Blue Jays Afternoon Brew: Sanchez, Nay, Bautista, Romero, Alford

Is it time for the Toronto Blue Jays to finally give up on Ricky Romero? Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

In a special to MiLB.com, Craig Forde talks about the whirlwind six months it’s been for Toronto Blue Jays top prospect Aaron Sanchez. He also sheds light on the young pitcher’s recent command issues. Sanchez admits “I’ve kind of beaten myself up with walks” while catcher A.J. Jimenez adds “Lately he’s struggled with location on his fastball. That’s sometimes because hitters are more comfortable at the plate [at this level].”

More prospect stuff from MiLB.com as Mark Emery writes about Mitch Nay‘s recent tear through the Midwest League during the month of May. Nay is known for an excellent approach at the plate and says his goal this year is to “just become a better hitter”. Nay also mentioned he’s been impressed with teammate Dawel Lugo, who didn’t have the best start to the season numbers wise but according to Nay, Lugo has the “ability to barrel up pretty much any pitch in the zone”.

Scott Ferguson of TSN says it might finally be time for the Blue Jays to cut Ricky Romero loose. The 29-year-old lefty has been dreadful during his last three starts at Triple-A and has walked fifteen batters in his last 12 innings. The Blue Jays are on the hook for $7.5 million this year and next and hold a $600,000 buyout for 2016. I don’t think there’s much of a chance that Romero ever regains his form so I would have no problems if the Jays decided release him. However I don’t think there’s much to gain by doing it just yet as I would wait until someone in Double-A is pressing for a promotion.

Mike Petriello of FanGraphs takes a look at how Jose Bautista is doing more with less at the plate. Taking walks on pitches outside of the strike zone and raking on pitches inside of the strike zone is usually a pretty good strategy at the plate and as Petriello points out Bautista is making it work to a level we haven’t seen in years.

Anthony Alford arrived at extended spring training on Monday according to Charlie Caskey at the Vancouver Sun and says “that the Jays will continue their full court press to convince Alford to forego college football in order to focus on baseball full-time.” Apparently Matt Smoral visited Alford on campus and experienced first-hand the “rock star” type treatment Alford receives as a major university football player.

And wrapping up with a shameless self-plug, I had the chance to chat with David, Ben and Jen from the Ranger Report podcast to preview the Blue Jays upcoming series against the Texas Rangers, which begins on Friday. I’m on at the eighteen minute mark for those interested in hearing my not so silky smooth voice. You can read more about the Rangers at Nolan Writin’, which is home of FanSided’s Texas Rangers site.

I missed it earlier but Kyle Franzoni also had a chance to preview the Blue Jays next series with the Indians at Wahoo’s on First, which is FanSided’s Cleveland Indians site.