Archive for June, 2010
Blue Jays ‘Marc’ Another to their List: Sign Marcus Knecht
31 year ago
by April Whitzman
in News and Notes
As a kid, Canadian Marcus Knecht dreamed about having an opportunity to play for his hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays… fortunately that day has come.
Although originally drafted in 2008 by the Brewers in the 23rd round of the MLB Draft, he was selected this year in the third round (113th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays and has since been officially signed.
Last season at Connors State Junior College in Oklahoma, Knecht hit 23 home runs and collected 87 RBIs. He also went 4 for 4 in stolen bases and committed only one error. While his walk to strikeout ratio can be improved 8BB/14K, he shows patience at the plate and is a true solid hitter.
Plus, he’s also been born and raised as a Toronto Blue Jays fan (editor’s note: let’s be honest, there aren’t too many of us out there!) Hopefully, that motivation will also give him inspiration to be the best that he can be.
The best that he can be should be pretty good however. He is also a good hitting outfielder with good speed and a strong arm. He has a lean and well proportioned athletic build and definite strength.
It’s been said that he doesn’t have a textbook swing but he has very good bat speed and does a lot of things well. He has a very mature approach in terms of pitch selection and doesn’t chase pitches and jumps on balls he can handle. This patience shown at the plate will surely be a strong advantage for the Blue Jays in the future.
I firmly believe Marcus is going to be a great player. My predictions will begun to unveil tonight as the Auburn Doubledays season starts tonight. Look for him in Center Field!
(Side note – Wojciechowski will also be starting there tonight – for more information on him, check out: Wojciechowski: 41 points on a Scrabble Board: 42nd pick )
Wojciechowski – 41 Points on a Scrabble Board – 42nd Selection Pick for the Blue Jays
41 year ago
by April Whitzman
in Draft News
If you played, Wojciechowski, on a Scrabble board, you would have earned yourself 42 points. But what the heck does it mean?
Asher Wojciechowski is a right-handed starting pitcher from the Citadel in South Carolina, and was recently the 41st selection pick for the Toronto Blue Jays.
In 2009, Asher was the Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year and this year he has since then posted comparable numbers, going 12-3 in 17 starts this season (125.2 innings) with a combined ERA of 3.58.
He also has 155 strikeouts and only 42 walks. More impressively he has also thrown three complete games and has seven double-digit strikeout performances this season. The one areas of weakness is wild pitches.
It is said that his fastball is his best pitch, touching 96 MPH for most of the season. There is no doubt that if he can continue improving that pitch, he could develop into one dangerous pitcher, whether it is as a commanding #3 starter or as an elite closer in the bullpen. Wojciechowski also has both a changeup and a slider which he is able to command both left-handed and right-handed hitters.
That being the case, I’m quite content with the Blue Jays choice, I’d discuss more about him, but… I have a Scrabble game to play!
Sanchez Soon to ‘Aaron’ (Airing?) the Ball for the Jays
01 year ago
by April Whitzman
in Draft News
Although Aaron Sanchez was expected to go earlier in the draft, the Toronto Blue Jays were able to select right-handed pitcher, Aaron Sanchez, at pick number 34.
The 6′3, 175 lb, 17-year old pitcher from Barstow High School in Barstow, stood out to the Blue Jays, having a 91-93 MPH fastball and a curveball that hits 75MPH and has excellent break.
Even better, his mechanics are advanced for a high schooler. As it is stated that he uses his legs well, avoids flying his front shoulder open, and finishes strongly while creating a decent downward plane. He should become an impressive groundball pitcher.
His most impressive performance happened most recently when he struck out 14 batters in a seven-inning stretch. This season, in just over 43 innings, he has 83 strikeouts.
His Facebook also gave one last interesting fact, stating:
“I set the record with 14 homeruns in 2009 at my high school […] I have really long legs (46 inches!) and I like to eat pasta before all of the games”
So I have one thing left to say… Kraft Dinner anyone?
All Hands on ‘Deck’: Blue Jays Choose Deck McGuire
01 year ago
by April Whitzman
in Draft News
The Toronto Blue Jays chose Deck McGuire in the 1st round of the 2010 draft
Despite, the fact I was screaming “Choice is the right choice” over and over again, Michael Choice went one round earlier (to the Brewers) , forcing the Jays to make another selection for their first round selection. Their pick? Right-handed pitcher Deck McGuire from Georgia Tech.
Initially, I felt like JP Ricciardi was back with the Blue Jays, choosing a college pitcher, with a low 90’s fastball. My initial reaction of disappointment on Twitter , however, led to a lot of positive feedback regarding the 6’6” right-hander.
With that said, the truth is that I do owen Alex Anthopoulos an apology, and perhaps it wasn’t a Ricciardi move at all. For instance, as the National Post comments on the 2009 ACC Pitcher of the Year:
The Toronto Blue Jays sent a dozen scouts to watch Deck McGuire pitch this year, and everyone agreed he was worth the risk of a top draft pick […] McGuire has a fastball in the low 90s and a power slider. Scouts say he has excellent command and a good feel for his changeup. McGuire also throws strikes with his curveball and harder slurve. He’s an excellent competitor who doesn’t fold with runners on base.
And as 1BlueJaysWay detected:
In 2008 he was 8-1 with a 3.46 era, 70 K’s in 78 innings pitched.
In 2009 he was 11-2 with a 3.50 era, 118 K’s in 100.1 innings pitched.
And lastly, as the Globe and Mail observed:
McGuire has one of the strongest arms in the draft class and his fastball can attain speeds of up to 98-miles-an-hour.
Adding to his resume, is the fact that last year he went 11-2 with a 3.50 ERA in 16 starts, striking out 118 while only walking 41 in just over 100 innings. Pretty impressive stuff if you ask me.
That being the case, I stand corrected – Perhaps Deck McGuire was the right choice… if anything, it’s a pretty amazing name.