Saturday, September 7, 2013

Week 22, 2013: Wrapping 2013 and Forecasting 2014



The 2013 season is a wrap for the majority of the Toronto Blue Jays' Minor League affiliates -- the Vancouver Canadians are clearly magical -- and it's time to take a look back upon the season.  Join the radio broadcasters of the Jays' system one last time as we go Around the Nest, talking about the biggest surprises of the year, each team's MVP, and the players we'll be watching come 2014!

Starting Lineup
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Tom Gauthier, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Trey Wilson, Bluefield Blue Jays (Rookie)

Week 21, 2013: The Roar of the Crowd



We've reached the end of August, with regular seasons throughout the Blue Jays' Minor League system rapidly coming to an end.  Join us as we journey from Buffalo to New Hampshire, Bluefield to Vancouver, Dunedin to Lansing, talking about the player development contract extension in Buffalo and players like Blake Gailen, Deck McGuire, Franklin Barreto, Dawel Lugo, Aaron Sanchez, and Daniel Norris.  Question of the Week:  Favorite crowd/fan-related moments of the year.  (Prepare yourself for the Bluefield answer!)

Starting Lineup
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Highlight: Dalton Pompey's grand slam
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Tom Gauthier, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Trey Wilson, Bluefield Blue Jays (Rookie)
  • C.J. Pentland, Vancouver Canadians (SS-A)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)

Week 20, 2013: Better than a Florida State League rainout



We're nearing the end of August in the Toronto Blue Jays' organization:  Buffalo is battling for the playoffs despite a slew of recent call-ups, New Hampshire's Ryan Schimpf takes the Eastern League lead in home runs, Lansing sees a renaissance from Daniel Norris, Vancouver nears its final homestand, and a Bluefield trio receives rightful All-Star nods. And Dunedin?  They'll be playing baseball, oh, any day now... if the rain ever lets up.  Plus an interview with Blue Jays 2013 6th round draft pick Matt Boyd!  Join the voices of the Blue Jays' system as we Jay-talk about the prospects and the moments of the Minor League summer.

Starting Lineup
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Interview:  Lugnuts pitcher Matt Boyd
  • Trey Wilson, Bluefield Blue Jays (Rookie)
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Bob Lipman, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)

Week 19, 2013: Holy Cow, Hang a Star Next to That One



Kevin Pillar is in the Majors, Brad Glenn enjoys a smashing Triple-A debut,
Daniel Norris makes SportsCenter, we receive our weekly Aaron Sanchez update, and much more!  Join the radio broadcasters of the Blue Jays' Minor League system as we Jay-talk our way Around the Nest -- and discuss how baseball has changed the way we live our lives.  (Hotel rooms, for instance?)


Starting Lineup
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Tom Gauthier, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Rob Fai, Vancouver Canadians (SS-A)

Week 18, 2013: Don't Panic



Drew Hutchison is nearing the Major Leagues once more, Marcus Stroman continues blazing through the Eastern League, Daniel Norris shows up behind the microphone, Arik Sikula finishes other people's meals, Aaron Sanchez left early - but it's of no great concern, and the Bluefield Blue Jays will never lose again!

Starting Lineup
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Trey Wilson, Bluefield Blue Jays (Rookie)
  • Rob Fai, Vancouver Canadians (SS-A)
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Chris Shuker, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Interview:  top prospect Daniel Norris interviewing Lugnuts closer Arik Sikula

Monday, August 5, 2013

Week 17, 2013: Watch Out for Foul Balls!



We're into August in the Minor League season, and there's been plenty of movement up and down the Blue Jays' ladder.  In Buffalo and New Hampshire, the playoff push is on.  In Lansing, 2013 draft picks are making an impact.  In Bluefield, there's magic in the air.  And in Dunedin... let's just say that foul balls are coming back with a purpose, as Slavko and Tyler commiserate over their damaged computers.  It's time to go Around the Nest with the voices of the Jays' farm system, talking popular nicknames and more!

