BA top 10 Jays prospects

[jays4life19]

i think some people wanted the write up...so here you gooo

 

The Blue Jays didn’t win the World Series, falling to the Royals in six games of the American League Championship Series. But they did have the most eventful, most dramatic season and offseason in the game.

 

Toronto had three seasons, essentially. In the first half, particularly in April, the Jays used rookies liberally. Dalton Pompey played center field, Devon Travis second base, 22-year-olds Aaron Sanchez and Daniel Norris earned rotation spots and 20-year-olds Miguel Castro and Roberto Osuna pitched high-leverage innings out of the bullpen.

 

That version of the Jays couldn’t get going, despite Josh Donaldson playing at an MVP level in front of sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. The Jays were 48-49 as late as July 28 when general manager Alex Anthopoulos shook up the roster, using the farm system’s depth to usher in Toronto’s second season.

 

Five trades changed Toronto’s big league roster—and pitching depth in the minors—markedly, the first coming when the Jays traded 2014 first-round pick Jeff Hoffman in a six-player deal with the Rockies for shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Three days later Anthopoulos dealt last year’s top prospect, Norris, plus lefties Matt Boyd and Jairo Labourt to Detroit for short-term ace David Price. Toronto traded five more minor league arms to the Mariners (for Mark Lowe) and the Phillies (for Ben Revere).

 

The big league team took off, finishing 40-18 to blow past the Yankees and win the AL East. Donaldson (41 home runs), Bautista (40 homers) and Encarnacion (39) provided the thump to baseball’s most explosive offense by far, plating 891 runs. No other club even scored 800.

 

Instead of getting to savor their first playoff season since 1993, though, Jays fans were treated to a third season—a dramatic front-office change. The club chose Mark Shapiro, previously GM and team president of the Indians, as the replacement for retiring president Paul Beeston in late August, and when Shapiro took over at season’s end, he and Anthopoulos could not come to terms on a contract extension. Anthopoulos said he didn’t feel the Jays were the “right fit” going forward, because Shapiro would have final say over player acquisitions. In December, Shapiro hired former Indians executive Ross Atkins as Toronto’s new GM.

 

With few upper-level prospects remaining and with Price departing as a free agent, Shapiro moved quickly, trading for Jesse Chavez and signing free agents J.A. Happ and Marco Estrada to fill out the rotation around veteran knuckleballer R.A. Dickey and expected ace Marcus Stroman.

 

The Jays can make another run in 2016 with Bautista and Encarnacion entering the final year of their contracts. But the team’s identity has changed dramatically. The hiring of Atkins could lead to more front-office changes in the future as Blue Jays staffers adjust to a more conservative approach than Anthopoulos had espoused.

 

Last Year’s Blue Jays Top 10 Prospects

 

1. Anthony Alford, of

SCOUTING GRADES

Batting: 60

Power: 45

Speed: 70

Defense: 60

Arm: 40

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

 

Born: July 20, 1994. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 205. Drafted: HS—Petal, Miss., 2012 (3rd round). Signed by: Brian Johnston.

TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Pos. 2015 Org.

2006 Dustin McGowan, rhp Phillies

2007 Adam Lind, of Brewers

2008 Travis Snider, of Pirates

2009 Travis Snider, of Pirates

2010 Zach Stewart, rhp NC Dinos (Korea)

2011 Kyle Drabek, rhp White Sox

2012 Travis d’Arnaud, c Mets

2013 Aaron Sanchez, rhp Blue Jays

2014 Daniel Norris, lhp Tigers

2015 Daniel Norris, lhp Tigers

 

Background: A star for Petal (Miss.) High, Alford ranked No. 36 on the BA Top 500 draft prospects list in 2012, edging Alabama prep Jameis Winston as the top two-sport player available in the class. He had committed to Southern Mississippi to play baseball and football, and the Golden Eagles had hired his high school football coach onto their staff. Area scouts reckoned Alford would go to school, and most clubs backed off. The Blue Jays had extra picks that year, however, and had Alford stuffed up their draft board at No. 10 overall. They waited until the third round (112th overall) to select him, understanding he was a risky sign. He signed for $750,000 but spent most of 2012-14 focused on football, spending one season as Southern Miss’ quarterback (and being arrested as a freshman on a since-reduced assault charge) before transferring to Mississippi and playing defensive back in 2014. He quit the team in early October, announced he would pursue baseball full-time and spent the winter getting needed at-bats in the Australian Baseball League. While he struggled there, Alford broke out with a strong 2015 season that finished at high Class A Dunedin.

 

Scouting Report: Alford combines physicality and surprising feel for hitting to profile as a potential impact center fielder. Compact and strong, Alford is an elite athlete with burst and double-plus speed that plays both on the bases, where he’s just scratched the surface as a basestealer, and in center field. What stunned Blue Jays officials and scouts this year were Alford’s instincts, which show up in center as he has excellent range that helps make up for his below-average throwing arm. He also has hitting instincts and an advanced approach for a player of his experience level. It’s more than just taking walks, though he does that. Alford works counts, has some idea of a two-strike approach and spoils pitcher’s pitches well. He has the strength and bat speed to drive the ball to all fields, with the quality of his at-bats remaining consistent throughout the season. He reached base in 45 of 50 games at low Class A Lansing, then 51 of 57 at Dunedin. Alford’s swing starts with a high back elbow that short-circuits his power, but club officials are enthusiastic he can make that mechanical adjustment, improve his swing path and get to his plus raw power. His quarterback background helps make Alford a natural locker-room leader, and he has the work ethic managers love.

 

The Future: Once considered a boom-or-bust prospect, Alford has evolved from a football player trying to play baseball to a polished offensive player with potential star tools. How much power Alford can tap into at the plate will determine whether he can be a power-speed dynamo and a star, or merely a potentially disruptive leadoff hitter who would fit the center-field profile well. He’s headed to Double-A New Hampshire for 2016, and with Kevin Pillar and Dalton Pompey ahead of him, the Jays will not rush Alford.

2015 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

Lansing (Lo A) .293 .418 .394 188 49 55 14 1 1 16 39 60 12

Dunedin (Hi A) .302 .380 .444 225 42 68 11 6 3 19 28 49 15

 

2. Conner Greene, rhp

 

Born: April 4, 1995. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 165. Drafted: HS—Santa Monica, Calif., 2013 (7th round). Signed by: Jim Lentine.

