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The Toronto Blue Jays will be our final stop on the farm to evaluate the best prospects on each MLB team. Once the 2020 MLB season begins, it may turn out that Minor League systems will be more important than usual. Franchises are losing money during the pandemic layoff, so many teams will be looking for sources of cheap production. It might also take older players longer to rebound from a long layoff, meaning we could see more injuries and more roster moves. We will also see expanded rosters, at least in the early going.
One important question to ask is: How will a long layoff affect prospects? One has to assume the more advanced prospects prior to the work stoppage will be at an advantage, while the more “toolsy but raw” type could be hurt with the lack of repetition and in-game action; throwing or hitting in simulated environments just doesn’t match up to the real thing. Many prospects will have to work jobs during the pandemic just to make ends meet, while players who signed for large bonuses will have an advantage. Other prospects that lack strong discipline and commitment to their craft could struggle to stay in shape.
We won’t really know what the layoff impact will have on baseball in general until things start ramping up. But we do know that a strong prospect pool will continue to be an important element for a successful baseball franchise. We’re looking at the Top 10 (or more) dynasty prospects in each organization with an eye to discovering which organizations are best positioned to succeed with their player development when games resume. Make sure to check out all of our prospect content, including Top 50 for 2020 and Top 250 for Dynasty Leagues.
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Quick Synopsis
The Blue Jays feature a strong Top 10 list and the system is deeper than some give it credit for. The club has been excellent at utilizing the international market to supplement its efforts with the amateur draft.
1. Nate Pearson, RHP
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 6
2020 Prospect Rank: 4
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020
Pearson is a beast. He can routinely hit 100 mph (with movement) and consistently find the strike zone. He also has two other potentially-plus offerings in his slider and changeup — as well as a curveball that flashes average potential. At 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, he has a workman-like frame and a level-headed, mature approach, which should help him achieve his frontline-starter potential.
2. Jordan Groshans, 3B/SS
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 38
2020 LEVEL: A+
MLB ETA: 2022
Groshans looked to be well on his way to a breakout 2019 season when he suffered a foot injury which ended his season. The injury is said to be fully healed and is not considered to be a chronic injury. Before getting hurt, he was hitting .337 through 23 games as a 19-year-old in A-ball. Groshans has an advanced approach to hitting for his age and should hit for both average and power when he reaches the big leagues. The jury is still out on his ability to stick at shortstop but he has more than enough offensive skill to project well at third base.
3. Orelvis Martinez, SS/3B
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 59
2020 LEVEL: SS-A
MLB ETA: 2023
Martinez is another advanced bat at shortstop for the Jays. A top international signee from 2018, he spent his first pro season in Rookie ball as a 17-year-old and produced a 150 wRC+ in the league. 20 of his 39 hits went for extra bases — including seven home runs in 40 games. He has excellent bat speed, good contact skills, and a mature approach for his age. Martinez is currently being underrated.
4. Alek Manoah, RHP
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 86
2020 LEVEL: A+
MLB ETA: 2022
I didn’t love Manoah coming into the 2019 draft as a Top 15 pick but there is no denying that he has the raw skill to be an impactful player. The hard-throwing right-hander has an impressive fastball-slider combination and has the ability to dial his heater up into the 96-97 mph range. He’s also shown a willingness to improve his changeup to give him a third weapon and he consistently throws strikes. One big concern with Manoah is his size. He stands 6-foot-6 but already weighs in excess of 260 pounds so he’ll need to keep on top of his conditioning. The 2019 season was also the first time that he consistently pitched out of the starting rotation but there is less reliever risk here than I originally feared.
5. Simeon Woods Richardson, RHP
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 93
2020 LEVEL: AA
MLB ETA: 2021
Woods Richardson is an advanced arm. He had no issues with A-ball in 2019 while pitching at the age of 18. He spent time in both Low-A and High-A ball and produced a K-BB of 126-24 in 106.2 innings — and even changed organizations partway through after being involved in the Marcus Stroman trade. Woods Richardson shows above-average control for his age, has good size, and a chance for four average-or-better offerings. His fastball isn’t electric but it can reach the mid-90s with perhaps more velocity to come. It’s easy to see Woods Richardson settling in as a mid-rotation starter at the big league level.
6. Alejandro Kirk, C
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 98
2020 LEVEL: AA
MLB ETA: 2021
Kirk has a chance to challenge Willans Astudillo in terms of popularity. The young catcher can best be described as “roly, poly” and doesn’t look at all like a professional athlete. But he’s freakishly athletic for his size and shape, and has consistently been one of the better hitters in each league he’s played in over the past two years. Kirk, 21, has a career BB-K rate of 89-60 in 151 games spanning mostly two seasons. He also has a strong, line-drive swing with the potential to hit 20 home runs. Defensively, he’s fringe-average to average but far more adept behind the plate than you’d expect and he does an excellent job throwing out base runners.
7. Gabriel Moreno, C
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 105
2020 LEVEL: A+
MLB ETA: 2022
Moreno gives the Jays yet another promising, young backstop. Just 19 in 2019, he spent the year in full-season A-ball and was an above-average hitter despite being one of the younger players in the league. However, he was noticeably tired in the second half of the year so he needs to get stronger to withstand the rigors of catching for a full season. More athletic than most catchers, Moreno also has advanced bat-to-ball skills and struck out just 11% of the time in 2019 while showing the potential to eventually hit for power thanks to good bat speed (He went deep 12 times in 82 games).
8. Adam Kloffenstein, RHP
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 107
2020 LEVEL: A-
MLB ETA: 2023
A high school teammate and close friend of Jordan Groshans (who took less money so the Jays could sign both players), Kloffenstein is still raw but he has the makings of an innings-eating, mid-rotation hurler. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 250 pounds at the age of 19, Kloffenstein shows the makings of four above-average offerings. His fastball sits in the low 90s but can hit the 95-96 mph range. As he matures as a pitcher, he should be able to maintain those speeds — and perhaps surpass them — more consistently.
9. Anthony Kay, LHP
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 155
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020
Another player acquired in the Marcus Stroman deal, Kay is a near-MLB-ready arm that projects as a solid No. 4 starter. He has a chance for three average-or-better offerings with both his heater and breaking ball showing above-average spin rates. His control is inconsistent at times but should eventually be average or better. Kay isn’t the biggest pitcher and has had some injury concerns in the past so consistently providing 200 innings could be a challenge.
10. Miguel Hiraldo, SS/3B
2020 LEVEL: A-
MLB ETA: 2023
A third promising young shortstop in the Top 10, Hiraldo is the least likely of the trio to stick at shortstop. He has a mature frame and will need to keep on top of his conditioning as he moves up the organizational ladder. A career .300 hitter over two short seasons, Hiraldo is an aggressive hitter but he makes good contact for someone with his raw power. He went deep just seven times in 2019 but he also slugged 20 doubles in 57 games and he routinely produces hard line drives with his quick bat.
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