New Baseball America report - Jays as deep and talented at lower levels as any org

[G-Snarls]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2014-toronto-blue-jays-top-10-prospects-chat-with-clint-longenecker/

 

The farm system still has high-ceiling arms, but after the wave of trades the talent is concentrated at the lower levels of the organization. The trades left the upper minors short on prospects and long in the tooth

 

The Jays are arguably as deep and as talented as any organization at the lower levels, with a strong contingent of Latin American pitchers and infielders and early-round draft picks from 2012 and 2013.

[G-Snarls]

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

 

1. Aaron Sanchez, rhp

2. Marcus Stroman, rhp

3. D.J. Davis, of

4. Mitch Nay, 3b

5. Franklin Barreto, ss

6. Daniel Norris, lhp

7. Roberto Osuna, rhp

8. Alberto Tirado, rhp

9. Dawel Lugo, ss

10. Sean Nolin, lhp

[G-Snarls]

BEST TOOLS

 

Best Hitter for Average - Kevin Pillar

Best Power Hitter - Rowdy Tellez

Best Strike-Zone Discipline - Mitch Nay

Fastest Baserunner - D.J. Davis

Best Athlete - D.J. Davis

Best Fastball - Aaron Sanchez

Best Curveball - Aaron Sanchez

Best Slider - Marcus Stroman

Best Changeup - Sean Nolin

Best Control - Roberto Osuna

Best Defensive Catcher - A.J. Jimenez

Best Defensive Infielder - Jonathan Berti

Best Infield Arm - Dawel Lugo

Best Defensive Outfielder - Kenny Wilson

Best Outfield Arm - Jesus Gonzalez

[G-Snarls]

Nice to see it's not ALL doom and gloom

 

And furthers the notion that it makes sense to continue to bolster the major league roster while the talent at the lower levels develop. There's a gap, but maybe not an insurmountable one.

[Ehjays]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2014-toronto-blue-jays-top-10-prospects-chat-with-clint-longenecker/

 

The farm system still has high-ceiling arms, but after the wave of trades the talent is concentrated at the lower levels of the organization. The trades left the upper minors short on prospects and long in the tooth

 

The Jays are arguably as deep and as talented as any organization at the lower levels, with a strong contingent of Latin American pitchers and infielders and early-round draft picks from 2012 and 2013.

 

Some good news about the farm!

[Ehjays]

Nice to see it's not ALL doom and gloom

 

And furthers the notion that it makes sense to continue to bolster the major league roster while the talent at the lower levels develop. There's a gap, but maybe not an insurmountable one.

 

My feeling exactly

[mci13]

Majority of those latin guys never pan out. The farm system still remains thin with impact prospects. You could make the arguement that Stroman is the only one within the next 2 years.

 

Farm system has plenty of impact prospects.

 

The #Jays will have seven arms in their top 10 (excluding Osuna), and six of the seven have role 6 grades (no. 3 starter) or higher.

— Jason Parks (@ProfessorParks)

 

I think I’d rather have the #Jays #11-20 prospects than the #1-10 prospects of several orgs. The short-season arms are ridiculous.

— Jason Parks (@ProfessorParks)

[G-Snarls]

I think I’d rather have the #Jays #11-20 prospects than the #1-10 prospects of several orgs. The short-season arms are ridiculous.

— Jason Parks (@ProfessorParks)

 

F'n sweet

[JaysRap]

Our farm system is still good! Now quick let's gut it for aging veterans. #ALLIN

[Angrioter]

Fap Fap Fap

[mitchf]

Farm system has plenty of impact prospects.

 

The #Jays will have seven arms in their top 10 (excluding Osuna), and six of the seven have role 6 grades (no. 3 starter) or higher.

— Jason Parks (@ProfessorParks)

 

I think I’d rather have the #Jays #11-20 prospects than the #1-10 prospects of several orgs. The short-season arms are ridiculous.

— Jason Parks (@ProfessorParks)

Best thing I've read regarding the Jays since April.