 

Background: Greene has modeled since childhood and has dabbled in acting, with two brief appearances in “Anger Management,” a sitcom starring fellow Santa Monica High grad Charlie Sheen. Signed for a below-slot $100,000 in 2013, Greene has started growing into his body, adding about 20 pounds to his listed weight, and finished 2015 at Double-A New Hampshire.

 

Scouting Report: Greene has added strength via offseason gymnastics and surfing but remains loose, athletic and projectable. He adds pitchability and a now-plus fastball. He sat 86-90 mph in high school but has reached 97 as a pro, usually sitting at 92-94. He gets good angle to the plate thanks to his delivery and three-quarters slot, making his fastball tough to square up. His above-average changeup is his best secondary pitch, helping him handle lefthanded hitters (.207) better than righthanders (.307). Greene’s curveball flashes above-average but lacks consistent power and location. He’s working to add some sweep to make it more of a swing-and-miss pitch.

 

The Future: Greene may spend all of 2016 back in Double-A as he tries to polish his curveball and overall command. He has the pieces to mature into a No. 2 starter.

2015 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

Lansing (Lo A) 7 3 3.88 14 14 0 0 67 75 4 19 65 .285

Dunedin (Hi A) 2 3 2.25 7 7 0 0 40 36 1 8 35 .238

New Hampshire (AA) 3 1 4.68 5 5 0 0 25 25 1 12 15 .269

 

3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., OF/3B

 

Born: March 16, 1999. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 200. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2015. Signed by: Ismael Cruz/Sandy Rosario/Luciano Del Rosario.

TOP DRAFT PICKS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Pos. 2015 Org.

2006 Travis Snider, of Pirates

2007 Kevin Ahrens, 3b Braves

2008 David Cooper, 1b Mets

2009 Chad Jenkins, rhp Blue Jays

2010 Deck McGuire, rhp Dodgers

2011 *Tyler Beede, rhp Giants

2012 D.J. Davis, of Blue Jays

2013 *Phil Bickford, rhp Giants

2014 Jeff Hoffman, rhp Rockies

2015 Jon Harris, rhp Blue Jays

*Did not sign

 

Background: The Blue Jays had Guerrero, son of the 2004 American League MVP, in their Dominican complex for the first time when he was 14. Trained by his uncle Wilton (also an ex-big leaguer) and showing some of his father’s tools, the junior Guerrero became the top prospect in the 2015 international class. The Blue Jays traded prospects Chase DeJong and Tim Locastro to pick up extra bonus pool room and signed Guerrero for $3.9 million, the second-largest bonus in franchise history.

 

Scouting Report: Where his father was wiry and an untamed athlete with premium power, Guerrero is thick-bodied, with a corner profile. He stands out for his bat control, bat speed, hand strength and hand-eye coordination that could make him a bad-ball hitter and power plant like his father, who hit 449 home runs in the majors. An outfielder when he signed, the Jays tried him at third base in instructional league. His arm strength, fringy in the outfield, improved to average with the shorter arm stroke. He may outgrow third, but Toronto will send him out at that position in 2016, believing his hands are suited for the spot even if his range is short, thanks in part to below-average speed.

 

The Future: Guerrero fits a bat-first profile and may wind up at first base or DH. The Jays will be OK with that if his power pans out as they hope. He should start 2016 in Rookie ball.

2015 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

Did not play—Signed 2016 contract

 

4. Richard Urena, ss

 

Born: Feb. 26, 1996. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 170. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2012. Signed by: Ismael Cruz/Sandi Rosario/Luciano del Rosario. Video

 

Background: Signed for $725,000 in 2012, Urena ranked second in the organization and third in the low Class A Midwest League with 15 home runs, even though he opened the season as the league’s 10th-youngest player. He earned a July promotion to high Class A Dunedin but went back to Lansing in late August for the Lugnuts’ playoff run.

 

Scouting Report: Urena has physical projection remaining but has some whip and strength in his swing already with quick wrists that help him produce solid-average power that he’ll get to more if he can improve his strike-zone judgment. In his second year as a switch-hitter, he struggled batting righthanded, hitting just .205 from that side with one homer, but the Jays plan to give him more time to work on it. He has the requisite middle-infield tools with smooth actions, soft hands and easy plus arm strength. He became more efficient defensively with just 23 errors in 120 games after committing more than 20 errors each of the two previous years in short-season ball. He may slow down to being an average runner if not a tick below, which could push him off shortstop.

 

The Future: Urena will head back to Dunedin for 2016, and with Troy Tulowitzki signed through 2020, he’s one of the Jays’ best remaining trade chips.

2015 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

Lansing (Lo A) .266 .289 .438 384 62 102 13 4 15 58 13 84 5

Dunedin (Hi A) .250 .268 .315 124 9 31 3 1 1 8 3 26 3

 

5. Sean Reid-Foley, rhp

 

Born: Aug. 30, 1995. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 216. Drafted: HS—Jacksonville, 2014 (2nd round). Signed by: Matt Bishoff. Video

LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORY

Adeiny Hechavarria, 2010 $4,000,000

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 2015

$3,900,000

Jeff Hoffman, 2014 $3,080,000

Max Pentecost, 2014 $2,888,300

Adonys Cardona, 2010 $2,800,000

 

Background: Born in Guam while his father, a chief warrant officer in the Coast Guard, was stationed there, Reid-Foley grew up in Jacksonville. His older brother David, a converted catcher, pitches in the Dodgers system. The younger Reid-Foley fell in the 2014 draft after being projected as a first-rounder and signed for $1,128,800. He finished his first full season at high Class A Dunedin.

 

Scouting Report: The ball comes out of Reid-Foley’s hand with life, power and angle to the plate. His fastball has touched 97 mph and often sits 92-95, and at his best he can pitch to both sides of the plate. He has the athleticism to repeat his delivery, which is more drop-and-drive than the average pitcher. He loses command of the strike zone and gives up big innings when his arm is too late at foot strike. When that happens, his arm drags and he loses his release point. His slider flashes above-average as well with depth and low-80s power when he’s on time. His changeup lags behind, and he hasn’t shown the ability to make corrections on the mound himself.

 

The Future: From his Jacksonville home to his intense demeanor and power stuff, Reid-Foley evokes comparisons with Jonathan Papelbon. The Blue Jays intend to develop him as a starter, returning him to Dunedin to start 2016, but he fits the closer profile well.

2015 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

Lansing (Lo A) 3 5 3.69 17 17 0 0 63 57 3 43 90 .239

Dunedin (Hi A) 1 5 5.23 8 8 0 0 33 25 1 24 35 .210

 

6. Jon Harris, rhp

 

Born: Oct. 16, 1993. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 175. Drafted: Missouri State, 2015 (1st round). Signed by: Dallas Black.

