Around the Nest

It's the final pod of 2019, and we're handing out awards and looking ahead to 2020: Dunedin's Jim Tarabocchia leads off (1:52), followed by Vancouver's Rob Fai (11:35), Bluefield's Zach Helton (16:58), Lansing's Adam Jaksa (21:46), New Hampshire's Tyler Murray (28:52), and Buffalo's Pat Malacaro (45:44). Then we wrap up the season with interviews with two of the top performers of the summer, pitcher Jackson Rees (41:35) and slugger Griffin Conine (51:19). Thank you for support of Around the Nest all season... and enjoy the baseball.

We begin with Hurricane Dorian prematurely ending the Dunedin Blue Jays' season (and Jim Tarabocchia has opinions on this) (2:05), before talking Buffalo and Hockey Night (12:58) with Pat Malacaro, Vancouver in progress with pinch-hitter Jordy Cunningham (20:32), Bluefield's personalities with Zach Helton (24:32), Lansing's players to watch with host Jesse Goldberg-Strassler (34:38), an interview with Jays fifth-rounder Jose Espada (40:54) -- and then fit in Tyler Murray to talk New Hampshire (50:14) at the very end!

Yesterday the Buffalo Bisons lost 20-3. You know what else has happened recently? In Double-A New Hampshire, Tyler Murray talks Kevin Smith's recent 2-HR game and unexpected sources of production (0:38); Buffalo's Pat Malacaro on TJ Zeuch's no-hitter and Nate Pearson's Triple-A debut (8:43); Vancouver's Rob Fai offers observations of Alex Nolan's and Adam Kloffenstein's recent gems (16:20); Bluefield's Zach Helton exults in a Mercer Cup win even as the Blue Jays' playoff chances dwindle (24:35); Lansing's Adam Jaksa weighs on Griffin Conine's and Cre Finfrock's landing on the Midwest League Post-Season All-Star Team (33:49); Jesse Goldberg-Strassler interviews Lugnuts hitting machine Yorman Rodriguez (43:43); and Dunedin's Jim Tarabocchia closes the show with thoughts on Demi Orimoloye and Kacy Clemens (53:00).

We're talking bagels on the scoreboard, future Major League relievers in the pen, and free lemonade in the stands! First, Jim Tarabocchia joins from Dunedin (0:24) to talk Maximo Castillo's latest gem. Then Tyler Zickel from New Hampshire (7:07), on Cullen Large, Yennsy Diaz and more. Rob Fai has the lowdown on Mount Manoah and King Kloff in Vancouver (14:26). Zach Helton talks about Austin Havekost and Bluefield's amazing city-wide free lemonade policy (21:51). Adam Jaksa shares how Yorman Rodriguez has bolstered Lansing (30:22), which almost threw a perfect game, and then interviews Will McAffer (38:47) on winning the silver medal at the Pan-Am Games. Lastly, Pat Malacaro delivers the latest from Buffalo (48:42)!

Come on down! Gameshow Night approaches in New Hampshire, as we discuss all of the goings-on below Bo Bichette's record-breaking achievements in Toronto. Jim Tarabocchia (0:29) has the latest on Chavez Young and Dunedin's renovation; Buffalo's Pat Malacaro (8:32) checks in from the road; New Hampshire's Tyler Murray (15:00) welcomes Yennsy Diaz back from the Majors; Bluefield's Zach Helton (22:08) talks DJ Daniels; Lansing's Adam Jaksa (28:14) offers thoughts on Cobi Johnson's hitless gem; and Jesse Goldberg-Strassler interviews Nicaraguan lefty Randy Pondler to conclude the show.

There are NINE different segments on this week's show, focusing on the Blue Jays at the Trade Deadline: Potomac's Erik Bremer tells about new acquisition Kyle Johnston (0:45), Rob Fai talks Vancouver All-Stars (6:00), Syracuse's Michael Tricarico on Anthony Kay (11:52), Jim Tarabocchia on losing Cal Stevenson/Dunedin (18:25), Zach Helton on Justin Ammons/Bluefield (24:16), Bob Lipman on Nate Pearson/New Hampshire (30:24), Adam Jaksa on Lansing's wiffle ball game! (35:31), Mick Gillispie on Thomas Hatch (41:14), and Kevin Fitzgerald on Simeon Woods Richardson (46:45). Whew!

