General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2024)

[max silver]

You can play with it through here to see it yourself. I'm going from 2021-2024 and only qualified 1B. I'll admit the 3' is a bit of an overstatement on my part. He's fine until he gets to about 6' and then he craters.

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/visuals/statcast-infield-defense?type=Fielder&playerId=665489&startYear=2021&endYear=2024&result=&direction=&normalize=undefined&roles=&esrGT=0&esrLT=1&evGT=0&evLT=125&distGT=0&distLT=2&batside=&viz=intercept_fielder_starting_position_

 

Distance Travelled Attempts Outs (%) Estimated Outs (%) Outs Above Average

0-3ft 123 117 (95%) 104 (85%) +13

3-6ft 152 130 (86%) 129 (85%) +1

6-10ft 179 143 (80%) 144 (80%) -1

10ft-13ft 136 91 (67%) 95 (70%) -4

13ft-16ft 112 56 (50%) 66 (59%) -10

16ft-22ft 141 74 (53%) 82 (58%) -8

22ft-32ft 127 68 (54%) 73 (58% -5

32ft-51ft 104 76 (73%) 81 (78%) -5

51ft+ 149 125 (84%) 130 (87%) -5

 

I'm not sure how good that is going to look, I'm on my phone and I'm not going to spend more time trying to make the s*** line up.

 

Alonso IIRC is the 2nd worst defender by OAA in that time frame at -13 OAA.

 

From 6'-51'+ Alonso is at 67% success with -19 OAA. Guerrero is at 67% with -39 OAA. When we get into the more nitty gritty details to see where the difference in actual performance is Alonso is better defending straight up and close to the line and similar into the 2B hole but more importantly he has better range. He's worth 6 OAA at 3-6 feet compared to Guerrero's 1 and he gets to 90% of balls and from 6-10' he's worth +8 compared to Guerrero's -1 with an 86% success rate. Like Guerrero Alonso really drops off at the 10'+ range and in that same 10-13 foot he's actually worse than Guerrero but as a whole beyond that 3-6' range he out performs Guerrero.

 

Vladdy looking good on defence is due to the fact that we as fans aren't properly able to judge his range. Its very much like the outfield defence problem, Varsho can make this 70% catch (4.1s, 63ft travelled) look easy standing up and camping under it. While Tyler Freeman has to do an incredible dive to make this 85% catch (4.0s, 55ft travelled). Ask any fan and they will call Freeman's catch better even though the dive was only making up for a horrible jump and slow foot speed. As well Guerrero is far and away the best 1B in baseball at picks/scoops and it's not really close. I'm not going to say that Statcast is perfect but the eye test is even worse.

 

Varsho: https://sporty-clips.mlb.com/MzVCa1FfWGw0TUFRPT1fVlFoUlZnQlZVQVlBQ2xzRVV3QUFCUUlBQUFBRVVWRUFVQU1NQndNQUFnb0VDUUZX.mp4

 

Freeman:https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/sporty-videos?playId=76e627f2-21b9-49c5-847f-c78e4a67e5e0

 

Where do you go to look up scooping stats?

[Terminator]

You can play with it through here to see it yourself. I'm going from 2021-2024 and only qualified 1B. I'll admit the 3' is a bit of an overstatement on my part. He's fine until he gets to about 6' and then he craters.

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/visuals/statcast-infield-defense?type=Fielder&playerId=665489&startYear=2021&endYear=2024&result=&direction=&normalize=undefined&roles=&esrGT=0&esrLT=1&evGT=0&evLT=125&distGT=0&distLT=2&batside=&viz=intercept_fielder_starting_position_

 

Distance Travelled Attempts Outs (%) Estimated Outs (%) Outs Above Average

0-3ft 123 117 (95%) 104 (85%) +13

3-6ft 152 130 (86%) 129 (85%) +1

6-10ft 179 143 (80%) 144 (80%) -1

10ft-13ft 136 91 (67%) 95 (70%) -4

13ft-16ft 112 56 (50%) 66 (59%) -10

16ft-22ft 141 74 (53%) 82 (58%) -8

22ft-32ft 127 68 (54%) 73 (58% -5

32ft-51ft 104 76 (73%) 81 (78%) -5

51ft+ 149 125 (84%) 130 (87%) -5

 

I'm not sure how good that is going to look, I'm on my phone and I'm not going to spend more time trying to make the s*** line up.

 

Alonso IIRC is the 2nd worst defender by OAA in that time frame at -13 OAA.

 

From 6'-51'+ Alonso is at 67% success with -19 OAA. Guerrero is at 67% with -39 OAA. When we get into the more nitty gritty details to see where the difference in actual performance is Alonso is better defending straight up and close to the line and similar into the 2B hole but more importantly he has better range. He's worth 6 OAA at 3-6 feet compared to Guerrero's 1 and he gets to 90% of balls and from 6-10' he's worth +8 compared to Guerrero's -1 with an 86% success rate. Like Guerrero Alonso really drops off at the 10'+ range and in that same 10-13 foot he's actually worse than Guerrero but as a whole beyond that 3-6' range he out performs Guerrero.

 

Vladdy looking good on defence is due to the fact that we as fans aren't properly able to judge his range. Its very much like the outfield defence problem, Varsho can make this 70% catch (4.1s, 63ft travelled) look easy standing up and camping under it. While Tyler Freeman has to do an incredible dive to make this 85% catch (4.0s, 55ft travelled). Ask any fan and they will call Freeman's catch better even though the dive was only making up for a horrible jump and slow foot speed. As well Guerrero is far and away the best 1B in baseball at picks/scoops and it's not really close. I'm not going to say that Statcast is perfect but the eye test is even worse.