 

Background: The Blue Jays drafted Harris in the 33rd round out of a Missouri high school and obviously followed as he attended Missouri State, where he became a weekend starter as a freshman. Harris helped the Bears to a school-record 49 wins in 2015, as the club lost to Arkansas in a super regional. Projected as a top 15-20 selection, he tumbled on draft day, and the Jays were as stunned as anybody. They signed him for slot with the 29th overall pick.

 

Scouting Report: In a college draft class light on starting pitchers, Harris impressed scouts for his athleticism, projectable frame, sound delivery and four-pitch mix. He still has strength gains to make, more important to maintain his delivery and the quality of his stuff than to add velocity. He pitches with an above-average fastball in the 90-93 mph range and has touched 95 with life on his fastball, particularly standing out for its armside life. He’ll spin both a 12-to-6 curveball and a slider that has some depth as well, and his changeup gives him an average weapon.

 

The Future: The Blue Jays attribute Harris’ poor debut—he ran up a 6.75 ERA at short-season Vancouver—to fatigue. They weren’t happy about it, but aren’t panicking either. Harris has to get stronger and prove he has the durability to fulfill a mid-rotation ceiling. He should spend 2016 at Class A with his workload likely to be closely monitored.

2015 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

Vancouver (SS) 0 5 6.75 12 1 0 0 36 48 1 23 32 .318

 

7. Rowdy Tellez, 1b

 

Born: March 16, 1995. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 245. Drafted: HS—Elk Grove, Calif., 2013 (30th round). Signed by: Darold Brown. Video

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Anthony Alford

Best Power Hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline Anthony Alford

Fastest Baserunner Roemon Fields

Best Athlete Anthony Alford

Best Fastball Conner Greene

Best Curveball Clinton Hollon

Best Slider Sean Reid-Foley

Best Changeup Conner Greene

Best Control Chad Girodo

Best Defensive Catcher Dan Jansen

Best Defensive Infielder Richard Urena

Best Infield Arm Richard Urena

Best Defensive Outfielder Roemon Fields

Best Outfield Arm Reggie Pruitt

 

Background: While the Blue Jays failed to sign first-rounder Phil Bickford in 2013, they already had signed 30th-rounder Tellez for $850,000, and that became the largest bonus in Toronto’s class this year. He earned a midseason promotion to high Class A Dunedin in 2015, where his season ended in early August with a hamate injury.

 

Scouting Report: Tellez combines feel for hitting and power potential in a burly body that he’ll have to continually monitor. He works at conditioning, though, and club officials like that Tellez derives motivation from the criticism and plays with an edge. He has a feel for the barrel and using the whole field, with natural strength to drive the ball to the opposite field and not just pull power. He’s aggressive but not to a fault, starting to trust his hands and hang in better against lefthanders. Tellez remains raw defensively and won’t remind anyone of Keith Hernandez but has worked to improve and should be a fringe-average defender, though his poor speed could make him a baseclogger.

 

The Future: Tellez was the bright spot of Toronto’s Arizona Fall League contingent, hitting .293/.352/.488 with four homers. He should be ready for Double-A New Hampshire and could become a first-division player if his power keeps developing.

2015 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

Lansing (Lo A) .296 .351 .444 270 36 80 19 0 7 49 24 56 2

Dunedin (Hi A) .275 .338 .473 131 17 36 5 0 7 28 14 28 3

 

8. Max Pentecost, c

 

Born: March 10, 1993. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 191. Drafted: Kennesaw State, 2014 (1st round). Signed by: Mike Tidick.

 

Background: Pentecost was a seventh-rounder out of high school who didn’t sign with the Rangers in part due to concerns about his elbow. The 2013 MVP of the Cape Cod League powered Kennesaw State to a regional title in 2014 en route to becoming the highest-drafted player in school history. Since signing for slot at $2,888,300, Pentecost has played just 25 games, including none in 2015, while recovering from two shoulder surgeries.

 

Scouting Report: When healthy, Pentecost showed a tantalizing combination of athleticism and hitting ability for a catcher. He has a sustained track record for hitting thanks to a quick, short swing that he repeats well with modest effort. He has flashed plus raw power in the past, though club officials see him as a hit-first, power-second player. He’s still rebuilding arm strength from his shoulder surgeries, and a return to his previous plus arm strength will take patience and hard work. He’ll need plenty of reps to hone his receiving and blocking skills while working with pro pitchers.

 

The Future: Pentecost runs well enough to move to the outfield if he can’t catch, and the Jays have indicated he will play some first base and DH in 2016 to get needed at-bats. His health and spring-training performance will decide his assignment, but the Jays hold out hope he can still become a first-division catcher.

2015 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

Did not play—injured

 

9. Justin Maese, rhp

 

Born: Oct. 24, 1996. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 190. Drafted: HS—El Paso, 2015 (3rd round). Signed by: Gerald Turner.

PROJECTED 2019 LINEUP

Catcher Max Pentecost

First Base Rowdy Tellez

Second Base Devon Travis

Third Base Josh Donaldson

Shortstop Richard Urena

Left Field Kevin Pillar

Center Field Dalton Pompey

Right Field Anthony Alford

Designated Hitter Troy Tulowitzki

No. 1 Starter Marcus Stroman

No. 2 Starter Marco Estrada

No. 3 Starter Conner Greene

No. 4 Starter Sean Reid-Foley

No. 5 Starter Drew Hutchison

Closer Roberto Osuna

 

Background: The starting quarterback and punter for Ysleta High in El Paso, Maese threw for more than 5,000 yards and 38 touchdowns in his prep career. He’s from a baseball family, as his older brother Carlos wound up pitching collegiately at West Texas A&M and taught him a slider. A 2015 third-round pick, he signed for $300,000, less than half of slot value, then excelled in his pro debut, which included a 10-strikeout, six-inning effort in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League playoffs.

 

Scouting Report: Athletic and live-armed, Maese delivers pitches from a low three-quarters delivery that helps him impart excellent sink to his fastball. His velocity came and went during the spring, which led to his draft stock rising and falling, but when he stays on top of the ball, he can push 96 mph. He sits 89-93 mph most of the time but could fill out and hold higher velocity longer down the line. Maese never has focused solely on baseball and is just starting to learn a between-starts routine. He has work to do to polish his changeup and slider, which at times flashes plus with mid-80s power. His athleticism leads some to project him to have average command.

