Jays Journal » Ryan Schimpf

Jays Notes: 2 Hot Bats, Hechavarria and Minors Notes, and More Draft Notes

Mat Germain — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:11:49 +0000

If you didn’t get to watch last night’s game, as I couldn’t either, you still had to enjoy all of the highlights. After watching all of the highlights from 3 outlets and the MLB.com site, I felt compelled to write about the lineup, its future, and why the Jays are going to move up the [...]

Jays Notes: 2 Hot Bats, Hechavarria and Minors Notes, and More Draft Notes - Jays Journal - Jays Journal - A Toronto Blue Jays Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Top 50 Jays Prospects, Jays Journal Edition: #33 Ryan Schimpf

Mat Germain — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 03:16:41 +0000

A true born leader and winner comes in at #33 in….

#33: Ryan Michael Schimpf

picture courtesy of Kelly Lambert from flickr.com

Second Baseman / 22 years old / 5’9″ 180 lbs

Born: March 11th, 1988 in Covington Louisiana

Bats left Throws Right

High School Team: St. Paul’s High School

College: Louisiana State University

Drafted: in the 5th round (160th overall) of the 2009 draft, signed for $155,700 by Rob St-Julien

Wears: #12 for the Dunedin Blue Jays

Quick Facts:

Attended LSU because he had cheered for them when younger and his dad also attended
Made the NCAA regional All-Tournament team in 2008 (more…)

Top 50 Jays Prospects, Jays Journal Edition: #36 Sean Ochinko

Jared Macdonald — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:09:26 +0000

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

After Alan Farina, our top reliever on the list at #37, comes a catcher at heart turned corner infielder at #36…

#36: Sean Peter Ochinko

C-3B-1B / 23 years old / 5′11″ 205 lbs

Born: October 21st, 1987 in Parkland, FL

Bats: Right Throws: Right

High School Team: Stoneman Douglas Eagles

College: Louisiana State University

Drafted by: The Toronto Blue Jays in the 11th round (340th overall) of the 2009 First-Year-Player Draft

Jersey Number: #41 for the Lansing Lugnuts

(more…)

The 2011 Jays Infield – Second Base and Aaron Hill

Mat Germain — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 12:01:11 +0000

Although the first base situation for the Jays is not so clear cut, second base also presents its own challenges. I’m fairly certain we can conclude that Aaron Hill will be manning second base, this is not a real issue. The issue is whether or not the Jays should exercise their option to retain Aaron through the 2014 season, or simply take it year-by-year and hope that they can retain him at a cheaper rate than the $10,000,000 it would cost to use his option in 2014.

No matter what, Aaron Hill will only cost the Jays $5 million in 2011 and therefore will remain a Jay for that entire season.

Just to break down the following years, here are the 2 choices the Jays have in this case – the key being that the Jays MUST decide on whether to use their all-inclusive option (years 2012 through 2014) before the 2011 season begins:

Option 1 – The “all-inclusive” option. The Jays can use their option to retain Aaron for $8 million in 2012, $8 million in 2013, and $10 million in 2014. This would make Aaron a FA after the 2014 season.

Option 2 – Decline the option. The Jays would still have the options to keep Aaron Hill around in 2012 and 2013 at the $8 million dollar rate, but he becomes eligible for FA after the 2013 season. (more…)

Jays Minors Review: 7-Jun-10

Mat Germain — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:48:47 +0000

The Las Vegas game was postponed, so there’s nothing to look into game review wise for them. However, I would point out that Brett Wallace is now hitting .172 over his last 10 games….not exactly what fans are hoping for. That, combined with Lyle Overbay’s play turning up a notch and the Jays well within the AL East lead race, is enough to ensure that we won’t see Brett in Toronto until at least July.

The most interesting part of the New Hampshire game yesterday was the fact that Ronald Uviedo, recently acquired from the Pirates, was the starter! It was the first start of his 2010 season as he was expected by most to remain in the pen, where he has been more than effective. Ronald did well as a starter in 2009 with 21 GS for a season total of 110 IP, 89 Ks, 30 BB, and a 3.35 ERA. It’ll be interesting to see if he continues to start and how well he does as he stretches himself out. Yesterday’s game had his struggling with control, but also mostly unhittable as he walked 3 and allowed only 1 hit over 3 IP. He allowed 3 ERs in the game and was relieved by Bubbie Bzachero who threw 4 stellar shut out innings. Daniel Farquhar picked up his 14th save of the season in this one, a 5-4 win over Altoona. (more…)

