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Stock Watch: Week 3 (April Review)

By Ryan Mueller |
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Mandatory Credit:https://buffsports.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/new.jpg

As a new month begins, it’s time to look at how the Toronto Blue Jays full-season minor league affiliates faired in this edition of Stock Watch. We have a lot to cover to lets get right to it with the Blue Jays Triple-A affiliate.

Buffalo Bisons

The Buffalo Bisons finished April atop the North International League with a 14-7 record. Currently, they are on a 2 game win streak and are 7-3 in their past 10 games. Boston’s Pawtucket Red Sox on hot on their heels with a 14-8 record, but are 5-5 in their past 10 games.

The Bisons just finished a 4-game series against Norfolk in which they earned a split and will open May with a 3-game set against Louisville. The Bats (8-13), Cincinnati Reds, haven’t started the season strong and are holding down last place in the West division and are 3-7 in their last 10 games.

As a Team

At the Plate the Bisons are hitting .262 (5th), 7 home runs (12th out of 14 teams), 72 RBI (11th), and 174 hits (10th) with 35 extra base hits. On the bases they have 11 steals, but were caught 7 times. The Herd have benefited from quality at-bats, 84BB (3rd) and 123 (13th). A good approach at the plate has allowed the team to get runners on base, moving runners up, and scoring, despite being in the bottom third of the league in hits.

On the Mound Buffalo’s pitchers have carried the team with shutouts and seven 1-run games. As a team they led the IL with a 2.11ERA, hits allowed (145), runs allowed (48 and 42ER), home runs allowed (5), walks allowed (48), and WHIP (1.08). The starters have picked it recently, but it’s been the bullpen that’s carried the team.

Leaders

BA- Matt Hague (.353)

HR- Chris Colabello (5)

RBI- Chris Colabello (16)

2B- Matt Hague (5)

SB- Ezequiel Carrera (6)

W- Randy Wolf (3)

ERA(*)- Ryan Tepera (0.77)

SV- Bo Schultz (5)

K- Randy Wolf (17)

Top Bisons

Batters

Chris Colabello leads the team in home runs and RBI. Manager Gary Allenson is mostly using Colabello at 1st base and DH, but he’s seen some time (2GP) in RF. Leading the IL in HR and RBI.

Matt Hague has consistently produced productive at-bats. He has walked (11) more than he’s struck out (5). He doesn’t have elite home run power, but there is plenty of extra power in that bat. His batting average will come down some given his high .373BABIP, but don’t expect him to stop hitting doubles (.154 ISO).

Pitchers

Scott Copeland is not what you would consider a prospect, but don’t be shocked if he shows up in Toronto if Daniel Norris and Aaron Sanchez struggle. Scott is dominating the IL, but you won’t see his name atop many of the leader boards. He is a contact pitcher and has done a great job using the guys playing behind him. He has an impressive 2.88 GO/AO rate has done a great job getting ahead in counts.

Really the bullpen as a whole has impressed. Preston Guilmet has become one of Gary Allenson’s favourite options in the pen, pitching 11.1IP, holds a 0.79 ERA and 0.71WHIP. Bo Schultz, Rob Rasmussen, and Ryan Tepera have gotten a lot of work in the first month. Steve Delabar continues to make a case for himself and should garner call-up consideration.

Player Movement 

Andy Burns, and A.J. Jimenez have gotten the call from New Hampshire. Burns has started his Bison’s career off well with a .311 average and is having productive AB’s. Jimenez is filling in nicely (not with the bat) for Josh Thole.

Keep an eye on RP Luis Perez as he continues his comeback. Could be a valuable LHP as the season progresses.

Mandatory Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NewHampshireFisherCats.PNG

New Hampshire Fisher Cats

The Fisher Cats finished April a game and half back of 1st in the Eastern division of the Eastern League. NH is on a 3 game win streak and are 7-3 in their past 10 games, which has helped them to a 12-9 record after a bit of a struggle in the middle of the month. The Fisher Cats started April off with two series wins before losing 7 of their next 8 games. Since that skid they have won 6 of their last 7 games and recently completed a 3-game sweep of the New York Yankees Trenton Thunder.

