The Prospect/Minor Leagues Thread

[DuckDuckGose]

Jansen > Nessy

Jiminez > Nessy

Lugo > Nessy

 

I don't think Jimenez can stay healthy at this point so I bumped him. TBH though Jansen and Nessy should be flipped in my rankings. I didn't realize Jansen had such a monster year.

[burlingtonbandit]

Jimenez is advanced all the way to AAA and looks to be a MLB backup catcher at worst if his arm is healthy. I would take that certainty over Jansen and certainly Nessy.

[ace3113]

Miguel Castro

 

 

Franklin Barreto

 

 

Jairo Labourt

 

 

Matt Smoral

 

 

Max Pentecost

 

 

 

Alberto Tirado

 

 

[Mikeleelop]

from Baseball prospectus....

 

 

***

 

Dalton Pompey, OF, Blue Jays (MLB)

Pompey has been a nice surprise this year. Not so much in regards to identifying the raw tools and what they indicate for his overall potential, but in how quickly things have clicked for a player who was just finishing up his first full-season campaign a year ago. The rise has been rapid for the 21-year-old, culminating in a call-up to The Show after stepping through three levels during the season. I didn’t expect such an ascent from Pompey when catching him in Double-A directly following his promotion. The tools stuck out, but there was still a raw look to his overall game that led me to believe it’d take time for him to find his footing in the Eastern League. He's a good example of a prospect riding the developmental wave, confidence helping sustain his success. Whether Pompey breaks camp with the Jays or returns to Triple-A next year for more seasoning remains to be seen, but this year has gone a long way toward establishing him within Toronto’s system. –Chris Mellen

[baubau]

Anyone have a ESPN subscription to Keith Law's top 50? http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11223667/mlb-keith-law-top-50-mlb-prospects

[baubau]

July 17th? Doh.. I'm being dumb. Should've checked this thread before posting. Thanks King.

[ace3113]

Altuve is nothing special but that obviously would have been useful. However, the Pence return was incredible. Singleton, Cosart (who used to be very highly regarded), AND Domingo Santana?

 

I don't know how I ended up stumbling on this old post, but found this kind of funny.

[GD]

I don't know how I ended up stumbling on this old post, but found this kind of funny.

 

Lol, he's not quite *this* good. 114 wRC+ projection seems reasonable going forward. .361 BABIP seems high. I could see a Howie Kendrick kind of very good level of play. Not special but very good.

[ace3113]

Lol, he's not quite *this* good. 114 wRC+ projection seems reasonable going forward. .361 BABIP seems high. I could see a Howie Kendrick kind of very good level of play. Not special but very good.

 

I'll admit I never thought he would be this good (at least fantasy-wise). If I knew he was going to steal so many bases I might have drafted him in the BBDL. As for the babip, he's a speed guy, who also has above league average line drive rates, and has always had high babip rates in the minors. Now he's not going to hit .361 on balls in play the rest of his career, but Ichiro had a career .344 babip, so I could see Altuve slotting in as a .320-.330 babip type, which should still be pretty good if he keeps stealing bases.

[GD]

I'll admit I never thought he would be this good (at least fantasy-wise). If I knew he was going to steal so many bases I might have drafted him in the BBDL. As for the babip, he's a speed guy, who also has above league average line drive rates, and has always had high babip rates in the minors. Now he's not going to hit .361 on balls in play the rest of his career, but Ichiro had a career .344 babip, so I could see Altuve slotting in as a .320-.330 babip type, which should still be pretty good if he keeps stealing bases.

 

.320-.330 is a far cry from .360 though. Again, I see him providing similar overall value to Kendrick.