As Jesse Goldberg-Strassler hosts from the Lansing Lugnuts' team bus en route to the ballpark, we discuss the highest ceilings and floors in the Blue Jays' organization, plus: Jim Tarabocchia talks Dunedin's rain-affected schedule (0:31), Zach Helton looks at some better pitching in Bluefield (13:15), Tyler Murray offers observations of Nate Pearson's latest dominating effort in New Hampshire (22:34), plus Pat Malacaro from Buffalo (30:42), Rob Fai in Vancouver (37:50), and Jesse on an epically long 8th inning for Lansing (45:00), before we wrap up with an interview with Gabriel Moreno (54:16).

Things are heating up, around the planet and more specifically in the cities where the Blue Jays' MiLB affiliates play ball, with the Dunedin Blue Jays pushing through a recent dry spell (:30), Kevin Smith's bat blazing for New Hampshire (8:40), the Buffalo Bisons preparing for Blue Jays Weekend (16:27), Zach Helton breaking down the Bluefield Blue Jays' pitching tools), Vancouver heating up behind manager Casey Candaele's cool approach (27:54), and Johnny Aiello's ongoing on-base streak for Lansing (34:37).

On the newest Around the Nest, Jay-talking around the Blue Jays' system, Jim Tarabocchia (:21) talks about the ending of Dunedin's winning streak and Cal Stevenson's hitting streak; Bob Lipman (10:03) makes his debut to talk New Hampshire's enigmatic, talented staff; Rob Fai (14:53) breaks down Philip Clarke and a resurgent Vancouver squad; Zach Helton (21:53) evaluates Bluefield's best hitting tools; host Jesse Goldberg-Strassler (32:50) talks about Eric Pardinho and Lansing's successful road trip; and the pod finishes with a pair of interviews, with Jacob Waguespack (38:00) and VP of High Performance Angus Mugford (45:01).

On this week's Around the Nest, Jim Tarabocchia raves about the red hot Dunedin Blue Jays (1:05) while Rob Fai has the opposite to share about the Vancouver Canadians (10:50); Tyler Murray talks Nate Pearson, Logan Warmoth and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (18:38); Zach Helton's Bluefield Blue Jays are scoring touchdowns (28:34); Adam Jaksa talks Eric Pardinho and the Lansing Lugnuts (34:04); Pat Malacaro wraps things up with a check with the Buffalo Bisons; and Jesse Goldberg-Strassler interviews Blue Jays special advisor to the GM Jason Bere (50:47).

It's a full house on the latest Around the Nest: Jim Tarabocchia in Dunedin starts us off (:43); Rob Fai has early observations of 2019 draft class and Yorman Rodriguez's hot bat in Vancouver (9:04); Zach Helton checks in from Bluefield with thoughts on a trio of top prospects and hot-hitting Angel Camacho/Spencer Horwitz (14:23); Adam Jaksa has the latest from Lansing (20:20); Pat Malacaro dishes on Fish Fry's secret in Buffalo (27:23); Tyler Zickel takes up the mantle in New Hampshire (34:08); and we wrap up with a conversation with the trilingual Otto Lopez (42:04).

With host Jesse Goldberg-Strassler away, Dunedin broadcaster Jim Tarabocchia takes over the hosting duties, talking Max Scherzer striking out ten after breaking his nose; the latest with the D-Jays (5:15); Bo Bichette and the red-hot Buffalo Bisons with Pat Malacaro (7:27); and key contributors, like Zach Logue, Logan Warmoth, Alberto Mineo and Santiago Espinal, for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats with Tyler Murray (14:40).

On this week's show, Jay-talking around the Blue Jays' system: Jim Tarabocchia on the playoff bound Dunedin Blue Jays (:28); Pat Malacaro on Bo Bichette's return to Triple-A and Patrick Kivlehan's emergence (11:41); Tyler Zickel on the Eastern League turning to split-season play and a near no-hitter (20:09); Rob Fai previews the Vancouver Canadians' season, just underway (26:44); host Jesse Goldberg-Strassler describes Griffin Conine's latest exploits (35:21); and Lansing Lugnuts dietitian Allison Tropf discusses her role in the Minor Leagues (39:49).

On this week's Around the Nest, Jim Tarabocchia tells why this year's Dunedin Blue Jays are better than the 2017 champs (:30), Tyler Murray crushes the social media game in New Hampshire (8:20), Pat Malacaro offers thoughts on Graham Spraker and Zach Logue's cups of coffee in Buffalo (16:40), Adam Jaksa breaks down Lansing's Midwest League All-Stars, and Minor League hitting coordinator Hunter Mense breaks down Griffin Conine and Alejandro Kirk (38:32).

