Hot Prospects: May Edition

Throughout the minors, there are so many players to keep up with.  It is often difficult to know who or what to pay attention to.  With that in mind, right here, right now we'll take a glance at some of the top performers throughout the Blue Jays' system this season and get you all caught up.


Lansing Lugnuts….34-13 record, 1st place in the Class A Midwest League’s Eastern division.

David Rollins, a 24th round draft choice out of San Jacinto College North last year, has posted outstanding numbers for the Lugnuts. The 22-year-old lefty hurler has a 4-0 record with a 2.64 ERA while striking out 41 batters and walking just 15 in 44 1/3 innings through 10 starts this season. Rollins, who stands 6-feet-1-inch tall and weighs around 195 pounds, sports a 1.45 ERA in 4 road games this year. Last year, in 7 combined starts with Bluefield and Vancouver, Rollins went 4-0 with a 1.77 ERA.

Outfielder Chris Hawkins, a 3rd round draft selection in 2010, has put up some excellent numbers for Lansing as well. The 20-year-old has a .327 batting average with 6 doubles, 2 triples and 1 HR while driving in 15 runs in 42 games this season. He has also stolen 6 bases without being caught. In his previous two professional seasons, mainly in the Gulf Coast League and at rookie level Bluefield, Hawkins, a lefty hitter, tallied a .290 batting average with a .783 OPS.

Andrew Burns is another one of the Lugnuts’ offensive threats. The 21-year-old was drafted last season in the 11th round by Toronto out of the University of Arizona. Through 42 games this season, the shortstop is batting .283 with 15 doubles, 2 triples, 7 HR and 22 RBI. His .931 OPS is second best in the league. The righty hitting Burns batted .250 with 3 HR and 14 RBI in 28 combined games last year for the GCL Blue Jays and with short-season Class A Vancouver.


Dunedin Blue Jays….31-17 record, 1st place in the Class A Advanced Florida State League’s North division.

Gabe Jacobo has put up some very solid production for Dunedin. The Rule 5 draft selection from last year, out of the Angels system, has hit .301 with 11 doubles, 2 homers and 17 RBI through 20 games this season. The 25-year-old Jacobo, who plays first base, is a right-handed hitter that was a career .284 hitter in the minors before joining the Toronto system.

Left-handed hurler Sean Nolin may be on the verge of a promotion, as his numbers just keep getting better in the FSL. The 22-year-old, who was drafted in the 6th round by Toronto in 2010, has gone 5-0 with a 2.25 ERA while striking out 57 batters in 56 innings over 10 starts for Dunedin. The San Jacinto Junior College product, who stands 6-feet-5-inches tall and weighs 235 pounds, went 4-4 with a 3.49 ERA with 113 K’s in 108 1/3 innings pitched last season for Lansing.

Dunedin’s closer, Danny Barnes, has a 1-1 record with 16 saves and a 2.08 ERA in 22 appearances this season. The Princeton University product was a 35th round draft selection in 2010 by the Blue Jays. The right-handed Barnes has a 1.69 ERA in 10 May games. In his previous 2 pro seasons, Barnes posted a 6-2 record with a 2.26 ERA and a .203 batting average against in 66 games (2 starts).


New Hampshire Fisher Cats…19-27 record, 5th place in the Double-A Eastern League’s Eastern division.

Ryan Goins has been scorching hot all season for NH. The lefty hitting second baseman has a .331 batting average with 12 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR and 22 RBI through 44 games this season. In 22 May games, the lefty batting Goins has posted a remarkable .380 batting average. Goins, 24, was a 4th round draft pick in 2009.

Catcher Sean Ochinko has done a very good job filling in for injured counterpart AJ Jimenez (elbow ligament). In 6 games since joining the Fisher Cats, the 24-year-old Louisiana State University product is batting .333 with 2 doubles and 2 HR.

Left-handed reliever Aaron Loup has continued a strong campaign out of the NH bullpen. The 24-year-old is 0-1 with 2 saves and a 1.46 ERA in 20 relief outings this season. Drafted in the 9th round by Toronto in 2009, Loup made the Midwest League All-star team the following year in his first full season as a pro. Loup could be well on his way to getting another such honor this season if his production keeps up.


Las Vegas 51’s….25-23 record, 3rd place in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League’s Southern division.

