MVN - Most Valuable Network

FTTF Update

When a professionnal life takes a backseat to a hobby (passion, in my case), that’s when things are bound to go wrong.

After a reflection period and some other turn of events, I have come to certain conclusions that are painful to consider, but absolutely the best thing to do as I go forward in this world of ours.

I have always been a baseball fan.  However, not to the extent that this game has taken me in the last 4 years, when it became clear that I wanted to move up in this industry.  I love watching a game, but most of all I love all the behind-the-scenes stuff, the player development process and the overall impact this sport can have on an individual and a community.

I had a few choices before me and they all included at least some sort of reduction of baseball writing.  What I decided was this:

- Given my love for everything minor leagues and Blue Jays, I will be dedicating my time to offering you articles, news (and more) on the Blue Jays affiliates.  There is a lack of information on the web about our minor league development system and through time and effort, I intend to fill that gap. 

As far as my involvement with Jays Nest goes, it will be reduced to articles from time-to-time and work on the off-season project that will be unveiled to everyone soon.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

FTTF Exclusive: Jimmy Dougher (GCL) Promoted for Lansing Playoffs

I always wanted to write FTTF Exclusive…looks good, doesn’t it?

RH starter Jimmy Dougher (1.56 ERA, 52 IP, 36 H, 9 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 51 K, 1.59 Go/Ao, .189 avg. against), taken in the 24th round of the 2007 Amateur Draft, will be pitching in the upcoming Midwest League playoffs with the Toronto Blue Jays affiliate, Lansing Lugnuts.  The 22-year-old throws a fastball (tops in low 90s), curve, change and slider.  His height (6′7”) gives him a good downward plane on his pitches and he induces a lot of grounballs.  Both LHP and RHP could not hit over the Mendoza line against him this season.

He should be pitching Saturday for the A ballclub. 

After strong support from FTTF and InsidetheDome.com, I am glad he will get some experience and exposure against some higher level hitters.

Robert Leffler promotion

InsidetheDome.com reports that this year’s 8th round pick, RHP Robert Leffler (1.25 ERA, 21.2 IP, 20 H, 3 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 24 K, 0.65 Go/Ao, .247 avg. against) will be promoted to Auburn. 

The GCL season review will have to wait until tomorrow.  I had to finish a 2,000 words essay that will appear on The Last Page on MVN, Sunday.

Kreuzer is Player of the Year in FSL; Smith Blasts 23rd Homer

Tomorrow on Flying Through the Farm -

• Complete and thorough report on the GCL season for the Blue Jays affiliates and its players.  You don’t want to miss this!! 

News -

•  1B Josh Kreuzer (Dunedin) was named Player of the Year in the Florida State League and the league’s best 1B.  2007 stats (401 AB): .307/.428/.541, 34 doubles, 20 homers, 71 RBI, 62 BB, 82 K.  The last Dunedin players to be given this award were Vernon Wells and Carlos Delgado.
• Jacob Butler (Dunedin) was named the league’s best LF.  2007 stats (411 AB): .273/.367/.504, 26 doubles, 23 home runs, 81 RBI, 62 BB, 90 K.

Media Watch -

•  After exchanging emails with Kevin Gray (of the Union Leader. You can visit his blog here), I can tell you Sergio Santos‘ repertoire as a pitcher: fastball, cutter and a curve.  Kevin is also now ‘officially lobbying’ for Josh Kreuzer to be at 1B in NH next year.  I could not agree more and will press the issue.  Why not have fun with this.  Thank you Kevin for your help.
• The NH Fisher Cats have released their home schedule for 2008 already: visit this page for more info.
• After committing 10 errors in Sunday’s game, tying a IL record, the Syracuse Chiefs now have a promotion for tonight at ABS: Error Free Guarantee

