Artificial Turf Wars

The broadcasters from the Buffalo Bisons, New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and Vancouver Canadians look back at the 2024 season in the Blue Jays minor league system. Pat Malacaro (triple-A Buffalo) leads off with host Tyler Zickel (high-A Vancouver) to talk about a Bisons season that did not turn out as expected, with the likes of Leo Jimenez and Addison Barger spending a lot of time in Toronto with the big league team, Orelvis Martinez serving a big part of the season on suspension, and pitchers Ricky Tiedemann and Chad Dallas finding themselves on the injured list. This forced the Bisons to adopt the "next-man-up mentality", exemplified by Alan Roden who struggled after being promoted from double-A before finishing very strong. Andrew Bash and Paxton Schultz solidified the Bisons' pitching, Will Robertson had a strong finish to a good bounceback year, and Payton Henry became a hero coming back from a horrific head injury, hearing loss, and the death of his brother. The 20th season of Fisher Cats baseball did not turn out the way the team wanted; however, Chris Jared and Bob Lipman (double-A New Hampshire) are excited about the return of some of the team and players coming up from Vancouver in 2025. Alan Roden and Josh Kasevich were noted as having made a huge impact at the level before their promotions to Buffalo, RJ Schreck, Charles McAdoo, and Yohendrick Pinango were fun to watch after their acquisitions at the trade deadline, former water polo player Johnathan Lavallee just shoved for the team down the stretch, and Eric Pardinho, who has lost the top-prospect shine, was a dominant reliever at double-A. Tyler and broadcasting partner Chris Georges (high-A Vancouver) were sad to see the Canadians' season ending with a walkoff hit-by-pitch in the Northwest League Championship, but they were proud to see the team keeping the series with the Spokane Indians relatively close given that Vancouver was 8-20 against that team during the regular season. Jace Bohrofen took a couple of months to adjust to professional baseball, but then blew up in the second half, including August in which he OPSed 1.055. After being signed out of independent baseball, Je'Von Ward made a big impact both at the plate and in the outfield for the C's, Jackson Hornung continued to hit all year despite his transition from catcher to first base to outfield, and Peyton Williams may have been too good for high-A. On the mound, Kendry Rojas and Lazaro Estrada were spicy punches, and Ryan Jennings' stuff and dumpster were things to behold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Around The Nest, the Toronto Blue Jays minor league podcast, host Tyler Zickel checks in on double-A New Hampshire and low-A Dunedin coming out of the roster upheavals after the trade deadline and speaks with Altoona Curve broadcaster Jon Mozes about Charles McAdoo, the return for Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Broadcaster Chris Jared is thankful we are into August because July saw the Fisher Cats record the worst record in team history. Eleven new players had been added to their roster since July 27, including starter Rafael Sánchez, who had a great start in double-A, and Johnathan Lavallee, who was immaculate on August 15. New draftees, like catcher Aaron Parker (6th round pick), have injected energy into the Dunedin Blue Jays’ roster, according to D-Jays broadcaster Larry Larson. On the mound, Daniel Guerra demonstrated his ability to deal with adversity by retiring 13 of his last 14 batters faced after giving up an early grand slam, while Eliander Alcalde has been a key member of the bullpen. Last year’s first-round pick Arjun Nimmala had spent some time on the development list and down in Rookie league ball this season, but has come back to the Florida State League like a thunderstorm, hitting slugging 10 homers, 11 doubles, and 4 triples over 37 games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The second half of the Minor League Baseball season seemed to have just started and teams are getting ready to put their feet up for a breather as they enter All-Star Game weekend. With the trade deadline coming soon after, the Blue Jays' minor league broadcasters are gearing up for various roster machinations that could affect their teams. The episode starts with the Voice of the Buffalo Bisons Pat Malacaro inviting long-time New Hampshire Fisher Cats broadcaster Bob Lipman to join him to call some triple-A games in Worcester. Then, Pat reports on his team, who have been in a funk. However, things are looking up as Riley Tirotta continues to be consistent at the plate, newcomer Gabriel Cancel has had a white-hot start, and Chad Dallas has returned to good health. Diving into Aaron Sanchez's return, Pat tells us that he is going through the