Jays Journal » Nicholas Purdy

Complete Prospect Report: July 29

Jared Macdonald — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 19:55:07 +0000

With New Hampshire having their game postponed due to rain, Jays affiliates played six games yesterday and had a good day, going 5-1 overall.

Highlights include Brett Lawrie continuing to rake in Vegas, Casey Lawrence tossing another strong start with Dunedin, a dominant, six-inning relief outing for Mitchell Taylor with Bluefield, and Nicholas Purdy regaining his confidence, to say the least, with the GCL Blue Jays.

In minor league news, it was revealed about two weeks ago that two Dominican Summer League pitchers in the Jays organization, Aderly De La Cruz and Luillyn Guillen, were thrown 50-game suspensions for testing positive for steroids.

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Jays Notes, 16-June-11: Stewart Shines, Assignments, and More

Mat Germain — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:21:50 +0000

Here are some of the prominent, and not so prominent, notes of things happening within the Jays franchise and its affiliates: Zach Stewart Shines in Debut If you missed it, you should regret that you did. Stewart was outstanding during his debut and definitely earned the right to more starts based on this performance. From [...]

Jays Notes, 16-June-11: Stewart Shines, Assignments, and More - Jays Journal - Jays Journal - A Toronto Blue Jays Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Top 50 Jays Prospects, Jays Journal Edition: #26 Deivy Estrada

Mat Germain — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:45:57 +0000

This ranking may be our second shocker after Nicholas Purdy, but likely the biggest shocker of the two, ranking at #31 in….

#26: Deivy Alexander Estrada

Right Handed Pitcher / 18 years old / 5’11″ 180 lbs

Born: August 22nd 1992, in Venezuela

Bats Right Throws Right

High School Team: NA

College: NA

Signed: as an international FA out of Venezuela

Jersey Number: #57 for the GCL Blue Jays

Stats: (more…)

Top 50 Jays Prospects, Jays Journal Edition: #31 Nicholas Purdy

Mat Germain — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:39:51 +0000

How often do you see Canadian prospects ranked back-to-back? Another one after #32 Michael Crouse is up in….

image courtesy of oshawadodgers.net

#31: Nicholas Purdy

Right Handed Pitcher / 21 years old / 6’5″ 205 lbs

Born: October 2nd 1989, in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada

Bats Right Throws Right

High School Team: St. Mary’s Secondary School

College: Hillsborough CC (Junior College)

Drafted: Was drafted twice, once by Mariners (as an outfielder) in the 50th rd of the ’07 draft, and once by the Royals (as a pitcher) in the 36th rd of the ’08 draft. Didn’t sign either time.

Signed: By the Blue Jays as a FA in April of ’10.

Wears: #23 for the GCL Blue Jays

Quick Facts: (more…)

20 Starting Pitching Reasons For a Decade of Jays Success

Mat Germain — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:52:19 +0000

Finally, everyone is taking notice of the potent Jays rotation that features young, controllable, cheap, and dominant arms. Ricky Romero leads the staff with his poise and demeanor, Shaun Marcum provides a change of pace and leadership, Brett Cecil may have the best group of pitches that all grade as above-average and looks to be a workhorse style pitcher, and Brandon Morrow….well, you know. When you take a look at that top 4 grouping, and add others to the group in Jesse Litsch, Brad Mills, and Marc Rzepczynski – who are all MLB well-to-slightly seasoned and capable #5 pitchers, it seems like the Jays are set for a decent period of time in their rotation. However, it’s what is coming up the ladder behind them that makes me – and plenty of others – believe that the Jays are entering a new ERA where winning and competing for playoff spots will be the norm and expectation for the club.

Just imagine what that rotation would have looked like if Roy Halladay had stuck around…….ugh. Can you say first place?

The following are my “Top 20 Jays Minors Starting Pitchers” that are stepping up the ladder and are providing wave after wave of pitching for the Jays. I have discounted Rzepczinsky and Mills as we know what they have to offer. As we all know, you can never have too much pitching, and health issues can quickly unravel even the best season.

