Results tagged ‘ Ryan Roberts ’

NON ROSTER INVITEES ANNOUNCED

The Toronto Blue Jays announced that they have invited 19 players to Spring Training in Dunedin, Florida that begins on February 16th.

Returning organizational players include Jesse Carlson (New Hampshire ’07), Jeremy Cummings (Syracuse ’07), Jamie Vermilyea (Syracuse ’07), Sal Fasano (Syracuse ’07), J.P. Arencibia (Auburn ’07), Brian Jeroloman (Lansing ’07), Chip Cannon (New Hampshire ’07), Hector Luna (Syracuse ’07), Wayne Lydon (Syracuse ’07), Ryan Patterson (New Hampshire ’07) and Travis Snider (Lansing ’07).

Players signed by the Blue Jays as minor league free agents include pitchers Shawn Camp, Lance Carter, Kane Davis, Mike Gosling, Ryan Ketchner, John Parrish, infielder Pedro Lopez and outfielder Matt Watson,

In addtion three Chiefs from last years squad have also been invited to big league camps.  John-Ford Griffin (Dodgers), Ryan Roberts (Rangers), and Howie Clark (Twins).

Other former Chiefs in camps include Chad Hermansen (Angels), Tomas Perez and Jose Cruz (Astros), Scott Cassidy (Brewers), Josh Phelps, John Wasdin, and Hugo Castellanos (Cardinals), Mike Smith and Luis Figueroa (Cubs), Adam Melhuse (Rangers), Kevin Cash (Red Sox), Ken Huckaby (Royals) and Aquillino Lopez (Tigers).

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (8/27 – 9/2)

BATTER OF THE WEEK: Picking up a base hit in every game he’s played the past week has not only earned Kevin Barker a seven game hit streak but also the Chiefs Batter of the Week award. Barker has batted .407 (11-27) with three doubles, a triple and three home runs. The Virginia Tech product has scored four runs and driven in six more. Barker has four multi-hit games in the past seven games.

HONORABLE MENTION: Ryan Roberts ranks second behind Barker with 10 base hits in the past week. Roberts went 10-for-28 (.357). The native Texan drove in six runs with three doubles and a home run. Roberts has a base hit in every game to run his hitting streak to 10 games. Also, Wayne Lydon has hit successfully in every game. Lydon has two stolen bases while batting .303 (10-for-33).

PITCHER OF THE WEEK: RHP Lee Gronkiewicz made one of the best relief appearances August 30th tossing four perfect innings in support of Jeremy Cummings. Gronkiewicz faced 12 batters and dismissed them all with four strikeouts. He also made one other appearance throwing two more shutout innings. For the week, the University of South Carolina product threw 6.0 innings without giving up a run on two hits while striking out five.

HONORABLE MENTION: RHP Josh Banks finished his 2007 year with the Chiefs on a positive note. Banks made two starts picking up a win (1-0) while throwing 13.2 innings and giving up just four runs (2.63ERA). Banks added nine strikeouts to his Chiefs high total.

THIS AND THAT

Congratulations to infielder Ryan Roberts who becomes the third Chiefs player called up this season when Troy Glaus was placed on the DL.  Roberts was taken off the 40-man roster this off-season but put himself back on the map with a solid Spring Training.  Roberts joins Adam Lind and Jamie Vermilyea in Toronto.

It looks like Lind will be in Toronto for awhile because Reed Johnson will miss two months after having back surgery.  Also closer BJ Ryan will miss 4-6 weeks with tenderness in his elbow.  Former Chiefs Jason Frasor and Shaun Marcum will be called upon to close games in his absence.

Insidethedome.com is reporting that the Toronto Blue Jays have reached three year contract extensions, through the 2010 season, with Tony LaCava, Director Player Personnel, **** Scott, Director Player Development, Jon Lalonde, Director Scouting, Sal Butera, Special Assistant to the GM & Charlie Wilson, Manager Minor League Operations.

Taking a look at our Double-A affiliate the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (4-2)some former Chiefs are off to a hot start.  Closer Lee Gronkiewicz has 3 saves in four outings.  Outfielder Wayne Lydon is hitting .333 with 2 HR and 8 RBI in six games.  Catcher Erik Kratz is hitting .583 with 2 doubles a HR and 5 RBI in five games played.  Pitcher David Purcey is 1-0 and had 7 strikeouts and just one walk in six innings in his only outing.

Infielder Rob Cosby was hitting .278 in five games before being placed on the DL Saturday after being hit on the hand by a pitch.

CHIEFS OPENER THURSDAY

The Chiefs open the 2007 season tomorrow night in Durham.  Dustin McGowan will take the ball for Syracuse against Jason Hammel for the Bulls. 

Chiefs’ GM John Simone traveled to Durham for the Opener and to take the team out to dinner tonight.  John reports that the team is a good bunch of guys and especially commented on how nice veteran catcher Sal Fasano is. 

John will be calling the Chiefs Office tomorrow once the Opening Day lineup is posted and we’ll have it for you right here on Inside the Chiefs blog as soon as we receive the call.

