It's really not a huge surprise that former Jay Paul Quantrill picked up his fifth win in relief for the Yankees last night. What may surprise and dismay Torontonians is that after Kevin Brown left the game with lower back stiffness, it was another former Jay -- the inimitable Tanyon Sturtze -- who stepped in to throw four innings of two-hit relief. In fact, Sturtze's June totals are stunning: 2G, 8.2IP, 7H, 1ER ... okay, there's the 6BB/5K to worry about.

But it brings to mind a question: what former Jays have gone elsewhere and completely caught you off guard with their success? Guys like Shawn Green don't count -- no surprises. Neither do the Mark Whitens of the world -- no success. Sturtze probably won't stay in that camp. But who belongs there?

Dunedin and Charleston won, Syracuse lost, New Hamphsire was rained out, and here's the fastest minor-league update in the west. Click here for links to the box scores.

Most of us around Da Box are excited to see the newest crop of Jays about to take their first baby steps into professional baseball. The vast majority of us are getting to know these players for the first time; these are players about whom we have the stats, but know almost nothing else other than what Baseball America or other scouting sites have told us.

But to others all over the U.S., these players are as familiar as their local ballfield. All of these players come from college programs that have their own rabid fans and followers. So I decided to seek a few out and ask them about some of our newest Blue Jays... what they are like as players. And I'm happy to say that many have answered the call. This morning, we have our first installment, as Tim Robertson of SimmonsField.com (a great site about Missouri Tigers baseball, where he's known as "Trripleplay") stops by to tell us about third-round pick Danny Hill. Take it away, Tim, and thanks!

Gone bust - Tight wad - Slow recovery
Axe job - Flame thrower - Ironbar and gun
Betting shop - New owner - A walk in the sun

The first two games of the interleague series between Los Angeles and Toronto have seen masterful pitching performances from Jays starters Ted Lilly and Miguel Batista. Tonight, Josh Towers tries to continue that run against a Dodger squad in dire need of some offence. Lefty Kaz Ishii takes the mound for LA, which means Frank Menechino leads off and plays second base. Eric Hinske sits in favour of Chris Gomez, and Frank Catalanotto grabs some bench while Reed Johnson and Alex Rios man the corner outfield spots. Josh Phelps is back at DH, batting 7th -- but at least he's ahead of Howie (Home Run) Clark.

The Associated Press is reporting that catcher Kevin Cash has been taken off the DL and put on the active roster. To make room for Cash, the Jays sent struggling reliever Aquilino Lopez to AAA Syracuse. The Jays currently have three catchers on the big league club, but the current roster will be subject to even more changes as space will need to be made when Delgado, Hudson, De Los Santos, et. al. come off of the DL.

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Since the Tirolean spa had the chess boys in it
All change -- don't you know that when you
Play at this level there's no ordinary venue

Rough night in the minors as only New Hampshire was able to pull out a win. Dunedin was rained out. At least Aaron Hill and Gabe Gross had decent nights.

From 1998-1999, Jose Lima went 37-18 with a 3.65 ERA for the Astrodome-based Astros. Since then, he's gone 29-38 and hasn't had an ERA below four and a half (usually way, way above) till this year's limited action. He's living proof that the label "20-game winner" just doesn't have the, shall we say, cachet it once did. He's also 0-1 in one lifetime Skydome start with a 13.50 ERA. All of which to say, despite his 8 innings of shutout ball against Arizona late last month, this is a game that the Blue Jays and Miguel Batista should approach with confidence. Slugging Howie Clark again plays first base; Josh Phelps again sits. Today's question: should Phelps be playing his way out of his funk, or is he simply playing himself deeper into it? What's up with Josh Phelps?

Dick Scott, the Blue Jays Farm Director, has a busy week ahead of him. He has to assign all the new draftees to their short season minor league teams. He also has a group of players in extended spring training who need a team. Players in EST include John Wesley, Jermy Acey, Amos Day, maybe Chris Leonard, DJ Hanson, and of course James Pidutti.

J.P. and company threw us a few curves yesterday, especially with the selections of Curtis Thigpen, Adam Lind and Donnie Hill with their 2nd and 3rd round picks. All three were relatively unheralded by both scouts and the statistically inclined.

Most of the players chosen in day two will not be signed. The clubs will take highschoolers who will end up going to a 4-year college program(me) or to junior college as possible draft-and-follows, or college prospects who will return for their senior year in the hopes of improving their draft position.

I see another hurdle approaching.
Say we can, say we will,
Not just another drop in the ocean.

This is just a thread to discuss Cheer Club plans for the LA and Arizona homestand. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make any games this series, but someone will surely step up to lead this little group of wilful men.

On the eve of the big club drafting 18 more Major League hopefuls, the boys already on the farm got it done with three wins in four tries.