Blue Jays MiLB Recap – Bo Bichette Being Bo Bichette

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays Minor League system. The Bisons were the only team to win as the Fisher Cats, the Dunedin Blue Jays, and the Lugnuts all fell victim to poor pitching performances. Oh, and Bichette is still hitting over .400.

Buffalo Bisons vs. Rochester Red Wings (Minnesota Twins)
3-0 Win

Mike Bolsinger was firing on all cylinders as he went 8.0 innings, striking out seven and giving up only four hits (no ER). Bolsinger was followed by Rule 5 draft pick Glenn Sparkman who himself fired a scoreless inning in relief, abeit while allowing two hits. The Blue Jays will have to make a decision in the imminent future with Sparkman as he must be added to the 25-man roster or returned to the Kansas City Royals.

Compared to the pitchers, the offense left much to be desired in this game scoring only three runs on eight hits. Gregorio Petit and Shane Opitz managed to record multiple hits, while Jon Berti and Roemon Fields recorded the RBIs. Top prospect Rowdy Tellez continued his disappointing season going 1-4, leaving his average at a mediocre .213.

Next Up: Brett Oberholtzer (1-5, 4.63 ERA)

MVB: Mike Bolsinger (W, 8.0 IP, 7 SO, 4 H)

New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs. Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox)
5-1 Loss

Sean Reid-Foley took the mound and looked to continue his turnaround season but unfortunately struggled against a strong Sea Dog offense led by Red Sox top prospect, Rafael Devers. Reid-Foley pitched 6.0 innings with an encouraging six strikeouts and two walks but the long ball was his downfall, as he gave up three home runs (leading to four earned runs).

The offense was disappointing in this game as the Fisher Cats managed only five hits. The lone run was batted in by Ryan McBroom who is struggling with his promotion to double-A. Another player struggling with his promotion is top prospect Richard Urena (1-4, 2B, R), who could be made available at the trade deadline with the additions of Gurriel and Warmoth. On a positive note, catcher Danny Jansen continued his excellent season going 1-3 with a walk.

Next Up: Jon Harris (2-8, 6.47 ERA)

MVFC: Ryan McBroom (1-4, RBI)

Dunedin Blue Jays vs. Bradenton Maureders (Pittsburgh Pirates)
4-1 Loss

Breakout prospect Jordan Romano took the hill and continued his strong 2017 season. Romano went an uninspiring 4.2 innings but recorded an impressive eight strikeouts while allowing only three hits and two earned runs. A small concern with this outing was Romano’s four walks, as they elevated his pitch count and left the rest of the game in the hands of the bullpen.

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In a recurring theme, the Blue Jays’ offense struggled in this game as they managed to record only five hits. The only run was scored on a wild pitch and only four Blue Jays got on the score sheet. Lane Thomas led the charge with two hits and Cavan Biggio scored the lone Blue Jays’ run. Lourdes Gurriel continued to struggle to adapt to the Minor League system as he went 0-4, leaving his average at an appalling .185.

Next Up: Josh DeGraaf (2-0, 3.16 ERA)

MVBJ: Lane Thomas (2-4)

Lansing Lugnuts vs. Bowling Green Hot Rods (Tampa Bay Rays)
10-6 Loss

This game got out of hand in a hurry as starting pitcher Diaz lasted only 2.1 innings while giving up nine earned runs on 12 hits. A lot of credit has to go to the relief pitchers (6.2 IP, ER) who managed to give the Lugnuts offense a chance to get back into the game.

Along with the bullpen, the Lugnuts offense did a remarkable job in their almost-successful comeback against the Hot Rods. Bo Bichette led the way with three hits (1 HR), a run, and an RBI raising his average to .402, a prodigious feat for any minor league player, yet alone someone who is just 19 years old (why Bichette is still in Lansing is a mystery). Guerrero Jr. also got in the fun going 1-5 with a solo home run. The other multi-hit game was recorded by Mitch Nay.

Next Up: Osman Gutierrez (1-6, 11.14 ERA)

MVL: Bo Bichette (3-5, HR)

Next: Blue Jays re-sign Saunders, interested in Montero