Baseball America: Blue Jays top-10 prospects

[Angrioter]

1. Daniel Norris, lhp

2. Aaron Sanchez, rhp

3. Jeff Hoffman, rhp

4. Dalton Pompey, of

5. Franklin Barreto, ss

6. Max Pentecost, c

7. Roberto Osuna, rhp

8. Richard Urena, ss

9. Miguel Castro, rhp

10. Sean Reid-Foley, rhp

 

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2015-toronto-blue-jays-top-10-prospects-video/

[KingKat]

1. Daniel Norris, lhp

2. Aaron Sanchez, rhp

3. Jeff Hoffman, rhp

4. Dalton Pompey, of

5. Franklin Barreto, ss

6. Max Pentecost, c

7. Roberto Osuna, rhp

8. Richard Urena, ss

9. Miguel Castro, rhp

10. Sean Reid-Foley, rhp

 

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2015-toronto-blue-jays-top-10-prospects-video/

 

Pretty solid list. The rankings for Hoffman, Pentecost and Reid-Foley are highly debattable but recognizing recent draftees is part of BA's m.o.

[Angrioter]

Pretty solid list. The rankings for Hoffman, Pentecost and Reid-Foley are highly debattable but recognizing recent draftees is part of BA's m.o.

 

Hoffman is our best MiLB prospect (Norris-Sanchez debuted)

[KingKat]

Hoffman is our best MiLB prospect (Norris-Sanchez debuted)

 

Good thing you drafted him then.

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Was not the payroll not North of 137 mill when we won the World Series? Like 180 plus?

[Angrioter]

Norris

Pompey

Sanchez

Hoffman

Osuna

Barreto

Castro

Pentecost

Nay

Graveman

 

for me.

 

 

Graveman over Smoral, Urena?

[Angrioter]

Proximity

 

Do you like Graveman and his tons of ball in play?

 

Are you JFaS?

[Angrioter]

I like his command + GB Rate.

 

AAA: 64.4% (league average 42%)

A+: 54.2% (43.6%)

A 2014: 66.7% (43.8%)

A 2013: 59.8% (44.7%)

 

Henderson Alvarez type.

 

Put him with a mediocre/bad defense and their contributions (Graveman + Defense) could be negative.

1B - EE

2B - Lawrie

3B - Valencia

SS - Reyes

[G-Snarls]

Hoffman is our best MiLB prospect (Norris-Sanchez debuted)

 

When is he expected to start throwing again??

[TDotttt2005]

Was not the payroll not North of 137 mill when we won the World Series? Like 180 plus?

 

When the Jays won? It was in the 40-50mil range, which was at the top or near the top at the time.

[Hipfan]

Jays had the highest payroll during the WS years. $55 Million IIRC for 1993.

[abola2121]

When is he expected to start throwing again??

 

He already started a throwing program a few weeks back (via his Twitter).

[Laika]

Norris

Pompey

Sanchez

Hoffman

Osuna

Barreto

Castro

Pentecost

Nay

Graveman

 

for me.

 

ugh your so dumn

[nmrch]

Norris

Pompey

Hoffman

Barreto

Osuna

Smith Jr:i know this is really aggressive compared to others, but i like him a lot, he's gonna be one of those guys that will have good and long MLB career while never being widely heralded as a prospect. This holds even if the 2B experiment fails and he's only a leftfielder

Sanchez: no future as a starter imo, tempted to drop him further but the guys below him are very high risk

Castro: likely reliever

Urena

Tellez: another aggressive ranking compared to others, but i like the K to BB ratio, the power could still come

[Nox]

Put him with a mediocre/bad defense and their contributions (Graveman + Defense) could be negative.

1B - EE

2B - Lawrie

3B - Valencia

SS - Reyes

 

The context of their future team is pretty irrelevant when doing prospect rankings. You may not like his fit on this particular roster but that shouldn't degrade his prospect "grade" or whatever.

[Orgfiller]

I don't agree with Hoffman being there over Pompey. Not only is the former a pitcher, but he's also going to start his pro debut coming off TJS. Pompey just cruised through the minors in one year at a very young age, and is pretty much guaranteed to play in the MLB next year, regardless of whether he makes the team out of ST or not.

 

Of course, I'm no scout, and I know Hurl has said before that sometimes players are ranked aggressively to say "I told you so" if they pan out, and to say that they were the first to have them high.

[wamco]

Was not the payroll not North of 137 mill when we won the World Series? Like 180 plus?

 

 

ummmm.....no

[KingKat]

I don't agree with Hoffman being there over Pompey. Not only is the former a pitcher, but he's also going to start his pro debut coming off TJS. Pompey just cruised through the minors in one year at a very young age, and is pretty much guaranteed to play in the MLB next year, regardless of whether he makes the team out of ST or not.