Jays Minors Review: 24-Apr-10

Mat Germain — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 12:04:37 +0000

Here is a review of the major events in the minors for the Jays on Saturday, 24th of April:

AAA Las Vegas – Lost 2-1 to Sacramento

The 51s were stung by a very effective Trevor Cahill and Sacramento pen, who came in and dominated them over 5 innings (1ER) and 4 innings respectively.
Brad Mills (2-1, 2.19) took the loss despite providing another outstanding start. He lasted 7 innings, allowed 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8. His season totals indicate just how dominant Brad has been this season in AAA: 2-1, 2.19, 24.2 IP (just over 6 innings per start average), 20 hits allowed, 6 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 32 Ks, and hitter have a .222 average against him thus far. LHBs in particular are being dominated by Brad as they hold a meager .118 average against him. It’s nice to have this kind of insurance in AAA for the Jays. I’m not hoping he’s required any time soon because the Jays starters have been great thus far, but he is great security.
Josh Roenicke (0.00 ERA over 8.2 IP) was great once again in relief, as he did not allow a hit or walk over 2 innings of work while striking out 3.
It’s surprising that LV only had the 1 run since they did manage 7 hits and 4 walks in the game, they just couldn’t hit with RISP as they were only 1 for 13 in RISP chances in the game.
Jarrett Hoffpauir (.293) was the only LV hitter with 2 hits (including a double), and he also managed a walk.
Brett Wallace (.283) and Chris Lubanski (.273) had 1 double a piece.

(more…)

Jays Minors Review: 21-Apr-10

Mat Germain — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:23:57 +0000

Here is a review of the major events in the minors for the Jays on Wednesday, 21st of April:

AAA Las Vegas –Postponed

AA New Hampshire – Lost 13-3 vs Trenton (NYY)

The Fishercats were shut down by one of the arms I highlighted in my On The Level post for the 6th of April in NYY prospect David Phelps – a great guy to keep an eye on in fantasy leagues. He threw 6 shutout innings against NH, allowing only 4 hits and 1 walk while getting 6 Ks.
NH did manage to get some runs in on the Trenton relievers, with Eric Thames leading the way with a 2 for 4 day and his first HR of 2010.
Randy Boone and Bubbie Buzachero allowed 12 ER between them which pretty well sums up their day.

(more…)

Lansing Wins, Chad Jenkins Starts

Mat Germain — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:56:35 +0000

As most of us know, the Jays are depending on Chad Jenkins to become something very special after they took him in the 1st round (20th overall) of the 2009 draft. He wound up being sent a little lower than most of us predicted after he showed a ton of poise in spring training, but it seems that may have been the right call. Here are his first game stats:

5 IP, 6 HA, 3 ER, 4 Ks, no walks, and 1 HR allowed.

Not bad for the 22 year old’s first start, but I’m almost positive the second will be better as the adrenaline slows down. Even though he allowed 2 ER over 2 IP, Nestor Molina got the win. He benefited from a Lansing outburst in offensive force that accounted for 10 runs on 14 hits and 2 walks.

The leaders for the hitters were 3B Mark Sobolewski who hit his 1st HR of the year, going 2 for 4 on the day. He got some help from 2B Ryan Schimpf, SS Kevin Nolan, and OF Eric Eiland who who all went 2 for 5 with a double each. Meanwhile, 1B Jonathan Talley and C Karim Turkamani both went 2 for 4.

Other notes for the game, Oliver Dominguez stole 1 base, Mark Sobolewski had 1 error on a throw (his 3rd of the season already), and the Schimpf – Nolan combination turned 1 double play.

That makes Lansing 1 – 3 on the year so far, and they take on Great Lakes (3-1) again Monday with Ryan Tepera leading the way.

Lugnuts Lose, Schimpf Goes Deep

Mat Germain — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:36:27 +0000

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again – the Jays quite possibly have yet another Aaron Hill in the making down in LoA in 2B Ryan Schimpf. The LSU product drove one deep in his first game of the season, going 2 for 5 with 4 RBI in the loss. The other Ryan, SS Ryan Goins, also went deep once and was 1 for 4 on the day. Kenny Wilson did his best to set the table for the Ryans and others as he got on base 3 times (1 double, 2 walks, 1 SB) while Eric Eiland went 3 for 5 at the bottom of the lineup. However, Balbino Fuenmayor and Mark Sobolewski both went 0 for 5, making it hard for the team to drive in any runs.

