Jays Spring Report Card # 1.

As Jays are on the road this afternoon I thought it would be good time for first week Report Card.
The proviso of course is that so many of the first teamers are playing for their WBC teams or injured or with the pitchers slowly pacing themselves.

Given those provisos there are some obvious signs.

A ++ Halladay and Jason Lane. Halladay looks as if he could go right now, he is so obviously focused and prepared, every pitch this week in the two games has been right on the money. Only 3 hits and one walk facing 18 hitters. He says he is still working on refining but he would give any lineup a hard time right now.
Jason Lane …. Where did he come from? A great Spring surprise to everyone here in Dunedin. Hitting .500 on his first 20 at bats, 3 HRs (50% of total Jays HR’s so far) and he had a three hit in three at bats yesterday. The Toronto fans will love this one if he makes the squad and is not sent down to get daily at bats. But JP certainly has a great backup for Vernon.

AA Jesse Litsch also gets AA with his two outings. Looked very good yesterday.
Janssen his one inning looked very good.
Brad Amaeus another great surprise at 2B. great with his bat. Brad Emaus 3 hits in 10 at bats but one was a HR.


A Dirk Hayhurst great pitching against the Reds.
Johnny Mc… Nothing spectacular yet, but he makes great plays look so easy and he has had several of those. His bat is starting to get more pop as the week progressed. His last at bat was a few feet short of CF wall.

Cito. Yes Cito friends. He gets A for results with half the squad. He has had Lane out there for eight games and great results. Has also managed to get good pitching all round (apart from BJ Ryan, Accardo and Wolfe although both Accardo and Wolfe had good outings in their last throws.) I think he is in his element with these young hitters and has certainly produced the results.

Brett Cecil looking very good so far two games 4.2 innings two hits and seven strikeouts.
Brad Mills also an A he has been sharp.
Shawn Camp. Two games two innings of work and yet to give up a hit or walk a hitter. AND compared to Jason Frasor he is lightning fast.
Bautista although with WBC he did look very sharp in his at bats here, four hits in six at bats.
Ruiz also four hits in six at bats. Before yesterday’s game.
Travis Snider. Four hits in 10 at bats including a double and HR.


A- Millar has looked very good with his bat but at 1B has had a few adventures.


B+ Scott Campbell, loads of potential here. 5 hits in seven games but the double and triple yesterday gives him a B here.
Chavez back up catcher, great arm, looks very good behind the plate. But nothing with bat yet in his four at bats.
Rolen has looked fine in his at bats and his glove. Four at bats two hits and was robbed on at least one other by spectacular save.


B
Ricky Romero one bad outing but much better yesterday. Control issues though had walked seven before yesterday’s game
Accardo terrible outing but much better on Friday.
Overbay has only had one outing, looked tentative at bat but his glove was fine on one full length diving stop.
Aaron Hill, nothing spectacular yet but everyone is so pleased to see him out there and not looking out of place by any means. His timing is still off and pulling too much.12 at bats four hits
Scott Richmond looked average in his Team Canada game in Dunedin.

B-.
Adam Lind not yet firing consistently but shows signs. 1 HR. only two hits.
Joe Inglett, potential but has played all over the field with mixed results, would have given him a C but am being charitable. Works hard.
Barrett, fighting for that backup catching spot hitless in four at bats and this week I give the grade to Chavez if only for that great arm.
Dopirak five games and eight at bats, had a couple of good games.
Loewen 9 at bats but only two hits

C.
BJ Ryan with two lousy outings still a work in progress BUT it is still only the first week.
Russ Adams, please put him out of his misery Cito.
Curtis Thigpen still AAA and not ready.

C- . Aggression. Only 3 stolen bases. One each for Inglett, Sanchez and Barajas… hmmm… I wonder if Rios, Scutaro, Wells will make any dfference. Alex at least should be targeted for 30 this season. Vernon may shut down with his injury.

No grade:
Vernon Wells still not had an at bat but started to catch fly balls in outfield in yesterday’s pre-game activities and has been taking batting practice most of the week.
Alex Rios: very little action as he is with WBC club, had six at bats one hit. ditto Barajas, Scutaro hitless in six at bats.

Of the other minor leaguers. Hard to judge Arenciba, Ahrens, Jeroloman and Cannon (only one game but a hit in 2 at bats). Coats only 2 at bats.

Over in the NL..

My prediction (this week) is the Braves for October.

AND one season in the future.... Phillies Young John Mayberry jr. for batting title. Get his rookie card friends.