Griffin Conine has arrived in Lansing, Logan Warmoth is heating up in Dunedin, Forrest Wall and Riley Adams are breaking out in New Hampshire, and Teoscar Hernandez is taking steps in the right direction in Buffalo! It's the latest from around the Blue Jays system, with the Lugnuts' Adam Jaksa (1:40), the D-Jays' Jim Tarabocchia (8:08), the Bisons' Pat Malacaro (17:36), the Fisher Cats' Tyler Zickel (24:08), and a conversation with Conine himself.

On this week's Around the Nest, Jim Tarabocchia talks Dunedin's four All-Stars (1:18), Pat Malacaro previews Cavan Biggio's MLB promotion and breaks down Sean Reid-Foley's recent gem (9:17), Tyler Zickel recaps New Hampshire's dominant starting pitching (17:18), Jesse Goldberg-Strassler talks about how the recent call-ups to Lansing are fitting in (26:52), and then the pod concludes with a conversation with outfielder Reggie Pruitt, currently leading the Midwest League in steals (33:40).

The voices of the Blue Jays organization join host Jesse Goldberg-Strassler to share their favorite memories and moments from watching Minor League Baseball, plus the latest insights from the past week, beginning with Jim Tarabocchia in Dunedin (:52), Tyler Murray in New Hampshire (8:00), Adam Jaksa in Lansing (18:10) and a surprise appearance by Pat Malacaro in Buffalo (30:12). Then the show wraps up with an interview with Lansing reliever Cre Finfrock.

It's the latest from the past week's worth of action in the Blue Jays' organization: Jim Tarabocchia (:44) shares how the Dunedin Blue Jays are excelling during the renovation of its home ballpark, Adam Jaksa (10:43) on the Lansing Lugnuts' road trip to Iowa City due to the flooding in Davenport, plus the latest from the New Hampshire Fisher Cats with Tyler Zickel (20:30), the Buffalo Bisons with Pat Malacaro (27:11), and a conversation with catcher Ryan Gold.

On this week's episode, we name our Pitchers and Position Players of the Month from Dunedin (1:25) to Lansing (8:37) to Toronto (9:56) to New Hampshire (17:02) to Buffalo (24:26) and back to Lansing (31:08)! Plus, a conversation with Jordan Groshans and the latest stories from the last week's worth of Minor League action.

Recorded on the day of Vladimir Guerrero, Jr.'s Major League debut, the voices of the system recount their favorite stories (plus discuss Nate Pearson, Logan Warmoth and Reggie Pruitt): Dunedin's Jim Tarabocchia leads off (:35), followed by New Hampshire's Tyler Murray (11:53), Buffalo's Pat Malacaro (19:22), and Lansing's Jesse Goldberg-Strassler (26:51). The show wraps up with a conversation with Lugnuts reliever Sean Rackoski, and the obstacles he's already overcome.

We're celebrating org sweeps - and a golden cycle - with cake, ice cream and a cold beverage. Jim Tarabocchia (:25) has the lowdown from Dunedin, including the latest from Cullen Large; Adam Jaksa (9:35) talks Ryan Gold's golden cycle in Lansing; Pat Malacaro (19:04) shares the enjoyment of watching Cavan Biggio and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr.; Tyler Zickel (25:15) makes his season debut with the latest from New Hampshire; and the show finishes with a conversation with Lugnuts first baseman Jake Brodt.

One week into the Minor League Baseball season, the voices of the Blue Jays organization break down what we've seen: Jim Tarabocchia (:45) talks Nate Pearson and all of the strikeouts in A-Adv. Dunedin; Tyler Murray (7:22) shares what it's been like to watch New Hampshire's marvelous starting pitching; Pat Malacaro (15:55) has a blast with Vladdy Jr.'s return to Buffalo; Jesse Goldberg-Strassler and Adam Jaksa (21:04) share highlights from Lansing and thoughts on Jordan Groshans and Alejandro Kirk; and there's a conversation with Lansing reliever Connor Law (32:05).

The Minor League Baseball season is about to start... so what do the voices of the Blue Jays' organization think about our rosters? Scott MacArthur drops by to talk about the big league club (:47), and then Pat Malacaro previews Buffalo (13:26), Tyler Murray talks New Hampshire (23:04), Jim Tarabocchia is pumped about Dunedin (29:56), and Jesse Goldberg-Strassler wraps it up with a look at Lansing (36:06).

For the first time, the Blue Jays invited their affiliate broadcasters to come in to spring training and call Major League Grapefruit League action. Here are our stories, from Dunedin's Jim Tarabocchia (:55) to New Hampshire's Tyler Murray (8:36) to Buffalo's Pat Malacaro (13:48) to Vancouver's Rob Fai (19:00) to Lansing's Jesse Goldberg-Strassler (26:35).