 

Varsho: https://sporty-clips.mlb.com/MzVCa1FfWGw0TUFRPT1fVlFoUlZnQlZVQVlBQ2xzRVV3QUFCUUlBQUFBRVVWRUFVQU1NQndNQUFnb0VDUUZX.mp4

 

Freeman:https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/sporty-videos?playId=76e627f2-21b9-49c5-847f-c78e4a67e5e0

 

Yeah I was looking into his defense to figure out why he sucks so bad. I think it might be due to plays involving the pitcher? Like he can't feed the pitcher properly or something. Because on plays near the bag he's pretty good but if he has to travel away from the bag (which would require a throw to the pitcher) he's ass. Also, is he really the best at scooping?

 

It's weird because he doesn't look that bad at third. So if he's going to be a -10 to -15 1B every year he might not be much worse at 3rd.

[Stangstag]

Yeah I was looking into his defense to figure out why he sucks so bad. I think it might be due to plays involving the pitcher? Like he can't feed the pitcher properly or something. Because on plays near the bag he's pretty good but if he has to travel away from the bag (which would require a throw to the pitcher) he's ass. Also, is he really the best at scooping?

 

It's weird because he doesn't look that bad at third. So if he's going to be a -10 to -15 1B every year he might not be much worse at 3rd.

 

Right because his arm is ++ (when he’s throwing overhand)

 

f*** it, let him play 3B rest of season and see how it plays out.

[hanton]

You can play with it through here to see it yourself. I'm going from 2021-2024 and only qualified 1B. I'll admit the 3' is a bit of an overstatement on my part. He's fine until he gets to about 6' and then he craters.

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/visuals/statcast-infield-defense?type=Fielder&playerId=665489&startYear=2021&endYear=2024&result=&direction=&normalize=undefined&roles=&esrGT=0&esrLT=1&evGT=0&evLT=125&distGT=0&distLT=2&batside=&viz=intercept_fielder_starting_position_

 

Distance Travelled Attempts Outs (%) Estimated Outs (%) Outs Above Average

0-3ft 123 117 (95%) 104 (85%) +13

3-6ft 152 130 (86%) 129 (85%) +1

6-10ft 179 143 (80%) 144 (80%) -1

10ft-13ft 136 91 (67%) 95 (70%) -4

13ft-16ft 112 56 (50%) 66 (59%) -10

16ft-22ft 141 74 (53%) 82 (58%) -8

22ft-32ft 127 68 (54%) 73 (58% -5

32ft-51ft 104 76 (73%) 81 (78%) -5

51ft+ 149 125 (84%) 130 (87%) -5

 

I'm not sure how good that is going to look, I'm on my phone and I'm not going to spend more time trying to make the s*** line up.

 

Alonso IIRC is the 2nd worst defender by OAA in that time frame at -13 OAA.

 

From 6'-51'+ Alonso is at 67% success with -19 OAA. Guerrero is at 67% with -39 OAA. When we get into the more nitty gritty details to see where the difference in actual performance is Alonso is better defending straight up and close to the line and similar into the 2B hole but more importantly he has better range. He's worth 6 OAA at 3-6 feet compared to Guerrero's 1 and he gets to 90% of balls and from 6-10' he's worth +8 compared to Guerrero's -1 with an 86% success rate. Like Guerrero Alonso really drops off at the 10'+ range and in that same 10-13 foot he's actually worse than Guerrero but as a whole beyond that 3-6' range he out performs Guerrero.

 

Vladdy looking good on defence is due to the fact that we as fans aren't properly able to judge his range. Its very much like the outfield defence problem, Varsho can make this 70% catch (4.1s, 63ft travelled) look easy standing up and camping under it. While Tyler Freeman has to do an incredible dive to make this 85% catch (4.0s, 55ft travelled). Ask any fan and they will call Freeman's catch better even though the dive was only making up for a horrible jump and slow foot speed. As well Guerrero is far and away the best 1B in baseball at picks/scoops and it's not really close. I'm not going to say that Statcast is perfect but the eye test is even worse.

 

Varsho: https://sporty-clips.mlb.com/MzVCa1FfWGw0TUFRPT1fVlFoUlZnQlZVQVlBQ2xzRVV3QUFCUUlBQUFBRVVWRUFVQU1NQndNQUFnb0VDUUZX.mp4

 

Freeman:https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/sporty-videos?playId=76e627f2-21b9-49c5-847f-c78e4a67e5e0

 

I don't know how you did this on a phone but well done.

 

No doubt based solely on OOA he's at the bottom of the league (only checked 2024) for all 1b but I was wondering about the <=3 range stat so it's good you clarified it.

 

It's really too bad the range stats don't have a scooping factor to include picks at 1b - that would certainly up his dee score - but I get this is only measuring range. And part of the eye test (my eye test) his great work around the bag - particularly picks; he's fantastic.

 

I'm curious to see how he does at 3B (if they ever move him there)

[hanton]

Yeah I was looking into his defense to figure out why he sucks so bad. I think it might be due to plays involving the pitcher? Like he can't feed the pitcher properly or something. Because on plays near the bag he's pretty good but if he has to travel away from the bag (which would require a throw to the pitcher) he's ass. Also, is he really the best at scooping?

 

It's weird because he doesn't look that bad at third. So if he's going to be a -10 to -15 1B every year he might not be much worse at 3rd.

 

 

scoops:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?lg=all&qual=0&ind=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&team=0&sortcol=15&sortdir=default&stats=fld&pos=1b&startdate=&enddate=&month=0&season1=2021&season=2024&pagenum=1

[Sorrow]

I don't know how you did this on a phone but well done.

 

No doubt based solely on OOA he's at the bottom of the league (only checked 2024) for all 1b but I was wondering about the <=3 range stat so it's good you clarified it.

 

It's really too bad the range stats don't have a scooping factor to include picks at 1b - that would certainly up his dee score - but I get this is only measuring range. And part of the eye test (my eye test) his great work around the bag - particularly picks; he's fantastic.

 

I'm curious to see how he does at 3B (if they ever move him there)

 

He’s worth about 6+ runs on scoops which is pretty impressive. I think I’d really like to see him at 3rd again even if he’s bad he may actually be better than at 1st now. You just need a competent SS beside him.

