Blue Jays AFL and Winter League Update: 10/19/15

With our beloved Toronto Blue Jays playing October baseball for the first time in many a moon, I’ve neglected to follow the Fall and Winter leagues, which are slowly getting underway. We’ve got some Blue Jays minor league hands playing on several teams this off-season. Fall and Winter Baseball leagues have already begun in Arizona, Mexico, the Dominican and Venezuela.

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Arizona Fall League typically generates the most interest, since it is home to many of the games Top Prospects. This year the Toronto Blue Jays have sent 1B/DH Rowdy Tellez, INF Emilio Guerrero,  OF Roemon Fields, Jeremy Gabryszwski, Brady Dragmire, Justin Shafer, and Chad Girodo.

Salt River Rafters

Rowdy Tellez

The burly power hitter has gotten off to an excellent start with 4 hits in his first 8 at-bats, while batting clean up for the River Rafters. In his first game Rowdy drove in 4 runs with a double, while going 2-for-3. He followed that up with a 2-for-5, a home run, and another 4 RBI game; unfortunately, he did manage to strike out 3 times.  He’s hitting .444, slugging 1.000 with an OPS of 1.444.

Emilio Guerrero

Guerrero didn’t get much playing time in the MiLB this year, so the AFL may be a way to get him more at-bats. Emilio has played 3rd and LF in his first two games, this flexibility and versatility may help Emilio get the at-bats he requires this off-season. In his first two games, Emilio is hitting .429 with 2RBI.

Roemon Fields

In his first two games, Fields has hit out of the leadoff and manned CF, while collected 2 hits on 9 at-bats. He’s already been caught stealing and struck out 3 times. Roemon is hitting .222 with no extra base hits or walks.

Chad Girodo and Jeremy Gabryszwski

Have not seen any action in the first 3 games.

Justin Shafer

The RHP has made one appearance out of the bullpen, good for 2 innings. He allowed zero runs on 2 hits, while ringing up two.

Brady Dragmire

The hard throwing RP has made one appearance. He posted 2 walks, struck out 3, and allowed just the one hit in his only AFL appearance this off-season.

Dominican League

Aguilas Cibaenas

Andy Fermin

The middle infielder has one hit one 2 at-bats, in a reserve capacity. Andy drove in 2 RBI with his first hit, in his first at-bat.

Bobby Korecky

The veteran relief pitcher has a 0.00ERA after pitching 1.1 IP in his only appearance. He fanned 3 and didn’t issue any walks.

Gigantes del Cibao

Richard Urena

The talented shortstop has 1 hit, 1 RBI, 3 K’s, and zero walks in his first 2 games. He is hitting .125 with no extra base hits.

Leones del Escogido

Melky Mesa

Not likely coming back to the Jays organization in 2016, but he’s listed as a Blue Jays for now. Melky is hitting .167 through the first 2 games. He has 2 strike outs , a hit, and run scored.

Mexico

Naranjeros de Hermosillo

Jorge Flores

In 8 games, Flores is hitting .286/.286/.444. He has 4 walks, a strike out, a double, 2 runs, but zero RBI. He is 1-for-2 in SB.

Tomateros de Culiacan

Francisco Rios

The RHP allowed 3 runs on 4 hits over 3 innings in his first start and only start. He walked 4 and struck out 2, but managed a solid 4.00 GO/AO.

Venezuela

Tigres de Aragua

Austin Biben-Dirx

In 2 starts, the RHP is 1-1 with a 2.70ERA. He’s struck out 5 and walked 3, while holding opponents to a .143 batting average over 10IP. He pitched 5 shutout innings in his first start, but allowed 3 runs on 4 hits.

Navegantes del Magallanes

Miguel Burgos

The 2015 draft pick allowed one run, one walk, and struck out one in just 0.1IP. The 5’9″ LHP is sporting a 27.00ERA

Tiburones de La Guaira

Gregory Infante

The hard throwing Infante has already coverted his first save of the offseason. He’s allowed 2 hits and no runs in his first two appearances, both one inning affairs.

Bravos de Margarita

Casey Lawrence

The durable RHP has made two starts for Bravos and took the loss in both. He is 0-2 with a 5.87 ERA over 7.2IP. He has 3 walks and 4 K while allowing 6 runs. He allowed 4 runs on 8 hits over 3.2IP in his first start. He didn’t fair much better in his second start, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits over 4.0IP.

Cardenales de Lara

Michael Lee

0-0, 5.63 ERA in two starts. He had one walk, 6 K, and 6 runs over 8 IP.

Caribes de Anzoategui

Jonathan Torres

0-0, 4.50 ERA in 4 appearances. He allowed a run in his first appearance, but hasn’t allowed a run in his last three. It looks as though he is being used as a situational lefty, as he is only facing one or two guys.

*The Australian Baseball League kicks off it’s 6th season on October 23rd. We look forward to following the Canberra Cavalry this off-season.

Next: Jays must work to retain Navarro in free agency this offseason

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