Archive for November, 2011
How the New Updates to the Competitive Balance Lottery will Affect the Blue Jays
35 months ago
by GCM1979
in News and Notes
With the new changes to the CBA, how will this affect MLB teams?
Jonathan Mayo has recently posted an article up at mlb.com regarding additional details regarding the competitive balance lottery. Here are a summary of those details:
- The lottery will occur one day after the draft signing period. The tentative date is July 14th, 2012
- Teams will only be allowed to trade picks during the season. That is, from July 14th, 2012 until the end of the regular season. Teams will not be allowed to trade their draft picks until opening day of the following season leading up until the draft.
- Mayo also provides a list of the teams that will be involved in the lottery. They’re chance of winning is based on their prior year record. Teams are as follows:
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- Cleveland Indians
- Oakland Athletics
- San Diego Padres
- Cincinnati Reds
- Miami Marlins
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Baltimore Orioles
- Pittsburgh Pirates
- Tampa Bay Rays
- Colorado Rockies
- Milwaukee Brewers
Interview with Jon Lucas: Signed as an Undrafted Free Agent but has the Potential and Motivation of a first-rounder
15 months ago
After signing as an undrafted free agent in 2011, Jon Lucas posted a 3-3 record with a 3.93 ERA with the Bluefield Blue Jays this season
Jon Lucas, a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher from Mendham, New Jersey, pitched this year as a senior for the Wagner Rams, signed this past June as an undrafted free agent with the Toronto Blue Jays.
While he admits it would have been nice to see his name called out during the draft, Lucas also states he is not disappointed as all he wanted was the opportunity to play professional baseball.
“I would be lying if I said that I was not a little bit disappointed when my name didn’t pop up during the draft, but that disappointment disappeared quickly,” Lucas told JaysProspects.
When asked about the experience, the young 23-year-old right-handed-pitcher quickly explained how the whole procedure took place:
“I was at the gym at the time and it was really late in the draft and I was constantly looking on my phone at mlb.com to see if my name had been called. I then received a text message from my agent, Dave PePe, that said, “If Toronto doesn’t draft you, they want to sign as soon as possible.” At this time I was kind of going nuts just waiting to hear something from someone. (more…)
Interview with Jake Marisnick: Round Number Two with the Star Outfielder
05 months ago
Jake Marisnick was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 3rd round of the 2009 Draft
JaysProspects was honoured when Jake Marisnick, the Toronto Blue Jays third-round pick from the 2009 draft, agreed to do an interview with us last year. Our first interviewed culprit, Marisnick told us about his determination to become a stronger player over the offseason and how prepared he was to work hard on gaining strength to improve his quickness in his upcoming season.
Having this season now come and gone, JaysProspects was even more delighted to find that the young Californian was, once again, more than willing to take part in another interview.
It can be stated that his hard work throughout the offseason was extremely beneficial as the young 20-year-old recently completed a phenomenal season. In fact, this year, with the Lansing Lugnuts, Marisnick had many scouts declaring him as a, ‘five-tool player’ after he hit .320 with 27 doubles, six triples, 14 homeruns, 77 RBIs and stole 37 bases in 45 attempts. “I would describe it as a step in the right direction,” Marisnick modestly said of his progress on the season. “There is still a long way to go until I reach my ultimate goal but this year was fun and I learned a lot.” (more…)
CBA – New rules and how they will affect the Blue Jays
125 months ago
by April Whitzman
in News and Notes
Guest post from: Giancarlo Marrelli
Will the new CBA force the Blue Jays to change their way?
With all of the new rules in the new CBA, people have become confused, distraught, and overwhelmed. To ensure an optimistic perspective of the amendments, I have broken down the changes and have analyzed how they will not only change the scope of the MLB, but more specifically, how they will impact the Toronto Blue Jays organization in the future.
It seems that Blue Jays bloggers and journalists alike tend to think that this will hurt Alex Anthopoulos’ front office going forward. I beg to differ. Most clauses will actually help teams like the Blue Jays and here is how:
Changes to the draft
Change #1: The signing deadline has been moved from August 15 (based on 2011 draft) to July 12th or 18th based on the date of the All-Star game.
