2017 Toronto Blue Jays Top 10 Prospects — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

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TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3b
2. Anthony Alford, of
3. Sean Reid-Foley, rhp
4. Conner Greene, rhp
5. Richard Urena, ss
6. Rowdy Tellez, 1b
7. T.J. Zeuch, rhp
8. Bo Bichette, ss
9. Jon Harris, rhp
10. Justin Maese, rhp

The first year of the Mark Shapiro era in Toronto looked a lot like the previous era.

For the first time since 1992-93, when the Blue Jays won consecutive World Series championships, the club made the playoffs in consecutive seasons. Toronto rallied late in September to earn a wild-card spot, then beat the Orioles in the Wild Card Game. The Jays won a playoff series for the second straight year, beating the Rangers before losing to the Indians in the American League Champoinship Series.

The cast of characters was familiar for Jays fans, most of the big league roster having been assembled by Alex Anthopoulos, the team’s general manager from 2010-15. But Shapiro took over as team president in September 2015, and two months later Anthopoulos and the Jays split.

Shapiro hired Ross Atkins as the new GM. When Shapiro was GM of the Indians, Atkins worked under him in scouting and player development roles. The duo tweaked the big league rotation with moves such as signing free agent J.A. Happ to replace David Price. Happ won 20 of his 32 starts, helping a rotation bolstered by a breakout year from 2010 supplemental first-rounder Aaron Sanchez.

Bigger changes are coming. Longtime righthanded power plants Jose Bautista, who has averaged nearly 30 homers per year over nine seasons with Toronto, and Edwin Encarnacion, who has averaged 39 homers annually the last five years, are both pending free agents. Neither is likely to be back, and the Jays probably will try to hold payroll in the $119-137 million range it has held in the last four seasons.

A farm system that had a strong development year looks primed to provide low-cost reinforcements soon. While no Blue Jays full-season team had a winning record, most of the organization’s top prospects from a year ago took a step forward in 2016, none more so than Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The son of the ex-big leaguer debuted impressively in the Rookie-level Appalachian League, showing a polished hitting approach for his age and prodigious power potential.

While the Jays have talent even after last year’s flurry of prospect trades, Shapiro has started overhauling scouting and player development in Toronto. He didn’t renew the contract of scouting director Brian Parker, eventually replacing him with former Red Sox assistant director Steve Sanders. The Jays also fired minor league field coordinator Doug Davis and pitching coordinator Sal Fasano.

Shapiro has added to player development, bringing in a high-performance team to coordinate strength and conditioning, mental training and nutrition, as well as former Indians manager Eric Wedge as a player development advisor. Speculation dogged the Jays all season that Wedge was sizing up minor league talent so he could later manage as John Gibbons’ replacement in the Toronto dugout.

That would be the most tangible sign yet that indeed these are Shapiro’s Blue Jays.

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3b |

Born: March 16, 1999. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 200. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2015. Signed by: Ismael Cruz/Sandy Rosario/Luciano Del Rosario.

SCOUTING GRADES

Batting: 60.

Power: 70.

Speed: 50.

Defense: 45.

Arm: 55.

Based on 20-80 scouting scale—where 50 represents major league average—and future projection rather than present tools.

Background: Vladimir Guerrero signed with the Expos in March 1993, reached the majors in 1996 and became American League MVP with the Angels in 2004, one of his nine all-star seasons. In spring training before his first all-star campaign, in 1999, his son Vladimir Jr. was born in Montreal. He grew into a hitting prospect with some of his father’s mannerisms (such as a lack of batting gloves), a strong facial resemblance and plenty more fanfare. The father signed for a $2,100 bonus, while Vladimir Jr. signed for $3.9 million. In fact, the Blue Jays traded minor leaguers Tim Locastro and Chase De Jong to the Dodgers for three international bonus slots, raising their international pool high enough just to sign the junior Guerrero. The Blue Jays first saw Guerrero take swings in their Dominican complex when he was 14 years old, after he’d already been training with his uncle Wilton, also a former major leaguer. He shifted from outfield to third base in instructional league after signing, went through his first spring training in 2016 and had a strong pro debut in the Rookie-level Appalachian League, finishing third in total bases while being the league’s youngest player.

