Las Vegas 51s (more…)

July 18, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Brandon Lyon (37) pitches against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning at PETCO Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

On first glance, I have to admit that the Jays are sending a whole lot of talent over to the Astros in return for a pitching upgrade. It’s far more prudent, however, to look through the entire package before jumping to conclusions. For this year, I absolutely love this deal. It gives the Jays a #4 caliber pitcher who can chew up a lot of innings and support the current staff. The Jays also improve the pen a great deal by simply dealing Francisco Cordero, but get even better since they can replace him with Brandon Lyon. Finally, the Jays improve a great deal on the bench and in the OF with the replacement of Ben Francisco with Travis Snider. As I proposed yesterday, all of this makes the Jays younger, and much better for the remainder of 2012.

For this season, it’s no contest, the Jays flat out win this deal. But what about the ever after?

Before we touch on anything else, we need to know the age, cost, and controllability of each player.

To the Toronto Blue Jays: (more…)

1. C Travis d’Arnaud (LAS): 25 AB, .360/.385/.800 (1.185 OPS), 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, 1/4 BB/K

March 17, 2012; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Travis d'Arnaud (15) catches in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

We’ve honestly reached the point where I’m a little bored to rank d’Arnaud as the hottest prospect in the system, because over the past two months it’s become a bit redundant. He is absolutely killing it right now, and only two things can save Pacific Coast League pitching: an injury or a promotion. I’m hoping for the latter. He finished off the week with back to back 0-for-4’s, but his season line is still an otherworldly .335/.385/.602. When you look at those numbers, keep in mind he’s a catcher who has played in 60 of Las Vegas’ 70 games this year, very few of which have been DH appearances. I spent three weeks in Las Vegas / Nevada during the spring of 2011, and that heat can be brutal. I’m truly amazed he has played this well, and the Blue Jays are running out of excuses to hold back his promotion.

2. LHP Sean Nolin (DUN): 0-0, 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

John Stilson earned a promotion to Double-A this week, and for a while I was wondering why Sean Nolin didn’t get the call. He had yet another dominating start this week, shutting down Clearwater for 6 innings, with the only run he allowed coming on a solo home run. He’s second in the Florida State League in ERA and WHIP, and third in strikeouts –- a step or two ahead of the first overall pick in the 2011 draft, Gerrit Cole, in all categories. The reason behind the lack of promotion appears to be an injury, as on June 17th Nolin was placed on the minor league disabled list, retroactive to June 15th. I haven’t been able to find any details on the injury, but here’s hoping it’s nothing major and he’ll be able to get back on the mound quickly following the All Star break.

3. SS Adeiny Hechavarria (LAS): 27 AB, .407/.429/.556 (.985 OPS), 2 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, 1/2 BB/K

Hechavarria had hits in each of his six games this week –- including three multi hit efforts –- extending his current hitting streak to 10 games. Without a doubt the PCL and Cashman Field are helping, but it would be foolish to say improvements to his swing haven’t played a part in the offensive surge. Between this year and last, Hechavarria has played 89 games for Las Vegas. He’s hit 348 in those games. Sample size is no longer at play here. Interestingly, the Blue Jays have had Hechavarria play some second base, with journeyman infielder Jonathan Diaz covering shortstop. One has to wonder if the team is preparing for life without Kelly Johnson, and if so, we could see the Cuban shortstop in Toronto as early as next month.

4. C Carlos Perez (LAN): 21 AB, .286/.423/.429 (.852 OPS), 3 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, 5/2 BB/K

The Carlos Perez that Blue Jays fans came to love in 2010 has finally resurfaced. After a down year across the board with Lansing in 2011, Perez has come on strong in his second go-around of the Midwest League. This week’s hot performance boosted his season line to .271/.353/.433 (.787 OPS), with a very Carlos Perez-like walk rate of 10.9%. Despite failing to receiving a nod for the All Star game, it could be argued he has been Lansing’s best hitter this season after Chris Hawkins has failed to live up to expectations. Perez could be in line for a second half promotion to High-A Dunedin, though it’s possible the team likes how he is working with the talented Lansing staff and will hold him back until they’re ready to move up. Regardless, it’s great to see the real Carlos Perez back swinging the bat.

