The 2024 draft begins at 7pm on Sunday. The Jays first pick is at number 20. This has been described as one of the weakest drafts in recent years especially at the high school level. There is no solid indication as to who the Jays might pick, there will be a lot of moving parts before the Jays get to make their first pick.

Dunedin had just three hits but they scored four runs and won the game. Arjun Nimmala homered again. Buffalo, New Hampshire and Vancouver lost. Buffalo had six hits while New Hampshire and Vancouver four each. That totals 17 hits between four teams.

It hasn't been a good start to the second half at the top of the system. The major league club has sucked players out for sure but even so it looks ugly. The Bisons are 4-11 while New Hampshire are 3-10. Vancouver did start the second half with a big winning streak and are at 14-4. Dunedin have been playing the better recently and their record is 10-7. At the bottom of the system the FCL Jays are 10-37, the DSL team is 14-11.

Lehigh Valley 12 Buffalo 5

Binghamton 8 New Hampshire 5

Vancouver 9 Eugene 4

Tampa 9 Dunedin 8

The Blue Jays were three-up, two-down in the win-loss column on Tuesday. The Dominican Jays did not play because of lightning.

We're trying hard to make this whole thing blend
As we sit upon this jagged storey block,
with you my friend

San Francisco, for the first time in five years.

On a boring 'no game day' and with the season looking like a lost one (odds of playoffs at 2.5% as I type), let's look at what the Jays future needs are and when, with who is next in line for each position.

Alan Roden hit a grand slam for Buffalo but it wasn't enough as Buffalo lost in extra innings. New Hampshire almost played extra innings but they scored the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Vancouver scored their winning run in the eighth. The Dunedin game ended early after Yeuni Munoz suffered an injury and had to be carried off the field. In total three wins for the affiliates.

Vancouver and Dunedin were Friday's winners. Arjun Nimmala stayed hot.

Humble travellers we are, uncertain of what lies before us as we set out on a journey into the Western lands. And the words of the poet are ringing in my ears:

Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate

There wasn't much to talk about on the field with all the affiliates losing so lets take a look at how the Jays prospects are doing now that we have passed mid-season.

Rochester 3 Buffalo 1

Portland 8 New Hampshire 5

Everett 6 Vancouver 2

Dunedin 6 Clearwater 3

Buffalo was blown out and New Hampshire lost. Dunedin won by a touchdown and Vancouver won by one. The Florida Complex League Jays won while the Dominican Jays were rained out.

This is an unusual week. Normally there is no Monday baseball and teams play from Tuesday to Sunday. But this week the teams play Monday through Saturday, with Sunday off. On the field Buffalo held on for a one run win, Dunedin had a nice win but Vancouver's win streak ended. New Hampshire also lost. Errors were a big factor on Monday, maybe it's the fact of having to play on a Monday.

Phil Clarke, Gabriel Cancel, Steward Berroa and Arjun Nimmala all were worthy of attention for their recent play.

It doesn't get easier.

Say good bye to the Yankees, and say hello to the hottest team in the major leagues.

Vancouver keep on rolling with another win. It's a red hot start to the second half of the season. Aaron Sanchez was excellent for Buffalo as new Bison Gabriel Cancel homered again. Dunedin won a rain shortened game while New Hampshire were rained out.