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)

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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)

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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)

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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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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It's Late July and the Trade Winds are Blowing, 7/20/12

A fresh new "Around the Nest" is coming up today from 5-6 p.m. Eastern!

We'll speak with Bluefield's James Smyth about Joe Musgrove, Lansing's Keaton Gillogly about David Rollins and Carlos Perez, and Dunedin's Craig Durham about Asher Wojciechowski.

Click here to listen in to the show, starting at 5 p.m.!

Plus more talk from around the system, with your questions via Twitter (use #AroundTheNest) and call-ins (347-308-8302), and the latest news/observations from the broadcasters of the Blue Jays organization.

The Summer Heats Up, 7/13/12

Listen to "Around the Nest, Volume 9"

Hosted by the Dunedin Blue Jays' Craig Durham and the Lansing Lugnuts' Jesse Goldberg-Strassler.

This week's advancements - A new logo for the show, courtesy of Craig/Vince in Dunedin; a new website courtesy of Keaton in Lansing; and a new hashtag (#AroundTheNest).

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Show rundown:

• A quick forum on the Royals' fans booing Robinson Cano in the Home Run Derby.
• New Hampshire broadcaster Tom Gauthier on the Fisher Cats' performances in the Eastern League All-Star Game.
• Las Vegas broadcaster Russ Langer on the latest news from the 51s, David Cooper, Yan Gomes, Joel Carreno, and Jamie Moyer.
• Tom Gauthier rejoins Craig to discuss the Fisher Cats' games against the Portland Sea Dogs and their rehabbing Major Leaguers, the promotion of Aaron Loup, and new starter Matt Wright.
• Alexis Brudnicki of SportsNet.ca and Baseball America on the Lugnuts' big three of Aaron Sanchez, Noah Syndergaard, and Justin Nicolino approaching the trade deadline.
• Lansing's Jesse Goldberg-Strassler and Keaton Gillogly on the likelihood that Sanchez, Syndergaard and Nicolino will be promoted to Dunedin.
• A caller asks about Sean Nolin, with Craig Durham providing the answer.
• The Vancouver Canadians' Andrew Forsyth on Marcus Stroman, Balbino Fuenmayor, Jorge Flores, Matt Johnson and Ian Kadish.
• Craig answers a Twitter question about Koby Clemens.
• Bluefield's James Smyth on the Blue Jays' recent spate of heartbreaking losses, Joe Musgrove, Roberto Osuna, Kevin Comer and Jacob Anderson.
• Craig wraps up the show with a Dunedin summation.

A Look Around the Nest, 7/6/12

Listen to "Around the Nest, Volume 8"

Hosted by the Lansing Lugnuts' Jesse Goldberg-Strassler and the Dunedin Blue Jays' Craig Durham.

This week's advancements - A brand new name for the show is coined, "Around The Nest," thanks to Craig's genius.  (Lansing's duo of Jesse and Keaton supplied "Jay-Talking.")

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Show rundown:

• Jesse opens the show, welcoming Bluefield voice James Smyth to talk Blue Jays prospects, Dennis Holmberg, and discover the strongest and fastest players on the Appy League Jays squad.
• Lansing's Keaton Gillogly on the latest from the Lugnuts, Gustavo Pierre, Chris Hawkins, Kevin Pillar, K.C. Hobson, Kenny Wilson, and the Lugs' prime-time pitching prospects, with a bonus audio clip of a dramatic Pierre two-run double.
• New Hampshire's Bob Lipman talks Fisher Cats baseball, the promotion of Sam Dyson to Toronto, Brian Van Kirk's four-steal game, and Mark Sobolewski's encouragement of sunscreen use.
• Durham's Craig Durham enjoys good times for the D-Jays, dramatic victories, and recent call-up Jon Berti.
• Vancouver's Andrew Forsyth on Javier Avendano, Carlos Ramirez, Ian Parmley, Kellen Sweeney, Marcus Stroman, and the Canadians.
• Craig and Jesse talk Michael Crouse to close out the show.

Blue Jays Talk, Top to Bottom, 6/29/12

Listen to "Around the Nest, Volume 7"

Hosted by the the Dunedin Blue Jays' Craig Durham and the Lansing Lugnuts' Jesse Goldberg-Strassler.

This week's advancements - The first 60-minute show, the debuts of Toronto's Mike Wilner and Las Vegas's Russ Langer.

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Show rundown:

• Mike Wilner delivers the state of the Toronto Blue Jays, asks New Hampshire's Tom Gauthier about Chad Jenkins, and gives the word on Jamie Moyer.
• Russ Langer speaks on the latest news with the Las Vegas 51s, Anthony Gose, and Adeiny Hechavarria.
• Jesse Goldberg-Strassler balances enthusiasm and patience with Aaron Sanchez, Noah Syndergaard, and Justin Nicolino.
• Tom Gauthier enlightens Russ about Las Vegas native and Fisher Cats starting first baseman Mike McDade.
• An interview with Double-A pitching prospect John Stilson.
• Craig Durham joins from Dunedin to talk about the suddenly struggling D-Jays.
• Keaton Gillogly in Lansing speaks on the Lugnuts' pitching phenoms and their newly-received rotation slots, and on intriguing outfield talents Kevin Pillar and Kenny Wilson.
• James Smyth enjoys life with the talented Bluefield Blue Jays, particularly the pitching ability of Roberto Osuna and Griffin Murphy.

Let the Roster Shake-Up Begin, 6/22/12

Listen to "Around the Nest, Volume 6"

Midseason Report, 6/14/12

Listen to "Around the Nest, Volume 5"

Spring Turns to Summer, 6/8/12

Listen to "Around the Nest, Volume 4"

Let the Good Times Roll, 6/1/12

Listen to "Around the Nest, Volume 3"

Double Time, 30-Minute Spectacular, 5/25/12

Since 15 minutes was clearly not enough, we expanded to 30 minutes in our second week.

Listen to "Around the Nest, Volume 2"

Tales From First Place, 5/18/12

The very first show.

Listen to "Around the Nest, Volume 1"

 

Hosted by the Dunedin Blue Jays' Craig Durham and Nate Kurant and the Lansing Lugnuts' Jesse Goldberg-Strassler and Keaton Gillogly.

 

This week's advancements - Everything.  Craig called it "Blue Jays 'A' Talk, since our original focus was merely on the Blue Jays' two full-season Class-A teams.  The show was only 15 minutes long, and we were just starting to figure things out.

 

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Show rundown:

• Craig opens the show and introduces the participants.
• Jesse and Keaton talk Lugnuts baseball, K.C. Hobson, the Lugs' recent triple play at Dayton, and Noah Syndergaard.
• Craig and Nate discuss the D-Jays' recent play, Marcus Knecht, and Jake Marisnick.

Friday, July 13th

Thanks to all those who tuned in, called in and tweeted their questions in on #AroundTheNest today.

For those of you who could not catch the show live, the archived show is available right HERE. 

Tune in next Friday at 5 p.m. ET for more Jays prospect talk on Around the Nest.