Reader Questions for the Blue Jays Minor League Season

Jay Blue
Andrew Case

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That’s a tricky question, mainly because it involves the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster as a whole more than it does the individual merits of either player. If he’s able to play (and I did see Pompey swinging a bat after the wrist injury diagnosis) and play well sooner rather than later, I think Pompey is less likely to get moved off the roster because he’s more versatile than Smith. If he’s injured, there’s also the possibility that Pompey can get moved to the 60-day DL rather than designated for assignment. So, if your question implies just getting removed from the 40-man roster altogether, I think that Pompey has a better chance of sticking than Smith.

Smith will have to hit, and hit a lot, to keep his 40-man roster spot. There’s a chance he stays on the 40-man all year but, with the Blue Jays’ depth in the outfield, if they need a 40-man roster spot, his is certainly on the bubble.

 

 

Yes sir, General, sir. I think Case sees some time in Triple-A. He has the type of stuff that, while not really flashy, is reliable and consistent. He’s able to throw strikes and has movement on his fastball and a good slider. He was one of two pitchers starting in Double-A whom I felt would have a shot to start in Buffalo (along with Justin Shafer). I think that if/when a couple of the older veterans opt out (like Al Alburquerque and/or Jake Petricka, who is still recovering from surgery over the offseason), he could be a prime candidate to move up to Buffalo some time over the summer.

Andrew Case is very popular, particularly among his people from Eastern Canada:

 

Well, Scott, I think that’s up to you. I’d have to suggest doing so sooner rather than later, as I think Caser could be in Buffalo before the end of June. Giddy up and head down that highway from Saint John to Manchester, New Hampshire. Although, if you see them in Portland, Maine it might be even closer, but that’s Red Sox country!

I think they’re going to do well in New Hampshire. I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t start the season by mashing the competition, but I think they’ll hold their own and improve throughout the summer. I don’t think they’ll skip Triple-A, mostly because I think Triple-A is a very different type of competitive atmosphere. You get a lot of ex-MLB pitchers, particularly those who don’t necessarily throw so hard but are very crafty and know how to approach hitters. I want Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to get between 200 and 300 at bats at the Triple-A level before coming to Toronto. Maybe at the end of this year, maybe at the beginning of next year. But I don’t expect them to destroy the Double-A level the same way they did in A-ball.

 

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