1BJW Interview: RHP Jacob Waguespack

Waguespack in 2016, image- Jay Floyd

Hello, Jays fans.  It's been a long time...I shouldn't have left you...without a dope post to step to.  Think of how many weak blogs you've slept through.  Time's up.  Sorry I've kept you.

It's Jay and I'm back on 1BJW with an exclusive interview.  This time around, I talked with righty hurler Jacob Waguespack about how he kept the rust off during the Coronavirus hiatus, his time with the Blue Jays to date and more.

The 26-year-old was acquired in a deal at the 2018 trading deadline that sent Aaron Loup to the Phillies.

Last year "Wagz" made his big league debut for Toronto, posting a 5-5 record with a 4.38 ERA, a .249 batting average against along with a 7.3 K/9 mark.  He was off to a strong start during the spring exhibition season this year, prior to the sport being halted.  In five appearances, Waguespack did not allow an earned run.

Read ahead for the full interview...

-Can you share some feedback on your strong efforts this spring before the pandemic hiatus and can you still come back with momentum following the long break?

Overall, I think we as team created a good vibe in the clubhouse so we as team were feeling good coming out of spring, and I think that'll be the same this time around.

-How were you staying in shape and keeping the rust off during the hiatus? Who were you able to work with, if anyone?

Luckily, my next door neighbor is a catcher at my old high school, and him and I would throw, work out, do bullpens, etcetera. His name is Payton.

-That sounds awesome. What did it mean to him to be able to catch bullpens with a big leaguer? Or have you guys known one another so long that he doesn't see you that way?

We actually are recent neighbors so it hasn't been too long. But he's a pretty even keel guy, so it was normal from the start.

-Does throwing with a young guy like that bring back any of that younger, hungrier mindset for you?

Nah, it more so just made me appreciate the journey because I could see myself in him.

-How did you spend your down time during the break? Where you watching TV, playing games?

I watched a few shows like most did, and played video games as well. Enjoyed cutting my grass a lot.

-Has there been anyone in the Jays systems that's been a big help to you or that you've learned a lot from so far?

Not anyone in particular, but the Jays as a whole have incredible people in the organization who've helped me a good bit.

-Your MLB rookie card is out in this year's Topps Series 1 collection. Is that a big deal to you and your family and have you gotten any of them?

I have a couple that were given to me. My family and I were pretty excited about it. Something you dream of as a kid.

-What do you like most about Toronto?

Toronto is a big city with some of the nicest people. There's a good feel to it.

-Playing for the Blue Jays now, have you become a full-fledged Toronto sports fan, rooting for the Leafs and the Raptors as well?

I was pretty fired up when the Raptors won it all. The city of Toronto was buzzing big time. I'll definitely root for those teams.

-With the shortened season, do you think it can be more any team's year as opposed to the longer, more traditional season?

I think it'll provide some opportunities to a lot of teams. Like most, I think the short season is a sprint and any team can have success.

Interview with Dwight Smith Jr.

In what can only be described as yet another instalment of prospect porn, here is our latest featuring OF Dwight Smith Jr. In repeating the AA level, Dwight posted an unremarkable .265/.332/.433 triple slash line with 15 HR and 12 SB.

In 2016, he patrolled all three outfield positions but the overwhelming majority - 91 of his 126 total games – were spent in LF. The left-handed hitter was taken 53^rd overall out of high school in the 2011 draft.

Not sure if he was eligible for the Rule 5 draft this offseason or not but, in any event, he wasn’t selected. He is currently not listed as being on the 40 man roster. A move up to AAA for 2017 is most likely in his future and Bisons fans should see plenty of Smith Jr. in a corner OF spot at Coca Cola Field.

Our man on the field, the one and only Jay Ballz, caught up with Dwight for a brief chat in which they discuss:

• Eastern League competition
• The pressure that comes along with being a first-round pick
• What it’s like to play in front of a packed Olympic Stadium in Montreal
• His observations from spending time in big league spring training camp
• What superpower he would choose if able

This interview was done in May shortly after Bautista got decked in the jaw by Odor. We apologize for the delay in posting it. (Not really. It's a stupid blog post and it’s free, so deal with it.)

