Baseball Prospectus: 2015 Toronto Blue Jays Top 10 Prospects

[ElNik2013]

'6 or 7' was just a turn of phrase

 

maybe the best way to compare the farm from 2011 to today is to compare say the #10 from 2011 with the #10 today - Syndergaard vs Tirado

 

or maybe base it on how many Jays are in the BA top 200 as compared to previous years

 

offhand the current prospect list is < 2011/2012

 

 

 

It's fine, we can agree it's close and the team has done a heck of a job in restocking the system although some of it is due to the emergence of guys that were already in the system in 2011 and 2012.

 

 

I think I'd take the current crop because of the proximity to MLB of some of the guys and the potential of guys like Hoffman, Pentecost, Osuna and Castro to be close to MLB for 2016.

 

 

I also like better the current balance beween the MLB roster and the farm.

[ineedsheet]

pretty sure that travis isn't listed here because he was listed as the tigers #1 prospect

[NorthOf49]

pretty sure that travis isn't listed here because he was listed as the tigers #1 prospect

No, Travis was included in the Blue Jays system, just wasn't a top 10 prospect. Is listed as a "Factor on the Farm" prospect.

Edited December 6, 2014 by NorthOf49

[burlingtonbandit]

I don't know either, I guess the love for Pentecost comes from the fact that he's a good defensive catcher and should be able to hit rather well. As for the pretty bad; I guess you're right...100 wRC+ is pretty bad, but hey, small sample size right?

 

He's not a good defensive catcher right now. He projects to be one down the road because of his athleticism but early reports said he was struggling behind the plate. Could that of been because of the injury? I hope so, but you don't really know.

 

I would say a 2.3% BB rate and 20.7% K rate with an ISO of 0.96 even if the sample size is small is pretty bad, wouldn't you?

[RIPEXPOS]

I was heavily in favour of Trea Turner over Pentecost.

 

My opinion hasn't Changed.

[Angrioter]

I was heavily in favour of Trea Turner over Pentecost.

 

My opinion hasn't Changed.

 

Pentecost over Trea was a no-brainer. Pentecost is a difficult specimen to find.

Can hit, can run, can throw, some pop and makeup.

[RIPEXPOS]

Can he do any of those things at the ML level?

 

I'm not sold on it.

[Orgfiller]

Can he do any of those things at the ML level?

 

I'm not sold on it.

But Turner is already a finished product?

[RIPEXPOS]

But Turner is already a finished product?

 

Both are prospects, so neither is finished. Who knows about either bat, But there's so much nuance in a catcher, and so many facets to be good at in order to qualify as a good defender at that position in the majors.

Turners speed and defensive tools are gonna play in the majors. And I think he's got just as good a chance to hit too.

[King]

Both are prospects, so neither is finished. Who knows about either bat, But there's so much nuance in a catcher, and so many facets to be good at in order to qualify as a good defender at that position.

Turners speed and defensive tools are gonna play in the majors. And I think he's got just as good a chance to hit too.

 

How many times have you seen him play?

[Atothe]

Both are prospects, so neither is finished. Who knows about either bat, But there's so much nuance in a catcher, and so many facets to be good at in order to qualify as a good defender at that position in the majors.

Turners speed and defensive tools are gonna play in the majors. And I think he's got just as good a chance to hit too.

 

Stop being bias, positional value is a big thing. Catcher > Shortstop. Turner might become a good major leaguer or fizzle out. same as Pentecost

[Laika]

Agree with RIPEXPOS. Turner has pure 80 speed + could stick at SS. I thought he was a better bet than Pentecost too. He's also not that risky because he's a college guy, starting at SS so he can slide around the diamond almost anywhere.

 

Pentecost has a rounded skill set but no impact tools. More importantly, catcher defense is so intricate these days that the best thing to do IMO is wait for MLB data and then acquire a backstop that you absolutely know can catch and throw at the big league level, call an MLB game, frame MLB pitches, blah blah blah.

 

Trying to develop your own catcher is pretty risky because until they get to the big time it's hard to really know if they are even a viable defensive player. I'd rather draft the up the middle guy with an impact tool and if I have a hole at C in the future, try to acquire someone like Grandal or Montero or even Hanigan. Someone you know can frame a pitch and do most other defensive things well.

[Angrioter]

Agree with RIPEXPOS. Turner has pure 80 speed + could stick at SS. I thought he was a better bet than Pentecost too. He's also not that risky because he's a college guy, starting at SS so he can slide around the diamond almost anywhere.

 

Pentecost has a rounded skill set but no impact tools. More importantly, catcher defense is so intricate these days that the best thing to do IMO is wait for MLB data and then acquire a backstop that you absolutely know can catch and throw at the big league level, call an MLB game, frame MLB pitches, blah blah blah.

 

Trying to develop your own catcher is pretty risky because until they get to the big time it's hard to really know if they are even a viable defensive player. I'd rather draft the up the middle guy with an impact tool and if I have a hole at C in the future, try to acquire someone like Grandal or Montero or even Hanigan. Someone you know can frame a pitch and do most other defensive things well.

 

As a former catcher, I can tell you that you can appreciate the defensive potential of a catcher in a league of advanced baseball (College, university), you dont need to wait for the saber data.

 

Players like Trea there are many. Players like Pentecost are very hard to find.