 

Of course, I'm no scout, and I know Hurl has said before that sometimes players are ranked aggressively to say "I told you so" if they pan out, and to say that they were the first to have them high.

 

Ranking Hoffman from the outside is nearly impossible. We know that he was right up there with Rodon before the injury but where to rank him now is anybody's guess. Seems like putting him after the big three prospects who reached the majors would have been more sensible.

[wamco]

1. Daniel Norris, lhp

2. Aaron Sanchez, rhp

3. Jeff Hoffman, rhp

4. Dalton Pompey, of

5. Franklin Barreto, ss

6. Max Pentecost, c

7. Roberto Osuna, rhp

8. Richard Urena, ss

9. Miguel Castro, rhp

10. Sean Reid-Foley, rhp

 

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2015-toronto-blue-jays-top-10-prospects-video/

 

What's the consensus opinion on what level these guys will start out next year? Figure Norris, sanchez, pompey to be MLB/AAA, but what about the others?

[Olerud363]

What's the consensus opinion on what level these guys will start out next year? Figure Norris, sanchez, pompey to be MLB/AAA, but what about the others?

 

Franklin Barreto, ss - lansing

6. Max Pentecost, c - would of been lansing but may hold him back because of injury. not sure how serious that is.

7. Roberto Osuna, rhp - dunedin

8. Richard Urena, ss - not sure because Barreto needs to play short stop too. I guess he could start in Lansing and they could move Barreto (which I've heard is coming, never seen the guy play only what I've heard)

9. Miguel Castro, rhp - dunnedin

10. Sean Reid-Foley, rhp - gcl or bluefield.

[Atothe]

Hoffman will start in GCL most likely for a few starts then off to Vancouver.

Barreto will be in Lansing.

Pentecost will probably be in Lansing.

Osuna will start in Dunedin and be in New Hampshire very quickly.

Urena will be in Vancouver.

Castro will start in Dunedin and move up to NH like Osuna.

Reid-Foley will likely be in Bluefield.

 

All seems right except Pentecost who might start in GLC due to rehab. Unless they don't want him playing much of catcher. First base is clearly taken by Tellez

[Atothe]

His secondary stuff was good enough to be the best jays pitcher in the minors this year. None of Stroman,Norris,Sanchez,Osuna,Castro or anyone else was even close.

 

He throws a 2 and 4 seem FB a cutter,splitter,sinker,slider and change up. He'll need to improve the cutter and change to combat LHH but once he has that he's Stroman + imo. He might be already really.

 

Not having him in their top 10 makes BA look kinda stupid.

Crybaby alert. All these guys in the top 10 are celling guys. Get over it.

[wamco]

and lastly what are the levels?

 

AAA buffalo, AA NH then what?

[nmrch]

Crybaby alert. All these guys in the top 10 are celling guys. Get over it.

 

Aaron Sanchez is a ceiling guy? A failed starter who had 33 decent innings as a reliever?

 

and in a 109 PA's, Max Pentecost drew 2 walks, with a sub .100 iso. The sample size is small but not meaningless, i know he was semi-injured too but those numbers are a serious red flag especially considering he was an advanced college catcher playing against kiddies in the GCL and the NWL.

 

Say what you want about Graveman, but he put up a 2.92 FIP as a 23 year old in AAA, there's no reason to dismiss that.

[Jimcanuck]

The most interesting part of 2015 for me will be how Alford does in full season ball

 

For the ranking, I'd replace Urena with DSJ

[TheHurl]

Grades and write-up

 

1. Daniel Norris, lhp

 

SCOUTING GRADES

Fastball: 60.

Slider: 60.

Changeup: 60.

Curveball: 50

Control: 50.

Based on 20-80 scouting scale—where 50 represents major league average—and future projection rather than present tools.

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: A prep quarterback with plus athleticism and arm strength, Norris was coveted as one of the top prep lefthanders in the 2011 draft. The Blue Jays had 7 of the top 78 picks and selected Norris with their sixth pick at No. 74 overall, but Norris signed for the highest bonus ($2,000,000) of any Jays draft pick, which tied for the 20th-largest bonus in the class. His pro debut in 2012 included a 8.44 ERA, but was primarily driven by an unsustainable batting average on balls in play (.400) because he still got strikeouts at an above-average clip (9.8 per nine). He had gained notoriety for his surfing and 1978 Volkswagen van. He turned a corner with his delivery, stuff and performance in the second half of 2013, after returning from forearm soreness. He put it all together in 2014, rocketing through four levels to reach the majors in September. The first hitter he faced in majors was David Ortiz, whom he struck out. The 21-year-old was the first prep lefthander and third prep pitcher overall from the 2011 class to reach the majors. He had surgery this offseason to remove loose bodies from his left elbow.