5. LHP Justin Nicolino (LAN): 0-0, 9 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 9 K

Nicolino is the first of the four Lansing piggybackers to make two starts in a week, as after making a 4 inning appearance ahead of Aaron Sanchez on June 11th, he received his first five inning start on June 16th against Great Lakes. He wasn’t his best on the 11th, as despite striking out a season-high six and allowing no runs, he walked a season-high four batters. Things were normalized a bit in his second game of the week, as he walked only one while striking out three. Nicolino has been a huge part of Lansing’s first half success, as after a victory on Sunday afternoon, the team moved to 47-22, 9.5 games ahead of the second place team in the Eastern Division. The Lugnuts are now guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. Whether or not Nicolino will be around to pitch in the postseason is a different story.

Honorable mention: Moises Sierra (LAS), Anthony Gose (LAS), Noah Syndergaard (LAN), Anthony DeSclafani (LAN)

March 2, 2012; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria (3) poses for a portrait during photo day at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

1. SS Adeiny Hechavarria (LAS): 26 AB, .462/.517/.615 (1.132 OPS), 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 SB, 3/6 BB/K

Not only is the slick-fielding Cuban shortstop finally swinging the bat, he’s doing so with authority. With two extra base hits in six games this week, Hechavarria is up to 16 in 36 games on the year, good for a .146 ISO. Perhaps even more impressive than the boost in power is his improved plate discipline, as his three walks raised his season total to 14. The Las Vegas 51s were 4-2 this week – now 9-3 in May – and the offense has been the driving force behind that impressive record. Hechavarria has been the catalyst while playing the leadoff position, producing four multi-hit efforts in the week’s six games.

2. C Carlos Perez (LAN): 20 AB, .350/.409/.700 (1.109 OPS), 4 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, 2/5 BB/K

The 2011 season was heartbreaking for both Carlos Perez and prospect fanatics alike, as he disappointed tremendously after three big years in short season ball. Unsurprisingly, he was reassigned to Lansing to open 2012, and while he hasn’t returned to his 2008-2010 level of performance, the improvements from last year are significant. The augmented power has been noteworthy, as after hitting only 26 extra base hits (17 2B, 6 3B, 3 HR) in 95 games last year for a .99 ISO, he’s already hit 14 in 27 games this year (11 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR) for a .171 ISO. This week’s performance was a big part of that, as despite playing in only five games, Perez had five extra base hits, including his first home run of the year. Now 21 years old in his second go around of the Midwest League, this is a very important season for Perez, and he’s starting it off well.

3. LF Marcus Knecht (DUN): 23 AB, .304/.360/.652 (1.012 OPS), 2 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, 2/5 BB/K

After producing a vomit-inducing April line of .159/.245/.318 (.563 OPS), Marcus Knecht is finally showing a pulse. The power has been there all year, but simply making contact has proved extremely difficult for the Canadian left fielder. His struggles can almost entirely be tied into his 30.1% strikeout rate, which is significantly higher than the 23.5% mark he had during his breakout 2011 season. His statistics this week were fueled almost entirely by his monster May 8th performance against Fort Myers. Knecht went 4-for-5 with 2 HR and 5 RBI to help lead the D-Jays to a 16-4 victory, and earned Baseball America’s “Hitter of the Night” award for his effort.

4. CF Anthony Gose (LAS): 26 AB, .346/.346/.654 (1.000 OPS), 0 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 SB, 0/4 BB/K

For the second time in as many weeks, Anthony Gose had made the Blue Jays prospect hot sheet. Last week, his performance was a combination of plate discipline and speed. This week it was all about the power. The stolen bases were still there – Gose was a perfect 3-for-3 on attempts this week – but his extra base power was the story. Gose now has three home runs on the year, all of which have come in the past eight days. So, while only two count for this week’s hot sheet, it’s fairly obvious that he has rediscovered the power stroke that led to 16 bombs in 2011. His .327/.393/.551 slash line in May has boosted his season total to .252/.329/.371, which, while still uninspiring, is a huge improvement from his horrible April. Hitting primarily in the two-hole, Gose and Hechavarria are providing a huge boost at the top of the lineup for the suddenly surging 51’s.

