Future Blue Jays Newsletter 5/8

Reinforcements?

While the big league roster is reasonably healthy (Zach Pop notwithstanding), it’s worth a look in the minors to see who might be ready to step up and fill in on the big league roster should a plague of injuries hit.

From a prospect perspective, at least, it’s not pretty.

Yes, Nate Pearson has performed admirably since his promotion to take Adam Cimber’s place. And Jay Jackson acquitted himself well against the Pirates this weekend. Beyond that, Thomas Hatch, new to the relief role, pitched well in April, but has given up 7 earned runs in his last two outings. Somewhat by default, because he wouldn’t need a 40-man move, Trent Thornton might be the next man up, at least if someone in a bulk role is needed. If a starter is needed, Drew Hutchison and/or Casey Lawrence would be the best bets - Lawrence could also be a bulk guy. Mitch White pitched well in a start for Buffalo on Sunday, but he’s still in need of some buildup time. If you’re wondering about Yosver Zulueta, he’s struggled with his command in four straight outings, so….no.

If there was one prospect outside of the 40 in Buffalo who could force his way into the picture at some point, it could be reliever Hayden Juenger, although I suspect it’s not quite his time.

On the position player side, Addison Barger has a 31% K rate thus far, and is on the IL with elbow inflammation. He’s eligible to come off this week. Otto Lopez posted a .443 OPS in April, but has hit safely in 7 of his last 8 games, if a middle infielder is needed. Spencer Horwitz has put up a decent (.873 OPS) month, but let’s face it - as long as Brandon Belt is on the MLB roster, Horwitz will be in Buffalo.

Two names to tuck away in the back of your mind are New Hampshire relievers Juan Nunez and Luis Quinones. They are power arms in the making.

You should also pray for continued good health for Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk. Stevie Berman would have been a serviceable emergency backup, but his broken finger necessitated the re-acquisition of Tyler Heineman from the Pirates. With the trade of Gabriel Moreno to Arizona, there are no high-grade catching prospects in the upper levels of the system.

So You Want a Job In Baseball?

“Baseball’s not a game you play - it’s one you practice”

-old scouting aphorism

I used to think that I would love to be a scout. Watching games and filing dispatches sure sounds like a lot of fun. But let’s face it, scouting involves long hours, plenty of travel, and a lot of mundane work. And, as I was reminded as I watched three scouts shiver their way through an April Vancouver homestand, it’s a job where you have to brave the early season elements. The Mariners scout behind my son and I at the top of the centre of this photo sure could’ve used a parka, or a hot chocolate at least. His duties include scouting the Midwest League, so he’s spent some time in cold spots. Much of his time was spent taking radar gun readings and recording them; he would compile his notes into a report in the warmth of a hotel room after the game. I wasn’t at the Saturday game that week, but the game time temp was 10C and continued to drop before it was mercifully called after 6 innings, and that poor scout looked positively frigid.

So, if I was a younger person who wanted to work in baseball, I would look more in the analytics or player developments for job opportunities. A playing background certainly helps in all areas of baseball administration, but it’s perhaps (for several reasons) not as necessary in analytics (a computer background is) or player devo. Perhaps it’s harder for Canadian kids, but there are certainly enough maple leafers working in baseball to think that it’s not necessarily a barrier.

Tiedemann on the IL

Quite frankly, I’m not surprised it happened. Tiedemann had shoulder soreness in spring training that were considered minor, but then was placed on the IL with left bicep soreness after taking himself out of his start last week. An MRI was apparently scheduled for the following day, but there have been no follow-up reports from the Blue Jays.

Tiedemann’s velo was down in his next-to-last start, and he struggled with his command, so perhaps the issue was developing at that point. I’m certainly not an orthopaedic surgeon, but diminished velocity is certainly a red flag for more complicated issues.

There’s only so much a developing arm can withstand, and while perhaps this is all just an abundance of caution, one can understand why the Blue Jays have been carefully monitoring Tiedemann’s workload - they do it for all of their players, but some more closely than others.

Barriera Electric

Speaking of young arms, the Blue Jays couldn’t have been happier with their first round pick’s debut (which, not to brag, was predicted in this space three weeks ago). Barriera retired the first 12 hitters he faced in order, the only blemish being a 2nd inning walk that was retired on a caught stealing. Barriera hit 95 with his fastball, and threw that pitch and his slider primarily. The slider is already shaping up as a true swing-and-miss option.

But let’s pump the brakes on him a bit. Developing starting pitchers takes time.

Kloff Continues to Shine

Let’s now segue to New Hampshire RHP Adam Kloffenstein, who continues to eat up innings. His latest effort was not one of his best, but despite surrendering 7 hits in 6 innings, he didn’t give up a run, nor did he issue a base on balls while fanning 8. He threw an incredible 58 of his 79 pitches for strikes, and therein lies the reason for Kloff’s success to date. He’s moving the ball around the strike zone, hitting his spots, and locating his breaking pitches - both his slider and curve come from the same arm slot, which makes ABs for RHHs uncomfortable.

In the past, Kloff would lose his delivery - not uncommon for a young pitcher (he seems to have been around forever, but Adam is only 22) of his proportions, then lose the strike zone, blowing up his pitch count in the process. So far, he’s pounded the strike zone. Kloffenstein has added some velo, but his command is better when he sits 92-93. He can touch 95, and a goal is obviously to make that a pitch he can locate more consistently. Kloff is still striking guys out better than a batter per inning, but he seems to be pitching more to contact. His most recent start was a case in point: he pitched a lot of the game from the stretch, but got outs when he needed them, especially the ground ball variety (his 57% rate leads the system).

The Jays have not really tinkered with his delivery; much of his success to date has come from hard work, and perhaps some maturity. We’ll continue to watch with interest.

Your Regular Rafael Sanchez Update

It really is time to make room for him in Vancouver.

Hats off to Dunedin’s pitching staff, whose 2.90 ERA is the lowest in all of MiLB.

On the other end, Buffalo’s team ERA is 17th (out of 20) in the International League, while their .701 OPS is dead last.

Cheese Slices NWL Opponents

Vancouver’s Chad Dallas was named the Northwest League’s Pitcher of the Week:

https://www.milb.com/news/chad-dallas-named-nwl-pitcher-of-the-week

Dallas is one of my favourite characters in the system:

Who’s Hot

Top offensive performers over the past week:

1. Rainer Nunez 1.164 OPS

2. Rafael Lantigua 1.096

3. Petyon Williams 1.074

4. Gaby Martinez 1.026

5. Davis Schneider .891