process of learning how to become a new kind of pitcher now that he's not throwing as hard. From Manchester, Bob is joined by Chris Jared who showed off the Fisher Cats' 2011 Eastern League Trophy replica giveaway (Saturday, July 13). Nominative determinism (and the Cavan Biggio trade) have brought reliever Braydon Fisher to the 2024 Cats team where he has been showing off a curveball that could be better than Adam Macko's. Chris also tells us about Ryan McCarty on and off the field and Deveraux Harrison's success in their rotation, while Bob reassures us that Cade Doughty just needs some more time to settle into double-A life. With our host Tyler Zickel in Portland, Chris Georges has been handling the mic for the Vancouver Canadians this week. Since the second half, the C's have been red-hot with a 14-4 record to lead the second half standings. Chris and Tyler took this opportunity to heap praise on catchers Jackson Hornung and Robert Brooks. They are also looking at the success Payton Williams and Dasan Brown have been having and are thinking that they may be on their way to New Hampshire sooner rather than later. They also gawked at Grayson Thurman's splitter, which his teammates have rated as 80-grade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Around The Nest is the Blue Jays’ minor league podcast where the broadcasters from single-A all the way up to triple-A get together to talk about the performances of Blue Jays minor leaguers in the past two weeks. Pat Malacaro (AAA Buffalo Bisons) reported on his team’s tough run of injuries, Nathan Lukes is doing everything well, Riley Tirotta’s parents’ special souvenir, and Yariel Rodríguez’s rehab stint so far. Pat also provides an important update on Payton Henry’s recovery: after being struck in the head by a backswing a week ago, he was able to see his teammates in the clubhouse on Thursday. Chris Jared (AA New Hampshire Fisher Cats) sees a starting rotation that’s coming into its own, with Adam Macko leading with Michael Dominguez and Devereaux Harrison following closely behind. Eric Pardinho, who has had ups-and-downs on prospect status, is certainly on an upswing having not given up an earned run since late April. On the hitting side, Garret Spain has been slugging homers, Devonte Brown has been very even keeled, and Josh Kasevich’s quick adaptability going up to double-A has surprised the Blue Jays organization. Chris Georges and host Tyler Zickel (high-A Vancouver Canadians) spoke about the C’s impressive starting pitching the last couple of weeks, highlighting Chris McElvain’s solid performance of late. They think Dasan Brown is close to a callup to New Hampshire, having found a grove and starting to take a lot of walks. They also shine a spotlight in leverage relievers Josh Mollerus and Anders Tolhurst. The Dunedin Blue Jays lead single-A teams with 40 team homers, Larry Larson (low-A Dunedin) tells us, led by Cristian Feliz, a three true outcomes first baseman who also happens to be a very friendly dude. Juaron “Whiffs” Watts-Brown has been very comfortable at this level; he had issues getting deep into games earlier this season due to walks, but has those in control and is now just striking out batters. Manuel Beltre’s bat looks to be turning the corner and JJ Sanchez has been very effective for Dunedin as a hard-throwing lefty closer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Around The Nest is the Blue Jays’ minor league podcast where the broadcasters from up and down the farm system get together to talk about the performances of Blue Jays prospects in the past two weeks. This week, we welcome Chris Georges, the Vancouver Canadians’ broadcast assistant, to the Nest. Chris G. is joined by Chris Jared of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Larry Larson of the Dunedin Blue Jays, and of course podcast host and the Voice of the Canadians, Tyler Zickel. The Fisher Cats have had solid pitching performances—like Adam Macko striking out nine Yard Goats—but have had weak run support (sound familiar). Overall, the team is still loose, believing that they are better than their 15-21 win-loss record. Before a rough start Friday evening, Trenton Wallace had been solid for New Hampshire, sporting a funky delivery. Alan Roden has struggled at the plate but has been working hard, one-on-one with manager Cesar Martin. The D-Jays batters had been taking a lot of walks earlier in the season, but had seemed to be little overeager lately. On the positive side, Christian Feliz and Yhoangel Aponte have been taking patient, encouraging at bats and lately, Manuel Beltre seems to have turned a corner, taking better at bats and getting a walkoff hit. On the negative side, Arjun Nimmala had been placed on the development list strikeouts have been piling up now that he’s seeing more breaking balls. On