Interview With Rowdy Tellez

"You're your own best coach." Rowdy Tellez. Which sounds like something Brett Lawrie still says.

Our boy Jay Floyd caught up with the slugging first baseman last week. He is the youngest player on the AA New Hampshire team at the time of taping. They discuss:

• Eastern League competition and what it's like to face the future aces of other team's staffs;
• Going to Giants' games and cheering for Barry Bonds;
• Being a late round pick and using it as an incentive.
• His habit of taping the other team's catcher's shin guards twice before every at bat;

On the whole chip on your shoulder thing: We get it. Baseball is a ridiculous grind every damn day, all season. These guys need to use absolutely everything they can to get up and produce every day. But man, this guy's agent probably sends out a note to all 30 teams saying, "Don't waste a pick on my guy, he's going to USC." Then, everybody passes until round 30 and the Blue Jays throw $850,000.00 your way, which is early 3rd round money. Classic backfire.



Had an equipment malfunction, so here's the answer to the last question:

Interview With Derrick Chung

In the interests of emptying out what is left in the interview clip from last season, here is the final instalment for your enjoyment.

In 95 games behind the dish this year he threw out 40 of a possible 98 base stealers, which is good for a shiny 41% caught stealing percentage.

With the stick he slashed:

.281/.338/.358

In fairness, that line was fuelled by his strong play in the Florida State League. In the Eastern League, he put up a somewhat troubling .240/.275/.275 performance in 171 at bats. Perhaps he wore down a little bit after only ever catching 64 games in the previous year, his first year as a catcher.

Bob Elliott wrote a nice piece about him in camp this year. Check it out.

The fine folks at MILB.com had some positive things to say about him. Check it out too.

In the interview found below our man in the trenches, Mr. Jay Floyd, caught up with Derrick in late August. They discuss:

• The strike zone and quality of umpiring differences between MILB levels
• The area of his game he is looking to improve
• A few words on catching LHP Daniel Norris
• His position change from SS to catcher 

Interview With Andy Burns

If you listen closely to the really smart baseball people out there, they will all say the same thing: the biggest jump in minor league ball is from High A to AA.

We respectfully submit exhibit A for your reference: Infielder Andy Burns. In the 2013 season he played the exact same number of games in the Florida State League and the Eastern League: 64. That allows for a rather straight forward comparison.

High A:                                 AA:   
248 AB                                265 AB
45 runs                                40 runs
81 hits                                  67 hits
15 2B                                    19 2B
5 3B                                      2 3B
8 HR                                     7 HR
53 RBI                                 32 RBI
21 SB                                   12 SB
9 CS                                     5 CS
25 BB                                  23 BB
38 K                                    55 K
.327/.383/.524            .253/.309/.419


A few notes:
Batting average and OBP dropped almost 75 points
Slugging percentage was down over 100 points
The only increases were doubles and strikeouts

Stats taken from here. If they aren't fucking nerdy enough for you, go ahead and click here.

He does have roughly the equivalent of a full season of experience in AA now so let’s take a look at those numbers, which are current as of July 10.

570 AB
83 runs
140 hits
34 2B
4 3B
16 HR
69 RBI
26 SB
11 CS
56 BB
123 K
.246/.314/.404

That’s not too shabby, all things considered. With his position flexibility – 83 games at SS, 212 at 3B, 13 at 2B and 3 at 1B – he has an intriguing skill set that could potentially help a major league team, perhaps right away.

If you read that sentence again you’ll see that we didn’t say anything definitive, which is kinda neat!

Our amazing interviewer, Jay Floyd, caught up with Andy Burns last month and had a nice chat about the following topics and more:

Playing in the northeastern U.S. to start a season
The minor league life in general
Hobbies, and who the video game champion on the team is
The college baseball experience
His thoughts on a possible tobacco ban in baseball
What it’s like to hang out with some Blue Jays legends

Interview With Tyler Ybarra

Tyler doing work

Tyler Ybarra was a late-round pick (43^rd round, 1299 overall, to be precise) in the 2008 draft. He has made steady progress up the minor league ladder, being challenged with a new level at the start of each year, and he was given the chance to pitch in the star-studded Arizona Fall League after a dominant 2013 season in the FSL.

