Minor League Roundup – Weekend Report! August 23rd-25th

Gideon Turk contributed to this post

The Good

Kenny Wilson – New Hampshire (Double A)

3/12 – 1 HR, 1 2B, 2 SB, 1 BB, 1 K

***Three Games***

The 3/12 doesn't look to good, but the power showed with the double and homer is nice to see from somebody who doesn't possess all that much of it. Kenny obviously has a ton of speed, and 2 stolen bases over the weekend is great to see. He might not be more than organizational depth at this point, but he's only 23, so you never know what he might turn into with his speed.

Deck McGuire – New Hampshire (Double A)

7 IP – 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K

No hitter through 6 

Just when it seemed like McGuire wouldn't be protected by the Jays this off-season from the Rule 5 Draft, he has put together a nice month of August making everybody second guess themselves. If he can continue to build on his recent performance in what is likely going to be his final start of 2013 this week, he just might get his contract purchased. The scouts still aren't in love with him, but Mort said on BP today that he'd be interesting out of the bullpen, so maybe the Jays try that next year.

Emilio Guerrero – Lansing (Low Single A)

1/6 - 3 BB, 1 K, 1 CS

***Two Games***

Guerrero showed some nice discipline over the weekend drawing 3 walks to only 1 strikeout, but other than that, not much to write about here. 

L.B. Dantzler – Vancouver (Short Season Single A)

3/7 – 2 2B, 1 K, 1 CS

***Two Games***

Dantzler continues to rip apart pitching in Vancouver, and although I know nothing about this 14th round 2013 draftee, he has gotten himself off to a great start,and I'm sure the organization will reward him with full season ball come 2014. Oh, and by the way, I didn't know who this guy was either until I wrote this paragraph.

Mitch Nay – Bluefield (Low Rookie)

5/9 – 1 Error

***Two Games***

One of the backbone's of Bluefield's lineup had himself an incredible weekend at the plate, showing once again why he was picked so high last year. 

Daniel Norris – Lansing (Low Single A)

4 IP – 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K

Another start, more domination for the red hot Norris. He has been fantastic since mid-May when he started throwing pitches that weren't fastballs, which is what the club made him do in April. Daniel has skyrocketed back up the prospect lists with the year he's had, and there's no better story in the Jays system right now than this young gun.

Matthew Smoral – GCL (Low Rookie)

4 IP – 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K

Best start as a professional, NO WALKS!!! 
This is so good to see because when Smoral was drafted he was such a risk pick coming from back from injury, and the rough start he had gotten off to this season was scary, but to see him nail a start like he just did, that's awesome. Now 2 good starts in a row for Smoral, whom the sky is the limit for.

The Bad

Kyle Drabek – Buffalo (Triple A)

3.1 IP – 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 K

Drabek had his worst start of his season on Sunday, giving up as many hits as he had in his previous 4 starts.  Despite having this minor setback, he still only walked 1 batter, and that’s the key thing to look at, because of Drabek’s struggles in that regard during his time in the majors.

Aaron Sanchez – Dunedin (High Single A)

2.2 IP – 5 H, 6 R (3 Earned), 4 BB, 3 K

After a strong bounce back start after struggling with blisters, he had potentially the worst start of his season.  He struggled with his control (which could be an indication that the blisters were still an issue), and while 3 of his runs were unearned that was only because of a single error.  For the player who is the Jays top prospect, I still have major question marks about him going into next season.

Dawel Lugo – Vancouver (Short Season Single A)

2/8 – 1 2B, 3 Errors, 1 K

***Two Games***

Lugo has really struggled since his promotion to Vancouver.  He’s still yet to draw a walk, and has just hit 3 extra base hits (one of them on the weekend).  The biggest issue has been his deficiencies at shortstop.  He’s now committed 6 errors in just 10 games, and given the depth the team has at that position I suspect this next week could be the last time he sees at shortstop.

Matt Dean – Bluefield (Low Rookie)

1/6 – 4 K, 1 HBP

***Two Games***

Coming off an 11 game hitting streak (in which he hit .410/.452/.662) he didn’t have a great weekend with 4 strikeouts.  Considering how well he’s been hitting of late, this isn’t anything to worry about.

Jairo Labourt – Bluefield (High Rookie)

4.2 IP – 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K

In the first 10 starts of his season, Labourt only gave up more than 4 hits once.  In his last two starts he’s given up a combined 12 hits.  I’m thinking that he’s probably tiring down the stretch a little bit, and given how great his season has been (1.92 ERA, 21.0 K%, & 6.5 BB%), its not something I’m stressing about.