An update on our prospect situation. Took this from the main Blue Jays message board.
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/12/5/3731258/toronto-blue-jays-top-20-prospects-for-2013
3) Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Grade B+: Borderline A-: Stuff is even better than Syndergaard's, three plus pitches, but needs to sharpen his control. Noah has a better balance of stuff and command than Aaron at this point, but they are very close.
4) Roberto Osuna, RHP, Grade B+: I like his delivery, I like his stuff, his control isn't bad, and he performed well out of the gate. Not classically projectable due to mature body at age 18, but he already has enough stuff to succeed if the command is there.
5) Marcus Stroman, RHP, Grade B: You have to love the stuff, 5-9 size be damned, and he knows how to use it. Will he start or relieve? He could advance very quickly in the bullpen. Don't forget he has to finish his suspension over stimulant use.
6) Sean Nolin, LHP, Grade B: I don't know why this guy doesn't get more attention. He's big (6-5, 235), has a solid fastball, good curve, change coming along, throws strikes, great performance record. Just needs to stay healthy.
7) D.J. Davis, OF, Grade B-: 80-speed and has some power, too. Will have to see how his approach develops, if his on-base skills are sufficient for a leadoff man. His speed certainly will be. Probably a five-year development project.
8) Daniel Norris, LHP, Grade B-: Despite his dismal statistical performance, scouting reports remain pretty positive, pointing to plus fastball, changeup. Breaking stuff is erratic, mechanics give him trouble and hamper his command. His FIP was 3.81, so he wasn't as bad as the 8.44 ERA suggests, but he's got work to do.
9) Matt Smoral, LHP, Grade B-: Big lefty from the 2012 draft, possibly a steal in the supplemental round though we haven't seen him pitch yet due to the broken foot that knocked his stock down. Power southpaw with impressive fastball and slider potential.
10) A.J. Jimenez, C, Grade C+: Recovering from Tommy John. Assuming that goes well, he's a solid defender with a decent bat, though he doesn't have D'Arnaud's power.
11) Santiago Nessy, C, Grade C+: I buy into his defensive skills and he's got plenty of power, but strike zone judgment is problematic. High ceiling, if he adapts well to A-ball his grade will move up quickly. Good catching depth in the system.
12) John Stilson, RHP, Grade C+: His stuff can be electric, but command is wobbly and cross-body mechanics make me cringe. I think he fits best in relief.
13) Alberto Tirado, RHP, Grade C+: Consistently good reviews for this rookie ball right-hander, who pitched better than guys with larger bonuses. Live arm, up to 94-95 MPH, and has a mix of secondary pitches to work with.
14) Chase DeJong, RHP, Grade C+: Second-round pick from California high school opened his career with 12 excellent innings in rookie ball. Superior command, doesn't have overwhelming velocity but has a better feel than some of the other arms in this range.
15) Christian Lopes, 2B, Grade C+: Solid bat with more pop than most middle infielders, polished approach. Needs more adaptation time at second base but should be at least adequate with the glove.
16) Adonys Cardona, RHP, Grade C+: High ceiling arm with great physical potential, but still struggling with secondary pitches, command, and consistency. Turns 19 next month, he's got time.
17) Kevin Pillar, OF, Grade C+: Hit .328/.378/.439 with 59 steals despite a mediocre toolset. Great instincts for the game. If you could stick his head on Jake Marisnick's body, you'd have a superstar. Pillar is probably a fourth outfielder but an interesting player.
18) Mitch Nay, 3B, Grade C+: Nay has tremendous raw power but reports on his other skills, including his defense, are mixed and he didn't play in pro ball due to injury. Could rank much higher next year.
19) Tyler Gonzales, RHP, Grade C+: Killer fastball/slider combination, but high-effort mechanics likely make him a reliever as he moves up. Another strong rookie ball arm. It will be interesting to see if the Jays handle him as judiciously as they've done with other high school guys.
20) Franklin Barreto, SS, Grade C+: Big bonus shortstop from Venezuela with speed, hitting skills. Might move to outfield but many experts considered him the top non-Cuban talent in the international market. A LONG way off at age 16, but he has a good track record in international competition which (in theory) should mean scouts have a good read on him.
OTHERS: Anthony Alford, OF; Jacob Anderson, OF; Javier Avedano RHP; Danny Barnes, RHP; Ryan Borucki, LHP; Andy Burns, INF; Taylor Cole, RHP; Matthew Dean, 3B; Yeyfry Del Rosario, RHP; Sam Dyson, RHP; Jeremy Gabryszwski, RHP; Ryan Goins, INF; Chris Hawkins, OF; Chad Jenkins, RHP; Jairo Labourt, LHP; Deck McGuire, RHP; Griffin Murphy, LHP; Dalton Pompey, OF; Dwight Smith, OF.
