Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[jays4life19]

The 4 beers alone would put you near $50 lol.

 

Yeah. On second thought... 65.

[G-Snarls]

Guerrero Jr., Bichette impress in Double-A debuts

 

By*Mike Rosenbaum*MLB.com@GoldenSombrero

 

12:25 AM ET

 

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette took the next step toward reaching the Major Leagues on Thursday as the Blue Jays' talented twosome, both making their Double-A debuts, led New Hampshire past Hartford, 6-0, on the Opening Day of the Minor League season.

 

That temperatures, which hovered around freezing for most of the day and continued to drop throughout the game, did little, if anything to stop the red-hot bats of Guerrero and Bichette,*Toronto's Nos. 1 and 2 prospects. Together they combined to reach base three times en route to scoring three of the Fisher Cats' six runs in the victory.

 

"The last couple innings there got pretty chilly," admitted Bichette,*MLB Pipeline's No. 13 overall prospect. "I'm really excited just to get out there, compete, play hard every day. You don't really get that in Spring Training. To be out there playing games that matter, I'm just excited to get things going."

 

The duo got things going even before the game began with a hitting display during batting practice that captured the attention of everyone in the stadium. Guerrero's BP was particularly impressive, as MLB Pipeline's No. 3 overall prospect generated booming contact from line to line with his explosive right-handed swing.

 

Many of Guerrero's BP blasts made Hartford's Dunkin Donuts' Park look small, and he elicited gasps from teammates, coaches and onlookers alike when he deposited a ball halfway up the scoreboard in left field with one of his final swings. It was a Herculean blast by all standards, with numerous Yard Goats officials noting that it was the first time they had ever seen a player hit one that high and far off the scoreboard.

 

He continued to showcase his 80-grade hitting ability in the game, too, as the 19-year-old third baseman connected on his first Double-A hit in his second plate appearance. Batting with two outs in the top of the third inning, Guerrero, who had walked in his first trip to the plate, laced a 3-2 pitch over the head of Hartford center fielder*Yonathan Daza*for a stand-up double. He would score New Hampshire's first run of the game one batter later, when Lourdes Gurriel plated him with the Fisher Cats' second straight double.

 

Guerrero also fared well in his final two at-bats. He showcased his athleticism along with his better-than-expected speed while reaching on an error in the fifth inning, and then nearly hit his first Double-A home run, ultimately a fly out to deep center field, two innings later. He finished the game 1-for-4 at the plate, also scoring a pair of runs to pace New Hampshire's offense.

 

"It's exciting -- both of us have had some success so far," said Bichette, the 2017 Class A Midwest League MVP who entered his second full professional season with a robust .372/.427/.591 batting line through 132 career games. "It's fun to watch [Guerrero]. He's a great player, and to be able to watch him and learn from him and see the things he does, he pushes me. That's all I can ask of him."

 

While Bichette didn't enjoy as much success at the plate in his first Double-A contest, it was still an impressive showing for the 20-year-old shortstop.

 

After grounding out in his first at-bat and popping up in his next trip to the plate, Bichette led off the fifth inning with his first walk of the season, following by his first stolen base, and then scored on Gurriel's sacrifice fly to center. He would ground out once again in the following frame, but finished his Double-A debut with his best swing of the night in his final at-bat, lacing a line-drive out to left field.

 

"I felt alright [tonight]," said Bichette, who went 0-for-4. "I think my mindset wasn't really how I wanted it to be in my first couple at-bats, but I think my at-bats got better as the game went on. Every day isn't going to be a two or three-hit game, so I just continue to have my mindset as consistent as can be. That's pretty much the goal."

 

With their Double-A debuts now behind them, it's only fair to wonder how long Guerrero and Bichette, the top offensive tandem in the Minor Leagues, will remain in the Eastern League. For now, at least, they're focused on the task at hand, knowing that their performance ultimately will dictate their path to the Major Leagues.

 

"Go out there and be aggressive -- that's how I play my game when I'm at my best," said Bichette when asked about his specific goals in 2018. "I want to make sure I'm aggressive every pitch and on good pitches … just trying to find a comfort level and get off to a good start."

[Angrioter]

Are the kids any good? Will we see another Bastardo in MLB soon

 

My boy Ephram is pretty good. Next Jays HOF no doubt

[Brownie19]

So you're telling me you can buy 4 hot dogs and 4 beers for 5 bucks at a baseball game? Florida here I come.

 

That would be like 50$ at a Jays game.

 

Forgot to carry the 3 man...

[burlingtonbandit]

Yep and they're actually pretty good. They bring in a few BBQ's and cook them near the concessions. As you can imagine, the lineups are long but it moves quickly.They're small but 4 for a buck usually does it for me....plus dollar beverages, including beer.

 

Clearwater is one of my fav stadiums in ST. Even then the beers were only $5 I believe. Very nice stadium and pretty cool that you can sit directly behind guys warming up in the bullpen and see the action on their pitches.

[Brownie19]

Clearwater is one of my fav stadiums in ST. Even then the beers were only $5 I believe. Very nice stadium and pretty cool that you can sit directly behind guys warming up in the bullpen and see the action on their pitches.

