The signing deadline for our 2010 Amateur Draft Picks has come and gone. We ended up getting 33 of 56 picks - 14 of 16 from the top 10 rounds - to ink a deal. In honor of this, we here at 1BlueJaysWay have decided to put together a no BS list of prospects at every position for your enjoyment and reference.
What will separate this list from the many others out there, is the fact that we have actually seen most of these players first hand. Some of them for a prolonged period of time.
Let's get you warmed up with some insight from our boy Jesse:
Please Note:
For the purposes of this list, we
have defined prospect as a player who is 25 years of age or under and
has yet to appear in the Major Leagues. As such you will not find any
of the following names on our lists:
J.P. Arencibia (R, 24, 6'1 210) POSTS
Brad Mills (LHP, 25, 5'11 185) POSTS
Marc Rzepczynski (LHP, 24, 6'1 205) POSTS
Robert Ray (RHP, 26, 6'5 195)
Josh Roenicke (RHP, 28, 6'3 195) POSTS
Jo-Jo Reyes (LHP, 25, 6'2 230) POST
We had to put the line in the sand somewhere. All of these guys
have previous MLB experience and should be in the mix for full time jobs on your Toronto
Blue Jays next season.
The List(s):
Catcher:
Travis D'Arnaud (R, 21, 6'2 195) POSTS
Plus Arm. Strong and accurate. Quick bat. Agile and athletic defender. Tremendous "feel" for the position.
Carlos Perez (R, 19, 6'0 193)
Above average speed. Young and learning. Could have the highest ceiling of all catchers.
A.J. Jimenez (R, 20, 5'11 200) POSTS
Above average speed. Smart and athletic, strong arm with quick release.
Excellent receiver and calls a good game.
Brian Jeroloman (L, 25, 6'0 200)
Great eye at the plate. Calls a great game.
Worth Keeping An Eye On:
Santiago Nessy (R, 17, 6'2 230)
1B:
Mike McDade (S/R, 21, 6'1 260) POSTS
Phenomenal agility for a big man at first base, frequently saving teammates throwing errors. Very strong at the plate. Above average defensively.
Weight and back problems could be an issue. Runs slower than he walks.
David Cooper (L/L, 23, 6'0 200)
Figured he'd be better by now, didn't you?
Balbino Fuenmayor (R/R, 20, 6'3 235) INTERVIEW
Transitioned well to first base from third base.
Defensively, pretty good sometimes, but he has the tendency
to lapse, and those are generally costly. At the plate, he has a good approach and he has
some good power.
Worth Keeping An Eye On:
Yudelmis Hernandez (R/R, 23, 6'4 205)
Lance Durham (L/R, 22, 5'11 210)
John Delgado (L/R, 19, 6'4 255)
Art Charles (L/L, 19, 6'6 221)
2B:
Brad Emaus (R, 24, 6'0 200)
Great eye at the plate. Currently our most advanced position prospect in the entire system. Youngest player on the AAA roster. Can also play 3B and would be at the top of that list as well.
Ryan Schimpf (L, 22, 5'9 181) INTERVIEW
Good pivot on the double play. Runs well. Surprising power to the gaps.
Lost year at the plate.
Worth Keeping An Eye On:
Leonardo Ferrini (S, 21, 5'11 175)
Brandon Mims (S, 18, 5'11 180)
SS:
Adeiny Hechavarria (R, 21, 5'11 180) POSTS
Plus arm. Plus Plus Range. Above Average Speed.
On the 40 man roster. Glove is MLB ready right now.
Ryan Goins (L, 22, 5'10 170) POSTS
Superb defensively. Great hands, especially excellent to the backhand. Good plate discipline with line drive stroke to all fields.
Slower than he should be. Only puts enough on every throw to record the out, a la Alan Trammell, rather than showing arm strength.
Gustavo Pierre (R, 18, 6'2 183)
Word through the grapevine: promising
Justin Jackson (R, 21, 6'1 186) POST
Above average speed. Strong arm.
Poor hands, especially on routine groundballs. Struggled with injuries.
Worth Keeping An Eye On:
Chris Hawkins (L, 18, 6'2 195)
Dicky Thon (R, 18, 6'1 185)
Shane Opitz (L, 18, 6'1 180)
3B:
Shawn Bowman (R, 25, 6'3 225) POST
Fractured the same vertebrate in his back not once but twice requiring multiple surgeries to correct.
Power has returned. Canadian boy from out west.
Kevin Ahrens (R, 21, 6'1 195) POSTS
Plus Arm. Recently dropped the left handed side of the switch hit.
Mark Sobolewski (R, 23, 6'0 190) POSTS
Hits off-speed stuff well.
Fluid in the field but tends to sidearm throws, causing throwing errors. Slower than you'd think.