Some really nice pieces, although most of them are in low A ball
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/12/5/3731258/toronto-blue-jays-top-20-prospects-for-2013
3) Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Grade B+: Borderline A-: Stuff is even better than Syndergaard's, three plus pitches, but needs to sharpen his control. Noah has a better balance of stuff and command than Aaron at this point, but they are very close.
4) Roberto Osuna, RHP, Grade B+: I like his delivery, I like his stuff, his control isn't bad, and he performed well out of the gate. Not classically projectable due to mature body at age 18, but he already has enough stuff to succeed if the command is there.
5) Marcus Stroman, RHP, Grade B: You have to love the stuff, 5-9 size be damned, and he knows how to use it. Will he start or relieve? He could advance very quickly in the bullpen. Don't forget he has to finish his suspension over stimulant use.
6) Sean Nolin, LHP, Grade B: I don't know why this guy doesn't get more attention. He's big (6-5, 235), has a solid fastball, good curve, change coming along, throws strikes, great performance record. Just needs to stay healthy.
7) D.J. Davis, OF, Grade B-: 80-speed and has some power, too. Will have to see how his approach develops, if his on-base skills are sufficient for a leadoff man. His speed certainly will be. Probably a five-year development project.
8) Daniel Norris, LHP, Grade B-: Despite his dismal statistical performance, scouting reports remain pretty positive, pointing to plus fastball, changeup. Breaking stuff is erratic, mechanics give him trouble and hamper his command. His FIP was 3.81, so he wasn't as bad as the 8.44 ERA suggests, but he's got work to do.
9) Matt Smoral, LHP, Grade B-: Big lefty from the 2012 draft, possibly a steal in the supplemental round though we haven't seen him pitch yet due to the broken foot that knocked his stock down. Power southpaw with impressive fastball and slider potential.
10) A.J. Jimenez, C, Grade C+: Recovering from Tommy John. Assuming that goes well, he's a solid defender with a decent bat, though he doesn't have D'Arnaud's power.
11) Santiago Nessy, C, Grade C+: I buy into his defensive skills and he's got plenty of power, but strike zone judgment is problematic. High ceiling, if he adapts well to A-ball his grade will move up quickly. Good catching depth in the system.
12) John Stilson, RHP, Grade C+: His stuff can be electric, but command is wobbly and cross-body mechanics make me cringe. I think he fits best in relief.
13) Alberto Tirado, RHP, Grade C+: Consistently good reviews for this rookie ball right-hander, who pitched better than guys with larger bonuses. Live arm, up to 94-95 MPH, and has a mix of secondary pitches to work with.
14) Chase DeJong, RHP, Grade C+: Second-round pick from California high school opened his career with 12 excellent innings in rookie ball. Superior command, doesn't have overwhelming velocity but has a better feel than some of the other arms in this range.
15) Christian Lopes, 2B, Grade C+: Solid bat with more pop than most middle infielders, polished approach. Needs more adaptation time at second base but should be at least adequate with the glove.
16) Adonys Cardona, RHP, Grade C+: High ceiling arm with great physical potential, but still struggling with secondary pitches, command, and consistency. Turns 19 next month, he's got time.
17) Kevin Pillar, OF, Grade C+: Hit .328/.378/.439 with 59 steals despite a mediocre toolset. Great instincts for the game. If you could stick his head on Jake Marisnick's body, you'd have a superstar. Pillar is probably a fourth outfielder but an interesting player.
18) Mitch Nay, 3B, Grade C+: Nay has tremendous raw power but reports on his other skills, including his defense, are mixed and he didn't play in pro ball due to injury. Could rank much higher next year.
19) Tyler Gonzales, RHP, Grade C+: Killer fastball/slider combination, but high-effort mechanics likely make him a reliever as he moves up. Another strong rookie ball arm. It will be interesting to see if the Jays handle him as judiciously as they've done with other high school guys.
20) Franklin Barreto, SS, Grade C+: Big bonus shortstop from Venezuela with speed, hitting skills. Might move to outfield but many experts considered him the top non-Cuban talent in the international market. A LONG way off at age 16, but he has a good track record in international competition which (in theory) should mean scouts have a good read on him.
OTHERS: Anthony Alford, OF; Jacob Anderson, OF; Javier Avedano RHP; Danny Barnes, RHP; Ryan Borucki, LHP; Andy Burns, INF; Taylor Cole, RHP; Matthew Dean, 3B; Yeyfry Del Rosario, RHP; Sam Dyson, RHP; Jeremy Gabryszwski, RHP; Ryan Goins, INF; Chris Hawkins, OF; Chad Jenkins, RHP; Jairo Labourt, LHP; Deck McGuire, RHP; Griffin Murphy, LHP; Dalton Pompey, OF; Dwight Smith, OF.
Some really nice pieces, although most of them are in low A ball
