Blue Jays Minor League Notes and Thoughts

The week that was in the Blue Jays system…. @BallparkGuide (Malcolm MacMillan) photo WHO’S HOT WHO’S NOT https://twitter.com/francysromerofr/status/1516865695081979910?s=21&t=DkHW201CSyYeldtYRBin5Q As first reported by our great source for all things Cuban, Francys Romero, the Blue Jays are about to sign (or perhaps have signed, although nothing has shown up on the MiLB transactions page) Cuban RHP Rafael …

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Toronto Blue Jays Top 10 Prospects

With a preference for acquiring and developing up-the-middle players who can slide to other defensive positions, the Blue Jays farm system continued its ascension into the upper tiers of baseball's elite organizations in 2018. With 15 prospects scattered among the Top 20 in Baseball America's rankings of each minor league this fall (tied for 3rd with …

Don’t Count Your Prospects Before They’re Hatched

I'm not normally one to single someone out like this, but here goes: The Blue Jays' talent in the upper levels of the minors is really something. They could trade virtually their entire infield on July 31, and then some, and still be better (and cheaper) next year: Donaldson -> Vlad Solarte -> Bo Travis …

Toronto Blue Jays Top 10 Position Prospects

"There are no shortcuts." Of all the correspondence this blog has had with Blue Jays President/CEO Mark Shapiro over the past year, that aphorism stands out the most.  It underscores the approach this management group takes to organization building, a methodology that eschews the quick fix.  Players will be challenged, but they won't be rushed.  …

An Open Letter to Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins

Dear Mark and Ross: Hi Guys.  Loved Jaysfest this winter. Look, you both know it, I know it, and even the bandwagon fans on Facebook know it.  This season had considerable promise and started well, but with the starting rotation in shambles and the bullpen already showing the signs of overuse and this season about …

Where Will the Top Prospects Play?

Thanks to the excellent resources that are available (beyond this one, of course), many Blue Jays fans are now keeping closer tabs on the team's minor league players. For someone who loves the minors just as much as the majors, that's great. There are many ways to keep track of your favourite minor league prospects.  …

Atkins Bullish on Top Prospects Not Named Vladdy or Bo

Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins has been pumping up his team's prospects beyond the obvious top two in recent appearances. On the west coast last month for the annual Hot Stove Luncheon in Vancouver, Atkins told our friend Charlie Caskey (@CharlieCaskey on Twitter) about 1st rounder Nate Pearson: “It’s unusual for someone to be, I …

Who’s the Next Blue Jays Top 100 Prospect?

After some lean years in terms of elite prospects, these are heady times for Blue Jays fans. Vladimir Guerrero Jr (4th), Bo Bichette (19th), and Anthony Alford (58th) cracked Baseball Prospectus' Top 101 list earlier today , and just a few hours ago, Fangraphs released their Top 100,  with Guerrero 3rd, Bichette 9th, Alford 36th, Danny Jansen …

Guerrero Jr, Bichette Head Up Jays on BA’s Top 100

To the surprise of very few, Blue Jays prospects Vladimir Guerrero Jr (3), and Bo Bichette (8) have climbed to the Top 10 of Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list. Braves prospect Ronald Acuna headed up the rankings, while the Angels Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Otani nudged Guerrero to #3.  BA staffers admit that it's been …

Toronto Blue Jays Minor League System Top 10 Moments of 2017

It was a memorable season for a guy who follows the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system.  Three of the four short season teams made the post season, as did one full season team, bringing home a championship and a co-championship to the organization.  I had a first-hand look at Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Bo …