Blue Jays MiLB recap – Vlad Jr. mashes in HR derby

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays Minor League system.  Vlad Jr. rakes in the Midwest League home run derby while the system has issues in the batters box.

Buffalo Bisons at Rochester Red Wings (Twins)
0-7 Loss

Brett Oberholtzer just could not find solid ground in this one as the Red Wings buried him in the 2nd and 3rd innings.  The Red Wings struck for 6 runs off of Oberholtzer in just 2.1 innings of work.  They were able to amass 11 hits and a walk while he struck out 6 in that time frame.  Chris Rowley made his Triple-A debut and was terrific over 4.2 innings.  Rowley allowed 6 hits and 1 earned run.  He did issue 3 walks but was also able to strike out 5. Wil Browning also got in an innings worth of work and was perfect for that inning.

The offense was able to muster just 4 hits against Red Wings starter David Hurlbut.  Jarrod Saltalamacchia had the only extra-base hit with a double.  The bats are currently in hibernation for the Herd as they have had just 21 hits in their last 5 games scoring a total of 3 runs.  If the Bisons want to stay in the hunt in the division they need to rediscover how to hit.

T.J. House will get the start in game 2 against the Rochester Red Wings.  House has been a mixed basket lately as he has had some good and bad lately.  He is fresh off a shutout start through 6 innings.

MVB – Chris Rowley 4.2 IP, 6 hits, 1 run, 3 walks, 5 K’s

New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Off Day

The Fisher Cats will play Tuesday against the Harrisburg Senators. Conner Greene will get the start and will be looking to continue his success.  He shut out the Richmond Flying Squirrels in his last start and currently has a 3.47 ERA with a .227 opposing batting average heading into tomorrow’s start.

Chris Rowley has been promoted to the Triple at and will be part of the Buffalo Bisons pitching staff.

Dunedin Blue Jays vs Lakeland Flying Tigers
2-3 Loss

More from Toronto Blue Jays Prospects

• One prospect the Blue Jays should not have traded at the deadline
• Blue Jays: Can expanded rosters provide positivity?
• Blue Jays: 2022 Tournament 12 returns as Canadian Futures Showcase
• Blue Jays: Top Pitching Prospect Tiedemann Impresses in AA Debut
• Blue Jays 2022 Draft: Who did Toronto Land in Round Two?

The D-Jays dug themselves a small hole in the first inning and were never able to climb out of it. Conor Fisk was charged two earned runs in the first inning but then cruised for the following 4 innings.  Fisk threw 5 innings and allowed 7 hits.  He was charged just the 2 runs in the first on a 2 run homer to Will Maddox.  This would be the only damage to Fisk while he was on the mound.  He issued 1 walk while striking out 5.  Ryan Cook would allow a run in the 6th which became the deciding run in the game.

The D-Jays were able to collect just 6 hits to score 1 run.  The other run scored on an error.  Lourdes Gurriel returned to action in this one.  He drove in the only earned run for the Jays on a sac fly.  This was just the 2nd game that Gurriel played in this year. Jon Berti and Lane Thomas scored the runs for the D-Jays. D.J. Davis went 2-3 during the game.

Angel Perdomo will look to keep his scoreless inning streak alive against the Flying Tigers on Tuesday.,  Perdomo has not allowed a run in his last 11 innings pitched.

MVDJ – Philip Walby 1 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts

Lansing Lugnuts
All-Star Break

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. participated in the Midwest League home run derby and did nothing but impress.  He looked like a home run hitting machine as he destroyed pitches.  See the below video of his second round ball mashing.  He would somehow lose in the finals to Carlos Rincon of the Great Lake Loons.  Rincon is currently the 23 top prospect for the Dodgers.

Next: The looming trade deadline conundrum