Archive for the 'Prospect Reports' Category

Prized Pitching Prospect Osuna May Need Tommy John Surgery

Published May 9, 2013 Prospect Reports Leave a Comment
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As if the Toronto Blue Jays fan base needed any further terrible news in a season full of terrible news MLB.com is reporting that one of the Jays top pitching prospects Roberto Osuna may require the becoming all-too common Tommy John surgery.  Osuna has skyrocketed up the prospect charts and is one of the youngest players in his respective league, born in 1995.

In 19.2 innings last season in LoA he had an 11.44 K/9 and in 22.1 HiA innings this season he had an even better 12.49 K/9.

File this report under WTF…

Osuna, who is the club’s No. 2 prospect according to MLB.com, departed his last outing with Class A Lansing because of discomfort in his right elbow.

The 18-year-old was later diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament and paid a visit to renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews. Surgery hasn’t been recommended just yet, but there’s a possibility that it will be in the near future.

“Right now they said just to give him a few days and start playing catch,” general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. “He’s going to throw to 60 feet tomorrow. Right now it’s basically rest and rehab. But there is a scenario if he does have a flare-up again in the next few weeks that ultimately he may need Tommy John.”

Osuna ranks just behind promising right-hander Aaron Sanchez on the club’s depth chart for pitching prospects. He has a plus fastball that can hit the mid-90s with reportedly very strong command.

The native of Mexico still needs to work on his slider, but all of his skills are very advanced for someone his age. The club may prefer to get the surgery out of the way now so it doesn’t have a negative impact on his development during the later stages of his Minor League career.

Osuna was 1-2 with a 3.63 ERA in five games for Lansing this season.

John Sickels Ranks Blue Jays Farm System 22nd

Published January 28, 2013 Prospect Reports Leave a Comment
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Oh how the mighty have fallen.

The Toronto Blue Jays went from the top ranked system in baseball (according to John Sickels) to one of the worst.  Of course when your team deals nearly half of the top 15 list I compiled last season including basically the entire top five that is bound to happen.  The farm system is there to make the major league roster and as we have discussed before that is exactly what Alex Anthopoulos used it for.

The top five was 1) St. Louis, 2) Seattle, 3) Tampa Bay, 4) Texas and 5) Pittsburgh.

22) Toronto Blue Jays (1): Another system gutted by recent trades by a team pushing to win in 2013. Remaining strengths: pitching, with Aaron Sanchez, Roberto Osuna, Marcus Stroman, and underappreciated Sean Nolin a nice quartet at the top and more live arms behind them. Weaknesses: they have a lot of tools guys who haven’t shown they can play baseball yet. If they pan out, the Jays will move back up the list quickly.

Rounding out the list in dead last at #30 was the Detroit Tigers.  This was not a surprise as there system has lagged the rest of the league for quite a few years.

Stay tuned for the 2013 version of the top 15 Blue Jays prospect list.  I am waiting on a few sources to release there rankings so I can fine tune the list with the most updated and current information.

An Early Look At Marcus Stroman

Published November 27, 2012 Jays Talk , Prospect Reports 3 Comments
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Kiley McDaniel from Fangraphs had a detailed look at our latest first round pick Marcus Stroman from instructional league, it is well worth the full read here.

Here are a few snippets:

I got a quick look at Stroman in instructs and I think there’s value in promoting him quickly as a reliever, but I don’t see a reason why he shouldn’t be given a chance to start sometime in the next few years.

Stroman sat 93-95 mph with heavy two-seam life, effectively spotting it under the hands of right-handed hitters. He backed it up with a hard slurve at 80-84 mph with three-quarters tilt and at the high end of that range; it looked like a true plus slider with depth and late bite. Stroman also worked in a hard, 88-90 mph cutter that is plus at its best due to its length, enough to give fits to hitters in either batter’s box. He also threw one changeup at 81 mph that turned over with fade and depth, flashing above average potential and there may be more in the tank.

