MLB.com Farm System Ranking: Blue jays #10

Angrioter · March 17, 2015

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http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2015?list=tor

Laika · March 17, 2015

It looks like they adjusted this list. I thought they had Urena way down around #18 before.

Very nice inclusion of names in the back 1/3.

Angrioter · March 17, 2015

1-Daniel Norris:

Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Slider: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 60

The transition to the professional ranks was rough at times for Norris, but he turned a corner in 2013 and was one of the Minor Leagues' biggest breakout stars a year later, vaulting from Class A Advanced Dunedin to Toronto in the span of five months. Along the way, he struck out 163 batters, the fifth most in the Minors, and pitched in the All-Star Futures Game.

Norris' early struggles in the Minor Leagues were largely a result of poor command. After several adjustments to his delivery, he has found something that works and allows his deep, dynamic repertoire to shine. His fastball sits in the low to mid 90s with late life. His slider is his best secondary offering, and he also mixes in a changeup and slow, sweeping curveball.

In the wake of his rapid ascent to the big leagues, Norris has the look of the top-of-the-rotation starter the Blue Jays envisioned he could become when they drafted him.

2-Dalton Pompey

Scouting Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 50 | Field: 60 | Overall: 55

After starting the 2014 season with Class A Advanced Dunedin, Pompey rocketed through three levels of the Minor Leagues and made his Major League debut in September. Along the way, the Ontario native appeared in the All-Star Futures Game and established himself as the Blue Jays' top position prospect.

Pompey combines elite athleticism with a good feel for hitting on both sides of the plate. He has a mature approach and is adapt at working walks. While his approach lends itself more to high contact rates than power, his bat speed enables him to drive balls. He has above-average speed and puts it to good use both on the basepaths and in center field, where he covers a lot of ground.

Though Pompey still has room for further refinement, the Blue Jays showed faith in him during the offseason and he was penciled in as their starting center fielder entering the 2015 season.

3-Aaron Sanchez

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 65 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 55

The Blue Jays loaded up on pitching in the 2010 Draft, grabbing six pitchers in the first 80 overall selections. Sanchez became the first of the group to reach the Major Leagues, debuting with Toronto in July.

Thanks to his clean, simple delivery, Sanchez generates easy velocity. As a starter, his fastball sits in the mid-90s and it averaged more than 97 mph when he pitched out of the bullpen for Toronto, according to Pitchf/x. His sharp, powerful curveball gives him an elite fastball-breaking ball combination. He creates a lot of groundball outs thanks to his fastball's heavy, sinking life and the downhill angle from which he throws.

Though he rarely shows it, Sanchez has improved his changeup, leaving control as his biggest obstacle to becoming a frontline starter. He excelled as a reliever during his big league debut and some scouts believe he fits better there than the rotation.

4-Jeff Hoffman

Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 65 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55

Hoffman was one of the top performers in the Cape Cod League in 2013 and was well on his way to becoming a top-five pick the next spring before undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2014. The injury didn't cause him to fall far on Draft day, however, as the Blue Jays selected him ninth overall.

When healthy, Hoffman stands out for his stuff, size and athleticism. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and regularly reaches 98 mph. His big curveball is nearly as good as his fastball and his changeup gives him a third above-average offering. He fills up the strike zone already and his athleticism gives scouts hope he'll be able to continue to refine his command as a professional.

If Hoffman is able to return to the form he showed in college, he'll give the Blue Jays another impact arm.

5-Max Pentecost

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

Named the MVP of the Cape Cod League in 2013, Pentecost continued his strong play the next spring, as he finished second in the country in hitting and led Kennesaw State to Super Regionals in the NCAA Tournament. Injury brought an early end to his professional debut, and he underwent surgery to repair a partially torn right labrum in October.

Pentecost is the rare backstop who could have average or better tools across the board. He has a steady, quick swing, enabling him to hit line drives to all fields. He has good raw power, but his swing produces more doubles than home runs.

Pentecost has elite athleticism for a catcher, and it gives scouts confidence that he will be able to remain behind the plate. He is a good receiver and has the requisite arm strength for a catcher, though his accuracy has room for improvement.

.......

Angrioter · March 17, 2015

6-Robertico Osuna

Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 50

Osuna was pitching in the Mexican League as a 16-year-old when the Blue Jays signed him in 2011. He made an easy adjustment to playing in the U.S. and was the youngest player in the Midwest League on Opening Day in 2013. His progress was slowed when he required Tommy John surgery that July, but he made it back on the mound a little less than a year later.

Osuna was able to make up some of the time he lost to injury by pitching in the Arizona Fall League in 2014 and appeared to be well on his way to recovering his pre-surgery form. He gets good movement on his fastball, which sits around 93 mph and peaks at 96 mph. His changeup is his most consistent offspeed pitch, while his slider has a chance to become a third above-average offering.

The Blue Jays believe Osuna could start advancing quickly again now that he's healthy. He profiles as a starter, but his first Major League opportunity could come in the bullpen.

