Artificial Turf Wars

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 ver

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 seem

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 w

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

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

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

In Greg's final episode as the host of Artificial Turf Wars, he, Josh and Nick give out season ending awards in categories ranging from the obvious (best pitcher, favourite moment, team MVP, etc.) to the unusual (most unfairly maligned, bona fide or Bonifaco, etc.) including submissions from the listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg and Josh discuss the failed foray into the postseason for the Blue Jays, with looks at the pitching performances, good and less good, that were overshadowed by the hitting, outs on the bases and a manager's decision that became a lightning rod for criticism. They also compare the P.R. approaches of the two people tasked with leading the club, Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro, and how they handled their year-end press conferences. They also answer a full mailbag worth of listener questions before Greg shares an important final thought. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brandon Warne of Access Twins and Locked on Twins joins the podcast (11:00) to preview the upcoming Wild Card series between Toronto and Minnesota. He goes over the changes to the roster since the Jays saw them earlier in the year, how the lineup stacks up even with some key players possibly unavailable due to injury and how the rotation and bullpen have been reshaped to provide support for a hot offence. Greg and Josh also talk about the end of the season notes and signs from the final two games as well as how the roster will look for the first round of the postseason. They also answer listener questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg and Josh look at the state of the Jays heading into the final weekend of play. They discuss the solid series in Tampa Bay before laying two goose eggs to start the Yankees series, with a problem that has been occurring all season rearing its ugly head again: the inability to hit good pitching. They also look at the incredible work of Bassitt to get to 200 innings and the circumstances required to get there, Gausman setting a career high in strikeouts, Chapman and Belt showing a bit of power as part of the new lineup structure, and the weird results that have led to the Jays being where they are in the postseason race and what has to happen to get in. They also answer listener questions and give out both a Gold Star and a Do Over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg and Josh look at the recent events as the Jays enter the stretch run They discuss Biggio earning regular playing time with both improved hitting and, perhaps more importantly, defensively around the diamond, Bo finding his timing again, Vlad dealing with an injury that hopefully won’t linger, a tremendous rebound from the rotation following a rough turn against Texas, with an especially important 7 innings from Berríos, Cam Eden finally adding a true speed element to the bench, and Brandon Belt slowly making his way back from injury. They also answer listener questions and give out a Gold Star. 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

Greg and Josh discuss the latest in Blue Jays land starting with the 9-3 overall record against the league bottom feeders including a sweep of the Royals that included some red flags that have shown up in the Texas series. They also go over the first few games of the Texas series and what has gone wrong, the continued strong offensive showing of the Buffalo Boys, Davis Schneider, Ernie Clement and Spencer Horwitz, the pitching hitting a bit of a wall at the worst time and the bizarre Alek Manoah saga with the news of his anger over his option. They also give out a Do Over to an odd situation in Seattle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg and Josh discuss the latest news around the Blue Jays including the recent rash of injuries to key members of the lineup, Bo Bichette, Matt Chapman and now Danny Jansen, that luckily has had good performance from the replacements, the recent tough performance from a few pitchers, including Mayza, Jackson and especially Berríos, the continued excellence of Hyun-Jin Ryu, an improved offence being led by a resurgent Alejandro Kirk and a look ahead at the upcoming schedule. They also give a Do Over to John Schneider for his explanation of a managerial decision and discuss the Angels' waiving of 1/4 of their roster. 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

Greg and Josh discuss the latest developments for the Blue Jays including the still-performing pitching staff, the injury returns, including a rejuvenated-looking Jordan Romano, that will provide even more depth and rest to one another, the Alek Manoah demotion to nowhere and the patience we should have with the situation, the still struggling offence despite better RISP numbers in the month of August and a few extra power displays and Paul DeJong joining Brad Hand on an inauspicious list. They also answer listener questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg and Josh discuss the latest in Blue Jays land including the historic debut from Davis Schneider and the skillset that lends credibility to the belief that he will continue to contribute, Alek Manoah's strong return from the awful events of his last start, baserunning follies in Boston, the continued excellent pitching from Yusei Kikuchi, and encouraging start for Ryu that ended in injury, prognoses for the injured Ryu, Romano and Bichette and a ridiculous injury to Chad Green. They also answer listener questions and give a Do Over to the Baltimore Orioles. 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 t