On the final Around the Nest of the year, the broadcasters from each affiliate name their top position players and pitchers, biggest surprises and most memorable games. Plus: interviews with Nate Pearson and GCL Blue Jays manager Luis Hurtado, capped with New Hampshire Fisher Cats broadcaster Tyler Murray on the Eastern League champions.

Three different perspectives are given into Demi Orimoloye, thanks to Carolina voice Greg Young, Jr., Baseball Canada's Alexis Brudnicki and Ottawa native Dante De Caria. Plus, we Jay-talk about FSL Pitcher of the Year Patrick Muphy, Jonthan davis, Reese McGuire, Jordan Groshans, Maximo Castillo, Ryan Noda, Chavez Young, and the final series of the year for the C's.

It's another week of Jay-talking around the organization! Vancouver's Jordy Cunningham raves about Josh Winckowski, Eric Pardinho is snubbed from the Appy League Post-Season All-Star Team, six New Hampshire players make the Eastern League Post-Season All-Star Team, Buffalo rotates its starting rotation, Zach Logue impresses in Dunedin, and the Lansing Lugnuts become the Mighty Wombats!

First-rounder Jordan Groshans arrives in Bluefield -- and Eric Pardinho throws an honest to goodness gem; plus Jesse talks about his annual re-creation broadcast, and the spotlight shines on Cavan Biggio, Ivan Castillo, Rodrigo Orozco, Samad Taylor, Chavez Young and more!

It's another week of Jay-talking around the Blue Jays' system! Buffalo's Pat Malacaro offers his thoughts on Vladdy Jr. and the promoted Thomas Pannone, Vancouver's Rob Fai gives the Canadians' keys to second-half success, Lansing's Dante De Caria reports on the Lugnuts' need for speed, New Hampshire's Tyler Zickel talks about red-hot Harold Ramirez and Jon Berti's electrifying inside-the-park walk-off, Bluefield's Zach Helton shares what the Blue Jays gave manager Dennis Holmberg for winning his 1500th game, and Dunedin's Jim Tarabocchia talks about Patrick Murphy's 100-mph fastball and Joshua Palacios's game-saving catch.

Corey Copping – Dennis Higgins, Tulsa 1:46 – Effective and an all-around good guy Hector Perez – Sam Levitt, Corpus Christi 4:13 – He just has to throw strikes Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats – Tyler Murray 5:45 – Averaging nearly 10 runs per game without Vladdy Jr. 6:32 – Max Pentecost is back to a full workload and red hot 8:53 – Santiago Espinal is getting more line-drive hits 10:01 – Forrest Wall, acquired from Colorado, is looking good 12:42 – Travis Bergen’s effectiveness A Lansing Lugnuts – Dante De Caria 14:09 – Chad Spanberger brings rain 16:50 – Ryan Noda’s recent tear 18:42 – Samad Taylor has improved his fielding and batting eye AAA Buffalo Bisons – Pat Malacaro 22:16 – Jacob Waguespack debuts with a 12-K effort 25:18 – Vladdy Jr. looks just as good in person as on video clips 27:05 – Rowdy Tellez has found his approach 27:56 – Billy McKinney is a threat to throw you out on the bases Short-Season A Vancouver Canadians – Rob Fai 30:19 – The Nike Employee Store! 31:31 – The Canadians’ three All-Stars: Conine, Kirwer, Johnson 32:45 – In his third year in Vancouver, Bryan Lizardo is hitting 33:35 – Jake Brodt, like boat 34:16 – Vinny Capra is one of those guys you need on your team 35:08 – Jim Czajkowski’s fatherly influence Advanced Rookie Bluefield Blue Jays – Zach Helton 36:50 – Dealing with the loss of the Mercer Cup 37:28 – Hagen Danner’s coming out of his shell 38:10 – Rafael Lantigua is a second leadoff guy 39:01 – Troy Watson has been amazing all year 40:48 – Nicolas Medina makes Zach feel energetic 41:37 – Eric Pardinho will go right at people 43:54 – Don’t leave your seat if Cal Stevenson gets on 44:57 – The coaching staff has been working on the little things Interview 47:14 – Reggie Pruitt, Lansing Lugnuts

