Archive for October, 2011

Interview with Steve Springer: Toronto Blue Jays’ Professional Scout and Performance Coach

6 months ago

by April Whitzman in Interviews

Featured above (R-L): Toronto Blue Jays' Assistant GM, Tony Lacava with Steve Springer, Toronto Blue Jays' scout and performance coach

Steve Springer didn’t make the starting roster of his high school team. He only got three at-bats as a freshman in college. But that didn’t stop him. He attended the University of Utah, never gave up, and in 1982, was drafted by the New York Mets.

And it didn’t stop there.

He spent 14 years playing professional baseball before going on to become a scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Presently, he is in his third year with the Toronto Blue Jays. With this organization, Springer spends half of his time scouting the California Angel system, and the other half working with every Blue Jays prospect as a performance coach, honing their mental focus and abilities.

How was he able to find such success? In short, he focused on the mental side of the game. To elaborate on this, Springer participated in an interview with JaysProspects, in which he described his personal journey to the majors and his experience in mentoring others following the same path.

“I obviously got better as I got older, but as I got older, I also I understood more of the mental aspect of the game,” Springer stated. He believes that many players today are unable to find success because they are too focused on their personal stats and mechanics. “Batting averages and earned run averages are the two things you can’t control but they are the only things that people seem to focus on.” (more…)

Interview with Daniel Barnes: Why it’s good that ‘Barnes’ is in the Jays’ ‘Farm’ System

6 months ago

by April Whitzman in Interviews, Lansing Lugnuts

Daniel Barnes has just his second season with the Blue Jays' organization

Daniel Barnes just finished his second season with the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization. During his two-year tenure, Barnes became an integral pitcher for both the GCL Blue Jays and the Lansing Lugnuts. Barnes sat down with JaysProspects to discuss his experience with these teams, as well as sharing information on his journey to the majors and his future aspirations.

Barnes admits that being drafted in the 35^th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays is something he will remember for his whole life. “Coming off an injury and an up and down season at Princeton, I had no idea where I’d go, or even, if I’d go,” ,“After the second day of the draft went by and I still wasn’t picked I was a little down and started thinking about trying to find a collegiate summer league to play in. Then, on the third day, I was selected and it was a tremendous feeling. After working out a quick deal I was off to Florida a few days later.”

Being off to Florida and joining the Blue Jays’ organization is something the 22-year-old probably did not envision growing up. In fact, being raised in Manhasset, New York, Barnes admits that he watched the Yankees a lot and really admired Roger Clemens. “The way he worked and competed really made an impression on me,” He said, adding, “Currently, I just love watching every game and how pitchers with different stuff approach hitters.” (more…)

2010 MLB Draft Blue Jays Dan Barnes Daniel Barnes Danny Barnes GCL Blue Jays jays Jays Prospects JaysProspects Lansing Lugnuts Manhasset milb MILB Prospects New York Pitcher Princeton Princeton University strikeouts Toronto Blue Jays Toronto Blue Jays Prospects

Anthopoulos and the Farm: Two Years Later

6 months ago

by cmessina85 in News and Notes

Alex Anthopoulos took over as the Toronto Blue Jays’ GM after the 2009 season concluded. He promised to rebuild the franchise through the draft and international free-agency. He made no bones about it he wanted to build this organization from the ground up. That was and has been great news for the organization’s minor league teams. Over his brief tenure, Toronto has gone from having one of the worst farm systems in baseball to one of the best.

The first major move Anthopolous made was trading the then face of the franchise, Roy ‘Doc’ Halladay. The second winningest pitcher as a Toronto Blue Jay has enjoyed success since being dealt to Philadelphia (though he still hasn’t appeared in a World Series). In 65 regular season starts with the Phillies he’s won 40 games, won another CY Young and pitched a perfect game (let’s not forget the no-hitter last year in the NLDS vs. Cincinnati).

The Jays received outfielder Michael Taylor, catcher Travis D’Arnaud and pitcher Kyle Drabek. Immediately Toronto flipped Taylor to Oakland for third baseman Brett Wallace. Wallace was moved from third to first and then traded him at the 2010 trade deadline to Houston for outfielder Anthony Gose (at the time just acquired by the Astros from Philadelphia in the Roy Oswalt deal). (more…)

Aaron Hill Aaron Sanchez Adam Lind Adieny Hechavarria alex anthopoulos Anthony Gose Anthopoulos Aroldos Chapman Asher Wojciechowski Blue Jays Brett Cecil Brett Lawrie Brett Wallace Casey Janssen Cincinnati Daniel Norris Deck McGuire Dickie Thon Jr Eric Thames GM Greg Miclat jays Jays Prospects Justin Nicolino Kyle Drabek Marc Rzepczynski Michael Taylor milb MILB Prospects Milwaukee Brewers Minor League Noah Syndergaard Paul Beeston Ricky Romero Roberto Osuna Wuilmer Roy Halladay Shaun Marcum Toronto Toronto Blue Jays Travid d’Arnaud Travis Snider Tyler Beede

Blue Jays system review: A Look back to the 2011 minor league season

6 months ago

by Ryan Kinsey in News and Notes

Alex Anthopoulos, entering third year as the Toronto Blue Jays General

With the minor league season now over, here is a look back through the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor league system on what was a very successful year. When Alex Anthopoulos took over as GM in October 2009 he promised to be aggressive in building the organization through the draft and through trades acquiring high-ceiling, athletic players. He certainly stayed true to his word in 2011 by adding Canadian phenomenon Brett Lawrie to the organization by trading RHP Shaun Marcum to the Milwaukee Brewers in the winter. In another winter move, Anthopoulos was able to rid the Blue Jays of the Vernon Wells contract by trading him to the Los Angeles Angels for Mike Napoli and Juan Rivera. The Blue Jays then traded Napoli to Texas for Frank Francisco filling a much needed hole in the bullpen. Juan Rivera was traded mid-season to the Dodgers for a player to be named later, to open a spot for rookie Eric Thames.