Highly touted shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria is posting strong numbers for the 51’s. Through 47 games played, the Cuba native is batting .322 with 14 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HR and 34 RBI with 6 stolen bases. Hechavarria, 23, was a career .255 hitter with 12 HR in 2 seasons in the minors prior to this year.

Catcher Travis d’Arnaud, fresh off an MVP season in the Eastern League, is having another big year. Through 40 games, the 22-year-old is hitting .307 with a team leading 10 HR and 25 RBI. d'Arnaud was, of course, acquired from Philadlephia in the December, 2009 Roy Halladay trade.

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Chad Jenkins Notes and Footage

Two years ago right-handed pitcher Chad Jenkins was Toronto's top draft choice out of Kennesaw State University. In the time since then, Jenkins has climbed the developmental ranks, reaching the Double A level, where he is currently the ace of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats rotation.

The 6-foot-4-inch 235-pound Jenkins began his professional career just last year as a member of the Class A Lansing Lugnuts, where he was named an All-star. In 13 starts in the Midwest League, Jenkins posted a 5-4 record with a 3.63 ERA. He then earned a mid-season promotion to the Class A Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays, where he went 2-6 with a 4.33 ERA.

This season, Jenkins returned to the Florida State League with Dunedin and sported a 4-5 record with a 3.07 ERA through 11 starts prior to earning a promotion to New Hampshire of the Eastern League. In 13 starts with the Fisher Cats, Jenkins has gone 5-5 with a 4.08 ERA.

The 23-year-old possesses a repertoire that includes a sinker, which normally resides in the 90-93 MPH range, a slider and a change up, which are all improving and helping him excel upward in the Blue Jays' system.

As Jenkins advances in his career, he continues to be a key prospect to watch within the Toronto organization.

Check out the media player below to see footage of Jenkins at work in the bullpen prior to a start earlier this season.




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1BJW Interview: Chad Jenkins

Through three starts with the Double A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, righty hurler Chad Jenkins has posted a 1-1 record with a 4.05 ERA. Prior to joining the Fisher Cats this month, Jenkins had gone 4-5 with a 3.07 ERA with the High A Level Dunedin Blue Jays.

Last year, in his first full season of professional baseball, Jenkins was named as a mid-season all-star, as a member of the Class A Lansing Lugnuts, prior to joining Dunedin in June. Combined at those two levels in 2010, Jenkins had a 7-10 record and a 3.94 ERA.

The 23-year-old Jenkins was drafted with Toronto's top pick in the 2009 draft (20th overall) out of Kennesaw State University.

On Wednesday, Jenkins is slated to make his fourth start in the Double A Eastern League and he will be faced by rehabbing Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes at Trenton's Waterfront Park.

At this rate of progression, it won't be long before the 6-foot-4-inch 235-pound Jenkins is effecting the odds on props betting for the Blue Jays.

This week, I spoke with Chad about adjusting to the Eastern League, the draft process, personal hobbies, his new home town in Manchester, New Hampshire and plenty more. Check out the media player below to listen to the full interview.



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Minors Wrap Up, 4/16/11

Blue Jays fans, here's a piece we hope to make a regular feature on the site this season...a trip around the Blue Jays' developmental system. Standings, stats, other notes...check it out.


The Triple A Las Vegas 51's are currently 5-4 and in second place in the Pacific South division, 1 game behind Fresno in the Pacific Coast League.

Eric Thames, who was a beast with New Hampshire last season, is wrecking opposing pitchers up a level thus far in the new season. Through 9 games, Thames has posted a .389 batting average with 5 doubles a HR and 9 RBI.

Brett Lawrie, who was acquired in the Shaun Marcum trade, has also excelled with the 51's and has a .462 average with 5 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 5 RBI and 2 steals. Lawrie, a British Columbia native, is tied for the league lead in hits with 18.

First baseman David Cooper leads the team with 10 RBI through 9 games.

Former big leaguer Chad Cordero has appeared in 3 games and has a 12.71 ERA.


The Double A New Hampshire Fisher Cats are 5-4 and two games behind New Britain in 3rd place in the Eastern League's Eastern Division.

Through 2 starts righty hurler Zach Stewart is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA, 5 walks and 5 strike outs in 12 innings pitched. Stewart was of course acquired in the Scott Rolen trade.

First baseman Mike McDade is leading the team in batting with a .361 average through 9 games. McDade has just 1 RBI to date this season.

