Blue Jays Prospects: Sleeper, Bust, and New Legit Guy

[Angrioter]

I believe it is who you think, future, will be a bust. I wrote that prior to tonights start when he had a 36.00 ERA in AAA. Not saying this based on one start though just dont see him panning out.

Tu no eres nada inteligente, hermano canadiense

[Spanky99]

Sleeper: Samad Taylor/Eric Pardinho?

Bust: Richard Urena

New Legit Guy: Danny Jansen/Eric Pardinho?

 

Not sure where to put Pardinho as he's so young...

 

Sleeper: Eric Pardinho

Bust: Richard Urena

New legit guy: Danny Jansen

 

Correct...

[TheHurl]

Sleeper - Kevin Smith

Bust - Pardinho (Future bust , I don't think a bad season will consider him a bust yet), Current (Jansen, ain't no such thing as a BJCOTF)

New Legit Guy - Pearson jumps to top 25 status, Lourdes becomes a major leaguer and sticks

 

I deserve partial marks for having Kevin Smith (also was in my top 10 midseason last year) and Lourdes. Jansen was to keep the jinx going (he was also my number 4 prospect). Not ready to give in on Pardinho yet.

[Boxcar]

Sleeper - Kevin Smith

Bust - Pardinho (Future bust , I don't think a bad season will consider him a bust yet), Current (Jansen, ain't no such thing as a BJCOTF)

New Legit Guy - Pearson jumps to top 25 status, Lourdes becomes a major leaguer and sticks

 

Your busts were such phenomenally bad takes that they totally overshadow your other picks. Sorry!

[TheHurl]

Your busts were such phenomenally bad takes that they totally overshadow your other picks. Sorry!

 

your busts are phenomenally bad.

[Spanky99]

Your busts were such phenomenally bad takes that they totally overshadow your other picks. Sorry!

 

lol

[Angrioter]

Sleeper: Miguel Hiraldo, Riley Adams

Bust: Richard Ureña, Hanger Danner

New Legit Guy: Danny Jansen, Nate Pearson

 

lol f*** corrector

 

 

Is Danner good now?

[Krylian]

Is Danner good now?

 

Too early to tell as you can only tell so much from short-season ball...but he did have a pretty strong season. Assuming he's in Lansing next season, we should have a much better idea.

[Carlos Danger]

I will say one thing about SRF, even though I had him as a long term bust.

 

In a season with not much to cheer for or get excited, I think one of my top 3 Blue Jays moments this past season was when we were playing Boston and SRF was pitching.

 

There was an inning in a close game where I think there was bases loaded no outs, he ended up Kng the side, or at least getting out of it unscathed.

 

In that game, that inning in the moment, that was freaking awesome. You would have thought we won the WS I was so stoked at that.

 

That is all..

Edited October 25, 2018 by Carlos Danger

[Carlos Danger]

Sleeper- Riley Adams

Bust - SRF

Legit- Romano Biiiiitches!!!!

 

This thread is interesting to look back on as is the year prior. Guys hobbing SRF’s knob and calling Bichette and Biggio busts.

[TwistedLogic]

lol, I picked Foley as a breakout back in the 2015 version of this thread.

[wilko]

This thread didn't age well.

[Angrioter]

Sleeper: Miguel Hiraldo, Riley Adams

Bust: Richard Ureña, Hanger Danner

New Legit Guy: Danny Jansen, Nate Pearson

 

lol f*** corrector

 

This

[Carlos Danger]

This

 

Epa!!

[The Iceman]

Keith Law released his top 100

 

5. Nate Pearson, RHP, Toronto, Age: 24

Pearson’s debut in the majors was tantalizing, but as with his first full pro season in 2018, it was interrupted by injury, leaving him still eligible for these rankings. Pearson averaged 96.3 mph on his four-seamer, showed a full four-pitch mix, all three of which at least missed bats, although he leaned most on his slider and the pitch wasn’t as consistent as it has been in the past. He’s 6 feet 6 inches and 250 pounds, with a good delivery that he has learned to repeat since the Jays signed him, so in theory he should be durable. Still, he had several fluky injuries in 2018 that limited him to one inning, and a flexor strain sent him to the injured list in late August, after which the Jays used him for just a single relief appearance. If he can stay healthy, there are very few starting pitching prospects who can match his stuff and size, which give him the ceiling of a No. 1 starter.

