Moises Sierra made his MLB debut last night and had a hit in his first at-bat. Marcus Stroman showing electric stuff and could be a possible member of the revamped bullpen next season. Fans can say what they will about recent trades but a possible pen consisting of Janssen, Oliver, Lincoln, Stroman, Santos (hopefully) and Frasor is sickening.
Hitters:
MAJ (RF) Moises Sierra, 1-3, .333; debut
R (2B) Christian Lopes, 1-2, .244
R (LF) Dwight Smith, 2-4, 1 RBI, .237
SS (3B) Kellen Sweeney, 1-4, .194; total disappointment this year
Pitchers:
LoA (SP) Noah Syndergaard, 4.2 ip, 7 h, 3 er, 0 bb – 4 k, 4.06
R (SP) Kevin Comer, 4.2 ip, 7 h, 0 er, 0 bb – 5 k, 3.74
SS (RP) Marcus Stroman, 2 ip, 0 h, 0 er, 0 bb – 3 k, 3.18; 15 k, 3 bb in 11.1 ip
Marcus Stroman looks good. He gave up all four of his runs in his first two outings. Since then he has 10 IP, 13 K, 1 BB, and he’s given up 3 hits. They may have been right: Stroman might be ready for Sept.
It’s a kid like this that makes trading prospects, Ben Francisco, Lunchbox, and Thames for five middle relievers idiotic. And two of them (Carpenter; Delabar) will likely be wasted roster space.
Surely there must have been some failed two-pitch starters in the system to fill gaps while those players/prospects net a starter or two? It’s not like the acquisition of JA Happ, Brandon Lyon, and Brad Lincoln will be the difference between an 81-win season and an 88-win season. At best they plug holes and help TOR stay around the .500 mark.
I can’t believe how disappointed I am with AA’s choices right now, but I need to stop being so negative. Here are some good things. Morrow’s injury wasn’t more serious and his rehab is going well. I’m glad that Drabek won’t be back until the 2nd half of next year. I wish him all the best but he’s useless. I’m glad that the Jays have Carlos Villanueva. In 38.2 IP since June 1, he’s given up 17 BB and 33 hits, while recording 41 K. In his 11 appearances during that stretch (6 relief; 5 starts), he has a 1.82 ERA and TOR is 8-3 when he’s pitched. Going forward, this is the exact kind of guy that this pitching staff needs. Encarnacion and Bautista are still busting it, and their contracts are ultra sweeeet. Mathis has also been a pleasant surprise offensively. There, that’s better. A little perspective always helps.