2017 Toronto Blue Jays Top 10 Prospects Insider

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Talent Infusion: Draft Report Card

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SEASON IN A SENTENCE: The Blue Jays reached the ALCS for the second-straight year behind a pitching staff that led the AL in ERA and one of the games’ most explosive offenses, but they once again fell a round short of reaching their first World Series since 1993.

HIGH POINT: Needing a win on the final day of the regular season to clinch a playoff spot as a wild card, emerging ace Aaron Sanchez pitched seven brilliant innings and Troy Tulowitzki delivered the tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth to lift the Blue Jays to a 2-1 win over the Red Sox and into the postseason.

LOW POINT: The Blue Jays’ powerful offense fell silent at the worst time: the playoffs. They scored just three runs combined in the first three games of the ALCS to fall into a 3-0 hole against the Indians, from which they couldn’t recover.

NOTABLE ROOKIES: Rule 5 draft selection Joe Biagini dominated out of the bullpen from day one and eventually took over as the setup man for closer Roberto Osuna. Biagini went 4-3, 3.06 with 62 strikeouts in 67.1 innings and pitched 7.1 more scoreless innings of relief in the postseason. Fellow righthanded reliever Danny Barnes struck out 14 in 13.2 innings and earned an ALDS roster spot, and lefthander Chad Girodo posted a 4.35 ERA out of the bullpen in his first MLB action.

KEY TRANSACTIONS: The Jays acquired veteran reliever Jason Grilli from the Braves in May in exchange for minor league righthander Sean Ratcliffe. The 39-year old Grilli went 6-4, 3.63 as a key part of the Jays bullpen and didn’t allow a run in five postseason outings. The Blue Jays further rearranged their pitching staff during the summer, acquiring Joaquin Benoit for Drew Storen, Mike Bolsinger for Jesse Chavez, Scott Feldman for Lupe Chavez and Francisco Liriano and well-regarded prospects Harold Ramirez and Reese McGuire from Pittsburgh in exchange for Drew Hutchison. Liriano in particular proved key, posting a 2.92 ERA in 10 appearances, eight starts, for Toronto down the stretch.

DOWN ON THE FARM: High Class A Dunedin won a wild card spot in the Florida State League and was the only Blue Jays affiliate to make the playoffs, led by touted righthanders Connor Greene (4-4, 2.90), Sean Reid-Foley (6-2, 2.67) and Jon Harris (3-2, 3.60). Tellez was an offensive force at the upper levels of the system, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (12 2B, 8 HR) and Bo Bichette (1.182 OPS), the sons of former big leaguers Vladimir Guerrero and Dante Bichette, respectively, had big seasons in Rookie-ball.

— Kyle Glaser

OPENING DAY PAYROLL: $140,582,027 (13th)

BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Bo Bichette
Best Power Hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Cavan Biggio
Fastest Baserunner Roemon Fields
Best Athlete Anthony Alford
Best Fastball Conner Greene
Best Curveball Zach Jackson
Best Slider Sean Reid-Foley
Best Changeup Ryan Borucki
Best Control Ryan Borucki
Best Defensive Catcher Javier Hernandez
Best Defensive Infielder Richard Urena
Best Infield Arm Richard Urena
Best Defensive Outfielder Reggie Pruitt
Best Outfield Arm Reggie Pruitt
PROJECTED 2020 LINEUP
Catcher Reese McGuire
First Base Rowdy Tellez
Second Base Devon Travis
Third Base Josh Donaldson
Shortstop Richard Urena
Left Field Bo Bichette
Center Field Anthony Alford
Right Field Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Designated Hitter Troy Tulowitzki
No. 1 Starter Aaron Sanchez
No. 2 Starter Marcus Stroman
No. 3 Starter Sean Reid-Foley
No. 4 Starter Conner Greene
No. 5 Starter T.J. Zeuch
Closer Roberto Osuna
TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE
Year Player, Pos. 2016 Org
2007 Adam Lind, of Mariners
2008 Travis Snider, of Royals
2009 Travis Snider, of Royals
2010 Zach Stewart, rhp (Korea)
2011 Kyle Drabek, rhp Giants
2012 Travis d’Arnaud, c Mets
2013 Aaron Sanchez, rhp Blue Jays
2014 Daniel Norris, lhp Tigers
2015 Daniel Norris, lhp Tigers
2016 Anthony Alford, of Blue Jays
TOP DRAFT PICKS OF THE DECADE
Year Player, Pos. 2016 Org
2007 Kevin Ahrens, 3b Did not play
2008 David Cooper, 1b Did not play
2009 Chad Jenkins, rhp Blue Jays
2010 Deck McGuire, rhp Cardinals
2011 *Tyler Beede, rhp Giants
2012 D.J. Davis, of Blue Jays
2013 *Phil Bickford, rhp Brewers
2014 Jeff Hoffman, rhp Rockies
2015 Jon Harris, rhp Blue Jays
2016 T.J. Zeuch, rhp Blue Jays
*Did not sign.
LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORY
Adeiny Hechavarria, 2010 $4,000,000
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 2015 $3,900,000
Jeff Hoffman, 2014 $3,080,000
Max Pentecost, 2014 $2,888,300
Adonys Cardona, 2010 $2,800,000

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