Minor League Roundup (July 16th to July 22nd)
Every week I’ll be diving into the Blue Jays system to see how the up and comers have fared in the past 7 days. I’ll only be looking at the prospects in the system, so, sorry to the Ruban Gotay types out there, you’ll continue to be ignored.
Its very important to note, that while this is can be a useful exercise, its important to not take the stats put up in the minor leagues as gospel. Minor league numbers can very often be deceiving, the calibre of competition can frequently vary wildly (often within the same game eve), and frequently skills that allow you to thrive in the minors wont translate at all to the majors (such as being a mistake hitter, or relying on a trick pitch for strikeouts). Also, minor league teams don’t do advanced scouting, so holes in a players game that can be exploited at the next level won’t become apparent. So take anything I’m saying here with a healthy grain of salt.
I’ll be writing up one team per day (Las Vegas on Monday, New Hampshire on Tuesday, Dunedin on Wednesday, Lansing on Thursday, & Vancouver (and lower) on Friday.
Las Vegas 51s (AAA)
July 16th – 9-6 Win v. Fresno
July 17th – 5-4 Win v. Fresno
July 18th – 11-5 Win v. Fresno
July 19th – 10-9 Win v. Fresno
July 20th – 4-3 Win v. Reno
July 21st – 6-5 Loss v. Reno
July 22nd – 7-5 Win v. Reno
The 51s returned home to Cashman Field, and promptly hit the ball all over the yard., like they always do. Its really hard to analyze any of the offensive statistics this team puts up, when the play in this ridiculous offensive environment. The only factor that makes the stats a little more believable is that in the latter half of the week they were up against the Reno Aces (their cross state rival), and they have some of the best pitching prospects in the PCL, including Trevor Bauer, Pat Corbin, Tyler Skaggs, as well as minor league vets like Barry Enright. It doesn’t totally legitimize the stats, but at least is something.
Hitters
Over the past week the 51s have lost 3 of their top hitting prospects in Anthony Gose, Travis Snider, & Yan Gomes due to injuries on the parent club. However to look at the hitting stats from this week, you’d have no idea (Go Cashman Field).
Anthony Gose – CF – 21 Years Old
AAA Line – 436 PAs - .292/.375/.432 – 5 HRs, 41 RBI, 77 Runs, 93 Ks, 47 BBs, 29 SBs, 10 CSs,
Weekly Line – 0/1
July 16th – 0/1
Gose only got 1 plate appearance at AAA the following week, before getting the call up to the big leagues to fill in after Jose Bautista strained his wrist. Given that he wasn’t in the lineup this week I don’t have much to say, and its really just the spot for a quick note.
Adeiny Hechavarria – SS – 23 Years Old
AAA Line – 443 PAs - .304/.355/.426 – 6 HRs, 60 RBI, 70 Runs, 81 Ks, 33 BBs, 8 SBs, 2 CS
Weekly AAA Line – 34 PAs – .182/.250/.212 – 1 2B, 1 RBI, 5 Runs, 6 Ks, 3 BBs
July 16th – 3/5 – 1 2B, 1 1B, 1 Run, 1 K
July 17th – 1/4 – 1 1B, 1 RBI, 1 Run
July 18th – 1/4 – 1 Run, 1 K, 1 BB
July 19th – 1/5 – 1 1B, 1 K
July 20th – 0/4 – 1 K
July 21st – 0/5 – 1 Run, 1 K, 1 BB
July 22nd – 0/5 – 1 Run, 1 K, 1 BB
Hechavarria has really been buried in a slump since he returned from the AAA all-star game, and this week was more concerning than the last, even though his numbers weren’t quite so dire. The fact that this ineptitude took place in Vegas, and if he cant hit there, he wont hit anywhere. I’m still convinced that his stellar defense is still there, but what’s the point if he cant hit. If he turns out to be the next Rey Ordonez, that just wont play in the AL East.
Travis Snider – LF – 24 Years Old
AAA Line – 246 PAs - .335/.423/.598 – 13 HRs, 56 RBI, 49 Runs, 42 Ks, 34 BBs, 2 SBs, 4 CSs
Weekly AAA Line – 14 PAs - .643/.643/1.357 – 3 HRs, 1 2B, 8 RBI, 6 Runs, 2 Ks
July 16th – 3/4 – 3 1Bs, 1 RBI, 2 Runs, 1 K
July 17th – 1/4 – 1 1B, 1 K
July 18th – 4/5 – 2 HRs, 1 2B, 1 1B, 6 RBI, 3 Runs
July 19th – 1/1 – 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 Run
*CALLED UP TO TORONTO*
In his last week in AAA (maybe ever), he proved again what we’ve known for about 2 years now, which is that he can CRUSH minor league pitching. The question we’re about to find out is whether he can finally take that skill to the next. As I detailed in the piece that I wrote when he was called up, this is his last shot. If he fails over the rest of this season he’ll be moving along to the greener pastures of another organization.