 

The Future: Maese had an exceptional groundball rate in his debut (2.6 groundouts per airout) and profiles as a power sinkerballer if it all works out. He should be ready for a jump to low Class A Lansing in 2016.

2015 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

GCL Blue Jays ® 5 0 1.01 8 4 1 0 36 32 0 6 19 .241

 

10. D.J. Davis, of

 

Born: July 25, 1994. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 185. Drafted: HS—Wiggins, Miss., 2012 (1st round). Signed by: Brian Johnston. Video

 

Background: The 17th overall pick in the 2012 draft, Davis nonetheless ranked behind Anthony Alford on the Blue Jays’ board and has fallen behind his fellow Magnolia State prep product even though Alford took a two-year football detour. The Jays knew Davis was raw and had him repeat low Class A Lansing in 2015, and he responded with significant improvement across the board.

 

Scouting Report: Davis had bad habits and no idea how to right the ship in 2014, but he started to figure it out with more experience. His tools remain significant—he’s a blazing, double-plus runner who remains raw on the basepaths, though he made progress there. He has plus raw power and plus raw hitting ability that he’s unlikely to fulfill. He’s a free-swinger who doesn’t always recognize offspeed stuff, particularly changeups. He doesn’t trust his hands, manipulate the barrel or employ subtle hitting arts, such as the bunt, to take advantage of his speed. He’s a fringy defender with similarly graded arm strength best suited to left field.

 

The Future: The true boom or bust pick, Davis has time on his side and encouraged club officials in 2015 by showing improvement while repeating the Midwest League. He could be a late bloomer and still reach a Carl Crawford-type ceiling, but it may take 2,500 minor league at-bats. Davis is headed to high Class A Dunedin for 2016.

[King]

tybg

[jays4life19]

tybg

 

I dunno what this means. rofl.

 

Also i have a BA subscription so if anyone wants an article from them just send me a pm and I'll send it to you.

[Stoneyen]

Those top prospects of the decade are so bad lol

[flafson]

Those top prospects of the decade are so bad lol

 

Kinda gives AA a good case for trading away so many prospects, they tend to bust anyway.

[Laika]

Surprised to see Fields get the "Best Defensive Outfielder" tag. I thought he was still pretty raw on that side of things as well.

[RealAccountant]

Those top prospects of the decade are so bad lol

 

90% of the fanbase had annointed Snider as the second coming.

[Nafro]

We found our BA Sugar Daddy!

[keggy]

Those top prospects of the decade are so bad lol

 

JP Ricciardi's "analytics" drafting philosophy did irreparable damage to the farm during his tenure. In the early 2000s, the SABR community didn't recognize the importance of the hit tool and decided that high school pitchers had no value (Billy Beane famously threw a chair at his development team for drafting Jeremy Bonderman and traded him immediately).

 

Before and after Ricciardi Toronto had one of the most respected development systems in baseball.

 

1990 John Olerud, 1b

1991 Mark Whiten, of

1992 Derek Bell, of

1993 Carlos Delgado, c

1994 Alex Gonzalez, ss

1995 Shawn Green, of

1996 Shannon Stewart, of

1997 Roy Halladay, rhp

1998 Roy Halladay, rhp

1999 Roy Halladay, rhp

2000 Vernon Wells, of

[Boxcar]

JP Ricciardi's "analytics" drafting philosophy did irreparable damage to the farm during his tenure. In the early 2000s, the SABR community didn't recognize the importance of the hit tool and decided that high school pitchers had no value (Billy Beane famously threw a chair at his development team for drafting Jeremy Bonderman and traded him immediately).

 

Before and after Ricciardi Toronto had one of the most respected development systems in baseball.

 

1990 John Olerud, 1b

1991 Mark Whiten, of

1992 Derek Bell, of

1993 Carlos Delgado, c

1994 Alex Gonzalez, ss

1995 Shawn Green, of

1996 Shannon Stewart, of

1997 Roy Halladay, rhp

1998 Roy Halladay, rhp

1999 Roy Halladay, rhp

2000 Vernon Wells, of

 

Lol @ the use of the word irreparable. Do you even know what that means?

[Spanky99]

Gillick was amazing.

[Krylian]

Lol @ the use of the word irreparable. Do you even know what that means?

 

Long term would be the accurate term.

[eastcoastjaysfan]

I long for the days where Grant would constantly refer to Zach Stewart as the closest thing to a can't miss prospect we'll ever see.

[Jimcanuck]

I long for the days where Grant would constantly refer to Zach Stewart as the closest thing to a can't miss prospect we'll ever see.

 

i miss the playoffs will be easy to make days more

[Grant77]

I long for the days where Grant would constantly refer to Zach Stewart as the closest thing to a can't miss prospect we'll ever see.

 

They didn't exist, but I liked him as a prospect. Too bad he lost that 95 mph sinker to injury or whatever.

[eastcoastjaysfan]

They didn't exist, but I liked him as a prospect. Too bad he lost that 95 mph sinker to injury or whatever.

 

http://www.forums.mlb.com/discussions/Toronto_Blue_Jays/General/BA_HOt_Sheet__Zach_Stewart/ml-bluejays/67942.19?redirCnt=1&nav=messages

 

"What about Stewarts stuff would not allow him to be an ace?"

 

And then you proceeded to use him and Johan Santana in the same breath.

 

http://www.forums.mlb.com/discussions/Toronto_Blue_Jays/General/Zach_Stewart/ml-bluejays/76061.8?nav=messages

 

ITT^ you call him blue chip and compare him to Tim Hudson!

 

Merry Christmas!

[TRM]

I CANNOT fap to this farm system.

[Spanky99]

http://www.forums.mlb.com/discussions/Toronto_Blue_Jays/General/BA_HOt_Sheet__Zach_Stewart/ml-bluejays/67942.19?redirCnt=1&nav=messages

 

"What about Stewarts stuff would not allow him to be an ace?"

 

And then you proceeded to use him and Johan Santana in the same breath.

 

http://www.forums.mlb.com/discussions/Toronto_Blue_Jays/General/Zach_Stewart/ml-bluejays/76061.8?nav=messages

 

ITT^ you call him blue chip and compare him to Tim Hudson!

 

Merry Christmas!

 

C'mon, lots of people miss on guys, there's an ECJF curse and all, in everyone.

[Cyborg]

Grant used video?!?!?!

[McDude]

i like how alford was supposed to be a star quarterback in college but has a below average throwing arm..