Ryan Shopshire had some issues in his first start of the season, allowing 4 walks, 7 hits, and 4 ER while striking out 2. However, the relief was great in this game, as both Dustin Antolin and Nestor Molina went through 2 squeaky clean innings a piece striking out 3 each with no hits or walks allowed. Evan Crawford came out after that and the game went to extra innings. He allowed the winning run to score, but not without a fight. The run was scored after he allowed a lead off single, then 2 straight groundouts pushed that runner to 3B. The runner was driven in by Didi Gregorious (what a baseball name) with a single and resulted in Crawford taking the loss for the game.

The 2010 Lansing Lugnuts Roster

Mat Germain — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 23:50:29 +0000

As most of us hope that the majority of future Jays players will come from the minors, it is very important to keep an eye on the minor leagues and to be aware of the players coming up through the system. This season has a ton of talent in LoA Lansing with the arrival of many high end prospects and a new Coach to lead and bring them along in ex-Jays catcher Sal Fasano.

Here is the just announced roster for the Lansing Lugnuts in 2010. I have placed their ages and BA ranking for Jays prospects if they made the top 31 this year:

Pitching Crew:

SP Chad Jenkins (22 yrs old, #3 BA rank), SP Ryan Shopshire (24 years old), SP Dave Sever (23 years old), SP Scott Gracey (23 years old), SP Matt Fields (23 years old), SP Evan Crawford (23 years old), RP Dustin Antolin (20 years old), SP Ryan Tepera (22 years old), RP Aaron Loup (22 years old), RP Nestor Molina (21 years old), RP Steve Turnbull (23 years old)

Catchers:

Sean Ochinko (22 years old), Jon Talley (21 years old), Karim Turkamani (23 years old) (A.J. Jimenez on D.L.)

1B:

Balbino Fuenmayor (20 years old), Sean Ochinko (22 years old)

2B:

Ryan Schimpf (22 years old, #16 BA rank), Oliver Dominguez (20 years old), Kevin Nolan (22 years old)

SS:

Ryan Goins (22 years old, #24 BA rank), Oliver Dominguez (20 years old), Kevin Nolan (22 years old)

3B:

Mark Sobolewski (23 years old), Balbino Fuenmayor (20 years old), Sean Ochinko (22 years old)

LF:

Eric Eiland (21 years old)

CF:

Kenneth Wilson (20 years old, #28 BA rank)

RF:

Bradley Glenn (22 years old), Chris Hopkins (22 years old)

DH:

All – Kevin Nolan, Jon Talley, Oliver Dominguez ect..

Looking at the names on this list, I am very impressed by the amount of talent the team will have to begin the season. Chad Jenkins is the most obvious name on this list and may not be on the team for too long, but he leads a very deep staff. Matt Fields, Dustin Antolin, Dave Sever, and Ryan Tepera in particular are very interesting prospects that could jump a level or two this season. Aaron Loup impressed right away after being selected in the ’09 draft with 19 Ks in only 16 IP and should build on that this season. Offensively, the additions of Sean Ochinko, Ryan Schimpf, and Ryan Goins to this team immediately make it a very potent squad. With Kenny Wilson (37 SBs in 321 ABs) leading things off and the firecracker that is Oliver Dominguez (13 SB in 142 AB) included, this team will not be lacking any speed or energy.

Chad Jenkins will most likely be the first pitcher to throw for Lansing, and here is the likely lineup to begin the year:

CF Kenny Wilson
SS Ryan Goins
C Sean Ochinko
1B Balbino Fuenmayor
2B Ryan Schimpf
LF Bradley Glenn
3B Mark Sobolewski
RF Eric Eiland
DH Oliver Dominguez

Very nice looking lineup even if it does lack a lineup power in the middle.

I encourage anyone in the Lansing area to go see these guys play live. They’re the players that play all out for the full season and are trying to get noticed, so you know that every game you see the players are putting out 100% effort. If you can’t make it out there, you’ll get all of the information you need about these players here, as i intend to stay on top of things as I go along. I received the following information for anyone interested in going out to the games.

The Lugnuts open “their 15^th season on Wednesday, April 14, at 7:05 p.m. with an Opening Day Eat-a-Palooza. For $15, fans can purchase a ticket to see the Lugnuts battle the Lake County Captains and enjoy unlimited food inside the ballpark. Tickets to all 70 of the Lugnuts’ regular season home games at Cooley Law School Stadium as well as to Wednesday’s Crosstown Showdown against Michigan State University, presented by Auto-Owners Insurance, are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.”

Enjoy if you can make it, and go get’em Lugnuts!