2015 Stock Watch: Week 2

Mandatory Credit: The Jaywalk. (http://www.thejaywalk.com/)

Every week we’ll check in on some of our Toronto Blue Jays Top Prospects. Stock Watch is designed to provide updates for Blue Jays fans that pay attention to the state of the Jays farm system with an eye a the franchises future stars. We’ll look at who is hot, who is moving up/down, and who is cold.

We are a week into the 2015 season and we’ve already seen some early surprises, but before we get too excite, remember that little thing about small sample sizes.

Buffalo Bisons

The Herd had a .500 record through the first 6 games, but really turned it on in Week 2. After 6-1 week, the Bisons now stand atop the International League with a 11-4 record. This week saw the Herd completed a 4-game sweep of Lehigh Valley, a 2-1 series win over Pawtucket, and they have guaranteed a series split with Lehigh Valley with wins on Thursday and Friday.

The Bisons bats have come alive with 6 long balls this week and now have a the 3rd highest team batting average with .268. As a team they have struck out 89 times which is lowest in the league, combine that with the league best walk rate of 71 and you have a very hot line-up.

On the mound the Bisons lead the league in ERA (2.21), wins (11), hits (100), WHIP (1.09) and runs (36). They are 2nd in limiting free passes with 37 and shut outs (3).

Player Movement

Going to Toronto- C Josh Thole, and INF Ryan Goins,

Welcome to Buffalo- C A.J. Jimenez, RP Colt Hynes, and 3B Andy Burns

Hitter

Who’s Hot– 3B Matt Hague has been on fire. He has driven 7 RBI on 14 hits, but only 2 extra base hits. Matt just hasn’t been striking out, having only striking out twice and walked 6 times. Matt has also looked good at third with only one error and .969 FPCT.

Who’s Cold– OF Caleb Gindl made 5 starts, hitting .222/.263/.333. Caleb only collected 4 hits, 2 of those hits went for doubles. Fortunately for Gindl, he hasn’t been striking out a ton with one walk and 2 strike outs.

Pitcher

Who’s Hot– Randy Wolf has now pitched 5+ innings in his three starts and now owns a 3-0 record and 2.25ERA. In his last start Wolf struck out 5 and only walked one.

Who’s Cold– the other teams batters.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats

The Fisher Cats had a 3-3 week with two games which they scored 10 runs. New Hampshire is currently sitting at .500 with a 8-8 record.

At the plate NH leds the league with 147 hits, 29 doubles, 15 home runs, and .417 slugging. They are 2nd in OPS (.746) and 3rd in BA (.275). Unfortunately, NH was held to 1-run twice this week, but rebounded with back-to-back 5+ run games.

On the mound the Fisher Cats had one shut out, 10-0 over Trenton. The starters have gone 5 innings or more, but have not been able to pick up any wins so far. The bullpen has been very good and have helped the team finish off 3 shut outs so far.

Player Movement

Welcome to NH- C Chris Schaeffer, RP Arik Sikula,

Hitters

Who’s Hot- OF Dwight Smith Jr is riding a 12-game hit streak. Smith hit .346/.370/.577 this week, with a home run, 4RBI, 3 doubles, a walk and zero strike outs. In 25 AB, Smith is crushing LHP with a .435BA.

Honourable mention- Jake Fox has gone 16-for-43 with 5 doubles, 4HR, and 11RBI for the Fisher Cats.

Who’s Cold- 2B Jon Berti continues his slow start. He is 5-for-32 in his last 10 games, but I don’t expect this to last all year….Berti is too good. Berti just isn’t getting the balls to drop and is hitting right at the other teams fielders.

Pitchers

Who’s Hot- Matt Boyd is still on fire over his first three starts and owns a record of 0-1 with a 0.00ERA in 14.1IP. He’s walked 7 and struck out 24. Boyd has looked really good in the early goings and could be in line for an early promotion but to where?

Who’s Cold- Taylor Cole hasn’t gotten off to a very good start with 0-1 record and 7.43ERA. On the plus side, Cole hasn’t been walking batters (3/15) but batters are squaring up his pitches at an alarming rate (35.6 line drive rate and .442 BABIP).