Eric Thames – LF – 27 Years Old
MLB Line – 160 PAs - .243/.288/.365 – 3 HRs, 11 RBI, 17 Runs, 40 Ks, 9 BBs, 0 SB, 1 CS
AAA Line – 201 PAs - .322/.403/.509 – 4 HRs, 26 RBI, 26 Runs, 36 Ks, 24 BBs, 1 SB, 1 CS
Weekly AAA Line – .345/.406/.655 – 2 HRs, 3 2Bs, 6 RBI, 3 Runs, 6 Ks, 3 BBs
July 16th – 0/3 – 1 Run, 1 K, 1 BB
July 17th – 2/4 -
July 18th – 2/5 – 2 2B, 2 RBI, 1 Run, 2 Ks
July 19th – 2/5 – 1 HR, 1 1B, 2 RBI, 1 Run
July 20th – 1/3 – 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 Run, 2 BBs
July 21st – 2/5 – 1 2B, 1 1B, 1 RBI, 1 K
July 22nd –1/4 – 1 1B, 2 Ks
Eric Thames really likes hitting at Cashman Field. He utterly demolished the ball this week. While Thames had been hitting well since his demotion to AAA, the one thing that had been lacking is power. Coming into the week he only had 2 HRs since the demotion, and he doubled that last week alone. Even though the HRs were in Vegas, its not like he hasn’t been hitting there all year before that. This has to be seen as a major positive.
David Cooper – 1B – 25 Years Old
MLB Line – 69 PAs - .292/.333/.431 – 2 HRs, 6 RBI, 8 Runs, 9 Ks, 3 BBs, 0 SB, 1 CS
AAA Line – 283 PAs - .300/.385/.514 – 9 HRs, 48 RBI, 42 Runs, 34 Ks, 35 BBs, 0 SB, 0 CS
Weekly AAA Line – .454/.500/.758 – 1 HR, 7 2B, 7 RBI, 9 Runs, 5 Ks, 3 BBs
July 16th – 1/5 – 1 2Bs, 1 RBI, 1 Run, 1 K
July 17th – 2/4 – 2 2Bs, 1 RBI, 1 K,
July 18th – 3/4 – 2 2B, 1 1B, 1 RBI, 3 Runs, 1 BB
July 19th – 2/5 – 2 1Bs
July 20th – 1/5 – 1 2B, 1 Run, 1 K
July 21st – 2/6 – 2 1Bs, 1 RBI, 1 Run, 2 Ks
July 22nd –4/4 – 1 HR, 1 2B, 2 1B, 3 RBI, 3 Runs, 2 BBs
By far the easiest way to see if the 51s are at home is to look at David Cooper’s hitting line for the week. He’s a full blown MVP candidate when hitting in the heat and elevation of Vegas (.389/.464/.701), but anywhere else he turns into the worst hitter I’ve ever seen (.172/.270/.242). This week he was in Vegas, so he was a great hitter. Really doesn’t matter, he’s not a prospect at this point, and I’d be shocked if we ever see him in the big leagues again.
Yan Gomes – C/3B – 24 Years Old
MLB Line – 48 PAs - .214/.271/.476 – 3 HRs, 9 RBI, 6 Runs, 15 Ks, 2 BBs, 0 SB, 0 CS
AAA Line – 274 PAs - .340/.392/.584 – 11 HRs, 47 RBI, 37 Runs, 58 Ks, 20 BBs, 3 SBs, 0 CS
Weekly AAA Line – 8 PAs, .375/.375/.500 – 1 2B, 1 K
July 16th – 2/4 – 2 1B
July 17th – 1/4 – 1 2B, 1 K
*Called Up To Toronto*
Yan Gomes got the call back up to the big leagues after Brett Lawrie jumped down into the pits of hell while in New York. At this point Gomes is a nice asset to have in the minor league for depth. He can get the call to fill in for a pinch to fill in if the team has a need at third base, catcher, or first base. I’m not sure that he’ll ever deserving of full time at bats, because he just swings and misses too often. Presumably he’ll be back down when we know that Lawrie is fully back healthy.