So, we’ve got a small righty that flashed four 55 or 60 pitches (on the 20-80 scale) in a relief stint, but he’s got to sell out with a high-effort delivery to generate that kind of stuff, right? Surprisingly, no; Stroman has a balanced and controlled delivery along with good athleticism and general feel that allows him to put the ball where he wants to. It isn’t pinpoint or infallible command, but you can pretty easily project it to above-average to where the question is what Stroman has proven he can’t do well, as the size concerns are projecting and adjusting for possible future problems.

Baseball America Releases Blue Jays Top 10 Prospects 2013

Published November 7, 2012 Jays Talk , Prospect Reports 1 Comment
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Well it is that time again, prospect season!  Stay tuned as AL Eastbound will once again be releasing a comprehensive “Top 15 Blue Jays Prospects” piece after all of the top prospect sites and sources release their rankings for the Jays minor leaguers. 

Today, Baseball America released their top ten for the Jays, here is the list and some other goodies, including top tools, projected 2016 lineup, top signing bonuses and more.

Continue reading ‘Baseball America Releases Blue Jays Top 10 Prospects 2013′

Top Blue Jays Prospects – Midseason Update 2012

Published July 17, 2012 Prospect Reports 3 Comments
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A lot can happen in a few months of baseball especially in the fickle world of prospect evaluations.  While it would be short sighted to completely write off any prospect based on a bad month or so the reality is it’s a fact that they are always being scrutinized.

If you follow this site you have been getting the Blue Jays Daily Prospect Report – where we see how they are performing day in and day out in their respective leagues.

With that I thought I would release a 2012 midseason prospect ranking for the Toronto Blue Jays.  If the season were to end today this is where the prospects would now rank – I have done this for the top ten only.

Note: this list does not include recent 2012 draft picks or international signings – so no Marcus Stroman or Franklin Barreto.

Rank 2012 Preseason 2012 Midseason
1 C Travis d’Arnaud C Travis d’Arnaud
2 CF Jake Marisnick CF Anthony Gose
3 SP Daniel Norris SP Aaron Sanchez
4 CF Anthony Gose SP Daniel Norris
5 SP Justin Nicolino SP Justin Nicolino
6 SP Noah Syndergaard SP Noah Syndergaard
7 SP Deck McGuire CF Jake Marisnick
8 SP Drew Hutchison SS Adeiny Hechavarria
9 SP Aaron Sanchez SP Joe Musgrove
10 SP Adonys Cardona C Carlos Perez

No changes at the top even with the season ending injury Travis d’Arnaud has been as good as advertised and is one of the top prospects in baseball at this point.  I was very aggressive on Jake Marisnick and while his performance has actually been pretty solid given his age and league some the arms in the system have started to pass by him as a better overall prospect.

Anthony Gose has done everything asked of him and continues to rake in Triple-A and play incredible outfield defense.  Scouts are in agreement that he could be one of the best defensive centerfielders in baseball. 

For me there hasn’t been a prospect in the system (and possibly baseball) who has taken a bigger step up than Aaron Sanchez.  In 64 innings, Sanchez has allowed only 33 hits while striking out 72 batters.  If he can continue to improve his control the ceiling is extremely high for the 6’4” 22-year old righty.

Pick your poison with lefties Norris and Nicolino, both have very bright futures and big right hander Noah Syndergaard has pitched very well in Lansing. 

Two nice surprises have been the resurgence of Carlos Perez, who was having a better season in A-ball before being included in the Houston Astros trade.  The other is shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria who has looked good at the dish (even accounting for the offensive environment) and we know his meal ticket is top notch defense at a premium position. 

Demoted off the original preseason list were Drew Hutchison, Deck McGuire and Adonys Cardona.  Hutchison was promoted to the major leagues and loses his status as a “prospect” while Deck McGuire has been getting hit very hard in Double-A this season. 

Scouts have been mixed on his (McGuire’s) ultimate ceiling and combining that with terrible results his stock has plummeted.  There were a handful of candidates for the number ten spot and it could have went to Cardona but I think Musgrove’s ceiling and early season performance has been notable. 