5. RF Michael Crouse (DUN): 20 AB, .300/.440/.500 (.940 OPS), 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1 SB, 5/4 BB/K

Having all three Dunedin outfielders in my top six this week was a great thing to see, as Crouse’s teammate Jake Marisnick was the final cut for the hot sheet. The trio hadn’t been off to a great start, and Crouse had been the worst of the group. Even after his big week, his batting average is still below the Mendoza line, and his OPS is a John McDonald-like .616. The one thing Crouse had been doing well was taking his walks, a trend he continued this week with five base-on-balls. This is a good sign, as it shows a lot of maturity. Many struggling hitters will go to the plate trying to smash the ball for at least an extra base hit to boost their season numbers back to respectability, but only find themselves walking back to the dugout with their bat in hand. Crouse hasn’t fallen into that trap, and as long as he continues to walk to the plate with a calm mind and sound approach, the hits will come.

Honorable mention: Jake Marisnick (DUN), Chris Hawkins (LAN), Noah Syndergaard (LAN), Sean Nolin (DUN)

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Walden limited the Hot Rods to just two hits in his outing, with four strikeouts and two walks. Although he did not give up a run in his five innings, the right-hander didn’t have his best stuff, frequently missing outside to left-handed hitters with his fastball and operating almost exclusively on the right side of the plate all night.

After stranding a runner on third base in the second inning, Walden ran into some trouble in the third. A fielding error from Lugnuts first baseman K.C. Hobson and a walk put runners on first and second with nobody out, but Walden managed to get a fly out on a ground ball that should have resulted in an inning-ending double play. Hobson dove to stop a hard grounder and threw to get the runner at second, but the throw to first wasn’t in time and the inning was kept alive. Covering first on the play, Walden made a nice scoop on the short throw from Lugnuts second baseman Jon Berti to prevent a run from scoring.

Walden then issued an ill-timed walk to standout Rays prospect Drew Vettleson to load the bases, but induced a grounder to end the inning unscathed. He calmed down after that, however, retiring five consecutive Hot Rod hitters en route to two shutout innings.

After scoring two runs in the third inning, the Lugnuts’ offense broke out in the fifth, capitalizing on Bowling Green’s mistakes. After a single, stolen base, passed ball and two walks quickly loaded the bases, a groundout from Berti scored the first run of the inning before leadoff hitter Kenny Wilson scored on another passed ball to put the Lugnuts up 4-0.

Lansing Lugnuts reliever Blake McFarland throws in the eighth inning of the Lugnuts' 7-3 win over Bowling Green on Wednesday.

That brought up Carlos Perez, who has been quite aggressive at the plate recently, swinging at first pitches and getting behind in counts during multiple at-bats. In what should have been an inning-ending flyout, Hot Rods left fielder Josh Sale lost the ball in the sky and it dropped for a double, scoring two more runs for the Lugnuts.

Lansing shortstop Andy Burns continued to impress during this homestand, hitting a long double in the sixth inning off the left field wall that was just short of being his fifth home run of the season. He made some great defensive plays as well, including an impressive running throw on a grounder behind the mound.

The Lugnuts send “Sancholino” — their impressive pitching tandem of southpaw Justin Nicolino and right-hander Aaron Sanchez — to the mound tomorrow, with Nicolino opening the contest at 7:05 p.m.

-JM

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1. C A.J. Jimenez (NH): 20 AB, .400/.429/.850 (1.279 OPS), 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, 1/2 BB/K

March 2, 2012; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Antonio Jimenez (71) poses for a portrait during photo day at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Jimenez played in only five games this week, which is the reason for his low at-bat total of 20. Regardless, when he found the field, he played like the top prospect he is, racking up three multi-hit efforts, and swinging with authority. Jimenez is hardly known for his power, but his .850 slugging percentage this week was the highest in the system. Astoundingly, his two home runs in these five games are exactly half of what he managed to hit over the entire 2011 season (102 games). Jimenez had only 10 hits in his previous 12 games this year, so hopefully this hot streak has him back on track moving forward. This week raised his batting average an impressive 56 points, from .213 to .269.