Scouting Report: Guerrero does just about everything evaluators want to see in a teenage hitter. He has tremendous hand-eye coordination and bat-to-ball skills, to the point he seems to have been born to hit. His special hands allow him to manipulate the barrel and square up pitches of all types. He has excellent strike-zone judgment for a 17-year-old, walking nearly as often as he struck out and showing an ability to lay off breaking balls that will be further tested at higher levels. He has tremendous raw power and showed the ability to drive the ball to all fields at an advanced rate for his age. Guerrero covers the plate well and should be an above-average hitter with 30-plus homer potential down the line. Some club officials have compared his overall offensive profile to that of Edwin Encarnacion, though with more speed, as he’s actually an average runner. Like Encarnacion, Guerrero has a chance to be a third baseman early in his career. Defense was rarely a focus of his as an amateur, and moving to third base from outfield has prompted Guerrero to work harder on all aspects of that side of the ball. He has improved his short-area quickness and arm strength the most. If he keeps working on his defense, he should have average range. Once owner of a below-average arm, he now flirts with a plus tool. His footwork has improved as well, and he made the routine play with some reliability in his debut. Guerrero has gotten his stocky body in better shape since signing, but it will always be a concern and is his biggest weakness as a prospect.

The Future: The Blue Jays’ high-performance team, which focuses on mental and physical training, will continue to work with Guerrero to maintain his looseness while improving his body fitness. His potential may not match his father’s, but he won’t shame his dad’s name as a ballplayer. He figures to reach low Class A Lansing in 2017, and he could make it hard for the Jays to keep him from getting to the big leagues by the time he’s 20.

2016 Club (Class)	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
Bluefield (R)	.271	.359	.449	236	32	64	12	3	8	46	33	35	15

2. Anthony Alford, of |

Born: July 20, 1994. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 215. Drafted: HS—Petal, Miss., 2012 (3rd round). Signed by: Brian Johnston.

Background: A two-sport prep star in Mississippi, Alford signed for $750,000 on a contract that allowed him to play college football, first at Southern Mississippi as a quarterback, then at Mississippi as a defensive back. He had 94 pro at-bats in three seasons before giving up football and breaking out in 2015, but injuries slowed him in 2016. He wrenched his right knee on Opening Day, then suffered a concussion in an outfield collision in mid-June.

Scouting Report: Alford went 5-for-41 with 28 strikeouts in his first 12 games back from his knee injury and struggled initially after his concussion return as well. Back to full strength in July and August, he showed the same tools and similar production he had in 2015, with a power-speed combination buoyed by good plate discipline. He lost a step with his knee injury (he was forced to wear a bulky brace), making him merely a plus runner instead of a true burner, and scouts want to see if he gets it back this offseason. He still has athleticism, strength in his swing and improving power as he’s tamed his swing a bit, giving him better bat control. Alford could still add polish in center field but has plenty of range that helps make up for a below-average arm.

The Future: The Blue Jays were pleased with Alford’s big finish and maturity handling his injuries. He is ready for Double-A in 2017 and could push for a regular role in 2018.

2016 Club (Class)	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
Dunedin (Hi A)	.236	.344	0.378	339	53	80	17	2	9	44	53	117	18

3. Sean Reid-Foley, rhp |

Born: Aug. 30, 1995. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 220. Drafted: HS—Jacksonville, 2014 (2nd round). Signed by: Matt Bishoff.

Background: Reid-Foley is close to becoming the second big leaguer ever born in Guam. He would join John Hattig, who got 24 at-bats in 2006 for Toronto. Reid-Foley’s older brother David pitched in the Dodgers system and taught his younger brother a curveball last offseason, helping him have a breakout 2016 season. The only flaw was an elbow flare-up in August that prompted the Jays to shut him down.

