Posts by Ryan Kinsey
Drew Hutchison: Your Blue Jays 5th starter
04 weeks ago
Photo Credit: National Post
The battle for the Blue Jays’ 5th starter’s job is officially over with the announcement that RHP Drew Hutchison has been recalled from AA New Hampshire. RHP Joel Carreno pitched a couple of nights ago, so it came down to Hutchison and RHP Jesse Chavez from the Las Vegas 51s.
The Blue Jays had been able to get away with not needing that 5th starter for the first couple weeks of the season because of the way off-days lined up. They only needed a solid spot start by Carreno to get them by for the time being.
The obvious choice was made giving Drew Hutchison the shot at proving what he can do at the major league level. Some people may raise the concern about whether he is ready, as he has pitched just 32+ innings above High-A ball. The answer is that the Blue Jays aren’t concerned by that stating “the player tells you when he’s ready to come up.” A line heard by both the manager John Farrell and then General Manager Alex Anthopoulus. Farrell was really high on the right-hander throughout the 2012 spring training and even in 2011 when he made a start against the Philadelphia Phillies. Anthopoulus made the statement that this isn’t a situation where they need only one start, the player who wins the job is here to stay. In that statement Drew Hutchison is the perfect candidate, as young guys trying to prove they belong they need the innings/at-bats to get their feet wet. This won’t be like a situation which has cost Travis Snider a roster spot on the team by being yo-yo’d between AAA and the big league team. The Blue Jays want to avoid doing this and will only bring up prospects they think are ready. (more…)
Blue Jays sign Dominican Short-Stop Ronniel Demorizi
14 months ago
by Ryan Kinsey
in Transactions
Photo Credit: http://www.dplbaseball.com
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed 16-year-old short-stop Ronniel Demorizi out of San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic. The 6 foot 170lbs switch hitter signed for $105,000, according to Dominican Prospect League website.
Demorizi was ranked among the best participating short-stops in the DPL, according to the DPL website. He was named to the Under Armour All-America Game, DPL Elite Travel Team and the DPL All-Star Game.
Demorizi shows decent bat speed from both sides of the plate, profiling as a line drive gap hitter with little power. He is a natural short-stop with good foot work and soft hands. He has above average range thanks to his athletic body. He makes defensive plays look effortless and is his best tool. He is very athletic but is a quirky runner. Still needs some work offensively but is polished defensively which should help his progression.
Interview with Daniel Norris: Blue Jays Prospect and Top Left-Handed Pitcher in the 2011 Draft
24 months ago
by Ryan Kinsey
in Interviews
Daniel Norris, drafted 74 overall in 2011 received $2M signing bonus
Daniel Norris, a left-handed pitcher from Johnson City, Tennesssee, was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the second round (74th overall) in the 2011 MLB first-year player draft. Daniel Norris was lights out playing for his Science Hill high-school baseball team. In 2010, he recorded an 8-2 record with an ERA of 2.24, recording 123 strikeouts in just over 68 innings pitched. Norris also showed versatility, as when he was not on the mound, he was playing center field and batted .402 with nine home runs, 45 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. Despite his strong offensive statistics, his pitching skills were incomparable, as Norris was so highly touted, he was named the best left-handed high-school pitcher in the draft by Baseball America. He was ranked the 15th best prospect by MLB.com’s Jonathon Mayo before the draft but slipped down the board because of his commitment to Clemson. Norris’ talent is evident and can be shown through the many awards he has accumulated, including, the Jackie Robinson Award, Baseball America high-school pitcher of the year, Gatorade state player of the year award, 2010 AFLAC All-American, and many more.
Norris sat down with JaysProspects to share some highlights of his journey to professional baseball: (more…)
Blue Jays select three in minor league phase of Rule 5 draft; lose none
75 months ago
by Ryan Kinsey
in News and Notes
Johan Santana has been the most effective use of the Rule 5 draft in the past 10 years.
With the 2011 Winter Meetings coming to a close in Dallas, Texas, the last thing on the table is to complete the Rule 5 draft. It’s pretty rare that a team will find a superstar in this draft but, as always, there are some exceptions. Some of the most notable Rule 5 picks that have excelled include Hall of Famer, Roberto Clemente, Rangers’ outfielder Josh Hamilton, Twins’ pitcher, Johan Santana, and the Blue Jays’ very own, Jose Bautista. Other notable players include Joakim Soria, Dan Uggla, Shane Victorino, Jason Werth, Kelly Gruber and George Bell.
