Farm Report: New Hampshire Fisher Cats

I felt like taking a look at some AA players that were knocking on the door to Buffalo and could play a role on the Bisons this season or next.

Marcus Stroman
2.99 ERA - 10.3 K/9 - 2.5 BB/9 - 69.1 IP (13 starts)

ESPN Insider still thinks Stroman is best suited for the bullpen due to his height, which creates a lack of "plane" not allowing Stroman to get on top of his fastball and flattens it out. He throws a good slider/cutter which project out to be above average and a change-up that flashes solid. He could be in Toronto at some point in 2014 as a starter, or any time as a reliever.

Sean Nolin
2.77 ERA - 9.6 K/9 - 2.6 BB/9 - 74.2 IP (14 starts)

Nolin is a fastball/change-up type with potential for average curveball and slider. He has slid under that radar a little the past 2 seasons with the presence of the former "big 3" of Sanchez, Syndergaard, and Nicolino. That all chaged when 2 of the 3 were dealt in the offseason and Nolin finally started getting the recognition he deserved.

A.J. Jimenez
Dunedin:
.429/.448/.643 (28 AB) - 3 2B - 1 HR - 3 SO
New Hampshire:
.314/.364/.414 (140 AB) - 11 2B - 1 HR - 24 SO

Fresh off receiving Tommy John surgery on his throwing arm, Jimenez is back at it and says his throwing has never felt better, which is pretty impressive when he has thrown out 43% of attempted runners pre-surgery. Known as a defensive-minded catcher, Jimenez has taken a step forward on offence this season and may be in line for AAA Buffalo at some point this season or next.

Ryan Schimpf
.216/.349/.438 (401 PA) - 17 2B - 3 3B - 17 HR - 61 BB - 97 SO

Schimpf is a favourite of mine (don't ask why) and has turned himself into a 3-true-outcome utility player. This season, Ryan had played 3B and 2B along with a couple games in LF. Schimpf should be up in Buffalo later in 2013 or in 2014 and could play a role as a utility guy for the Blue Jays as a Joe Inglett type (another player I adored).

Kevin Ahrens
.247/.331/.380 (179 PA) - 13 2B - 2 HR - 20 BB - 38 SO

Ahrens was the first pick of many high picks for the Blue Jays in 2007 (the year Arencibia, Cecil, Justin Jackson, and Jon Tolisano were selected), he has been a bit of a disappointment so far with his development. Now 24, Ahrens is finally getting a taste of AA after 6 minor league seasons and is having one of his best seasons. He is playing 1B to go along with his customary 3B to give him potential versatility down the road. At this point, his ceiling would have to be a replacement player utility player.