Scouting Report: The Jays knew Reid-Foley had power stuff, which he maintained and improved in 2016 with the strides he made with his upper-70s curveball, which now rivals his slider as his best secondary pitch. At times both play as plus, though his mid-80s slider was less consistent than it had been in the past. Sent back to low Class A to start the season, Reid-Foley streamlined his leg kick in his delivery, which improved his direction to the plate, resulting in more command of his 92-94 mph fastball that touches 97. He threw harder in 2015 but has better command now while retaining good angle to the plate and solid life. His changeup, his fourth pitch, shows average potential.

The Future: Reid-Foley and Conner Greene should front the rotation at Double-A New Hampshire at some point in 2017. Greene’s stuff is more electric, but Reid-Foley’s strides in commanding his plus stuff gives him the edge as a potential future No. 2 starter.

2016 Club (Class)	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SV	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Dunedin (HiA)	6	2	2.67	10	10	0	0	57	35	2	16	71	.172
Lansing (LoA)	4	3	2.95	11	11	0	0	58	43	2	22	59	.208

4. Conner Greene, rhp |

Born: April 4, 1995. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 185. Drafted: HS—Santa Monica, Calif., 2013 (7th round). Signed by: Jim Lentine.

Background: Greene broke out in 2015, finishing the year in Double-A. He didn’t respond well when sent back to high Class A to start 2016 and struggled with his control, ranking 13th in the minors with 71 walks.

Scouting Report: In terms of stuff, no Blue Jays farmhand can match Greene, who has the system’s most explosive fastball for a starter. He can reach 98 mph and pitches in the 93-97 range at his best with his four-seamer, at times mixing in an 89-92 two-seamer. He’s very athletic, lean and loose. His changeup remains his best secondary pitch, an above-average pitch thrown with good arm speed and featuring late fade. His 83-87 mph slider flashes above-average with depth, but it lacks consistency, while his curveball gets slow and loopy. Scouts outside the organization question Greene’s dedication to learning pitch sequencing and attention to detail, both on and off the mound. Greene tinkered with his delivery to sync up his body and fast arm and had an inconsistent between-starts routine, which contributed to his below-average control.

The Future: If his control clicks, Greene has front-of-the-rotation potential, but he has to throw quality strikes above Class A. He will likely return to Double-A in 2017.

2016 Club (Class)	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SV	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
New Hampshire (AA)	6	5	4.19	12	12	1	0	69	57	5	33	48	.224
Dunedin (HiA)	4	4	2.9	15	15	0	0	78	74	5	38	51	.252

5. Richard Urena, ss |

Born: Feb. 26, 1996. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 185. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2012. Signed by: Ismael Cruz/Sandy Rosario/Luciano del Rosario.

Background: The Blue Jays signed Urena for $725,000 in 2012 and have kept him after trading other top international shortstops, such as Franklin Barreto (Athletics) or Dawel Lugo (Diamondbacks). Urena reached Double-A New Hampshire but wore out at the end of the season, finishing 4-for-37.

Scouting Report: When he first got to Double-A, Urena showed his ceiling, which could be an above-average offensive player with average defense at shortstop. He has a feel for hitting with an aggressive approach, quick wrists and solid strength that produces solid-average power from the left side. He hasn’t shown much righthanded pop in games the last two seasons, with just 12 extra-base hits from that side in 250 at-bats. Urena slightly improved his walk rate and cut his strikeouts while maintaining solid power production, though he still gives away at-bats swinging at pitchers’ pitches. He also makes careless errors too often at short, flipping throws instead of setting his feet and flashing his arm, which is plus at its best.

The Future: Urena flashes above-average tools in every area but speed but lacks polish and consistency at the plate and in the field. He’ll open 2017 back at Double-A and may mix in some second base time with Troy Tulowitzki blocking his big league path to shortstop.