[Praxis]

PROJECTED 2019 LINEUP

 

Catcher Max Pentecost

First Base Rowdy Tellez

Second Base Devon Travis

Third Base Josh Donaldson

Shortstop Richard Urena

Left Field Kevin Pillar

Center Field Dalton Pompey

Right Field Anthony Alford

Designated Hitter Troy Tulowitzki

No. 1 Starter Marcus Stroman

No. 2 Starter Marco Estrada

No. 3 Starter Conner Greene

No. 4 Starter Sean Reid-Foley

No. 5 Starter Drew Hutchison

Closer Roberto Osuna

 

[Cyborg]

Apparently Russell Martin died or something and Tulo lost a hip?

[jays4life19]

Early Christmas gift to my favourite mod...

 

The Rays entered 2015 with cautious optimism, despite much of the organization going through a state of transition.

 

As an organization, the Rays’ lack of resources has prevented them from holding on to premium talent over the long haul, and that trend reared its head at the front-office level following the 2014 season.

 

After nine years at the helm, manager Joe Maddon opted out of his contract and joined the Cubs. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman made a similar move, leaving the Rays for the cachet of filling the same role with the Dodgers.

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

1. Blake Snell, lhp

2. Willy Adames, ss

3. Brent Honeywell, rhp

4. Jake Bauers, 1b

5. Garrett Whitley, of

6. Mikie Mahtook, of

7. Taylor Guerrieri, rhp

8. Jacob Faria, rhp

9. Casey Gillaspie, 1b

10. Daniel Robertson, ss

 

With Friedman’s departure came the promotion of team president Matt Silverman, a Harvard-educated rising star. Silverman reconfigured the organization quickly, installing former major leaguer catcher Kevin Cash as manager and making several high-profile trades in the offseason, mostly with the goal of minimizing costs and adding depth to the system.

 

Tampa Bay saw significant growth from several young major league players in 2015. The oldest regular in the rotation was 27-year-old righthander Nathan Karns, who proved himself capable as a mid-rotation arm and served as the main piece in a November trade with the Mariners that netted Brad Miller, Logan Morrison and Danny Farquhar.

 

Elsewhere, starters Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi succeeded at the top of the rotation. Center fielder Kevin Kiermaier established himself as one of the game’s best defensive players.

 

The Rays have built solid system depth and many prospects still have room to grow. Chief among them is lefthander Blake Snell, who began 2015 at high Class A Charlotte and catapulted himself into the upper minors and into the upper echelon of the prospect scene with a dominant season that earned him Minor League Player of The Year honors.

 

The Rays acquired Snell as a supplemental first-round pick in 2011, a year in which they held 12 of the top 100 picks, but several of those picks have not panned out. Snell’s emergence, as well as the successful big league debut by first-round outfielder Mikie Mahtook, represent a potential turning point for the draft class.

 

Righthanders Taylor Guerrieri (first round) and Jacob Faria (10th) and second baseman/outfielder Taylor Motter (17th) also came on strong in 2015. However, they are counterbalanced by three 2011 sandwich picks—Brandon Martin, Kes Carter and James Harris—who already had been released.

 

The Rays’ system has good balance, including a number of high-floor, upper-level prospects positioned to contribute in 2016 as well as a promising group of high-ceiling, teen prospects, including 2015 first-rounder Garrett Whitley and 2014 international signee Adrian Rondon.

 

Tampa Bay has assembled a deep collection of prospects and should soon face difficult decisions as players push for major league jobs.

 

Last Year’s Rays Top 10 Prospects

 

1. Blake Snell, lhp

SCOUTING GRADES

Fastball: 70

Changeup: 65

Slider: 55

Control: 50

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

 

Born: Dec. 4, 1992. B-T: L-L. Ht: 6-4. Wt: 180. Drafted: HS—Shoreline, Wash., 2011 (1st round supplemental). Signed by: Paul Kirsch.

TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Pos. 2014 Org.

2006 Delmon Young, of Orioles

2007 Delmon Young, of Orioles

2008 Evan Longoria, 3b Rays

2009 David Price, lhp Blue Jays

2010 Desmond Jennings, of Rays

2011 Matt Moore, lhp Rays

2012 Matt Moore, lhp Rays

2013 Wil Myers, of/3b Padres

2014 Jake Odorizzi, rhp Rays

2015 Willy Adames, ss Rays

 

Background: The 2011 draft was viewed as a golden opportunity for the Rays to restock their system. The organization owned 12 of the top 100 picks in that draft, and while many of those picks have failed to live up to their draft-day promise, Snell’s emergence gives the class a much-needed boost. Tampa Bay selected him 52nd overall (with the fourth of seven supplemental first-round picks) and signed him for $684,000 out of a Seattle-area high school. Previously known for his projectable frame and three-pitch potential, Snell took his stuff to another level in 2015. His command, which had held him back in the past, also made strides. The southpaw finished 2014 at high Class A Charlotte, and he began 2015 with the Stone Crabs before 21 scoreless innings earned him a promotion to Double-A Montgomery. There, Snell continued to run up zeroes until his streak stopped at 49 scoreless innings. A late-July promotion to Triple-A Durham followed, and Snell led all minor league starters with a 1.41 ERA, ranked second with a .182 opponent average and fourth with 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings. He went 15-4 across three levels and earned the BA Minor League Player of the Year award.

 

Scouting Report: Prior to 2015, Snell’s fastball peaked at 94 mph and sat comfortably in the low 90s, giving him plenty of velocity for a lefthander. In 2015, his velocity ticked up, and he sat at 93-94 mph with the ability to reach as high as 97. His fastball maintained its late sinking action, too, making it a devastating pitch when he is able to spot it down in the zone. Snell’s changeup—which had earned praise as a potential above-average pitch—evolved into a bat-missing offering. He has feel for his late-fading changeup, which earns plus grades from scouts and gives him a weapon to use against righthanded batters. His slider, previously thought to be his best secondary pitch, shows sharp horizontal break down and away from lefthanded batters. Snell also throws a 12-to-6 curveball, though it is more of a supplement to his arsenal than a true weapon. If he can command his powerful stuff, he has a chance to be an impact starter. Before his magical 2015 campaign, Snell struggled with control, walking 4.4 batters per nine innings in 2014 and 6.6 per nine in 2013. He cut his walk rate to 3.6 per nine in 2015 and struck out more than four batters per walk.