Not any minor leaguer can be entered in the Rule 5 sweepstakes, in fact, there are certain criteria that a player must fall under. A player is eligible for the draft if they were signed at age 19 or older and have been in the organization for four years, or if they were signed at age 18 or younger and have been in the organization for five years. Teams can protect players that are eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 draft by putting them on the 40-man roster. Click here to see which prospects the Blue Jays protected in 2011.
There are two different phases in the Rule 5 draft; major league and minor league. In the major league phase, teams that select a player are required to keep him on 25-man roster for the entire year, if they don’t think that player is ready to contribute the selecting team will return the player to its original organization. (more…)
Blue Jays swap LHP Brad Mills for C Jeff Mathis
25 months ago
by Ryan Kinsey
in News and Notes
The Blue Jays swapped Brad Mills for back-up C Jeff Mathis
The Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels came together today and swapped AAAA LHP Brad Mills for back-up catcher, Jeff Mathis. This is a great move for the Blue Jays acquiring a capable back-up catcher for J.P. Arencibia, who can call a game better than most and is great defensive abilities. People may wonder why the Blue Jays have decided to trade for a guy with a career batting average of .194 in seven major league seasons – the answer is simple – the Blue Jays value his catching ability more than his bat. It will also be good for J.P. Arencibia to work with Mathis who will provide an influential defensive role.
Many people are quick to indicate that this move does not make sense as it appears as though there is upgrade to the 2011 season where the Blue Jays organization had Jose Molina as their backup catcher. While it is true that Molina had a great year both behind and at the plate in 2011, by allowing Molina to sign with the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto was able to gain a first-round pick. Due to changes made in the CBA, this is the last season that this will be able to take place (To read more about the changes, click here and here). There is no denying that Molina’s mentor ability combined with his veteran skills will be missed; but, with this trade comes another player that can definitely fill the void. Mathis is no slouch defensively, thus, he should provide the same strengths for the team and still be the mentor and aid for J.P. Arencibia. (more…)
Season Recap: Eastern League Champions, New Hampshire Fisher Cats
05 months ago
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA) finished the season in first place in the Eastern League’s Eastern division with a 77-65 record.
The Fisher Cats had an amazing post season run which ended in winning the Eastern League title against the Richmond Flying Squirrels (affiliate of the San Francisco Giants). The team had many things to be proud of in 2011 including the Eastern League title and had their manager, Sal Fasano, named manager of the year.
BATTING
The team finished sixth in the league in batting average, producing an overall .259 average for the year. As a team, they hit 256 doubles (fourth), 27 triples, 134 homeruns (fourth) and 623 RBI (second). They also scored 676 runs as a team which placed second in the league. They drew 438 walks but did strikeout 1043 times.
Many key players contributed to the success of this line-up including: (more…)
A look to the Blue Jays Prospects in the AFL with guest Kevin Goldstein
146 months ago
The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is a league intended for prospects to be able to refine their skills and perform in a game setting. Individuals from all 30 MLB teams form new teams and then play against each other in front of numerous scouts and team executives. The season begins shortly after the end of the MLB’s regular season in early October, and ends in mid-November.
In 2010, Mike McDade finished 4th on Peoria Javelinas in batting average, .375, in 22 games.
Last year, the Toronto Blue Jays sent players including; 1B Mike McDade, INF John Tolisano, OF Adam Loewen, OF Eric Thames, SS Adeiny Hechavarria, LHP Marc Rzepczynski, RHP Matt Daly, RHP Alan Farina and RHP Danny Farquhar. This year their list included; C Yan Gomes, 3B Kevin Ahrens, SS Adeiny Hechavarria, OF Anthony Gose, LHP Aaron Loup, RHP Wes Etheridge and LHP Evan Crawford.
With some exciting players to see, JaysProspects would have loved to be there in person. However, since we could not, we have first-hand analysis from Kevin Goldstein, the prospect guru at Baseball Prospectus. Goldstein analyzed many of the players attending the AFL and was kind to share his insight with JaysProspects.
Many are quick to wonder what immediate benefit playing in the AFL has for prospects. “They gain more playing time development and repetitions,” Goldstein stated, adding that it is certainly a nice message for players to get sent here. “It’s a way for the organization to tell a player that he is valued, and seen as close to contributing at the big league level.” (more…)