2. CF Jake Marisnick (DUN): 26 AB, .423/.444/.846 (1.290 OPS), 2 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 1 SB, 1/0 BB/K

Despite his team’s overwhelming success –- the D-Jays are 18-5 entering Monday -– Marisnick hadn’t really found his stroke until this past week. It’s been a bit of a trend for the offense down in Florida, as fellow top prospects Marcus Knecht (.589 OPS) and Michael Crouse (.561 OPS) are also struggling to make regular contact. Marisnick broke out in a big way, however, with hits in five of six games, including a ridiculous 10-for-17 stretch from Wednesday through Saturday. They weren’t just slap singles either, as he had five extra base hits this week, including the three home runs. The huge week raised his season line to .286/.377/.518 (.894 OPS), which is much more like the Jake Marisnick we’ve grown to know and love.

3. LHP/RHP Jaron Nanchez (LAN): 1-0, 12 IP, 9 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 16 K

Jaron Nanchez is back for a second consecutive week, despite the fact that the Aaron Sanchez / Justin Nicolino duo each appeared in two games, totaling six innings a piece. Scouts and prospectors have been buzzing on Sanchez in the early going, and it’s no surprise why: he’s made five three-inning appearances this season, and in each he’s allowed one hit, no runs, and struck out at least three. Sanchez could have ranked on the list by himself, but the contributions from Nicolino (6 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) should not be overlooked. It was noted by the Lansing Lugnuts radio broadcasters that, after their appearances, both pitchers are continuing to throw in the bullpen. We could be very close to seeing four inning outings from the young Lansing staff.

4. 1B David Cooper (LAS): 23 AB, .391/.481/.783 (1.264 OPS), 6 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, 4/1 BB/K

David Cooper got off to a slow start this year, particularly in the power department. After hitting 51 doubles in 120 games for Las Vegas last season, he had only two through his first 13 games this year. It’s been a different story over the last ten, particularly in the six games he played this week. What’s especially crazy about Cooper’s performance is that it included two 0-fers, so in reality, those seven extra base hits came in only four games. With four walks against only one strikeout this week, Cooper has boosted his season totals to 10 walks and 11 strikeouts, showing the sharp eye we’ve come to expect from him. He would have a ton of value if he had some defensive flexibility, but I’m not sure he has enough to make it as a major league first baseman, despite the numbers he constantly produces in Triple-A.

5. C Travis d’Arnaud (LAS): 21 AB, .381/.381/.619 (1.000 OPS), 2 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB, 0/4 BB/K

Finally, the system’s top prospect makes an appearance on a hot sheet. d’Arnaud narrowly edged out Lansing catcher Carlos Perez for the final spot, which as I mentioned earlier, speaks volumes about the depth Toronto has at the catcher position. d’Arnaud is currently riding a nine game his streak going back to last week, which could be a sign the backstop has finally found his stroke. Despite a rather underwhelming (given the friendly confines of Las Vegas) season slash line of .263/.341/.413 (.753 OPS), there have been some positives. His current 9.2% walk rate would be a career best, and his 17.2% strikeout rate would be his lowest since A-ball in 2009. Perhaps I’m overly sensitive about d’Arnaud after writers at Baseball Prospectus passed along the opinion of some scouts who feel he may be closer to a league average hitter than an All Star, but another big, healthy year from d’Arnaud would be big for this franchise, and would greatly ease my nerves.

Honorable mention: Carlos Perez (LAN), Sean Nolin (DUN)

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1. RHP Joel Carreno (LAS): 1-0, 5 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K

Apr 8, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Joel Carreno (34) delivers in the second inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

It’s very difficult for any pitcher to place first on a hot sheet with only one start, and even more so early in the year when pitches and innings are heavily restricted. Despite this, Carreno takes the crown as the hottest Blue Jays prospect in the first 10 days of the season. Beyond simply the statistics – which are mighty impressive for anyone – Carreno earns the No. 1 spot thanks to the environment and circumstances in which he pitched this week. As everyone is well aware, Carreno made the start for the Blue Jays third game of the year against Cleveland, and for all intents and purposes, performed admirably. After the game, he was demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas. While this was apparently “the plan all along”, no one made Carreno aware of it, and for obvious reasons he was heartbroken upon hearing the news. Carreno didn’t sulk, however, instead turning in perhaps the best start of his entire minor league career. What is most impressive about the start is that he made it for Las Vegas. Through the first 11 games, the staff has a 6.33 team ERA, ranking 15th out of the 16 Pacific Coast League teams. In that environment, five shutout innings suddenly becomes that much more impressive.

