Blue Jays Mid-Season Grades:Part 2

Time for the second part of my Mid-season grades for the Toronto Blue Jays! The next 5 highest grades will be graded on this post, with the first 5 being graded on yesterday’s post, which can be viewed here if you have not already seen them.

Casey Janssen: B

Since taking over as closer, Janssen
 has been lights out.

Many of you are probably wondering about now why Janssen was not included in yesterday’s post, as you all probably think he deserves better than a B. I was leaning towards giving him a B+ based on his basic stats, ERA,WHIP, and his K/BB rate, but after looking at his FIP and other stats, a B is what I decided on. He has been great as a closer, not that pitching in the ninth is any different than any other inning, but when he enters the game not in a save situation, he hasn’t been too good. Casey has also changed how he has pitched this year. He is throwing his fastball 50% of the time, which is his highest percentage to date in his career, so he needs to be careful, because if he loses command of that fastball, he will fail instantly. To improve this grade Casey is going to need to be as lights out as he is when he closes when he does not. It looks like Sergio Santos will be out for the season, so Janssen is going to be the teams closer for the late season pennant race, and needs to stay healthy and retain his fastball command.

Brandon Morrow: B

Morrow was having a career year
before he got injured.

Oh don’t injuries sting? Morrow was having the best season of his career when he injured his oblique muscle a few weeks ago. He had shutouts, and ERA of 3.02, and a FIP of 3.89. His numbers are quite bloated because he had 2 horrendous starts in May, but other than those two starts, his ERA would be in the low 2’s. As you all likely know, Morrow changes his pitching styles a little bit this year, as he is throwing his fastball a little slower(.9 MPH slower average), and using his changeup more often. It has clearly worked as Brandon has been amazing. His grade would have been an A if it wasn’t for those two starts, and I hope he comes back soon!

Luis Perez:B

Perez is having a career year for the Blue Jays this year, as his stats are better this year than they ever were, even in the minors. He has an ERA of 3.18, a FIP of 3.57, and a WHIP 1.26. He was the most consistent reliever for the Jays up until the middle of May, but has not pitched as well since. He has still been one of the best relievers for the team, and has become a fan favorite as well. Luis is only making $485,700 this season, so the Jays have unquestionably got their money’s worth with him. In order for this grade to improve he is going to need to get back to what he was doing earlier in the season, but even if he continues to pitch like he is currently, he is still a solid long reliever for any team.

Carlos Villanueva: B-

Villanueva has been forced into the same situation as last season, when he was a solid reliever, and had to start for a while due to injuries. Carlos V ran out of gas near the ends of last season because of the starts, and will likely be the first pitcher out of the rotation when a suitable replacement is found for one of the three injured pitchers. Villanueva has a 3.53 ERA this year in 22 relief appearances and 1 start (his 2^nd start is tonight against the Royals), and a FIP of 4.45, so his numbers have definitely been helped by the Jays top 10 defense. Carlos gets some extra points for being that guy on the team who is a solid pitcher whatever position he is in, so that helps his value. In order for this grade to rise Carlos is going to have to continue pitching the way he is but in the rotation, and hopefully he doesn’t run out of gas when he is put back in the pen.

Jason Frasor: B-

Frasor is up to his usual stuff once again, putting up ridiculously similar numbers to his career ones, and being counted on to do so. He has remained a constant in the Blue Jays pen for so many years now, always producing an ERA between 2.50 and 4.00. This year his ERA is 3.82, his FIP is 3.85, and his WHIP is 1.40. His BABIP is above his career rate by .30, so expect that number to fall, while his other numbers decrease as well. The grade of a B- will likely improve to a B+ or so by the end of the year due to his bad luck so far this season when it comes to ground balls getting by fielders.

What do you guys think of the 2^nd installment of this series? Would you have graded them differently? Leave a comment below with your opinion!

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Who Will Pitch on April 21st?

The Blue Jays are currently using a 4-man rotation because they have been blessed with many off days this month. On Saturday, April 21st, a 5th starter will be needed once again, but the question that has not been answered yet is who will become that 5th starter? There are options at AA, AAA, and in the Jays Bullpen, and a final decision isn't likely to come until later this week.Here is the list of pitchers that could fill the role.

Carlos Villanueva
Joel Carreno
Aaron Laffey
Drew Hutchison
Deck McGuire
Brett Cecil
Chad Jenkins

From that list, these are the guys who will not be considered.

Carlos Villanueva- He is the Jays long man in the bullpen, and has been very dominant so far. I don't think he will get the start because Dustin McGowan's return date is still unknown, and he is only a spot starter, not someone who can fill the role for a month and a half if needed.

Drew Hutchison- I don't believe the Jays want to call him up and send him back down, so he won't get the job for a month, just to be sent down in mid-May. Also, the Jays want to save his arm for August-September, when he could really impact this club, so his chances are slim.

Deck McGuire- AA stated on the Fan 590 today that Deck is not being considered. He has gotten off to a bad start this season in New Hampshire for the Fisher Cats, but he will most likely be in Toronto some time this year.

Brett Cecil- Cecil Spring Training struggles have continued into AA, as he has given up 9 runs in just 11.2 innings pitched, in the span of just 2 starts. He has a WHIP of 1.65, and a BABIP of .435, both horrible numbers. I still think its going to be a few months before Cecil makes it back to Toronto, if he makes it back to Toronto.

The Remaining 3 pitchers are: Aaron Laffey, Joel Carreno, Chad Jenkins. These are the reasons why I think they have a chance.

3. Aaron Laffey- Laffey was just sent down yesterday to make room for Sergio Santos coming back from his paternity leave, and because the Jays wanted to stretch him out again. He has not pitched in a long time, so his chances of getting this spot aren't very high because he needs to work up his arm to be a starter again.

2. Joel Carreno- Carreno was the original 5 starter to start the season, but was sent down after his only start to keep him on a starters routine, and not out him in the Jays bullpen. I see him as a reliever, and I do not want him to get this opportunity to start. He doesn't have enough quality pitches to start, so the only way I see him being in Toronto in the future is as a reliever. Because he is on a starters schedule, he has a better chance of getting the spot ahead of Laffey.

1. Chad Jenkins- Jenkins has been solid so far in his two starts in New Hampshire, but what really rose his stock was his very impressive spring. He pitched to a 1.13 ERA in 8 innings pitched, and looked great on the mound.Jenkins throws a four seam and two seam fastball, and the 2 seam has a ton of movement. His strikeout pitch is his slider, and he also throws a Change up that is developing. I see him being called up later this week, and becoming the Jays number 5 guy. Hopefully he proves his worth, and runs with the job.

Who do you think should get the job? Leave your comments in the section below!

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