Three Blue Jays prospects have played prominent roles in taking their talent-laden Peoria Javelinas to the Arizona Fall League championship game.
OF Jonathan Davis was a 15th round pick in 2013 out of Central Arkansas. Injuries limited his development early on in his minor league career, but he’s been a steady, get-on-base (.376 at A+ last year, .361 at AA in 2017) guy at the top of the order. His speed may not be in the Anthony Alford/D.J.Davis/Reggie Pruitt category, but he’s stolen 54 bases over the past two years. Davis can play all three outfield positions. Initially sent to the AFL for some exposure to advanced competition, he’s boosted his stock with a .295/.389/.410 fall. Davis has to be considered at least a fringe 4th oufielder with his showing this year. He hit an absolute rocket in Peoria’s come-from-behind win last Saturday:
IF Lourdes Gurriel has split time between 2B and SS for Peoria, and has been a fixture in the botton third of their lineup. The much-heralded Cuban off season signing had his pro debut season marred by injuries and the rust of almost two years of baseball inactivity. His stint in the AFL was designed to give him more reps. He did not set the league on fire, but was solid on both sides of the ball. Gurriel showed some pop, as suggested by his .802 OPS. He has a chance at least a utility role in spring training – it feels like the real Lourdes has not quite shown up yet.
Reliever Andrew Case, a New Brunswick native, must be placed on the 40-man roster by Monday, or risk being claimed in the Rule 5 draft. He may be a long shot, but Case built on a solid 2017 in which he pitched at three levels. Not a strikeout an inning hurler, Case did not give up an earned run in 10 appearances for Peoria pitching primarily in a set-up role.
T.J Zeuch, who we had written about earlier, has also had a fine fall in the desert, and gets the start for Peoria.
The championship game between Peoria and Mesa will be broadcast on MLB network at 1:08 MST on Saturday.