Prospects and Affiliates Journal -

Syracuse

• SS Hector Luna has a 12-game hitting streak, hitting .408 since joining the Chiefs, including 6 doubles, 1 triple and 2 home run, 8 walks and 9 strike outs.  ST 2008 will amazing if only for the SS position competition.
• Adam Lind has a 6-game hitting streak: double, triple and 2 homers.  A great stat here also: 2 walks and only 2 K in these 6 games.  He now hits both LHP and RHP over the .300 mark.
• I have to admit, I was pretty sure C David Corrente would be struggling like hell in AAA coming from Dunedin (High-A), but he has been wonderful, although the sample is small and he hasn’t been around the league yet (20 AB): .400/.478/.900, 1 double, 3 home runs.  Yesterday, he was 3-for-4 with a double and home run.  What’s even more impressive is that he hits RHP better (1.633 OPS).  The fact that he is from Ontario is another bonus for canadian fans.
• Josh Banks‘ last 2 starts: 13 IP, 11 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 6 K.  An encouraging number in his case is the Go/Ao, which is at 1.08 from a poor 0.62 in 2006.  Slowly but surely he is starting to get the ball down.  Let’s see what he can do in Toronto now….

New Hampshire

The Fisher Cats in a doubleheader in Connecticut yesterday.

• OF David Smith (yeah, him again!!) hit his 23rd home run Monday, leading the Eastern League in that department.  He was hitless in the doubleheader yesterday.
• The brazilian LHP Jo Matumoto was starting yesterday: 6 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K.  In his last 8 IP, he has not allowed an ER, 3 H, 1 BB and 6 K.  In 26.2 IP as a starter, he has a 1.69 ERA and opponents hit him at a .196 average.  In 2007, LH batters hit him only .208.

Dunedin

• OF Eric Nielsen, 25, was named Player of the Week in the FSL and for good cause.  In his last 10 games, he’s hitting .486 with 4 doubles and 1 homer.  Stats this year (434 AB): .325/.377/.468, 41 doubles, 7 homers, 31 BB and 50 K.  He hits both RHP and LHP over .300.
• RH starter Brandon Magee was excellent for his third consecutive start: 6.2 IP, 3 H, 5 K.  His repertoire: 91-95 fastball, power slider and a change.  Touted as a pure grounball pitcher, he has posted a 1.48 Go/Ao this year.

Lansing

The Lugnuts won their 6th straight game yesterday and ninth in a row when playing on their home field.

• RHP Kyle Ginley, 20, had a great start 2 days ago: 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K.  He has struck out 129 in 121.2 IP this year.  Repertoire: 93-94 fastball that tops at 96, curve, slider, change.  Because the secondary pitches are weaker, he figures to be a power arm coming out of the pen.  His ceiling is very high if he can work around the command issues.
• Travis Snider has hit 2 doubles, 1 triple and 2 homers in his last 3 game.  He now has a .901 OPS in 2007.

Auburn

• J.P. Arencibia caught the two runners that were trying to steal yesterday.
• After fanning 12 batters in 7.1 IP in his last start, LHP Marc Rzepczynski, 22 (today!!), had this line yesterday: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K.  He has 30 K in his last 22 IP and only 4 walks.

GCL

• In rehabilitation for the big club, Brandon League threw 1 inning of 1 hit and 1 K baseball, Monday.

Tomorrow, complete and thorough report on the GCL season and players…

Santos the Pitcher?; 7 Blue Jays Minor Leaguers Go to the Arizona Fall League

News -

• Kevin Gray of the Union Leader, wrote in his blog that Sergio Santos had thrown a bullpen session under the watchful eyes of Director of Player Development Dick Scott and the NH roving pitching coordinator, Dane Johnson.  After seeing him throw from the SS position, I have to admit that it makes a lot of sense.
• The Syracuse Chiefs are now in the International League record books, but for all the wrong reasons.  The team committed 10 errors on the fiels yesterday (Chad Mottola-4-, John Hattig-3-and one for Adam Lind, David Corrente and Wayne Lydon), matching a record that has not been seen since 1964.  Yes, they lost 12-10.  Only 2 ER runs resulted of the poor showing.  ESPN even covered the…event.
• OF Dustin Majewski was named EL Player of the Week: .429, double, triple, 3 home runs, 6 RBIs, 5 runs scored, 3 walks and a .857 SLG%.  His Fisher Cats went 5-2 this week.  Last week, NH OF David Smith was the winner.