2. RF Justin Jackson (NH): 30 AB, .400/.455/.567 (1.021 OPS), 3 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 4 SB, 3/5 BB/K

It’s been an up and down career for the 2007 first round pick. Once heralded as the shortstop of the future thanks to an excellent glove and a promising bat, Jackson has since been moved down the defensive spectrum while seeing his offensive potential continue to go unfulfilled. While the sample size is extremely small at only 9 games, Jackson has gotten off to a tremendous start in 2012. His game has been very well rounded, as evidenced by his four extra base hits, four stolen bases, and three walks to only five strikeouts. In total, he has reached base in seven of the nine games he has played in. Now 23 years old, he’ll need to sustain this hot start if he wants to have a future as a major league utility man, as he’s not far from being overtaken by younger and more talented prospects.

3. LHP Sean Nolin (DUN): 2-0, 11.2 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 13 K

Nolin has made two starts already this season, but the second start alone would have earned him a spot on the first Blue Jays hot sheet of the year. Nolin opened the year with six shutout innings, allowing four hits and striking out two. For an encore, he took his dominance to another level. Nolin pitched five and two-thirds innings on April 12th, allowing only three base runners (all hits) and striking out an astounding eleven batters. Just for good measure, he induced six groundouts against only one fly out. Between the two starts, Nolin is up to nearly 12 innings of shutout ball. If his goal was to draw some attention to himself in a rotation that includes top prospects Asher Wojciechowski and John Stilson, it’s certainly working.

4. SS Adeiny Hechavarria (LAS): 42 AB, .381/.409/.500 (.909 OPS), 3 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 1 SB, 2/11 BB/K

After struggling for nearly two full years between High-A Dunedin and Double-A New Hampshire, Hechavarria received a late-season promotion to Las Vegas in 2011. He hit the cover off the ball, to the tune of a .968 OPS and 10 extra base hits in only 108 at-bats. Many people, myself included, were quick to point to both small sample size and the Vegas effect. To the surprise of most, Hechavarria has picked up where he left off, and it might be time to seriously consider the possibility that he’s finally taken a step forward offensively. Hechavarria is the only middle infield prospect in Toronto’s upper minors, so the fact he’s finally showing a pulse at the plate is a very good sign for the club.

5. C Carlos Perez (LAN): 33 AB, .303/.378/.455 (.833 OPS), 3 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 1 SB, 4/7 BB/K

The final spot on the hot sheet came down to Perez and his Lansing teammate, outfielder Chris Hawkins. While Hawkins had the better offensive week, I chose to give the nod to Perez due to the adversity he faced entering the season. After playing like a man possessed in his three years of short season ball, Perez failed to live up to expectations in his full season debut in 2011. His performance declined significantly, and his playing time in the second half followed suit. Now, in his second year with the Lugnuts, Perez has to prove last season was the fluke, not the three years prior. His first week-plus of the 2012 season was very reminiscent of his previous success, and for many players, a hot start is all you need to regain lost confidence and go on a lengthy tear.

Travis Snider Watch: 38 AB, .421/.476/.763 (1.239 OPS), 4 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 0 SB, 4/6 BB/K

As long as he’s a member of the Toronto Blue Jays organization, you will find me steadfast in the corner of Travis Snider. A fact that some fans may too easily forget is that, while the system is in much better shape now than it has been in a decade, Travis Snider is still the best single prospect we’ve had since Roy Halladay was a minor leaguer. He was rushed to the major leagues as a 20 year old in September 2008, and has become a frequent flyer between Toronto and Las Vegas since. In the three years since his debut, he has accumulated 726 major league at-bats and 522 minor league at-bats – not exactly a recipe for success for an elite prospect.

I won’t argue he’s been extremely streaky when with Toronto, but that’s to be expected with young players – he’s still only 24 – particularly when their managers appear to derive pleasure from jerking them in and out of the lineup. What can be said with certainty, however, is that Snider will never be able to make the necessary adaptations to big league calibre pitchers while marooned in Triple-A. He has nothing left to prove in the minor leagues, as evident by his insane start to the 2012 season. Snider should have been the Opening Day starter in left field, but another week of dominance combined with continued lackluster play by Eric Thames could result in a swap of roles far sooner than most expected.