[G-Snarls]

Please, someone make sure doesn't get to see this report

[G-Snarls]

Pleskoff on Stroman (with video awesomeness):

 

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20131213&content_id=64657174&vkey=news_tor&c_id=tor&tcid=tw_article_64657174

 

"He throws in the mid 90's. He has a COMPLETE arsenal. AND he throws strikes. That's what I like most about him. He throws strikes"

 

Goddamit Goddamit Goddamit KEEP THE STROMAN

[G-Snarls]

OMG I could fap to that Stroman video all day

 

It's thread worthy

[dineke]

Trade stroman for lee.

[Ehjays]

Farm system has plenty of impact prospects.

 

The #Jays will have seven arms in their top 10 (excluding Osuna), and six of the seven have role 6 grades (no. 3 starter) or higher.

— Jason Parks (@ProfessorParks)

 

I think I’d rather have the #Jays #11-20 prospects than the #1-10 prospects of several orgs. The short-season arms are ridiculous.

— Jason Parks (@ProfessorParks)

 

Thats what I Love to read!!

[Brenner]

Timing wise it might work out that these guys start hitting the Majors right after the run with our current MLB players is over, as long as we don't trade them all away.

[TheHurl]

will post the full reports after my exam.

[TheHurl]

screw exams

 

The Blue Jays’ 2013 season was as disappointing as the prior offseason was exciting.

 

The Jays considered the winter following a moribund 73-89 season in 2012 a transformative period for the organization, which had seemingly been working with a more long-term time horizon.

 

For three years, general manager Alex Anthopoulos and his crew worked to purge onerous long-term contracts (such as Vernon Wells and Alex Rios), acquire cost-controlled position players with impact potential (Brett Lawrie and Colby Rasmus) and spent heavily to acquire amateur talent, both domestic and international.

 

3ds_bluejays79

Toronto invested its resources toward building internal assets.Then Toronto, with one of the game’s best farm systems, traded from considerable depth to acquire a cadre of veteran talent, led by 2012 National League Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey (acquired from the Mets) and shortstop Jose Reyes (acquired from the Marlins). Those trades, which also added Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson, increased payroll by 42 percent.But the Blue Jays would never take flight in 2013. Seemingly everything that could go wrong did.

 

After losing Reyes to an ankle injury, the team finished April seven games under .500. The Jays only had one winning month on the year, June, when they climbed up to .500 on the strength of an 11-game winning streak—only to lose 19 of their next 26. Toronto, outscored by 44 runs on the season, ultimately finished in last place in the American League East, with one more win (74) than in 2012.

 

Although Toronto employed a league-average offensive attack, an improvement over the past two seasons of below-average production, the pitching was a disaster. The problems began with the rotation, marred by injuries (Johnson and Brandon Morrow) and ineffectiveness. The rotation had the second-highest ERA in the AL (4.81), 16 percent higher than league average, and threw the second-fewest innings (899). In their search for reliable starters, the Blue Jays used 13 pitchers in their rotation, the second-highest figure in all of baseball. Toronto’s rotation compiled below-average strikeout, walk and groundball rates. Buoyed by frequent waiver claims, Toronto used the most pitchers (31) in the majors for the third year in a row.

 

The farm system still has high-ceiling arms, but after the wave of trades the talent is concentrated at the lower levels of the organization. The trades left the upper minors short on prospects and long in the tooth. The pitching staffs for Triple-A Buffalo, high Class A Dunedin and short-season Vancouver were the oldest in their leagues.

 

A single staff, Rookie-level Bluefield, was young for its level, and four pitchers from that club are among the organization’s Top 30 Prospects, with three (Alberto Tirado, Chase DeJong and Jairo Labourt) in the top 15. The Jays are arguably as deep and as talented as any organization at the lower levels, with a strong contingent of Latin American pitchers and infielders and early-round draft picks from 2012 and 2013. That’s even after failing to sign their first-round pick, California high school righthander Phil Bickford—the second time in three years Toronto has not signed its first-rounder.

 

The current regime continues to invest in building pitching depth. In the past four drafts, Toronto has used 74 percent of its top-five-round picks on arms, versus a league-wide average of 49.7 percent. Toronto will have two-first round picks, Nos. 9 and 11, in the 2014 draft after failing to sign Bickford.

[TheHurl]

1. Aaron Sanchez, rhp

 

Aaron Sanchez

Aaron Sanchez (Photo by Mike Janes)

Born: July 1, 1992. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 190.

Drafted: HS—Barstow, Calif., 2010 (1st round supplemental). Signed by: Blake Crosby.

