Offseason? NEVER

Your Toronto Blue Jays still have some affiliated prospects playing baseball. Right now.

As you might be aware, the ultra competitive Arizona Fall League is in it's second week. We have 8 players representing the Peoria Javelinas, 4 pitchers and 4 position players.

1B Mike McDade
OF Eric Thames
OF Adam Loewen
SS Adeiny Hechavarria
3B John Tolisano
SP Marc Rzepczynski
RP Danny Farquhar
RP Alan Farina
RP Matt Daly

If you wanna see a summary of their stats: Click here

If you wanna see the game boxscores: Click here

Notes:

Rzep was a late addition to the roster. At 25 years of age, he really is to old for this league. It was reported that the extra work "will assist in preparing him for a six-month season in 2011, whether he is starting or pitching in relief".

In the same report it mentions Hech has a tight hamstring and will miss a few games. He has yet to play.

Consequently Jose Iglesias, the Red Sox Cuban born prospect and childhood buddy/teammate of Hechavarria, has been taking a lot of reps at SS.

Mariner 2B prospect and number 2 overall pick in the 2009 Amateur draft, Dustin Ackley, has suffered a sprained left ring finger and will be back soon or in the next couple of weeks depending on who you ask.

Canadian born Jays prospect Adam Loewen has been a busy guy this offseason already. He played for Team Canada in the Pan Am qualifier in Puerto Rico. Finding boxscores for the tournament are pretty much impossible but I was able to dig this up.

From the looks of it Eric Thames and Mike McDade are hitting 4 and 5 in the order. That's good news.

Update:

Hech has been shut down after only 2 games and 4 at bats. Hammy issue. They scare me.

But wait, there's more.

The Carribean Leagues!

 

Venezuelan Winter League:

We have a number of players in this league albeit on different teams. Not all of them have appeared in a game yet. 

Darin Mastroianni He just had a massive 5 for 5 game last night in the 2 hole.
Henderson Alvarez He made 2 starts and has yet to give up a run.
Ronald Uviedo
Nestor Molina
Jesus Merchan 
Balbino Fuenmayor
Aaron Mathews
Steven Romero
Willie Collazo
Jonathan Jaspe

The Mexican Pacific League:

Jon Del Campo 

Dominican Winter League:

Ricardo Nanita
Manny Mayorson
Brad Emaus
Jonathan Diaz
Welinton Ramirez
Moises Sierra
Luis Perez
Joel Carreno

Puerto Rican League:

Dickie Thon
Robbie Alomar Yep. That Robbie Alomar. Check out his teammate listed as a switch hitting first baseman.....

And if anybody still gives a shit about former cult leader Randy Ruiz click here.

Interviews With Matt Daly

Your Toronto Blue Jays selected / stole Matt Daly in the 13th round, 399th overall, of the 2008 Amateur Draft. This year in High A ball he set new single-season team marks for both saves and appearances with 31 and 56 respectively. He was named a first-half Florida State League All-Star and was the winner of the COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD. Click here for the details on his award. Matt was also chosen to play in the AFL starting October 12th with the Peoria Javelinas.

I checked up on his stats and made a few notes:

• He has struck out a batter an inning since 2006
• He has served up only 2 home runs in his 3 years of pitching as a pro
• He is particularly nasty when facing right handed hitters.

Our boy Jesse caught up with Matt twice during the 2009 season.

In the first interview they discuss what types of things he looks for in the first 6 innings of a game to get an edge. He also talks about how his teammates in the bullpen keep him updated on the game situation while he's warming up to go in.

  

In the second interview, Matt goes into length about what the full experience is like when he is pitching for a save. Great stuff.

 

Interviews With Mike McDade

Mike McDade was a 6th round pick out of Silverado High School in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 2007 Amateur Draft. The switch hitter is listed at a hulking 6'1, 260lbs. McDade had a breakout campaign in 2010, leading the Florida State League in HR (21), 2nd in TB (215) and was 4th in Slug (.448). His season in High A ball earned him the R. HOWARD WEBSTER AWARD, which recognizes the most valuable player at each of the Club's minor league affiliated teams. He has also been selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Peoria Javelinas when the season starts on October 12.

Our boy Jesse was able to catch up with Mike on two separate occasions during the 2009 season.

In the first interview they discuss what players do during rain delays, how long he has been switch hitting and the adjustment from catcher to first base.

  

In the second interview they speak about why Mike's stats on the road are better than his numbers at home, his lefty swing being more productive and what it's like to mentor a fellow player at his position.