This year, he has appeared in 29 games for the Fishercats, and only 12 of those appearances have not been of the multiple-inning type—so he’s not just a LOOGY. In fact, he has some reverse splits going on, meaning he has been tougher on right-handed hitters than lefties—this year, anyways.

If you’re as tired as I am of watching guys like Rob Rasmussen get their head kicked in at the big league level, then keep an eye out for this guy as he might be in line for a shot sooner rather than later—we all know Gibby loves having three LHP in the pen whenever possible.

Our man on the ground, Jay Floyd, caught up with Tyler Ybarra and was able to impressively dodge both a possessed vacuum cleaner AND a pesky air conditioner to get some insight into the following topics:

Having higher expectations
Skipping a season after rookie ball
Scouting report on himself
Pitch repertoire
Following in his father’s footsteps
Being a late round pick
Good luck charms



Follow Tyler Ybarra @TYbar23
Follow Jay Floyd @Phoulballz
Follow Us @1BJW

Interview With Mike Crouse

Outfielder Mike Crouse was drafted at 17 years old in the 16th round of the 2008 draft. He hails from British Columbia, stands 6’4 and weighs in at a svelte 215 lbs. We have heard him described as "looking quite good in the uniform," so to speak.

Mike had a breakout season in 2011 for the Lansing Lugnuts, where he slugged 14 bombs, grabbed 38 bags and slashed .261/.352/.475 in 101 games playing RF beside uber prospect Jake Marisnick. Mike’s production at the dish was comparable to Jake’s and had many prospect hounds drooling.

Fast forward a couple of injury plagued seasons and the chatter has pretty much died down. For the 2014 season, he has been plugging away in AA with the New Hampshire Fishercats as a 23 year-old player--which is still 1.7 years younger than the median age in the Eastern League, according to Baseball Reference.

In his complete minor league career to date he has played 199 games in RF, 163 in CF and 70 in LF, which seems a little light in terms of reps considering he is entering his 7th year of professional baseball. Hopefully he can stay on the field for 400+ at bats and the chatter will start up again. If our math is correct, he must be added to the 40-man roster before next season or he could be lost via the Rule 5 draft.

Our minor league interviewer extraordinaire, Mr. Jay Floyd, caught up with Mike Crouse and discussed many interesting topics:

If there is any extra pride/drive/desire to play in the Blue Jays system
When baseball became the game of choice for him in this hockey crazed nation
A brief scouting report on himself
Favourite player growing up (spoiler alert: YUCK)
The experience of playing winter ball in the ABL




Follow Mike Crouse: @_crouse_
Follow Jay Floyd @Phoulballz
Follow Us @1BJW

Interview With LHP Daniel Norris

Much virtual ink has been spilled over the name Daniel Norris these past few days, a second round high school pick who happens to throw a baseball with his left hand. But if you recall, it hasn’t always been that way. When he was taken 74th overall in 2011, the so-called draft experts were saying how it was a steal to get him there and that he was the best high school lefty talent available in the entire draft. Then he goes to rookie ball and hangs up a 7.97 ERA in 10 starts with a 1.629 WHIP. Not exactly world beater stuff right there.

As an organization, if you are going to get in the habit of taking a lot of high school players in your draft classes then you must be willing to wait for them to develop. This isn’t always easy to do, and the Blue Jays deserve some praise in this specific case. Patience is only half of the equation, really—you also need some great coaches at the lower minor leagues levels who have the right approach. Seems to have worked out pretty swell as he is now being mentioned as a potential trade chip for guys like David Price, Cliff Lee and Jeff Samardzija.

Daniel Norris was recently named to the Futures Game roster, representing the American side. This is a premium showcase for young, developing talent and it is quite an honour to be involved in this game.