[Terminator]

He’s worth about 6+ runs on scoops which is pretty impressive. I think I’d really like to see him at 3rd again even if he’s bad he may actually be better than at 1st now. You just need a competent SS beside him.

 

They could do the whole kitchen sink approach to 3B again. Only instead of planning on playing Turner 40 games at 3B use Vlad.

 

Between him, Barger (assuming he shows something the rest of the way), Clement and Orelvis they could get league average production there.

 

But yeah I would be interested in what a full season of 3B would like like for him. He's -10 to -15 at 1B for god knows why. Might not be much worse at 3B.

[max silver]

They could do the whole kitchen sink approach to 3B again. Only instead of planning on playing Turner 40 games at 3B use Vlad.

 

Between him, Barger (assuming he shows something the rest of the way), Clement and Orelvis they could get league average production there.

 

But yeah I would be interested in what a full season of 3B would like like for him. He's -10 to -15 at 1B for god knows why. Might not be much worse at 3B.

 

This is eye test stuff only but to me Vlad has a lot of trouble with routine grounders where he has to move his feet a bit. I can't say whether this is footwork related stuff or if he simply doesn't have the hands for the position but he regularly clanks pretty routine looking plays that a major league first baseman should be making with relative ease. Given how other posters have pointed out he's great at scooping bounced throws it seems he should have good enough hands to be more effective at first base but that's just spitballing on my part.

[G-Snarls]

Actually, JPR was on the radio talking about the Halladay situation the other day. Ownership forced the FO’s hand . The FO went to Halladay and said we have to rebuild, that’s not what we promised. We will trade you to a contender, which teams are your preference.

 

TY. Interesting extra tidbits I didn't know

[Spanky__99]

Jays deadline... OUT - Kooch, Yimi, IKF, Jano, Turner, Richards, Pearson and KK.

 

IN -

 

2. Jake Bloss

RHP

 

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: 22

 

BA Grade: 50/High

 

Track Record: Bloss spent three seasons with Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, earning an All-Patriot League first-team selection after his third season. He transferred to Georgetown for his fourth season and went 8-4, 2.58 with 96 strikeouts and 24 walks across 76.2 innings. Bloss won Big East pitcher of the year and was a unanimous first-team all conference selection. The Astros took Bloss in the third round of the 2023 draft and signed him for a below-slot bonus of $497,500. Bloss debuted in the Florida Complex League making two appearances before a promotion to Low-A Fayetteville.

 

Scouting Report: A strong-framed and athletic pitcher, Bloss has the broad- shouldered build of your typical innings-eater. Bloss mixes primarily a four-seam fastball, a curveball, a slider and a changeup. Bloss’ fastball sits 93-95 mph and was clocked as high as 97 while at Georgetown. Due to the spin efficiency and lower release height he’s able to create a flat plane of approach on the pitch which makes it difficult for hitters to get on plane. His primary secondary is an upper-70s curveball at 77-78 mph with heavy two-plane break. Bloss’s slider is hard at 85-87 mph with heavy cut, and he shows above-average command of the pitch. His changeup is an upper-80s offspeed with two-seam fastball movement. Bloss has fringe-average command but should develop into an average strike-thrower.

 

The Future: A late blooming college arm with a four-pitch mix led by a plus fastball, Bloss has a chance to blossom into a back-of-the-rotation starter with the ability to be effective out of the bullpen.

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50

 

5. Joey Loperfido

OF

 

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 220 | B-T: L-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 50/High

 

Track Record: After going unselected in the five-round 2020 draft, Loperfido went back to Duke for his senior year and has since developed into a legitimate position prospect after the Astros drafted him in the seventh round in 2021. After hitting .286/.387/.458 in 2022 across both levels of Class A, Loperfido spent a majority of 2023 with Double-A Corpus Christi. He hit .296/.392/.548 with 19 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 84 games. He was promoted to Triple-A Sugar Land on Aug. 15 but struggled with strikeouts in 32 games.

 

Scouting Report: Loperfido is a well-rounded player with no standout tool. At the plate, he sets up with his hands high, equal with the crown of his helmet. A moderate leg lift gives way to an explosive lefthanded swing. Loperfido has shown average bat-to-ball skills and a good balance of aggression and patience as he has climbed the ladder. During his month at Triple-A, he struggled to make contact and expanded at a much higher rate than at any of his previous stops. He shows above-average game power with the ability to get to it by slugging 25 home runs in 2023. Loperfido’s groundball rate is on the higher side, capping some of his raw power until an adjustment is made. An above-average runner underway, he is a baserunning threat. He stole 27 bases in 31 attempts in 2023. Loperfido’s speed translates to the outfield, where he shows the ability to handle center field. His arm is below-average but has been enough to make him playable at a variety of positions. Loperfido saw playing time at five positions in 2023: first base, second base and all three outfield spots.

 

The Future: Loperfido fits the super-utility profile with average or better hitting ability and a nice power and speed combination.

 

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 45 | Arm: 45

 

19. Will Wagner

3B

 

Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 210 | B-T: L-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/High

 

Track Record: The son of seven-time all-star Billy Wagner, Will has gone from an unheralded 18th-round pick to one of the better performers over the last two seasons in the Astros organization. After Wagner hit .261/.374/.394 at two levels in 2022, he returned to Double-A Corpus Christi to begin 2023. After beginning the season on the injured list and struggling over the first month, Wagner was shut down with right wrist discomfort. The injury required surgery to remove the hook of his hamate bone. Wagner returned to Corpus Christi on Aug. 7, hitting .331/.396/.562 over the final 30 games.

 

Scouting Report: Wagner is a bat-first infielder whose advanced hit tool drives his profile. He has quick hands, is rarely fooled in the strike zone and hardly ever expands the zone. His strong contact and plate discipline allow him to get the most out of below-average impact. Wagner has shown the ability to make his hardest contact at good launch angles but rarely drives the ball in the air to his pull side. Wagner’s advanced barrel control allows him to hit for more power than his raw exit velocity numbers would suggest. He is a below-average runner and lacks range in the field. Wagner has split time between second base and third base but is below-average at each spot.

