The abbreviated week that was around the Blue Jays organization:
Buffalo
The Bisons visited cross-state rival Rochester for a scheduled three game series this weekend, all three of which were postponed due to winter’s late rally.
Buffalo travels to Pawtucket to take on the Red Sox affiliate for a trio of games before heading back to Western New York for a 7-game home stand.
New Hampshire
The Fisher Cats went into Hartford for a four-game set with the Rockies’ Yard Goat AAA farm team, and walked away with a sweep, leading to the best start in franchise history.
New Hampshire’s vaunted offence pounded out 14 extra base hits over the four games, and their pitching staff posted a sparkling 1.18 ERA. In the opener, five New Hampshire hurlers combined on a 6-hit shutout.
New Hampshire’s offence revolves around phenoms Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Bichette knocked 6 hits in his first 18 AA ABs, and stole a pair of bases. Hartford pitchers wanted little to do with Guerrero, walking him three times and not giving him a whole lot to hit. He hit his first AA Homer on Sunday, and it was a no doubter:
@jimcallisMLB @JonathanMayo @MLBPipeline @GoldenSombrero Vlad Jr’s first AA HR. Absolutely crushed to left center. Looked like it left the park entirely! pic.twitter.com/x2KgYmkylU
— Michael Hall (@hallmike88) April 8, 2018
Bichette and Guerrero were actually outshined on the weekend by Lourdes Gurriel Jr and Cavan Biggio. Gurriel went 7-16 on the series, and seemed to hit everything hard. Biggio, alternating between 1B and 2B, went 6-17, and hit his first AA Home Run in the series finale as well.
Righthander Sean Reid-Foley showed good fastball command, as well as an effective change up in throwing six scoreless innings in the Sunday contest. He had a little trouble in the first few innings, falling behind and giving up a pair of walks in the 2nd and one in the 3rd. He hung a pair of breaking balls, but was bailed out by the strong winds blowing in from CF, and a nice reaching grab by LF Harold Ramirez. Reid-Foley found his groove, however, striking out the side in the 4th, and not giving up a hit after the first. He fanned 7 over 6 innings, and the Blue Jays have to be very pleased with his performance.
New Hampshire is off to Trenton for three games with the Yankees’ affiliate this week, before returning home for a three game series with Hartford.
Dunedin
The D-Jays took 3 of 4 from cross-town rival Clearwater, the Phillies’ High A affiliate.
Of Josh Palacios went 8-15 with a pair of steals in the series to lead Dunedin. With the trade of Edward Olivares, Palacios becomes the top OF prospect in the lower levels of the system.
1B Nash Knight went 5-14, and hit a pair of Home Runs.
RHP Nate Pearson was set to make his Florida State League debut in Dunedin’s second game, but back issues had him scratched. He is expected to make his next start.
The D-Jays play four games in Palm Beach this week, followed by a three-game set with St. Lucie.
Lansing
As is tradition, the Lugnuts begin their Midwest League schedule with a pair of games in Midland, MI against the Dodgers’ Great Lakes affiliate. The Loons return the favour traditionally with a pair of games in Lansing.
The Lugs pounded out 13 hits and 12 runs in the opener, topping Great Lakes 12-1 behind Yennsy Diaz’ masterful 5.2 inning, 10K performance.
The second game of the series was postponed by winter’s return, and Lansing triumphed in their home opener the following day.
Great Lakes took a pair of games on Sunday from Lansing to square the Lugs’ record at .500.
Chavez Young began the season hitting in the 9th spot, but batted leadoff in both ends of the double header, going 4-11 for the series. Kacy Clemens sported the same 4-11 line, but with 6 walks on top of that.
Lansing heads to Fort Wayne for three games beginning Monday, before returning home to face West Michigan. Lansing GM Tyler Parsons said Friday that he hopes the team will have their video feed ready for milb.tv for the West Michigan series.