 

Catcher who can hit, run OVER Speedy SS

[King]

As a former catcher, I can tell you that you can appreciate the defensive potential of a catcher in a league of advanced baseball (College, university), you dont need to wait for the saber data.

 

Players like Trea there are many. Players like Pentecost are very hard to find.

 

Catcher who can hit, run OVER Speedy SS

 

Matt Morgan kid can really hit

[metafour]

Turner has pure 80 speed

 

No, he doesn't. His speed has dropped down to a ~70 grade.

[burlingtonbandit]

No point of second guessing them picking Pentecost over "x" prospect. This front office has done a great job of drafting with the strategy they have used. With the amount of IFA and late round picks that have turned into good assets you can afford to have a few high picks not pan out.

[ElNik2013]

Drafting Jansen will make up for drafting Pentecost, if in fact he busts. And if Pentecost pans out, you've got 2 good prospects.

[Ziggyy108]

I don't follow our prospects too closely but I was wondering what the thoughts are on a bunch of the young pitchers that AA has drafted early the past 2 seasons ....

 

Clinton Hollon

Patrick Murphy

Evan Smith

Daniel Lietz

Connor Greene

Jacob Brentz

Sean Reid-Foley

Nick Wells

Grayson Huffman

 

Are there any of these guys that really stand out? Are there any sleeper guys that I've missed. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[King]

I don't follow our prospects too closely but I was wondering what the thoughts are on a bunch of the young pitchers that AA has drafted early the past 2 seasons ....

 

Clinton Hollon

Patrick Murphy

Evan Smith

Daniel Lietz

Connor Greene

Jacob Brentz

Sean Reid-Foley

Nick Wells

Grayson Huffman

 

Are there any of these guys that really stand out? Are there any sleeper guys that I've missed. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

Murphy 4 IP last 2 seasons, Hollon TJS (drafted with a ~45% tear of UCL), Brentz learning how to pitch (very raw), Greene is the rich model boy and SRF is Pimp-Foley

[burlingtonbandit]

I don't follow our prospects too closely but I was wondering what the thoughts are on a bunch of the young pitchers that AA has drafted early the past 2 seasons ....

 

Clinton Hollon

Patrick Murphy

Evan Smith

Daniel Lietz

Connor Greene

Jacob Brentz

Sean Reid-Foley

Nick Wells

Grayson Huffman

 

Are there any of these guys that really stand out? Are there any sleeper guys that I've missed. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

SRF is the best out of that group by a decent margin. Brentz has good upside but still has a ton of developing to do before he turns into anything. Guys like Lietz and Smith have decent numbers but really hard to tell what their future is.

[ElNik2013]

I don't follow our prospects too closely but I was wondering what the thoughts are on a bunch of the young pitchers that AA has drafted early the past 2 seasons ....

 

Clinton Hollon

Patrick Murphy

Evan Smith

Daniel Lietz

Connor Greene

Jacob Brentz

Sean Reid-Foley

Nick Wells

Grayson Huffman

 

Are there any of these guys that really stand out? Are there any sleeper guys that I've missed. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

I like some of them, but guys like SRF, Brentz and Hollon stand out for me. Even if some of them develop into legit 'spects, don't get too attached as AA will probably deal them for something at the MLB level, whether it'll be for a Reyes or Donaldson who knows.

[King]

SRF is the best out of that group by a decent margin. Brentz has good upside but still has a ton of developing to do before he turns into anything. Guys like Lietz and Smith have decent numbers but really hard to tell what their future is.

 

Miguel Burgos have good numbers too but 85 MPH fastball lol

[GD]

Brentz future HOFer

[KingKat]

No point of second guessing them picking Pentecost over "x" prospect. This front office has done a great job of drafting with the strategy they have used. With the amount of IFA and late round picks that have turned into good assets you can afford to have a few high picks not pan out.

 

Independently of that though, I think the prospect rankings for Pentecost are really over the top. The likely outcome at this point is still backup catcher. Maybe he'll really show something down the road but at this point it's way too early to be as optimistic as some people are being about him.

[burlingtonbandit]

Independently of that though, I think the prospect rankings for Pentecost are really over the top. The likely outcome at this point is still backup catcher. Maybe he'll really show something down the road but at this point it's way too early to be as optimistic as some people are being about him.

 

I agree and thats why I said he should be much lower on people's lists. I think being a high pick in the draft has made people overrate his value. He still has a long ways to go and development for catchers take longer than other positions.

[Ziggyy108]

What did you guys think of AA going all pitchers in the 2013 draft.

 

I actually really liked it haha. Hopefully it pays off

[metafour]

Maybe he'll really show something down the road but at this point it's way too early to be as optimistic as some people are being about him.

 

Seriously? He wasn't selected where he was drafted because he projected as a backup catcher. Why is it too early to be optimistic? He was viewed as a consensus Top 15 or better talent. That is where the hype is coming from. 100 at bats coming off a collegiate season doesn't magically change any of that.

[AdamGreenwood]

He sucks, but is still probably a better prospect than Tirado.

 

OK, now that you see how crappy Osuna is supposed to be, you can trade him to me for peanuts.

[Laika]

No, he doesn't. His speed has dropped down to a ~70 grade.

 

Since when? Source?

 

I'll I've ever seen on him is 80 grades.