 

The Future: Wagner is a hit-first infielder with an above-average hit tool but no real position in the field, and looks like a bat-first, second-division regular.

 

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 40

 

13. Jonatan Clase

CF

 

Ht: 5'9" | Wt: 150 | B-T: S-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/Medium

 

May Update: After a hot start in Triple-A, Clase earned his first big league callup on April 15. He was returned to Triple-A on April 29.

 

Track Record: The Mariners signed Clase for $35,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2018 and quickly realized they had a potential steal. Injuries and the coronavirus pandemic limited him to 70 games combined in his first three seasons, but he broke out at Low-A Modesto in 2022 and continued his ascent in 2023. Clase hit a career-high 20 home runs, finished third in the minors with 79 steals and earned a selection to the Futures Game as he climbed to Double-A Arkansas. He also struck out 165 times, second-most in the Mariners system, and hit .222/.331/.396 in 108 games at Double-A.

 

Scouting Report: Clase has prolific tools but is learning to translate them into skills. He has plus-plus speed, plus raw power from both sides of the plate and the athleticism to be an above-average defender in center field. Clase’s tools are evident, but he is a wild swinger with poor instincts in every facet of the game. He has poor barrel accuracy and chases pitches he can’t hit. He tries to do too much at the plate and needs to tone down his aggressiveness to be even a well below-average hitter. Despite his raw power, Clase doesn’t project to make enough contact to hit more than 10-15 home runs per season. Clase’s speed allows him to outrun bad jumps and indirect routes on the basepaths and in the outfield. He is an aggressive and energetic player, who alternately excites and frustrates.

 

The Future: Clase has to mature as a player to fulfill his potential as a bottom-of-the-order, speed-driven center fielder. That will be his main goal in 2024.

 

Scouting Grades Hit: 30 | Power: 45 | Run: 70 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50

 

Jacob Sharp, C

Age: 22

 

Sharp was the Mariners’ 17th-round pick in 2023, out of UNLV. He joins Aidan Smith and Brody Hopkins as members of Low-A Modesto traded this deadline. The catcher had showed excellent bat-to-ball skills in his first full pro season, though his exit velocities were fairly pedestrian. He’d also controlled the running game well, having caught runners at a roughly 21% clip.

 

RJ Schreck School: Vanderbilt Source: 4YR

 

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 23

After receiving substantial interest in the 2021 draft following a season in which he hit .337 with eight doubles, 18 home runs and 52 RBIs, Schreck opted to return to Duke for his senior season before deciding to use his last year of eligibility this spring at Vanderbilt. With a July 12 birthday, Schreck will be 23 years old by the time the draft comes but could be a nice senior sign for someone thanks to a solid 2023 season. Schreck was one of the top hitters on Vanderbilt’s team this spring, and he slashed .304/.452/.585 with 14 home runs, 15 doubles, an 11% strikeout rate and a 16.4% walk rate. Schreck’s approach improved drastically this spring, and led to an overall miss rate of just 17% to go along with more walks than strikeouts. He has a relaxed stance in the box in which his front side is very open and his bat sits on his back shoulder. Schreck has above-average power to the pull side and his bat speed combined with his barrel sense enables him to generate consistent quality impact. Schreck is a good defender in right field with an average arm. He could be a senior target late on day two or on day three.

 

12. Charles McAdoo

3B / OF

 

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/High

 

Track Record: McAdoo enjoyed a productive three-year college career in the Mountain West Conference with San Jose State, even going 2-for-4 with a double against future Pirates No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes when the righthander was still at Air Force in 2022. The Pirates drafted McAdoo to far less fanfare in 2023 and signed him to a $150,000 bonus in the 13th round. He has exceeded expectations. McAdoo hit .332 with 11 homers for Low-A Bradenton that year, then barnstormed High-A pitching to open 2024, slashing .336/.415/.561 with nine homers for Greensboro before a midseason promotion to Double-A Altoona. McAdoo is a distant cousin of NBA Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo.

 

Scouting Report: McAdoo greets pitchers with a closed stance and healthy bat waggle. He’s a bit less upright since entering pro ball and has shown more feel for contact and adjustability than perhaps previously expected. So far in 2024, the physically strong McAdoo has shown a good blend of contact ability, pitch recognition and swing decisions to go along with above-average 90th percentile exit velocity and bat speed. Finding a long-term defensive home is still more of an open-ended question. A second baseman in college, McAdoo has played mostly third base so far in 2024. His hands have impressed the Pirates, but he has just an average arm and mobility, leading some to wonder whether he’s better suited for a corner outfield position.

 

The Future: A productive bat quickly propelled McAdoo to the upper minors and onto the Pirates’ radar. Now, he must sustain his gains away from hitter-friendly Greensboro and solidify his defensive home as he chases the ceiling of a second-division regular.

 

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50 | Power: 50 | Speed: 45 | Fielding: 45 | Arm: 45

 

17. Yohendrick Pinango

OF

 

Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 170 | B-T: L-L

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/High

 

Track Record: Signed for $400,000 during the 2018 international signing period, Pinango produced over his first few seasons with the organization showing advanced plate skills. Pinango added power in 2022 hitting 13 home runs but posting the lowest batting average and on-base percentage of his career. Things continued to slide in 2023 before Pinango recommitted to his approach heading into 2024.

 

Scouting Report: It’s been a whirlwind few seasons for Pinango as his choice to hit for more power came at the expense of his approach. Repeating High-A for the third consecutive season Pinango has found the best balance of plate skills and power of his career. Early in 2024 Pinango has shown a dramatic improvement in swing decisions, as he cut his chase rate from 31% in 2023 to 18% over the first month of the season. This has led to improvements to Pinango’s already above-average bat to ball skills. Pinango’s underlying power data is plus with a 90th percentile over 106.5 mph for the second consecutive season. If the approach changes hold, Pinango could be a major riser in 2024. Pinango is a below-average athlete and runner with an average arm. He’s a best fit for left field or first base long term.