7-Miguel Castro

Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

A member of the Blue Jays' 2011 international signing class that also included fellow hard-throwing right-handers Roberto Osuna and Alberto Tirado, Castro took off as a 19-year-old in 2014. He dominated the Northwest League and pitched his way to Class A Advanced Dunedin by the end of the season.

Castro has gotten stronger since signing and has added velocity to his fastball as a result. He now throws in the mid 90s and can reach 99 mph with the pitch. He commands his fastball well and creates groundballs thanks to its natural life. His changeup is his best secondary offering, while his slider remains a work in progress.

Castro has already shown he has the stuff to advance quickly in the Minor Leagues and the Blue Jays will give him an opportunity to do so again in 2015. If he can refine his secondary offerings, he has the potential to be a frontline starter, though it's possible he'll get his first chance in the big leagues as a reliever.

8-Sean Reid-Foley

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

Reid-Foley carried a strong performance on the summer showcase circuit in 2013 over into his senior season of high school and climbed draft boards all spring. The Blue Jays were happy to be able to select him in the second round.

For a teenager, Reid-Foley has good polish to go with his impressive stuff. His fastball typically sits in the low 90s and reaches as high as 97 mph. His slider is his best secondary offering and his changeup has the potential to become a third above-average offering, though it still needs some work. He also threw a curveball in high school, but hasn't used it much as a professional.

Thanks to his athleticism, Reid-Foley pounds the strike zone with his whole arsenal. His large, physical build, stuff and advanced feel for pitching gives him the look of a future middle-of-the-rotation starter.

9-Devon Travis

Scouting Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Just a year after the Tigers picked him in the 13th round of the 2012 Draft out of Florida State, Travis surprised scouts by finishing second in the Minor Leagues with a .351 batting average and third with 177 hits. An oblique injury hampered him in 2014, but his batting average still ranked in the top 10 in the Eastern League. His success attracted the attention of other teams and, in November, the Blue Jays acquired him in exchange for Anthony Gose.

Often overlooked because of his size, Travis simply finds a way to put the bat on the ball. He has a quick, compact swing and controls the barrel of the bat well. He's shown surprising power as a professional and could be good for double-digit home runs every year.

Travis is a solid defender at second base, capable of making all the plays required. He earns praise for his instincts and heady play, which allow his tools to play up.

10-Richard Urena

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

At the start of the 2012 international signing period, the Blue Jays signed Franklin Barreto, a Venezuelan shortstop who was ranked No. 2 in the class by MLBPipeline.com. A day later, they added Urena, a Dominican shortstop who was ranked No. 9.

Urena wasn't quite as advanced as Barreto and stayed a step behind him in the Minor Leagues. But Barreto was traded to the A's during the offseason, a move that could help Urena start moving toward Toronto a little quicker.

Urena stands out for his defense thanks to his soft hands and good footwork. He has good range and a strong enough arm to make all the throws required of a shortstop with ease. He's not an all-glove, no-bat shortstop, however. He's more patient at the plate than most young hitters and has a natural feel for hitting.

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Orgfiller · March 17, 2015

I might switch the order of some of the guys in the top 10 but IMO it's an excellent list. Kudos to mlb.com.

Angrioter · March 17, 2015

Great list by Callis and Mayo.

BTW

2015 BJMB Offseason Top Prospects List

1. Daniel Norris

2. Dalton Pompey

3. Aaron Sanchez

4. Jeff Hoffman

5. Devon Travis

6. Roberto Osuna

7. Max Pentecost

8. Miguel Castro

9. Dwight Smith Jr.

10. Matt Smoral

11. Richard Urena

12. Sean Reid-Foley

13. Mitch Nay

14. Anthony Alford

15. Jairo Labourt

16. Danny Jansen

17. Ryan Borucki

18. Rowdy Tellez

19. Matt Boyd

20. Alberto Tirado

21. Taylor Cole

22. A.J. Jimenez

23. Angel Perdomo

24. Clinton Hollon

25. Lane Thomas

26. Chase De Jong

Governator · March 17, 2015

Pic of #25 Thomas looks like he's 12.

Maahfaace · March 17, 2015

Pic of #25 Thomas looks like he's 12.

he's got some pretty defined pipes for a 12 year old

Governator · March 17, 2015

he's got some pretty defined pipes for a 12 year old

no doubt.

admin · March 17, 2015

Someone want to make a list of all Jays top prospects from reputable sources, I'll put it in a nice chart, make a new thread, and update the prospect link at the top. BJMB, this one, etc. Maybe we can take an average of all of them too.

closetjaysfan · March 17, 2015

I am surprised that jimenez is ranked so far down. Guy has impressed me this spring.