How it affects the Blue Jays: This will be great for the game of baseball and it will not only affect the Blue Jays but the entire league. Players that are drafted and signed will be able to start their pro career the same year. This not only benefits the drafted players drastically but it will also be advantageous for each team as they will also get that initial start to their development. (more…)
Interview with Zack Breault: A Right-Handed Pitcher with Strong Canadian Pride
15 months ago
Zack Breault was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010.
“Working out at Rogers Centre was definitely a great experience,” stated Canadian, Zack Breault. “Knowing that potentially one day you could be warming up in that same bullpen was something that was amazing to take in.”
Breault, however, may someday earn that opportunity as he was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays as an undrafted free-agent in 2010. Originally from Amherstburg, Ontario, the young right-handed pitcher admitted that being signed by his home team was an amazing experience; an experience, however, he was blessed to have.
“Growing up in Canada, people are usually more accustomed to the hockey scene but many players including Larry Walker, Matt Stairs, and Justin Morneau really gave Canadian baseball players, like me, an opportunity and hope that they too could play at that level one day,” Breault stated.
And playing at that level is something that Breault has been pursuing since being signed. In fact, in his first year with the Blue Jays organization, the young Canadian finished the season with a 2-2 record and a 6.32 ERA, starting in all 15 of his games. Despite the fact his ERA was a little higher than he originally had hoped, Breault was optimistic and full and cheerful about his season. He indicated that he started the year strong (he was the opening day pitcher) and finished it strong – having helped win a Championship. “The way my first season in pro ball ended could not have been any better,” he said. (more…)
Jays add four to 40 man roster
96 months ago
Travis d'Arnaud, the top-ranked prospect in the Blue Jays system, was protected placed on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster
The future got a little bit closer on Friday for the Toronto Blue Jays. The team added RHP Nestor Molina, C Travis D’Arnaud, 1B Mike McDade and LHP Evan Crawford to their 40-man roster on Friday. This protects the players from being selected by another team in the Rule 5 draft. It is also makes it easier for the Jays to decide to recall any of these names during the season, as all players must be put on the 40-man roster prior to being called up to the big leagues.
All four players were part of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats team that won the Eastern League Championship last summer. Travis D’Arnaud and Nestor Molina are the two of Toronto’s more highly profiled prospects.
Many thought Kyle Drabek was the key to the Roy Halladay deal, but d’Arnaud is turning out to be the crown jewel. He put up great offensive numbers last summer with a .311 batting average, 21 homers and 78 RBIs while being the Eastern League’s MVP. Oh, and by the way, he’s the top prospect in Toronto’s system. The Jays aren’t going to rush him though, as JP Arencibia enjoyed a fine rookie campaign and was one of the best power hitting catchers in the Majors last year. Having stated that, Toronto has shown under Anthopolous’ watch that good seasons can be rewarded with September call-ups. (more…)
The Blue Jays’ new logo and jerseys: What the Prospects think
26 months ago
The Toronto Blue Jays new logo
Did you hear? Did you hear? The Blue Jays got a new logo and new uniforms!
The reveal of the organization’s seventh logo and jersey was trending on Twitter, blasting on Facebook, and was immensely popular on the Blue Jays’ website, where the live press conference was being shown.
The new look, a modernized version of the franchise’s first logo from 1977-1997, is sleek, put together and patriotic.
Plus, the new jerseys are emphatically blue. As CEO, Paul Beeston, stated in the live press conference, “The blue is back in Blue Jays. We are not the Jays, we’re the BLUE Jays.
“This new look represents what the Blue Jays mean to our players, staff and most importantly, from the sentiment expressed by our fans.”
And how about the players behind the threads?
Jose Bautista indicated at the press conference that he enjoyed having an opinion with the redesign, adding, “The uniforms are perfect. […] They will certainly mark a change of culture for our team.”
But what about the prospects in the Blue Jays’ system who are hoping to find see the bright lights of Rogers Centre someday? What do they think about the changes? (more…)