There was quite a bit of rain in the minor leagues on Monday night. None of it affected the Blue Jays' affiliates. What did affect the affiliates, however, was the absence of games on the schedule. Las Vegas was the only affiliate in action, and they lost what must have been a pretty boring game, especially after Sunday´s thriller.

I suppose it's nice that at least one thing around here is just like 1993...

Eric Thames has been hitting well recently after a slow start.  Thames has played well when he has been healthy for the Jays, the key is staying healthy.

Quick now, how many AL hitters with 30+PA this year are younger than Travis Snider?

Answer: 1 - Elvis Andrus.

How many with at least 1 PA this year? Answer- still only one.

It's entirely possible that the most exciting and entertaining thing to happen in Sin City today was the baseball game.

Kyle Drabek has his best start of the season leading New Hampshire to the win.  Brad Mills made one mistake and that was enough to lose 2-1.  Lansing won in extra innings while Dunedin were easily beaten.

Bobby Ray had a rough night and Las Vegas lost; Luis Perez was human and New Hampshire lost; Dunedin had to use a committee of pitchers and they lost.  Ryan Shopshire pitched well for Lansing and the Luggies were the only winners on the farm.  Brett Wallace and JP Arencibia went deep.  Jon Talley and Tyler Pastornicky continued to hit well for Dunedin.  Brad McElroy and AJ Jimenez led the Luggies hitters. 

What did Brett Cecil do to deserve this?

It was exciting day on the farm as the affiliates went 4-1 and won a couple of close games.

Okay, we've got the junior-high pun out of the way. Yes, I headlined this feature in a way that invites frivilous, juvenile humor. But that's only because none of the four men surnamed "Cassidy" who have played in the major leagues (including 2002 Blue Jay righty reliever Scott) have gone by "Butch."

Perhaps most surprising Butch-related factoid of all is that none of the 26 men who played big league ball bearing that nickname are currently active. And that's not likely to change any time soon, as none of the nearly 40 minor leaguers to have that appellation are active either, though two were briefly in 2009

Some other notes that will affect our roster-building ...

There wasn’t much to write about on the farm last night, as there was a rainout and two blowout losses. The only bright spot came in Florida, where Dunedin won in extra innings with a 17-hit effort after tying the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Jay's lose in the 10th.

For the last couple of miles you've been swerving from side to side.

It was almost a perfect night for the Jays organization as only one affiliate failed to get in the win column.

I hope this review makes up for the couple of months I missed there.