Jay Blue: Abbadessa, Castillo, Conine, Grudzielanek, Harris, Pinto, Tellez

Maximo Castillo picked up his seventh win of the season for the low-A Lansing Lugnuts on Thursday. Photo Credit: Jay Blue

June 28, 2018 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

The Toronto Blue Jays' organization had a 6-0 day on Thursday, as Jon Harris moved up to triple-A Buffalo with a strong effort. The Jays also bolstered their middle-infield depth by acquiring shortstop Santiago Espinal from the Boston Red Sox for Steve Pearce and cash.

Buffalo Bisons 8, Pawtucket Red Sox 1

In Thursday afternoon action, the Buffalo Bisons saw a former first-round draft pick make his triple-A debut and help the Bisons to an 8-1 over the Pawtucket Red Sox.

Jon Harris, after three straight strong outings in double-A, had an excellent debut for the Bisons, using just 81 pitches to throw six innings and give up one unearned run (from his own error on a bunt single) on four hits without walking anyone and striking out four. He also got nine ground outs to just two fly outs. Al Alburquerque followed, striking out the side in the seventh while Jose Fernandez pitched the eighth, retiring the side in order. Rhiner Cruz struck out one and walked one in the ninth, finishing things off.

Rowdy Tellez went deep with his sixth home run of the year, going 2-for-4 with two RBI while Richard Urena was 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and a run. Roemon Fields drove in two, going 1-for-5 and Anthony Alford drove in a pair of runs with a single, going 1-for-3 with a walk. Darnell Sweeney was 1-for-4 with a double and a run while Michael De La Cruz got his first triple-A hit, a double, in a 1-for-4 game.

W: Jon Harris (1-0)
HR: Rowdy Tellez (6)

Roster Notes: Jake Fishman was sent back to Dunedin and Jon Harris was promoted to Buffalo.

Player of the Game: Jon Harris

New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Portland Sea Dogs

Game postponed due to rain.

Roster Notes: Jon Harris was promoted to Buffalo.

Dunedin Blue Jays 4, Florida Fire Frogs 3

The class-A Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays scored late with two runs in the seventh and two more in the ninth to beat the Florida Fire Frogs 4-3.

Eduard Pinto led the offence with three hits, going 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, an RBI and a run. Kevin Smith had two doubles, going 2-for-5 while Rodrigo Orozco was 2-for-4 with a double and a run and John La Prise was 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and two runs.

Yennsy Diaz had a solid start, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in six innings, striking out five. Connor Eller allowed just a hit and struck out three in two innings to get the win and Jake Fishman earned the save in his return to Dunedin, allowing a hit and striking out one in the ninth.

W: Connor Eller (3-2)
S: Jake Fishman (3)

Roster Notes: Jake Fishman returned to Dunedin from Buffalo and shortstop Santiago Espinal, acquired for Steve Pearce, was assigned to Dunedin.

Player of the Game: Eduard Pinto

Lansing Lugnuts 5, Great Lakes Loons 1

Maximo Castillo picked up his seventh win with a strong performance as the low-A Lansing Lugnuts beat the Great Lakes Loons 5-1.

Castillo went five innings, allowing just two hits and two walks with four strikeouts, needing only 81 pitches. Kyle Weatherly added three innings of scoreless ball, allowing just one hit with three strikeouts. Brody Rodning gave up a run on two hits in the ninth.

Brandon Grudzielanek continues to swing a hot bat, going 2-for-4 with a double, two runs and a stolen base while Norberto Obeso was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Samad Taylor was 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a run and a stolen base.

W: Maximo Castillo (7-2)

Roster Notes: The Lugnuts released catcher Matt Morgan and promoted outfielder Freddy Rodriguez from Vancouver while Reggie Pruitt went on the DL on Wednesday.

Player of the Game: Maximo Castillo

Vancouver Canadians 3, Tri-City Dust Devils 2

The class-A Short-Season Vancouver Canadians scored a single run in each of the fourth, sixth and eighth innings, amassing enough runs to beat the Tri-City Dust Devils 3-2. Griffin Conine hit a solo home run in the sixth and drove in two runs by going 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly as well as the dinger. Bryan Lizardo was 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI.

Jose Espada started, allowing two runs (one earned) on just three hits and three walks in five innings with five strikeouts. Nick Allgeyer allowed a hit and two walks with one strikeout in 1 2/3 innings while Connor Law tossed 2/3 of an inning, allowing two hits and a walk with one strikeout. Orlando Pascual finished the game, giving up a hit with two strikeouts.

W: Orlando Pascual (1-0)
HR: Griffin Conine (1)

Roster Notes: Hunter Steinmetz was promoted from Bluefield to Vancouver as Freddy Rodriguez was promoted from Vancouver to Lansing.

Player of the Game: Griffin Conine

Bluefield Blue Jays 4, Greeneville Reds 2

The rookie-class Bluefield Blue Jays moved their record to 7-2 after scoring four runs early and holding on to defeat the Greeneville Reds 4-2.

Dominic Abbadessa was 2-for-5 with a run, dropping his batting average to .519 while D.J. Neal was 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run. John Aiello was 2-for-4 and Hagen Danner was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Claudio Galva went five innings for the win, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks with one strikeout. Joey Pulido tossed a scoreless sixth and Fitz Stadler allowed a hit with one strikeout through two innings. Brad Wilson saved it, giving up two hits with one strikeout in the ninth.

W: Claudio Galva (2-0)
S: Brad Wilson (2)

Roster Notes: Hunter Steinmetz moved up to Vancouver and Cal Stevenson was promoted to Bluefield from the GCL.

Player of the Game: Dominic Abbadessa, D.J. Neal, John Aiello and Hagen Danner

GCL Blue Jays

Scheduled off day.

Roster Notes: Cal Stevenson was promoted from the GCL to the Bluefield Blue Jays.

DSL Blue Jays 3, DSL D-backs1 2

After giving up two runs in the first inning, the DSL Blue Jays' pitchers buckled down and threw eight consecutive zeroes on the board in a 3-2 win over the DSL D-backs1.

Junior Guzman finished after five innings, giving up seven hits and two runs with five strikeouts. Brayan Mejia went 2 2/3 innings, giving up just a hit and three walks with one strikeout. Erick Teran struck out the only batter he faced and vultured a win as the Blue Jays scored in the top of the ninth enabling Eliezer Bello to get his first save of the year, striking out two in the ninth.

Jhon Solarte was 2-for-4 with a run and two stolen bases and Erickvi Celedonio scored twice, going 1-for-4 wtih a double. Jose Rivas also hit a double, driving in a run and going 1-for-4.

W: Erick Teran (2-0)
S: Eliezer Bello (1)

Player of the Game: Jhon Solarte and Junior Guzman

Jay's Jay of the Day: Jon Harris and Maximo Castillo

If you like us here, like us on Facebook!

The 2018 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook is now available!