Highly regarded catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud has struggled thus far this season. In 7 games, d'Arnaud is 2-for-26 (.077 avg) with a double and 1 RBI.

Centerfielder Anthony Gose is batting .194 through 9 games. Thus far in the new season, the speedy prospect has not scored a run yet. Two seasons ago for Lakewood in the Class A South Atlantic League, Gose stole 76 bases.


The High A Level Dunedin Blue Jays have a 1-8 record and are currently in last place in the Florida State League's North Division.

Infielder Justin Jackson is leading the team in hitting with a .368 average in 7 games. Jackson has stolen 1 base in 3 attempts.

21-year-old right-handed pitcher Deck McGuire has struck out 10 batters in 8 2/3 innings. McGuire was the 11th overall draft pick by the Blue Jays last year out of Georgia Tech.

In 2 starts with Dunedin, Jays pitcher Brandon Morrow is 0-1 with a 10.13 ERA. Opponents are batting .373 against Morrow, who is rehabbing from a right forearm strain. Morrow is slated to make one more start in the minors on Sunday before returning to the active Toronto roster.


The Class A Lansing Lugnuts are currently 4-2, a half game behind first place Bowling Green in the MID Eastern Division of the Midwest League.

Catcher Carlos Perez is batting .405 and has a 1.025 OPS through 5 games.

Outfielder Michael Crouse is batting .250 in six games and has the team's only homerun. The 20-year-old Crouse was a 16th round draft selection in 2008.

Right-hander Drew Hutchison had one strong start so far for the 'Nuts, striking out 11 and allowing no runs over 7 innings.

Stay tuned throughout the season as 1BlueJaysWay's minor league insider Jay Floyd brings you exclusive player profiles and interviews from the Toronto system and beyond.
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Around the Winter Leagues: Blue Jays

It's hot stove season, but there's still plenty of baseball action going on around the world. Below, we'll take a look at how Blue Jays prospects are doing in various Winter leagues.


In the Venezuelan League-

Outfielder Darin Mastroianni posted a .365 batting average with 1 homerun, 18 RBI and 11 steals in 37 games for the Aguilas. Mastroianni batted .301 with a .788 OPS in 132 games for Double A New Hampshire during the 2010 regular season.

Ronald Uviendo, who the Blue Jays acquired from the Pirates in exchange for Dana Eveland this year, is pitching for the Leones. In 17 games (10 starts), the 24-year-old Uviendo has a 4-2 record with a 2.39 ERA. With Double A New Hampshire, after the trade, Uviendo went 5-3 with a 5.31 ERA in 25 games.

20-year-old first base prospect Roan Salas, a native of Venezuela, has played in just two games with the Aguilas. In those games he is 1-for-4 with a run scored.

Righty hurler Nestor Molina is 4-2 with a 2.77 ERA and has struck out 25 batters in 26 relief innings for the Cardenales. Right-handed opponents are batting .196 against Molina, while left-handers have hit at a .343 clip against him. Molina was signed as a free agent out of Venezuela in 2006 at age 17.

Also on the Cardenales roster is catcher Jonathan Jaspe. The switch-hitting 25-year-old has a .244 average with 2 homers and 5 RBI in 19 games. Jaspe batted .238 in 61 games for Double A New Hampshire in 2010.

David Cooper, a lefty hitting first baseman that also played with New Hampshire in 2010, struggled in 6 games as a member of the Bravos. Cooper went 3-for-17 (.176 avg.) with no extra base hits.

Right-handed pitcher Wes Etheridge, acquired by Toronto this off-season, posted a 1-2 record and a 2.76 ERA in 6 games (3 starts) with the Caribes. Etheridge, a 12th round draft pick by Milwaukee in 2007, spent the 2010 regular season pitching for Maui in the independent Golden Baseball League.

The man with the best name of the bunch, Balbino Fuenmayor, has a .268 average with 1 homerun and 5 RBI in 18 games. Fuenmayor is a 21-year-old first baseman who resides in Venezuela.

Jesus Merchan, a 29-year-old infielder, has posted a .308 average with 2 doubles and 3 RBI in 14 games for the Navegantes. The former Phillies prospect batted .310 in 44 games at two levels of the Toronto system in 2010.

