Archives: Podcasts

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 winning streak in early April and their nine-game losing streak in late April and how things are going despite injuries to Brandon Barriera, Landen Maroudis, and Tucker Toman. Tyler wraps up the show with a report on the C’s starters Ryan Jennings and Chris McElvain, rel;ievers Rafael Ohashi and Naswell Paulino, and hitters Ryan McCarty, Jace Bohrofen, Nick Goodwin, and Dasan Brown.
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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.
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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.
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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

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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