It seems the only major decisions new Manager Doug Davis will have to make will be in RF and DH.  He will have to choose from John-Ford Griffin, Mike Vento and Chad Mottola in right with the other two will be candidates for DH along with extra infielder Ryan Roberts.

While plans continue for the Chiefs home opener on Saturday April 14th, we would like to hear what you the fans would like to hear for music played at the stadium this season.  If you have a song that you think should be played at the stadium this season, email us at baseball@syracusechiefs.com.

FINAL ROSTER DECISIONS MADE

The Toronto Blue Jays made their final few decisions and the result caused a ripple effect on their minor league system.  The Blue Jays decided to send down to the Chiefs pitchers Geremi Gonzalez and Brian Tallet, catcher Sal Fasano and designate pitcher Francisco Rosario for assignment.

The Chiefs roster currently looks like this with still a few decisions to be made:
STARTING ROTATION:  Four kids and a veteran.  Dustin McGowan, Josh Banks, Ty Taubenheim and Ismael Ramirez made 60 AAA-starts in 2006.  They all should be improved in their second season.  Gonzalez a veteran will anchor the staff with Jamie Vermilyea and Jason Scobie also available for long relief or spot staring.

BULLPEN:  Tallet is the lone lefty and will be used in situational roles, while newcomer Blaine Neal assumes the closer role.  Set-up men include former Red Wing Beau Kemp, who helped Rochester to the I.L. Governors Cup Finals, Matt Roney who recorded an ERA under 3.00 with Sacramento last season, Ryan Houston who pitched exceptional from April-June last year before a terrible month of July balooned his ERA and newcomer Brain Wolfe, who was acquired in the Corey Koskie trade last season and bounced around from A-Dunedin and AA-New Hampshire in 2006.  Wolfe could be the sleeper in this group.

CATCHING:  Veteran Sal Fasano backs up big league catching prospect Curtis Thigpen.  A major improvement over last seasons defensively challenged duo of Mike Mahoney and Jason Phillips.

INFIELDERS:    Kevin Barker returns for his third season at 1B, Russ Adams returns to Syracuse this time to play second base, Slick fielding Ray Olmedo takes over at shortstop while John Hattig returns for his third season at 3B.  Ryan Roberts will man the utility role and is very good at all three positions 2B, SS and 3B.   The Chiefs should be very much improved up the middle with Olmedo and Adams, both have played in the major leagues, while Barker is very good around the bag at first.  Hattig’s range is average at best, but should make up for it with his bat (.277 with 30 doubles last season).  Roberts had a great spring and will see plenty of action.

OUTFIELDERS:  Three spots with five quality players.  Jeff Duncan will see most of the action in center field and can play defence.  His speed on the turf at home should make him a .300 hitter.  Super prospect Adam Lind will play left field while veterans Mike Vento (AAA All-Star at Columbus two years ago) and Chiefs Fan Favorite Chad Mottola share time in rightfield.  2005 MVP John-Ford Griffin is healthy and will get most of the DH at bats.

The Chiefs still need to drop one pitcher and will add Francisco Rosario and Brandon League at some point in early April with more changes yet to be made.

DUNEDIN NOTEBOOK

The Toronto Blue Jays lost to the Philadelphia Phillies tonight in Dunedin, 10-6, on a beautiful 70 degree night at Knology Park.  Righthander Josh Towers took the loss, allowing 5-runs in 4 2/3 innings.  Towers, who is battling for the 5th spot in the Jays rotation, actually pitched better than his line would indicate.  With John Thomson now out of the mix with tightness in his shoulder, Towers could claim that spot behind Halladay, Burnett, Chacin and Ohka.

Ryan Roberts launched a 400 foot double off the center field wall and was robbed of a base hit in the 9th.  Rob Cosby, Justin Singleton and Jeff Duncan all saw action in tonight’s game.

Righty Jeremy Accardo was touched for a two-run shot by Chase Utley, while Blaine Neal also gave up 2 runs in the ninth on 4 hits.  Brian Wolfe pitched another scoreless inning and remains in the mix as a non-roster invitee.  Wolfe was acquired from Milwaukee last season in the Corey Koskie trade.  Last season he began the year in Dunedin and finished up with New Hampshire.

Chiefs season ticket holder Peter White and his lovely wife attended tonight’s game in Dunedin – his second contest of the day.  Peter tells us that he will be at tomorrow’s game,Pirates vs Blue Jays, before his return to Syracuse for the Home Opener on April 14.

WEEKEND UPDATE

Minor League camp is underway and it’s time to turn our attention to more significant matters – like reporting baseball.   We have made our point and we are not going to waste your time by beating a dead horse on this space.   Again only here on “Inside the Chiefs” will you receive first hand knowledge of what’s going on in spring training with the major league club, Toronto and the Syracuse Chiefs.

Non-roster catcher Erik Kratz was the first player to be sent to minor league camp as the Jays minor league affiliates reported this weekend.