 

Scouting Report: Norris has a deep repertoire, and his ability to miss bats was unparalleled in the minors this year. He had the highest strikeout rate (11.8 K/9 and 32.5 percent of plate appearances) of any qualified starter in full-season ball this year, and his strikeout rate actually increased at each of his three minor league stops. His fastball velocity increased this year, sitting 91-95 mph and touching 97 as a starter. Norris’ loose, quick arm works easy and produces downhill plane from a high three-quarters arm slot, which is slightly raised from earlier in his career. He gets good extension out front, helping give his heater late riding life through the zone. His top secondary offering is a sharp, tight slider with at least plus potential that flashes plus-plus at its best. He shows feel for a changeup that also has at least plus potential, though he can get around on the pitch to give it cut-like action to his glove side. A curveball that has at least average potential and 1-7 tilt is Norris’ fourth offering, despite occasionally having a velocity difference of nearly 20 mph off his fastball. Norris threw more strikes (3.1 walks per nine) than he ever has in his career and projects for at least average control. Norris entered the system throwing significantly across his body; that has been reduced, although he still throws across his body some, offering natural deception while cutting himself off in his delivery. Norris is staying taller on his backside and has reduced the rigidity to the front side of his delivery, particularly his front leg. His posture is now more upright at release after routinely being off-balance because of his cross-body direction. Norris can still spin off to the third base side after release because of his momentum, closed landing and heel grinding, but the frequency and severity has been significantly lessened.

 

The Future: Norris will likely start the year in the rotation at the upper minors, and as long as he’s healthy should crack the big league rotation in the second half.

 

2014 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

Dunedin (Hi A) 6 0 1.22 13 13 0 0 66 50 0 18 76 .209

New Hampshire (AA) 3 1 4.54 8 8 0 0 36 32 5 17 49 .235

Buffalo (AAA) 3 1 3.18 5 4 0 0 23 14 2 8 38 .182

Toronto 0 0 5.40 5 1 0 0 7 5 1 5 4 .208

[TheHurl]

2. Aaron Sanchez, rhp 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: Sanchez was one of the youngest pitchers in the 2010 draft and took immediate steps forward after signing to become one of the more talented righthanders in the minors. Sanchez got his first taste of the upper minor this season and threw a career-high 133 innings and finishing the season in the Toronto bullpen.

 

Scouting Report: He has the stuff, body and athleticism to pitch in the front half of a rotation if he throws more strikes or profiles as a dynamic late-game reliever if he doesn’t. His control took a significant step forward in the second half of 2014, but has long been his Achilles heel. His walk rate took a significant step forward in the second half, falling from 5.5 per nine in the first half to 2.5 per nine. Sanchez produces premium velocity with an effortless delivery and loose, quick and easy arm action as the ball explodes from his hand. His fastball sits 92-96 in the rotation, touching 98. Working out of the major league bullpen, Sanchez’s fastball averaged 97 and touched 99. His two-seamer has plus-plus life with bat-breaking arm-side run and sink. He produced the highest groundout-flyout (3.3) rate in the Eastern League, and his 65.9 percent groundball rate was the fourth-highest of all 413 pitchers with more than 30 innings, putting him in the 99th percentile. His curveball is at least a plus offering and flashes plus-plus with a very high spin rate, according to TrackMan. Sanchez’s changeup, long his third pitch, improved this season and gives him a third plus weapon.

 

The Future: After moving across three levels in 2014, Sanchez will likely begin 2014 in the Triple-A rotation and could impact the big leagues later in the year in the rotation or out of the pen.

 

2014 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

New Hampshire (AA) 3 4 3.82 14 14 0 0 66 52 2 40 57 .222

Buffalo (AAA) 0 3 4.19 8 6 0 0 34 36 4 17 27 .281

Toronto (MLB) 2 2 1.09 24 0 0 3 33 14 1 9 27 .128

[TheHurl]

3. Jeff Hoffman, rhp

 

Born: Jan., 1, 1993. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 192. Drafted: East Carolina, 2014 (1st round). Signed by: Chris Kline.

 

Background: Hoffman was a lean, projectable righthander from upstate New York who went undrafted out of high school, but multiple teams tried to sign him in the summer before his freshman year. He was a Cape Cod League standout in consecutive seasons and entered the spring as a potential top-three overall pick. Hoffman’s last start in college was in April when he struck out a career-high 16 in front of multiple GMs picking in the top five before undergoing Tommy John surgery in early May.

