Octavio Dotel is a strange dude

Words cannot describe how happy Octavio Dotel was about Edwin Encarnacion's 9th inning homerun last night against the Cardinals. Video is required.



That is one happy 37 year old man.. dancing like a 4 year old girl.

Midseason Report: Triple-A Las Vegas

Team Record: 41-36 (2nd in Southern Pacific Division)
Number of team Top 15 prospects: 2 -- Lawrie, Thames

The first half of the Las Vegas season has been a tumultuous one that has seen frequent, drastic changes in the roster as well as a highly inconsistent pitching staff (though, that's almost expected in the PCL). The team has combined for an .858 OPS (good for 2nd in the PCL), however their pitching has posted a miserable 5.32 ERA (11th in PCL) and 1.55 WHIP (10th in PCL).

Notable hitters:

3B Brett Lawrie: .354/.415/.677 (1.092 OPS), 19 2B, 15 HR, 49 RBI, 11 SB, 18/40 BB/K

Brett Lawrie has been the best hitter over the first 3 months, despite missing all of June. 2011 is Lawrie's 1st year at 3rd base, and even though he has spent extensive amounts of time working on defensive drills, he has still managed to find the time to kill the baseball. PCL and Vegas effects aside, Lawrie has exceeded any and all offensive expectations placed upon him this season, and if not for a hand-breaking HBP on May 31st, he would be manning 3rd base in Toronto right now.

LF Eric Thames: .352/.423/.610 (1.033 OPS), 25 2B, 7 HR, 45 RBI, 23/41 BB/K

Thames has continued his 2010 success in New Hampshire with Las Vegas in 2011. While maintaining his strong power numbers, Thames has improved his approach at the plate, increasing his walk rate while decreasing his strikeout rate, all against more experienced pitching. This has earned him two promotions to Toronto, and his stay in the minor leagues may be over.

1B David Cooper: .372/.431/.575 (1.007 OPS), 28 2B, 6 HR, 54 RBI, 26/20 BB/K

Cooper has reinfused his prospect stock with his performance this year. While the lack of home runs is disappointing when you consider his position and park, he has still been an all around strong performer with a high batting average, a lot of doubles, and a very strong BB/K ratio.

RF Adam Loewen: .315/.376/.569 (.945 OPS), 28 2B, 12 HR, 50 RBI, 28/77 BB/K

Since making the transition from pitcher to hitter after numerous injuries to his throwing arm, Loewen has steadily made improvements to his game each year in the minor leagues. While his strikeout rate remains higher than preferred, he has been good at the plate and may see time in the big leagues at some point late this season.

OF Travis Snider: .324/.396/.468 (.864 OPS), 19 2B, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 7 SB, 20/32 BB/K

Snider started the season in Toronto, but after a poor start he was sent to Las Vegas to rework his swing mechanics. After initially struggling with the changes, Snider has come on strong in June to the tune of a 1.085 OPS. If not for a recent concussion as the result of a HBP, he, like Brett Lawrie, would likely be in Toronto's starting lineup by now.

Notable pitchers:

LHP Brad Mills: 95.2 IP, 96 H, 38 ER, 8 HR, 24 BB, 86 K, 3.57 ERA, 1.25 WHIP

Brad Mills has been the best pitcher of the first 3 months primarily due to his solid consistency in an extremely hostile pitching environment. In his 15 starts he has gone atleast 5 innings 14 times, and atleast 6 innings 12 times. 2011 is Mills' 3rd year in Las Vegas, and he is likely hoping to parlay his success this year into a major league roster spot.

LHP Brett Cecil: 78.2 IP, 89 H, 46 ER, 15 HR, 24 BB, 63 K, 5.26 ERA, 1.44 WHIP

After struggling in Toronto for much of April, Cecil, like Snider, was demoted to Triple-A to find his velocity and clean up some mechanical issues. In Las Vegas Cecil has seen his fair share of ups and downs, with the biggest ups being his two dominant complete-game victories, and the biggest downs being his multiple HR-allowed starts.

Rest of the year outlook: The remainder of 2011 is not likely to be kind to Las Vegas. Brett Lawrie is injured, and when he is healthy he will likely only be in Triple-A as a rehab before joining Toronto for the rest of the season. Eric Thames was recently recalled to give the major league team a spark, and with the struggles of Toronto's outfielders and the trade deadline steadily approaching, Thames is likely there to stay. Travis Snider was recently injured on a HBP, and when it happened he was also well on his way to a promotion. He is likely to join Thames in Toronto's outfield at some point in July. In addition to the offense being decimated, Brett Cecil's up-tick in velocity and increased performance is likely to earn him a promotion in the not so distant future, further weakening Las Vegas' chances at a playoff spot.

#11: CF Jake Marisnick

Name: Jacob Marisnick
Position: Center fielder
Acquired: 3rd round (2009)
Opening Day age: 20
Height/weight: 6'4", 200 lbs
Best/worst tool: Athleticism/power

Scouting Report: Jake Marisnick is the stereotypical projectable 5-tool player. Due to his excellent athleticism, his running, fielding, and throwing tools are ahead of his bat and power, but as he matures he should become a much more well rounded player. It's hard to imagine a 6'4" player being a significant base stealer in the majors, but Marisnick could easily develop into a 20/20 player while hitting close to .300 with a good approach and playing great defense in center. It speaks volumes about Marisnick that power is his weakest tool at this point, as at 20 years old he's barely below average in that tool. He is a scout's dream.

2010 Stats: .253/.336/.398 (.733 OPS), 20 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 23 SB

2010 Analysis: Marisnick was a late sign in the 2009 draft. As such, 2010 was his first professional season and he split time between the Gulf Coast League (.832 OPS in 122 AB) and the Midwest League (.636 OPS in 127 AB). Marisnick struggled after his promotion as a 19 year old in the MWL, but it was likely a result of him being too aggressive while trying to impress.

2011 Stats: .315/.385/.486 (.871 OPS), 12 2B, 4 3B, 6 HR, 47 RBI, 18 SB

2011 Analysis: Marisnick's second trial with Lansing has gone much better, culminating in an appearance as a starting outfielder in the Midwest League All-Star game. Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein attended the game, and came away extremely impressed with Marisnick both physically and as a baseball player. He has shown a solid all-around game, hitting for average, hitting for power, while keeping a good approach at the plate and fielding well.

Future outlook: Marisnick will likely progress slowly, as the Blue Jays would be wise to focus on how Marisnick's bat is developing and not his flashy athletic tools. He should split the rest of 2011 with Lansing and Dunedin. If his bat continues to develop, Marisnick should spend 2012 in Dunedin/New Hampshire, and 2013 in New Hampshire/Las Vegas (or whatever the Triple-A affiliate is at that time). Marisnick's best case would see him as a 2013 September callup, with the potential for a regular job in 2014 depending upon the development of another center fielder in the Blue Jays system.

Perfect world projection: Star MLB center fielder, semi-regular All-Star appearances throughout his career, possible Silver Slugger and/or Gold Glove awards.

Worst case scenario: 4th outfielder in majors or fizzles out as Quad-A player.

Most likely outcome: Everyday MLB center fielder, possibly an All-Star appearance or two in his prime years.