Henderson Alvarez, who pitched with the High A Level Dunedin Blue Jays this year, has looked good in 10 starts, despite not earning a win for the Tiburones. Alvarez has a 0-1 record with a 2.13 ERA with just 1 homerun allowed. The 20-year-old is a native of Venezuela. 

In the Puerto Rican League-

Willie Collazo, a 31-year-old lefty pitcher, has posted solid number for the Gigantes. In 7 games, Collazo is 2-2 with a 3.70 ERA and has held opponents to a .213 batting average. Collazo, a native of Puerto Rico, also pitched 2 relief outings in the Venezuelan League this year.

In the Dominican League-

Joel Carreno, a 23-year-old righty pitcher, posted a 2-1 record with a 3.25 ERA and 24 strike outs in 27 2/3 innings for the Leones. Carreno went 9-6 with a 3.73 ERA at High A Dunedin in 2010.

Starting pitcher Luis Perez is 2-5 with a 4.23 in 11 games for the Leones. Perez, a lefty, has an unimpressive 21/17 strike out/walk ratio. In 28 combined games between Double A and Triple A this year, Perez had a 10-11 record with a 5.40 ERA.

Ivan Contreras, a 23-year-old second baseman, is just 0-for-2 with 6 runs scored and 5 steals, appearing primarily as a pinch runner in 21 games for the Gigantes. Contreras played in the Angels system during the 2010 regular season.

Right-handed hitting outfielder Moises Sierra has a .273 average and a .909 OPS in 18 games for the Gigantes. The 22-year-old has been appearing as a reserve player lately. Sierra batted .211 in 20 combined games for the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays and High A level Dunedin during 2010.

Jonthan Diaz went hitless in 11 games with 1 RBI for the Gigantes. Diaz, a 25-year-old infielder, batted .239 with 2 HR and 43 RBI in 127 combined games at Double A and Triple A during the 2010 regular season.

Edwin Encarnacion who batted .244 with 21 homers in 96 games with the Blue Jays in 2010 is on the Aguilas roster. In 15 Dominican League games, Encarnacion is batting .246 with 3 homeruns and 11 RBI. The righty hitting Encarnacion is also just 1-for-12 (.083 avg) against lefty pitchers...the lone hit was a homer.

Adam Loewen has a .355 batting average with 2 homeruns and 7 RBI in 9 games with the Toros. Loewen also batted .333 with 5 homeruns and 19 in 14 games in the Arizona Fall League. The left-handed hitting Canadian was once a Major League pitcher, but is on his way back up through the ranks as an outfielder, after injuries ended his pitching career.

33-year-old righty pitcher Winston Abreu, signed by Toronto in late November, has looked excellent in 16 games for the Toros. The former Major Leaguer has not allowed an earned run in 14 2/3 innings while holding opponents to a .143 batting average.

In the Mexican League-

22-year-old outfielder Jon Del Campo, who played in 28 games with High-A level Dunedin in 2010, went hitless in 3 games with the Venados. The switch-hitter Del Campo is a native of Mexico and was a 20th round draft pick in 2006.

In the Australian League-

24-year-old pitcher Shane Benson allowed 2 earned runs in 2 innings for the Blue Sox. Benson only appeared in one game back in November.
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“Survivor” comes to Dunedin again on June 24th

Season 2 to feature new and exciting games, 42” LCD at stake

Dunedin, FL – The popular “Survivor: Dunedin” promotion returns to Dunedin Stadium on Thursday, June 24 when the Dunedin Blue Jays start off the 2^nd half of the 2010 Florida State League season against the Daytona Cubs.

Last year’s event, which saw 10 contestants try to outwit and outlast each other for the grand prize of a 42” LCD television, was one of the most popular events the Blue Jays had put on in quite some time.

This year’s event will operate much like last year’s, with contestants being split up into two tribes and pitted against each other in numerous events that test the body and mind, with the final contestants facing off in an obstacle course to win the grand prize.

The first pitch for that night’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m. The stadium gates will open at 6 p.m. The events will take place between innings throughout the game with the final obstacle course taking place at the conclusion of “Launch-A-Ball” right after the game.

Fans who are interested in being contestants for the show by sending an email with the subject line “Surivor” to Kathi.Wiegand@bluejays.com. Fans should include his or her name, phone number, a photo, and in 200 words or less, describe why he or she should be chosen as a contestant.

All e-mails for prospective contestants must be received by the Blue Jays by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 18.

