Farm System Update- Buffalo Bisons (AAA)

So this is going to be a weekly thing here at BlueJaysPlus. Every Monday we'll look at the prospects and 40-man players on a different minor league affiliate of the Blue Jays. Today, I'll do the Bisons, next week will be the Fisher Cats, and so on. This should allow us to repeat every team once a month(until short season leagues stats), giving us a sample size that isn't ridiculously small as if we were looking at every team every week(or even day). Enjoy!

Buffalo Bisons
12-4 (1st place International League North Division)

So their offense is pretty good....

As a team, it looks as if the Jays AAA affiliate never left the PCL. They've been scoring in bunches(leading the league in basically every category), and their veteran pitching has been solid(well a little worse than that), allowing them to win 8 straight and to go 9-1 in their last 10. The Jays AGM in charge of signing MILB deals(I can't remember which one has that task), has kept the Blue Jays promise to the Bisons and their fans that they will put a competitive team on that field year in and year out, doing so with past their prime and AAAA players rather than top prospects. For this first issue, take everything with a grain of salt because of the sample that is relatively small.

Ryan Goins- SS- 25 years old

Goins is having quite the season so far, but not in a good way. In 42 ABs, he has yet to take a walk!!! He has always had a below average eye with a walk rate in the vicinity of 7.5%, but to not take a walk in 12 games J.P Arencibia bad. But it gets worse for Goins. He's hitting .283, which isn't bad, but factor in the .353 BABIP, and you have to expect some regression, even though he normally is a .330 BABIP guy.His strikeouts are also up from last year, which is probably a factor if him being over matched at the AAA level. His defense, like it has been in the past is nothing special. Goins is going to have to start taking walks again or else his mediocre performance might end up with him being taken off of the Jays 40 man, in which he was added to this past off-season to protect him from the Rule-5 Draft.

Mauro Gomez-1B-28 years old

Gomez, a pick up via the waiver wire game AA has been playing of late, has been a driving force in the middle of Herd along with Luis Jiménez. The Dominican is hitting with power, walking, and driving runs in. He could find his way up to Toronto as a lefty platoon partner with Adam Lind if the Jays decide to go that route in the next few months and cut ties with Mark DeRosa, but I'd bet on him staying a couple hours south and playing for the Bisons.

Anthony Gose-OF-22 years old

Gose is back in AAA to start the year to work on his contact rate, and his overall ability to just not strikeout. It has been a problem for him at every level he's played, from rookie ball to the big leagues, and for a player with his speed, it would be beneficial if he can cut down on them. So far, he's doing just that, reducing his K% from AAA last year to this season by almost 6%, a welcome sight in the eyes of Blue Jays fans. From what I've seen on milb.tv(and hope to see sometime this summer if I can make it down to a game) is that he's making contact with the ball, whether it be poor or strong contact, and as a result, it getting on base. He can beat out a lot of grounders, so if he continues to put bat on ball, and Colby Rasmus continues to be the worst contact hitter since samples have been collected, we might see Gose sooner than later. I can't imagine him being up here before June barring injury, but even that seems early. It's all in the hands of Colby at this point. Now Anthony just has to wait.

Brad Lincoln-RP-27 years old

Lincoln is not pitching so great right now, but it's 8 IP, so you really can't make any assumptions based on that. His velocity is still not in the mid-90's, likely because of the injury he had been battling during spring training. I'd assume he'd be the next candidate for 7th relief pitcher, but honestly, AA will probably pick somebody up off of waivers before there's another need, so who knows. He's had 3 straight good appearances(5 IP, 6 K), so maybe he's turning a corner after getting lit up in his first couple of games. Continued success will be key for him. At least he won't be in for a ton of regression soon like the player he was traded for (see Snider, Travis).
Moises Sierra-OF-24 years old

The future 4th outfielder with a great arm has continued to show that he can hit AAA pitching with the best of them, riding hot in his first 13 games this season. He's doing everything right at this point, and if somebody gets injured before Gose is ready later in the season, he'll be up in a hurry. His defense is nothing spectacular, but we're used to that from our backup outfielders(HEYO!!!!).

