Forecasting Fisher Cats 2015 Outfielders

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Mandatory Credit: SportsLogo.net (http://news.sportslogos.net/2015/02/26/u-s-historical-figures-on-sports-logos/new-hampshire-fisher-cats-uncle-sam-logo/)

The Manchester based Double-A team last finished above .500 in 2011, and only three times since the Blue Jays took over the team in 2004. In 2015, the New Hampshire (NH) Fisher Cats finished 22.0 games behind Portland Sea Dogs and tied for second last in the Eastern League with Reading Fightin Phils with a 66-76 record.

Last year’s outfield saw super prospect Dalton Pompey impress in 30 games, British Columbia native Michael Crouse, minor league veterans Cory Aldridge, Kenny Wilson, and Melky Mesa. The Fisher Cats outfield also consisted of aspiring minor leaguers Matt Newman and Brad Glenn, as well as utility minor leaguer Jon Berti. Minus Dalton Pompey, this group minor leaguers didn’t show much; unfortunately, it doesn’t get much better in 2015.

The 2014 group didn’t show much power, with 9 guys hitting a total of 34 home runs and only 80 doubles. They didn’t show much plate discipline, striking out too much and not walking enough. Wilson, Pompey, Crouse, and Berti showed average to above average speed with decent stolen base totals.

Gone from the 2014 group:

Michael Crouse- Free Agent
Kenny Wilson- Non-Roster Invitee to the Miami Marlins camp
Cory Aldridge- currently on the reserve list

Let’s get to it.

Mandatory Credit: Ball Park Reviews http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Northeast%20Delta%20Dental%20Stadium&in_city=Manchester&in_state=New%20Hampshire

On the Roster

The Blue Jays system has a serious lack of high ceiling outfield prospects in the system. The Fisher Cats outfield will have returning outfielders Mesa, Newman and Glenn.

Melky Mesa CF

The 28 year-old native of Dominican Republic was originally signed by the New York Yankees as an international free agent in 2003. Mesa made his MLB debut in 2012 which only lasted 3 games. Mesa start 2014 with the Kansas City Royals Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers before being included in a MiLB transaction that included RHP P.J. Walters. Mesa will man CF for the Fisher Cats, but has the ability to play all three OF positions. The problem with Mesa is his reluctancy to draw a walk (3.6 BB%) and strikes out too much (23.9%). Mesa, if healthy, will hit for a low average, steal the odd base, and demonstrate gap power.

Matt Newman RF

Newman was signed by the Blue Jays in 2011 as non-drafted free-agent. Just like Mesa, Newman didn’t show an ability to take a walk (5.0%) at Double-A. He has extra base power (.161 ISO), which is why they had him hitting clean-up last year (30 games). With RISP, he hit .188/.237/.294 with a home run and 27RBI, so maybe batting him in the middle of the lineup was a bad idea. Newman will have more success in 2015 if he can find more consistency. He hit under .225 in May and under .155 in August, but hit over .278 in June and July. What Newman will the Fisher Cats get in 2015.

Brad Glenn RF

The 27 year-old 23rd rounder got a taste of the MLB last year and showed he can hit at the Triple-A level. Glenn has played 271 games with the Fisher Cats and will see that total rise in 2015. Glenn will spend the year bouncing between New Hampshire and Buffalo, but at the end of the year he should hit over 20 home runs.

Mandatory credit: The JayWalk

http://www.thejaywalk.com/tees/bad-blue-boys

Making the Transition

With the uninspiring group likely to man the Fisher Cats OF this year it comes as no surprise that Jays brass will look to outside the box. There’s a pair of Jays minor leaguers that could make the transition from the infield to the outfield.

Jon Berti

Primarily used at the Fisher Cats 2nd baseman last year, Berti will see more time as a LF in 2015. Berti doesn’t have the power most scouts look for in an everyday LF, but he intriguing speed and a good approach at the plate. Berti may never be considered for an everyday job at either 2nd of LF, but stands a much better chance of making the MLB as a utility/bench player.

Emilio Guerrero

Guerrero stand 6’4″ and weights 190lbs, big for a middle infielder. He played 20 games in CF and 76 as the D-Jays short-stop. With Jorge Flores, Shane Opitz, Christian Lopes, Devon Travis, Dawel Lugo and Richard Urena all making their way up through the system as middle infielders, there are only so many spots. Emilio has a good chance of sticking in the OF. Like most Blue Jay prospects Emilio needs to walk more and strike out less. He will need to rediscover his speed or discovery his power game to become a serious major league option.

Mandatory Credit: SportsLogos.net (http://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/zihqrzo9eghdglv2cu101djgg/New_Hampshire_Fisher_Cats/2011/Cap_Logo)

Moving on Up

This off-season we caught wind that the only outfield prospect in the Blue Jays mid/upper minors worth keeping an eye on in 2015 is being converted to the infield, which will further decrease the OF options for the Fisher Cats this year. That isn’t going to stop me from listing him as a potential option to man the Fisher Cats OF this year. The Lansing Lugnuts have a could high ceiling OF prospects (Anthony Alford and D.J. Davis) but none should be considered as candidates for NH’s OF.

Dwight Smith Jr.

Smith is being converted to 2nd base, so it’s unlikely that he’ll be moved up to New Hampshire as an outfielder. If he doesn’t make it as an infielder then he’ll get the call up to Double-A as an OF. The former 1st rounder in 2011 received high praise for his work with the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League, which resulted in a Non-Roster Invitee this spring. The 22 year-old will be the D-Jays everyday 2nd baseman.

Marcus Knecht

Seeing Marcus finally get a chance at Double-A would pretty amazing. Marcus is a Toronto native and is entering his 6th year in the Blue Jays system. He’s played the last three seasons with the D-Jays. It’s about time for a move up to Double-A or time for the Jays to move one. The 24 year-old is a corner outfielder. Knecht hits his fair share of doubles and triples. Knecht swings and misses too much, with a swing miss/swing looking rate of 4.06. Marcus finished the year with some decent numbers but is just a guy.

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