The minor leagues may be more about development than they are about winning, but there are times when the two concepts are on parallel tracks, and the results can be rewarding for fans of the team both near and far. Such was the case with the 2018 New Hampshire Fisher Cats, who romped to the … Continue reading Recapping New Hampshire’s Run to the Eastern League Title
Month: January 2019
Top 100 Prospects: Which Blue Jays Are on the Cusp?
Lots and lots of Top 100 prospect lists came out this week. Among the more respected lists, Blue Jays prospects placed well: Baseball America: 1 Vladimir Guerrero Jr 8. Bo Bichette 42. Danny Jansen 70. Nate Pearson 84. Eric Pardinho 89. Jordan Groshans 91. Kevin Smith MLB Pipeline: 1. Guerrero 11. Bichette 65. Jansen 76. … Continue reading Top 100 Prospects: Which Blue Jays Are on the Cusp?
Halladay the Greatest Blue Jays First Round Pick Ever
In their 42-year history, the Blue Jays have drafted 70 players in the first round (this total includes supplemental picks). Roya Halladay, who was announced as one of this year's Hall of Fame entrants earlier this week, was the best of those first rounders the team ever made, and it's not particularly close. The Colorado … Continue reading Halladay the Greatest Blue Jays First Round Pick Ever
A Conversation with Blue Jays MiLB Hitting Coach Matt Young
At 5'8"/175, Blue Jays minor league hitting instructor Matt Young did not get a lot of attention in his draft year of 2004, even though he had put up very good numbers (.364/.476/.480, 43 steals, and 50 more walks than strikeouts) in his final year at New Mexico. Atlanta decided to take a chance … Continue reading A Conversation with Blue Jays MiLB Hitting Coach Matt Young
A Look At Ronny Brito
I hate to give things away in the first paragraph, but Ronny Brito's performance so far as a pro could be called Trouble With the Curve. Still, with plus defensive skills and elite bat speed, there's enough projection remaining with him that he's still an interesting, if fringe prospect. Brito was signed for $2 million … Continue reading A Look At Ronny Brito
A Look at Andrew Sopko
Think of the thinnest things you know. Like the average supermodel, your bank account the day before payday, Doug Ford's knowledge of government, or your average safety razor. That appears to be the margin between success and failure for RHP Andrew Sopko, acquired along with 2B Ronnie Brito from the Dodgers this weekend for Russell Martin. … Continue reading A Look at Andrew Sopko
Blue Jays Announce Minor League Staffs
The Toronto Blue Jays released news of additions and moves among their minor league personnel yesterday: Among the bigger moves was the promotion of Hunter Mense to Hitting Co-ordinator after serving as New Hampshire's Hitting Coach last year, and long-time Jays staffer John Tamargo to Latin America Field Co-ordinator from the DSL Jays Managing … Continue reading Blue Jays Announce Minor League Staffs
Lundquist’s 2018 Moving Him onto the Prospect Radar
I have to admit it: after seeing Brock Lundquist, the Blue Jays' 6th round pick from Long Beach State last summer in person and online with Vancouver, I did not come away impressed. I found his swing to be long, and his pitch recognition lacking, making for some lengthy swings-and-misses. In the Northwest League playoffs, … Continue reading Lundquist’s 2018 Moving Him onto the Prospect Radar
Joey Murray Hopes to Continue His Disappearing Act
RHP Joey Murray, the Blue Jays 8th round pick in last June's draft, was very hard to see last year. Pitching for Vancouver in tandem with 4th rounder Sean Wymer, Murray's pitches were very closely monitored last summer, and his stints were limited to two innings after throwing 95 for Kent State. And with only … Continue reading Joey Murray Hopes to Continue His Disappearing Act
Toronto’s Own Babe
One of the most accomplished athletes to ever put on a uniform representing a Toronto team not only did so for one team in the 1920s, but did so for three.