51s pipeline a big benefit to Blue Jays

With a 77-62 record, their best since 2002, the 51s played their final home game of the season Thursday night at Cashman Field.

Their 8-4 loss to Tacoma might also have been the final game the 51s will play in Las Vegas as the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, who are expected to partner with Buffalo, N.Y., next season to be closer to home.

Besides its convenient location, Buffalo can provide the Blue Jays with a better ballpark and player amenities than the 51s can. But the Bisons will be hard-pressed to send a herd of players across the border comparable to the ones produced in Las Vegas.

In four seasons as Toronto's top affiliate, the 51s have sent 74 players to the Blue Jays, including 20 this season, with many still in the majors. Former 51s in Toronto include catcher J.P. Arencibia, the 2010 Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player; third baseman Brett Lawrie; shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria; first baseman David Cooper, the 2011 PCL batting champion; outfielder Moises Sierra; and utilityman Mike McCoy.

Ex-Las Vegas outfielders Travis Snider and Eric Thames - both traded by the Blue Jays in July - are playing well, respectively, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Seattle Mariners.

"It's satisfying looking at all these guys having an opportunity to get to the big leagues and shine," 51s manager Marty Brown said. "You hope that something you gave them this year allowed that to happen.

"Sometimes guys at this level are trying to fix themselves so you don't see the true guy that's 100 percent. As soon as he hits 100 percent, he's usually gone."

Las Vegas - which was affiliated with the San Diego Padres from 1983 to 2000 and the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2001 to 2008 - also promoted first baseman Randy Ruiz, the 2009 PCL MVP, to Toronto, along with speedy center fielder Anthony Gose, the team's No. 2 prospect, and utilityman Yan Gomes.

"There's still a stigma for pitching in the (PCL) but you can't argue with the players that have come out of here that have gone to Toronto, to Los Angeles and to San Diego over the years," 51s general manager Chuck Johnson said. "It's the league that fosters the talent and competition and we will always have that, no matter who our affiliate is."

Travis d'Arnaud, Toronto's top prospect, was having an MVP-caliber season for Las Vegas this year, batting .333 with 16 homers and 52 RBIs in 67 games before suffering a season-ending injury in late June, when he tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

The 23-year-old catcher could end up becoming the best of the bunch of Toronto prospects who played for the 51s.

"He can change the game on both sides - the way he catches and the way he does things offensively," Brown said. "He's really raw and he's still got a lot to learn, but he's extremely talented."

■ NOTES - 51s starter Brett Cecil was ejected in the fourth inning after arguing a call at first base. … First baseman Mike McDade, a Silverado High School product who was activated Wednesday (hamstring), went 1-for-4 and is batting .345 with 14 RBIs in 14 games for the 51s. … Reno center fielder Adam Eaton, 23, was named the PCL MVP, two days after earning Rookie of the Year honors. He leads the league in seven offensive categories, including batting (.379), runs (117), hits (181) and stolen bases (37).

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.