Archive for July, 2011
Interview with Ian Kadish: Bluefield Bluejays’ Relief Pitcher
39 months ago
There is no doubt that the Toronto Blue Jays presently have some gaps in their bullpen. For this reason, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to interview Ian Kadish, a strong right-handed reliever presently with the Bluefield Blue Jays.
Ian Kadish is a 6-foot-1, 193-pound RHP with the Bluefield Blue Jays
Ian Kadish is a 6-foot-1, 193-pound right-handed pitcher from Cincinnati. This year with Bluefield, Kadish has posted a 2-3 record, with a 2.55 ERA in 13 games. He has pitched over 17 innings, allowing only five earned runs, and has yet to allow a homerun. He also has an impressive strikeout / walk ratio, striking out 21, while only walking six. Even more impressive is that he has kept opponents to a .206 average.
But now to find out more about the player behind the numbers…
While most players idolize players that play the same position as they do, Kadish grew up admiring the game play of Ken Griffey Jr. He states, “Griffey Jr was my childhood hero and I tried to model my game after his. I obviously was not nearly the hitter he was, hence why I am a pitcher now. As for now, I admire any pitcher that is relatively the same size as I am. As I am a smaller pitcher, I like to watch smaller pitchers and I admire them because they give me that hope.”
Kadish shared one of his favourite moments on the mound. Discussing a walk-off win for Bluefield which happened on June 30th against the Bristol White Sox. Kadish explains, “One of my recent favorite moments on the mound has to be my first professional win, which happened thanks to an amazing walk-off homerun by Art Charles. It was such an awesome feeling and moment. The whole team was going crazy and celebrating. It was a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life and a moment that I will tell my kids.”
Kadish appeared in 25 games as a senior from Marshall University, pitching 30.2 innings in relief, with a 1-4 record, 4.99 ERA, with 28 strikeouts and four saves. Knowing his potential on the mound, I was curious to know what he would state his best skills and worse qualities are. He answered, “If I had to pick one skill of mine that is my best on the mound, it would have to be the way I compete. Interestingly, that’s my worse quality as well, as I absolutely HATE losing. I still will not let my 9 year old brother beat me in anything. I am a very competitive person and it shows on the mound. I don’t like to be beaten and will go to great lengths to win.”
As Kadish is very open on both Twitter, (@BearJew36) and through his blog, http://livinginthelifeofian.blogspot.com/, I thought it would be interesting to hear his thoughts on social media. Kadish, interestingly, indicated,
“Social Media can be both a good and bad thing for professional athletes. Athletes also need to be smart about it. They need to know that they are always being watched and everything they do or say will be put under a microscope. I definitely think it has brought the athletes and fans closer together because they can interact with each other much easier. I do have a blog, which I have my brother Kendall to thank for the idea. He had the idea to make a blog about everything that I would be doing to keep my family and friends up to date. It has turned out to be much bigger than I originally thought it would be, and I am very happy about that. My blog focuses mainly on what I am doing on a daily basis. I try to keep it light and fun by adding some funny stories. I’m running a little behind on my blog entries, but one of these days I will get caught up.”
If you want to hear all about the life of Ian Kadish, but cannot wait until he catches up, be sure to follow Ian on Twitter (@BearJew36) and let him know you are rooting for him!
JaysProspects would like to thank Ian Kadish for his time in taking this interview, as well as wish him the best of luck in the future!
Dunedin Blue Jays Making An Impact
09 months ago
With the recent promotion of Deck McGuire to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Dunedin Blue Jays will be looking for some of their new stars to start contributing. Today we will be looking at a player that recently joined Dunedin and a few veterans that could be with the Toronto Blue Jays in a couple of seasons.
Drew Hutchinson P – Hutchinson started the season with the Lansing Lugnuts this season, putting up just amazing numbers. Essentially, in 14 games all starts and 72 innings pitched, Drew Hutchinson accumulated a record of 6 – 2 2.63 ERA 84/ 19 K/BB ratio and a 245 opponent batting average. With numbers such as these, it was no surprise that Hutchinson would join the Dunedin Blue Jays at the end of June.
Since arriving in Dunedin, Hutchinson has seen action as both a starter and reliever. Thus far in 6 games, 5 starts, Hutchinson is 3 – 1 with a 3.51 ERA 31/10 K / BB ratio and opponent average of 220. Similar to new teammate Nestor Molina, if Hutchinson can keep these numbers up, he should be able to join the Toronto Blue Jays in a few years. What’s more, with Deck McGuire leaving, expect Hutchinson to see his role on the Dunedin Blue Jays increase.
Matt Wright RP – Selected in the 12th round of the 2008 draft, pitcher Matt Wright has been used primarily as a reliever during his tenure with the Dunedin Blue Jays. Along with Aaron Loup, Wright is a set up man for Dunedin Blue Jays closer Wes Etheridge.