Moises Sierra – OF – 23 Years Old
AAA Line – 388 PAs - .298/.366/.481 – 16 HRs, 58 RBI, 59 Runs, 77 Ks, 34 BBs, 7 SBs, 6 CSs
Weekly AAA Line – 24 PAs - .333/.385/.583 – 2 HRs, 6 RBI, 4 Runs, 6 Ks, 2 BBs, 1 SB
July 16th – 3/3 – 3 1Bs, 2 RBI, 2 Runs, 1 SB
July 17th – 0/4 – 1 K,
July 18th – Off
July 19th – 0/4 – 2 Ks
July 20th – 1/4 – 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 Run, 1 BB
July 21st – 1/5 – 2 Ks
July 22nd – 3/4 – 1 HR, 2 1Bs, 3 RBI, 1 Run, 1 K, 1 BB
Sierra had a solid week when considering Vegas. He’s had a pretty solid developmental year for a raw latino outfielder. His upside is probably a 4th outfielder longterm, and I see no reason to change that, but the 2 home runs this week is certainly nice to see.
Pitching
There continues to be next to no talent in the 51s pitching staff, specifically the starting rotation. Their rotation at the moment is Scott Richmond, Jesse Chavez, Nate Robertson, Sean O’Sullivan & Sean Hill. That’s pretty pitiful, even for a AAA rotation.
David Carpenter – RH Reliever – 26 Years Old
MLB (Hou) Line – 30 Games, 29.2 IP, 0-2 W-L, 6.07 ERA, 1.921 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 4.2 BB/9, 1.2 HR/9
AAA Line – 8 Games, 11.1 IP, 1-0 W-L, 1.59 ERA, 0.874 WHIP, 7.9 K/9, 0.9 BB/9, 0.9 HR/9
Weekly AAA Line – 1.2 IP, 0 Runs, 1 Hit, 3 Ks, 1 BB, 0 HR
July 21st – 1.2 IP, 0 Runs, 1 Hit, 3 Ks, 1 BB, 0 HR
A new addition to my minor league recaps, after the trade with the Astros last week, and he’s probably the piece from that deal that will be sticking around the longest with the Jays. He doesn’t profile as more than a middle reliever, but he could be quite a capable one. He hasn’t had a lot of success this year in the majors, but his minor league track record shows that he could be a very useful minor asset going forward.
His debut into Vegas went pretty darn well. Striking out 3 of the 7 batters he faced, and avoiding a home run. I think he’ll be up with the big team pretty soon.
Jesse Chavez – RH Starter – 27 Years Old
MLB Line – 8 Games, 20.1 IP, 0-1 W-L, 8.85 ERA, 1.574 WHIP, 11.5 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, 2.7 HR/9
AAA Line – 14 Games, 73.2 IP, 8-2 W-L, 3.67 ERA, 1.113 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 2.0 BB/9, 1.0 HR/9
Weekly Line – 3.1 IP, 1-0 W-L, 0.00 ERA, 0.909 WHIP, 5.5 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, 0.0 HR/9
July 16th – 3 IP, Win, 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB, 0 HRs
July 20th – .1 IP, 0 Hits, 0 Runs, 0 Ks, 0 BBs, 0 HRs
Jesse Chavez sucks. He’s a passable AAA starter, but he just doesn’t have the stuff to compete at the major league level. He’s back in Vegas now, and he had one very good start (if one without any missed bats, which shouldn’t shock anyone). In the next one he sustained an injury and had to be lifted from the game after just 1 batter, because he was hit in his leg by a comebacker. Not sure how long this will keep him out of the lineup, but it really isn’t likely to matter
Joel Carreno – RH Starter – 25 Years Old
MLB Line – 6 Games, 15 IP, 0-2 W-L, 6.60 ERA, 1.800 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 6.6 BB/9, 3.0 HR/9
AA Line – 7 Games, 36.1 IP, 1-4 W-L, 4.71 ERA, 1.128 WHIP, 9.2 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, 1.0 HR/9
AAA Line – 10 Games, 36.1 IP, 2-5 W-L, 8.92 ERA, 2.119 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 6.7 BB/9, 1.7 HR/9
Weekly Line – 4.1 IP, 0-0 W-L, 2.09 ERA, 2.09 WHIP, 8.37 K/9, 10.5 BB/9, 0.0 HR/9
July 18th – 1 IP, 0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 K, 0 BB
July 20th – 3.1 IP, 1 Run, 3 Hits, 3 Ks, 5 BBs
Joel Carreno took a major step forward this week. When he came in to replace the injured Jesse Chavez he still walked 5 people in his 3 innings of work, but this time he didn’t accompany them with the 2 home runs he did last time out. I don’t think I could damn someone with any fainter praise than that. He’s contracted full blown Steve Blass disease. He’s not coming back from this.
I’ll be back tomorrow to check around at the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Hope you enjoyed it, and see you then.
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