In the 2011 MLB first-year player draft, Anthopoulos was aggressive by gambling on high-ceiling, high school athletes that were said to be tough signs. He also turned prospect Zach Stewart and bullpen arms Marc Rzepcynski, Jason Frasor and Octavio Dotel for highly touted center fielder, Colby Rasmus in a three-way trade between Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals. (more…)

Alex Anthoploulos Blue Jays Blue Jays Prospects Blue Jays Season Review Brett Lawrie Colby Rasmus Drew Hutchison Eric Thames Jake Marisnick Jason Frasor Juan Rivera Justin Nicolino Marc Rzepcynski Mike Napoli Nester Molina Octavio Dotel Rasmus Trade Shaun Marcum Travis d'Arnaud Zach Stewart

Interview with Jacob Anderson: The Blue Jays’ Top Signee from the 2011 Draft

6 months ago

by April Whitzman in GCL Blue Jays, Interviews

Jacob Anderson was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round (35th overall) in this year’s MLB Draft.

When the Toronto Blue Jays signed Jacob Anderson upon being drafted in the 1^st round of this year’s MLB draft, fans were told he was 6’4”, that he was from Chino, California, that he had versatility in the field, and that he was known for his powerful bat and good speed. Having only gotten the opportunity to play in nine games with the Blue Jays’ organization this year, fans are now eager to find out more about the prospect. Granting this opportunity, Anderson sat down with JaysProspects to share more about his journey to the Toronto Blue Jays organization.

Drafted in the first round, 35^th overall, Anderson says was a moment he will always remember. “I was watching the draft live on TV with my family when my name was called.” Anderson reminisces. “I didn’t expect it and when I heard my name – I leaped up and we all started hugging each other. Within a few minutes I had a house full of friends and we all celebrated together. I was honored to be drafted by the Blue Jays and happy that I could share the most exciting day of my life with my friends and family!” (more…)

1st round Anderson Baseball Blue Jays California Chino Chino High School Draft first round Gulf Coast League Jacob Anderson Jake Anderson jays Jays Prospects JaysProspects Josh Hamilton MLB Draft outfielder Pepperdine Pepperdine University Toronto Blue Jays

Team Canada Wins Gold Medal against USA at Pan Am Games

6 months ago

by April Whitzman in News and Notes

Scott Richmond, a former Jays' prospect, (left) not only earned the save in the game, but also the gold medal. (Photo credit: Baseball Canada: Facebook)

It has come to JaysProspects attention that congratulations are in order to two Toronto Blue Jays prospects: Marcus Knecht and Michael Crouse as Team Canada defeated Team USA last night by a score of 2-1 to win the gold medal at the Pan Am Games.

It was the first time that Canada made an appearance in the gold medal game of a major international tournament, so for them to come away with a win and the gold around their necks, makes it even more momentous.

USA was first to get on the board when Brent Carroll doubled and scored off of A.J Pollock’s (Arizona Diamondback prospect) single in the first inning.

Team Canada, however, didn’t let their lead last. With two outs in the sixth inning, Chris Robinson, (Chicago Cubs prospect) singled, then Tim Smith, (Kansas City prospect), singled. They both scored when Jimmy Van Ostrand (Houston Astros prospect) singled them both home to take the 2-1 lead.

That would be how the game ended as after allowing USA to score one in the first, Canada’s William Andrew Alberts, (Minnesota Twins prospect), was unstoppable. He went 6.1 innings pitched, allowing only one earned run on six hits, no walks, and striking out eight.

He was relieved by former Blue Jays prospect and once MLB starter, Scott Richmond, who earned the save, finishing the game without allowing a base runner to the seven players he faced.

Congratulations once again to both teams involved.

Canada Chris Robinson Houston Astors Jimmy Van Ostrand Marcus Knecht Michael Crouse Pan Am Games Scott Richmond Team Canada Team USA Tim Smith USA

Some random off-season thoughts and notes while waiting for the stove to fire up

6 months ago

by Doug Plourd in News and Notes

As the post-season comes to a close in the next few days, there is no denying that we have seen some pretty interesting things happening around the league:

Will Joey Votto become a Blue Jay?

A squirrel has become an ICON at Busch Stadium
The Red Sox have continued their downward spiral with “beer and chicken” gate, where a manager has been thrown under a bus and is leaving town, the whiz kid GM has left to go break another curse, Papi has said (and later retracted) that he would play for the Yankees, and now John Lackey goes under the knife for Tommy John surgery. (Is it possible that the injury occurred while doing 12 ounce curls?).
A bullpen phone not being heard because of crowd noise. You would think in this day and age of technology, there could have been SOME alternate way to get in touch. Are any of the Cardinals relievers on Twitter?
The Red Sox courted Jays manager Farrell, only to have AA revoke the, “Anyone can talk about any job” policy. SMART move by the Jays, John Farrell is a keeper, and you especially don’t want him moving within the east.

(more…)

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