This season in 35 appearances, Matt Wright has been one of the more consistent Dunedin pitchers. On the season, Wright owns a 3 – 1 record with a 3.56 ERA and incredible 72 / 13 K/BB ratio in just over 55 innings pitched.
In theory, Wright makes a perfect setup man, as he can face any batter in any situation. With the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen struggling as of late, if the 24 year old south paw continues to progress the way he has in Dunedin, he should be with Toronto in no time.
Brian Van Kirk DH – While Sean Ochinko has taken the majority of starts at designated hitter this season, veteran Brian Van Kirk has shown that when given the opportunity, he too can be an effective hitter. Currently hitting 292 on the season, with 7 HR and 33 RBI, Van Kirk should see his role increase as more promotions take place over the coming weeks.
Given that the Dunedin Blue Jays are coming out of a losing streak thanks in large part to Van Kirk’s offense, he like Wright and Hutchinson, will be counted on heavily as the playoffs near.
Interview with Matt Dean: On JaysProspects’ “Dean” List
29 months ago
by Ryan Kinsey
in Interviews
I was honoured to have recently talked to Matt Dean, 13th round pick (409 overall) in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft. Matt is a 6’3 190lbs 3rd basemen, from The Colony HS (TX) racked up many awards in high-school baseball. The awards included: Freshman year- All district newcomer of the year, Sophomore year- All district defensive player of the year, Junior year- all district offensive MVP, Senior year- all district offensive MVP. He also played in the AFLAC all American game in 2010.
What was the draft experience like for you? And who did you celebrate with when your name was called?
Matt Dean: Great experience. It was fun and I was glad I was able experience it. Celebrated with the family though.
How did you find out that you had been drafted? Did the Blue Jays call you?
Matt Dean: I was listening to it on the Internet when I heard my name called and I was at a friends house.
How happy were you to hear your name called by the Blue Jays?
Matt Dean: It was exciting. I’m glad to be blessed enough to hear my name called by them.
Did the Blue Jays give you any prior indication that they were interested?
Matt Dean: Honestly I had no clue it was kinda just wait and see if your names called.
Who are your greatest influences in the game of baseball?
Matt Dean: I like playing like Derek Jeter cause he plays the game hard and he’s humble. my father has a great experience on me as well.
Are you committed to a college? If so which college?
Matt Dean: Signed to play at the University of Texas.
Are you excited about all the hype of the draft now that it’s becoming bigger world wide? Or is it kind of intimidating?
Matt Dean: I’m excited. I want to start my career but if the draft doesn’t work out Texas has a great tradition and program I’d like to join.
With the rumoured changing of CBA coming soon and it’s said to be stricter slotted bonuses does this affect your decision on signing sooner than later?
Matt Dean: Not really. The money will be made later on down the road so I feel like if I have the opportunity I’ll be fine.
Could you describe the type of game that you play for the fans?
Matt Dean: I like playing hard. I don’t like people knowing if I’m happy or sad when I play. Just stay level the whole game.
In terms of developing as a player, what are your goals for the rest of this season and potentially further on?
Matt Dean: Depending what position I end of playing getting better there and just getting better as a player. You can never be to good.
Do you play any other sports?
Matt Dean: I use to play basketball and football but gave it up for baseball.
As we all know, baseball players are superstitious, do you have any superstitions?
Matt Dean: Absolutely. Depending on what I did the day before determines that. I usually have a little toy in my back pocket when I play.
I would like to thank Matt Dean for doing this Q and A with me and for those on twitter please give him a follow, great guy and good to talk to.
Zach Stewart We Hardly Knew You
09 months ago
The Toronto Blue Jays have made a trade this morning, sending long time set up man Jason Frasor and highly touted prospect Zach Stewart, to the Chicago White Sox for starting pitcher Edwin Jackson and utility man Mark Teahan.
As you can imagine, the gem of this deal will be Zach Stewart. Stewart, who came over with Edwin Encarnacion and Josh Roenicke in the Scott Rolen deal in 2009 was the piece former GM JP Riccardi wanted.
A highly touted prospect in the Toronto Blue Jays system, Stewart made a couple of appearances with the big team this season. Unfortunately, with the Blue Jays already having a young pitching rotation and a ton of pitching prospects, Zach Stewart was deemed expendable.
This year between New Hampshire and Toronto, Stewart accumulated a record of 5 – 6 with an ERA around 4 in 19 games, 16 of which came with New Hampshire.
With a gluten of injuries to their starting rotation in Chicago, Zach Stewart should be able to catch on with the White Sox sooner rather than later.
