Some final thoughts on Joey Votto, injury updates, playoff talk and more in this edition….

Gotta Go, Votto

It came as a bit of a surprise that Hall of Famer to be Joey Votto ended his comeback attempt and announced his retirement from the parking lot of Sahlen Field, but perhaps it should not have been.

I was asked after seeing Votto live in Buffalo a few weeks how he looked. At first glance, he seemed fine. The timing wasn’t there, but it certainly would be, right? Sitting down the 1st base line, I couldn’t see exactly how Votto was being pitched, but after going back over the ABs of that day - and many more since then, it was obvious: one of the best hitters of his generation couldn’t get around on the fastball anymore. And he knew it.

As Votto’s former team came to town last week, there was much hue and cry about the long-time Red not getting a call up as a token gesture on social media among those who can’t wait to pounce on any and all perceived shortcomings of the current front office. And while Ross Atkins and even maybe Mark Shapiro could benefit from some further media training, and when it comes to the current season there’s much to criticize them about, well, this wasn’t one of them. The only way he was coming to Toronto was if he earned it, something Votto clearly understood.

We all wanted to see it. We all want to believe. Homegrown stars are still a rare thing in MLB, and to have one contribute to a contending team in his final tour was a dream we all shared. But that bat he tripped on in spring training was a black cat crossing his path, leading to a malady that caused several stops and re-starts, robbing one of the best bat-to-ball-skills player in big league history of his ability to square up the blazing offerings of a new generation.

Joey’s gone, but he’s not forgotten. And I suspect after a bit of downtime, he’ll be back in the game in some capacity. With all respect to Joe Siddall, Votto would make an incredible addition to the Blue Jays broadcast booth if this is to be Buck Martinez’ swan song, but he’s likely due for time on a much bigger stage.

Injury Updates

Let’s start with the good news: LHP Adam Macko made a rehab start with Dunedin this past week, and while there was some rust (not unexpected for a guy who hadn’t pitched in seven weeks), his velo seemed fine in a pitch count limited outing.

The truest test will come in the two-three days following that outing, and the following two-three leading up to his next one.

The bad news: It’s unofficial, but the rumbling I hear from Florida is that RHP Nolan Perry, who had a breakout season in the Florida State League, has a torn UCL and is exploring options. Several days prior to that, RHP Carson Pierce walked off the mound in Vancouver, and likely has a similar injury. And before that, big league-bound reliever Connor Cooke appeared to injure his throwing arm as well.

If you’re keeping track, that’s seven pitchers in the organization who have injured their elbows this season. Alek Manoah, Brandon Barriera, Landen Maroudis, and Ricky Tiedemann have had UCL surgery. And again, there are those who want to find fault with the Blue Jays, but of that group only Manoah is older than 24. Yes, as someone in the organization has told me, they do need to figure out how to ramp up young pitchers better in the spring, but so much of this can be attributed to a much wider trend. Stateside pitchers are throwing harder and more often than ever before - so many of them have been in travel ball, showcase events, and year round ball since they were adolescents. And the cumulative effect seems to appear, almost on cue, not long after these pitchers turn 20.

I don’t think we’re at the point where MRIs become part of a draft prospect’s medicals (nor do I ever hope so), but MLB in particular and the baseball industry in general needs to figure things out, get on the same page, and find a way to protect young arms better. I hope to speak with both CEO/President Mark Shapiro and Director of Player Development Joe Sclafani before I take a hiatus before the Rule 5 draft (more on that in a later newsletter) to try to see where the Blue Jays are at in that regard.

Gearing Up for the Postseason

Vancouver fans are once again gearing up for playoff action as the Northwest League schedule enters its final two weeks.

The C’s have a healthy six game lead over Hillsboro as play starts today, and barring a complete collapse will face Colorado affiliate Spokane in the best of five championship series. Spokane had Vancouver’s number over their first several meetings, taking 20 of 24 contests, but with the Indians losing several top prospects and the C’s gaining some, Vancouver took 4 of 6 at the end of July on Spokane turf. A hot (1.029 OPS) August by OF Jace Bohrofen, a return to health by 1B Peyton Williams, dominant starting pitching by Kendry Rojas, and the addition of Jacob Sharp, Cutter Coffey, and Jay Harry at the trade deadline have bolstered the Canadians lineup.

Not to be outdone, their playoff hopes may be slimmer for Dunedin, but the influx of recent draftees like Eddie Micheletti Jr, Nick Mitchell, and Aaron Parker, a much improved second half by Arjun Nimmala, recently promoted Daniel Guerra, and newly acquired Gilberto Batista have the D-Jays sitting 5 games out with ten remaining after an August surge.

That’s it for this week, but I have plans for the coming weeks. There are some longer form interview pieces I’m in the process of arranging, and a Top 30 prospects piece still to come before the big league season ends.