[Mikeleelop]

Two guys make a disappointing list

 

by BP Prospect Staff

 

Alberto Tirado, RHP, Blue Jays (Short-season Vancouver)

Tirado entered 2014 the no. 3 prospect in Toronto's system and no. 76 on our Top 101, fueled by strong reports on his stuff. It was noted, though that his command needed work and the delivery was inconsistent. Fast forward to the end of this season and those highlighted areas are exactly what came to the surface. We need to remember Tirado is only 19 and developmental paths are often jagged when isolating short-term sections. I’m labeling Tirado's 2014 a “disappointment” more because his present weaknesses were too much for the strengths to overcome than due to a long-term decline in forecast. Still, some of the initial shine has diminished and warts were exposed. We now have concrete areas of focus when evaluating Tirado next season. –Chris Mellen

 

Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Blue Jays (MLB)

I knew what I was getting into when I saw Aaron Sanchez on the Double-A New Hampshire roster to start the 2014 season. I had seen him plenty in the Midwest League in 2012, and I had heard about all the wonderful strides he made throughout 2013 in High-A. Maybe that was part of the problem; my expectations for Sanchez may have been too high. I expected to bear witness to a budding front-of-the-rotation horse who would spend the majority of the season dominating the competition. Instead, I spent the summer watching seven games from one of the most enigmatic starters I have seen at Double-A in the last few years. Sanchez battled his delivery from game to game, inning to inning, and even pitch to pitch. As he struggled with consistency in advance of release, his results were all over the map. Sanchez would demolish one hitter with premium velocity and a ridiculous curveball and then look like a Rookie Leaguer against the next batter. At any given moment in his starts, Sanchez’s raw potential was clearly on display, but that potential showed with maddening infrequency. I like the mid-90s heat and the hammer breaking ball, but the firmness of his changeup and lack of feel for his craft left me wanting more. It is obvious Sanchez can get big-league hitters out, and he will be able to accomplish that over the long haul, but after scouting nearly 50 innings from him this summer, I remain far from convinced that the former first-round pick can be an impact starting pitcher, a conclusion I could not envision when the season began. –Mark Anderson

[Mikeleelop]

plus some follow up.........

 

BP Comment Quick Links

 

bhacking(65994)

Given the success Aaron Sanchez is having out of the bullpen do you think the Jays would be better turning him into a setup guy next year with the goal of being the closer?

 

Howie(71724)

I'd say always try the starter route until you're sure it isn't working (such as Dellin Betances).

 

Kyle Matte(64574)

While I agree most would rather see this success coming in the rotation, I find it borderline unfathomable that you consider a pitcher who began the season as a 21 year old in Double-A with well documented control concerns who will finish the season dominating the late innings of a major league bullpen a "disappointment".

 

I think most would applaud 2014 as a developmental win for Sanchez, and absolutely a step in the right direction in terms of fulfilling his overall potential. It's unfair to expect every young pitcher to explode into the Show and have immediate success in the rotation like Marcus Stroman has enjoyed. That should be the exception, not the standard.

 

Nick Faleris BP staff(61157)

If the projection from April to September has shifted from potential impact arm logging 175+ innings per year to potential impact arm logging 65+ innings per year it would seem to me that's a substantial hit in value.

 

If you told me the day he was drafted that Sanchez would develop into a very good late-inning arm, I'd gladly take that as a "win". But that's not the point of reference for the piece. I'm not sure there's a good argument that the work we saw at Double A and Triple A for 100+ innings represented developmental progress, though I'm open to hearing one. Pointing to 30 innings of relief work (regardless of level) falls well short.

 

The silver lining is Sanchez is gaining experience, adjusting to big league lineups, and learning what it takes to 1) gameplan and 2) execute at the highest level. If he builds on that and returns in 2015 with some of his control/execution issues ironed-out, that's great. If he's in the pen for good, I'm not sure how that's painted as a positive, as opposed to a satisfactory fall-back.

 

dan22ke9(70877)

I agree with Kyle about the summation of the Sanchez progress. The written piece completely ignores his MLB accomplishments. Ignores his k/w ratios (command) and seemingly was written in perhaps June and plugged into this piece. Personally, Sanchez does not belong in this article.