More from Toronto Blue Jays Prospects

The Fisher Cats begin May on the road for 6 games against Binghamton and Reading. NH had series against both teams, winning both series. Let’s hope they can keep it going.

As a Team

At the Plate NH is hitting .285 (1st), 20 home runs (1st), 88 RBI (3rd), and 201 hits (1st) with 42 extra base hits. On the bases they’ve stolen 7, but were caught 76times. The Fisher Cats shown a good approach at the plate, not as good as Buffalo. They are near the bottom of the league in walks (9th), but are near the top of the league in strike outs (4th).

On the Mound NH is tied for the league lead with 3 shut outs. They’ve allowed 174 hits (9th) but they haven’t allowed them come around to score as they are 9th in runs allowed. The group is 2nd with 175 strike outs and sit in the middle of the league in most of the other categories.

Leaders

BA- Melky Mesa (.413)

HR- Ryan Schimpf and Jake Fox (4)

RBI- Jake Fox (17)

2B- Jake Fox (8)

SB- Jon Berti (3)

W- Cory Burns and Greg Burke (2)

ERA(*)- Matt West (0.00)

SV- Blake McFarland (2)

K- Matt Boyd (30)

Top Fisher Cats

Batters

The Fisher Cats have benefited from having, 32 year-old major/minor veteran, Jake Fox  and Melky Mesa, 28 year-old minor league veteran, leading the offence and providing power and leadership to middle of the line up. Since this is Stock Watch, I need to look at our future stars and this month that comes in the form of OF Dwight Smith Jr. Smith continues to improve and progress as a player. He’s hit the ground running and should be in a Jays uniform sometime in 2015….September for sure. Dwight continues to improve his plate presence (10.9BB% and 12.9K%), something he’s been able to do as he moves up through the system.

Pitchers

This comes as no surprise, as I have fuelled up the Matt Boyd bandwagon and will taking on passengers. Matt Boyd may not be getting the wins, but the results don’t lie. He has a 1.76 FIP, a league leading 30 strike outs (13.06 K/9), and a .225 BABIP showing it isn’t just luck.  Could the Jays have LHP on the verge of a breakout season, like Daniel Norris did in 2014?

RP Matt West is teaming up with Danny Barnes, Luis Perez (now with Buffalo), Blake McFarland, Greg Burke, and Dustin Antolin to form the leagues top bullpen (IMO). West holds a 0.00ERA after 12.1IP. He has a 12.41 K/9 and 2.92 BB/9 while maintaining an amazing 92.9 LOB% and 1.96 FIP.

Player Movement 

OF Melky Mesa, SS Kevin Nolan, and Luis Perez were call-up to Buffalo this week. RP Scott Barns was sent down to from Buffalo. SS Emilio Guerrero and 2B Christian Lopes were call-up up from Dunedin.

SP Ricky Romero was released.

Keep an eye on RF Matt Newman. The 26 year-old Newman is hitting .257 in his last 10 games but has hit 2 long balls, driving 9 runs. He does the little things well and could be this years Brad Glenn, making a surprise appearance in Toronto.

Mandatory Credit: SportsLogo.net

http://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/258236972012/Dunedin_Blue_Jays/2012/Cap_Logo

Dunedin Blue Jays

The D-Jays finished April with a 9-12 record and are 2nd last and 4.5GB in the Florida State League, North division.  They have lost 6 of 10 and are on a 3 game losing skid.

More from Toronto Blue Jays Prospects

The D-Jays will continue the 4-game home/away series with Clearwater in May. They dropped the series open at home to Clearwater, 8-1. Then it is off to Tampa for a 3 game set.

As a Team

At the plate Dunedin has not hit the ball well and are at the, or near, the bottom in all offensive categories.  As a team they are batting .235 (10th),  11 home runs (5th out of 12 teams),  RBI (9th), and 165 hits (9th) with  38 extra base hits. On the bases they have 15 steals, but were caught 9 times. They are walking enough and are dead last with 53 and are middle of the pack with 154 strike outs.

On the Mound  pitchers have yet to produce a shut out. They are last in ERA (4.57), hits allowed (213), runs allowed (109), and home runs allowed (18). On the plus side, they lead the league in strike outs and are 2nd in converted save opportunities.