Musgrove was also recently included in the trade for JA Happ of the Houston Astros and though there are some concerns about durability the ‘Stros seem content to land him.

Who have you been impressed by?  Who are you starting to doubt?

John Sickels 2012 Mid-Season Prospect Rankings – Blue Jays High On List

Published July 5, 2012 Prospect Reports 4 Comments
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Prospect guru John Sickels of MinorLeagueBall.com has released his mid-season adjustment rankings for the top prospects in baseball for 2012 and I thought we would look at how the Toronto Blue Jays are represented.  First, here is an explanation of the list:

Here is a revised Top 120 list for mid-season. I have deleted anyone who has exceeded rookie qualifications, or who is expected to do so, so you won’t find Mike Trout or Bryce Harper, or Addison Reed or Robbie Ross. One exception is Anthony Rizzo, who was promoted while I was working on the list. He won’t be on subsequent lists.

This list does NOT include 2012 draftees, nor does it include recent free agent signees like Jorge Soler who haven’t played yet. I want more time to evaluate those guys.

Here are the top ten prospects:

1) Jurickson Profar, SS, Texas Rangers (previously #5)
2) Wil Myers, OF, Kansas City Royals (previously #14)
3) Trevor Bauer, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (previously #7)
4) Dylan Bundy, RHP, Baltimore Orioles (previously #19)
5) Taijuan Walker, RHP, Seattle Mariners(previously #15)

6) Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (11)
7) Danny Hultzen, LHP, Seattle Mariners (25)
8) Manny Machado, SS, Baltimore Orioles (8)
9) Oscar Taveras, OF, St. Louis Cardinals (62)
10) Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (16)

Now the Toronto Blue Jays:

18) Travis D’Arnaud, C, Toronto Blue Jays (26)
40) Noah Syndergaard, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (67)
45) Justin Nicolino, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays (68)
49) Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (not ranked)
51) Anthony Gose, OF, Toronto Blue Jays (51)
69) Jake Marisnick, OF, Toronto Blue Jays (48)
71) Daniel Norris, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays (70)

Also considered for the list was Deck McGuire (?), John Stilson and Joe Musgrove.

Nothing unexpected if you have been following the daily prospect reports here at AL Eastbound seeing Travis d’Arnaud (prior to injury) stapled to the daily list.  His stock has shot way up and Blue Jays fans should be very excited to see him debut next season.  The three-headed monster of Syndergaard, Nicolino and Sanchez were all represented with Aaron Sanchez going from an unranked prospect to one of the better arms in the minor leagues over the past three months.

Anthony Gose has been as good as advertised but is also playing in the ultra-offensive environment in Las Vegas in the PCL.  Jake Marisnick hasn’t had as much success this season but has battled injuries and is still a talented kid with a lot of great tools.

What do you guys think?

Top Prospect Travis d’Arnaud Injures Knee, Out 6-8 Weeks

Published June 26, 2012 Prospect Reports 1 Comment
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File this under huge disappointment as the Toronto Blue Jays top prospect (and possibly top catching prospect in the game) Travis d’Arnaud suffered a torn PCL in his knee while sliding into second base.  He is expected to miss 6-8 weeks but is also expected to make a full recovery.

If you follow our Daily Blue Jays Prospect Report you already know that he is having a monster season batting 333/380/595 with 16 HRs and 52 RBIs.

Hopefully this doesn’t have longer lasting developmental ramifications.

What a season of injuries.

Daniel Norris Makes Pro Debut

Published June 21, 2012 Prospect Reports 4 Comments
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One of the most frequently asked questions for Toronto Blue Jays prospect watchers is when will prized left handed starter Daniel Norris make his professional debut?  Well, the rookie and short seasons have finally started and that is often where teams have their fresh draft picks start their big league dreams.

Daniel Norris, whom the Jays drafted in the 2nd round of the 2011 MLB draft (and went well over slot to get him signed) made his debut for the Bluefield Blue Jays in the Rookie Appalachian League and was pretty darn impressive. 