On behalf of the Jays Prospects team, I’d just like to wish Zach Stewart good luck and hope to see him facing the Toronto Blue Jays in the near future!
Nestor Molina Hoping To Keep Dream Season Rolling
09 months ago
Along with big John Talley, Nestor Molina has been turning heads for the Dunedin Blue Jays during the 2011 campaign. Originally signed as a non drafted second baseman in 2006, Nestor Molina has been one of the best pitchers in the entire Toronto Blue Jays farm system. Tonight Molina makes his 16th start of the season, as the Dunedin Blue Jays take on the Jupiter Hammerheads. Will Nestor be able to keep his dream season rolling? Or will Chad James and his Jupiter teammates turn Molina’s dream into a nightmare?
Earlier this week Toronto Blue Jays 2010 1st round draft choice Deck McGuire was finally promoted to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats after an incredible season in Dunedin. Coincidentally, both Deck McGuire and the aforementioned Nestor Molina will be pitching tonight.
Heading into this evening’s action against the Jupiter Hammerheads, Nestor Molina will be playing his 19th game of the season. In his last 6 games, 5 starts and 1 relief appearance, Molina has gone an impressive 5 and 1 with a 2.22 ERA with a 56/7 K/BB ratio in an impressive 52.2 IP. On the year, Molina is 9 – 3 with a 2. 51 ERA 101 / 11 K/BB ratio while holding opponents to a 236 batting average.
In theory, Molina’s statistics should be enough to award him a promotion to double A New Hampshire before the season’s end. However, right now, with the recent promotions of McGuire to New Hampshire and Chad Beck to the Las Vegas 51s, it makes sense to keep Molina with Dunedin for the time being.
Update: As of this writing, Nestor Molina left after 5 innings giving up 8 hits, 2 earned runs while striking out 4.
Blue Jays Minor League Transactions: July 18 – July 24
19 months ago
by April Whitzman
in Transactions
It’s time once again for @Iainsut to check on the state of the Blue Jays minor league transactions. This time, for the week of July 18 to 24th. Brett Lawrie returns to action, Jesse Litsch bides his time and Scott Richmond goes nowhere.
July 18
- C Franklin Moreno assigned to DSL Blue Jays.
- Toronto Blue Jays optioned Jesse Litsch to Las Vegas 51s
Catcher Franklin Moreno gets a second chance moving over from the Indians DSL team as a free agent. Jesse Litsch currently losing out on the numbers game is currently biding his time in Las Vegas, perhaps to be called up in a few days?
July 19
- Brett Lawrie assigned to Las Vegas 51s from Dunedin Blue Jays.
- Las Vegas 51s placed 1B Kevin Howard on the 7-Day disabled list.
- Toronto Blue Jays optioned Luis Perez to Las Vegas 51s.
- Nicholas Purdy assigned to GCL Blue Jays from Vancouver Canadians
Brett Lawrie returns to action, hopefully without further issues with his hand, he may be up with the big club soon. To make room for his return, Kevin Howard went on the disabled list. Luis Perez returns to Las Vegas after a rather successful stay with Toronto only going down to make room for the return of Casey Janssen from the disabled list.
July 20
- Dunedin Blue Jays activated OF Brad Glenn from the 7-Day disabled list.
- Las Vegas 51s placed LHP Sean Henn on the temporarily inactive lis
July 22
- RHP Kramer Champlin assigned to GCL Blue Jays.
- Las Vegas 51s activated LHP Luis Perez.
- Las Vegas 51s released 2B Ramon Vazquez.
- Toronto Blue Jays outrighted Scott Richmond to Las Vegas 51s
Ramon Vasquez was released making room for Luis Perez to be activated on the Las Vegas roster. Scott Richmond stays right where he was but has been removed from the Toronto 40 man roster.
July 23
- Eli Boike assigned to Bluefield Blue Jays from Lansing Lugnuts.
- Lansing Lugnuts activated CF Markus Brisker from the 7-Day disabled list.
Lansing activating one of their star outfielders (do they have anything else?) made room by moving Eli Boike along in his tour of the low minors this season joining his third club.
July 24
- RHP Chad Beck assigned to Las Vegas 51s from New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
- Las Vegas 51s placed RHP Mike MacDonald on the 7-Day disabled list
Chad Beck gets his first sniff of AAA by coming up to replace Mike MacDonald while on the disabled list. I suspect Beck may get an extended look in Las Vegas as MacDonald’s last 10 games have been short and brutal with his last start only going 1.1 innings.
Return again next week when we see the effects of the July 31st trade deadline. Not just big leaguers make the move, there will be plenty of movement as players get packaged and room must be made to accommodate.