Josh Thole-C-26 years old

I was on the "Thole for Starter" train before the season, and I'm not necessarily off that, but with JPA's power so far, it's on hold for now. Thole has been fine in AAA(more than that actually) like you'd expect, but JPA's power is a lot sexier right now than Thole's OBP. All he can do is just wait in AAA until somebody gets injured, and keep on performing.

That's it for this week. Next Monday I'll look at the notables on the Fisher Cats. If you have any suggestions or comments, leave them in the section below.

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Medic! Youth, Energy, & Potential Will Have to Carry the Blue Jays

WARNING: This is an opinion piece created by an observant fan

The heart of the 2012 Toronto Blue Jays has been grit, tenacity and bringing a youthful energy to the diamond every game. This philosophy is being accentuated with the arrival of farm system DL assistance, in the form of: top prospects, pitching help, and support from important bench players. It is safe to say that the disaster of the 2012 season, is working positively toward 2013; and the Blue Jays fanbase should be excited to watch these kids grow up together.

                                                                                    Anthony Gose:

As crazy as it sounds, Gose now appears and holds himself among the great crop of new Blue Jays as the experienced rookie. Gose has learned A LOT in his first three weeks of major league experience. Gose is an obvious example of a defensive stud that just needs to take his licks at the plate and make the appropriate adjustments; all expected of a 21-year old professional athlete. With GM Alex Anthopoulos commenting on how impressed he has been with the quality of Gose’s at-bats and his determination to get better; I have to agree to a certain extent. The speed of Anthony is without question, and with a steady upgrade of his bunt ability Gose will carve a niche for himself until his swing is ready to contend with big-league pitching more consistenly. At a very young 21 years, Gose finds himself with a swing percentage of pitches outside the zone of 32%, just three points above the league average – this is encouraging considering his widely held weakness is a high K-rate. I believe in the potential of his athleticism, patience, determination, and the progress Gose will make under the Blue Jays developmental program.

Moises Sierra:

The most obvious point to be made about Sierra is his schoolyard mentality, one that is going to earn him a few choice words from every manager and coach that he plays under at the major league level. Players that bring grit, swagger, and aggressiveness to the diamond everyday should never have to apologize. Without any doubt, players like Lawrie or Sierra will have to temper that aggression into beneficial team production. Sierra is far from the prototypical stellar OF prospect, yet he possesses raw power, a monstrous throwing arm from RF, and a knack for making things happen on the basepaths. Moises has hit the ball fairly well thus far with the Blue Jays but it will be his baseball knowledge and critical decision-making that will decide his fate. Being the obvious odd man out in the Blue Jays OF, Sierra is doing a service for the Blue Jays displaying his skills to the viewing pleasure of the rest of the MLB.

 

Adeiny Hechavarria:

At the ripe age of 23, Adeiny has been heralded by many baseball minds as the next elite Blue Jays middle infielder and his fantastic ability to make great plays in the field is evidence of that. A young Cuban prospect, Hech has nothing left to prove with his slick fielding glove, soft hands and strong accurate throwing arm. He has found no problems anchoring the infield defence from his shortstop position at any level of competition. Outside of his inflated 2012 numbers in AAA, Hech has showed a dramatic ability to adapt, be patient, and make good plate appearances each time out. With the bat speed and maturity that Hech has shown in a handful of major league games on top of his stellar rise through the minors, the Blue Jays have a valuable SS and every other MLB team knows it as well.

Yan Gomes:

In my opinion Yan Gomes deserves a lot of kudos for the roller coaster ride of position and affiliation changes he has endured. Gomes has been called upon to play first base, third base, catch, and even play some left field. For a team decimated by unlucky injuries, the Blue Jays have needed players with the versatility and laissez-faire attitude of Yan Gomes. The defence of Gomes behind the dish was less than great for a player with a primary position of catcher, but I think Yan has proven to be a satisfactory first base glove. I believe that the versatility, power, and age of Gomes give him a moderate value especially for NL teams looking for those kinds of bench players. The best way for Gomes to prove his worth, while with the Blue Jays, is to do a better job driving the ball when he does get a pitch to hit; he has struggled chasing pitches recently.

