Toronto Blue Jays: News from the Nest – Sunday, June 20

New Hampshire Fisher Cats – AA

Record: 16-24

Performing Well:

Gabriel Moreno – C

In other news, water is wet and Gabriel Moreno continues to produce in AA.

With his dominant .375/.429/.652 slash line, Moreno leads the AA-Northeast league with his 1.080 OPS as well as with his 38 RBI. The Venezuelan product has also been effective behind the plate, throwing out 43.3% of base runners while posting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

Samad Taylor – INF/OF

Right on the heels of Moreno, a rough start to the season is now in the rearview mirror for Samad Taylor, as he is currently raking over the past month, seeing his average climb roughly 70 points. Since June 1, Taylor has gone 27 for 66 (.409) and currently has the second-highest OPS in the league (behind only Moreno) with 1.021. His 16 steals on the season also leads the league.

Jon Harris – RHP

One of the top relievers for the Fisher Cats, former first-round pick Jon Harris has found his calling in the bullpen. After a rough few seasons in the minor leagues, Harris is putting together a strong campaign where he leads the team in appearances (13) and also has one of the lowest ERAs (1.83) among club relievers. The right-hander has six walks and 15 strikeouts on the season while also posting a strong 0.81 WHIP through 19.2 innings pitched.

Rough Outings:

Connor Law – RHP

Through 12 outings this season, right-hander Connor Law has seen his fair share of ups and downs. While he has pitched some clean innings, Law got hit around a few times this season, giving up six earned runs on June 6 and three earned runs on May 29. The command has been the biggest concern, as he has 16 free passes compared to the 11 strikeouts out of the bullpen. He currently sports a 10.38 ERA through 13.0 innings.

Johnny Barbato – RHP

Another veteran arm in the Blue Jays farm system, Johnny Barbato returns to the professional stage after spending last year in independent ball (with the minor league season being canceled) and the 2019 season in Japan.

Through three starts this year, Barbato has thrown to a 5.09 ERA with 10 earned runs over 17.2 innings pitched, allowing five walks compared to his 12 strikeouts while sporting a 1.358 WHIP.

Chris Bec – C

Opposite Moreno, catcher Chris Bec is not experiencing the same triumphs that his counterpart is going through. Through 15 games, Bec sports a .154/.267/.154 line with zero extra-base hits and two RBI, featuring one of the lowest OPS (.420) on the team.

Transactions:

Promoted

RHP Will McAffer promoted from High-A Vancouver.

Injuries

OF Chavez Young and RHP Elvis Luciano were activated from the injured list

Activated

RHP Simeon Woods-Richardson was activated while participating in the Tokyo Olympics qualifier with the United States.

Vancouver Canadians – High A

Record: 23-18

Performing Well:

Cameron Eden – OF

Currently leading the Canadians in terms of average (.295), outfielder Cameron Eden also leads the roster in RBI (27) and has 21 stolen bases on the season. His .809 OPS is behind only Tanner Kirwer and also leads the team in hits with 43. Eden’s slash line is .295/.378/.432 through 146 at-bats on the year.

Parker Caracci – RHP

Parker Caracci has been the bullpen’s top arm for most of the season, crafting a 1.31 ERA through a team-leading 15 appearances with three earned runs with 13 walks and 17 strikeouts over 20.2 innings.

While the walks are still a concern, Caracci continues to find ways to keep runs off the scoreboard and has taken over as the team’s closer, converting five saves over six opportunities this season in High-A.

Rough Outings:

Sean Wymer – RHP

Struggling to begin the season, starting pitcher Sean Wymer is still in a funk as the season heads into month number three. Wymer currently sports a 10.17 ERA with 13 walks and 23 strikeouts through seven starts and 25.2 innings pitched. Four of his seven outings have seen the right-hander surrender 4+ earned runs while giving up a home run in each of those rough outings.

Adam Kloffenstein – RHP

One of the Blue Jays’ top prospects (#9), right-hander Adam Kloffenstein has recently had some rough appearances after a strong start to the season. He currently sports a 6.39 ERA with 25 walks and 30 strikeouts through 31.0 innings and eight starts.

The command has been his biggest issue this season, as Kloffenstein is almost on par when comparing walks to strikeouts this year (25 vs 30). He has six outings where he has put up 3+ walks and has three outings where he put 5+ earned runs.

Philip Clarke – C

With the Blue Jays possessing a boatload of catching talent, Philip Clarke is further down the food chain as he struggles through his second professional season. He is slashing .188/.336/.214 with three doubles and eight RBI through 117 at-bats and his .549 OPS is one of the lowest on the team amongst qualified players.

Transactions:

Retired

RHP Luke Gillingham has retired. He only appeared in one game this season before being placed on the injured list.

Injured

RHP Nick Fraze placed on the 7-day injured list.

RHP Edisson Gonzalez and SS Trevor Schwecke were transferred from the 7-day IL to the 60-day IL.

Promoted

LHP Sean Mellen and RHP Adrian Hernandez were promoted from the Low-A Dunedin Blue Jays

Dunedin Blue Jays – Low A

Record: 17-23

Performing Well:

Leo Jimenez – INF

After a rough start to the 2021 campaign, Leo Jimenez has had a great month in June. Since the 1st, Jimenez has gone 19 for 46 (.413) and has seen his average climb from .196 to .290 during that span. He currently leads the team in terms of batting average and on-base percentage while posting a very close walk-to-strikeout rate (17 vs. 18 on the season). He is currently ranked as the Blue Jays  #12 prospect.

Naswell Paulino – LHP

Leading the Blue Jays in games started (8), Naswell Paulino has been the club’s most effective starting pitcher. Through 36.1 innings, Paulino sports a 3.47 ERA with 21 walks, 37 strikeouts, and

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a 1.38 WHIP.

Rough Outings:

Ryan Sloniger – C

Splitting time with fellow catcher Zach Britton, Penn State alum Ryan Sloniger is having a rough go to begin the 2021 season down in Low-A. Through 22 games and 69 at-bats, the righty slugger sports a .130/.310/.261 slash line with five extra-base hits and 8 RBI on the season.

His .571 OPS is one of the lowest on the team and his 27 strikeouts have him striking out 39.1% of the time this year.

Jiorgeny Casimiri – RHP

Through eight outings this year, Jiorgeny Casimiri has had a very up-and-down rookie season in the Jays bullpen. While he has gone four appearances without giving up an earned run, his other four outings have seen him give up 13 earned runs, with three of those appearances being in excess of 3+. On the season, the Netherlands product sports an 11.32 ERA through 10.1 innings with eight walks and 13 strikeouts.

Transactions:

Injuries

Catcher Zach Britton went on the 7-day injured list and was recently activated over the past two weeks.

Promoted

RHP Jefferson Herrera was promoted from the Gulf Coast Blue Jays.