 

Doom Service(25407)

But without Sanchez, it would only be an "eight-pack" ...

 

Chris Mellen BP staff(68897)

I think Mark did a good job of outlining the context of his disappointment in regards to Aaron Sanchez and putting on the table the reasons behind it. It was written over the weekend as well, since I gave this topic out to the team on Friday.

 

In the context that Mark outlined, I agree that Sanchez has been disappointing, having also seen him a handful of times this year and witnessing the same inconsistencies. From a raw stuff perspective, Sanchez's suggests a pitcher than should align with frontline potential and the ability to anchor a rotation for multiple seasons. However, the lack of command outing-to-outing and even inning-to-inning is extremely noticable.

 

From a developmental standpoint, the success in a late inning role for Sanchez has been a positive, but this also may be the role that ultimately suits him long-term. There really weren't any signs this season when he was starting in the minors that the command was taking steps forward or growing. It was mostly stuck in neutral, which perhaps is why Toronto fast-tracked him as a reliever to see how it plays up in short bursts because from a stuff perspective all season it aligned as major-league caliber.

 

jonjacoby(39984)

A team drafts a pitcher like Sanchez in the 1st rnd in hopes that he can be a solid contributor to the starting rotation. I'm guessing they envisioned his floor being that of a #3-SP. Yes, a solid-to-excellent contributor out of the bullpen who is possible closer material is still very helpful to a contending team, the Blue Jays still have to be disappointed.

 

I took a look at first round picks for the past 10 or so MLB drafts, and the pitchers who became closers were college guys, unlike Sanchez who is a HS player.

[beachbum]

2014 Team MVPs announced:

 

http://Http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/96177296/blue-jays-announce-2014-webster-award-winners

[TheHurl]

Minor league movement.

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140917&content_id=95113940&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb&sid=milb

 

 

UPDATE, Friday 9/19

The Mariners announced that their California League affiliate is returning to Bakersfield after an absence of 33 years.

 

Three Class A Short Season Northwest League clubs exchanged parent clubs Thursday night, with Boise moving from the Cubs to the Rockies, Eugene changing from the Padres to the Cubs and Tri-City switching from the Rockies to the Padres.

 

• Catch up on MLB affiliation changes as they become official »

 

UPDATE, Thursday 9/18

The Nashville Sounds announced a new four-year agreement with the Athletics running through the 2018 season. Sacramento, the A's former home, has signed on with the Giants, while the Astros will take over from the Giants in Fresno.

 

The moves left the Brewers and Colorado Springs as the only uncommitted pair remaining in Triple-A. They later signed a two-year pact on Thursday afternoon.

 

Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin expressed dissatisfaction after his club was spurned by Nashville.

 

"Very disappointing. We gave them 10 years there. A number of times we had a chance to move and we were patient with them," he said of the Sounds, who will move into a brand new ballpark next season after decades at aging Greer Stadium. "I'm just disappointed they wouldn't have given us two [more] years for what we put up with there."

 

Nashville sounds owner Frank Ward responded to Melvin's comments in an email to MLB.com.

 

"As a Minor League Baseball affiliate, we have very strict rules as set forth by Major League Baseball when it comes to investigating the possibility of reaffiliation. We followed those to the end. Within those parameters, we informed the Brewers that we would explore the opportunity to look at our options at the appropriate time. When it came time for us to have the opportunity to talk to other teams, we decided to do what we felt was best for our franchise and for the city of Nashville with respect to winning baseball."

 

At the Class A Advanced level, the Reds have moved their affiliate across the country to Daytona, Florida, where they'll take over from the Cubs. The Reds leave Bakersfield in the California League after four seasons. They previously operated the Florida State League's Sarasota club between 2005 and 2009 before it was sold to the Pirates and moved to Bradenton.