 

The Future: A bat-first corner prospect with an intriguing set of skills, Pinango’s ceiling is a second-division regular.

 

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 50.

 

Josh Rivera School: Florida Source: 4YR

 

Commit/Drafted: Padres ’19 (22)

Age At Draft: 22.8

BA Grade:45/High

Tools:Hit: 45. Power: 45. Run: 50. Field: 50. Arm: 50.

 

Rivera has been on the national scouting scene for a long time. He was a prep standout who showed impressive defensive chops and pure hitting ability, but after reaching Florida he never quite figured it out with the bat after dealing with a series of nagging injuries for many years. Something clicked for him in his 2023 draft year, as Rivera turned in an exceptional offensive season and hit .348/.447/.617 with 19 home runs as well as a 14.7% walk rate and 11.2% strikeout rate. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound righthanded hitter has plenty of bat speed, showed all-fields power and also hammered 92-plus mph fastball velocity this spring, to the tune of a .422/.513/.656 line. It’s a big and aggressive swing with plenty of length to the bat path, but Rivera has shown a solid ability to manipulate the barrel to all parts of the zone—and he’s had success expanding it at times as well. He might need to become more selective at the next level, but his improved walk and strikeouts rates this spring offer some encouragement about his approach. Despite a long finish, Rivera gets out of the box well and runs hard down the line, turning in above-average or plus home-to-first times, though he might be more of an average runner overall. He has solid defensive actions and arm strength at shortstop, with a chance to stick at the position, though third base or second could be a landing spot in pro ball as well. Rivera should be a priority senior sign with day one buzz given his strong season and prep pedigree.

 

BA Grade: 45/High

 

Track Record: The Red Sox signed Paulino for $200,000 in 2018 based on his middle-infield defense with solid bat-to-ball skills and projectable strength. In pro ball, he’s been a level-to-level mover, spending each season at one stop. Paulino had strong years in the Florida Complex League in 2021 and Low-A Salem in 2022, but he took a step back with High-A Greenville in 2023, when his strikeout rate ticked up from 19% to 23%.

 

Scouting Report: Paulino relies on quick hands to do the work in a direct-to-the-ball, lefthanded swing that features little involvement of his lower half. At his best, he lines the ball regularly from left-center field to the line in right. In 2023, Paulino’s groundball rate jumped from 39% to 46%, offsetting improvements in his hard-hit rate. Still, despite a lack of physicality, he makes above-average swing decisions and produces enough hard contact to suggest an average hit tool with a lot of doubles. There’s a chance for additional power with strength gains and greater use of his legs in his swing. That offensive profile would be valuable given Paulino’s versatility. He has solid range and an accurate arm at second and third base. He plays below-average defense at shortstop and spent the 2023-24 offseason working to develop his outfield skills. He’s an average runner.

 

The Future: Paulino could develop into a versatile reserve. An offensive bounceback in the upper levels in 2024 could put him back on a path to either a starting job or at least a regular role against righties.

 

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

 

Gilberto Batista, RHP

Age: 19

 

Batista struck out 54 batters to just eight walks over 40.2 Dominican Summer League innings last year, but has struggled more with his command in 2024 in his first foray into the Florida Complex League. His low-90s four-seam fastball has scraped 95 mph this year, but he has thrown it for strikes less than 60% of the time so far. He also mixes in an upper-80s cutter, a mid-80s changeup with tumble and fade and a mid-80s vertically-breaking slider.

 

Cutter Coffey, 3B

Age: 20

 

The Red Sox drafted Coffey out of high school No. 41 overall in 2022 and signed him to a $1.85 million bonus. He made headlines this season by hitting seven homers in six consecutive games after previously hitting just six homers total as a professional. Coffey has cooled off some in July, hitting just .191 with 20 strikeouts in 17 games, and has long faced questions about whether his hit tool will allow him to access his above-average raw power consistently in games, although he does make solid swing decisions. Coffey has split time between third base and shortstop defensively. He’s athletic enough to handle short, but may be better suited for third given his arm strength and fringy speed.

 

Drafted in the 6th round (177th overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2023 (signed for $175,000).

View Draft Report

School: Penn State Source: 4YR

 

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21

Harry is one of the more difficult hitters in the country to strike out. He hit .299/.376/.463 in 229 plate appearances with 20 walks and just 20 strikeouts for a 9% strikeout rate this spring. Harry also doesn’t turn 21 until just after the draft, putting him on the younger side for a college junior. A hard-nosed player who generally eschews batting gloves, Harry has minimal movement to get his swing started. He lifts his front foot up, stays relatively still with little rhythm in his swing before punching his hands at the ball. The result is one of the lower swing-and-miss rates in college baseball, trusting his hands to produce a contact-oriented swing with the ability to serve breaking balls into play. Harry can occasionally turn on a ball for power, but it’s a contact-oriented, spray approach with well below-average power that will be tested against better pitching. He has a solid sense of the strike zone, though he’s not an especially patient hitter for a hitter whose offensive value will have to come from his ability to get on base. Harry played shortstop at Penn State, but his range and arm strength will likely shift him elsewhere in pro ball, possibly to second base.

 

Yarbrough in on a savings deal... Not too shabby all things considered.

 

The high volume of deals kept the trade deadline countdown busy. In the end, though, it was quite a modest trade season overall.

 

There were no Juan Sotos, Justin Verlanders or Manny Machados traded as we’ve seen in past years. Instead, role players, bullpen help and back-of-rotation starters dominated the trade frenzy.

 

It’s hard to say that anyone dramatically upped their chances of winning a World Series in 2024 (or 2028) at this trade deadline. Here’s our look of which teams we thought made out and which ones puzzled us.