Worth Keeping An Eye On:
Kellen Sweeney (L, 18, 6'0 180)
Gabriel Cenas (R, 16, 6'1 155)
Corner OF:
Eric Thames (L, 23, 6'0 205) POSTS
Plus Power. Outstanding work ethic.
Limited to LF
Adam Loewen (L, 26, 6'6 235) POST
Plus Arm. Making huge strides as a hitter. Excellent work ethic and make-up.
Gets a pass on the age and MLB experience requirements due to his transition from pitcher to outfielder. Only in his second season as a full time hitter. Will be a minor league free agent at the end of this season.
Canadian boy from out west.
Michael Crouse (R, 19, 6'4 215) POSTS
Athletic. Above average speed. Quick bat. Good arm. Works hard. Smart. Can play all 3 outfield positions.
He’s very clearly the sort of player whose ceiling is really high.
Canadian boy from out west.
Moises Sierra (R, 21, 6'0 225)
Plus Plus Plus Plus Plus Arm.
Seriously, it's that good. Is his future on the mound?
Eric Eiland (L, 21, 6'2 220) INTERVIEW
1 out of every 4 throws is sensational, strong and accurate. Gaining plate discipline. Great body type (same body as Carl Crawford) but has the swing of a much smaller player, depriving him of all of his power.
Poor defensively, especially in decision-making.
Honorable Mention:
Chris Lubanski (L, 25, 6'3 210)
Was the 5th overall pick in the 2003 Amateur draft.
Worth Keeping An Eye On:
Markus Brisker (R, 19, 6'3 210)
Marcus Knecht (R, 20, 6'1 200)
Local Canadian boy.
CF:
Anthony Gose (L, 19, 6'1 190) POSTS
Plus Plus arm. Plus Plus speed. 3rd youngest player in High A.
Jake Marisnick (R, 19, 6'4 200) POSTS
Physical specimen. Hits the ball hard. Could be a 5 tool guy.
Darin Mastroianni (R, 24, 5'11 190) POSTS
Plus Plus speed. Bulldog mentality. Great work ethic.
Kenny Wilson (S, 20, 5'10 185) INTERVIEW
Plus Plus speed. Sensational defensive outfielder, with easy range and excellent instincts. Arm is improving.
Lost from the left side at the plate.
Utility:
Kevin Nolan (R, 22, 6'2 200) INTERVIEW
Plus make-up. Slightly above average speed. Best/nicest guy on the team. Good arm but hands are average.
No power at the plate. Rarely strikes out, rarely walks. Just lines the ball from left-center to right-center.
Has played 1B, 2B, SS, 3B and RF this season.
John Tolisano (S, 21, 5'11 190)
Has played 2B, 3B, LF, CF and RF this season.
Sean Ochinko (R, 22, 5'11 205) INTERVIEW
Excellent line drive stroke that applies backspin to the ball. Cranks doubles with ease. 95% pull hitter.
Has hardly any interest in improving defensively, with attention solely toward hitting. No speed and not much of an arm.
Has played C, 1B and 3B this season, none of them particularly well. Will need to hit his way onto any team.
Starting Pitcher:
Kyle Drabek (RHP, 22, 6'1 190) POSTS
89 - 97 mph fastball, plus curveball, working on 4 seam change up, 2 seam change up, 2 seam fastball and cutter.
Out pitch: curveball
Electric fastball. Uses the 2 seam change against left handed hitters.
Top prospect in the entire system. Described as a special talent by his pitching coach. Bulldog mentality. Maturity on the mound improving. Son of former Cy Young award winner.
Had Tommy John surgery in 2007.
Zach Stewart (RHP, 23, 6'2 205) POSTS
88 - 93 mph fastball, slider, change up
Out pitch: slider
Throws primarily sinkers and keeps the ball on the ground.
Converted from reliever to starter. Innings should be capped around 140 this year. Will need another season in the minors before his arm strength will be ready.
Henderson Alvarez (RHP, 20, 6'0 190) POSTS
93 - 95 mph fastball, plus changeup, slurve
Out pitch: changeup
Great downward tilt on his fastball. Awesome fading action on change up. Slurve is improving. Good command. Great athlete and very quick defensively.
Immature.
Chad Jenkins (RHP, 22, 6'4 235) POSTS
92 - 94 mph fastball, slider, change up
Out pitch: slider
Great downward tilt on his fastball. Two-seam fastball is coming around. Good command. Hoss on the mound, grinding out starts. Holds runners well.
Needs a better change up.
Joel Carreno (RHP, 23, 6'0 190) POSTS
88 - 89 fastball, slider, change up
Out pitch: slider
Nasty fastball/slider combination that will get better when he perfects a change up and gains complete control of the slider.
Questions about his make-up and whether he's trustworthy.