 

More changes are afoot in the Class A Midwest League, where the Cubs have finalized a deal to move from Kane County to South Bend, which had been a D-backs affiliate since 1997. Kane County, Beloit (currently with the A's) and Lansing (Blue Jays) are the remaining Midwest League clubs with expiring contracts.

 

• Catch up on MLB affiliation changes as they become official »

 

The final game of the 2014 season took place on Tuesday night, but Minor League action continued Wednesday when several clubs changed their Major League affiliations.

 

The Dodgers made the biggest splash as Triple-A Oklahoma City announced its sale to a partnership including Mandalay Entertainment Chairman and CEO Peter Guber and other current principals of Mandalay Baseball Properties, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. After four seasons as the Astros' top farm club, the RedHawks will become the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in 2015.

 

Los Angeles also announced a Double-A move. Following stints in Jacksonville (2001-08) and Chattanooga (2009-2014), the Dodgers will shift their Double-A club out of the Southern League to Tulsa, formerly the Rockies' Double-A home, in the Texas League.

 

The Dodgers' move to Oklahoma City set off a musical chairs-like shuffle in the Pacific Coast League. Albuquerque, the Dodgers' former home, announced an agreement with the Colorado Rockies, who departed Colorado Springs after 22 seasons.

 

Further changes are expected as neither Nashville, which is moving to a new ballpark next season, nor Sacramento renewed Player Development Contracts with Milwaukee and Oakland, respectively. Nashville is rumored to be in talks with the A's while the Giants seem poised to take over in Sacramento.

 

In Double-A, the Twins departed New Britain after 18 seasons, opting to shift their affiliation to Chattanooga in the Dodgers' absence. Completing a three-way shuffle among the Dodgers, Twins and Rockies with Tulsa, Chattanooga and New Britain, the Rockies will send their Double-A prospects to the Eastern League's Rock Cats.

 

The Cleveland Indians made a move within the Carolina League, sending their club from Carolina to Lynchburg. Currently at the Class A Advanced level, Carolina and Daytona are looking for parent clubs and the Rangers and Braves need affiliates. Bakersfield, for now a Reds farm team, may also figure into the equation.

 

Elsewhere, the Brewers extended their agreements with Double-A Biloxi (debuting in 2015 after relocating from Huntsville) through 2018 and Class A Advanced Brevard County through the 2016 season. San Diego also extended its pact with Fort Wayne, where it has had a Class A club since 1999.

 

At the lower levels, the Cubs appear to be the factor driving possible changes. Chicago has already chosen to end its relationship with Class A Advanced Daytona after 22 seasons, moving to Myrtle Beach in the Carolina League, and is weighing its options in the Class A Midwest League, where it could extend its relationship with Kane County or perhaps shift to South Bend, which is currently a D-backs affiliate.

 

The Yankees also got into the action last week, announcing a new partnership with Pulaski, formerly a Mariners affiliate, in the Appalachian League.

[Arkadium]

 

lol

 

All things are unknown until they are known. You seem stupid for laughing at this.

[KingKat]

All things are unknown until they are known. You seem stupid for laughing at this.

 

Reminds me of when people went up in the arms when Paul McCartney played at the grammies and teenagers on the Internet didn't know who he was. Well everybody has to hear about McCartney/The Beatles for the first time at some point. Everyone starts from a point of ignorance.

[KingKat]

The funny part is that they asked Mike Wilner on twitter instead of a simple google.

 

That's the part I find more problematic. To get back to the McCartney scenario discussed above, the problematic part was that the first instinct was to express ignorance rather than just look it up. It seems like for some people the Internet is just a communication tool not a tool for research. Perhaps this has something to do with growing up the Internet and taking it for granted as a source of information and tool for research.