 

Great Jobs

Toronto Blue Jays

 

The Blue Jays had a good trade deadline on the heels of a disaster season. That feels like their version of a fine dessert at the end of a meal that gives you food poisoning. It’s a nice moment, but it doesn’t erase the memory of what else happened before. Toronto has one more year before Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette hit free agency. So far, they have won zero playoff games with this group. Still, getting Jake Bloss and Joey Loperfido (as well as Will Wagner) for pending free agent Yusei Kikuchi is an excellent return. Landing rising Pirates prospect Charles McAdoo was a nice piece of business as well.

Edited August 1, 2024 by Spanky99

[John_Havok]

The Blue Jays announced that they have claimed catcher Nick Raposo off waivers from the Cardinals and optioned him to Triple-A Buffalo. The backstop was designated for assignment earlier this week when the Cards completed their three-team trade with the Dodgers and White Sox. The Jays had multiple open roster spots from their own deadline dealings and their 40-man roster count is now at 37.

 

Raposo, 26, was selected to the Cardinal roster in June when both Iván Herrera and Willson Contreras were on the injured list, leaving Pedro Pagés atop the club’s depth chart. But Contreras was reinstated from the IL a couple of days later and Raposo was optioned before getting into a major league game.

 

The backstop went unselected in the shortened five-round draft in 2020 and then signed with the Cards as an undrafted free agent. He was plugged onto their Double-A team and hit well at that level, but then struggled after getting bumped to Triple-A. He currently holds a batting line of .268/.348/.424 at Double-A but a line of .206/.276/.355 at Triple-A.

 

Raposo has never been a highly-touted prospect but the Jays could use the catching depth. They traded Danny Jansen to the Red Sox prior to the deadline and are now left with Alejandro Kirk and Brian Serven as the only catchers on their 40-man roster. Raposo gives them another option at Triple-A to be called upon when necessary. He has a full slate of options and almost no service time, so he could be part of their catching depth for a long time if he continues to hang onto a roster spot.

[Spanky__99]

From Blue Jays Beat....

 

Jake Bloss

TORONTO -- Eight trades later, the Blue Jays are finally done with a whirlwind Trade Deadline.

 

 

 

They dealt eight players for 13 prospects and Ryan Yarbrough, the lone veteran they acquired from the Dodgers in the Kevin Kiermaier trade. Yarbrough had recently been designated for assignment by Los Angeles, but he’ll have his role in Toronto down the stretch, pitching bulk innings between the bullpen and rotation.

 

 

 

The prospects bring a refreshing wave of hope with them, though, with eight joining the Blue Jays’ Top 30 Prospects list.

 

 

 

Let’s take a look at four of the most exciting additions, all of whom could help the Blue Jays in 2025.

 

Joey Loperfido

Joey Loperfido, OF

 

Loperfido made his Blue Jays debut Wednesday in Baltimore, and he should get regular reps down the stretch. He’s still looking for his groove in the big leagues, but the 25-year-old was on fire in Triple-A, batting .272 with 13 home runs and a .933 OPS over 39 games.

 

 

 

“He’s really interesting. He’s a late bloomer,” said general manager Ross Atkins. “He came into his strength later than the average player his age and has already had a ton of Minor League success for someone that has continued to get better. I think it’s coming into his athleticism and learning how to maximize it for him.”

 

 

 

Loperfido’s upside is tantalizing. He’ll have every opportunity to be the starting left fielder in 2025.

 

 

 

Jake Bloss, RHP (No. 3 prospect)

 

What a haul for Yusei Kikuchi. In Bloss, the Blue Jays get a young starter who could immediately pitch in their rotation. He’ll head to Dunedin first to check in with the club’s development staff, but from there, he could join the big club soon.

 

 

 

“To be 23 years old and already competing at this level is really impressive,” Atkins said. “The athleticism and delivery really stood out to us. It’s a big-time fastball that doesn’t have a ton of effort to it. Pitchers that have these shapes of fastballs with solid secondary weapons have strong athletic deliveries and who we project to be durable with youth on their side often have the chance to get better and better and better.”

 

 

 

Blue Jays manager John Schneider has heard nothing but great things about Bloss from his friends around baseball, who describe Bloss as a heady pitcher with a background in math and economics.

 

 

 

“He’s a smart dude. He’s a sharp dude and he kind of learned on the fly this year,” Schneider said. “I’m looking forward to meeting him. He sounds like a lefty who’s a righty, you know what I mean? That kind of personality.”

 

Jonatan Clase

Jonatan Clase, OF (No. 8 prospect)

 

Clase is a fun one. He instantly lands alongside Canadian outfielder Dasan Brown (No. 28 prospect) as one of the best athletes in the organization. It’s all about how quickly his bat comes along, but he adds an element the Blue Jays are lacking and has the upside this organization can dream on. He’ll be a great project for Matt Hague and Toronto's hitting coaches.

 

 

 

“Clase is about as athletic as they come,” Atkins said. “He stole 79 bases a year ago, [he] has power, the speed tool is obvious and we feel he has a chance to be an elite defender. Depending on how good that bat becomes -- it’s already been solid in the Minor Leagues -- he probably has the most upside of any player we acquired.”

 

 

 

Clase should be up for the stretch run and could share some outfield time with Loperfido, perhaps giving the Blue Jays more opportunities to use George Springer as the designated hitter or get Daulton Varsho off his feet.

 

 

 

Charles McAdoo, 3B (No. 14 prospect)

 

McAdoo, who came over from the Pirates for Isiah Kiner-Falefa, doesn’t exactly fit the Blue Jays’ “type” … and that’s a good thing. This system needs more high-upside bats like McAdoo, an exciting athlete with immense power potential. Over 87 games between High-A and Double-A, he has hit .315 with 14 home runs and a .932 OPS.

 

 

 

“The power and the contact rates are solid," Atkins said. "He’s very, very dynamic and extremely physical, and from what we’ve learned, an exceptional human being who is focused on improvement and getting better. I know he was revered in that organization.”

 

 

 

Consider McAdoo about a year behind prospects like Clase or a player like Loperfido, but he could still help the Blue Jays in 2025 or ‘26, and he has the potential to really pop if his power takes the next step in the Minor Leagues.