 

14. Austin Martin, SS, Toronto, Age: 22

The best prospect in the 2020 draft class slipped to the Blue Jays, who picked fifth and were probably delighted to have a player with his kind of potential get to their selection. Martin has exceptional hand-eye coordination and plus-plus bat speed, striking out only 36 times with 50 walks in 392 PA over his last year-plus at Vanderbilt. He’s probably best suited to third base, but the Jays intend to try him out at shortstop — which he has the athleticism and foot speed to handle — with third, second or even center field all possibilities. He did have some throwing trouble in the brief college season in 2020, but it’s not supposed to be a long-term issue and the Jays seem comfortable with his throwing post-draft. This bat at a skill position is pretty unusual and gives him some MVP upside, although we should be a little cautious since he has yet to take a pro at-bat.

 

79. Alek Manoah, RHP, Toronto, Age: 23

Manoah was the top college right-hander in the 2019 draft but the Blue Jays got him with the 11th pick on some concerns about his size and minor health issues before his draft year. It looks like a steal now as Manoah continues to stay healthy and throw hard, while improving his conditioning over the course of 2020 and the last two offseasons. Manoah sits 93-94 and can touch 98, with an above-average slider and above-average changeup as well as a curveball he can land for strikes. He is big, 6-6 and 260 in college, and only pitches from the stretch, but he throws strikes and attacks guys consistently with his fastball, an approach that should continue to serve him well as he moves up the ladder. He does have to keep his body in shape, but if he stays healthy he should be in the Blue Jays’ rotation within the next two seasons, with mid-rotation upside.

 

92. Alejandro Kirk, C, Toronto, Age: 22

Kirk got a surprise call-up to the majors and was very impressive for a kid who’d never played above High A, and had just 151 professional games total before he reached the big leagues. His bat-to-ball skill and swing decisions are both excellent, leading to very low strikeout rates, while he’s got explosive acceleration at the plate and showed in the majors he can hit for power the other way and turn on 97 in. He’s a solid catcher who can frame, block and throw well, but he’s on the big side already for a catcher at age 22 and has to maintain his conditioning. He was listed at 5-8 and 265 pounds last year, and while he’s apparently lost weight heading into spring training, that’s going to be an ongoing issue for him so he can stay behind the plate, as there’s no other position for a player with his build. His bat will make him a longtime regular as a catcher, with a chance to be a star if he keeps his body in shape for it.

 

98. Orelvis Martinez, SS, Toronto, Age: 19

Martinez is still just 19 but finished the summer at the Blue Jays’ alternate site, impressing the team with his production against older pitching. The ball explodes off his bat thanks to his plus bat speed and present power, while he has already shown glimpses of advanced plate discipline. In the field, he’s got a plus arm and great hands, still playing shortstop but with a body that might eventually push him to third base. I noted last winter that he might be the Jays’ best prospect in a year, but with no minor league season to show progress and the addition of the best player in the 2020 draft in Austin Martin, Martinez has to wait a year for any such coronation. He has an enormous ceiling as a strong OBP guy with 25-30 homers and plus defense at third. We just need to see how the bat plays at higher levels.