Honorable Mention:
Luis Perez (LHP, 25, 6'0 160) POSTS
93 - 94 mph fastball, changeup, slider
Out pitch: slider
Out pitch: slider
Heavy sink on his fastball. Keeps the ball on the ground.
On the 40 man roster. Currently our most advanced pitching prospect in the entire system.
Drew Hutchison (RHP, 20, 6'2 165) POSTS
90-92 mph fastball, plus change up, slider
Out pitch: slider
Out pitch: slider
Sneaky quick fastball. Tight spin on his
slider. Impressive considering his youth and inexperience.
Worth Keeping An Eye On:
Deck McGuire (RHP, 21, 6'6 220) POSTS
Asher Wojciechowski (RHP, 21, 6'4 235) POSTS
Griffin Murphy (LHP, 19, 6'3 200)
Samuel Dyson (RHP, 22, 6'1 175)
Sean Nolin (LHP, 20, 6'5 235)
Aaron Sanchez (RHP, 18, 6'4 190)
Noah Syndergaard (RHP, 17, 6'5 200)
Justin Nicolino (LHP, 18, 6'3 160)
Adonis Cardona (RHP, 16, 6'1 170)
Relief Pitcher:
Danny Farquhar (RHP, 23, 5'11 180) POSTS
Overhand: 88 - 94 mph fastball, cutter, change up, curveball
Sidearm: fastball, slider, change up
Out pitch: sidearm slider
Able to pitch multiple innings.
Trystan Magnuson (RHP, 25, 6'7 210)
90 - 94 mph fastball, slider, change up
Out pitch: slider
Out pitch: slider
Canadian boy from out west.
Alan Farina (RHP, 23, 5'11 190) POSTS
94 mph fastball, slider, cutter, change up, curveball
Out pitch: slider
Matt Daly (RHP, 24, 5'9 180) POSTS
Out pitch: slider
Matt Daly (RHP, 24, 5'9 180) POSTS
91 - 92 mph fastball,
slider, change up
Out pitch: slider
He’s all heart. Great intangibles. Gutted out more than his handful of saves. He’s only about 5’9 or so, but it’s not an
abnormally tiny with guts and brimstone thing like with Tim Collins.
His fastball is pretty straight and he likes to ride it right up the ladder on hitters.
Worth Keeping An Eye On:
Nestor Molina (RHP, 21, 6'1 179) INTERVIEW
Casey Beck (RHP, 23, 6'1 215) INTERVIEW
Evan Crawford (LHP, 23, 6'1 175) INTERVIEW
Steve Turnbull (RHP, 23, 6'3 215) INTERVIEW
Brian Slover (RHP, 22, 6'3 230) INTERVIEW
Dustin Antolin (RHP, 21, 6'2 195) INTERVIEW
Ross Buckwalter (RHP, 25, 6'0 195)
Dayton Marze (RHP, 21, 6'2 185)
Milciades Santana (RHP, 21, 6'5 215)
Our Notes:
With respect to pitching, we found it to be a hugely difficult category to rate because the best Major League relievers are Minor League starters a majority of the time. We think that Carreno and Perez are probably going to become relievers, and so might Jenkins.
Anybody with visions of playing shortstop in the Majors Leagues in the next 5 years not named Adeiny Hechavarria, will not be doing so in a Blue Jay uniform.
The 2007 and 2008 drafts both look disastrous right now.
It’s weird…..we’ll call it the “Adeiny Hechavarria” theory because he’s playing so much better in Double-A than High-A. From what we’ve heard, High-A is a miserable place to be, because of no crowd, temperature, and the coaching staff. (Hitting coach Justin Mashore is a negative personality.) There are guys with poor numbers there who we're nearly certain are going to put up terrific numbers once they get to Double-A, even though it’s a much tougher level for so many other reasons.
Our Notes:
With respect to pitching, we found it to be a hugely difficult category to rate because the best Major League relievers are Minor League starters a majority of the time. We think that Carreno and Perez are probably going to become relievers, and so might Jenkins.
Anybody with visions of playing shortstop in the Majors Leagues in the next 5 years not named Adeiny Hechavarria, will not be doing so in a Blue Jay uniform.
There are some positions - 1B, 2B, 3B - in the system where the Blue
Jays are thin.
There are some positions - Pitching, C, OF - in the system where the Blue Jays are strong.
It’s weird…..we’ll call it the “Adeiny Hechavarria” theory because he’s playing so much better in Double-A than High-A. From what we’ve heard, High-A is a miserable place to be, because of no crowd, temperature, and the coaching staff. (Hitting coach Justin Mashore is a negative personality.) There are guys with poor numbers there who we're nearly certain are going to put up terrific numbers once they get to Double-A, even though it’s a much tougher level for so many other reasons.