 

 

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WHO’S THAT GUY?

Yariel Rodriguez

This Trade Deadline felt a lot like the early days of Spring Training, when the Blue Jays’ clubhouse is a beehive of players you’ve never seen before.

 

 

 

Between the flurry of trades, the Blue Jays also had to bring up players on the taxi squad to make sure they were covered, and they jumped through some hoops on roster logistics along the way. One example was the decision to “option” Yariel Rodríguez after his poor start Monday, knowing they could bring him right back onto the roster the next day after trading Yusei Kikuchi.

 

 

 

The MVP of the Deadline behind the scene? Manager of team travel Rodney Hiemstra, who helps coordinate all of these players coming in and out and must have had an average daily screen time of 20 hours a day this week. Get that man a cold beer and a recliner.

 

 

TURNER PRAISES BLUE JAYS

Justin Turner

Atkins considered it a point of pride that all of the players he traded had good things to say on the way out. Sometimes, that’s just marketing speak coming from a team, but he’s right. All of the veterans dealt seem to have left on good terms.

 

 

 

“It was fantastic from start to finish. The people are amazing,” said 16-year vet Justin Turner. “The genuine niceness of the people in Toronto did not go unseen. This is a first-class organization. The facilities, everything they did to Rogers Centre and the PDC are off the charts, first class at every level.”

[hanton]

not again...

 

"upside is tantalizing"

 

Why does he have to use language like this?

[John_Havok]

not again...

 

"upside is tantalizing"

 

Why does he have to use language like this?

 

Because saying "he'll probably be nothing" isn't very clickworthy.

[max silver]

Because saying "he'll probably be nothing" isn't very clickworthy.

 

And talking down the players that he traded for in public isn't exactly the best way to endear himself to these players.

[hanton]

And talking down the players that he traded for in public isn't exactly the best way to endear himself to these players.

 

nobdy is saying he should do this

[John_Havok]

nobdy is saying he should do this

 

Whats the issue then, the specific wording being cliche?

[hanton]

Whats the issue then, the specific wording being cliche?

 

No issue it's typical Atkins speak.

 

Just give a propper and honest assessment, fans will appreciate that.

[Jimcanuck]

No issue it's typical Atkins speak.

 

Just give a propper and honest assessment, fans will appreciate that.

 

Depends on the fan. Saying, "we hope one of these players dons a Blue Jays uniform one day" is not good marketing to casuals.

[John_Havok]

No issue it's typical Atkins speak.

 

Just give a propper and honest assessment, fans will appreciate that.

 

Atkins didnt say it, the writer did.

[hanton]

Atkins didnt say it, the writer did.

 

oh right I didn't see the " right before that sentence. Shouldn't be using that to describe him, both Fangraphs and BA (updated rankings) mention him as a "super utility" player

[John_Havok]

oh right I didn't see the " right before that sentence. Shouldn't be using that to describe him, both Fangraphs and BA (updated rankings) mention him as a "super utility" player

 

Probably, but Biggio ended up as a super utility. When he was coming up with Vlad and Bo, Biggio's upside was certainly tantalizing.

[hanton]

Probably, but Biggio ended up as a super utility. When he was coming up with Vlad and Bo, Biggio's upside was certainly tantalizing.

 

new respect for BA

 

"As you would expect for the son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, Cavan Biggio has a very intelligent approach to the game. His understanding of the game is arguably his best attribute, as his tools are modest. Biggio is an average runner and stole 14 bases in 14 tries during the regular season. Biggio, who has a plenty of pre-swing movement that he may need to tone down as a pro, has below-average power with an all-field approach that gives him a fringe-average hit tool. His advanced batting eye helped him walk in 21 percent of his plate appearances this season, helping him to post a .473 on-base percentage. Defensively, he's struggled with his reliability as a junior. His range is limited but he turns a good double play."

 

So accurate

[L54]

new respect for BA

 

"As you would expect for the son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, Cavan Biggio has a very intelligent approach to the game. His understanding of the game is arguably his best attribute, as his tools are modest. Biggio is an average runner and stole 14 bases in 14 tries during the regular season. Biggio, who has a plenty of pre-swing movement that he may need to tone down as a pro, has below-average power with an all-field approach that gives him a fringe-average hit tool. His advanced batting eye helped him walk in 21 percent of his plate appearances this season, helping him to post a .473 on-base percentage. Defensively, he's struggled with his reliability as a junior. His range is limited but he turns a good double play."

 

So accurate

 

Wow

 

Nailed it

[Joltin Joe]

The Blue Jays announced that they have claimed catcher Nick Raposo off waivers from the Cardinals and optioned him to Triple-A Buffalo. The backstop was designated for assignment earlier this week when the Cards completed their three-team trade with the Dodgers and White Sox. The Jays had multiple open roster spots from their own deadline dealings and their 40-man roster count is now at 37.

 

Raposo, 26, was selected to the Cardinal roster in June when both Iván Herrera and Willson Contreras were on the injured list, leaving Pedro Pagés atop the club’s depth chart. But Contreras was reinstated from the IL a couple of days later and Raposo was optioned before getting into a major league game.

 

The backstop went unselected in the shortened five-round draft in 2020 and then signed with the Cards as an undrafted free agent. He was plugged onto their Double-A team and hit well at that level, but then struggled after getting bumped to Triple-A. He currently holds a batting line of .268/.348/.424 at Double-A but a line of .206/.276/.355 at Triple-A.

 

Raposo has never been a highly-touted prospect but the Jays could use the catching depth. They traded Danny Jansen to the Red Sox prior to the deadline and are now left with Alejandro Kirk and Brian Serven as the only catchers on their 40-man roster. Raposo gives them another option at Triple-A to be called upon when necessary. He has a full slate of options and almost no service time, so he could be part of their catching depth for a long time if he continues to hang onto a roster spot.

