Another list, another bunch of Blue Jays making the cut. This time John Sickels released his top 120 prospects heading into 2012. He gave a quick explanation as to how he rates and ranks:
In the past, I have avoided combining lists for hitters and pitchers, preferring to separate them since they are different species. I still think that is the right thing to do philosophically, but nobody seems to agree with me on that, and demand for combined prospect lists is very high. So, here’s a combined list.
As with all such lists, the trick is finding a balance between short-term expectation, closeness to the majors, and long-term potential. A list that looks at nothing but long-term upside will look much different than a list focused on players poised to make a quick impact. This list is a hybrid of the two types and some of the rankings will reflect that.
The top Blue Jay prospects was once again catcher Travid D’Arnaud at #26, here is the full ranking of Jays and the top 15 overall:
1) Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Nationals
2) Matt Moore, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays
3) Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels
4) Yu Darvish, RHP, Texas Rangers
5) Jurickson Profar, SS, Texas Rangers
6) Shelby Miller, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
7) Trevor Bauer, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
8) Manny Machado, SS, Baltimore Orioles
9) Jesus Montero, C, Seattle Mariners
10) Julio Teheran, RHP, Atlanta Braves
11) Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
12) Devin Mesoraco, C, Cincinnati Reds
13) Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado Rockies
14) Wil Myers, OF, Kansas City Royals
15) Taijuan Walker, RHP, Seattle Mariners
Blue Jays:
26) Travis D’Arnaud, C, Toronto Blue Jays
48) Jake Marisnick, OF, Toronto Blue Jays
51) Anthony Gose, OF, Toronto Blue Jays
67) Noah Syndergaard, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
68) Justin Nicolino, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays
70) Daniel Norris, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays
73) Drew Hutchison, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (Nestor Molina was ranked #72)
80) Deck McGuire, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