2016 Club (Class)	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
New Hampshire (AA)	.266	.282	.395	124	14	33	6	5	0	18	4	19	0
Dunedin (HiA)	.305	.351	.447	394	52	120	18	7	8	41	25	64	9

6. Rowdy Tellez, 1b |

Born: March 16, 1995. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 220. Drafted: HS—Elk Grove, Calif., 2013 (30th round). Signed by: Darold Brown.

Background: Tellez played with future pros J.D. Davis (Astros), Dom Nunez (Rockies), Derek Hill (Tigers 2014 first-rounder) and Dylan Carlson (Cardinals 2016 first-rounder) at Elk Grove High before signing for $850,000, the largest bonus in the Blue Jays’ 2013 draft class. He had a strong 2016, ranking second in the Double-A Eastern League in on-base percentage (.387) and third in slugging (.530).

Scouting Report: A slow start (.164 in April) tested Tellez’s confidence, but he turned up his aggressiveness and rallied, hitting .318 the rest of the way. He has improved his body significantly since signing, losing 15 pounds. Scouts laud his makeup for his dedication to his fitness, which also has helped improve his power production. Tellez always has shown feel for hitting and good control for the strike zone, and he’s got plus power to punish mistakes when pitchers miss. He chased plenty of breaking balls early but adjusted and started laying off them, and he has enough bat speed to catch up to good fastballs. Tellez is a fringy defender with good enough footwork to improve to average.

The Future: Tellez is the most advanced hitter among top Toronto farmhands and could hit his way to the majors in 2017, depending on how the Blue Jays’ offseason shapes up. More likely, he’ll head to Triple-A Buffalo.

2016 Club (Class)	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
New Hampshire (AA)	.297	.387	.530	438	71	130	29	2	23	81	63	92	4

7. T.J. Zeuch, rhp

Born: Aug. 1, 1995. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-7. Wt.: 225. Drafted: Pittsburgh, 2016 (1st round). Signed by: Doug Witt.

Background: The Royals drafted Zeuch in 2013 out of an Ohio high school in the 31st round, and he became the highest draft pick in the history of Pittsburgh’s program. He signed for $2.175 million as the 21st overall pick. Zeuch’s father Tim pitched two games in 1980 for the independent Victoria (B.C.) Mussels.

Scouting Report: Zeuch had one of the best fastballs in the draft class. He pitches off his plus fastball, which has armside run as well as heavy sinking life at its best. He’ll touch 97 mph but usually sits in the 93-94 range. He uses his size well, leveraging his 6-foot-7 frame to drive the ball downhill and get solid extension out in front. He repeats his delivery well for a tall pitcher and should have average major league command. He throws a solid-average curveball with 12-to-6 shape from his high three-quarters release point that’s his preferred secondary pitch, but he also can throw strikes with his average slider and fringe-average changeup.

The Future: Toronto again landed one of the top college starters in the draft while picking in the 20s. A potential No. 3 starter, Zeuch has a higher ceiling and more power than 2015 first-rounder Jon Harris and should join Harris in high Class A Dunedin’s rotation in 2017.

2016 Club (Class)	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SV	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Lansing (LoA)	0	1	9.00	2	2	0	0	8	10	1	2	14	.294
Vancouver (SS)	0	1	3.52	6	6	0	0	23	21	1	5	22	.247
GCL Blue Jays (R)	0	0	0.00	1	1	0	0	3	0	0	0	2	.000

8. Bo Bichette, ss/2b |

Born: March 5, 1998. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 200. Drafted: HS—St. Petersburg, Fla., 2016 (2nd round). Signed by: Matt Bishoff.

