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.

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