Leaders

BA- RF Derrick Loveless (.279)

HR- Matt Dean (3)

RBI- Roemon Fields and Dawel Lugo (10)

2B- Roemon Fields (5)

SB- Roemon Fields (9, tied for 1st in the league)

W- Tiago Da Silva and Wil Browning (2)

ERA(*)- Wil Browning (0.90)

SV- Wil Browning (6)

K- Tiago Da Silva (21)

Top D-Jays

Batters

Roemon Fields doesn’t have the high batting average you’d expect to see from a player being player of the month, but he impacts the game with more than his bat. Fields is hitting .257 with 8RBI, 2BB, 9K, and 5 stolen bases in his last 10 games. He has a .281 BABIP and his .114 ISO is decent for a leadoff hitters.

Pitchers

With the starters and hitters not showing much consistency the work Wil Browning has done to preserve the lead in the 9th inning has been priceless. He’s been perfect with runners on (100 LOB%) has converting 6-of-7 save opportunities. . Wil owns a 2.04 FIP and a 12.6 K/9. In his last 10 games, Browning has 14 strike outs and just one walk, while converting 6 saves.

Player Movement 

Tiago Da Silva

Welcome INF Dickie Joe Thon, RHP Justin Shafer, Alonzo Gonzalez,

Keep an eye on Alberto Tirado, whose been a completely different pitcher since being moved to the bullpen last year in Vancouver. Jumping over Lansing and going straight to Dunedin caught many off guard, but he has done a good job as a member of the D-Jays bullpen.  In 6 games Tirado has pitched 11.2 innings with 4BB and 15 strike outs. He owns a 1.29WHIP and 3.09ERA.

Mandatory Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LansingLugnuts_PrimaryLogo.png

Lansing Lugnuts

The Lugnuts finished April atop the Eastern division of the Midwest League with a 14-7 record. They are .500 over their last 5 games and hold a 1 game lead over Bowling Green. As luck would have it, the Lugnuts open their May with 3-game home stand against the Hot Rods.

The Lugnuts are 8-4 away from Cooley Law School Stadium.

As a Team

At the Plate the Lugnuts are hitting .253 (6th), 8 home runs (6th), 83 RBI (3rd), and 190 hits (2nd) with 42 extra base hits. On the bases they have 33 steals (2nd), but were caught 16 times. Lansing hitters are hoovering in the middle of the league with walks and strike outs, 68BB and 180K.

On the Mound Lansing pitchers have one shutout and 5-4 in one run games. As a team they own a 2.77ERA, 174 hits allowed (8th), 68 runs allowed (13th), 11 home runs allowed (12th), 72 walks allowed (10th), and 1.24 WHIP (8th).

Leaders

BA- Dickie Joe Thon (.315)

HR- Rowdy Tellez (3)

RBI- Rowdy Tellez and Ryan McBroom (13)

2B- Chris Carlson, Rowdy Tellez and Ryan McBroom (5)

SB- Tim Locastro (8)

W- Chase Dejong (2)

ERA(*)- Justin Shafer (0.92)

SV- Phil Kish (3)

K- Chase Dejong (24)

Top Lugnuts

Batters

Dickie Joe Thon, recently promoted Dickie Joe Thon, is swinging a hot bat to start the year. He has 2 home runs, a solid .922 OPS and has even show good speed with 4 stolen bases. He still strikes out too much with 18 in 15 games, but when he is hitting it makes it easier to swallow.

Pitchers

Chase Dejong has put his disappointing 2014 in the past. It must be a huge relief for him to already have 2 wins after not getting his first win of 2014 until August. He leads the team with 24 strike outs and with Shane Dawson, he has anchored the Lugnuts staff in the early goings. We can expect his ERA to come up a bit with a 3.98 FIP. If he continues to strike guys out at a 8.53/9 clip he should get the call to Dunedin before too long.

Player Movement 

Welcome Jonathan Davis and Boomer Collins

Keep an eye on Anthony Alford and D.J. Davis. These very talented outfielders are showing signs of being able to put together a big year, but they will need to lay off the slow stuff if they hope to cut down the strike outs.

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