Jays Minors Review: 24-Apr-10

Here is a review of the major events in the minors for the Jays on Saturday, 24th of April:

AAA Las Vegas – Lost 2-1 to Sacramento

The 51s were stung by a very effective Trevor Cahill and Sacramento pen, who came in and dominated them over 5 innings (1ER) and 4 innings respectively.
Brad Mills (2-1, 2.19) took the loss despite providing another outstanding start. He lasted 7 innings, allowed 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8. His season totals indicate just how dominant Brad has been this season in AAA: 2-1, 2.19, 24.2 IP (just over 6 innings per start average), 20 hits allowed, 6 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 32 Ks, and hitter have a .222 average against him thus far. LHBs in particular are being dominated by Brad as they hold a meager .118 average against him. It’s nice to have this kind of insurance in AAA for the Jays. I’m not hoping he’s required any time soon because the Jays starters have been great thus far, but he is great security.
Josh Roenicke (0.00 ERA over 8.2 IP) was great once again in relief, as he did not allow a hit or walk over 2 innings of work while striking out 3.
It’s surprising that LV only had the 1 run since they did manage 7 hits and 4 walks in the game, they just couldn’t hit with RISP as they were only 1 for 13 in RISP chances in the game.
Jarrett Hoffpauir (.293) was the only LV hitter with 2 hits (including a double), and he also managed a walk.
Brett Wallace (.283) and Chris Lubanski (.273) had 1 double a piece.

AA New Hampshire – Won 5-1 vs Binghamton

SP Kyle Drabek (3-1) is starting to show his promise as a starter, as he was completely dominant on Saturday. He threw 5.2 innings, allowed only 2 hits and 3 walks while he struck out 7 and did not allow a run. His ERA was lowered to 3.80 as a result of this start and it bodes well for his chances to see some time in AAA soon.
Callix Crabbe (.200), Eric Thames (.310), Brian Jeroloman (.372), and Adam Loewen (.227) all had 2 hits in the game, while Crabbe added 2 stolen bases.
Darin Mastroianni (.224) did his job at the top of the lineup, getting on base 3 times through 1 hit and 2 walks and now has a .366 OBP.

HiA Dunedin – Lost 9-2 to Clearwater

Andrew Liebel (4.91) didn’t have a horrendous start Saturday as he allowed only 2 ER over his 5 innings, but it wasn’t enough to earn a win. Ryan Page (6.30), usually a starter, came on in relief and allowed 5 ER in 3 innings.
21 year old 3B Jon Del Campo (.500) just recently returned from injury and accounted for 1 of only 3 hits on the day for Dunedin and the only extra base hit – a double. Thankfully, CF Sean Shoffit (.190) was able to walk twice and steal a base to be a partial spark to the offense.

LoA Lansing – Won 9-8 vs Dayton

Evan Crawford had a short start, lasting 3.2 innings, as he gave up only 1 ER on 5 hits and 1 walk.
Nestor Molina and Brian Slover both gave up 2 ER and earned blown saves in the process, but Lansing hitters were up to the task of coming back to win the game, giving Slover the win. It was Molina’s 2nd bad relief appearance in a row, as he gave up 5 ER in 1 inning during his last appearance.
The hero for Lansing on the offensive side was definitely DH Oliver Dominguez (.259), who hit the game winning double off the wall, one of his 2 doubles in the game, he also stole a base (6th of the year), and finished the day 3 for 6.
2B Ryan Schimpf (.228)is also heating up at the plate, going 2 for 5 with 2 doubles in the game, and SS Ryan Goins (.264)added his part with a 3 for 4 day and 3 RBIs. Talk about lots of output from the middle infielders in Lansing!
Finally, AJ Jimenez is taking over as the leader of the offense in Lansing, having yet another good day at the plate and on the bases Saturday, going 2 for 4 with 1 stolen base. In only 5 games since his arrival in Lansing, AJ has hit .429/.458/.762 and added 5 stolen bases. He’s only struck out 3 times and walked 2 times, and 5 of his 9 hits have been for extra bases (4 doubles and 1 HR). What an outstanding start for this 19 year old catcher. If this continues, he may make a huge leap up the Jays and MLB prospect rankings.