                                                                                    David Cooper:

Cooper is the “Rudy” of the 2012 Toronto Blue Jays. There are easy reasons to like and dislike David Cooper as the replacement 1B or DH for the Toronto Blue Jays while Adam Lind continues to have back issues (as a result of poor physical conditioning). Cooper has a particular set of honed skills as a result of being the steadfast 1B in AAA Las Vegas for the past 3 seasons. The plus ability for David Cooper is his short and clean swing that is packaged with a very good batting eye. Cooper does not chase many bad pitches and has driven the ball with authority when gets the barrel of the bat out on the ball. I believe that Cooper needs to improve his running ability and his lower back flexibility if he is ever going to be considered a major league defender. The value of players like Cooper is that he can make the most of his at-bats with the Blue Jays and help become a valuable trade piece because he has MLB experience and moderate results. The value of David Cooper may be measured most appropriately when and if he becomes a trade piece for the type of core player Anthopoulos is looking to add. 

Please feel free to comment below and as always your various opinions are welcome.

Follow me on Twitter: @ntopolie13 

-Nick Topolie

Minor League Roundup: Las Vegas 51s

By:Ewan Ross
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. 

It’s very important to note that,while this can be a useful exercise, it’s 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), and regularly, 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 player’s 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 on one team per day (Las Vegas on Monday, New Hampshire on Tuesday,Dunedin on Wednesday, Lansing on Thursday, & Vancouver (and lower) on Friday.  Since it’s the first week I’m doing this, I’m a day behind, but I’ll catch up by rolling the Vancouver recap together with Lansing on Friday. Next week we should be on a regular schedule.

Las Vegas 51s (AAA)

July 12^th – 6-3 win @ Sacramento

July 13^th – 1-0 win @ Sacramento

July 14^th – 7-1 loss @ Sacramento

July 15^th – 12-5 loss @ Sacramento

It was an abbreviated week for the 51s, due to the AAA All-Star break. They came out of the break with a 4 game series at the division leading Sacramento River Cats (Oakland A’s affiliate), who play in the one ballpark in the PCL’s southern division which isn’t a band box, and thus you can take these stats with a little more legitimacy then when the 51s are at home.  They split the series by winning the first two, and then lost the weekend games in blow-out fashion.

Hitters

Travis D’Arnaud – C – 23 years old

AAA Line – 303PAs - .333/.380/.595 – 16 HRs, 52 RBI, 45 Runs, 1 SB, 1 CS, 59 Ks, 19 BBs

D’Arnaud didn’t appear in any games this week, but the only reason I’m placing him here is for a news update. In case you missed it d’Arnaud tore his PCL while trying to break up a double play in the last week of June,and was expected to miss 6-8 weeks.  The timetable seems to have been shifted back, slightly, which signals the end to his minor league season.  It is expected he’ll be added to the team’s Arizona Fall League roster to make up for any losttime, and I imagine there’s still a chance he could break camp with the team next spring (though that’s obviously not assured).  D’Arnaud remains the club’s top prospect, and is generally considered the best catching prospect in the game, that isn’t likely to change even despite his injury set back.

Anthony Gose – CF – 21 years old

AAA Line – 436PAs - .292/.375/.432 – 5 HRs, 41 RBI, 77 Runs, 29 SBs, 10 CS, 93 Ks, 47 BBs

Weekly AAA Line –.357/.500/.714 3 RBI, 2 Runs, 4 Ks, 4 BBs, 3 CSs

Futures Game – 1/1– 1B, BB

July 12 – 2/4 – 21Bs, 1 Run, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 CS

July 13 – 0/4 – 3Ks, 1 CS

July 14 – 1/3 – 11B, 1 BB

July 15 – 2/3 – 13B, 1 home run, 1 Run, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 1 CS

The top prospect left in the 51s line-up(now that D’Arnaud is done for the year) had about as good a week as any minor leaguer could ever dream of.  He started the week by starring in the Futures Game in Kansas City, where he singled and worked a walk in his two at bats, and also showed off his sparkling defense in centre field by robbing Cardinals prospect Oscar Tavares with a diving web gem.He finished the week by being called up to the major league roster Monday night after just 1 at bat. In between, he showed the reasons why he was in the Futures Game, and deserved the call.  He continued to show increased discipline at the plate (4 Walks), and contact rate.  The only bad part of his weekly line was his 3 failed stolen base attempts. Despite having excellent speed, he’s still not the polished base stealer that you’d like him to be. 

