Archive for August, 2010
Drabek Earns Eastern League Honours
01 year ago
by April Whitzman
in News and Notes
2010 might be known by Blue Jays fans as the year of the Jose Bautista, but one other player has continuously been making headlines all year long. Jays fans have had their eye on starting-pitcher prospect, Kyle Drabek. From the Jays acquiring him in the Roy Halladay deal, to throwing a no-hitter July 4th against the New Britian Rock Cats, to now being named the Eastern League pitcher of the year, Drabek’s season continues to get better and better.
Drabek has been an absolute horse for the Fisher Cats this season. The 22-year-old Texas native has soaked up 159 innings in 26 starts this season on his way to a 14-9 record on the season with a 2.89ERA. Along with the Eastern League leading 14 wins Drabek has racked up 123 strikeouts while only managing to give up a measly 10 long balls over the course of the season. To go along with the great season numbers Drabek has been 4-0 in August as the Fisher Cats make their push towards the Eastern League championship, something they havent tasted since 2004.
September call ups seems a little unlikely for Drabek with the number of innings he’s already tossed but expect him to get a chance in Toronto in 2011. A rotation of Romero, Cecil, Morrow, Marcum and Drabek seems to be quite promising and something exciting for Jays fans to look forward to in the future.
Three New Blue Jays Sign on the Dotted Line
11 year ago
by April Whitzman
in Draft News
On Monday, August 9, it was confirmed that the Blue Jays signed three more of their draft picks, including, Justin Nicolino, Mitchell Tayor, and Brandon Mimms.
I could not be happier. But why am I so happy? Let’s find out more about these dashing fellows.
Justin Nicolino (LHP)
Nicolino is a strong left-handed pitcher from University High School in Orlando, Florida. (In fact, that is the same school that produced 2007 supplemental first round pick Jon Bachanov). He projects as a potential number three starter for most teams, and that sort of value is hard to find from the left side. His fastball now is an average 89-91 mph pitch that has touched 93, and some scouts project him to eventually sit 91-94, touching 95-96 when he needs some extra juice. Although Nicolino declined to disclose his signing bonus, but Baseball America reported he received $615,000.
Pitching stats from last year: 1.14 ERA, 38IP, 6 ER (8 R) 24H and 8K/3BB.
Mitchell Taylor (LHP):
Mitchell Taylor is 6-foot-1 and, like Nicolino, has a strong left arm that through good fastball (in the 88-93mph range) and big-breaking curveballs. He was the Blue Jays’ 7th round pick, and as Baseball America reports, received a $367,500 bonus, $217,500 above MLB’s recommended maximum for all picks after the fifth round. As it stands now, it’s the most above-slot deal to date for any 2010 draftee, so it is believed that Taylor will have some pleasant surprises in the years to come.
Brandon Mims (2B)
The Blue Jays have also signed their 9th-round choice Brandon Mims. Interestingly, Mimms was the first person drafted from his high school (Newman Smith High School). He may not be an Aaron Hill just yet, but Mims is known to have good speed and an amazing defensive glove. And although he is not known to hit for power, he is expected to maintain a consistently above-average batting average. One of the most exciting aspects about Mims, however is the fact that he is a great switch hitter. Hopefully, the Blue Jays will be able to utilize that skill to the best of their abilities.
As we now stand 4 days before the deadline to sign draft picks (ends 11:59 p.m., ET on Monday, August. 16th), the Blue Jays have locked up 27 of the 56 picks selected from the 2010 class. Big question is whether, Deck McGuire, the Blue Jays top prospect, will sign.
I guess only time will tell.