Chad Spanberger – Doug Maurer, Asheville 0:52 – First impressions 3:45 – The reaction in the Asheville clubhouse 5:36 – The Greensboro home run Drury and McKinney – Adam Marco, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 7:50 – Brandon Drury 9:09 – Adam believes the Yankees overpaid for J.A. Happ 10:37 – Billy McKinney Forrest Wall – Jeff Dooley, Hartford 12:35 – The Blue Jays got a pretty good one, in Jeff’s opinion 13:49 – Forrest Wall’s mother had to change sections 14:52 – The latest word on Sean Nolin and Jesus Tinoco Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats – Bob Lipman 17:22 – Vladdy Jr. looks the same as before the injury 18:49 – Adjustments are paying off for Jon Harris, Jordan Romano 20:24 – Bo Bichette is becoming more patient 21:33 – Bob has not been surprised by Cavan Biggio 22:17 – The hottest Fisher Cat of all has been Harold Ramirez A-Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays – Jim Tarabocchia 24:38 – Is Kevin Smith one of the best prospects in the system? 26:22 – Casey Candaele is talking about nothing but defense A Lansing Lugnuts – Dante De Caria 31:10 – Jordan Barrett’s slider is nasty 32:16 – Graham Spraker’s fastball command is the key 32:57 – Ryan Gold is a mini-Danny Jansen Short-Season A Vancouver Canadians – Rob Fai 35:30 – Mc Gregory Contreras has surreal plate coverage 36:33 – Tanner Kirwer is Mr. Excitement 37:44 – Griffin Conine’s throwing arm is a plus 38:40 – The best make-up guys 39:44 – Highest ceiling: Otto Lopez Advanced Rookie Bluefield Blue Jays – Zach Helton 41:36 – Team defense is led by a strong outfield 43:22 – Current team outlook AAA Buffalo Bisons – Dave Wilson 45:40 – The Bisons are filled with center fielders 46:51 – Anthony Alford’s big performance 48:30 – Rowdy Tellez’s stolen base AAA Buffalo Bisons – Pat Malacaro 49:44 – Live on tape!

Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats – Tyler Murray 1:34 – Favorite Promo: Portland’s Field of Dreams 2:32 – Reaction to Vladdy Jr.’s return 3:20 – Bo Bichette’s Futures Game experience 4:02 – Highest ceiling: Biggio and Bo 4:59 – Highest floor: Harold Ramirez 5:54 – Will Cavan be promoted? 7:14 – Biggio’s amazing walk rate 8:19 – Half system, for better or worse Advanced Rookie Bluefield Blue Jays – Zach Helton 11:02 – Favorite Promo: Military Night 11:35 – Highest ceiling: Dom Abbadessa, Rafael Lantigua 13:00 – Dom Abbadessa is breaking out 14:14 – Rafael Lantigua has found a home at second base 15:37 – The Bluefield/Princeton division race Short-Season A Vancouver Canadians – Rob Fai 19:06 – Live on tape! A Lansing Lugnuts – Dante De Caria 21:56 – Favorite Promotion: Game of Thrones Night 22:44 – Highest ceiling: Chavez Young 23:05 – Highest floor: Ryan Noda 23:42 – Dante’s thoughts on Brampton’s own Zach Pop 24:47 – Half system opinions 26:22 – Thoughts on a recent losing streak 28:50 – Noda is trying to carry the Lugnuts on his back. 30:30 – The infamous power-outage loss in Burlington

Advanced Rookie Bluefield Blue Jays – Zach Helton 0:28 – A rough patch against the best of the best 2:06 – Mercer Cup outlook 3:08 –Claudio Galva and Nathanael Perez 4:54 – Sean Rackoski’s heavy ball 5:54 – Josh Almonte is a bulldog Short-Season A Vancouver Canadians – Rob Fai 7:13 – A 6-1 stretch for the C’S 7:30 – Spotlight on MGR Dallas McPherson 9:03 – Otto Lopez is high energy and high intensity 9:43 – Yorman Rodriguez and Griffin Conine 11:07 – Josh Winckowski never gets behind 13:22 – Joey Murray has a tremendous changeup A Lansing Lugnuts – Dante De Caria 15:43 – The Lugnuts’ recent play 17:00 – Chavez Young is playing with less pressure 18:17 – Matt Gunter’s two straight gems 19:27 – Reggie Pruitt’s pure speed A-Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays – Jim Tarabocchia 21:17 – Pitching 35 of 36 innings scorelessly 22:22 – The eight-game winning streak 24:32 – Brock Lundquist is relaxed and the D-Jays are playing D 25:33 – On Maverik Buffo’s eight-inning gem of a debut Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats – Tyler Zickel 28:30 – Zick checks in with the Fisher Cats’ Double-A All-Stars 29:18 – Jonathan Davis has been Triple-A ready for a while 30:13 – Dalton Pompey is a great guy to slot in 30:57 – Harold Ramirez is en fuego 31:45 – The All-Stars’ experience in Trenton Triple-A Buffalo Bisons – Pat Malacaro 33:43 – It’s been a little crazy in Buffalo 34:19 – Pat checks in with the Bisons’ Triple-A All-Stars 35:18 – Dwight Smith, Jr., has been up and down 36:45 – Anthony Alford is still trying to find his way in Triple-A 37:52 – Richard Ureña has been a valuable part of the Bisons 38:54 – Thomas Pannone is as advertised 40:22 – Dino Day is coming up! 42:58 – A story about Tyler Warmoth, coaching in Burlington

