JB: Glenn's big day, Lansing AS's Alford, Dawson McBroon, Tellez
Rowdy Tellez earned class-A Midwest all-star honors at Lansing.
June 6 Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays From Away
The Blue Jays’ minor league affiliates had a far better day on Saturday than Friday, getting four wins out of a possible six games. Jeff Hoffman made a start in the first game of a double header for the Dunedin Blue Jays but it was Murphy Smith who dominated in the second half.
Buffalo Bisons 11, Louisville Bats 6
The Bisons’ offense came to play on Saturday slamming 17 hits and getting at least one from each of the nine starters. Ramon Santiago (3/6, R, 2B, 2 RBI, SB), Brad Glenn (3/4, R, 2B, RBI, BB) and Caleb Gindl (3/5, 3 RBI, OF Asst) had three hit games while Andy Burns (2/4, R, 2B, RBI, BB) and Jonathan Diaz (2/3, 2 R, 2 BB, SB) had two hits each. Luke Scott was 1/4 with a walk, two runs and two RBI and Chris Dickerson scored twice, getting a double and a walk.
The offense was more than enough to cover for one of Randy Wolf’s poorer starts of the season. Wolf only went 3 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Todd Redmond provided 2 1/3 innings of one-run, three-ball while striking out two and Gregory Infante picked up the win with two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and one walk. Colt Hynes finished the game in a scoreless ninth.
Roster Notes: OF Caleb Gindl was activated off the DL by the Bisons and Dalton Pompey was sent down to New Hampshire. LHP Luis Perez was also sent back to New Hampshire, marking the sixth time this year he’s been moved between Double-A and Triple-A (not counting his season-opening assignment with New Hampshire).
Player of the Game: Glenn, Gindl and Santiago
New Hampshire Fisher Cats 3, Richmond Flying Squirrels 7
The Fisher Cats dropped their second game in a row to Richmond as Luis Perez, fresh off the plane from Buffalo, allowed three runs in relief as well as an inherited run from Greg Burke. Joel Pineiro was solid, giving up three runs in 7 1/3 innings on eight hits. He left game tied in the eighth when Burke got one out but plunked a batter, leaving him on for Perez who gave up a hit to Ricky Oropesa who was subsequently thrown out at second for the third out of the inning. Perez then gave up three runs in the ninth, putting away all hope for a comeback victory by the home side.
Dalton Pompey, in his first game back in New Hampshire, went 1/5 with a two-run home run while Melky Mesa and Shane Opitz had a pair of hits with Opitz adding a walk.
Roster Notes: Dalton Pompey and Luis Perez were sent down from Buffalo and Cory Burns and Matt Newman were placed on the DL.
Player of the Game: Pineiro
Dunedin Blue Jays 2, Brevard County Manatees 3
The first game of the Blue Jays’ double header went to extra innings and, despite out-hitting Brevard County, the Blue Jays lost the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. Jeff Hoffman didn’t allow a run in four innings in his start, giving up just two hits and walking three while striking out a pair. Alberto Tirado allowed two runs (one earned) in 2 1/3 innings, giving up two walks and a hit while Justin Shafer took the loss and the blown save, allowing Tirado’s inherited runner to score and giving up the game-winning solo home run to lead off the eighth inning.
Of the Blue Jays’ eight hits, only L.B. Dantzler had more than one and that included his second home run of the season. Matt Dean was 1/3 with a double and a walk, driving in another run.
Roster Notes: Catcher Chris Schaeffer was placed on the 7-Day DL.
Player of the Game: Dantzler
Dunedin Blue Jays 5, Brevard County Manatees 0
In the second half of the twin bill, Murphy Smith pitched a gem, going the full seven innings and allowing just three hits and a walk while striking out 11 batters. Christian Lopes and Martin Medina had two hits each with Lopes driving in a run with a 2/4 game that included a double. Jonathan Davis (J.D.) drove in another run and L.B. Dantzler was 1/3 with another RBI.