The event will take place on a “Thirsty Thursday” at Dunedin Stadium where fountain sodas and draft beers will be $1 apiece.

Tickets for the event are $6 for general admission, but fans can receive a discount if they use the code word “Survivor” while purchasing their tickets.

To purchase tickets, visit the front office of the Dunedin Blue Jays at 373 Douglas Ave. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call (727) 733-9302. Tickets are also available before and during every Blue Jays home game at the ticket office in front of the stadium.

For more information on this event, please contact Kathi Wiegand by calling (727) 738-7052 or by email at Kathi.Wiegand@bluejays.com.

Analysis:

Much has been made of your Toronto Blue Jays lack of perks and promotions this year.  I for one miss twoonie Tuesdays and the give away games. 

I just wanted to show you guys that somewhere, someone gets it in the organization.....

All-Stars from Big D(unedin)

Here are your 2010 Florida State League All-Stars from the Dunedin Blue Jays:

• Henderson Alvarez, P
• Matt Daly, P
• Travis D'Arnaud, C
• Yan Gomes, C
• Tyler Pastornicky, SS

Daly was a late substitution.

Five Jays named to FSL North All-Star Team

First place Jays get two pitchers, two catchers and an infielder

Dunedin, FL – The Florida State League announced their rosters for the 2010 Florida State League All-Star Game in Viera on Saturday, June 12, with five Dunedin Blue Jays players being selected to make the team.

Starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez, catchers Travis d’Arnaud and Yan Gomes and infielder Tyler Pastornicky were all voted to the team by team managers, official scorers and beat writers.

Dunedin closer Matt Daly was added to the team as a substitution after Tampa pitcher Hector Noesi was promoted to Double-A.

Both Tampa and Dunedin ended up with five selections, with Brevard County, Clearwater and Lakeland each having four. Daytona had three selections. South Division leading Bradenton led all teams with seven selections overall.

The Dunedin Blue Jays were at the top of the FSL North Division after Friday night’s action at 31-18 overall, and it was due to the hard work of their all-stars.

Alvarez, 20, has gone 5-1 with a 2.42 ERA in nine starts this season, striking out 31 and only walking nine. The right-handed starter was named the #5 prospect in the Blue Jays system by Baseball America at the start of the season.

D’Arnaud, 20, hit his fifth home run of the season on Friday night and is hitting .309 this season with 22 RBIs. The catcher has a team best .543 slugging percentage. He was acquired in an offseason trade that sent Roy Halladay to Philadelphia in exchange for d’Arnaud, Kyle Drabek and Michael Taylor.

Gomes, 22, is batting .286 on the season with 10 doubles and 14 RBIs. Also a catcher, Gomes is in his second season of professional baseball after being drafted in the 10^th round of the 2009 draft out of Berry University.

Pastornicky, 20, is batting .263 and has split time between shortstop and second base this season. He has three home runs with 19 RBIs and has stolen a team-high 13 bases.

Daly, 23, has 14 saves in 15 opportunities with Dunedin this season, tops in the Florida State League. He has allowed a run in only three of his FSL-best 22 appearances this season.

Down in Dunedin

Catcher Travis D'Arnaud, picked up in the Halladay deal, is legit.

How legit?

He's hitting .396 with three homers and 12 RBIs in 13 games. Give him another month or so then move him up the ladder.

The rest of the offense:

Raul Baroon's been terrific (.389, .450, .611, four steals). Justin Jackson is on the Disabled List again, unfortunately. Welinton Ramirez (.231) and Mike McDade (.170) haven't started hitting yet. John Tolisano's (.250) bat was quiet early but looks like it's coming around.

If you haven't heard Venezuelan right-hander Henderson Alvarez's name yet, I'm pleased to provide the introduction. The kid's a total stud. He just turned 20-years-old, he's pitched seven innings in each of his starts this year, and he's allowed only one run on seven hits. If he doesn't keep shooting upward like a meteor, I'll be shocked. The only weakness is that his strikeout totals are low, but his stuff (sinking fastball, cutting change, biting slurve) is so good that I expect them to increase in time.

Out of the rest of the rotation, Andrew Liebel (1-2, 5.40) and Joel Carreno (0-2, 6.32) are disappointing, but Ryan Page (1-1, 4.76) and Chuck Huggins (1-0, 2.20) have pitched well.