4 IP, 0 hits, 0 earned, 0 walks and 5 strikeouts.

Also making his debut was another highly touted Blue Jays prospect Joe Musgrove.  The big 6’5″ right handed pitcher is an imposing figure on the mound and was also impressive.

4 IP, 2 hits, 1 earned, 0 walks and 5 strikeouts.

A pair of 18-year old starting pitching propsects that will definitely be worth keeping an eye on going forward.  Be sure to check back here for the daily Blue Jays prospect report to keep tabs on all of the best Jays minor leaguers.

2012 MLB Draft – Blue Jays Draft Pitcher Matt Smoral With 50th Pick

Published June 4, 2012 Prospect Reports Leave a Comment
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50. TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Matt Smoral: LHP, Solon (Ohio) HS

Matt Smoral scouting report: Matt Smoral is a lefthanded pitcher out of Solon High School in Ohio. Baseball America has him ranked #24 on their most recent draft rankings. Keith Law has Smoral at #14 in his rankings. BA has Smoral at 6’7″, 225 lbs., while ESPN lists him at 6’8″, 230 lbs. Smoral went #24 at the Minor League Ball community mock draft. Smoral has a commitment to the University of North Carolina, if he doesn’t sign with the team that drafts him this summer.

Smoral is tall, left-handed, throws hard (most of the reports I’ve seen say he gets up to 94 mph), and has a good slider, and before the season, Baseball America had him expected to go in the top half of the first round. So why would he be available for the Rangers at #29? Well, Smoral broke his foot, which means that he pitched in only one regular season game this year, and BA says he isn’t supposed to pitch again until after the new signing deadline of July 13. That means he’s being drafted, in essence, off of his projectability and what he did prior to his senior year in high school.

Why would he be a fit for the Rangers? Well, he’s got upside, and he’s described as “athletic,” which is one of those buzzwords you hear about pitchers the Rangers are interested in. Yesterday, I said the lazy comp for Duane Underwood was Ranger 2010 supplemental first rounder Luke Jackson. Similarly, reading about Smoral brings to mind 2011 2nd rounder Will Lamb, another tall, athletic lefty with a big fastball and projectability.

2012 MLB Draft – Blue Jays Draft Pitcher Marcus Stroman With 22nd Pick

Published June 4, 2012 Prospect Reports Leave a Comment
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22. TORONTO BLUE JAYS (supplemental for failure to sign 2011 first-round pick Tyler Beede) — Marcus Stroman: RHP, Duke

Just 5-foot-9, Stroman still throws in the mid-90s and served as the Team USA closer last season. As a closer for Team USA, he didn’t allow a hit in 8 1/3 innings. At Duke he started, going 6-5 with a 2.39 ERA. He struck out 136 and had 26 walks in 98 innings, while putting up a 1.88 FIP for a 21-34 Duke squad. If he starts his pro career as a reliever, he could be the closest of any of this year’s draftees to the big leagues, much like Chris Sale in 2010. There are plenty of doubters about Stroman’s ability to start because of his size, but nobody doubts he can strike out big-league hitters. In addition to his fastball, he has a slider that’s considered a legitimate out pitch, to go along with a solid changeup.

From MLB.com

College relievers always get looks in the early stages of the Draft if they are believed to be able to move quickly to the big leagues. Stroman has the chance to be the first of those closer types to go off the board.

Because of his size and electric arm, he gets Tom Gordon comparisions all the time. He throws his fastball consistently in the mid-90s with some pretty good tail when it’s down in the zone. He complements it with a power curve that has a nasty late break to it. His command isn’t fine, but he’s generally around the strike zone with both offerings.

As a short reliever, that might be all he needs at the next level. Stroman is coming off a dominant summer with USA Baseball, so scouts will be very curious to see how his junior season unfolds.

This pick was compensation for the Blue Jays failure to sign right handed high school pitcher Tyler Beede in the 2011 MLB draft.

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