 

I've heard it's the best spring training stadium in Florida (along with the Yankees stadium). If you guys were retiring and moving to Florida - any thoughts on what area you'd want to be in? Clearwater seems like a great area.

[burlingtonbandit]

I've heard it's the best spring training stadium in Florida (along with the Yankees stadium). If you guys were retiring and moving to Florida - any thoughts on what area you'd want to be in? Clearwater seems like a great area.

 

Yeah Clearwater/Dunedin/St Petes is a great area, I think I'd much rather be there than across the bridge in Tampa. Plenty of good beaches, restaurants, golf courses and baseball.

 

The Tampa airport is one of the best ones I've been to as well.

[LGBJ29]

Apr 5 Repot

 

[BlueRocky]

Vlad was plenty impressive in his AA debut. The 1-4 line doesn’t do it justice.

He reached base 3 times in 5 PA.

Of the two fly balls, one became a standup double near the wall in CF, and the fly ball out was inches away from a homer.

[spats]

Not much to report from Clearwater last night. Saucedo gave up 3 solo bombs in the second or third inning. Was hoping that Pearson might have had the start but he isn't even scheduled for the next 2 games at home...not sure what is going on. Certainly enjoyed my 25 cent dogs...had 4.....made the game bearable.No limit either...Kobayashi would break the bank.

[metafour]

Pearson was apparently scratched because of a back issue yesterday. He was definitely scheduled to start second.

[John_Havok]

Not much to report from Clearwater last night. Saucedo gave up 3 solo bombs in the second or third inning. Was hoping that Pearson might have had the start but he isn't even scheduled for the next 2 games at home...not sure what is going on. Certainly enjoyed my 25 cent dogs...had 4.....made the game bearable.No limit either...Kobayashi would break the bank.

 

Gimme a 10 dollar bill and a stomach pump and I'll be fine

[spats]

Gimme a 10 dollar bill and a stomach pump and I'll be fine[/quote

 

Actually no after effects today.That deal is on every Friday home game.

[glory]

Lansing hitters have walked 10 times in 2 innings so far tonight. The crowd must be having a blast watching that.

[TheHurl]

Lansing hitters have walked 10 times in 2 innings so far tonight. The crowd must be having a blast watching that.

 

4 runs on no hits is always fun

[SaskJaysFan_2]

I think the Bisons are going to have a big year.

 

I think Pompey will stay relatively healthy and put up some great numbers. That is my prediction.

[metafour]

My boy Ephram is pretty good. Next Jays HOF no doubt

 

Your son is a Jew?

[spats]

Good game in Dunedin tonight. Patrick Murphy with a decent outing...fastball sitting at 94/95 all night but had control problems in the 3rd and 4th. Palacios saved him with a great running catch of a ball in the gap. He also showed off his arm on a fly ball to deep right ..the runner on 2nd started to take off and Palacios threw a pea to the 3rd baseman..good thing he went back to second ,would have been out by 10 ft.

Riley Adams continues to impress..blasted a line drive HR to dead center against the wind. Jays win on a Sat night at home means free movie tickets...gotta love Minor League ball.

[Stoneyen]

Vladdy with his first AA homer this afternoon!

 

[Muck Bartinez]

Vladdy with his first AA homer this afternoon!

 

 

Bah God, that sound!

[John_Havok]

I know we don't see how far it went... but that sound of the ball off his bat makes my dick move every time.

[Angrioter]

Clemens jr

Biggio jr

Bichette jr

Vladdy jr

 

50% could stick a MLB baseball

[Krylian]

Clemens jr

Biggio jr

Bichette jr

Vladdy jr

 

50% could stick a MLB baseball

 

Also 100%, 75%, 25%, and 0%

[BlueRocky]

I know we don't see how far it went... but that sound of the ball off his bat makes my dick move every time.

 

Both Biggio and Vlad’s HRs completely left the building

[BTS]

Juan Soto is going to be this year's helium guy. He's going to absolutely mash.

[Angrioter]

Is Chris Paddack alive?

[jays4life19]

Prospects that i like to significantly increase their status.

- Luis Medina - SP - Yankees

- Brandon Marsh - CF - Angels

- Nate Pearson - SP - Jays

- Fransico Morales - SP Phillies

- Jorge Guzman - SP - Marlins

- Wander Franco - SS - Rays

- Brustal Graterol - SP - Twins

 

Edit: Those are just the first names to come to mind.

[P2F]

Prospects that i like to significantly increase their status.

- Luis Medina - SP - Yankees

- Brandon Marsh - CF - Angels

- Nate Pearson - SP - Jays

- Fransico Morales - SP Phillies

- Jorge Guzman - SP - Marlins

- Wander Franco - SS - Rays

- Brustal Graterol - SP - Twins

 

Edit: Those are just the first names to come to mind.

 

Nice picks. Ronny Mauricio, Wander Javier, Tobias Myers, and Gabriel Arias are a few more guys, too.

[Dr. Dinger]

Juan Soto is going to be this year's helium guy. He's going to absolutely mash.

 

[BTS]

 

I covet him bigly in DDL