In the final home game of the 2021 Fall Instructs season we saw glimpses of potential help for the big club in future years. The Jays prevailed 4-2 in the 1 PM nine inning contest.
RHP Andrew Schultz ( 2019 6th round draft choice - University of Tennessee) made the start. It’s the first we’ve seen him this year as he has been hard at work climbing back from TJ surgery. He was very impressive today tossing a perfect inning and lighting up the speed gun in the 97-99 mph range. The 24 year old has always been a high velocity reliever but we saw a difference in this one, in times past we would describe his delivery as “Max Effort” … today he was short and compact, free and easy. It was a short arm delivery akin to what we saw from him in 2019 Lakewood but the mechanics were much smoother, good rehab coaching to be credited we believe to improve the mechanics. If he can maintain good health the young man could be a quick riser next season, it’s exciting news !
We also saw LHP Erik Miller ( 2 IP ) in his final tuneup before leaving later tonight for Arizona to pitch in the Fall League … Erik was clocking 94-96 on the heater, it appeared he is still on a pitch count so innings may be limited in Arizona.
Three pitchers up from the Dominican Academy … RHP Jean Cabrera, RHP Estibenzon Jimenez and LHP Joel Valdez each threw two innings. Cabrera clocked in at the 93-94 range, Valdez and Jimenez 92-93. All three put up very impressive numbers this summer in the Dominican Summer League. We liked the mechanics we witnessed today, not a lot of wasted motion and strike throwers. Cabrera and Jimenez are nineteen year olds while Valdez is twenty one. Valdez has flashed mid nineties this summer. RHP Oswald Medina ( 19 years old ) and Manuel Urias ( 20 years old ) are also in Instructs Camp from the Dominican Academy … we’ve yet to see them in action personally.
Freylin Minyety continues to impress with the bat, he had two more knocks today … one a triple. We learned that he’s capable of getting behind the dish as a catcher as well playing the infield, haven’t seen him do that yet but it’s intriguing if he may be able to add to his defensive versatility, in the few times we’ve seen him he can sure as hell swing the bat very well 🧐… Catcher Anthony Quirion also tripled in today’s game.
notes from Monday … 10/11/21
Watched a seven inning game ( vs Blue Jays ) this afternoon on Ashburn Field from just beyond the right field fence underneath a couple trees. We could have went inside the complex ( no public admittance - scouts & media credentials only ) but there’s no shade in the designated viewing area ( bleachers ) so instead we opted for the cover of the trees😎. There’s a little bird residing in one of the trees and other than him/her 🤷♂️ chirping at us constantly it was a pleasant spot to watch the contest 🤓.
Nicolas Torres hit a home run over the left field fence for the Phillies only run. Hao Yu Lee had two hits ( single & double ) and Freylin Minyety tripled. Yhoswar Garcia singled in four plate appearances from the lead off spot in the order.
The Blue Jays won the contest by a score of 4-1 I think, to be honest wasn’t really cognizant of the score.
I believe there will be two more games played in Dunedin on Thursday and Friday … the Jays complex is closed to viewers with the exception of Jays players parents who’ve requested and received clearance. I know this as I tried to get in there last week but was turned away at the gate. The Phillies will break camp after the following week of scheduled activities conclude.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
