Stock Watch: Week 3 (April Review)

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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.

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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.