Serven played decent this game. Like to give him 40-50 games rest of season

He could be a backup to Kirk next year

[max silver]

Serven played decent this game. Like to give him 40-50 games rest of season

He could be a backup to Kirk next year

 

There's only something like 60 games left in the season so that would be a really tough workload for Serven.

[John_Havok]

Blue Jays respond vs. Yanks after pregame meeting

Guerrero Jr.'s hit streak hits 15 as Toronto gets back in the win column

August 2nd, 2024

David Adler

David Adler

 

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NEW YORK -- In the aftermath of the Trade Deadline, which saw the Blue Jays become sellers for the first time in recent seasons, manager John Schneider called a meeting with the team's remaining veterans to circle the wagons.

 

George Springer was there. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was there. Kevin Gausman was there. Alejandro Kirk, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt, Chad Green and Daulton Varsho were there.

 

"The guys that have been here for a while, from the start," Schneider said.

 

Schneider wanted them to know there's still a plan -- and that plan is to win in 2025. He wanted to answer any questions they had about the team's direction. He wanted to reinforce that the Blue Jays are still here to compete, every day, and the team leaders need to set the example for all the young players trying to showcase themselves as members of the club's future.

 

"[it was] basically answering any questions they had about what we did, and why," Schneider said. "And then, how much we're gonna rely on them to continue to go out and be prepared and show the way."

 

And when Toronto took the field at Yankee Stadium on Friday, the team responded by winning the series opener against the Yankees, 8-5, a much-needed bounceback after they dropped three of four games to the Orioles on the first leg of their seven-game American League East road trip.

 

 

"I think everybody came out of that feeling better," Gausman said of the meeting with Schneider. "Because the last couple of days before that were pretty rough."

 

Guerrero set the tone in a rain-delayed game in New York, extending his hitting streak to 15 games right out of the gate. His RBI single off former teammate Marcus Stroman in the top of the first inning opened the scoring and gave Toronto a lead it would hold wire-to-wire.

 

Toronto's All-Star first baseman's streak is tied for the longest active in the Majors -- the Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. and the Orioles' Colton Cowser also currently have 15-game streaks.

 

 

Gausman, meanwhile, gutted through 4 2/3 innings on a night where he didn't have his best stuff, but was able to keep the Blue Jays ahead.

 

After the game, the veteran right-hander didn't want to divulge the details of the team meeting, but he said he came away with questions answered.

 

"That's between me and Schneids and the guys that were in that room. But there is a plan," Gausman said. "The meeting was more: We realized that we lost some guys, and it's been tough. This season isn't what we expected. But we're still here, and we're still looking forward. All we can do is set the precedent from here, going into the offseason and into next year."

 

That's the veterans holding up their end of the bargain. And when Schneider called them together, he wanted to make sure they left the room knowing the Blue Jays' coaching staff will hold up its end, too.

 

"All those guys are at a point in their career where they want to win," Schneider said. "Watching Vladdy play, watching George play, Varsh with the energy and the intent, we just wanted to make sure that [they know], 'Hey, we're still going out and trying to win.'

 

"We are not a totally rebuilding team right now," added Schneider. "Our intention next year is to be right back in the area of this division to win. I think having them hear that, having them hear, 'We're coming in as a staff, we're never gonna stop preparing to win, expecting to win' -- I think they deserve that."

 

And as for the young players -- they showed up on Friday, too.

 

Joey Loperfido, who was acquired from the Astros in Toronto's Yusei Kikuchi trade on Monday, was a spark against the Yankees. Loperfido tripled in his first at-bat -- he then scored on Guerrero's single -- and finished 2-for-5 with the triple and two runs scored.

 

Spencer Horwitz -- not a trade acquisition, of course, but a homegrown prospect who'll get plenty of run down the stretch as he vies to be a key part of the 2025 squad -- also had a big game. The 26-year-old went 2-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

 

"Our young guys have been really fun to watch. I watch them get better every day," Gausman said. "But they still are young. So they're gonna have growing pains, just like we did when we were young. We're here for that. But it's about going out and competing, and those guys want to win every day."

 

 

David Adler is a reporter for MLB.com

[Olerud363]

Joey Loperfido! 0 walks 9 ks

 

So I checked Derek Fisher stats. He reminds me of Derek Fisher superficially. lol. They are the same. Same minor league stats. Same major league stats.

 

Same height. Same weight.

 

Same looking awful when they arrive to Blue Jay land.

 

Hopefully Loperfido doesn't get hit in the face with a ball leading to a 14 run inning (I think something close to that actually happened in an empty Yankee Stadium).

 

Derek Fisher retired I guess after no longer even being able to hit triple a pitching. Hopefully Loperfido does better. Early returns not good.

[Stangstag]

Joey Loperfido! 0 walks 9 ks

 

So I checked Derek Fisher stats. He reminds me of Derek Fisher superficially. lol. They are the same. Same minor league stats. Same major league stats.

 

Same height. Same weight.

 

Same looking awful when they arrive to Blue Jay land.

 

Hopefully Loperfido doesn't get hit in the face with a ball leading to a 14 run inning (I think something close to that actually happened in an empty Yankee Stadium).

 

Derek Fisher retired I guess after no longer even being able to hit triple a pitching. Hopefully Loperfido does better. Early returns not good.

 

Agree he looks like Derek Fisher. Hopefully we win the coinflip this time.

 

End of the day, can’t complain about this return for 1/2 season of Kikuchi, plus the other 2 pieces we got

[John_Havok]

Agree he looks like Derek Fisher. Hopefully we win the coinflip this time.

 

End of the day, can’t complain about this return for 1/2 season of Kikuchi, plus the other 2 pieces we got

 

I'm not sure I like Loperfido in the2 spot, I think that's much more suited to a guy like Horwitz, whi, despite the lack of power will still take a walk if doesn't get anything to hit and probably set up better for a big inning. Might bounce into afew more DPs though too.

 

That said, Loperfido does have a skillest that makes you think there's possible impact there. Not like Vlad level bat impact, but maybe 3-5 fWAR if it all clicks.