Honorable mentions: Sam Dyson (DUN), John Stilson (DUN), Justin Nicolino (LAN), Drew Hutchison (NH), Chris Hawkins (LAN)

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Left-hander Justin Nicolino and right-handers Noah Syndergaard and Aaron Sanchez lead the starting rotation as perhaps the best top-three in the entire Midwest League. Joining them and not to be overlooked are 2011 draft picks Anthony DeSclafani and David Rollins, while the bullpen will feature 2011 Lugnut Brandon Berl as well as other intriguing arms like Jesse Hernandez, Blake MacFarland, Ajay Meyer and Tyler Ybarra, though Meyer and Ybarra could be starters periodically throughout the year as well.

Catching-wise, I’m somewhat surprised that Carlos Perez will be returning. Though he did have a down year for the Lugnuts in 2011 getting used to both the colder weather and full-season ball, I would have that he would have been promoted anyway to Dunedin given the departure of A.J. Jimenez.

Overall, there’s a great group of fielders, as notable prospects Chino Vega and Kellen Sweeney will man the left side of Lansing’s infield while Chris Hawkins and Kevin Pillar will patrol the outfield.

Here’s the full list:

Pitchers

RHP Javier Avendano

RHP Brandon Berl

RHP Kramer Champlin

RHP Anthony DeSclafani

RHP Jesse Hernandez

RHP Blake MacFarland

RHP Ajay Meyer

LHP Justin Nicolino

LHP Carlos Pina (DL)

LHP David Rollins

RHP Aaron Sanchez

RHP Noah Syndergaard

LHP Tyler Ybarra

Catchers

Carlos Perez

Pierce Rankin

Infielders

1B K.C. Hobson

1B Kevin Patterson

2B Jonathan Berti

3B Kellen Sweeney

3B Bryson Namba

3B/SS Andy Burns

SS Chino Vega

Outfielders

LF Christopher Hawkins

CF Kevin Pillar

CF Kenny Wilson

RF Markus Brisker

-JM

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Perez, 21, worked primarily as a bullpen catcher and only saw the field in one game as a defensive replacement. The Valencia, Venezuela native is looking to rebound from a down year with Lansing in 2011, where he dealt with colder weather while playing full-season ball for the first time.

After being claimed by the Pirates off waivers earlier in the offseason before being re-claimed by the Jays, Jeroloman caught the ceremonial first pitch in the Jays’ spring opener back on March 3. The 26-year-old appeared in six games for the Jays this spring, going 2-for-8 at the plate with one double and three RBI.

Bocock, 26, was a relatively unknown name heading into spring training but he made the most of his opportunity. Not considered a top prospect by any means, he went 6-for-13 at the plate in 11 games with one triple, one home run and five RBI. His best game would likely have been when he earned the start at third base in the road half of the Jays split-squad schedule back on March 7.

Nanita, 30, reported to spring training after a very busy 2011 campaign. The Dominican Republic native spent the first half of last season with Double-A New Hampshire before closing the year out with a strong 51-game showing with Triple-A Las Vegas and playing winter ball. This spring, Nanita appeared in 10 games and went 4-for-12 at the plate with two RBI.

Tepera, 24, spent the 2011 season as a member of the Dunedin Blue Jays starting rotation. He held his own in his first big league spring training this year, giving up three earned runs on five hits in seven and 2/3 innings of work.

Richmond, 32, tossed three scoreless innings in his two spring appearances this year. The right-hander returned from injury last season to throw 113 innings for Triple-A Las Vegas, managing a 7.33 ERA and 1.814 WHIP.

- JM

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Fresno Grizzlies 11, Las Vegas 51s 7

Hitting:

In the 51s home opener, Brett Lawrie hit a double and two singles while scoring three runs — including one on a fielding error in the 3^rd inning — upping his average to .462 on the season. Outfielder Eric Thames looked great yet again; going 3-for-4 with two doubles, a HBP, and David Cooper added a pair of RBI singles and a walk. It was also a nice day for Canadian Adam Loewen, who went 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs and 2 walks.

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