[Jimcanuck]

2014 Team MVPs announced:

 

http://Http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/96177296/blue-jays-announce-2014-webster-award-winners

 

Berti has chance to carve out a career as a bench guy..... gold glove calibre defense and speed, and has carried a reasonable OBP

[Angrioter]

Jays instructs roster

 

 

All Star team

[Deadpool]

And there is the first 1998 born player into the organization, P Juan Meza. I'm sure that will make some of you feel old!

 

I could quite easily be his father (age wise, I'm pretty sure I don't have some kid running around) and that does make me feel sad and old...

[Atothe]

I could quite easily be his father (age wise, I'm pretty sure I don't have some kid running around) and that does make me feel sad and old...

 

I'm not quite there yet but in another 5 or so years it will become quite daunting

[Atothe]

Guadeloupe and Juan Meza are extremely young, AA creaming his pants at that

[Mikeleelop]

FAP away

 

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/9/24/6794669/toronto-blue-jays-top-20-2014-pre-season-prospects-in-review

 

 

Toronto Blue Jays Top 20 Prospects for 2014

 

John Sickels

 

This morning we continue with our prospect reviews with an examination of the Toronto Blue Jays system. Remember, this is the PRE-SEASON list. This is not a new list. These are pre-season rankings and grades. This is a general review of the 2014 season, not a detailed preview for 2015.

 

This list was originally published January 18, 2014

 

 

1) Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Grade A-: Age 22, 3.95 ERA with 84/57 K/BB in 100 innings between Triple-A Buffalo and Double-A New Hampshire, 3.13 GO/AO. In the majors, posted 1.19 ERA in bullpen with 25/7 K/BB in 30 innings, just 14 hits, 2.30 GO/AO. Looks outstanding in relief but could still start down the line.

 

2) Marcus Stroman, RHP, Grade B+: Borderline A-. Very successful major league debut at age 23, 3.77 ERA with 107/28 K/BB in 127 innings, 124 hits. Couldn’t have hoped for more.

 

3) Mitch Nay, 3B, Grade B: Age 21, hit .285/.342/.389 with 34 doubles, three homers, 39 walks, 79 strikeouts in 473 at-bats for Low-A Lansing in the Midwest League. Good batting average and OBP, but I expected more home run power. That may still come.

 

4) Daniel Norris, LHP, Grade B: Age 21, large step forward, combined 2.53 ERA with 164/43 K/BB in 125 innings between High-A, Double-A, Triple-A. Always has a good arm but mechanical refinements and improved command have made him one of the top southpaw prospects in baseball this year.

 

5) Sean Nolin, LHP, Grade B: Age 24, 3.50 ERA with 74/35 K/BB in 87 innings for Buffalo, 74 hits. Doesn’t have Norris’ ceiling but could still be a workable fourth starter or relief option.

 

6) Franklin Barreto, SS, Grade B-: Age 18, hit .311/.384/.481 with six homers, 26 walks, 64 strikeouts, 29 steals in 289 at-bats for Vancouver in the Northwest League. Large step forward for this toolsy player, up into B+ range.

 

7) D.J. Davis, OF, Grade B-: Borderline C+. Age 20, hit .213/.268/.316 with eight homers, 19 steals, 36 walks, 167 strikeouts in 494 at-bats for Lansing. All tools, no skills at this point. Was caught stealing 20 times.

 

8) Alberto Tirado, RHP, Grade C+: Age 19, ineffective in Low-A due to command troubles (6.30 ERA, 40/39 K/BB in 40 innings), somewhat better but still not great when sent down to Vancouver (3.53 ERA, 36/28 K/BB in 36 innings). No question about the stuff but raw.

 

9) Roberto Osuna, RHP, Grade C+: Age 19, recovering from Tommy John, posted 6.55 ERA with 30/9 K/BB in 22 innings for High-A Dunedin. Finished strong.

 

10) Dawel Lugo, SS, Grade C+: Age 19, hit .259/.286/.329 with four homers, 18 walks, 72 strikeouts in 474 at-bats for Lansing. Improved feel for the strike zone though still impatient, reports on tools are good.