Starting Lineup
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Tom Gauthier, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Trey Wilson, Bluefield Blue Jays (Rookie)
  • C.J. Pentland, Vancouver Canadians (SS-A)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)

Week 16, 2013: Inside the Ballpark



July is coming to a close, and the Minor League season is hitting its homestretch, with Tim Locastro, L.B. Dantzler, Dalton Pompey, K.C. Hobson, Adam Loewen and Kevin Pillar turning in dazzling performances.  Join the radio broadcasters of the Blue Jays' farm system as we take you inside the ballpark!

Starting Lineup
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Interview with Fred McGriff
  • Trey Wilson, Bluefield Blue Jays (Rookie)
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Chris Shuker, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)

Friday, July 19, 2013

Week 15, 2013: Typical Goofiness



The Herd gear up for the second half, the Fisher Cats' starters dominate, the D-Jays deal with dramatic finishes, the Lugnuts welcome in a pair of Bulldogs, a Canadian receives his just due, and the Bluefield Jays play a grueling stretch of games... and all amid Mascot Madness!  Time to Jay-talk our way Around the Nest, and catch all of the latest stars and highlights from the Toronto farm system!


Starting Lineup
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Bob Lipman and Chris Shuker, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Trey Wilson, Bluefield Blue Jays (Rookie)
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Week 14, 2013: Striving toward the All-Star Break



Approaching the MLB, Triple-A and Double-A, we'll break down the first half of 2013 with the voices of the Toronto Blue Jays' Minor League system, talking successes and surprises!  Join Buffalo's Ben Wagner, New Hampshire's Tom Gauthier, Dunedin's Tyler Murray, and Lansing's Jesse Goldberg-Strassler and Slavko Bekovic on Around the Nest!

Starting Lineup
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Tom Gauthier, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Trey Wilson, Bluefield Blue Jays (Rookie)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)

Friday, July 5, 2013

Week 13, 2013: Walk-Off Success... Hopefully



The Buffalo Bisons receive All-Star acclaim, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats are acing their competition, the Dunedin Blue Jays are walking off with a flair, the Bluefield Blue Jays are humming... and, well, you might have heard what happened with Lansing's Santiago Nessy.  Join us as we Jay-talk around the Minors with the radio voices of the Toronto Blue Jays farm system!

Starting Lineup
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Tom Gauthier, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Trey Wilson, Bluefield Blue Jays (Rookie)
  • Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Week 12, 2013: Summer, Summer, Summertime!



We've reached summer in the 2013 season... and it's time to find out who's heating up the Blue Jays' minor league system!  We travel from Vancouver to Bluefield, Buffalo to New Hampshire, and Dunedin to Lansing, speaking with the radio broadcasters of Toronto's MiLB affiliates.  Send in your questions via #AroundtheNest as we jay-talk our way up the organizational ladder!

Starting Lineup
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Trey Wilson, Bluefield Blue Jays (Rookie)
  • Rob Fai, Vancouver Canadians (Short-Season A)
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Bob Lipman, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Week 11, 2013: The Gang's All Here



With Bluefield and Vancouver opening their seasons, there's now a full ladder of Blue Jays Minor Leaguers in action - and we're ready to chat about them!  The Canadians' Rob Fai and the Blue Jays' Trey Wilson join the show to talk short-season ball.  Plus, Dunedin's Tyler Murray on the FSL All-Star Game and the D-Jays' 1st half title, New Hampshire's Bob Lipman on the success of A.J. Jimenez and the promotion of Kevin Pillar, and Buffalo's Ben Wagner on the goings-on in Triple-A, all hosted by Lansing's Jesse Goldberg-Strassler.

