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.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats – AA

Record: 27-23

Playing Well:

Elvis Luciano – RHP

After missing some time on the injured list, RHP Elvis Luciano has turned into one of the most effective starting pitchers for the Fisher Cats. Through seven starts, the Dominican product is throwing to a 2.42 ERA with 11 walks, 23 strikeouts, and a 1.30 WHIP through 22.1 innings of work.

Kyle Jonhston – RHP

Now pitching in AA as a reliever, Kyle Johnston has performed well in his new role. He started pitching in relief on June 11 and since then, he has allowed only one earned run while racking up 12 strikeouts while going 2+ innings each outing. He has issued seven walks in the same time span, something to clean up, but nevertheless solid numbers for the right-hander.

Fitz Stadler – RHP

While the 6.75 ERA may be deceiving, since June 6, Fitz Stadler has not given up an earned run through 8.2 innings pitched, striking out 14 batters and only issuing five walks.

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

• Matt Chapman has been exactly what the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: The goalposts are moving in the right direction
• Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
• Blue Jays: Comparisons for Alek Manoah’s Second Season
• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King

Rough Times:

Johnny Barbato – RHP

Signed in early June, starting pitcher Johnny Barbato is struggling to keep his ERA below the 5.00 mark. Through five starts through June/July, Barbato currently sports a 5.90 ERA with 19 earned runs through 29.0 innings pitched. He currently has 10 walks compared to his 19 strikeouts but has only allowed one home run.

Transactions:

Injuries

C Gabriel Moreno and 1B Nick Podkul were placed on the 7-day IL.

INF/OF Austin Martin returns from the 7-day IL.

RHP James Dykstra was transferred from the 7-day IL to the 60-day IL.

Promoted

OF Tanner Kirwer, LHP Marcus Reyes, and RHP Cre Finfrock (demoted for one day) were promoted to AA from the Vancouver Canadians.

Activated

Recently signed RHP Reilly Hovis joins the Fisher Cats roster.

Demoted

1B Kevin Vicuna was reassigned back down to AA. He was called up to the Bisons back on June 18.

C Rodrigo Vigil was reassigned down to AA. He was called up to AAA back on June 8.

Transferred

OF Demi Orimoloye was transferred to the Development List.

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.