 

11) Andy Burns, INF, Grade C+: Age 24, hit .255/.315/.430 with 32 doubles, 15 homers, 18 steals, 41 walks, 99 strikeouts in 495 at-bats for New Hampshire. Still a nice sleeper prospect.

 

12) Tom Robson, RHP, Grade C+: Age 21, 6.25 ERA with 22/18 K/BB in 32 innings for Lansing, blew out elbow, down for Tommy John.

 

13) John Stilson, RHP, Grade C+: Age 24, 3.18 ERA with 32/18 K/BB in 34 innings for Buffalo, on verge of major league trial but hurt his labrum and ended up with surgery.

 

14) A.J. Jimenez, C, Grade C+: Age 24, hit .249/.289/.351 with three homers, 19 walks, 52 strikeouts in 313 at-bats between Buffalo and New Hampshire. Unclear if he’ll hit enough to move beyond a reserve role.

 

15) Jairo Labourt, LHP, Grade C+: Age 20, excellent season for Vancouver with 1.77 ERA, 82/37 K/BB in 71 innings, just 47 hits. Will need sharper control but promising.

 

16) Chase De Jong, RHP, Grade C+: Age 20, posted 4.82 ERA with 73/22 K/BB in 97 innings for Lansing, 113 hits, 12 homers. Disappointing season but still young.

 

17) Dwight Smith, OF, Grade C+: Age 21, hit .284/.363/.453 with 12 homers, 58 walks, 69 strikeouts in 472 at-bats for Dunedin, 15 steals. Overshadowed by emergence of Dalton Pompey (see below), but Smith had a fine season in his own right.

 

18) L.B. Dantzler, 1B, Grade C+: Age 23, hit .245/.328/.361 with six homers, 41 walks, 58 strikeouts in 335 at-bats between Lansing and Dunedin. Unable to duplicate ’13 success and at his age he can’t afford another mediocre year in this system.

 

19) Matt Boyd, LHP, Grade C+: Age 23, outstanding at Dunedin (1.39 ERA, 103/20 K/BB in 91 innings, 65 hits) but found the going much rougher in Double-A (6.96 ERA, 44/13 K/BB in 43 innings, 55 hits). My guess is that he will adjust.

 

20) Richard Urena, SS, Grade C+: Age 18, strong showing at Bluefield in the Appalachian League, .318/.363/.433 in 217 at-bats. Very toolsy.

 

 

Although the major league club has hovered around .500, 2014 was a good year for the Blue Jays from a player development perspective. Rookie starter Marcus Stroman met or exceeded all expectations, while fellow top pitching prospect Aaron Sanchez dominated out of the bullpen. Daniel Norris took a huge step forward, and 2013 draftee Kendall Graveman jumped from an eighth-round slot out of Mississippi State to the major leagues in one year. Big lefty Matt Smoral made good progress in short-season ball. The 2014 draft brings in right-handers Jeff Hoffman (who needs to recover from Tommy John) and Sean Reid-Foley, both capable of being above-average or better major league starters.

 

For all the good pitching news, there were many positives on the position side as well. Canadian outfielder Dalton Pompey broke out with a .317/.392/.469 campaign with 43 steals and 52 walks at three levels, pushing himself to the top of the position player charts.

 

The 2014 draft brings in advanced college catcher Max Pentecost, and results from the large group of recent Latin American signees were positive, with Franklin Barreto, Dawel Lugo, and shortstop Richard Urena all thriving at the lower levels.

 

The Blue Jays were ranked 15th pre-season. Their ranking entering 2015 will certainly rise, perhaps into the elite level given the positive development of the upside talents and a good infusion from the draft class.

