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 youngsters on the Lansing Lugnuts. Here’s your Blue Jays complete prospect report for Monday, April 9:

 Wins/Losses: 1-4 | Streak: L2 | T-3rd in PCL Pacific South division (2.0 GB)

Fresno Grizzlies 9, Las Vegas 51s 3 (LP: Richmond, 0-1)

The 51s managed to take a 2-0 lead in the third inning, but nine unanswered Fresno runs ultimately doomed them as they fell to the Grizzlies 9-3 on Monday night.

Hitting:

Despite every single 51s player outside of Travis d’Arnaud managing at least one hit, the 51s’ offense went just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and managed only three extra-base hits. Moises Sierra cranked his second home run of the season, a solo home run in the ninth, Travis Snider roped a two-run double and both David Cooper and Adeiny Hechavarria each had multi-hit games. Hechavarria also stole his first base of the year early in the game.

Pitching:

After lasting just one inning in his first start, 51s starter Scott Richmond didn’t fare to well at all in this contest, allowing seven earned runs on nine hits in five innings of work. He issued one walk, struck out three, hit a batter and also gave up a home run, a grand slam to Fresno shortstop Joaquin Arias in the fifth inning.

Fresno was able to tack on a few more runs later in the game, as 51s reliever Andrew Carpenter gave up two earned runs on a pair of solo homers with one strikeout in three innings of work, while right-hander Jerry Gil tossed a scoreless ninth with a pair of strikeouts.

Wins/Losses: 2-2 | Streak: L2 | 2nd in EAS Eastern division (1.5 GB)

Reading Phillies 5, New Hampshire Fisher Cats 2 (LP: Cecil, 0-1)

Brett Cecil made his first Double-A start since being optioned to the minors, but Reading just notched too many hits as the Fisher Cats dropped the opener of a three-game set 5-2 on Monday night.

Hitting:

First baseman Mike McDade continued his solid start to the year with a 2-for-4 showing, but center fielder Justin Jackson stole the show with a 3-for-4 night that included his first double and triple of the season. He finished a home run short of the cycle but managed one RBI on the night, and brought his average on the season up to .417. Speedy left fielder Brad McElroy also went 2-for-4 hitting ninth and stole his first bag of the year, while second baseman Jonathan Diaz stole his fourth and fifth bases of the season by advancing to third.

Pitching:

Making his first Double-A start in years, Cecil gave up three runs in the first three innings before giving up a two-run homer in the sixth inning. Cecil finished the night having allowed five runs (four earned) on 11 hits in 6 2/3 innings, but did not walk a batter and racked up seven strikeouts. Fellow left-hander Evan Crawford kept New Hampshire in the game with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, giving up one hit.

Wins/Losses: 3-1 | Streak: W1 | 1st in FSL North division (0.0 GB)

Dunedin Blue Jays 8, Daytona Cubs 7 (WP: Dyson, 1-0 | S: Barnes, 2)

After taking a commanding 6-0 lead by the middle of the second inning, the D-Jays managed to hold off a late Daytona rally and escape with the 8-7 win on Monday night.

Hitting:

The top of Dunedin’s order did it all in this one, led by a 2-for-4, 4 RBI night by cleanup hitter Marcus Knecht. Leadoff hitter Jake Marisnick went 2-for-5 with a double, a walk and a stolen base, while two-hitter Jonathan Jones went 3-for-5 with two RBI. Right fielder Michael Crouse was held hitless in four at-bats, but managed to draw a walk and steal second base.

Pitching:

Making his first professional start since being drafted in 2010 and after rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, Dunedin starter Sam Dyson got the win after allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits in six strong innings. He did not issue a walk while notching four strikeouts. He tossed a wild pitch and hit a batter, but his only mistake was the three-run home run that he allowed in the third inning.

Reliever Dustin Antolin ran into some trouble in the seventh, giving up three earned runs on three hits and a walk in just 2/3 of the frame, but Boomer Potts limited the damage and combined with Dayton Marze and Danny Barnes to toss 2 1/3 scoreless innings with Dunedin clinging to a one-run lead.

Wins/Losses: 4-0 | Streak: W4 | 1st in MID Eastern division (0.0 GB)

Lansing Lugnuts 8, Dayton Dragons 0 (WP: Sanchez, 1-0)

Thanks to strong pitching once again, the Lugnuts were able to stay undefeated and shut out the Dayton Dragons 8-0 on Monday night.

Hitting:

Every batter in the Lansing lineup managed to record a base hit, as the Lugnuts’ 14-hit attack included three home runs and three doubles. Making his season debut after spending 2011 with the Lugnuts, first baseman K.C. Hobson went 3-for-5 batting cleanup with a double and three RBI, while Kenny Wilson, Chris Hawkins and Kevin Patterson all hit solo home runs. Right fielder Kevin Pillar went 2-for-5 with a double and a RBI.

Pitching:

Making their first outings of the year, pitchers Justin Nicolino and Aaron Sanchez looked every bit like the top prospects that they are. Nicolino started the game, throwing three shutout innings with five strikeouts and without allowing a single hit or walk, while Sanchez earned the win after also tossing three shutout frames but allowing one hit and a pair of walks. Relievers Blake McFarland and Brandon Berl combined to throw three scoreless innings and close out the lopsided contest.

-JM

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