Background: One of the youngest players in the 2010 draft, Sanchez was the 34th overall pick and signed for a below-slot $775,000 bonus. He paid immediate dividends, as just months after the draft in instructional league, his velocity jumped from 93-94 mph to 97. An above-average athlete, the 6-foot-4, 190-pound Sanchez has long limbs and a wiry, angular build that will accommodate additional strength gains. Toronto has been careful with his workload, and Sanchez was limited to 22 games and 86 innings in 2013 after missing more than a month with shoulder discomfort. He started six times in the Arizona Fall League and had the second-highest strikeout rate (24 percent) of any pitcher with more than 20 innings, showcasing his immense potential.

Scouting Report: Sanchez has standout stuff and is lauded as an intelligent student of the game with a quiet aggression on the mound. His heavy fastball can sit 93-98 mph with plus life. It explodes out of his hand with smooth and effortless arm action. He throws a four-seamer with above-average cutting action to his glove side and increased the use of a two-seamer to his armside. Sanchez induces groundballs at a high rate, as his 2.34 groundout/flyout ratio was the second-best mark of any high Class A Florida State League pitcher with 80 or more innings. His curveball has plus potential with tilt and depth. TrackMan data from the AFL indicated his breaker’s spin rate is 21 percent higher than the major league average. Sanchez has a tendency to get on the side on the pitch, creating slider tilt and a large velocity discrepancy. His changeup is currently an average offering but has plus potential with late tumble and fade. Despite his easy arm action, Sanchez has posted below-average control numbers. His delivery underwent a transformation this season, as he had a tendency to miss up and armside, getting under his pitches. The organization shortened his stride length in order to have him work over the ball more with greater downhill plane. This made his arm action more compact and consistent. If he can maintain his plane to the plate, Sanchez could increase his stride length. He cut his walk rate (11.1 percent) in 2013, but it was still 31 percent higher than the FSL average. He walked more hitters (14.3 percent) out of the stretch than he struck out (13.6 percent) in 2013. In his 20 healthy regular season starts, he averaged just more than four innings per outing.

The Future: To reach his ceiling as a No. 2 starter, Sanchez will have to improve his control. But there are few pitchers in the minors with his ceiling and talent. If he can’t show the control to start, he has the stuff to become a high-end closer. He’s likely to start 2014 at Double-A.

 

2013 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

Dunedin (HiA) 4 5 3.34 22 20 0 0 86 63 4 40 75 .200

Aaron Sanchez Player Card

 

2. Marcus Stroman, rhp

 

Marcus Stroman (Photo by Mike Janes)

Marcus Stroman (Photo by Mike Janes)

Born: May 1, 1991. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 5-9.

 

Wt: 185. Drafted: Duke, 2012 (1st round). Signed by: John Hendricks.

 

Background: A premium athlete, Stroman became the Duke’s first-ever first-round pick in 2012, signing for $1.8 million. He tested positive for an amphetamine in August 2012, and his 50-game suspension stretched into the 2013 season. He fell one out short of qualifying for the ERA title in the Double-A Eastern League, which he would have led in strikeout percentage (28.1 percent) while finishing second in strikeout-walk ratio (4.80).

 

Scouting Report: With a strong, compact build and quick-twitch athleticism, Stroman maintains plus stuff. He brandishes a heavy fastball at 92-95 mph with above-average movement. He has an out pitch in his upper-80s slider, a plus cutter that can touch the low 90s, and an average changeup that flashes plus potential. He varies the shape of his offspeed offerings. Staying on top of the baseball has been key, getting better downhill plane after softening his stride landing, getting over his front side better, staying on line longer and limiting his spinoffs. He shuts down the opposition’s running game and is an exceptional defender.

 

The Future: Stroman will likely begin 2014 in the Triple-A Buffalo rotation but could reach Toronto during the year. Since 1960, just two righthanders 5-foot-9 or shorter (Tom Phoebus and Tom Gordon) have more than 30 career major league starts. If Stroman does not defy the odds to start, he could be a high-end late-game reliever.

 

 

 

2013 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

New Hampshire (AA) 9 5 3.30 20 20 0 0 111.2 99 13 27 129 .234

Marcus Stroman Player Card

 

3. D.J. Davis, of

 

D.J. Davis

D.J. Davis (Photo by Mike Janes)

Born: July 25, 1994. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-1.