From the most recent Baseball America Podcast:

I am very interested in seeing Daniel Norris because Daniel Norris, I give him massive loads of credit. There are not many guys who’ve pulled off what he did. Daniel Norris for the first, I don't know seven pro months of his career, was terrible. I don't mean bad, I mean getting his brains beat in pretty much every time out, what's wrong with him, for a guy who got a whole lot of money how is he as bad as this, you know, what's the problem? And he didn't go into a funk, he worked with his coaches, he got better and then it was like the light switch turned on. And the funny thing is he always had stuff even when he was giving up two hits an inning, even though he was walking a lot of guys. The light switch got on and he's gotten better and better and better, and now he's very much the Daniel Norris that everyone thought he was gonna be coming out of the draft. I give him a lot of credit, a lot of guys when it goes bad like that gets really hard to pull out of it. Daniel Norris pulled out of it.

If you are wondering when exactly the light switch turned on, we’ve got that for you. Who better to ask than the gentleman who watched him pitch every game last year: Our boy Jesse, the radio broadcaster with the Lansing Lugnuts.

Q: Can you pinpoint the exact time in which Daniel Norris turned the corner last year?

A: Absolutely. May 13th, and up another level on August 4th.

The game logs for the 2013 season can be found here.

Our lead minor league reporter Jay Floyd was able to catch up with Daniel Norris last weekend in Trenton and spoke to the 6’2, 180 lbs pitcher. In a wide-ranging interview, they discuss:

FSL all-star experience
AA debut
Learning to pitch to the ballpark
Draft experience
Pitch repertoire
Pregame meals
Attention to hydration on the days before he pitches and on game day
Favourite baseball movie
Trade rumours
Faith in God




Follow Daniel Norris @DanielNorris18
Follow Jay Floyd @PhoulBallz
Follow Jesse Goldberg-Strassler @jgoldstrass
Follow us @1BJW

Interview with Sean Nolin

We are unloading the clip, so to speak, on the interviews from last year we had stored away for safe keeping. Below you will find one from a consensus top-10 prospect in your Toronto Blue Jays' (ridiculously totally somewhat) thinned-out farm system.

They say that in poker, timing is everything. This rock-solid interview was done on July 19, 2013, almost two full months after Sean Nolin was called up to the show. Our top minor league guru extraordinaire, Mr. Jay Floyd of PhoulBallz.com, Phillies Nation TV, the Shore Sports Network and other outlets wasn't shying away from the elephant in the room at all. "Jay Ballz", as he's nicknamed, asks the tough questions. Jay Ballz listens to the awkward responses. Jay Ballz takes it all in stride. 

In this latest masterpiece you will hear:

• His motto: "wish high, think high" (just not with the fastball, okay, champ?)
• How he was notified by a fan in the stands of his MLB promotion
• How he has been trying to call his own games more often
• What it's like to throw to top catching prospect A.J. Jimenez
• Him defending the honour of our boy Jesse Goldberg-Strassler from his days in Lansing
• How he grew up a Yankee fan and how there might be some added fire when he pitches against the dreaded Red Sox

If you skip ahead to the 2:06 mark you can actually hear what it's like to have your childhood dreams smashed/destroyed/lit on fire right before your very eyes.

Why the hell this guy was brought up to the Major Leagues only to be farmed out the very next day is still a mystery to us. One option burned for a whopping .001 days of MLB service time. We realize that things went south in a hurry last year in terms of arms, but this particular roster move still blows the mind. 

And not in a good way. 

Please don't think that we are down on what the future has in store for this player. We think that he could someday be a decent back-of-the-rotation type guy and he does throw a ball with his left hand. The tale of Sean Nolin's MLB debut and the soul-crushing aftermath should serve smartly as a cautionary warning to the brain trust the next time they think about rushing a young arm up to the show. 

It does appear your Toronto Blue Jays learned this lesson rather quickly since they slammed the breaks on bringing up Marcus Stroman in the garbage time of the season, known more formally in these parts as "September."

Interview with Jack Murphy

We've been sitting on this interview since May 1st of last year and it's classic Jay Floyd awesome. In the interview below we are quite sure you'll notice that Jack Murphy isn't your prototypical jock. He more than likely has a career as a coach or manager when he's done playing.