Player of the Game: Smith
Lansing Lugnuts 6, Burlington Bees 2
Righty Chase De Jong had a strong start for the Lugnuts, going seven innings and allowing just two runs on five hits (including a home run) and one walk with seven strikeouts before handing the ball over to Jose Fernandez who allowed just one runner to reach in two otherwise perfect innings.
Richard Urena drove the offense, going 4/4 with two doubles and a home run, driving in three RBI. Tim Locastro was on base twice thanks to a walk and a home run and he drove in another three runs while scoring twice. Anthony Alford was 0/3 but took a walk and had an outfield assist.
Player of the Game: Urena
DSL Blue Jays 10, DSL Padres 4
Saturday’s game was much better all around for the Dominican Summer League Blue Jays. Guadalupe Chavez made the start and struck out five batters in four innings, allowing one run on five hits and one walk. Elio Silva took the win wiht one run allowed on two hits in 3 2/3 innings, striking out four and Guillermo De La Cruz went 1 1/3 innings, allowing the final two runs on three hits and walk with two strikeouts.
The offense was going strong, getting 13 hits including three-hit games by Cristian Peguero (3/5, 2 R, 3B, RBI) and Sterling Guzman (3/4, 2 R, 3B, 2 RBI). Antony Fuentes was 2/5 while Francisco Rodriguez had the biggest day of all, going 2/4 with a walk and two home runs, driving in three and scoring three times.
Player of the Game: Rodriguez
Four Lugnut All-Stars
The Midwest League named their All-Stars and four Lansing players were among them.
Leading the way was first baseman Rowdy Tellez along with outfielder Anthony Alford, DH Ryan McBroom and starting pitcher Shane Dawson. While these four represent the Lugnuts (and Dawson represents Canada too), there could have been several other hitters from Lansing who could have easily have been considered.
Tellez ranks second on the Lugnuts in home runs with six and is hitting .288/.342/.452 in 231 plate appearances so far this year. With a solid 7.8% walk rate and 19.0% strikeout rate, the powerful Tellez isn’t selling out for his home runs and has a 129 wRC+ this season while leading the Midwest League with 41 RBI. McBroom, drafted out of college last year only has two home runs on the season but has 16 doubles and a .443 slugging percentage to go with his .307 batting average and .390 OBP. He walks in 9.3% of plate appearances and only strikes out in 20%. His wRC+ is 144 while Alford comes in at 153, leading the active Lugnuts in that category. While Alford isn’t hitting for a lot of power yet (with a .084 ISO), his OBP is a whopping .446 (leading the league) and he is second in the Midwest League in walk rate at 19.6%.
Dawson is off to a stellar start with a 3.32 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP and is walking just 5.3% of batters while striking out 23.5%. Dawson has a 7-3 record and has been the most consistent starter on the Lugnuts.
A couple of players could be considered fairly conspicuous omissions. First off is Richard Urena. The shortstop is just 19 (one of the younger players in the league) and leads the Lugs in home runs with seven. While his overall numbers aren’t superb (a .269/.285/.406 line with a 98 wRC+), his age and surprising power from a premium defensive position might have been enough to earn some recognition.
Another omission is second baseman Tim Locastro. Locastro has one of the highest batting averages and on-base percentages in the league (.311/.415) and while he doesn’t hit for much power (.091 ISO), he leads the Midwest League in stolen bases at 27 and hit-by-pitches with 16 already this season.
If you like us here, “like” us on Facebook!
Get your 2015 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook now! All the up-to-date information on the Blue Jays minor league system with 250 player profiles, team information and more! You can find it at the BJfA Shop or at our distribution partner, Smashwords.com!
The All-New Blue Jays from Away Premium Content section is here! Combined with the 2015 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook, it will be your best resource to the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system for just $1.99 per month or $15 for a full year (and get the 2015 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook free with a yearly subscription)!
Photos are copyright Blue Jays from Away (2013-2015) and may not be used without permission.