 

Scouting Report: Hoffman is a premium athlete with the stuff, body and athleticism to profile in the front half of a rotation. His fastball sits 93-96 mph, touching 98 with the ball jumping from his hand. Hoffman’s two-seamer has at least plus life with heavy, bat-breaking sink and arm-side run to get groundballs. His drop-and-drive delivery works easy with natural fluidity and a loose arm. He offers a true downer curveball with at least plus potential that flashes plus-plus. Hoffman offers feel for a changeup that improved significantly over the last year and also has at least plus potential, flashing a full grade better. He also mixed in a mid-80s slider with at least average potential. Hoffman has a long, lean and projectable body that scouts can dream on despite coming from college. He fills up the zone and projects to have at least plus control. Hoffman’s plus athleticism enables him to field his position exceptionally well and make highlight-reel defensive plays.

 

The Future: Hoffman’s surgery prevented him from playing after signing but he is throwing from flat ground this fall and will likely be back in game action around mid-season. Few starters in the minors can match his upside or athleticism.

 

2014 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

*Did not play—injured

[TheHurl]

4. Dalton Pompey, of Born: Dec. 11, 1992. B-T: S-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 180. Drafted: HS—Fraser, Ont., 2010 (16th round). Signed by: Jamie Lehman.

 

Background: The 17-year-old Pompey was one of the youngest players in the 2010 draft and signed for $150,000. He had something of a storybook season in 2014, playing at four different levels and reaching the major leagues.

 

Scouting Report: A plus athlete, Pompey is a premium defender who won the minor league Gold Glove for center fielders in 2013. His gap-closing defense has drawn plus-plus grades from scouts because of his rare closing speed to the gaps and tremendous instincts. He offers an above-average arm that could play in right field. His speed is at least plus and can capable of the occasional plus-plus time out of the box. He is a smart, efficient basestealer who can impact games on the bases. The switch-hitter could become an average to above-average hitter who has drawn walks at an above-average clip throughout his career while producing above-average contact rates. His quick-twitch athleticism translates to the batter’s box with natural whip and bat speed. He will likely hit 10-15 home runs annually with lots of extra-base hits, though he could outperform that power projection because of his athleticism and the future strength gains to his sleek physique.

 

The Future: Pompey’s defensive ability, baserunning prowess and athleticism gives him a high floor and the development of his bat could give him a well-rounded skill set capable of contributing in nearly every phase of the game. He has a chance to contribute in Toronto again at some point in 2015.

 

2014 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

Dunedin (HiA) .319 .397 .471 276 49 88 12 6 6 34 35 36 29

New Hampshire (AA) .295 .378 .473 112 20 33 5 3 3 12 14 18 8

Buffalo (AAA) .358 .393 .453 53 15 19 5 0 0 5 3 10 6

Toronto (MLB) .231 .302 .436 39 5 9 1 2 1 4 4 12 1

[TheHurl]

5. Franklin Barreto, ss

 

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

 

Background: Barreto was one of the most decorated amateurs to come out of Venezuela when he signed for $1.45 million in 2012 and was one of the top talents of the international signing period. He had a track record of hitting against top competition during international play and scouts lauded his bat before signing, and Barreto has continued to hit after two seasons in the minor leagues.

 

Scouting Report: Barreto’s top tool is his righthanded bat, and he shows tools to be become a plus hitter. He has above-average bat speed to his line-drive oriented stroke and hits the ball well to all fields. His bat speed and strength should enable at least double digit home runs and lots of doubles. While Barreto had six home runs this year, his 23 doubles tied for the Northwest League lead and his four triples tied for second. Although Barreto has a 5-foot-9 frame, he has a strong, compact build with present physicality and strength throughout his wrists, forearms and lower half. He is an aggressive hitter who is still learning to lay off breaking stuff out of the zone. His athleticism, plus speed, above-average lateral range and above-average arm give him an up-the-middle profile and he will be given every opportunity to remain at shortstop, but he could move off the position at the upper levels. His .901 fielding percentage must improve to remain at shortstop, as will his ability to make accurate throws on the finishing end of the double play, the source of many of his errors. His actions are not ideal for the position, though they are improving. He could move to second base or center field. Barreto has plus speed and baserunning instincts, making him a potential impact baserunner.

 

The Future: After hitting at each stop the past two summers, Barreto will likely move to one or both A-ball levels in 2015 and could move quickly because of his hitting ability.

 

2014 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

Vancouver (SS) .311 .384 .481 289 65 90 23 4 6 61 26 64 29