Justin Nicolino

Latest Updates

Prospect Positional Primer: Left Handed Pitcher

Late last fall, with inspiration from Jason Parks of Baseball Prospectus, I began writing a series of articles which I titled “Positional Primers”. I broke down the Blue Jays system into seven categories;…Read More

Toronto’s Rotation: Depth, Commitments, and Controllability

The Blue Jays need starting pitching; there’s no questioning that. The rotation was decimated in a way never before seen in this organization, with three starters undergoing elbow surgery (two mid-season…Read More

Blue Jays Prospect Hot Sheet: Week Eighteen

The players having good years are continuing to excel, while the players having poor years are continuing to struggle. This has resulted in frequent visits to the hot sheet by some, while others – cough…Read More

Blue Jays Prospect Hot Sheet: Week Seventeen

Finally back on the regular seven day timeframe for the hot sheet, the performances improved substantially this week. The lower levels of the minor leagues have continued to carry the system, as the Triple-A…Read More

Blue Jays Prospect Hot Sheet: Week Fifteen

Early on in the week it was looking like yet another disappointing hot sheet, but players came on strong in the last few games to produce some very good lines, both on the mound and at the plate. Unfortunately…Read More

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Blue Jays Prospect Hot Sheet: Week Fourteen

Blue Jays prospects as a whole didn’t have a very good week to say the least. The matters were compounded…Read More

Blue Jays Prospect Hot Sheet: Week Ten

We’re entering a transitional period in the minor league season. The Florida State League All Star…Read More

Talking prospects with Tony LaCava, Blue Jays VP of Baseball Operations

Upon arriving at Cooley Law School Stadium on Monday, May 7 for the first game of my second trip to Lansing,…Read More

Blue Jays Prospect Hot Sheet: Week Six

Pitching reigns supreme in the sixth edition of the Blue Jays prospect hot sheet, as four of the top…Read More

First-hand Impression: Justin Nicolino

Last month, I journeyed to Cooley Law School Stadium in Michigan to watch three Lansing Lugnuts games.…Read More

Blue Jays Prospect Hot Sheet: Week Four

Now into the fourth week of the Blue Jays prospect hot sheet here at Jays Journal, some early season…Read More

Blue Jays Prospect Hot Sheet: Week Three

The third edition of the Jays Journal Blue Jays prospect hot sheet is very hitter heavy as, thankfully,…Read More

Blue Jays Prospect Hot Sheet: Week Two

The second week of the season wasn’t quite as welcoming as the first, as this edition of the Jays Journal…Read More

A Glimpse into the Future: the Lansing Lugnuts’ Rotation

When rosters were announced for the Blue Jays minor league affiliates, I was more than a little disappointed…Read More

Blue Jays Complete Prospect Report: April 9

The Jays’ affiliates went 2-2 on the night, including a stellar pitching display by some highly-touted…Read More

Toronto Blue Jays Top Tools: Fastball

With part one of the top tools series focusing on the power hitters of the Blue Jays system, the next…Read More

Piliere: Justin Nicolino as good as it gets

After dominating Northwest League hitters in his pro debut with short-season Vancouver last season before…Read More

7 Jays in Fangraphs Top 100 Prospects List

Marc Hulet of fangraphs posted his top 100 prospects list for 2012 today. To no ones surprise, the…Read More

John Sickels “All (Blue Jay) Questions Answered”

John Sickels of minor league ball held another “all questions answered,” and I’ve taken…Read More

The “One” Jays Fan Christmas Wish: Appropriate Risk

There’s one thing that the Yu Darvish sweepstakes taught me, and it seems to be the same thing…Read More