 

Could be my old age but did not see Jordan Groshans

[Krylian]

Keith Law released his top 100

 

5. Nate Pearson, RHP, Toronto, Age: 24

Pearson’s debut in the majors was tantalizing, but as with his first full pro season in 2018, it was interrupted by injury, leaving him still eligible for these rankings. Pearson averaged 96.3 mph on his four-seamer, showed a full four-pitch mix, all three of which at least missed bats, although he leaned most on his slider and the pitch wasn’t as consistent as it has been in the past. He’s 6 feet 6 inches and 250 pounds, with a good delivery that he has learned to repeat since the Jays signed him, so in theory he should be durable. Still, he had several fluky injuries in 2018 that limited him to one inning, and a flexor strain sent him to the injured list in late August, after which the Jays used him for just a single relief appearance. If he can stay healthy, there are very few starting pitching prospects who can match his stuff and size, which give him the ceiling of a No. 1 starter.

 

14. Austin Martin, SS, Toronto, Age: 22

The best prospect in the 2020 draft class slipped to the Blue Jays, who picked fifth and were probably delighted to have a player with his kind of potential get to their selection. Martin has exceptional hand-eye coordination and plus-plus bat speed, striking out only 36 times with 50 walks in 392 PA over his last year-plus at Vanderbilt. He’s probably best suited to third base, but the Jays intend to try him out at shortstop — which he has the athleticism and foot speed to handle — with third, second or even center field all possibilities. He did have some throwing trouble in the brief college season in 2020, but it’s not supposed to be a long-term issue and the Jays seem comfortable with his throwing post-draft. This bat at a skill position is pretty unusual and gives him some MVP upside, although we should be a little cautious since he has yet to take a pro at-bat.

 

79. Alek Manoah, RHP, Toronto, Age: 23

Manoah was the top college right-hander in the 2019 draft but the Blue Jays got him with the 11th pick on some concerns about his size and minor health issues before his draft year. It looks like a steal now as Manoah continues to stay healthy and throw hard, while improving his conditioning over the course of 2020 and the last two offseasons. Manoah sits 93-94 and can touch 98, with an above-average slider and above-average changeup as well as a curveball he can land for strikes. He is big, 6-6 and 260 in college, and only pitches from the stretch, but he throws strikes and attacks guys consistently with his fastball, an approach that should continue to serve him well as he moves up the ladder. He does have to keep his body in shape, but if he stays healthy he should be in the Blue Jays’ rotation within the next two seasons, with mid-rotation upside.

 

92. Alejandro Kirk, C, Toronto, Age: 22

Kirk got a surprise call-up to the majors and was very impressive for a kid who’d never played above High A, and had just 151 professional games total before he reached the big leagues. His bat-to-ball skill and swing decisions are both excellent, leading to very low strikeout rates, while he’s got explosive acceleration at the plate and showed in the majors he can hit for power the other way and turn on 97 in. He’s a solid catcher who can frame, block and throw well, but he’s on the big side already for a catcher at age 22 and has to maintain his conditioning. He was listed at 5-8 and 265 pounds last year, and while he’s apparently lost weight heading into spring training, that’s going to be an ongoing issue for him so he can stay behind the plate, as there’s no other position for a player with his build. His bat will make him a longtime regular as a catcher, with a chance to be a star if he keeps his body in shape for it.

 

98. Orelvis Martinez, SS, Toronto, Age: 19

Martinez is still just 19 but finished the summer at the Blue Jays’ alternate site, impressing the team with his production against older pitching. The ball explodes off his bat thanks to his plus bat speed and present power, while he has already shown glimpses of advanced plate discipline. In the field, he’s got a plus arm and great hands, still playing shortstop but with a body that might eventually push him to third base. I noted last winter that he might be the Jays’ best prospect in a year, but with no minor league season to show progress and the addition of the best player in the 2020 draft in Austin Martin, Martinez has to wait a year for any such coronation. He has an enormous ceiling as a strong OBP guy with 25-30 homers and plus defense at third. We just need to see how the bat plays at higher levels.

 

Could be my old age but did not see Jordan Groshans

 

It's Law's stupidity, not your age.

[Deadpool]

It's Law's stupidity, not your age.

 

And Groshans being omitted from this list means that Law will ALWAYS say he sucks, no matter what.

 

"Sure, Jordan Groshans just won both World Series and regular season MVP, but as I've been saying for years, he just doesn't have what it takes to hit a major league fastball..."

[Jimcanuck]

Law's list is always head scratching. He basically puts out the prospect list equivalent of granny porn. Only weirdo's get off on it.

 

He has Cristian Pache 3rd lol

[Carlos Danger]

Law's list is always head scratching. He basically puts out the prospect list equivalent of granny porn. Only weirdo's get off on it.

 

He has Cristian Pache 3rd lol

 

3rd in defensive OFs????

[jays4life19]

Law's list is always head scratching. He basically puts out the prospect list equivalent of granny porn. Only weirdo's get off on it.

 

He has Cristian Pache 3rd lol

 

I know Franco will be first....but who did he have 2nd?

[Jimcanuck]

I know Franco will be first....but who did he have 2nd?

 

2nd in the list even worse than the 3rd, something "Gord", can't remember

[jays4life19]

Jim, i see what you're doing and i don't like it.

[Jimcanuck]

Jim, i see what you're doing and i don't like it.

 

Let's make a deal in GORED, I need an OF upgrade

[jays4life19]

Let's make a deal in GORED, I need an OF upgrade

 

We have plenty of OF's available. Step into my bathroom and we can make a deal.

[The Iceman]

I know Franco will be first....but who did he have 2nd?

 

1. Wander Franco, SS, Tampa Bay, Age (as of 7/1/21): 20

Franco nearly showed up in the majors during the Rays’ run to the World Series, traveling with the team in October, and then played five games in his native Dominican Republic before a biceps injury ended his winter. He retains the top spot on this list as he approaches his 20th birthday this March 1, but I’d bet he loses it this year by spending a good chunk of 2021 in the majors, because he wasn’t that far off even when 2019 ended. Franco has ridiculous hand speed and one of the best batting eyes in professional baseball, rarely striking out and making consistent, hard contact even as a teenager, with the projection of above-average power as he matures. He hit a combined .327/.398/.487 as an 18-year-old in Low A and High A in 2019, while striking out just 7 percent of the time. Franco is a shortstop now and has the hands, actions and arm to stay there, although he could move to second or third if he loses any foot speed as he gets into his 20s. He’s going to play a skill position regardless, and his bat will make him a star at any of those spots, with high averages and OBPs early while the power develops, boasting the ceiling of an MVP candidate at his peak.

 

2. MacKenzie Gore, LHP, San Diego, Age: 22

Gore was the top pitching prospect in the game last winter and spent the summer and fall at the Padres’ alternate site, so he retains his rookie eligibility into 2021. Gore has everything you’d want in a potential No. 1 starter, with four above-average pitches that can all show plus, tremendous athleticism, and deception from the extreme high leg kick in his delivery. He’s regularly up to 97, with a big-breaking power curveball, a plus changeup with deception and good fading action, and an upper 80s slider he added after getting into pro ball and that’s become another swing-and-miss weapon for him. His delivery is difficult to repeat, but he’s such a good athlete that he’s able to do so, even with a leg kick that would knock most pitchers over. The Padres might have used Gore down the stretch last year, cycling through a number of starters for their fifth spot before trading for the now-injured Mike Clevinger, but Gore had some timing issues in his delivery at the alternate site, affecting his command enough that the team felt it was better to let him work it out before bringing him up. Stuff this good, with the performance Gore showed in 2019, doesn’t come along very often. If he stays healthy he’ll be one of the best left-handed starters in baseball within a few years.

 

3. Cristian Pache, OF, Atlanta, Age: 22

Pache is an 80 defender in center who draws comparisons to Andruw Jones, and not just because of the Atlanta connection. He’s a plus runner with plus raw power who didn’t homer at all until his third year in pro ball, seeing his power increase in the last two seasons toward an ultimate projection of 20-25 homers a year. His reads and range are at the top end of the scale, and he has a huge arm to go along with the glove. All that remains for Pache beyond further physical maturation is working on his approach at the plate, where he’s been very aggressive, making plenty of contact but limiting his OBP and not always waiting for a pitch he can drive. That defense alone will give him a very long career in the majors, but a 25-homer/25-steal center fielder with top-of-the-line defense and even a .330 OBP is a star.

 

4. Jarred Kelenic, OF, Seattle, Age: 21

Kelenic was the sixth overall pick in 2018, and if anything that seems too low in hindsight, even though four of the five guys taken ahead of him have already reached the majors. Kelenic is a true five-tool player, grading out above average in his hit, power, glove, arm and run tools, projecting to stay in center field but with the arm for right if he ever has to move there (e.g., with Kyle Lewis in center). He played in three levels in 2019 as a 19-year-old and continued to hit up through Double A, showing more discipline than expected for a cold-weather high school kid. His power should get him to 25-30 homers, with 20+ steals and strong OBPs. He probably would have debuted in 2020 had there been a full minor-league season, and I expect he’ll be up by the middle of 2021. I know it pains Mets fans to read this, but I think Kelenic is going to be a superstar.

 

5. Nate Pearson, RHP, Toronto, Age: 24

Pearson’s debut in the majors was tantalizing, but as with his first full pro season in 2018, it was interrupted by injury, leaving him still eligible for these rankings. Pearson averaged 96.3 mph on his four-seamer, showed a full four-pitch mix, all three of which at least missed bats, although he leaned most on his slider and the pitch wasn’t as consistent as it has been in the past. He’s 6 feet 6 inches and 250 pounds, with a good delivery that he has learned to repeat since the Jays signed him, so in theory he should be durable. Still, he had several fluky injuries in 2018 that limited him to one inning, and a flexor strain sent him to the injured list in late August, after which the Jays used him for just a single relief appearance. If he can stay healthy, there are very few starting pitching prospects who can match his stuff and size, which give him the ceiling of a No. 1 starter.

 

6. Adley Rutschman, C, Baltimore, Age: 23

The Orioles took Rutschman with the first overall pick in 2019, and he probably would be on the cusp of the majors if it weren’t for the pandemic. A switch-hitting catcher with power and incredible patience at the plate, Rutschman is also an advanced defensive catcher who earns raves for his work with pitchers and shows a plus arm, nailing 7 of 11 runners in pro ball after he signed. His right-handed swing can get long, but his left-handed swing is more compact, and he should be able to hit for both contact and power. If he hits for enough average, he’s going to be a frequent MVP candidate, and his power/defense combo gives him a floor as a solid regular.

 

7. Alex Kirilloff, OF, Minnesota, Age: 23

Kirilloff is now on the very short list of players who made their major-league debuts in the postseason, also known as the Mark Kiger All-Stars, but unlike Kiger, Kirilloff will be back. He’s among the very best hitting prospects in baseball, thanks to a beautiful left-handed swing, an advanced approach to the strike zone, and all-fields power. Kirilloff was a pitcher and outfielder in high school and missed the 2017 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he returned without a trace of rust and has continued to make hard contact at a high rate. His power was down in 2019 after he injured his wrist that spring, so look for a big power spike from him in 2021, whether he does so in Triple A or in the majors.

 

8. CJ Abrams, SS, San Diego, Age: 20

Abrams, the sixth overall pick in the 2019 draft out of a Georgia high school, rose significantly in the industry’s eyes after his strong pro debut that year, and reports from this past summer and fall have been even more glowing because he’s showing more power than expected at this young age. Abrams is an 80 runner with great bat speed and a direct, contact-oriented swing, but as he’s gotten stronger he’s now driving the ball with more authority and showing bigger exit velocities as a result. While the presence of Fernando Tatis Jr. might lead to a position change, Abrams is a no-doubt shortstop with a quick release and good actions; he could play center, or he could be a Gold Glove-caliber defender at second. He’s a star at any position, and if the Padres ever do have to move Tatis because he outgrows shortstop, they have a replacement on the way.

 

9. Dylan Carlson, OF, St. Louis, Age: 22

Carlson was the talk of spring training last March, with much debate over whether he should make the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster, but the shutdown put the kibosh on that idea and delayed Carlson’s major-league debut until mid-August. He’s a very disciplined hitter for his age and struggled in the majors in part because he was too patient, falling behind in the count more often than he’d get ahead, taking a more passive approach than he had in the minors. St. Louis sent him back to their alternate site for two weeks in September, and he returned for his best stretch of the short season with more damage in hitters’ or even counts, albeit in a tiny sample. Carlson is an above-average runner who can handle center field but may be best served as a plus defender in right, for which he has plenty of arm strength. He should be a strong OBP guy who eventually gets to 25 homers a year along with that strong defense, and he has star-level upside that depends mostly on where his hit tool ends up.

[43211234]

There is just so little professional data on Groshans that I can't really get too miffed at any ranking of his.

 

Law must think he's not a shortstop. It's hard to imagine a shortstop with his batspeed and power potential not cracking a top 100.

 

 

Nate Pearson is kinda in a weird spot in the Blue Jays fandom right now. They've got a guy ranked #5 on at least one list and there is basically no chatter about him. Remember all the hype from Travis Snider when he was similarly ranked.

 

Obviously it's because expectations were tempered by last season and we've been blue-balled for a whole year due to his injury and performance. It's just a game of wait and see, no questions of potential service time manipulation going into the spring training.

 

The big acquisitions distract from Pearson too but he just seems to be in a weird place in the minds of Blue Jays fans right now lol

[KevinGregg]

The big acquisitions distract from Pearson too but he just seems to be in a weird place in the minds of Blue Jays fans right now lol

 

Not me, I’ve literally never been so excited about a prospect. His playoff appearance was the highlight of the year for me last year. I can’t wait to see him

[max silver]

There is just so little professional data on Groshans that I can't really get too miffed at any ranking of his.

 

Law must think he's not a shortstop. It's hard to imagine a shortstop with his batspeed and power potential not cracking a top 100.

 

 

Nate Pearson is kinda in a weird spot in the Blue Jays fandom right now. They've got a guy ranked #5 on at least one list and there is basically no chatter about him. Remember all the hype from Travis Snider when he was similarly ranked.

 

Obviously it's because expectations were tempered by last season and we've been blue-balled for a whole year due to his injury and performance. It's just a game of wait and see, no questions of potential service time manipulation going into the spring training.

 

The big acquisitions distract from Pearson too but he just seems to be in a weird place in the minds of Blue Jays fans right now lol

 

I don't think Pearson should necessitate the kind of misgivings he seems to be generating in the minds of much of the fanbase right now. It sounds a lot like the early season version of the guy was dealing with a strained elbow for a good chunk of time. He made an error in judgment and hid his elbow issues from the club for a amount of time before finally fessing up. I would hope he's learned a valuable lesson and won't do something like this again, he's just so incredibly important to the club hitting it's full potential in the future. Just think if Vladimir Guerrero hits his ceiling and becomes an MVP candidate, I would suggest that Pearson is just as important on the pitching side of the ledger.

 

I think we saw a glimpse of what Pearson can offer when he absolutely dominated the Rays over two innings in the post season. That was the fully healthy version of Nate Pearson and he toyed with a major league lineup.

Edited January 29, 2021 by max silver

[The Iceman]

My big question at this point with Pearson is how many innings this year?

And when to use them??

 

If you remove him from our starting rotation come playoffs you are left with Roark or Ray starting game 2 if Ryu stays healthy...YIKES

[Deadpool]

My big question at this point with Pearson is how many innings this year?

And when to use them??

 

If you remove him from our starting rotation come playoffs you are left with Roark or Ray starting game 2 if Ryu stays healthy...YIKES

 

Barring injury, I can't see any situation where the Jays go "sorry, Nate's hit his hard cap of innings for the year, he won't be available at all in the playoffs". If needed, they'll "shut him down" for August or something (obviously not tell him to go home and drink beer and s***, but not put a full workload on him) and ramp him back up during September.