1 – Kyle Drabek, 23 years old (this month), AA New Hampshire, 6’1″ 190 lbs, RHP (#1-3, 2011)

12-9/ 2.92 ERA/ 142 IP/ 110 hits allowed/ 54 walks/ 110 Ks/ .213 average against
There is no doubt that Kyle may very well be one of the most highly touted Jays SP prospects to bless our system in quite a long time. Others who came up the ranks, such as Roy Halladay and Chris Carpenter, had a rougher time getting established. Kyle has the potential to be a true #2 pitcher, with the chance of being a #1. He has swing and miss stuff that drops off and tails away from hitters. RHB are hitting .198 against him, showing just how dominant he is against them, while lefties are only hitting a lowly .228 – not too shabby. There’s a reason Drabek was untouchable for a long time in the Doc Halladay deal, he’s a top fo the rotation starter that will be ready to take that role on full time -and for a full season innings wise – in 2011.

2 – Zach Stewart, 23 years old, AA New Hampshire, 6’2″ 205 lbs, RHP (#2-#4, 2011)

8-2/ 3.67 ERA/ 115.1 IP/ 108 hits allowed/ 48 walks/ 92 Ks/ .251 average against
Sure, the Jays gave up Scott Rolen in acquiring Stewart, a player that could have helped bring the Jays to the playoffs this season, but the Jays will get many years of performance from Zach. He’s getting better as he gains confidence after being swithed from a RP to a SP, and now has a 2.54 ERA over his last 10 games with a lower .237 average against. He may need a little more seasoning than Kyle does in order to be successful in The Show, but he should be a more than adequate #3-4 once all is said and done.

3 – Asher Wojciechowski, 21 years old, SS Auburn DoubleDays, 6’4″ 235 lbs RHP (#2-3, 2012)

0-0/ 0.75 ERA/ 12 IP/ 6 hits allowed/ 4 walks/ 11 Ks/ .146 average against
I’d love to slide Noah Syndergaard in here, but simply due to playing at a higher level and being more seasoned and closer to the majors, I went with Asher. He’s a big guy, strong, a workhorse that pounds the bottom of the zone on a great downward plane. He’s currently on the DL and will hopefully return before the season ends, but everything he showed after signing points to the fact that he could begin the 2011 season as high as HiA Dunedin, possibly AA New Hampshire. He’s more seasoned than the other 2 sandwich picks, and if Deck McGuire doesn’t sign, he will be the first 2010 drafted SP to make an impact with the Jays.

4 – Noah Syndergaard, 17 years old, GCL Blue Jays, 6’5″ 200 lbs, RHP (#2-3, 2013)

0-1/ 0.82 ERA/ 11 IP/ 7 hits allowed/ 4 walks/ 5 Ks/ .194 average against
Noah is already big and strong and will only turn 18 at the end of August, leaving him plenty of time to add an inch or two and lots of strength. Of all of the pitchers taken in the 2010 draft, Noah and Aaron Sachez come with the highest ceilings and greatest tools. His fastball is dominant, a true power pitcher, and his curve ball and change ups are already showing above average potential. Although it may take him a little longer to get up the ladder, Noah should be ready for LoA Lansing at the very young age of 18 in 2011, making him a very impressive SP in the Jays system. (more…)

Jays Minors Updates

Mat Germain — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:57:45 +0000

After a little vacation, here are updates on worthy notes throughout the Jays Minors system:

Art Charles, who was drafted in the 20th rd by the Jays as a LHP and signed July 6th, has been converted into a 1B for the GCL Blue Jays;
Noah Syndergaard made his debut for the Jays in the GCL, throwing 2 shutout innings where he did not allow a walk or a hit. So far so good! If looking for more information about Noah, look up the interview I conducted with him after he signed with the Jays.
J.P. Arencibia is a man on fire in AAA and may be spelling the end of John Buck in Toronto with his performance. Not only is John’s value about as high as it can be in trades right now, but JP is tearing up the ball in AAA at a pace that can’t be ignored much longer. He’s hitting .390 with 7 HRs over his last 10 games, with a .444 OPB and ridiculous 1.396 OPS. He should be in Toronto by the end of July, once Alex starts dealing.
Zach Stewart is beginning to heat up in AA, holding a 5-1 record and 3.19 ERA over his last 10 games. He still doesn’t have stellar numbers, 59 hits and 26 walks to 49 Ks in those 62 IP, but he is learning to come through when needed and get the job done with guys on base. A promotion to AAA may be in order by August.
Adeiny Hechavarria is beginning to warm up in AA, but is still showing cracks to his offensive skills. While his average is much better at .279 over his last 10 games (43 ABs), he still only had 4 extra base hits in that span and was caught stealing twice (no stolen bases). That amounts to few big knocks and no speed….not exactly stellar for a SS. He can still break out soon, but hasn’t wowed anyone yet. (more…)