 

The Future: The Rays considered calling up Snell in September, but he had already thrown a career-high 134 innings. Additionally, the major league team was not in the thick of the playoff race, so Snell’s season ended in Triple-A, though he joined the 40-man roster in November. If Snell’s command continues to trend in the right direction, he could ascend to the big league rotation in 2016, where his top-shelf stuff and improved strike-throwing ability give him a ceiling of a No. 2 starter. Look for him to earn an in-season callup from Durham.

2015 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

Charlotte (Hi A) 3 0 0.00 4 2 0 0 21 10 0 11 27 .143

Montgomery (AA) 6 2 1.57 12 12 0 0 69 45 5 29 79 .191

Durham (AAA) 6 2 1.83 9 9 0 0 44 29 2 13 57 .187

 

2. Willy Adames, ss

 

Born: Sept. 2, 1995. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 180 Signed: Dominican Republic, 2012. Signed by: Aldo Perez/Ramon Perez/Miguel Garcia (Tigers). Video

 

Background: Adames was the only prospect the Rays acquired when they traded David Price to the Tigers in July 2014. At the time, he was an 18-year-old in the low Class A Midwest League, having made the jump directly from the Dominican Summer League in 2013. The Rays advanced him one level to high Class A Charlotte in 2015, where he got off to a hot start before a bone bruise in his elbow slowed his progress.

 

Scouting Report: In his first full season with the Rays, Adames endeared himself to the organization with an exciting blend of tools and personality. In addition to his infectious enthusiasm for the game, he earned respect when—despite his dinged-up elbow—he held his own in the Florida State League. Scouts are mixed on Adames’s ceiling, expressing some uncertainty as to where he projects to land defensively. He made notable improvements in the dirt in 2015, improving his body control and showing promising actions. Scouts agree that his plus arm strength fits on the left side of the infield, but some wonder if physically maturity will slow Adames down and push him to second or third base. Offensively, he has quick hands and shows the ability to generate consistent backspin, though he has some swing-and-miss to his game. He shows in-game power to the gaps right now, and projects to develop above-average power.

 

The Future: Adames is poised for Double-A Montgomery in 2016, a test that should be telling for the 20-year-old as he makes adjustments against more advanced pitchers. Prognosticators will have a better idea where he projects best defensively after another year of physical maturity.

2015 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

Charlotte (Hi A) .258 .342 .379 396 51 102 24 6 4 46 54 123 10

 

3. Brent Honeywell, rhp

 

Born: March 31, 1995. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt: 180 Drafted: Walters State (Tenn.) CC, 2014 (2nd round supplemental). Signed by: Brian Hickman. Video

 

Background: Undrafted out of high school, Honeywell quickly developed into a top prospect during his lone season at Walters State (Tenn.) CC. He gained fame with his throwback screwball, but he made noise with his loose delivery, plus fastball and promising athleticism. The Rays selected Honeywell in the second round of the 2014 draft, signed him for $800,000 and watched as he quickly developed into one of the top prospects in the organization by recording an elite 1.05 WHIP and strikeout rate of 8.9 batters per nine innings in 2015.

TOP DRAFT PICKS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Pos. 2014 Org.

2006 Evan Longoria, 3b Rays

2007 David Price, lhp Blue Jays

2008 Tim Beckham, ss Rays

2009 *LeVon Washington, of Indians

2010 Josh Sale, of Did not play

2011 Taylor Guerrieri, rhp Rays

2012 Richie Shaffer, 3b Rays

2013 Nick Ciuffo, c Rays

2014 Casey Gillaspie, 1b Rays

2015 Garrett Whitley, of Rays

 

Scouting Report: Honeywell has a chance to develop a deep, four-pitch arsenal. His fastball routinely works at 90-95 mph, though he touched as high as 97 during his draft year, and the pitch shows explosive life as it approaches the strike zone. He has feel for his changeup down in the zone, and it’s an upper-70s offering with bat-missing ability. He throws his changeup to both lefties and righties. Honeywell’s screwball shows similar velocity and movement to his arm side but with more depth. His curveball shows tight spin, though the pitch sometimes breaks too early, allowing hitters to recognize it before it enters the zone. Honeywell has a slight head whack to his delivery, but he repeats his stride and arm action well and has shown the ability to navigate either side of the plate.

 

The Future: Honeywell spent the second half of 2015 at high Class A Charlotte, where he recorded a 3.44 ERA in 12 starts, and he should open 2016 at that level before moving to Double-A Montgomery at age 21. If he maximizes his stuff and athleticism, he could develop into a No. 3 starter.

2015 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

Bowling Green (Lo A) 4 4 2.91 12 12 0 0 65 53 3 12 76 .221

Charlotte (Hi A) 5 2 3.44 12 12 1 0 65 57 2 15 53 .235

 

4. Jake Bauers, 1b

 

Born: Oct. 6, 1995. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 195. Drafted: HS—Huntington Beach, Calif., 2013 (7th round). Signed by: Josh Emmerick (Padres).

 

Background: Bauers’ outstanding senior year at Marina High outside Anaheim solidified industry belief in his promising lefthanded bat, and the Padres signed him for an above-slot $240,000 bonus. After a successful 2014 season at low Class A Fort Wayne in which the 18-year-old Bauers hit .296, San Diego traded him to the Rays as the key piece in the Wil Myers trade. He continued to hit in 2015 as he advanced to Double-A Montgomery in the second half and then the Arizona Fall League in October.

 

Scouting Report: In the AFL, Bauers played the outfield for the first time as a pro, and he did so competently, according to evaluators. He is a solid-average runner who showed surprising defensive instincts. His arm strength is below-average, but he has a quick release that will allow him to play left field. He is a smooth defender at first base, his natural position. Bauers’ hit tool will always be his meal ticket. He has a short stroke, outstanding pitch-recognition skills and a refined approach at the plate. He shows over-the-fence power during batting practice, but his swing and approach are geared more for line drives. As Bauers matures, some evaluators feel that he could develop 20-home run power.

 

The Future: Bauers will probably begin 2016 back at Montgomery. If his power begins to play more in game action, he has a chance to establish himself as a middle-of-the-order hitter with adequate outfield defense, and if he reaches his power ceiling, he could man first base for a contender.