Triple-A Buffalo Bisons – Pat Malacaro 0:57 – Pat’s 4th of July 2:07 – Pat Hentgen raved about Sean Reid-Foley’s changeup 3:45 – Danny Jansen’s busy schedule coming up 4:35 – Conehead Day! Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats – Tyler Murray 6:42 – Canada Day with the Fisher Cats’ Canadians! 7:30 – Bo Bichette, making his second Futures Game 9:10 – Connor Panas finally feels locked in 11:08 – The Cats’ six Eastern League All-Stars A-Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays – Jim Tarabocchia 13:12 – Jim’s Canada Day and 4th of July 14:32 – Patrick Murphy outduels Ervin Santana 16:45 – Kacy Clemens receives B.P. from The Rocket 17:27 – Yennsy Diaz is a three-pitch pitcher A Lansing Lugnuts – Dante De Caria 19:08 – Dante’s Canada Day and 4th of July 21:22 – Jesus Navarro is playing superb baseball 22:33 – Chavez Young’s leaping catch at the wall Short-Season A Vancouver Canadians – Rob Fai 24:33 – The fates have turned in the C’s favour 25:20 – Will McAffer has been dynamite 26:33 – Giving love to Jim Czajkowski 27:54 – Cobi Johnson comes right at you 29:00 – Tanner Kirwer plays 100 miles-per-hour 30:07 – Behind the scenes, a thumbs up to the Blue Jays Advanced Rookie Bluefield Blue Jays – Zach Helton 32:25 – Why Otto Lopez was promoted to Vancouver 33:06 – Davis Schneider asks, “Where can I play today?” 33:48 – The latest on Eric Pardinho 34:50 – The fascinating story of Andy McGuire 36:08 – Alejandro Kirk is a ball of fire 36:57 – Luis De Los Santos is so smooth defensively 37:48 – Craig Calcaterra drops by Bluefield 39:55 – Any chance of a D.J. Neal promotion? 40:34 – In seven games, Cal Stevenson has 13 walks and 13 runs

Around the Nest, Week 12 – Trade Talk A-Advanced Salem Red Sox – Ben Gellman 0:43 – Who is Santiago Espinal, acquired for Steve Pearce 2:00 – The reaction in Salem to Espinal getting traded 3:22 – Ben’s Major League comps for Espinal 4:03 – Ben’s first impression of Espinal A Lansing Lugnuts – Dante De Caria 5:50 – Overcoming adversity on the way to 50 wins 6:28 – Maximo Castillo’s keys to 16 consecutive scoreless innings 7:22 – What stands out recently? The bullpen and rotation 9:15 – The starting rotation is a true strength Short-Season A Vancouver Canadians – Rob Fai 11:31 – The 2018 draft’s impact on Vancouver 11:50 – Griffin Conine has one of the best arms Rob’s ever seen 12:10 – Chris Bec is the millennial catcher 12:41 – Nick Podkul wears pitchers out 13:31 – Sean Wymer has been lost in the shuffle 14:19 – Rob’s Alex Anthopoulos Trade Story 16:00 – Jesse Goldberg-Strassler tells a few trade stories Triple-A Buffalo Bisons – Pat Malacaro 17:15 – Pat’s NHL trade story 18:47 – On All-Stars Jason Leblebijian and Danny Jansen 20:48 – Following along with ex-Bison Ryan Borucki’s MLB debut 21:41 – Jon Harris’s sparkling Triple-A debut 22:33 – The word on Darnell Sweeney, called up to the Majors A-Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays – Dan Venn 24:00 – Dan’s call of Kacy Clemens’s home run 25:12 – A Lane Thomas trade story 26:11 – Eduard Pinto, Alberto Mineo and Ivan Castillo: three players acquired last year who’ve impacted the D-Jays 28:23 – Rodrigo Orozco has been huge, Joshua Palacios is clutch 29:04 – Jake Fishman has tremendous in the Dunedin bullpen 30:08 – Promo Night parade with the D-Jays! Advanced Rookie Bluefield Blue Jays – Zach Helton 31:34 – It’s been a full couple of weeks in Bluefield 33:14 – Eric Pardinho is the only pitcher not getting run support 34:16 – D.J. Daniels has been strong defensively 34:56 – Hagen Danner is going to be a prospect for years to come 36:22 – The near no-hitter Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats – Tyler Murray 37:47 – Jonathan Davis hits for the first cycle in franchise history 39:26 – The Fisher Cats are feeling good about themselves 40:54 – Cavan Biggio makes his third All-Star team in three years 42:15 – Super Team 45:20 – Playing without Vlad 47:40 – One last trade story to end the podcast