[Arkadium]

FAP away

 

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/9/24/6794669/toronto-blue-jays-top-20-2014-pre-season-prospects-in-review

 

 

Toronto Blue Jays Top 20 Prospects for 2014

 

John Sickels

 

This morning we continue with our prospect reviews with an examination of the Toronto Blue Jays system. Remember, this is the PRE-SEASON list. This is not a new list. These are pre-season rankings and grades. This is a general review of the 2014 season, not a detailed preview for 2015.

 

This list was originally published January 18, 2014

 

 

1) Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Grade A-: Age 22, 3.95 ERA with 84/57 K/BB in 100 innings between Triple-A Buffalo and Double-A New Hampshire, 3.13 GO/AO. In the majors, posted 1.19 ERA in bullpen with 25/7 K/BB in 30 innings, just 14 hits, 2.30 GO/AO. Looks outstanding in relief but could still start down the line.

 

2) Marcus Stroman, RHP, Grade B+: Borderline A-. Very successful major league debut at age 23, 3.77 ERA with 107/28 K/BB in 127 innings, 124 hits. Couldn’t have hoped for more.

 

3) Mitch Nay, 3B, Grade B: Age 21, hit .285/.342/.389 with 34 doubles, three homers, 39 walks, 79 strikeouts in 473 at-bats for Low-A Lansing in the Midwest League. Good batting average and OBP, but I expected more home run power. That may still come.

 

4) Daniel Norris, LHP, Grade B: Age 21, large step forward, combined 2.53 ERA with 164/43 K/BB in 125 innings between High-A, Double-A, Triple-A. Always has a good arm but mechanical refinements and improved command have made him one of the top southpaw prospects in baseball this year.

 

5) Sean Nolin, LHP, Grade B: Age 24, 3.50 ERA with 74/35 K/BB in 87 innings for Buffalo, 74 hits. Doesn’t have Norris’ ceiling but could still be a workable fourth starter or relief option.

 

6) Franklin Barreto, SS, Grade B-: Age 18, hit .311/.384/.481 with six homers, 26 walks, 64 strikeouts, 29 steals in 289 at-bats for Vancouver in the Northwest League. Large step forward for this toolsy player, up into B+ range.

 

7) D.J. Davis, OF, Grade B-: Borderline C+. Age 20, hit .213/.268/.316 with eight homers, 19 steals, 36 walks, 167 strikeouts in 494 at-bats for Lansing. All tools, no skills at this point. Was caught stealing 20 times.

 

8) Alberto Tirado, RHP, Grade C+: Age 19, ineffective in Low-A due to command troubles (6.30 ERA, 40/39 K/BB in 40 innings), somewhat better but still not great when sent down to Vancouver (3.53 ERA, 36/28 K/BB in 36 innings). No question about the stuff but raw.

 

9) Roberto Osuna, RHP, Grade C+: Age 19, recovering from Tommy John, posted 6.55 ERA with 30/9 K/BB in 22 innings for High-A Dunedin. Finished strong.

 

10) Dawel Lugo, SS, Grade C+: Age 19, hit .259/.286/.329 with four homers, 18 walks, 72 strikeouts in 474 at-bats for Lansing. Improved feel for the strike zone though still impatient, reports on tools are good.

 

11) Andy Burns, INF, Grade C+: Age 24, hit .255/.315/.430 with 32 doubles, 15 homers, 18 steals, 41 walks, 99 strikeouts in 495 at-bats for New Hampshire. Still a nice sleeper prospect.

 

12) Tom Robson, RHP, Grade C+: Age 21, 6.25 ERA with 22/18 K/BB in 32 innings for Lansing, blew out elbow, down for Tommy John.

 

13) John Stilson, RHP, Grade C+: Age 24, 3.18 ERA with 32/18 K/BB in 34 innings for Buffalo, on verge of major league trial but hurt his labrum and ended up with surgery.

 

14) A.J. Jimenez, C, Grade C+: Age 24, hit .249/.289/.351 with three homers, 19 walks, 52 strikeouts in 313 at-bats between Buffalo and New Hampshire. Unclear if he’ll hit enough to move beyond a reserve role.