Adeiny Hechavarria – SS – 23 Years Old

AAA Line – 412PAs - .318/.366/.449 – 6 HRs, 59 RBI, 66 Runs, 8 SBs, 2 CSs, 76 Ks, 30 BBs

Weekly AAA Line –.176/.176/.176– 1 Error *Includes All-Star Game

AAA All-Star Game –0/4

July 12 – Off

July 13 – 1/4 –1B

July 14 – 1/4 –1B, Error

July 15 – 1/5 –1B, 2Ks

            It was a very boring week for the enigmatic Cuban shortstop.  He got the opportunity to play the entire AAA all-star game, but strangely only touched the ball 3 times defensively, and none let him show off his skills (1 was in a rundown, and 2 were receiving throws at the bag).  He continues to show that his hitting skills are not translating well away from the friendly confines of Cashman Field (Over 200 points of OPS difference).  His defense is certainly major league ready,but I really don’t think his bat is anywhere close (nor do I really think it ever will be).  I’ve thought all along that if any team wants to give you something of value for Hechavarria, the Jays should look at doing it, and the rumblings earlier this week that he could be included in a Justin Upton package got me very excited.

Travis Snider – LF – 24 Years Old

AAA Line – 236PAs - .322/.415/.548 – 10 HRs, 49 RBI, 45 Runs, 2 SBs, 4 CSs, 41 SOs, 34 BBs

Weekly Line –.250/.437/.583 – 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 Runs, 4 BBs, 6 Ks

July 12^th– 0/2 – 2 Runs, 2 BBs, 1 K

July 13^th– 0/2 – 2BBs, 2Ks

July 14^th– 2/4 – 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 Run, 1 K

July 15^th– 1/4 – 1 1B, 1 RBI, 2 Ks

            A strongweek for the Lunchbox Hero, but this really isn’t anything new.  We know that Travis can crush AAA pitching,especially if he doesn’t have to face left handed pitching.  He faced entirely right-handers this week,and did what he does.  There really is nothing left for him to prove at this level, and it is really just a matter of time before he gets the call back up to the majors (which might be his last opportunity with the Jays).  It has to be discouraging for him to see Anthony Gose get the call up, especially when it’san injury to a corner outfielder that created the opportunity. However if Rajai Davis continues to slump as badly as is, I don’t think he’ll have to wait much longer.  I was late to get on the #FreeTravisSnider bandwagon, but I think its time now.  The big league club is severely lacking in left handed options, which was especially apparent when they faced righty crusher Justin Masterson on Friday, and we had to watch Davis flail away.  It is time to stop this 8-man bullpen nonsense, and call Snider up.  The team needs Travis to put on his big boy pants, and find out whether he’s a major leaguer or not. 

Eric Thames – LF – 27 Years Old

AAA Line – 173PAs - .310/.399/.483 – 3 HRs, 22 RBI, 22 Runs, 1 SB, 1 CS, 30 Ks, 22 BBs

Weekly Line – .266/.312/.533– 1 HR, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 1 Run, 7 Ks

July 12^th– 2/5 – 1 1B, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 3 Ks

July 13^th– 1/3 – 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 Run, 1 K

July 14^th– 0/3 – 1 BB, 3 Ks

July 15^th– 1/4 – 1 1B

Thames has been carrying a very hot stick the last little while, and last week was no different.  However, I fear that it’s the type of hitting that just isn’t going to translate to the next level.  He remains an all or nothing hitter, as evidenced by the 7 strikeouts last week. He’s also very much a platoon player, and as mentioned, the 51s didn’t see any lefties in Sacramento.  However the parent club is badly lacking in a lefty option off their bench (or platoon mate for Davis), and if the team doesn’t think that Snider is that guy, thenthey could do a lot worse than calling up Thames.  He’s 27 years old, and this is the player who he’s going to be.  He has some pop in his bat, while lacking plate discipline.   This is who Thames is, and I think he could help the big league club out in a depth role if given another chance (and protected against lefties).