Wt: 180. Drafted: HS—Wiggins, Miss., 2012 (1st round). Signed by: Brian Johnston.

 

Background: One of the youngest players in the 2012 draft, Davis was the first of five picks the Jays made before the second round. His father Wayne played in the organization from 1985-88. Davis has the highest ceiling of any position player in the system, offering impact potential at a premium position.

 

Scouting Report: Davis has a lean, wiry build with good strength in his hands and forearms, quick-twitch athleticism and top-of-the-scale speed. He has plus range in center and could become a plus defender. He has natural strength and leverage in his swing, producing plus raw power. He above-average bat speed and led all up-the-middle Appalachian League players in isolated slugging (.178). Davis could hit 15-20 home runs at his peak. His hit tool and overall game remain raw, however, and he has struggled to make consistent contact. His aggressive approach and limited breaking ball recognition led to him striking out in nearly 30 percent of his plate appearances. Davis, who has a below-average arm, will need to improve his outfield reads and game awareness, and learn to use his speed on the bases more efficiently, as stole bases at a below-average rate of 62 percent.

 

The Future: Davis is a high-ceiling talent who will take time to develop. He should get his first taste of full-season ball in 2014.

 

2013 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

Bluefield ® .240 .323 .418 225 35 54 8 7 6 25 26 76 13

D.J. Davis Player Card

 

4. Mitch Nay, 3B

 

Mitch NayBorn: Sept. 20, 1993. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt: 195. Drafted: HS—Chandler, Ariz., 2012 (1st round supplemental). Signed by: Blake Crosby.

 

Background: The grandson of Lou Klimchock, who played in the big leagues over parts of 12 seasons, Nay signed for $1 million in 2012 but broke his foot before playing that summer. He showed above-average hitting and power potential in 2013 and was MVP of the short-season Northwest League playoffs as he pushed Vancouver to its third consecutive title.

 

Scouting Report: With a large frame and strong build, the physical Nay has the potential to a middle-of-the-order hitter with power and on-base ability. In extended spring training, Nay raised his hitting load, got rid of his bat waggle and shortened his stride, shortening his swing path. He has bat speed and quick hands and makes hard contact to all fields. Scouts praise his contact ability, up-the-middle approach and ability to drive the ball to right field. He could be an above-average hitter to go with his 70-grade raw power. He has an advanced approach and should get on base at an above-average clip. Nay, who has a plus arm, is a below-average runner with adequate range but good hands at third. He led Appy League third basemen with 17 errors, and improving his lateral quickness and pre-pitch setup will be key for him to remain at the position.

 

The Future: Nay’s advanced approach should earn him a spot at low Class A Lansing for 2014. If he moves off third, he moves well enough to play right field.

 

2013 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

Bluefield ® .300 .364 .426 230 41 69 11 0 6 42 25 35 0

Mitch Nay Player Card

 

5. Franklin Barreto, ss

 

Franklin Barreto

 

Born: Feb. 27, 1996. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 5-9. Wt: 175. Drafted: Venezuela, 2012. Signed by: Ismael Cruz/Luis Marquez.

 

Background: With a track record of performance in international tournaments, Barreto was one of the most decorated Venezuelan players ever and one of the top international talents available in 2012. He signed for $1.45 million and made his stateside debut in 2013, earning a promotion to the Rookie-level Appalachian League for 15 games.

 

Scouting Report: Barreto has the tools to be an above-average hitter, with above-average bat speed, quick hands and a line-drive stroke. He is an aggressive hitter with good pitch recognition and drives the ball to right field well. He has natural strength, a physical upper body and good natural leverage in his swing that could allow him to hit double-digit home runs and plenty of doubles. With athleticism, plus speed and a plus arm, Barreto is an up-the-middle player, though his long-term defensive destination is not determined. Currently a shortstop, he lacks elite defensive actions and footwork, but he will be given every opportunity to stay at short.

 

The Future: Barreto has the potential to hit at the top of a lineup. He likely will start 2014 in extended spring training, then return to the Appy League as an 18-year-old. He may wind up at second base or in center field if he moves out of the infield.