Media Watch -

• Insidethedome.com (Scout.com) (subscibers only) is now pushing for Jimmy Dougher to be promoted too, along with Brian Letko. 

Arizona Fall League -

The Arizona Fall League, established as a “graduate school” to the major leagues, is used by the 30 clubs to monitor their biggest prospect against good competition, give some more innings or at-bats to their minor leaguers or simply to validate the future of some of its prospects.  You can read an history of the league, right here.  There is also a Hall of Fame of participants who went on to great professionnal careers.

The rosters for the sixth teams have just been announced.  The players are eligible if they meet these requirements.

Last year, Blue Jays farm hand 1B Chip Cannon (NH) was named the AFL MVP for his outstanding numbers: .352 avg., .714 SLG%, 11 HR and 29 RBI.

This year, the Blue Jays will send 6 players (with one to be announced):

• OF Ryan Patterson (DUN + NH: .258/.296/.426, 27 doubles, 15 home runs, 22/95 BB/K, .171 ISOP, 5 BB%, 21.7 K%, .308 BABIP.

Patterson will be heading to the AFL for 2 main reasons: give him some more at-bats that he missed at the start of the season following his broken arm.  Also, he will be getting a chance of working on his plate discipline while facing some very good pitcher prospects. 

• SS Sergio Santos (DUN + SYR: .245/.315/.468, 34 doubles, 2 triples, 20 homers, 40/96 BB/K, .244 ISOP, 9.1 BB%, 19.5 K%, .275 BABIP)

Santos will be attending this development league to give him the opportunity to continue his current hot streak.  Since going back to AA (NH): 6 hits (double and 3 home runs) in his first 8 games.  What will be interesting to see is if they keep him at SS this fall or they convert him as a pitcher.

• OF Travis Snider (LAN: .310/.372/.516, 32 doubles, 7 triples, 14 homers, 45/116 BB/K, .206 ISOP, 10.1 BB%, 23.9 K%, .399 BABIP)

After keeping his average around .350 for most of the first half of the season, then suffering his first slupm as a pro, Snider is now posting a .612 SLG% in August (.516 for the season).  Why not keep him playing while hot and right after some playoff experience with the Lugnuts.

• RHP Jamie Vermilyea (39 IP, 38 H, 20 ER, 4 HR, 17 BB, 29 K, 4.62 ERA, 9.8 BB%, 16.8 K%, 2.60 Go/Ao, .248 avg. against)

For more on the reliever, see yesterday’s post (below).  Don’t be surprised if he becomes part of next year’s bullpen in Toronto.  At the very least, he could potentially go in a multi-player trade.

• LHP Ricky Romero (75.2 IP, 84 H, 43 ER, 9 HR, 47 BB, 69 K, 1.21 Go/Ao, .280 avg. against, 13.3 BB%, 19.5 K%)

Romero is invited to throw some more in 2007 after being sidelined for more than a month.  The good news is that the Blue Jays personnel think his arm will hold down with more innings.  That means he is pretty much at 100% right now.  the consistency just isn’t showing.

• LHP David Purcey (62 IP, 67 H, 37 ER, 4 HR, 16 BB, 55 K, 0.97 Go/Ao, .277 avg. against, 5.34 ERA, 6 BB%, 20.7 K%)

Now in Florida to build back his arm strenght, he will profit from the action in the AFL by throwing some more and getting some work in before next year’s Spring Training.  He had a very good start to the season, throwing a CG shutout in the Eastern League this year, but quickly faded before going on the DL with an arm injury.