Toronto Blue Jays: News from the Nest – Sunday, July 4

To find previous News from the Nest articles, please find them in the links below:

May 9

May 23

June 6 

June 20

Buffalo Bisons – AAA

Record: 30 – 20

Playing Well:

Kevin Smith – INF

Currently leading the team in OPS (.970), Kevin Smith is putting together a really solid campaign. His .282/.387/.582 line is one of the highest on the Bisons right now and he leads the squad in home runs and RBI with 12 and 40 respectively.

Smith has also been moved around the diamond, starting to get reps at third base as well as left field. The versatility may help make the jump to the major leagues and if he keeps hitting the ball well, his only hurdle will be finding a spot on the 40-man roster.

The Bullpen

The Bison’s bullpen has been strong for most of the season, with a few players really standing out. I will let the numbers speak for themselves:

Curtis Taylor: 0.93 ERA; 9.2 IP; 1 earned run; 4 walks; 14 strikeouts

Connor Overton: 1.59 ERA; 39.2 IP; 7 earned runs; 8 walks; 34 strikeouts

Bryan Baker: 2.00 ERA; 18.0 IP; 4 earned runs; 12 walks; 22 strikeouts

Kirby Snead: 2.25 ERA; 24.0 IP; 6 earned runs; 9 walks; 32 strikeouts

Hobie Harris: 3.15 ERA; 20.0 IP; 7 earned runs; 8 walks; 28 strikeouts

Rough Times:

Nate Pearson – RHP

After starting the season on the injured list, Blue Jays’ top prospect Nate Pearson is having a rough 2021 campaign. After getting shelled in his first major league start this year, Pearson is also having difficulty down in the minors, pitching to a 4.74 ERA over five starts and six appearances.

The right-hander was dealt some more bad news as he is back on the injured list with another groin strain. While talented, the former first-round draft pick is having injury troubles at the worst time, in a season where he could have bumped others from the major league rotation and prove he belongs in the big leagues.

Transactions:

To the Blue Jays

LHP Nick Allgeyer, OF Jonathan Davis, and RHP Anthony Castro (who was recently demoted) were promoted to the Blue Jays roster.

Rehab Assignments

LHP Tommy Milone, C Danny Jansen (who is now back with Toronto), C Alejandro Kirk, RHP Rafael Dolis, and RHP John Axford are all now in AAA.

Demoted

C Riley Adams, RHP Patrick Murphy, 1B Rowdy Tellez, LHP Travis Bergen, and RHP Joel Payamps were all demoted from the big league club to AAA.

Free Agency

OF Jared Hoying has elected for free agency after being sent outright to the minors.

Injuries

RHP Nate Pearson is on the 7-day IL with a right groin strain.

Vancouver Canadians – High A

Record:  27 – 26

Playing Well:

Luis De Los Santos – INF

Nobody is swinging a hotter bat right now than infielder Luis De Los Santos, who has seen his OPS skyrocket through the month of June. Since June 22, the Dominican product has gone 18 for 42 (.429) and is currently riding a nine-game hit streak that includes six multi-hit games.

https://twitter.com/vancanadians/status/1411679973191163905

Parker Caracci – RHP

It is no secret that the Canadians best relief pitcher all season has been Parker Caracci. The club’s bona fide closer, Caracci leads the team in appearances (19) and sports a clean 1.00 ERA through 27.0 innings of work. He has five saves through six opportunities and has only allowed three earned runs all season compared to the 16 walks and 25 strikeouts.

He does need to fine-tune his control a bit to bring the walks down, but it is a bit surprising the Blue Jays haven’t moved him up to AA with how well he is performing.

Rough Times:

Philip Clarke – C

Starting catcher Philip Clarke is having a rough year at the plate and the end of June did not help the stats sheet. Since June 22, Clarke has gone 5 for 28 (.179) without a home run or RBI, and only one of those hits being for extra bases.

Cameron Eden – OF

After a terrific start to the year, outfielder Cameron Eden fell into a bit of a slump in late June. Since June 20, Eden has gone 6 for 32 (.188) with only four RBI and one extra-base hit (a home run). He was also just placed on the 7-day injured list as of yesterday, so one wonders if he was playing through the injury that led to the decline at the plate.

Transactions:

Injuries

OF Cameron Eden and RHP Sean Wymer were placed on the 7-day IL.

3B John Aiello was activated from the IL on June 22.

RHP Troy Watson was moved from the 7-day IL to the 60-day IL.

Promoted

RHP Alex Nolan and RHP Rothier Hernandez were promoted from Low-A to High-A

Demoted

RHP Connor Law was reassigned from the AA roster to High-A

Activated

RHP Brian Rapp was assigned to the Vancouver Canadians roster

Dunedin Blue Jays – Low A

Record: 21 – 31

Playing Well:

Harrison Ray – OF

In his first professional season with the Blue Jays, outfielder Harrison Ray is performing quite well. He leads the Jays roster with his .905 OPS and is finding ways to get on base with consistency. Since June 20, Ray has gone 8 for 34 (.235) but has got on base via walk nine times with three home runs and seven RBI in the same span.

Alejandro Melean – RHP

While right-hander Alejandro Melean was used as a relief pitcher to begin the year, the Venezuelan product has made the recent switch to starting games and is producing solid results. Through 9.0 combined innings over two starts, Melean has allowed only one earned run with five walks and 11 strikeouts since the role change.

Rough Times:

Trent Palmer – RHP

In his first professional season since being drafted in the fifth round last year, right-hander Trent Palmer is struggling to find consistency on the mound. Through his five starts, Palmer has two outings where he did not give up an earned run while the other three all produced 2+ or more. While this normally wouldn’t be a big issue, Palmer has yet to go more than 3.0 innings, which is why his ERA is at 7.15.

The walks have been an issue for Palmer as well, as he has 12 walks on the year compared to 15 strikeouts. At 22 years old, he is still going to be developing in the system and hopefully puts June behind him for better times in July.

Transactions:

Injuries

RHP Nick Frasso has been transferred to the 60-day IL retroactive back to June 4.

RHP Grant Townsend was transferred from the 7-day IL to the 60-day IL.

C Anthony Morales activated from 7-day IL.

Promoted

RHP Thomas Ruwe and LHP Wilgenis Alvarado were promoted to the Dunedin Blue Jays.

Demoted

OF Jhon Solarte was sent down to the FCL Blue Jays.

Activated

RHP Andrew Bash was activated and assigned to Low-A.

Retired

C Ryan Sloniger has retired.