 

15) Jairo Labourt, LHP, Grade C+: Age 20, excellent season for Vancouver with 1.77 ERA, 82/37 K/BB in 71 innings, just 47 hits. Will need sharper control but promising.

 

16) Chase De Jong, RHP, Grade C+: Age 20, posted 4.82 ERA with 73/22 K/BB in 97 innings for Lansing, 113 hits, 12 homers. Disappointing season but still young.

 

17) Dwight Smith, OF, Grade C+: Age 21, hit .284/.363/.453 with 12 homers, 58 walks, 69 strikeouts in 472 at-bats for Dunedin, 15 steals. Overshadowed by emergence of Dalton Pompey (see below), but Smith had a fine season in his own right.

 

18) L.B. Dantzler, 1B, Grade C+: Age 23, hit .245/.328/.361 with six homers, 41 walks, 58 strikeouts in 335 at-bats between Lansing and Dunedin. Unable to duplicate ’13 success and at his age he can’t afford another mediocre year in this system.

 

19) Matt Boyd, LHP, Grade C+: Age 23, outstanding at Dunedin (1.39 ERA, 103/20 K/BB in 91 innings, 65 hits) but found the going much rougher in Double-A (6.96 ERA, 44/13 K/BB in 43 innings, 55 hits). My guess is that he will adjust.

 

20) Richard Urena, SS, Grade C+: Age 18, strong showing at Bluefield in the Appalachian League, .318/.363/.433 in 217 at-bats. Very toolsy.

 

 

Although the major league club has hovered around .500, 2014 was a good year for the Blue Jays from a player development perspective. Rookie starter Marcus Stroman met or exceeded all expectations, while fellow top pitching prospect Aaron Sanchez dominated out of the bullpen. Daniel Norris took a huge step forward, and 2013 draftee Kendall Graveman jumped from an eighth-round slot out of Mississippi State to the major leagues in one year. Big lefty Matt Smoral made good progress in short-season ball. The 2014 draft brings in right-handers Jeff Hoffman (who needs to recover from Tommy John) and Sean Reid-Foley, both capable of being above-average or better major league starters.

 

For all the good pitching news, there were many positives on the position side as well. Canadian outfielder Dalton Pompey broke out with a .317/.392/.469 campaign with 43 steals and 52 walks at three levels, pushing himself to the top of the position player charts.

 

The 2014 draft brings in advanced college catcher Max Pentecost, and results from the large group of recent Latin American signees were positive, with Franklin Barreto, Dawel Lugo, and shortstop Richard Urena all thriving at the lower levels.

 

The Blue Jays were ranked 15th pre-season. Their ranking entering 2015 will certainly rise, perhaps into the elite level given the positive development of the upside talents and a good infusion from the draft class.

 

 

Uhh... how can that be a credible list without Pompey on it.

[Arkadium]

It was a preseason list and grade, with a blurb about this season, if you read.

 

Outlook fail.

[Deadpool]

Uhh... how can that be a credible list without Pompey on it.

 

Because this was the list BEFORE this season, with updated commentary on what they did during the season, they did not change their order at all.

[Mikeleelop]

Reading the comments is more informative than that useless review. Apparently Mitch Nay played most of the season with a pulled oblique muscle.

 

gives an additional inventory of prospects, some a level or two higher than the Instructional roster posted yesterday

 

comments do provide some insights and opinions. its nice when the author responds to questions or comments.

 

It looks like the cupboard is full of prospects, I hope a few can stick and help out in the majors!!

[Angrioter]

Update

DJ Davis Grade D-

[Arkadium]

Update

DJ Davis Grade D-

 

Guy must of just let himself go completely, partying too hard or some s***... 19 for 41 in SB attempts..... GROSS

[ElNik2013]

Could've mentioned Dan Jansen on the position player side when recapping the year for the organization.