Orioles (68-47) @ Blue Jays (52-62)
First Pitch: 7:07 PM at Rogers Centre
| Team | Starter | TV | Radio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orioles | Dean Kremer (4-8, 4.39 ERA) | MASN2 | 98 Rock |
| Blue Jays | Kevin Gausman (9-8, 4.56 ERA) | Sportsnet | SN590 |
| MLB | Fangraphs | IRC Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Gameday | Game Graph | Libera: ##baseball |
3 comments
With another poor bullpen performance let me introduce you to someone who really should have been called-up a while ago…
**Andrew Bash (28) in AAA:**
* Bash earlier in the season was stretched back into a starting role out of necessity and also made some changes to his approach and since put up a **2.59 ERA / 3.65 FIP** with a **0.192 OBA & 1.15 WHIP in 41.2 IP** in AAA. Success isn’t new to him either, he had a 2.52 ERA last season between AA/AAA although his peripherals are much improved this season.
* Bash’s last two starts before hitting the IL included throwing **5.1 hitless innings** and **5.1 two-hit innings** back-to-back with 12 strikeouts. On his single rehab outing he went **1.2 innings and struck out all 5 batters** he faced. He returned from the IL formally yesterday and **struck out the side** around a double allowed seemingly reverting back to a reliever now.
* It goes beyond just his face value numbers though. Before his injury Bash was 1 of just 4 pitchers in the entire AAA level who graded as having both above average stuff and above average control who has never gotten a promotion to the Majors. Since then the other 3 (David Festa, Shane Bat & Will Warren) have gotten call-ups leaving him as the only one yet too.
* As a side thing Andrew Bash is actually childhood best friends and former high school teammates with current Jays backup catcher **Brian Serven**…so it would also be a really cool and wholesome moment to see him called up and be battery-mates.
**Brandon Eisert (26)** really should also be getting a better look in the Majors. Buffalo haven’t really been using him in favour of giving the younger arms a look and he continues to pitch too well for the level. Running with a **2.97 ERA / 3.50 FIP** with **50 strikeouts in just 36.1 IP** since his first outing where he was left in to die (7 ER in 0.1 IP).
Andrew definitely needs to be called up, it seems all these young bats have been doing well as we saw with Jimenez last night with his three hits. Bowden settled down after the first inning and pitched well only to see the bullpen blow it. Hopefully tonight is different, but who knows …
Going to be real interesting what the Jays do with some of their out-of-options players next season.
* **Ernie Clement** looks to be on his way to earning himself a bench spot again next season as he did this season. A league average hitter who is a great runner, defends will at multiple positions and can back-up shortstop is exactly what you want.
* **Bowden Francis** if he keeps pitching well might have the inside shot at the long-man/6th starter spot. Not someone you want starting the season in the rotation but a long-man with the capabilities of eating innings and starting is valuable.
* **Yariel Rodriguez** likely has the inside look at the 5th spot in the rotation at least to start the season. Shouldn’t be penciled in higher due to his inexperience and control issues so a Kikuchi replacement would still be needed.
* **Genesis Cabrera** has been excellent this season and **Erik Swanson** seems to be returning to form and both are likely to take on some of the mid-relief bullpen spots for next season.
Where would that leave someone like **Leo Jimenez** as he shouldn’t be starting but he also would be rather redundant with Clement on the bench. **Zach Pop** even with some potential still in him seems to be looking on from the outside with several in-front of him and several behind him with options still remaining. **Yerry Rodriguez** & **Paolo Espino** are likely easy DFA options in the off-season. **Hagen Danner** is an interesting one too as he has plenty of upside as a reliever but has struggled with injuries but there is a very good chance the Jays will be awarded with an extra year of options with him. If they don’t he kind of joins in Jimenez & Pop.
Most of the other players have options so there won’t be any real need to push them and they can be important depth at AAA which includes the likes of Barger, Serven, Clase, Barroa, Martinez, Bloss, Macko & Eisert. Although there are guys like **OF Nathan Lukes, UTL Luis De Los Santos, C Nick Raposo, RHP Jose Cuas** **& RHP Ryan Burr** have high odds of being removed from the 40 even with options remaining to protect some better prospects.