Background: Bichette’s father and brother paved his way into baseball. Dante Sr. hit 274 home runs in 14 big league seasons, while Dante Jr., a supplemental first-round pick of the Yankees in 2011, has reached Double-A. The brothers played together for Brazil’s World Baseball Classic qualifier team in September in Brooklyn; their mother is Brazilian. He hit .427 and ranked second in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League with 36 RBIs in just 22 games. He missed a month with appendicitis but didn’t require surgery.

Scouting Report: Bichette uses a somewhat unconventional swing with an exaggerated, deep load in his swing, but it worked throughout his amateur career and worked extremely well in his pro debut. He makes in-at-bat adjustments with an advanced approach for a prep, and scouts who believe his hand and bat speed will make his approach work see him as an above-average hitter with at least plus power. Bichette has solid athleticism, average range and speed and an above-average arm. The Blue Jays will keep him at shortstop as long as he can play it.

The Future: From his exaggerated swing to defensive future, which is likely at third base, Bichette shares similarities with Josh Donaldson. He’s headed to low Class A Lansing, where he’ll play short next to third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2017.

2016 Club (Class)	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
GCL Blue Jays (R)	.427	.451	.732	82	21	35	9	2	4	36	6	17	3

9. Jon Harris, rhp |

Born: Oct. 16, 1993. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 175. Drafted: Missouri State, 2015 (1st round). Signed by: Dallas Black.

Background: Harris flirted with being a top-10 pick in a soft crop of college starting pitchers in the 2015 draft. As it turned out, he wasn’t a team’s first choice until the 29th overall pick, where Toronto snatched him and signed him for just less than $2 million. The Blue Jays had picked him out of high school as well in the 33rd round. Harris had a poor pro debut (6.75 ERA) but finished 2016 in high Class A after adopting several changes to his delivery.

Scouting Report: The Blue Jays simplified Harris’ leg kick and got him to lengthen his stride out front, giving him a bit more effective velocity and allowing him to better repeat his delivery. He has better plane to his fastball and still has the same clean arm action as before, and he threw more quality strikes this year with all four of his pitches. Harris will pop a 97 mph fastball at times but sits 90-94. His changeup and upper-70s curveball flash above-average, as the curve has some depth and the changeup has good life, while his cutter-type slider lacks consistent tilt but has solid mid-80s power. His lack of a true plus pitch makes it hard for him to rack up swings-and-misses; increased strength could help the quality of his stuff.

The Future: Harris needs a plus pitch to be a potential No. 3 starter and innings-eater. More realistically, he profiles as a solid No. 4 who could reach Double-A in 2017.

2016 Club (Class)	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SV	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Dunedin (HiA)	3	2	3.60	8	8	1	0	45	37	2	14	26	.224
Lansing (LoA)	8	2	2.23	16	16	0	0	85	74	1	24	73	.232

10. Justin Maese, rhp

Born: Oct. 24, 1996. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 190. Drafted: HS—El Paso, 2015 (3rd round). Signed by: Gerald Turner.

Background: The Blue Jays signed Maese for just $300,000, less than half the bonus slot for the 91st overall pick. Held back in extended spring training in 2016, he earned the first start of the season for short-season Vancouver, then got a promotion to low Class A Lansing.

Scouting Report: Maese has a fine pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds with the athleticism and present strength to repeat his delivery. He attacks hitters seeking early-count contact and gets it, usually on the ground. He generated more than two groundouts for every out in the air in 2016. He averaged right around 13 pitches per inning, making him one of the organization’s most efficient pitchers. His sinking fastball touches 96 mph and resides in the 90-94 range with the best fastball life in the organization. Maese picked up a new slider grip this year to give him a solid-average secondary pitch. It’s hard, reaching the upper 80s. He’s still learning some feel for the pitch and learning a changeup. He needs to refine his defense.

The Future: The Jays have had success developing power sinkerballers of late, including Henderson Alvarez and Aaron Sanchez. Maese has similar sink with a bit less velocity than those two and profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter. He could start 2017 at high Class A Dunedin and should finish the season there.