 

2013 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

Blue Jays ® .299 .368 .529 174 30 52 16 6 4 19 13 42 10

Bluefield ® .204 .259 .333 54 4 11 5 1 0 7 2 14 0

Franklin Barreto Player Card

 

6. Daniel Norris, lhp

 

Daniel Norris

Daniel Norris (Photo by Paul Gierhart)

Born: April, 25 1993. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-2. Wt: 180. Drafted: HS—Johnson City, Tenn., 2011 (2nd round). Signed by: Nate Murrie.

 

Background: The Jays had seven of the first seven of the first 78 picks in the 2011 draft, and while Norris was the sixth selection, he got the largest signing bonus in the class at $2 million, the most of any prep lefthander in the ’11 draft. He has moved slowly due to mechanical alterations and missed much of June with forearm tightness, then was substantially better after his return as the changes took hold.

 

Scouting Report: Norris’ strong second half is a testament to his plus athleticism. He implemented several alterations involving his stride that made his arm slot more consistent and improved his direction to the plate after throwing severely across his body. The differences were dramatic to scouts and his stat line, as he doubled his strikeout-walk ratio (3.4) in the second half. His release point became more consistent and his 91-95 mph fastball with above-average movement got greater downhill plane. His changeup became a more consistent plus offering to complement his plus mid-80s slider. His curveball, which had a large velocity separation, added power, flashing above-average. He still throws across his body some, and his command will have to improve.

 

The Future: Norris, who should open 2014 at high Class A Dunedin, needs to show he can go deeper into games with imroved strike-throwing ability to reach his No. 3 starter ceiling.

 

2013 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

Lansing (LoA) 1 7 4.20 23 22 0 0 86 84 6 44 99 .255

Dunedin (HiA) 1 0 0.00 1 1 0 0 5 1 0 2 1 .063

Daniel Norris Player Card

 

7. Roberto Osuna, rhp

 

roberto-osuna-2013-abr

Roberto Osuna (Photo by Alyson Boyer Rode)

Born: Feb. 7, 1995. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt: 230. Drafted: Mexico, 2011. Signed by: Marco Paddy.

 

Background: A heralded amateur who starred at international tournaments and showed mid-90s velocity as a 15-year-old, Osuna signed with the Blue Jays for $1.5 million in 2011. The nephew of former big league reliever Antonio Osuna, he entered 2013 as the youngest player in the Midwest League and got off to a tremendous start, striking out 35 percent of hitters with a 7.8 strikeout-walk ratio, before missing a month with a torn ulnar collateral ligament. He returned to make five starts but had Tommy John surgery in July.

 

Scouting Report: Osuna showed a 92-96 mph fastball featuring plus life from a quick, loose arm action with minimal effort. He has feel for a plus changeup. His slider, which has heavy two-plane break, has been inconsistent but shows plus potential. He has an advanced feel for pitching and showed the potential for plus control. With a large frame and burly build, Osuna’s physique warrants monitoring, but he has responded well to instruction, shedding a significant amount of weight entering the 2013 season and getting significantly stronger in his lower half and core.

 

The Future: In the wake of Tommy John surgery, Osuna’s age buoys his prospect status. He could see some 2014 action, but it would be limited. Osuna, who profiles as a No. 3 starter, should be healthy for 2015, when he will be 20.

 

2013 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

Lansing (LoA) 3 5 5.53 10 10 0 0 42.1 39 6 11 51 .242

Roberto Osuna Player Card

 

8. Alberto Tirado, rhp

 

Alberto Tirado

 

Born: Dec. 10, 1994. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt: 177. Drafted: Dominican, 2011. Signed by: Marco Paddy/Domingo Toribio.

 

Background: The Jays signed Tirado for $300,000 in 2011 as part of a deep international crop. Tirado, who has the highest upside of any pitcher on a deep Rookie-level Appalachian League staff, helped pitch Bluefield to the Appalachian League playoffs in 2013.

