19. Toronto Blue Jays
PREVIOUS 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
RANKINGS 25 26 25 15 8
State of the System: The Blue Jays have built an improved system, with better talent at the upper levels such as Travis Snider, J.P. Arencibia and Brett Cecil. The Jays have produced some solid pitching of late, such as Shaun Marcum, Jesse Litch and David Purcey, and Snider and Arencibia should be able to improve one of the big league team's biggest weaknesses, a lack of home run power. The system is still largely dependent on the development of the large 2007 draft class with infielders Kevin Ahrens, Justin Jackson and John Tolisano.
Best-Stocked Position: The Jays have drafted a lot of lefthanders lately, with Cecil—a 2007 supplemental first-rounder—the best of the lot. Ricky Romero has been maligned as the sixth-overall pick in 2005 but the Jays still like his power arm, and Brad Mills and Matt Rzepczynski give the Jays four southpaws among their Top 10 prospects.
Prepare For Takeoff: While he's a shorter righthander Alan Farina has power stuff, including the system's best fastball, a 92-95 mph explosive four-seamer. Ankle and elbow injuries have held him back as a pro, but he's got the power equipment to race through the system if he's healthy in 2009.
At A Crossroads: The Jays passed on a lot of talent to take Romero sixth overall, and he's still yet to reach the majors. At some point, his three-pitch mix has to produce better results than they have to this point, and with Toronto's big league pitcher injuries (Marcum, Dustin McGowan), now would be a good time.