David Cooper – 1B – 25 Years Old

AAA Line – 252PAs - .274/.365/.474 – 8 HRs, 42 RBI, 59 Runs, 0 SB, 0 CS, 30 Ks, 32 BBs

Weekly Line –.142/.200/.142

July 12^th– 0/3 – 2 BBs, 1 K

July 13^th– 0/4 – 2 Ks

July 14^th– 1/4 – 1K

July 15^th– 1/3 – 1 Run, 1 BB, 1K

It was a truly awful week for the51s 1^st baseman.  His numbers are entirely a creation of Cashman Field; he has a stunning 600 point difference in his home/road splits this year. He’s had his chance in the majors, and with Lind back and hitting again I doubt we’ll see him again this year barring an unforeseen injury, or a cup of coffee when the rosters expand in September.

Yan Gomes – C/3B – 24 Years Old

AAA Line – 270PAs - .341/.394/.585 – 11 HRs, 47 RBI, 36 Runs, 3 SBs, 0 CS, 57 Ks, 20 BBs

Weekly Line –.214/.352/.428 – 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 Run, 3 BBs, 8 Ks

July 12^th– 1/2 – 1B, 3 BBs, 2 Ks

July 13^th– 0/4 – 2 Ks, Passed Ball

July 14^th– 0/4 – 2 Ks

July 15^th– 2/4 – 1 1Bs, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 Run, 2 Ks

            Gomes isn’t doing himself any favours by striking out in almost half his plate appearances this week.  It’s not likely to matter,because unless someone gets hurt there just isn’t room on the Jays roster for another right handed bat (basically Ben Francisco is occupying the roster spot he could have).  He didn’t have an awful week all things considered, but when AAA righties are striking you out that frequently, I just don’t see him having a chance against major league pitching,which is largely what we saw when he got his chance earlier. 

Moises Sierra – OF – 23 Years Old

AAA Line – 365 PAs- .302/.370/.479 – 14 HRs, 54 RBI, 57 Runs, 7 SBs, 6 CSs, 71 Ks, 32 BBs

Weekly Line –.090/.166/.272 – 1 3B, 1 BB, 3 Ks

July 12^th– 1/5 – 1 3B, 1 Run, 3 Ks,

July 13^th– 0/3 -

July 14^th– 0/3 - BB

July 15^th– Off

            Sierra had an utterly dreadful week, and continues to be a player I have almost no faith in at all.   He is a fringe major leaguer down the line at best, and weeks like this do nothing to change my opinion.

Pitching

There really aren’t any pitchers left on the 51s roster, given the pandemic that has struck the Jays rotation,but there are two guys that I’ll mention.

Chad Beck – RH Reliever – 27 Years Old

AAA Line – 32Games, 33 IP – 12 Saves, 1.36 ERA,1.061 WHIP, 4.6 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 0.5 HR/9

Weekly Line – 1.1IP – 0.00 ERA, 0.752 WHIP, 0 Ks, 0 BBs

July 12^th– .1 IP – Save, 0 Runs, 0 H, 0 Ks, 0 BBs,

July 13^th– 1 IP – Save, 0 Runs, 1 H, 0 Ks, 0 BBs

            Beck got a cheap 1 out save on Thursday, bailing out Jerry Gill, and then a more typical one the following night.  After that he got the call up to the big league roster, and despite outstanding results this year (considering where the 51s play) I have my doubts how effective he can be in the majors.  His lack of a true out-pitch is going to be a problem at the next level, but he’s shown an ability to keep the ball on the ground.  So he could be a capable pitcher in low leverage situations, but anyone who strikes out less than 5 per 9 innings in AAA is going to have problems.

Joel Carreno – RH Starter – 25 Years Old

AA Line – 7Games, 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 – 8Games, 32 IP, 2-5 W-L, 9.84 ERA, 2.125 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 6.2 BB/9, 2.0 HR/9

July 14^th– 3.1 IP – 4 Runs, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks, 2 HRs

            Carreno,who’s had a couple opportunities in the big league rotation, almost certainly won’t be getting another one.  He got absolutely lit up again on Saturday.  Hewent into the All-Star break after failing to get even out of the 1^st inning, and wasn’t much better coming out of it.  He has completely lost the strike zone.  Since being sent back down to Vegas, he’s walked 18 hitters in his last 11.2 innings, and when his pitches are finding the zone, they are frequently leaving the yard (5 HRs over that span).  Even with the rotation as ravaged, we won’t be seeing Mr. Carreno any time soon.

I'll be back tomorrow to take a look at the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.  See you then.

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