 

Scouting Report: The athletic Tirado is an unrefined pitcher whom scouts can dream on because he has some of the most electric stuff in the lower minors. He has a thin, wiry build, long limbs and a loose arm that is lightning quick, and the ball explodes out his hand. His fastball sat 92-96 mph with late life and touched 98, and he is working a sinker into game action. Tirado has two sliders, the harder of which (high 80s) could become a true swing-and-miss offering. He can get around on his sliders, causing them to flatten. His changeup is ahead of his breaking ball, which some believe has the higher long-term ceiling and plus potential. Both offspeed pitches improved substantially in 2013. Tirado has below-average command, with a tendency to overthrow, and has trouble staying on line to the plate, rushing his delivery and lacking balance at release.

 

The Future: Tirado has No. 2 starter upside if he can maintain his electric stuff over extended innings and refine his delivery. He has a chance to earn a spot in the low Class A Lansing rotation in 2014, likely after starting in extended spring training.

 

2013 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

Bluefield ® 3 0 1.68 12 8 0 0 48 41 1 20 44 .236

Alberto Tirado Player Card

 

9. Dawel Lugo, ss

 

Dawel Lugo

 

Born: Dec. 13, 1994. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt: 188. Drafted: Dominican, 2011. Signed by: Marco Paddy/Hilario Soriano.

 

Background: The Jays had the second-largest expenditure ($7.57 million) during the 2011 international signing period, and Lugo was one of three seven-figure signings ($1.3 million). He led Rookie-level Bluefield in home runs, hitting .297/.317/.469 and earned a promotion to short-season Vancouver.

 

Scouting Report: An above-average athlete, Lugo is a natural, pure hitter with supreme hand-eye coordination, feel for the barrel and the ability to drive the ball to all fields. He had the third-lowest strikeout rate of any Appy League teenager (13.9), which leads scouts to project him to be an above-average hitter. Lugo has surprising power, plus raw power that could enable him to hit more than 20 home runs annually. His see ball-hit ball approach leaves him impatetient, walking in 2.2 percent of his plate appearances in 2013. He excels at driving balls on the inner half but has struggled at times with pitches on the plate’s outer half. Defensively, Lugo has good, dependable hands with smooth actions at shortstop. His arm is plus but he’s a fringy runner.

 

The Future: While he has worked diligently to improve his lateral quickness and range, Lugo may fit better at third base long-term than at short. He will compete for a spot at low Class A Lansing but could return to Vancouver in 2014.

 

2013 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

Bluefield ® .297 .317 .469 192 28 57 11 2 6 36 5 28 1

Vancourver (SS) .246 .257 .348 69 6 17 4 0 1 8 1 13 0

Dawel Lugo Player Card

 

10. Sean Nolin, lhp

 

sean-nolin-2013-cw

Sean Nolin (Photo by Cliff Welch)

Born: Dec. 26, 1989. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-5.

Wt: 235. Drafted: San Jacinto (Texas) JC, 2010 (6th round). Signed by: Aaron Jersild.

 

Background: In the first draft for the current regime, Toronto got good value in the sixth round, signing Nolin for $175,000. He has lost bad weight, especially from his lower half and core, since signing and has moved quickly. After starting the season late with a groin injury, he made an unsuccessful spot start in the majors in May, returned to Double-A and earned a late promotion to Triple-A.

 

Scouting Report: Nolin offers a true-four pitch mix with above-average command, capable of locating to all quadrants of the zone. He pitches with average fastball velocity, although can he reach back for a 95 mph four-seamer. Nolin creates deception and gets downhill plane from a high three-quarters arm slot, and uses a two-seamer to get sink. His changeup with late tumble is a plus offering. He entered the system with a curveball, which is now an average offering, and picked up an average mid-80s slider with sharp bite. With his high arm slot, Nolin’s fastball can have below-average life and he is likely to be a fly-ball pitcher.

 

The Future: Nolin is close to a finished product, and his above-average command could allow him to contribute in Toronto if called upon in 2014. He fits a No. 4 starter profile.

 

2013 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

New Hampshire (AA) 8 3 3.01 17 17 1 0 93 89 6 25 103 .251

Toronto 0 1 40.50 1 1 0 0 1 7 1 1 0 .700

Buffalo (AAA) 1 1 1.52 3 3 0 0 18 13 1 10 13 .232

[mitchf]

Quickest exam ever written

[TheHurl]

Nice to see it's not ALL doom and gloom

 

And furthers the notion that it makes sense to continue to bolster the major league roster while the talent at the lower levels develop. There's a gap, but maybe not an insurmountable one.