If you need some basic stats, click here. Be warned, it's not exactly pretty. He did have a big game in the finals of the Asia Series:

Princeton product Jack Murphy w/ 7RBI in Canberra's (@ABLeague) Asia Series clincher vs China. EricMassingham &JeremyBarnes on that team too
— Jay Floyd (@PhoulBallz) November 20, 2013

After you listen to the interview, you'll get the sense that Jack Murphy knows exactly what kind of player Jack Murphy is and he's totally cool with it. Classic org guy. The Blue Jays rewarded him for his loyalty with a taste of AAA at the end of the 2013 season. He then went back over to Australia again to play more winter ball. The picture from above is a shot from this off season courtesy of a local newspaper in the land down under.

He even found some free time while becoming a cult hero to enjoy himself!

Hit my first hole in one... Celebrating
— Jack Murphy (@JackMurphy219) December 2, 2013

#FANtasking Initiative by MLBAM Kicks Off Wireless Improvements at Parks

Thanks to the folks at Qualcomm for the heads up on a big initiative going on throughout all of Major League Baseball.  For everyone that's ever dealt with weak signals on his or her device at the ballpark, new and improved mobile experiences are coming soon!

With All-Star Brandon Phillips on board, helping to spread the word via social networking, the FANtasking has been rolled out and seems quite fun.  Check out the following details from a press release and find out how you could win tickets.

Baseball is a game steeped in history and tradition. Unfortunately for fans, the “tradition” of nose bleed seats is as old as the game itself. With its new FANtasking video feature, Qualcomm is making the impossible possible: turning the worst seats in the house into the very best.

Granted, hot dog piñatas are likely not going to become all the rage at MLB stadiums, but one thing is clear, the future for fans is brighter than ever thanks to the efforts of Qualcomm and MLB to bring the future for fans into the palms of their hands…or more literally into their mobile devices.

The short video below brings this exciting future to life in some rather “unorthodox” ways that we thought you and your readers would truly appreciate.



(Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fquwqFGU_8U)
   

Qualcomm has teamed up with MLB Advanced Media and is “changing the game” for fans all across baseball by super charging the fan experience through their efforts to maximize mobile connectivity within MLB stadiums. Take me out to the ballgame, is becoming more and more, “take me INTO the ballgame” thanks to the role our mobile devices are playing in the fan experience. 

And speaking of enhancing the fan experience, Qualcomm’s FANtasking Photo contest is currently offering fans the chance to win a Samsung Galaxy S4 and a trip with tickets to Opening Day 2014 game of their favorite team (as long as you enter before 10/20/13)!

Fisher Cats Batting Practice Footage

Here's some batting practice footage shot last month of several Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats players.

Clips include Andy Burns, Kevin Nolan, Ryan Schimpf, Jon Talley, Gabe Jacobo and more.  Check it out in the media player below.

1BJW Interview: A.J. Jimenez talks surgery, Futures Game and more

Ranked among the Blue Jays' top prospects, catcher A.J. Jimenez represented Toronto in this year's MLB Futures Game roughly a year after being sidelined in need of Tommy John surgery.  Back from rehab, the 23-year-old is putting forth very solid output this year, sporting a combined .349 average with two homers and 25 RBI in 39 games at two levels.

Selected in the 9th round of the 2008 amateur draft by Toronto, Jimenez has progressed steadily up the developmental ladder since turning pro. In 2011 in the Class A Advanced Florida State League, Jimenez sported a .303/.353/.417 line and was named a mid-season and post-season All-Star.  Last year, in the midst of another good campaign (.257 avg, two home runs, 10 RBI in 27 games), Jimenez was faced with the need for surgery and missed the remainder of the season.

This weekend I spoke with A.J. about his Futures Game experience, his recovery from surgery and plenty more.  Read ahead for that full interview.


- Last year you went through Tommy John surgery, something that's not very common among position players.  Take me through the process for you and the recovery stretch of it.

Yeah, I got hurt, like, three or four years ago.  I was playing with the pain, through something with the elbow.  Then last year, it came up again and then we just get it fixed.  And it was a long year, the rehab.  It was a long one, like a boring one.  But finally we are here, one-hundred percent, and I'm back playing.  I'm feeling great.


- During the time you were down in Dunedin rehabbing and working to get back, who was the biggest help to you as far as your recovery process went?