2015 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

Charlotte (Hi A) .267 .357 .433 217 33 58 14 2 6 38 29 33 2

Montgomery (AA) .276 .329 .405 257 36 71 18 0 5 36 21 41 6

 

5. Garrett Whitley, of

 

Born: March 13, 1997. B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-0. Wt: 200. Drafted: HS—Niskayuna, N.Y., 2015 (1st round). Signed by: Tim Alexander. Video

 

Background: Hailing from the Albany area of New York state, Whitley was not a big name on the high school showcase circuit until late in the summer leading up to his senior year in 2015. He picked up steam with an impressive workout at the tryouts for the Northeast Area Code team, and he showed explosive tools at the Area Code Games and East Coast Pro showcase. The Rays developed an affinity for the tooled-up Whitley and signed him for just shy of $3 million as the 13th overall pick in 2015.

LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORY

Matt White, 1996 $10,200,000

Rolando Arrojo, 1997 $7,000,000

Tim Beckham, 2008 $6,150,000

David Price, 2007 $5,600,000

B.J. Upton, 2002 $4,600,000

 

Scouting Report: Whitley is an exceptional athlete, armed with plus bat speed and plus foot speed. His righthanded bat comes with easy over-the-fence power, and he has made steady adjustments to his swing in the past year. The utility of his power will dictate his ceiling. His exposure to high-level competition remains limited, and it could take him some time to learn how to use his explosive bat speed. Despite hitting just .174 in 42 games during his first pro summer, Whitely advanced to short-season Hudson Valley (not far from where he grew up) and recorded an excellent walk-to-strikeout ratio of 21-to-37. He also can impact the game with his legs, for he’s a plus runner whose speed plays well in center field.

 

The Future: While a jump to low Class A Bowling Green in 2016 is not out of the question, Whitley appears more likely to open in extended spring training before a return engagement in the New York-Penn League.

2015 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

GCL Rays ® .188 .310 .365 96 12 18 4 2 3 13 16 25 5

Hudson Valley (SS) .143 .250 .190 42 3 6 0 1 0 4 5 12 3

 

6. Mikie Mahtook, of

 

Born: Nov. 30, 1989. B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-1. Wt: 200. Drafted: Louisiana State, 2011 (1st round). Signed by: Rickey Drexler

 

Background: A two-time All-American at Louisiana State, Mahtook’s pedigree and all-around package of tools enticed the Rays to select him with the 31st overall pick in the 2011 draft. He climbed the minor league ladder steadily since then, breaking through at Triple-A Durham in 2014 and making his big league debut with a four-game cameo in April 2015. After riding the Triple-A shuttle for most of 2015, he commanded attention by hitting .353/.397/.706 with 11 extra-base hits in 24 September games.

 

Scouting Report: While Mahtook lacks true plus tools, he has few weaknesses. Evaluators are mixed on where he projects best defensively, though scouts tend to agree that he has the arm strength and speed to play any outfield spot. Some feel that he could be a viable option in center field. Mahtook showed more power in September 2015 than he ever had before, and his offensive skillset might be best suited for the fast-paced nature of the major league game. He is an aggressive hitter early in the count and tends to succeed when he puts the ball in play. However, he swings and misses enough—27 percent of the time with the Rays—to put his batting average at risk and make him prone to streakiness.

 

The Future: Mahtook’s strong finish to 2015 should earn him consideration for an outfield job in Tampa to start 2016, but he’s competing for a bench job behind defensive wizard Kevin Kiermaier in center field and supporting players Brandon Guyer, Steven Souza, and Desmond Jennings.

2015 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

Durham (AAA) .249 .304 .366 385 35 96 27 3 4 45 22 98 10

Rays (MLB) .295 .351 .619 105 22 31 5 1 9 19 6 31 4

 

7. Taylor Guerrieri, rhp

 

Born: Dec. 1, 1992. B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-3. Wt: 195. Drafted: HS—Columbia, S.C., 2011 (1st round). Signed by: Brian Hickman. Video

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Jake Bauers

Best Power Hitter Richie Shaffer

Best Strike Zone Discipline Casey Gillaspie

Fastest Baserunner Garrett Whitley

Best Athlete Garrett Whitley

Best Fastball Enny Romero

Best Curveball German Marquez

Best Slider Brandon Koch

Best Changeup Blake Snell

Best Control Jacob Faria

Best Defensive Catcher Austin Pruitt

Best Defensive Infielder Willy Adames

Best Infield Arm Adrian Rondon

Best Defensive Outfielder Thomas Milone

Best Outfield Arm Richie Shaffer

 

Background: Guerrieri tantalized the amateur scouting community with a powerful fastball that reached 98 mph, prompting the Rays to select him with the 24th overall pick in the 2011 draft. His path to Tropicana Field has hit multiple speed bumps, including Tommy John surgery in July 2013 and then a 50-game suspension for recreational drug use in 2014. He returned to the mound in mid-May 2015 and reached Double-A Montgomery in late July before joining the 40-man roster in November.

 

Scouting Report: Guerrieri has morphed into a different pitcher as he has matured and climbed the ladder. Previously known for his power fastball and curveball, he rounded out his arsenal and showed improved command in 2015. His post-surgery fastball velocity stabilized in the low 90s, and he generates plus movement on the pitch, with late sink and armside run that helped him record an elite 2.7 groundout-to-airout ratio in 2015. Guerrieri can spin two tight breaking balls, a curveball and a slider. He threw his slider more often in 2015, and both pitches have above-average potential. His changeup also showed significant growth, and it gives him an extra weapon against lefthanded batters.

 

The Future: Guerrieri fully hit his stride late in 2015, when he put two years between him and elbow surgery. His pitch repertoire is deep enough and control sharp enough to profile as a starter, potentially a No. 3 if he regains the velocity of his youth. He will continue to build stamina and consistency at Montgomery in 2016.

2015 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

Charlotte (Hi A) 2 2 2.14 12 10 0 0 42 37 0 11 44 .237

Montgomery (AA) 3 1 1.50 8 8 0 0 36 28 2 8 28 .206

 

8. Jacob Faria, rhp

 

Born: July 30, 1993. B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-4. Wt: 200. Drafted: HS—Cerritos, Calif., 2011 (10th round). Signed by: Jake Wilson.

 

Background: The Rays pried 10th-rounder Faria away from a Cal State Fullerton commitment with a $150,000 bonus in 2011. He spent three years in short-season leagues before advancing to low Class A Bowling Green in 2014 and then finishing 2015 at Double-A Montgomery, thanks to improvements to both his stuff and command. Faria led the minors in wins, ranked second in ERA and ranked sixth in strikeouts, going 17-4, 1.92 with a 1.04 WHIP.