Adv. Rookie Bluefield Blue Jays – Zach Helton 0:32 – An introduction to Zach 1:01 – 2017 playoff run in retrospect 1:45 – Eric Pardinho’s professional debut 3:05 – Offense has not lacked for Bluefield 4:08 – Patrick Morris is a ballhawk 4:58 – D.J. Neal is off to a hot start 5:53 – Dominic Abbadessa is in the right spot at the right time Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats – Tyler Zickel 7:25 – T.J. Zeuch, Eastern League Pitcher of the Week 8:34 – The key to a sweep at Erie 10:29 – How did the Fisher Cats react to Vladdy Jr.’s injury? A Lansing Lugnuts – Dante De Caria 13:16 – The All-Star Game hosting experience 14:20 – Yeltsin Gudiño’s progression has been impressive 15:21 – Ryan Noda has turned it on 16:00 – Dante’s big prediction Short-Season A Vancouver Canadians – Niall O'Donohoe 18:27 – Joey Murray’s Invisi-ball 19:20 – Positive signs after a slow start 20:31 – Spotlight on Connor Law, Cobi Johnson, Orlando Pascual 21:45 – Pascual’s return to the Canadians 22:58 – The personality of the 2018 C’s A-Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays – Dan Venn 25:13 – Dan’s play-by-play radio debut 26:41 – Kevin Smith has caught fire 27:45 – On the jump to the FSL 28:32 – Dunedin’s strong pitching 29:33 – Patrick Murphy is sitting 96-97… and throwing less heat 30:37 – Tayler Saucedo, taking the next step

Short-Season A Vancouver Canadians – Rob Fai 0:49 – Looking back on the Canadians’ 2017 championship 1:56 – The Opening Day roster 2:37 – Rob’s most interesting players entering the year 3:51 – Integrating the draft picks into the team 5:35 – Looking ahead to the home opener A Lansing Lugnuts – Dante De Caria 9:52 – On the Lugnuts clinching a first-half playoff berth 11:05 – A draining 14-day road trip 12:02 – Ryan Noda’s power binge 13:05 – Infielder turned pitcher Emerson Jimenez is standing out 14:55 – The Lugnuts’ deadly back-end relief trio A-Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays – Jim Tarabocchia 16:35 – Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. throws out the first pitch 18:25 – Logan Warmoth returns from the DL 19:23 – Marcus Stroman’s rehab appearance 20:19 – Jim’s worst road trips Interview 23:31 – Lansing Lugnuts outfielder Brock Lundquist

On this week's Around the Nest, Jay-talking around the Blue Jays' organization, we talk Hawaiian Shirt Sundays, Danny Jansen, Riley Adams, Kevin Smith adjusting to the A-Advanced level, Ryan Noda's power surge, and our thoughts on the draft!

This week on Around the Nest, we're talking comebacks from around the system, plus our take on the new extra-inning rule, and naming the top pitcher and position player for each affiliate for the month of May! Plus: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Roemon Fields, Jordan Romano, and the best of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats' social media hijinks.

Around the Nest, Week 7 *** AAA Buffalo Bisons – Pat Malacaro 0:32 – The latest with The Herd 2:24 – Ian Parmley and Darnell Sweeney… on the mound 2:55 – An interesting Parmley note 3:40 – The doubleheaders mount for Buffalo *** Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats – Tyler Zickel 5:22 – Vladdy Jr.’s latest walk-off 6:05 – Those Comeback Fisher Cats 7:20 – Cavan Biggio remains the surprise of the year 8:14 – What Sean Reid-Foley had to work through 9:52 – Besides Vladdy, who’s ready for the next call-up? 11:15 – All those New Hampshire doubleheaders 12:12 – Observations of T.J. Zeuch *** A-Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays – Jim Tarabocchia 14:14 – Unusual moments for Dunedin this season ¬15:15 – Jake Fishman finishes Fishing Night 16:35 – Randy Pondler’s unexpectedly strong A-Adv. debut 18:15 – Fishman’s strong stretch of relief outings 20:12 – Report on Matt Gunter, transferred to Lansing *** Single-A Lansing Lugnuts – Dante De Caria 21:49 – Reports on Yennsy Diaz and Zach Logue, up to Dunedin 23:44 – Highlights from a dramatic series at South Bend 27:25 – Nine innings in 116 minutes