 

Don't like the pitcher to batter ratio...and this is a high level of failure type farm. I say that about all farms that have most of their high end talent as pitchers in the low minors. In two years I might love our farm...but essentially if they aren't pitching somewhere I can see them, they aren't good yet (I'm kidding about that, I just think they are still in that "risk is too great" category)

[bendera3]

Don't like the pitcher to batter ratio...and this is a high level of failure type farm. I say that about all farms that have most of their high end talent as pitchers in the low minors. In two years I might love our farm...but essentially if they aren't pitching somewhere I can see them, they aren't good yet (I'm kidding about that, I just think they are still in that "risk is too great" category)

 

I like that we have a lot of prospect pitchers in the lower minors but I agree with you that there aren't nearly enough high profile position players down there. Pitching is great, and it's good to have those players to fill the major league roster and as trade bait, but we need to supplement them with some offensive players as well. You can't just be pitching heavy and expect everything to turn out fine and dandy.

[KingKat]

Don't like the pitcher to batter ratio...and this is a high level of failure type farm. I say that about all farms that have most of their high end talent as pitchers in the low minors. In two years I might love our farm...but essentially if they aren't pitching somewhere I can see them, they aren't good yet (I'm kidding about that, I just think they are still in that "risk is too great" category)

 

It's not just the ratio of pitchers to batters it's also the overwhelming proportion of low probability prospects. This list has D.J. Davis as the top position prospect. Davis may have tools, he may have upside but he also has bust written all over him. It's all low minors guys and toolsy guys. We've seen this show before. Dickie Thon Jr. is practically the poster boy for Jays position prospects. It's all projection and conjecture and no results.

[bendera3]

It's not just the ratio of pitchers to batters it's also the overwhelming proportion of low probability prospects. This list has D.J. Davis as the top position prospect. Davis may have tools, he may have upside but he also has bust written all over him. It's all low minors guys and toolsy guys. We've seen this show before. Dickie Thon Jr. is practically the poster boy for Jays position prospects. It's all projection and conjecture and no results.

 

Offensively Thon Jr has started to come around by just looking at his statistics. Although he seems to make a ton of errors. Has anyone seen him play? Does he have good range and gets to balls most SS can't? Bad hands? Russ Adams throwing arm?

[Captain Adama]

It's not just the ratio of pitchers to batters it's also the overwhelming proportion of low probability prospects. This list has D.J. Davis as the top position prospect. Davis may have tools, he may have upside but he also has bust written all over him. It's all low minors guys and toolsy guys. We've seen this show before. Dickie Thon Jr. is practically the poster boy for Jays position prospects. It's all projection and conjecture and no results.

 

Also that Sanchez is the no. 1 prospect solely based on the upside that he'll probably never reach, because his walk rate is still below average in Hi-A Ball. I agree mostly on Davis as well, he's done really nothing to show that he's capable of actually being able to hit and get on base at a respectable rate. Plus, that K rate is simply disgusting. Of course, he COULD learn to hit and cut that K rate down significantly, but what has he done that leads anyone to believe it?

[G-Snarls]

Of course, he COULD learn to hit and cut that K rate down significantly, but what has he done that leads anyone to believe it?

 

Hmmmm. Sounds familliar. Where have I heard this one before?? Toolsy, athletic with high K rates, "hopefully" can learn to hit. Oh, wait...

 

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L->

 

http://blogimages.thescore.com/djf/files/2012/07/gosehead.jpg

[mitchf]

Also that Sanchez is the no. 1 prospect solely based on the upside that he'll probably never reach, because his walk rate is still below average in Hi-A Ball. I agree mostly on Davis as well, he's done really nothing to show that he's capable of actually being able to hit and get on base at a respectable rate. Plus, that K rate is simply disgusting. Of course, he COULD learn to hit and cut that K rate down significantly, but what has he done that leads anyone to believe it?

Agreed. It's probably more likely that once we get the bigger picture (in a couple years), we'll look back on DJ Davis and think why did we get sucked in yet again?

[Chappy]

Fap fap fap.

[G-Snarls]

It IS a high risk, high reward farm by the sounds of it

 

Seemingly just how AA likes it

 

When you have a stretch with that many high draft picks you can do that I suppose