I would say the head guy, Jeff (Stevenson) he was helping me with the rehab and I was with the catching staff, with (Sal) Fasano all the time, working on the arm mechanics and all that stuff.  And, yeah, all the strength guys, they were great too, helping me, working and rehab and now finally I'm here.


- I spoke with you last year and I remember that you praised Sal a lot.  He was the manager with New Hampshire then and you said you looked up to him.  I know his role has changed within the organization, but what can you share with me about what Sal's role is and what he's doing overall?

He's the catchers' coordinator right now.  He's always traveling.  I haven't seen him in, like, two, three weeks.  But, he's (a) great guy and I'm learning a lot from him and he's the best guy for his job.


- You spoke about that elbow injury, having dealt with that for a while.  Was the ailment always there or did it go away for some time and come back?

It was always there.  I think I was getting used to it, playing when I was sore.  But, yeah, I just got tired of it and got it fixed.


- You're playing great this year, through 30 games with Double-A New Hampshire you've posted a .331 average and batted .429 in nine games with High A Dunedin.  What do you attribute to the solid success this season after returning from the injury?

I would say patience.  I was here last year, so I learned a little bit from last year too.  And I was just in my game, you know?  Just be confident back there, focused on catching good, hitting good.  That's what it's all about.


- You got a nice honor this year.  You got to go out and play at the MLB All-Star Futures Game.  Talk about that a bit...how did you get the news?  What was your reaction?  And how was the whole event for you?

It caught me by surprise, 'cause I was back 15 games at that time, playing, so my agent called me.  He was the first one and I didn't believe it at that time.  And then the manager called me into the office and then gave me the news.

It was a great experience, like, with big names on that team and I had fun.  It was the first time I've been in a big game like that.  It was fun.


- That game was at Citi Field, it's in New York, it's on a big stage.  Had you played in a big league park before?

No, that was the first time.  In front of a big crowd, in that big park, I was excited.


- That's cool.  You got to go out there and I know you drove from Reading, up to New York, with a couple Phillies guys, Jesse Biddle and Maikel Franco.  Did you get to bond with those guys at all?

Yeah.  I played (against) them, like three or four times this year.  We talked a lot in the car and they're great guys.


- You talked about playing on that big stage, playing in that big league park, clearly playing there regularly is the goal for every player.  But, when you get a sample of that, does that make you hungrier to get back there and play in those big parks again?

Yeah, sure.  I mean, it was like I was a big leaguer for one day.  I just want to stay there and now I'm fighting and working harder to get there.


- Some former big leaguers were coaches for those teams.  Was there anyone you got to meet that made a big impression on you, or you were able to talk to and learn things from?

I would say Edgardo Alfonso, he was the main guy from us.  He was a great guy.  We talked about the game and all that stuff.  But, yeah, he was a great guy.


- That's good to hear.  You're from Puerto Rico, so I think there might be an obvious answer to this question, but as a catcher from Puerto Rico, what players did you look up to most?

I would say back in the days it was Pudge (Rodriguez).  I always looked at Pudge like my big guy.  But, now, I would say (Yadier) Molina.  He's great at that position.  I mean, I'm not trying to be him, but I'm trying to get close.

Interview Excerpts: Fisher Cats RHP Tyson Brummett

Recently our pal Jay Floyd of PhoulBallz.com chatted with New Hampshire Fisher Cats hurler Tyson Brummett.  Claimed off waiver by the Blue Jays from the Phillies organization last off-season, the 28-year-old was a veteran addition to the system, but hasn't had much luck this season.  Through 10 outings with the Double-A Fisher Cats, Brummett has a 0-3 record with a 5.59 ERA.

Here are some highlights from Jay's interview with Tyson...

On the differences between the Toronto and Philadelphia organizations-

There's always a lot of differences. I was in that organization for a long time. I grew up with a lot of those guys, you know, roommates and people like that, coming up through the ranks. This is my first time in a different organization, obviously there are new people, new faces. At the end of the day, it's still baseball. You've gotta go out there and perform and do all those fun things on the field.