 

Scouting Report: He throws from a high three-quarters arm slot, which gives him tremendous plane on all of his pitches. His fastball has touched as high as 95 mph, but he routinely pitches at 90-92. He also generates late sink on the pitch, making him difficult for hitters to square up. Faria’s delivery has some hesitation, but he does an excellent job of repeating his mechanics. He developed outstanding feel for his changeup in 2015, and most evaluators see it as at least a plus pitch. He shows the ability to throw his curveball for strikes down in the zone, though he has yet to master consistency of the pitch.

 

The Future: Faria profiles as a No. 4 starter, but he is close to contributing major league value after joining the 40-man roster in November. He will begin 2016 at Montgomery, with a chance to advance quickly to Triple-A Durham.

2015 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG

Charlotte (Hi A) 10 1 1.33 12 10 0 0 74 51 1 22 63 .199

Montgomery (AA) 7 3 2.51 13 13 0 0 75 52 5 30 96 .194

 

9. Casey Gillaspie, 1b

 

Born: Jan. 25, 1993. B-T: B-R. Ht: 6-4. Wt: 240. Drafted: Wichita State, 2014 (1st round). Signed by: J.D. Elliby. Video

PROJECTED 2019 LINEUP

Catcher Justin O’Conner

First Base Casey Gillaspie

Second Base Brad Miller

Third Base Evan Longoria

Shortstop Willy Adames

Left Field Jake Bauers

Center Field Kevin Kiermaier

Right Field Steven Souza

No. 1 Starter Chris Archer

No. 2 Starter Jake Odorizzi

No. 3 Starter Blake Snell

No. 4 Starter Taylor Guerrieri

No. 5 Starter Jacob Faria

Closer Jaime Schultz

 

Background: A three-year starter at Wichita State, Gillaspie had an excellent summer in the Cape Cod League in 2013. A loud junior season for the Shockers in 2014 produced a .389 average, 15 home runs and 1.202 OPS, so the Rays, convinced of the 6-foot-4 switch-hitter’s ability to hit, selected him with the 20th overall pick that June. He is the younger brother of big league third baseman Conor Gillaspie.

 

Scouting Report: Gillaspie’s value stems from his offensive upside. He shows above-average bat speed from both sides of the plate and exceptional strength in his core. His disciplined plate approach often puts him in favorable hitter’s counts. Batting lefthanded, he shows the ability to drive the ball out to any part of the park, and he has the ability to pull home runs from the right side. Gillaspie is sure-handed at first base and gives infielders a big target. He is a well below-average runner who lacks athleticism, so he draws some concern from scouts as to how he will age. After a hot start at low Class A Bowling Green in 2015, he missed the second half with a hand injury. He got back on the field in the Arizona Fall League but hit just .191 in 89 at-bats.

 

The Future: Gillaspie appears destined to begin 2016 at high Class A Charlotte, though he should earn an in-season promotion to Double-A Montgomery. He profiles as a middle-of-the-order hitter with power and on-base ability.

2015 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

GCL Rays ® .000 .143 .000 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0

Bowling Green (Lo A) .278 .358 .530 234 37 65 11 0 16 44 28 43 4

Charlotte (Hi A) .146 .222 .268 41 3 6 0 1 1 4 4 9 0

 

10. Daniel Robertson, ss

 

Born: March 22, 1994. B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-0. Wt: 190 Drafted: HS—Upland, Calif., 2012 (1st round supplemental). Signed by: Eric Martins (A’s).

 

Background: Robertson played third base for much of his high school career, but he showed well enough at shortstop for the Athletics to take a shot on him with the 34th overall pick in 2012. He led the California League with 37 doubles at high Class A Stockton in 2014 before Oakland traded him to the Rays in January 2015 to acquire Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar. Robertson played well at Double-A Montgomery in 2015, but a broken hamate in his left hand limited him to 78 games.

 

Scouting Report: Robertson’s high baseball IQ and advanced internal clock allow his tools to play up. He lacks the range to be a flashy defender at shortstop, but he has smooth hands to makes routine plays. He shows above-average arm strength, and his tools could make him an adequate defender at either second or third base. At the plate, Robertson has a tendency to put himself in hitter’s counts. He has shown the ability to drive the ball up the middle or stay inside and pepper the opposite field. He has the ability to hit home runs if he runs into a pitch, and some scouts see him hitting 10-15 home runs per season.

 

Background: Robertson might not be an ideal fit defensively at shortstop, but he should hit enough to hold down second base if he has to move. Positional versatility could be his key to breaking into the big league lineup as he begins 2016 in the upper minors, possibly at Triple-A Durham.

[GD]

^that makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside

[jaysfan2014]

Good to see the Rays farm system looks strong. With huge cutbacks coming to the Rays organization due to stadium and attendance issues, they need all the young talent they can get..

[TheHurl]

http://www.forums.mlb.com/discussions/Toronto_Blue_Jays/General/BA_HOt_Sheet__Zach_Stewart/ml-bluejays/67942.19?redirCnt=1&nav=messages

 

"What about Stewarts stuff would not allow him to be an ace?"

 

And then you proceeded to use him and Johan Santana in the same breath.

 

http://www.forums.mlb.com/discussions/Toronto_Blue_Jays/General/Zach_Stewart/ml-bluejays/76061.8?nav=messages

 

ITT^ you call him blue chip and compare him to Tim Hudson!

 

Merry Christmas!

 

You have every good thread from that site bookmarked do't you? I will say that if you continue with that thread he notes the Jays should go for Todd Frazier.

[Grant77]

http://www.forums.mlb.com/discussions/Toronto_Blue_Jays/General/BA_HOt_Sheet__Zach_Stewart/ml-bluejays/67942.19?redirCnt=1&nav=messages

 

"What about Stewarts stuff would not allow him to be an ace?"

 

And then you proceeded to use him and Johan Santana in the same breath.

 

http://www.forums.mlb.com/discussions/Toronto_Blue_Jays/General/Zach_Stewart/ml-bluejays/76061.8?nav=messages

 

ITT^ you call him blue chip and compare him to Tim Hudson!

 

Merry Christmas!

 

I objected to your use of hyperbole, not the fact that I thought he had ace potential. It's a shame he lost his velocity and stuff shortly after that near perfect game. I enjoyed reading through the threads though. Thanks and Merry Christmas.

[Spanky99]

^that makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside

 

K........

[Spanky99]

I honestly like our sleepers and young guys, this farm ranking is sure to move up significantly, imo.

[keggy]

Lol @ the use of the word irreparable. Do you even know what that means?

 

I apologise, English isn't my first language.