the mound side, Juaron Watts-Brown has been displaying a nasty slider and an underrated change-up and Connor O’Halloran has demonstrated that he can grind through games in which he just didn’t have his best stuff. Vancouver’s Jace Bohrofen had been getting walks and making good contact but had not displayed home run power until this week when he hit two. Ryan McCarty has been delivering clutch hits for the Canadians and is seen as a guy with a big heart who is easy to root for. Japanese-Brazilian Raphael Ohashi has almost been perfect out of the bullpen, starting the season with 15 consecutive scoreless innings against five different Northwest League teams. Ohashi will be given a start in game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One month into the 2024 minor league season we get our first reports on the performance of Blue Jays prospects from low-A to triple-A from the Around The Nest crew. Host Tyler Zickel, the Voice of the Vancouver Canadians, is joined by long-time Nester Pat Malacaro (Buffalo Bisons) and newcomers Chris Jared (New Hampshire Fisher Cats) and Larry Larson (Dunedin Blue Jays). Leading off, Pat talks about the hot-hitting Bisons like Spencer "More Hits" Horwitz and Orelvis Martinez. The 2024 Bisons are arguably the most prospect-laden team since the Blue Jays affiliation. Chris actually makes his return from the podcast after his first debut in April 2017 talking about Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in Lansing. This time, he's talking about Josh Kasevich who has been making good contact, Alan Roden who has been getting on base, and Miguel Hiraldo's bad luck at the plate. The true newcomer Larry Larson checks in from Florida to talk about how the D-Jays' manager Jose Mayorga keeps it loose through a six-game winning streak in early April and their nine-game losing streak in late April and how things are going despite injuries to Brandon Barriera, Landen Maroudis, and Tucker Toman. Tyler wraps up the show with a report on the C's starters Ryan Jennings and Chris McElvain, rel;ievers Rafael Ohashi and Naswell Paulino, and hitters Ryan McCarty, Jace Bohrofen, Nick Goodwin, and Dasan Brown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this special edition of Around The Nest—the Toronto Blue Jays minor league podcast—host Tyler Zickel of the Vancouver Canadians is joined by the Voice of the Buffalo Bisons Pat Malacaro to introduce Jays fans to these non-roster players: #63 Andrew Bash #74 Zach Britton #89 Jimmy Burnette #71 Phil Clarke #77 Connor Cooke #73 Chad Dallas #69 Luis De Los Santos #31 Cam Eden #80 Rafael Lantigua #62 T.J. Brock #84 Mason Fluharty #79 Brandon Eisert #75 Ryan Jennings #67 Devereaux Harrison #76 Hayden Juenger #86 Damiano Palmegiani #87 Alan Roden #70 Ricky Tiedemann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the penultimate episode of the 2023 season, host Tyler Zickel (Vancouver Canadians) chats with fellow broadcasters Chris Valentine (Dunedin Blue Jays) and Gareth Kwok (New Hampshire Fisher Cats) to wrap up the minor league regular campaign. The Nest crew talk about the top bats, arms, and moments this year in the Blue Jays minor league system, including names like Jace Bohrofen, Alan Roden, Josh Kasevich, Mason Fluharty, Adrian Hernandez, Adam Macko, Lazaro Estrada, Kendry Rojas, Ian Churchill, Michael Tirconi, Miguel Hiraldo, and CJ van Eyk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s time for host Tyler Zickel (Vancouver Canadians) to perform a check-in on the Blue Jays minor league system to see who has been performing during these dog days of summer. Pat Malacaro (Buffalo Bisons) leads off from Syracuse, NY to talk about the lengthening of the Bisons’ lineup with the return of Nathan Lukes and Ernie Clement to triple-A to complement Spencer Horwitz and Rafael Lantigua who just know how to put the bat on the ball. Addison Barger has become the team’s everyday right fielder, stunning fans and broadcasters with his cannon of an arm. Speedster Cam Eden has passed mailman Roemon Fields to take the Bisons’ single-season stolen base record with 45 (and counting). Pat wraps up his segment talking about how Bisons superfan Mark Aichinger is getting his own bobblehead day in September. Steve Goldberg (New Hampshire Fisher Cats) re-joins Around The Nest to speak with Zick about some former C’s who had been promoted. Alan Roden has kept his consistent approach after arriving in double-A and is finding success, starter Michael Dominguez recorded nine strikeouts against the Rumble Ponies, and the “Shake & Bake” duo of Mason Fluharty and TJ Brock are now the leverage arms in the Fisher Cats’ bullpen. Steve also takes us for an audio tour around the new training facilities at Delta Dental Stadium. To wrap up the show, Chris Valentine (Dunedin Blue Jays) banters with Tyler