On pitching against the Phils' Double-A team in Reading and putting forth his best effort of the season, with six shut out innings-

I mean it's always...you get up to face your old organization. I know there's guys that jump around and have played for three or four different organizations. I think there's that kind of connection there. They know you and you know them and things like that, but you always want to go out and put on a show for the team that you used to be with and obviously the team that you're with against your old team. Kind of like giving a message like, "Hey, I can still help a team win."


On who has been the biggest help to him with the Blue Jays-

I mean, honestly, there's a lot of veteran guys both here, in Double-A and at Triple-A. I think I probably learned the most, it was my first big league (spring training) this year, I had a lot of guys that I played with and Northwoods League and collegiate leagues. Once you've played this game and you move around, it's hard to not run into somebody you've played and vice versa. It's just really good communication over here. Lots of friends. They went out this year and picked up a lot of veteran guys, so it's a lot of guys that have been all over the place, so you feel like you have an instant connection with them, 'cause they're kind of in the same boat you are. I think overall it's pretty welcoming.


To read the full interview with Tyson, including details on his time playing in the Venezuelan Winter League, click here.

1BJW Interview: Fisher Cats Manager Gary Allenson

Former big league catcher Gary Allenson has a career in professional baseball that dates back to 1976 when he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox. In a big league career that included six years with the Red Sox and a small stint in 1985 with the Blue Jays, Allenson batted .221 with 19 home runs and 131 RBI in 416 games.

Since his playing career ended, Allenson has managed in the minors for the Yankees, the Rangers, the Orioles, the Brewers and the Astros.  Additionally, the 58-year-old has served as a coach in the big leagues with the Orioles and Red Sox.

Currently the manager of the Blue Jays' Double-A affiliate in New Hampshire, Gary sat down with minor league insider Jay Floyd last week to chat about his transition into coaching, his time playing in the big leagues, his Fisher Cats players and plenty more. Check out the media player below to hear the full interview.

An Interview with THE Sleeper Prospect in the Toronto Blue Jays Organization

OF Prospect Kevin Pillar

We love cheering for guys like this.

A guy who spent a full 4 years in a division II college. A guy who was drafted in 2011 in the 32nd round, 979th overall.

Generally guys drafted this low either sign immediately for peanuts and start in short season ball or don't sign at all.

In 2011 in the Appalachian League with the Bluefield Bluejays he won the batting title with a .347 average in 236 at bats.

In 2012 in the Midwest League he won the MVP award despite only playing 85 of a possible 137 games with the Lansing Lugnuts. He was also chosen one of only six to represent the Blue Jays organization in the Arizona Fall League and worked his way off the taxi roster and into in the lead off spot.

He got some love on the early 2013 season prospects lists.

This year he made the jump to the Eastern League with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and he has a .331/.380/.470 slash line in 151 at bats, which is pretty damn close to his career numbers since starting in pro ball, which are .331/.376/.470. At 24 he is no longer considered old for his level.

All this accomplished and many scouts still doubt his ability to make an impact in the Major Leagues.

BP on Kevin Pillar "super grinder; fringy prospect who will profile as a backup at the absolute best"
— Clint(@StivBators) May 6, 2013

And you know what? They might be right.

We would argue he has the best hit tool in the entire system, has great wheels - he grabbed 51 bags in 60 attempts last year - and can play all three OF positions.

Even if all he ended up being is a fourth OF or a chip in a trade someday, everyone should be talking about this guy more. Or at the very least, know his name.

Below is an interview our boy Jay Floyd of PhoulBallz.com & other fine media outlets did a few days back with Kevin Pillar. In it they discuss why he plays the game with a chip on his shoulder, gives a scouting report of himself and what his mentality is depending on where he hits in the order.

Click here for his complete stats.

Sister Site Snippets: Player Superstitions

Prospect Ryan Goins relies on a certain superstition to take his licks

1BJW's minor league insider Jay Floyd recently posted a lengthy feature detailing baseball superstitions, after surveying loads of players, and some former players, throughout 2012.  The piece, written for PhoulBallz.com, goes over some popular good luck habits, then reviews several players' rituals which may have been previously unknown.

Included were some names very familiar to Blue Jays fans.  Read ahead for those quotes.