Nafro · March 17, 2015

Blue Jays Prospects

Baseball America

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

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

Fangraphs Top 5 for 2015

1. Daniel Norris

2. Dalton Pompey

3. Aaron Sanchez

4. A.J. Jimenez

5. Rob Rasmussen

Yeah s*** sorry, that was a work in progress. For fangraphs top 35 and other prospects to watch see link below! LOL

Edited March 17, 2015 by Nafro

Orgfiller · March 17, 2015

Holy s*** what a wall of text. Could have just posted this link: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/evaluating-the-prospects-toronto-blue-jays/

burlingtonbandit · March 17, 2015

5 bucks to whoever can actually read that whole thing..

Spanky99 · March 17, 2015

Holy s*** what a wall of text. Could have just posted this link: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/evaluating-the-prospects-toronto-blue-jays/

Why, he's posting BA's information, behind a paywall?

Orgfiller · March 17, 2015

5 bucks to whoever can actually read that whole thing..

I'm sure many of us who peruse fangraphs have already read it.

Spanky99 · March 17, 2015

5 bucks to whoever can actually read that whole thing..

Already did.

Orgfiller · March 17, 2015

Why, he's posting BA's information, behind a paywall?

??? He posted the information on the fangraphs link that I posted, which is free to all.

Spanky99 · March 17, 2015

It's the same, lol @ me?!

Nafro · March 17, 2015

Lol, I was just trying to cut and paste a concise post. One that had a couple of different lists like the admin post asked for. Instead I put a "Great Wall of Text. I will post a list of 35 from fangraphs in a better way shortly.

Nafro · March 17, 2015

Fangraphs Summary

1. Daniel Norris, LHP

2. Jeff Hoffman, RHP

3. Aaron Sanchez, RHP

4. Dalton Pompey, CF

5. Max Pentecost, C

6. Miguel Castro, RHP

7. Roberto Osuna, RHP

8. Devon Travis, 2B

9. Anthony Alford, CF

10. Sean Reid-Foley, RHP

11. Mitch Nay, 3B

12. Jairo Labourt, LHP

13. Ryan Borucki. LHP

14. Dwight Smith, 2B

15. Matt Smoral, LHP

16. Jesus Tinoco, RHP

17. Alberto Tirado, RHP

18. Clinton Hollon, RHP

19. Dan Jansen, C

20. Richard Urena, SS

21. Yeltsin Gudino, SS

22. Juan Meza, RHP

23. Lane Thomas, 2B

24. Dawel Lugo, SS

25. A.J. Jimenez, C

26. Adonys Cardona, RHP

27. Rowdy Tellez, 1B

28. Jake Brentz, LHP

29. Matt Boyd, LHP

30. D.J. Davis. CF

31. Conner Greene, RHP

32. Angel Perdomo, LHP

33. Nick Wells, LHP

34. John Stilson, RHP

35. Matt Dean, RHP

Other Players of Note (off season acquisitions)

Matt West, RHP

Preston Guillmet, RHP

Jayson Aquino, LHP

Matt Barnes, LHP

Juan Pablo Oramas, LHP

Low Level RHP's

Chase DeJong

Jimmy Cordero

Tom Robson

Justin Shafer

Carlos Ramirez

Patrick Murphy

Low Level LHP

Grayson Huffman

Evan Smith

Other Infielders

C Matt Morgan

3B Bryan Lizardo

SS Emilio Guerrero

3B Andy Burns

SS Kevin Vicuna

Other Outfielders

LF David Harris

CF Josh Almonte

LF Freddy Garcia

RF Derrick Loveless

Edited March 18, 2015 by Nafro

King · March 18, 2015

Jayson Aquino wasn't a waiver claim.

Nafro · March 18, 2015

When did Patrick Murphy become a lefty?

He's not I took that from Kiley McDaniel's Fangraph's Jays prospects list,they had him as a lefty in the lower levels to watch.

Nafro · March 18, 2015

Jayson Aquino wasn't a waiver claim.

Jayson Aquino was a waiver claim from the Rockies. I actually think he was DFA'd to make room for John Axford, but don't quote me on that.

AdamGreenwood · March 18, 2015

Sad that Andy Burns has fallen so far. Had high hopes for that guy at one point.

Deadpool · March 18, 2015

Jayson Aquino was a waiver claim from the Rockies. I actually think he was DFA'd to make room for John Axford, but don't quote me on that.

He came from the Rockies, but there was a trade. Aquino was DFA'd, but not put on waivers, Jays traded Tyler Ybarra for him.

RealAccountant · March 18, 2015

Alford will surpass everyone on that list for career war

WryNGinger · March 18, 2015

Holy freakin jeezuz if our young pitchers reach their potential.... (or even just half of the top 8!) What does the BJ's starting rotation look like in 2 or 3 years with Stroman, Sanchez, Castro, Hoffman, Norris, Hutch and Osuna all looking like (so far granted) they may actually live up to their potential? All of them project to be top 3 pitchers in the rotation so even if 3 or 4 pan out you have a hell of an inexpensive group of starters to work from. Maybe a bit of premature excitement but I am pretty excited to see where this group of young talent takes this team in the next few years. I can almost see the Jays becoming the opposite of where they are now in terms of pitching vs hitting in a few years when Jose and EE etc are gone.