. But really there is no rush unless the guy is hitting like Bonds on the clear, or pitching like Clemens did here his first year (no drugs by all accounts that year, but he was amazing).

Travis Snider is a good warning of what happens when you rush a guy - super prospect but had holes and the team was run by someone in trouble if things didn't turn around quickly as his drafting of low ceiling/high floor guys flopped.
ISLAND BOY - Thursday, July 06 2023 @ 06:50 AM EDT (#431151) #
Lunchbox!

Did anyone see the highlights of the Reds-Nationals game last night? Nationals manager Dave Martinez made a fuss over an extension Red's Elly De La Cruz uses on the end of his bat and the umpires made him take it off. Then, before his second at bat, the umpires decided he could use it, and De La Cruz hit a pitch into the second deck. He then taunted Martinez by pointing at the extension on his bat. I like this kid!
Ryan Day - Thursday, July 06 2023 @ 09:43 AM EDT (#431154) #
Video of Jimenez's home run last night - he wasn't kidding around: https://www.milb.com/video/leo-jimenez-s-three-run-homer?t=playerid-677870

Maybe Jimenez & Martinez are rubbing off on each other - Jimenez has tied his career high in doubles, and is one away from his career high in homers, while continuing to draw walks and make contact. Fingers crossed he can avoid his annual injury that costs him a couple months of the season.
hypobole - Thursday, July 06 2023 @ 10:20 AM EDT (#431156) #
"Those guys all have a shot at taking over at 3B should Chapman not resign."

I'm going to add one more possibility to keep an eye on - Davis Schneider. Played mostly 3rd in rookie ball, but has rarely played there since. Only 30 innings this year until Tuesday, but last night was his 2nd in a row there.
greenfrog - Thursday, July 06 2023 @ 10:31 AM EDT (#431157) #
BA has suggested Jimenez is a likely utility infielder at the big-league level. I'm not sure whether his improved offensive performance in recent weeks changes that assessment.
hypobole - Thursday, July 06 2023 @ 11:01 AM EDT (#431158) #
From FG on Jimenez:

He struggled on defense during 2023 spring training, but all of our notes from the past have him evaluated as a viable defensive shortstop with rare contact skill for that position. He’s at least going to be a good utilityman and has a puncher’s chance to be an everyday shortstop if the power keeps coming.
De Jesus Gets De Cycle | 29 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.