A look at the top performing players in the Blue Jays system for the final month of the season.
1. Otto Lopez, Lansing. Why he’s here: .376/.411/.496 58 Total Bases
The versatile Lopez rode a hot month to a Midwest League batting title, and earned a lot of prospect admiration along the way.
Lopez split the majority of his time between 2B and SS, but also saw some time in the Outfield. Even after their top players were promoted, and with Jordan Groshans limited to only 23 games, Lopez was one of the reasons the Lugs were still in playoff contention in late August. Top-of-the-order sparkplug is the label you can easily apply to him.
2. Thomas Hatch. Why he’s here: 35IP/34K, 0.76 WHIP, .205 OppBa
Maybe a bit overlooked in the deadline deals, Hatch came to the Blue Jays from the Cubs in exchange for David Phelps. With each August start for New Hampshire, he seemed to get stronger, Hatch added a cutter just before he was dealt, and the trade may pay dividends down the road for Toronto. Hatch’s last start was a 7-inning, 11 K beauty that followed up 7 innings of shutout ball in his previous outing.
3. Orelvis Martinez. Why he’s here: 1.063 OPS, 6 HRs.
The top-ranked bat (and the recipient of the highest signing bonus ever from the Blue Jays) in the 2018 IFA class showed why he was given that label with a power display in August that has topped off an impressive stateside debut in his first pro season. Martinez has quick hands and bat speed that translate well to an eventual full time move to 3B.
4. Adam Kloffenstein Why he’s here: 23IP/27K, .222 OppBa
Kloffenstein jumped back onto the prospect radar this summer, and along with Groshans has definitely put Magnolia (TX) HS on the scouting map. When the wraps were taken off Kloff early in the summer, he responded with 8 straight starts of at least 5 innings, earning Vancouver MVP awards in the process.
5. Simeon Woods Richardson Why he’s here: 24K/24 IP, 0.81 WHIP
The Blue Jays have treated SWR with kid gloves since acquiring him (max of 80 pitches), but he’s served notice that he’s in the picture to one day compete for a job in the big club’s rotation. His innings as a Blue Jay were limited, but what he did as one of the youngest players in High A over the last month of the season was really noteworthy.
