The Dunedin Blue Jays are the first-half champions of the Florida State League North Division.

Meanwhile, the American affiliates had a 3-3 day while two Lansing Lugnuts saw action in the Midwest League All-Star Game.

Today's POTD subjects are the New Hampshire hitters.  We have video of five of the hitters, Eric Thames, Shawn Bowman, Adam Loewen, David Cooper and Darin Mastroianni.

The Jays had a day off on Monday after taking two of three from San Francisco. Next come three home games against the Cardinals in which they'll face three pretty freaking good pitchers: Jamie Garcia tonight, Chris Carpenter on Wednesday, and Adam Wainwright on Thursday. Let's take a Fangraphy look at those pitchers.

The legendary greatness of Lou Brock (who truly was "great," much to the chagrin of Ernie Broglio and Chicago Cub fans everywhere) turned the ripe old age of 71 last week.

Brock, who led the National League in stolen bases eight times (and in caught stealings a full seven times, as well!) hereby inspires another edition of Baseball's Hall of Names. No, we're not celebrating the seven Major League vets named "Brock" (two first names, five last/family names), but rather correcting the oversight that has been our error in ignoring the many great players in baseball history named "Lou" or "Lew."

First, as always, a few rules ...

On Sunday night, the farm was utterly helpless, losing every game they played. Monday was a little better. Offense was the theme of the night, as the farm scored 26 runs. That may not sound hugely impressive, but only three games were played with one rain-out, one day off, and one all-star break.

Today we start our New Hampshire video series with some of the New Hampshire starting pitchers.   Specifically Bobby Bell, Zach Stewart and Ronald Uviedo.

Yup, the expensive guy is down, the kid (OK, not so young but I just turned 41) is up.

Update: Encarnacion has been designated for assignment (could be traded, released, or just assigned to AAA) and Scott Richmond has been reinstated from the 60-day DL and optioned to Dunedin(A).

Get it? Because World Cup? No? Anyway, Auburn got their season started on Friday night, and continued it on Sunday night. Chronology. Funny how that works! Anyway, they scored lots of runs! Unfortunately, the other team scored more. This proved to be a theme throughout the night (the other team scoring more part, not necessarily the scoring lots of runs part), and the only win on the evening came from Toronto's Dominican affiliate.

Our farm boys managed only one win in five games Saturday Night.  Las Vegas managed the only win in the system besting Colorado Springs 7-2.  New Hampshire, Dunedin, Lansing and Auburn all lost, for varying reasons.  But generally, our pitching gave up too many runs and our hits were too spread out to make a difference.  Funny how that works.

Here are some shots given to me by my photog friend, Jim Goins of Dunedin.  They are from the recent Dunedin Home Stand against St. Lucie and Clearwater (June 5 - June 10).

Aburn won 8-0, Carlos Perez had three hits, Gustavo Pierre hit a home run, Egan Smith pitched five shutout innings.  New Hampshire won, David Cooper hit two home runs.  Of note Danny Farquhar pitched the setup role while Tim Collins pitched the ninth for the second straight night.  Collins struck out the side for the save.

Brian Jerololoman is back with the Fisher Cats for a third season.  After a good start in 2008, Jeroloman had a disappointing 2009 season but has started strongly in 2010.  I spoke with Brian in Erie last week to discuss his history with the Fisher Cats.

A 2-2 and night for the North American affiliates thanks to some 8th inning dramatics made for an interesting night. Plus, Brian Jeroloman didn't hit safely but reached base 4 times. How did he do it. All this, and more, in MINOR LEAGUE UPDATE.

I was in Erie last weekend and I caught the saturday and Sunday games against Erie.  I talked with the coaching staff, with scouts and whoever else would talk to me to build up a picture of the Fisher Cats.  and of course I watched both games.  Here is my report.

The Giants invade Toronto for what figures to be a low-scoring series.