Around the Nest, Week 6 Single-A Lansing Lugnuts – Dante De Caria 2:12 – Kevin Smith, offense and defense 5:16 – Other notables: Chavez Young, Brock Lundquist, Ryan Noda 5:57 – The Lugnuts’ nine-game winning streak Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats – Tyler Zickel 10:07 – State of the Fisher Cats 11:50 – Roger in the booth while Kacy goes yard 13:12 – Jordan Romano 14:07 – There will never be a Cats team like this again A-Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays – Jim Tarabocchia 16:12 – What John Schneider told Jim in 2017 19:22 – Defensive standouts 20:42 – Strongest throwing arms on Dunedin AAA Buffalo Bisons – Pat Malacaro 22:59 – Interview with Anthony Alford

With apologies for a spotty connection for host Jesse Goldberg-Strassler (blame Beloit internet): The Voices of the Blue Jays' system talk about some of the lesser mentioned names this week: Dunedin's Eduard Pinto, Alberto Mineo, Tayler Saucedo and Jonathan Cheshire; New Hampshire's Jordan Romano, Zach Jackson and Harold Ramirez; Buffalo's Danny Jansen, Reese McGuire, Sam Gaviglio and Chris Rowley; and Jesse Goldberg-Strassler interviews Kevin Smith.

The Voices of the Blue Jays' system talk about the highlights from the past week, beginning with New Hampshire's Tyler Zickel talking Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (1:50), Cavan Biggio (2:46) and Conor Fisk (8:18); Dunedin's Jim Tarabocchia talks Justin Dillon's Triple-A debut (11:40), Josh Donaldson's rehab (12:21), Kirby Snead (14:50) and T.J. Zeuch (15:50); Pat Malacaro talks Buffalo's PDC extension (18:51), roster upheaval (20:18) and Deck McGuire (24:29); and Jesse Goldberg-Strassler talks about Yennsy Diaz and the Lansing Lugnuts' impressive offense (27:45).

The Voices of the Blue Jays' system join host Jesse Goldberg-Strassler to discuss the latest action: Dunedin's Dan Venn shares his observations on D.J. Davis (1:02), Angel Perdomo (2:32), Logan Warmoth (3:34), Riley Adams (5:04) and Josh DeGraaf (7:03); Lansing's Dante De Caria discusses the Lugnuts' hot streak (8:30), Norberto Obeso's walk-off (9:23), Cullen Large (10:38), Kevin Smith (11:55) and Yennsy Diaz (12:37); New Hampshire's Tyler Zickel talks Vlad Guerrero Jr. (14:30), Cavan Biggio (15:30), Bo Bichette (18:37), Patrick Cantwell (20:58) and Conor Fisk (22:18); and Pat Malacaro interviews Ben Cherington (23:15).

The Voices of the Blue Jays' system join host Jesse Goldberg-Strassler to discuss the latest action: The New Hampshire Fisher Cats' Tyler Murray muses about Lourdes Gurriel (1:26), pitching (2:42) and Vladdy Jr.'s bunt (4:52); the Dunedin Blue Jays' Jim Tarabocchia shares observations on Anthony Alford and Dalton Pompey (8:03), Nash Knight (9:03), and T.J. Zeuch (10:32); the Buffalo Bisons' Pat Malacaro talks about missing a week's worth of action (16:02) and having a second Opening Day (18:28); Lansing Lugnuts position coach Dave Pano breaks down the Single-A ballclub (20:09); and the Lugnuts' Dante De Caria talks Kevin Vicuna (23:43), three-pitch walks (24:46), and Ryan Noda and Kacy Clemens (26:27).

Join the voices of the Blue Jays' MiLB system -- Pat Malacaro (Buffalo), Jim Tarabocchia (Dunedin), Jesse Goldberg-Strassler and Dante De Caria (Lansing) -- in the first show of 2018! Who was each broadcaster most excited about? Who are the biggest surprises? We're talking Deck McGuire, Yennsy Diaz, Joshua Palacios, Matt Morgan, Ryan Noda, and more!