Infielder Ryan Goins, who was Toronto's 4th round draft choice in 2009, said the following...

"I always chew three pieces of Trident Layers. I'm not gonna lie to you. I like the green apple and pineapple flavor. That's something that I do. I don't know why. I started it last year and it worked out. I kept hitting, so I wanted to keep doing it. The first couple games this year, I didn't chew it and I didn't hit well. So, finally, I got some gum and we're back on the train again," Goins said, admitting that he'll stick with the same gum, even after the flavor has worn out.

Blue Jays' lefty reliever Aaron Loup...

"There was one thing my grandpa used to tell me all the time and, I guess, it stuck. It was 'LLTC', which stood for location, location, total concentration. I write that underneath the bill of my hat and it's basically what I just go by, when I'm out there on the mound," Loup stated.

Double-A New Hampshire manager and former big league backup catcher Sal Fasano...

"I really wasn't very superstitious," Fasano stated. "It's easier (to have those) when you play every day, and I didn't play every day. I knew if the sun was out, I was playing, so that's the only superstition I had."

To read Jay's full piece, which includes details on Blue Jays pitching prospect Justin Nicolino, Phillies rookies Tyler Cloyd and Darin Ruf, Red Sox #1 draft pick Matt Barnes, Nationals prospect Cutter Dykstra and plenty more, click HERE.

Interview with Brian Bocock

Our boy Jay took some time out of his busy schedule a few weeks back and sat down with the utility infielder extraordinaire. Looking at the logjam of similar players within the Blue Jays organization, Bocock has been plying his trade in the Eastern League this year.

Based on organizational depth, Bocock, a Stetson University product that was a 9th round draft choice of San Francisco in 2006, is officially blocked by:

Omar Vizquel
Mike McCoy
Jon Diaz
Chris Woodward

These all glove, minimal bat, backup shortstop types are great players to have around and I wonder if a few of them have some value, perhaps as a throw in, at the trade deadline.

The 27-year-old Bocock has big league experience with both the Giants and the Phillies. In 31 games this season for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Bocock has posted a .258 batting average with 7 doubles, 12 RBI and 5 stolen bases.

1BJW Interview: Brett Cecil

As Brett Cecil continues on his journey back to the Majors, the 25-year-old has had some ups and downs this season. Over last off-season, the lefty hurler dropped significant weight and ran into problems with his location and fastball velocity this spring, as he learned to adapt to pitching with his "new body".

He had been improving with Double-A New Hampshire, in recent outings. Through 7 starts, Cecil had posted a 3-2 record with a 3.71 ERA. Over his previous 4 starts, Cecil had posted a 1.66 ERA and most recently, his velocity was back in the 90's.

Cecil got the start for NH in Trenton on Friday night and his velocity maxed out at 88 MPH. In the outing, a no decision, Cecil threw 5 2/3 innings while allowing 10 hits, 2 earned runs and 3 walks while striking out 5.

After the game was suspended with a 2-2 tie in the 8th inning, due to rain, I spoke with Brett about his progress, his adaptation to the weight loss, how his manager Sal Fasano has impacted his season and plenty more. Check out the media player below to hear the full interview.




As a bonus, here's a video clip of Cecil striking out Trenton Thunder player Luke Murton.



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1BJW Interview: AJ Jimenez

New Hampshire Fisher Cats' backstop A.J. Jimenez is ranked among the top prospects in the Toronto system by virtually every outlet that ranks such things. Regularly praised for his defense and his abilities guiding a pitching staff, Jimenez is among the deep group of catchers the Blue Jays have in the minor league system.

Thus far this season, the 22-year-old Puerto Rico native has posted a .257 average with 2 homeruns and 10 RBI in 27 games in the Double-A Eastern League.

Taken in the 9th round of the 2008 amateur draft by Toronto, Jimenez has progressed steadily up the developmental ladder since turning pro. Last season with the Class A Advanced Florida State League, Jimenez sported a .303/.353/.417 line and was named a mid-season and post-season All-Star.

Recently, I spent some time chatting with AJ and he talked about his draft process, playing for New Hampshire, his manager Sal Fasano and plenty more. Check out the media player below to hear that interview.



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