Mid May Showdown

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are coming to town for a showdown between the top two teams in the EL North. As has been my practice, I reviewed John Sickels' top 20 Blue Jays prospects to see who to watch over the next three days. According to Sickels, there are five guys to look out for:

Josh Banks rates a B, and is #4 on the list. He's been dominant thus far in '05: 6 starts, 37 2/3 IP, 1.67 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 33/3 K/BB ratio. Last year was his first in pro ball - he dominated A ball before being promoted to New Hampshire, where he had a 5.03 ERA in 90 IP, but with decent peripherals (1.28 WHIP, 76/28 K/BB). It looks like he'll be pitching on Tuesday vs. Papelbon (I think), which will be a real good matchup that I won't be able to attend.

Shaun Markum has been almost as good as Banks: 6 starts, 39 1/3 IP, 2.29 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 27/4 K/BB ratio. Sickels ranks him the Jays' #10 prospect with a B- rating. This is his first taste of AA. He's pitched very well in A ball in his career: 182 1/3 IP, 2.81 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 202/27 K/BB. He pitched Sunday, so the Dogs will miss him.

One below Markum, also with a B- rating, is James Vermilyea, who has pitched out of the bullpen this year. 16.2 IP, 2.16 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 12K/4BB - all very good numbers. He spent half of last season with the Cats, posting very similar numbers in the process.

At #15, with a C+ rating, is Ismael Ramirez, who should be the starter in tonight's game. He's made five starts, pitching 27.1 innings with a 3.62 ERA and 1.10 WHIP and 17/5 K/BB ratio. Ramirez posted a 2.72 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in a full season in the High A Florida State League last season.

Vince Perkins is one notch below Ramirez and should be starting Wednesday's matinee. He's started six games, with 31 IP, 3.19 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 28/15 K/BB ratio. Perkins is the only one of these guys with a high walk rate, and he spent some extra time in A ball because of it.

Like Norwich, New Hampshire's batters seem to be as weak as the pitchers are strong (is the new ballpark in Manchester a pitchers park?), which is why they are not likely to be able to hang with the Sea Dogs for the full season. Portland is a much better balanced team on paper. Top hitters are 29-year-old DH Kevin Barker, who is hitting 248/322/396-2-14 on the young season and leads the team in slugging and RBI. He's a veteran of 85 major league games with the Brewers and Padres. 2B Carlo Cota is hitting 245/286/367-2-13, but has already struck out 32 times vs. only six walks. Starting catcher Erik Kratz leads the team with a 329 OBP (overall 230/329/361-2-9). Overall, this appears to be a pretty weak bunch.