Jays righty Josh Towers pitched two innings today vs the Pirates and allowed only 1 hit, a solo home run to Pirates first baseman Brad Eldred in two innings of work.  Towers also struck out two batters and looked good in his first outing.  Also pitching today in a B-game were righthanders Dustin McGowan and Casey Janssen.  In the lineup today are: Royce Clayton -ss, Greg Zaun -c, Lyle Overbay – 1B, Vernon Wells -cf, Troy Glaus – 3b, Matt Stairs – rf, Aaron Hill – 2b, Adam Lind – lf, Jason Phillips -c.

Over the weekend John Thomson also pitched well – two shutout innings and Shaun Marcum  pitched 2 innings, 1 run, 3 strikeouts. Francisco Rosario, who was slowed by back pain earlier this spring, pitched one shutout inning.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons has said that Russ Adams would begin the season in Syracuse and play second base.  The Blue Jays hope that Adams can return to his 2004-2005 form when he played for the Chiefs and Blue Jays and batted over .280 playing shortstop.

Former Chiefs pitchers Dave Stieb and Pat Hentgen are in camp helping with the younger pitchers and throwing batting practice.

In yesterday’s win Curtis Thigpen (2), John-Ford Griffin and John Hattig combined for 4-RBI in their 7-4 win over the Rays.  On Saturday, Rob Cosby went 1 for 3 with Curtis Thigpen providing another RBI and, on Friday, Kevin Barker had a two-run home run and Ryan Roberts went 2 for 2.

Don’t forget that “Inside Pitch” will broadcast live from Dunedin, Florida beginning on March 19th when the voice of the Chiefs Bob McElligott and Chiefs General Manager John Simone provide player interviews beginning at 7PM all week long.

THE GAMES BEGIN

The Blue Jays opened the spring schedule this afternoon with a 4-1 win versus the Boston Red Sox. 

Many of the players expected to be in Syracuse when the regular season opens performed well for the Jays.  Adam Lind started in left-field and went 1-2 with a triple before being replaced by John-Ford Griffin who went 1-1 with a double.  John Hattig was 1-2 with an RBI, Kevin Barker was 1-3. Non-roster invitee Jeff Duncan replaced Vernon Wells in center-field in the third inning and was 1-1 with a walk and a run scored.

On the mound Ty Taubenheim pitched a perfect 8th and Ryan Houston pitched a perfect ninth to earn the save.

The most interesting part if the box score is accurate is that Ryan Roberts, primarily a second-baseman, played shortstop in relief of Royce Clayton while Rey Olmedo, a natural shortstop, relieved Aaron Hill at second base.

The Jays travel tomorrow to take on the Boston Red Sox in Ft. Myers at 12:30 PM.  Gustavo Chacin is scheduled to start for Toronto.

MANY FORMER CHIEFS INVITED AS NON-ROSTER PLAYERS

With Spring Training starting for many major league teams this week we glanced through major league baseball rosters and below is a list of former Chiefs players invited to major league camps as non-roster players:

Brewers – Corey Thurman, Vince Perkins
Cardinals – Mike Smith, Miguel Negron
Devil Rays – Gary Glover
Diamondbacks – Rich Thompson
Dodgers – Ken Huckaby, Sandy Martinez
Giants – Luis Figueroa
Mariners – Aaron Small
Nationals – Chris Michalak, Wayne Lydon
Twins – Glenn Williams
Padres – Adrian Burnside, Todd Greene
Phillies – Brent Abernathy
Pirates – Kip Bouknight, John Wasdin
Rangers – Bruce Chen
Red Sox – Kevin Cash
Reds – Jason Kershner, DeWayne Wise
Royals – Alex Gonzalez

In addition the Blue Jays added John Ford Griffin and Erick Kratz to their spring training roster as well as Rob Cosby and Ryan Roberts who were designated for assignment in January and taken off the major league roster.  Only Figueroa, Lydon and Burnside are from the Chiefs 2006 roster.

FASANO, OLMEDO JOIN JAYS

The Toronto Blue Jays picked up two additional players that could have an impact on the Syracuse Chiefs 2007 season.  Veteran catcher Sal Fasano who has spent parts of the past ten seasons in the major leagues with the Royals, A’s, Rockies, Angels, Orioles and last season with the Phillies and Yankees signed a minor league deal with an invite to spring training that begins in three weeks.

Fasano, 35, will provide insurance for the Blue Jays who have Greg Zaun and Jason Phillips slotted at the catching position at the present time with prospect Curtis Thigpen on the way up and expected to start the season with the Chiefs. 

The signing of Fasano allows the Blue Jays to allow Thigpen to continue to develop if the need for a third catcher or injury occurs.

The Jays also claimed infielder Ray Olmedo off waivers from the Reds and assigned him to their major league roster.  The 25 year old native of Venezuela batted .282 for Louisville last season and recorded a .960 FPCT in 90-games at shortstop.  Olmedo has appeared in 171-games with the Reds during the past 4-years (2003-2006).

The Blue Jays now have middle infielders Royce Clayton and Aaron Hill expected to start and John McDonald, Jason Smith, Russ Adams, Ray Olmedo, Sergio Santos and Ryan Roberts also in camp.

During the past week the Blue Jays outrighted 3B/OF Rob Cosby back to the Chiefs and will likely do the same to Roberts who was taken off the major League roster to make room for Olmedo.

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