Slow start won’t deter Arencibia

If his career path continues to ascend as expected, catcher J.P. Arencibia should be on his way to the Toronto Blue Jays in the not too distant future.

For now, though, he's fine with playing in Triple A, especially since the Blue Jays moved their top affiliate from New York to Las Vegas this season.

"I was excited because I wasn't going to have to start off in 10-degree weather in Syracuse," he said. "Plus it's Vegas, so you enjoy it."

Arencibia, ranked the Blue Jays' No. 2 prospect by Baseball America, is hoping his batting average rises with the temperatures. A prolific power hitter his entire career, he finally connected for his first homer of the season Friday night.

Arencibia went 0-for-4 in the 51s' 4-0 loss to the Salt Lake Bees on Saturday night at Cashman Field. He grounded out three times and struck out once.

It's no shock to Arencibia that he's not cleaning up at the plate, batting only .227 with 10 RBIs.

"I've always been a slow starter," he said. "Last year, my first month was my worst month."

And last year turned out well for him. Playing a combined 126 games at Single-A Dunedin and Double-A New Hampshire, Arencibia batted .298 with 36 doubles, 27 home runs and 105 RBIs.

"He has tremendous bat potential, and he's a very good receiver," Las Vegas manager Mike Basso said. "He's got a chance to play for a long time."

Arencibia attended Westminster Christian High in Miami and tied New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez's career record for home runs with 17. He's not close to Rod-riguez, though, so he keeps his distance from the A-Rod steroid scandal.

"I see him around Miami, but that's the extent of it," Arencibia said. "It's pretty cool (tying his record) because A-Rod is one of the best to ever play the game."

Arencibia, who hit 33 homers in his college career at Tennessee, was drafted by Toronto with the 21st selection in the first round in 2007.

"I've always been able to drive the ball," he said. "I've always been a guy who's had some juice in the bat."

His work behind the plate is equally important. He calls the game for the pitching staff, and despite throwing out only one of 32 base stealers so far, Arencibia's defense is not a weakness.

"He's working hard on it, and he understands the first thing you do is handle a pitching staff, and we have a good one in Toronto," Basso said.

Las Vegas (6-16) has the worst record in the Pacific Coast League, but Arencibia said he expects that to change this summer.

"It's no time to press. We know we've got a good team," he said. "The record doesn't show it, but you look around at what kind of players we have, and it's a really good team.

"At every position there's a guy who's played in the big leagues, except for me."

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.