Starting Lineup
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Rob Fai, Vancouver Canadians (Short-Season A)
  • Bob Lipman, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Trey Wilson, Bluefield Blue Jays (Rookie)
  • Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Week 10, 2013: The Throwback Episode



"Around the Nest" co-founder Craig Durham returns, joining Lansing's Jesse Goldberg-Strassler and Slavko Bekovic and New Hampshire's Chris Shuker to discuss the Blue Jays' system, Kramer Champlin's almost-perfect game, Marcus Stroman, Sean Nolin, A.J. Jimenez, Archie Bradley, Kevin Patterson's power, and more.

Starting Lineup
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Chris Shuker, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Craig Durham, former voice of Dunedin, current voice of Mobile
  • Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Week 9, 2013: Heave-Hos and Draftees



It's MLB Draft weekend, so we'll be talking about the Minor League perspective on the draft as well as Buffalo manager Marty Brown's fantastic ejection.  Join the voices of the Buffalo Bisons, New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Dunedin Blue Jays and Lansing Lugnuts, as we go Around the Nest, discussing the Blue Jays' farm system!

Starting Lineup
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Tom Gauthier, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Week 8, 2013: In Search of Stars



It's the last day in May for the voices of the Blue Jays' minor league system.  Who will step up and carry the day in summer? Find out, as we go Around the Nest!

Starting Lineup
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Tom Gauthier, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Week 7, 2013: Promotions and Winning Streaks



We're nearing the end of May in the Blue Jays' full-season minor leagues:  Sean Nolin makes his Major League debut and returns promptly to New Hampshire, Josh Johnson rehabs his way back toward Toronto, and the Lansing Lugnuts get hot. Join the voices of the Jays' MiLB affiliates as they discuss Neil Wagner, Daniel Norris, Griffin Murphy's mustache, and more on Around the Nest!

Starting Lineup
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)

Friday, May 17, 2013

Week 6, 2013: April in May



We're joined by the MLB Fan Cave's April Whitzman, talking about the Blue Jays' resurgence, in addition to updates from the voices of Buffalo, New Hampshire, Dunedin and Lansing!

Starting Lineup
  • April Whitzman, MLB Fan Cave
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Tom Gauthier, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler & Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Week 5, 2013: Heating up



Buffalo's Jim Negrych is on fire, New Hampshire's Kevin Pillar is rocking Eastern League pitching, Dunedin's Andy Burns and Marcus Knecht found their power bats, and Lansing's Christian Lopes continues to impress!  Join the voices of the Blue Jays' Minor League system as we go "Around the Nest" to discuss the events of mid-May!

Starting Lineup
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Bob Lipman, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler & Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)

Week 4, 2013: Opening May



Join the voices of the Blue Jays' Minor League Baseball teams as they discuss the top prospects, performances and promotions each week in the Toronto system!

Starting Lineup
  • Chris Shuker, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler & Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)

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Week 3, 2013: Closing April




It's the end of the first month of the season for the Blue Jays' full-season farm teams.  How are things going at each level?  Join the Jays' minor league broadcasters as we take a trip "Around the Nest"!

Starting Lineup
  • Bob Lipman & Chris Shuker, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Tom Gauthier's (NH) interview with Tim Raines
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler & Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)

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Week 2, 2013: Rain and Records




The season is now a couple of weeks old, which means record-breaking success in Buffalo, close games in New Hampshire, dramatic wins in Dunedin, and tons of rain in Lansing.  Welcome to the second week of "Around the Nest," talking Blue Jays Minor League affiliates with the voices of each team!

Starting Lineup
  • Ben Wagner, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler & Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)

Week 1, 2013: Welcome to the Season



The Blue Jays' minor league system is off and running!  Which players are off to fast starts?  What's the excitement level like in new Triple-A affiliate Buffalo?  How's Aaron Sanchez pitching in Dunedin?  We're back talking Blue Jays minor leaguers on "Around the Nest"!

Starting Lineup
  • Ben Wagner and Pat Malacaro, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
  • Tom Gauthier, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
  • Tyler Murray, Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Adv.)
  • Jesse Goldberg-Strassler & Slavko Bekovic, Lansing Lugnuts (A)