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

Previous segments looking at the Blue Jays farm system:

May 9

May 23

June 6

Buffalo Bisons  – AAA

Record: 21 – 18

Performing Well:

Kevin Smith – INF

A fourth-round pick in 2017, Kevin Smith is starting to hit the ball well in AAA after a slow start to the season. Since June 8th, the infielder has been slashing around .270 and currently owns a .287/.396/.589 line with nine home runs and 30 RBI on the season.

He currently leads the Buffalo Bisons in OPS with a .985 and leads the club in home runs and RBI as well.

Thomas Hatch – RHP

On a rehab assignment with the Bisons, RHP Thomas Hatch is pitching well in limited outings since returning from his injury. Through four starts, the right-hander has a 1.74 ERA through 10.1 innings with two walks and nine strikeouts.

In this segment of News from the Nest, Toronto Blue Jays prospects Gabriel Moreno and Samad Taylor are tearing up the AA scene while a High-A prospect has decided to call it a career.

Rough Outings:

Casey Lawerence – RHP

Signed on May 19, Casey Lawerence was brought in to add both depth and experience down in AAA. So far this season, Lawerence has been hit around to the tune of a  9.00 ERA through 7 appearances, surrendering 11 earned runs with 2 walks and 18 strikeouts.

The right-hander has had three clean appearances (no runs allowed) versus four rough outings where he has given up at least two earned runs per outing.

Logan Warmoth – INF

After a strong start to the 2021 campaign, the month of June has been rough for the Florida product. Since June 1, Logan Warmoth has gone 9 for 45 (.200) with one home run and 5 RBI, seeing his average drop from the high .200s in mid-May to .217, where it stands now.

Through 136 at-bats, Warmoth is slashing .217/.326/.365 with a .691 OPS.

Transactions

Promoted

RHP Curtis Taylor, 1B Kevin Vicuna, C Rodrigo Virgil, and LHP Zach Logue were promoted from the New Hampshire Fisher Cats to AAA.

Injuries

OF Forrest Wall was placed on the 7-day injured list.

RHP Jackson Rees was moved from the 7-day IL to the 60-day IL

INF Breyvic Valera returned from the 7-day IL.

To MLB

OF Jared Hoying, LHP Anthony Kay, C Riley Adams, and T.J. Zeuch (who is now back with the Bisons) were promoted to the Blue Jays roster.

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.

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.