J.P Arencibia vs. Travis d’Arnaud
19 months ago
by April Whitzman
in News and Notes
It is not easy to find many well-rounded major league catchers that can both call a great game and do damage with the bat. Few that come to mind includes Brian McCann, Joe Mauer, Alex Avila, Carlos Santana and Miguel Montero. Catching is a very demanding position as it requires one to be the on-field ‘captain’ by controlling the running game and the game-calling. Many teams including the Yankees and Red Sox do not have a top tier catcher yet. Going into the 2011 season, the Toronto Blue Jays were blessed to have two catchers in their top ten prospects list, J.P. Arencibia and Travis d’Arnaud that fit that mold. Thankfully, M. Shakeel Salamath (@ShakeelSalamath on Twitter) investigated both players in detail.
Both of these catchers come from a common origin, the 2007 first-year player draft. J.P. Arencibia was drafted 21st overall by the Toronto Blue Jays out of the University of Tennessee. With the 37th pick, the Philadelphia Phillies went with Travis d’Arnaud, a high school pick from Lakewood High School, one slot before the Blue Jays picked left-handed pitcher Brett Cecil. It was believed that the Blue Jays were deeply interested in d’Arnaud’s potential and were going to pick him with the 38th pick and potentially move Arencibia to first base. Fast-forward two years and the Blue Jays acquire Travis d’Arnaud in a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies along with Kyle Drabek and Michael Taylor for Roy Halladay. With two young studs at the position, who will actually be the starting catcher for the Toronto Blue Jays?
At first… J.P Arencibia
J P Arencibia
J.P. Arencibia made his major league debut last year against the Tampa Bay Rays and it was a historical one. He launched the first pitch he saw over the left field wall for a homerun. He later singled and doubled and capped the day with a homerun to right field (I would have stopped at third base to complete the cycle). That game showed us a lot about Arencibia and his ability to hit the ball for power. Arencibia has entered into a slump recently, but I truly believe he has the ability to become a catcher that can lead the position in homeruns one day. He possesses raw power, but lacks plate discipline and is too aggressive. This can be proven by a career .507 slugging percentage in the minors, though only a .319 on-base percentage and 357 strikeouts. In order for him to become a better offensive catcher and a middle of the lineup threat, he will need to improve on his plate discipline. Defensively, Arencibia is very athletic and does have a good arm, though he has always struggled with blocking pitches in the dirt. In his minor league career, Arencibia threw out close to 30% of base thieves, though charged with 60 passed balls in 357 games.
And next, Travis d’Arnaud…
Travis d'Arnaud
On the other hand, Travis d’Arnaud is quietly putting up some great numbers with the AA New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Before this year, many were not sold on d’Arnaud due to his injuries and his struggles at the plate. However, one needs to remember that d’Arnaud is a high school pick and the numbers from the first three years of professional baseball must be taken with a grain of salt. If he had chosen to go to college, he would have been drafted in 2010 as a high first rounder and thus his numbers post-2010 are much more significant than those of pre-2010. And what exactly are those post-2010 numbers like? As of today, d’Arnaud is hitting .320, with an on-base percentage of .389 and a slugging percentage of .538, yielding an OPS of .927. He currently has 12 homeruns along with 24 doubles and 42 RBIs. His game is not one dimensional, but rather he is also great defensively. He has great ‘game-calling’ abilities as scouts would say but defensively, he has done a great job behind the plate and he is also armed with a plus arm. Sal Fasano, manager of the Fisher Cats has raved about d’Arnaud’s defensive abilities, and continues to talk about his progression in that aspect of the game.
Overall
So who could be the better catcher? In my opinion, I see d’Arnaud developing to become a better overall player at the position, in comparison to Arencibia. Offensively, d’Arnaud has the ability to work the count, hit for a higher average and hit for decent power. I truly believe that Arencibia can hit for more power than d’Arnaud, though. Defensively, d’Arnaud is more equipped with tools to help him behind the plate, when compared to Arencibia. When I say that I would rather have d’Arnaud be the future catcher of the Blue Jays over Arencibia, I say with all the respect to Arencibia. It must be made clear that the Blue Jays just happen to be blessed with two great catchers and I am the first to say that I can see twenty-five other major league team lining up for the service of Arencibia if he were traded. I can see d’Arnaud posting numbers such as .277/.340/.450 averaging 22 homeruns and 35 doubles. On the other hand, I can see Arencibia posting numbers such as .260/.315/.480 averaging 27 homeruns and 30 doubles. Could it be possible that the Blue Jays convert Arencibia to a first baseman to split time with Adam Lind? Or they might find a designated hitter/first baseman that can put up more offensive numbers than Arencibia and they see what they can get for him on the market. Whatever Anthopoulos decides to do, one thing is certain, the Blue Jays are blessed with two young catchers.