about the two lowest rungs of the ladder. The Canadians have hit a bit of a dry spell, getting no-hit at home and losing several consecutive games, but are still seeing a great performance from big guy Peyton Williams, who is sporting a .311/.385/.556 slash line in August. Chris gushes about the D-Jays’ Lazaro Estrada, who has been deploying a wipeout slider that is impossible to hit by right handers in his transition from late-inning bulk guy to a legit starter. Outfielder Jace Bohrofen (6th round, 2023) slugged five homers over his first five games after being promoted out of the FCL and Chay Yeager (12th round, 2023) is throwing 96 mph fastballs out of the ‘pen. The two broadcasters then chatted about Jeff Wehler in Vancouver and Davis Feldman in Dunedin providing a solid veteran presence in their respective clubhouses.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting from low-A Dunedin, broadcaster Chris Valentine speaks about Roque Salinas, whose bat finally caught fire in July, J.J. Sanchez's 95-mph fastball, Josh Mollerus' wipeout slider, and Kelena Sauer's sweeping slider. Podcast host and voice of the Vancouver Canadians Tyler Zickel then speaks about his team being the first affiliate in the Blue Jays organization to reach 60 wins and Wednesday's cycle completed by Michael Turconi. Bob Lipman then joins the conversation from New Hampshire where the Fisher Cats now have a brand new rotation, with all five starting pitchers from the beginning of the season switched out with the recent departure of Adam Kloffenstein and Sem Robberse. Bob also gives an update on Steward Berroa, Phil Clarke, and Trevor Schwecke. Up at triple-A, Bisons' play-by-play guy Pat Malacaro looks back at Davis Schneider's rung-by-rung progression up the Blue Jays' minor league ladder and looks forward to the upcoming two weeks of high-intensity baseball as Buffalo makes a push to enter the International League playoffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadcaster Gareth Kwok's Fisher Cats are still waiting on their first walkoff of 2023, but the broadcasters from the other affiliates talk about the most exciting walkoffs of the season so far. The Bisons' Pat Malacaro tells us his team is finally getting consistency from the starting nine and the starters, Ernie Clement and Spencer Horwitz's dual five-hit day, Orelvis Martinez's triple-A debut, and Zach Thompson's season reset while he was on waivers. Double-A New Hampshire has not really be consistent, but Gareth gives us positive updates about Leo Jimenez's on-base streak, Rainer Nuñez sliding into the middle of the lineup, and Adam Kloffenstein's success in his second season in the Eastern League. In the last segment, host Tyler Zickel of the Vancouver Canadians banters with Chris Valentine of the Dunedin Blue Jays about the D-Jays' rough patch in July and the C's remaining red-hot. We also get updates about Ryan McCarty, Victor Mesia, Jean Arnaez, Rafael Sanchez, Deveraux Harrison, Michael Dominguez, and Pat Gallagher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Tyler Zickel (Canadians) is joined by the wonderfully mustachioed rookie Chris Valentine (Dunedin Blue Jays) and the reliable veteran Bob Lipman (Fisher Cats) to talk about the state of the Blue Jays minor leagues. Chris nominates Ryan McCarty as the D-Jays' hitter of the month and updates us on Rafael Ohashi's return to form, Alex Amalfi's new curveball, Irv Carter's phenomenal changeup, and tells us that Brandon Barriera is throwing bullpens and is feeling good. Tyler's first-half champion Vancouver Canadians love Ian Churchill both on and off the field, Gabby Martinez needs to work on his two-strike approach, Dasan Brown's bat has warmed up with the weather, and Adam Macko (the return for Teoscar Hernández) had his best start since joining the Toronto organization. Finally, Bob makes his 2023 Around The Nest debut by recapping a heartbreaking 14-inning Fisher Cats loss on a balkoff and he tells us to ignore T.J. Brock's ERA because he has been lights out. We end the show with Bob telling us about Orelvis Martinez's amazing turnaround including improvements to his plate discipline and situational awareness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pat Malacaro (Bisons) speaks about the Bisons' low-slugging lineup, Cameron Eden's role as a second leadoff guy, and Paxton Schultz's solid debut. We welcome new Nester Chris Valentine, the voice of the Dunedin Blue Jays, who talks about the ebbs and flows of hitting and pitching in low-A, Brandon Barriera's performance ahead of his injury, Ryan Jennings preventing barrels, and some tough times for Tucker Toman and Manuel Beltre. Gareth Kwok (Fisher Cats) returns and give us an update on the double-A team that is now five games over .500 on the road, Leo Jimenez's bat heating up since an IL stint, and chats with Tyler Zickel (Canadians) about the "Shake & Bake" duo of Mason Fluharty and T.J. Brock. Tyler then tells us about Garrett Spain's game-winning grand slam. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pat Malacaro (Bisons) speaks about the return of Bowden Francis, Yosver Zulueta emerging as a bulk guy, Rafael Lantigua and Davis Schneider's grit, Paul Fry, and the automatic balls-and-strikes system in triple-A. Gareth Kwok (Fisher Cats) makes his Around The Nest debut and earns his wings by providing coverage of Chad Dallas' flaming start at double-A, Adam Kloffenstein finding his command and great breaking balls, Hagen Danner and Luis Quinones in the bullpen, and the smiling Steward Berroa's steals. Host Tyler Zickel (Canadians) gushes about Alan Roden's 21-game on-base streak, Josh Kasevich hot streak since hitting the road, Rainer Nunez raking, and T.J. Brock providing high heat from the Vancouver 'pen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The broadcasters for the Buffalo Bisons, New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Vancouver Canadians, and Dunedin Blue Jays' comms guy gather to provide their insights on how Blue Jays prospects have played in the past week. Pat Malacaro (Bisons) speaks about his team's big 21-9 win, Nick Fraze's debut, and Hayden Juenger's struggles to start 2023. Steve Goldberg (Fisher Cats) gives us an update on Ricky Tiedemann's injury the return of Hagen Danner from injury, and infielders Leo Jimenez and Miguel Hiraldo. Host Tyler Zickel (Canadians) thanks Andrew Thriffiley (D-Jays) for some former D-Jays, like Devonte Brown, Rainer Nunez, Gabby Martinez, and Trenton Wallace, who have been performing well for the C's. Andrew tells us about Manuel Beltre's new protective mask, Tucker Toman, Adrian Pinto, and Harry Rutkowski. He also gives us a couple of language lessons: the term "Boot Boy" and the proper pronunciation of "Brandon Barriera". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The broadcasters for the Buffalo Bisons, New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and Vancouver Canadians gather to talk about how Blue Jays prospects have started the 2023 season. Pat Malacaro (Bisons) introduces listeners to the hand gestures that can be used to challenge an automated ball and strike call, Ernie Clement's hot start, and who is in the early running to be a spot starter for the Toronto Blue Jays. Steve Goldberg (Fisher Cats) gives us an update on Ricky Tiedemann, Jimmy Burnette's uptick in fastball velocity, and the strong starts by Leo Jimenez, Trevor Schwecke, Dylan Rock, and Surrey's Damiano Palmegiani. Host Tyler Zickel (Canadians) thinks Vancouver is the most talented team in the Blue Jays' farm system. Devereaux Harrison, Justin Kelly, and Dahian Santos have seen velo increases, Riley Tirotta is the Canadians' (and perhaps the Northwest League's) hottest hitter, and coach Ashley Stephenson's work with infielder Josh Kasevich using a special pair of glasses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh and Nick discuss the first three weeks of the Jays season with looks at the struggling, but puzzling offence that is seeing signs of life from Daulton Varsho but not Kevin Kiermaier, the starting staff that has seen steps forward from José Berríos and Yusei Kikuchi with an intriguing debut from Yariel Rodriguez, how Alek Manoah could fit into this group, if at all, and a look at the up and down bullpen that has seen some reinforcements of late. They also give out a Cliché of the Week and talk about pitcher injuries and Nate Pearson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Instead of the traditional 26 in 52, Nick and Josh break down the various sections of the roster and the strengths and weaknesses of each. They also answer listener questions and give their predictions for the 2024 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh and Nick discuss the Jays offseason so far including the odd slow pace to the whole league, the somewhat confusing additions of Kevin Kiermaier and Isiah Kiner-Falefa and what they bring to the table, the depth signing of Yariel Rodriguez and his value to the club, Ross Atkins fanning the flames of the fanbase and finally, what comes next. They also answer listener questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh is joined by former player agent Joshua Kusnick (11:05) to discuss the winter meetings and the bizarre Ohtani situation the led to him joining the Dodgers, including how JP Hoornstra's article was instrumental in sealing the deal for Los Angeles. Josh also discusses the frenzy that led up to the signing and the emotional impact it has on the fanbase, as well as the very real holes it leaves on the roster as they attempt to compete in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices