General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2023)

[Stangstag]

I also know towards the end of the year they weren’t even popping fresh popcorn anymore. They refilled the machines with already-popped stuff from big plastic bags.

 

Not sure wtf was going ok with the food situation late season

[The_DH]

I also know towards the end of the year they weren’t even popping fresh popcorn anymore. They refilled the machines with already-popped stuff from big plastic bags.

 

Not sure wtf was going ok with the food situation late season

 

Every popcorn popper re-uses the last night's popcorn from bags. I worked Cineplex when I was young, part of the day's closing was scooping up all the night's leftovers.

[jaysblue]

Petco is legit. I remember they had a whole bbq pit area doing brisket and ribs. And the beer selection was nice. Also got some cool customized ice cream sandwiches.

 

RC had better food selections before covid for sure, last year was kinda crap. My dad got those burger lattice fries with mac sauce and they were decent but for some reason as the year went on they disappeared and the food selection got worse by September/October.

 

Cleveland had some great food when we wnet there in like 2017, so here’s hoping Shapiro can improve the stuff here soon. Aramark needs to go

 

Yeah Cleveland had some great food and beer selections I remember. Even some nice fan gathering areas as well.

 

Would be nice if concessions and beer were a bit cheaper, but that will never happen.

[Spanky99]

I also know towards the end of the year they weren’t even popping fresh popcorn anymore. They refilled the machines with already-popped stuff from big plastic bags.

 

Not sure wtf was going ok with the food situation late season

 

How do you know that?

[Stangstag]

Every popcorn popper re-uses the last night's popcorn from bags. I worked Cineplex when I was young, part of the day's closing was scooping up all the night's leftovers.

 

I don’t recall seeing them do this previously though. Maybe they did, idk. But it happened on more than one occasion vs I never saw it before.

[Stangstag]

How do you know that?

 

I witnessed it several times

[Jimcanuck]

I witnessed it several times

 

Good. The food waste around here is ridiculous.

[Stangstag]

Good. The food waste around here is ridiculous.

 

Popcorn waste?? Lol

[Spanky99]

I don’t recall seeing them do this previously though. Maybe they did, idk. But it happened on more than one occasion vs I never saw it before.

 

lol... Funny.

[Stangstag]

Haven’t seen this posted:

 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/new-outfield-in-renovated-rogers-centre-will-play-very-differently-for-blue-jays/

 

Pics and descriptions of the new OF fence/dimensions. Looks like the walls are much higher now and we kinda have a LF porch like the Yanks that is fairly short in the power alley

[Stangstag]

Like, look at this:

 

 

Very different

[The_DH]

I don’t recall seeing them do this previously though. Maybe they did, idk. But it happened on more than one occasion vs I never saw it before.

 

every company uses the last night's leftover popcorn as a base for the new day's stuff. They don't pop a few days worth or anything like that.

[Laika]

Haven’t seen this posted:

 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/new-outfield-in-renovated-rogers-centre-will-play-very-differently-for-blue-jays/

 

Pics and descriptions of the new OF fence/dimensions. Looks like the walls are much higher now and we kinda have a LF porch like the Yanks that is fairly short in the power alley

 

Yeah from the previous rough images both bullpens will stick out a bit. But the walls at the corners and in parts of CF might be a bit deeper. And walls will be higher.

 

So all things considered it might play the same for offense, just with some quirks.

[Jimcanuck]

Yeah from the previous rough images both bullpens will stick out a bit. But the walls at the corners and in parts of CF might be a bit deeper. And walls will be higher.

 

So all things considered it might play the same for offense, just with some quirks.

 

When Varsho doesn't hit it into the RF bullpen for a HR, he'll bounce it around the deep RF corner for a 3B. Unless Kirk is on base ahead of him, of course.

 

Varsho and Kiermaier add speed, but Kirk and Belt are base cloggers. One offsets the other to some extent.

[jaysblue]

every company uses the last night's leftover popcorn as a base for the new day's stuff. They don't pop a few days worth or anything like that.

 

Every restaurant's daily special is the leftover food from the previous night. That's why never order the special haha.

[Brownie19]

Every popcorn popper re-uses the last night's popcorn from bags. I worked Cineplex when I was young, part of the day's closing was scooping up all the night's leftovers.

 

[Brownie19]

Dude the new one's are on the left? That's a big difference.

 

Oh wow - it doesn't seem great that I couldn't tell. Ruined my f***ing joke too ffs.

[Jonn]

Like, look at this:

 

 

Very different

 

More Triples. Unique dimensions instead of cookie cutter. Its why you make one of the best Outfields in the league. Kiermaier if healthy is going to be a dream.

[The_DH]

More Triples. Unique dimensions instead of cookie cutter. Its why you make one of the best Outfields in the league. Kiermaier if healthy is going to be a dream.

 

The new dimensions combined with the new rules could mean a lot of exciting plays in this outfield.

[LGBJ29]

Good little article on FG about Varsho's ability to bunt for base hits.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/daulton-varshos-secret-superpower/

 

Favourite part of the article is probably in the intro though:

 

"He swatted 27 homers last year, and his underlying power metrics suggest that he’ll be able to hit 20-30 a season with some regularity. A plus center fielder who also plays catcher and hits for power? That’s a loud-tool kind of player, the sort who hits you over the head with how good they are."

[Laika]

It's funny though because his tools are not really "loud" visually

 

Like, he looks more like Kole Calhoun on the field than your prototypical 5 tool player

[Jimcanuck]

# of prospects on BA new top 100. Jays have just 1 - Tiedemann.

 

O's, R-Sox, Yanks, Rays all in top 10....

 

Orioles 8

Guardians 7

Dodgers 6

Mets 6

Rays 6

D-backs 5

Red Sox 5

Yankees 5

Cardinals 4

Nationals 4

[Jays24]

# of prospects on BA new top 100. Jays have just 1 - Tiedemann.

 

O's, R-Sox, Yanks, Rays all in top 10....

 

Orioles 8

Guardians 7

Dodgers 6

Mets 6

Rays 6

D-backs 5

Red Sox 5

Yankees 5

Cardinals 4

Nationals 4

 

This is kind of s***** considering we were hoping to have a good farm system to sustain our level of success. It's scary to think what our roster could look like once the Bo/Vladdy extensions kick in. That is unless we are expecting to be a top 5 payroll yearly going forward .

[Jimcanuck]

This is kind of s***** considering we were hoping to have a good farm system to sustain our level of success. It's scary to think what our roster could look like once the Bo/Vladdy extensions kick in. That is unless we are expecting to be a top 5 payroll yearly going forward .

 

It doesn't take long to rebuild a farm system, and can be done within the time before Bo/Vlad are FA eligible. Not knowing the discussions that have taken place of course, but it would not surprise me if the Jays have to move forward with the expectation both Bo and Vlad will test FA.

[Terminator]

Well it's not quite as dire as BA's Top 100 is making it out to be. I would assume that we have several guys in the 101-200 range and we have pretty much everyone on the roster that makes up the core of our team for the next 3 years at least.

[John_Havok]

Well it's not quite as dire as BA's Top 100 is making it out to be. I would assume that we have several guys in the 101-200 range and we have pretty much everyone on the roster that makes up the core of our team for the next 3 years at least.

 

Yeah that's just it, when every top prospect you have has already granduated in the past few years, the top end gets thinner. By mid season there could easily be 1 or 2 additions based on last years draft. Barreira has as good a shot as any to rocket up the charts. Barger is probably just on the outside looking in. Orelvis could climb back in if he shows any plate discipline improvement.

 

Side note, here is Prospect1500.com's Jays farm rankings for 2023.

 

https://www.prospects1500.com/al-east/blue-jays/toronto-blue-jays-top-50-prospects-2023/

 

Tier 1

1. Ricky Tiedemann, LHP, 20, Double-A

Tiedemann, at only 19 years old, was a fast-riser in 2022. He was impressive in his first professional season moving through three levels. He has an excellent feel for all his pitches, a mid-90’s fastball, slider and changeup. He could be closer to the majors than you think.

 

Tier 2

2. Orelvis Martinez, SS/3B. 21, Double-A

The power is impressive with 30 HR as one of the youngest players in the Eastern League, but his aggressive approach is concerning with a 29% strikeout rate and a .203 avg. It would do him good to start the season again at Double-A.

 

3. Brandon Barriera, LHP, 18, High School

Barriera was the 1st round selection in the 2022 MLB Draft. He was the top left-hander in the draft class but has yet to make his debut in the system.

 

4. Addison Barger, SS/3B, 23, Triple-A

Barger had an outstanding breakout season across three levels improving at each step along the way. He finished the season with an 8 game stretch at AAA where he was 11/31 with 3 HR and 9 RBI. He is a left-handed pull hitter with 24 or his 26 HR hit to right field.

 

5. Yosver Zulueta, RHP, 25, Triple-A

After multiple injuries including Tommy John surgery and a torn ACL, we finally got a full season from Zulueta in 2022. The 25-year-old Cuban moved through all four levels, striking out batters at a 13.6/9 rate. He has a fastball that reaches triple digits and a plus curveball that he uses as his out pitch.

 

Tier 3

6. Gabriel Martinez, OF, 20, High-A

Martinez had a sizzling start to his first full season with 8 HR and a .367/.404/.694 slashline in May, before breaking his wrist. After returning from the injury, he was promoted to Vancouver where he continued to hold his own slashing .324/.381/.490 as one of the youngest players in the Northwest League.

 

7. Tucker Toman, 3B/SS, 19, Rookie (FCL)

Jays went significantly over-slot with a $2M bonus on Toman when he was selected in the 2nd round of the 2022 draft out of high school. The switch hitter is projected to be a power-hitting third baseman. He made a good debut in the FCL with a slashing .290/.391/.368 in 11 games.

 

8. Dahian Santos, RHP, 19, High-A

Santos had an outstanding start to the season at Dunedin, especially in May when he had 43 K in 21.2 IP and a 0.83 ERA. He struggled though when promoted to High-A Vancouver but at 19 was the youngest pitcher in the league. His slider is a devastating out pitch.

 

9. Cade Doughty, 2B/3B, 21, Single-A

Doughty was drafted with a 2nd round supplemental pick in the 2022 draft. He had 15 HR and hit .298, earning 3rd team All-American recognition at LSU. Reports say that he is a clutch hitter who comes through in big situations. He had a good debut in Dunedin with 6 HR and a .272/.370/.495 slashline in 36 games.

 

10. Adam Macko, LHP, 21, High-A

Macko was acquired from Seattle in the Teoscar Hernandez trade. Born in Slovakia, he grew up in Canada and was selected in the 7th round of the 2019 draft from an Alberta high school. He has a high ceiling with a plus fastball and nasty stuff. The strikeouts are impressive with a 14K/9 rate in the small sample size so far. He has an injury history with shoulder, elbow and knee injuries having shut down each of the last two seasons. He did pitch 13.1 innings in the AFL so hopefully the injury is all behind him now.

 

11. Spencer Horwitz, 1B, 25, Triple-A

Now 25, the disciplined left-handed hitting first basemen was added to the 40 man roster and should get a shot at a bench role this season in Toronto. Selected in the 24th round of the 2019, draft he has quickly moved up the ladder. He had an outstanding start to 2022 at Double-A New Hampshire with 10 HR and a .297/.413/.517 slashline before finishing the season at Triple-A.

 

12. Leo Jimenez, SS. 21, High-A

Jimenez failed to follow up on his strong season in 2021, but the former top IFA signing from 2017 continues to climb up through the system. He will look to rebound at Double-A New Hampshire in 2023.

 

13. Nate Pearson, RHP, 26, Triple-A

The former top prospect had another season marred by injury. No longer rookie-eligible and now 26 years old but with only 33 IP he is still considered a prospect in most dynasty formats. His days as a starter are likely behind him, but the big fastball and effective slider will make him a valuable bullpen piece if he can stay healthy. He was dominant this winter in the DWL with 0 runs allowed in 12 innings with 16K.

 

14. Sem Robberse, RHP, 21, Double-A

Robberse had another great year with Vancouver before a late promotion to Double-A. He led the Canadians rotation with a 3.12 ERA, consistently working into the 5th inning and beyond. He has four solid pitches, but the knock on him is that he lacks a great out pitch.

 

15. Hayden Juenger, RHP, 22. Triple-A

Juenger was selected in the 6th round of the 2021 draft. They aggressively pushed him from Double-A to Triple-A in 2022. A two-pitch pitcher, he was transitioned into the bullpen in Buffalo. We could see him in Toronto in 2023 in any number of roles.

 

16. Josh Kasevich, SS/3B, 21, Single-A

Kasevich was selected in the 2nd round of the 2022 draft. He is a patient contact hitter who walks more than he strikes out.

 

17. Otto Lopez, OF/2B, 24, MLB

Lopez had a solid season at Triple-A Buffalo with a.297/.378/.415 slashline. He has good speed with 14 stolen bases and 6 triples. He was called up to Toronto and used in a bench role three times in 2022. We should expect more of the same this season.

 

18. Damiano Palmegiani, 3B, 23, High-A

Venezuelan born, Canadian raised, Palmegiani was selected twice by the Blue Jays. Drafted late in the 2018 draft, he opted to not sign and go to college and then was selected again in the 14th round of the 2021 draft. In his first full season, the slugger took a huge step forward with 24 home runs and 83 RBI split between Dunedin and Vancouver.

 

19. Alex De Jesus, 3B. 20, High-A

De Jesus was acquired from the LA Dodgers at the trade deadline along with RHP Mitch White. He had a good first half in the Dodgers organization, batting .272 with 11 home runs, but he did not hit nearly as well after the trade.

 

20. CJ Van Eyk, RHP, 24, DNP (Injured)

Former 2nd round pick in the 2020 Draft, he missed all of 2022 after off-season Tommy John surgery.

 

21. Manuel Beltre, SS, 18, Single-A

The top international signing from 2021 came in with much fanfare. He spent his first season stateside in the FCL with average results until a late-season promotion to Single-A and a hot streak left us with a glimpse of the good things to come. In 5 games at Dunedin he slashed .381/.409/.571.

[Laika]

Yeah the Jays have a cluster of guys who might as well be backend top 100 prospects. So, don't worry.

[Stangstag]

# of prospects on BA new top 100. Jays have just 1 - Tiedemann.

 

O's, R-Sox, Yanks, Rays all in top 10....

 

Orioles 8

Guardians 7

Dodgers 6

Mets 6

Rays 6

D-backs 5

Red Sox 5

Yankees 5

Cardinals 4

Nationals 4

 

Yankees prospects are consistently overrated year after year.

[Stangstag]

Yeah the Jays have a cluster of guys who might as well be backend top 100 prospects. So, don't worry.

 

Yeah we also just got rid of our consensus top 3 prospect (#1 on some lists). Barreira probably shoots up in the rankings this season.

 

Also how does someone like Barger, with his stellar Milb numbers and generous major-league projections get placed outside the top 100? Just because he's not a big name?

[John_Havok]

Yeah we also just got rid of our consensus top 3 prospect (#1 on some lists). Barreira probably shoots up in the rankings this season.

 

Also how does someone like Barger, with his stellar Milb numbers and generous major-league projections get placed outside the top 100? Just because he's not a big name?

 

Prospect lists are always slow to pick up guys with no top-round draft hype that seem to come out of nowhere. For his draft I think he was ranked anywhere from 150-200+