If today is Thursday then it is middle-infield day in our organizational look-ahead to the 2009 season.
There are twenty-two second base and shortstop candidates in camp, with approximately eighteen jobs available.
Here are the contenders for jobs in '09.
Major League: Aaron Hill; Marco Scutaro; Joe Inglett; John McDonald
AAA: Scott Campbell; Brandon Fahey; Kevin Melillo
AA: Brad Emaus; Angel Sanchez; Jon Diaz
A+: Marcos Cabral; Chris Gutierrez; Justin Jackson; Luis Sanchez
A: John Tolisano; Jon Del Campo; Bryan Kervin; Tyler Pastornicky; Luis Fernandez
Extended: Gustavo Pierre; Kyle Gilligan; Jimmy (Arvin) Gonzalez
Marco Scutaro and Aaron Hill appear to be locked-in on the major league starting jobs. As of now Joe Inglett and John McDonald could be the major league back-ups but if Kevin Millar makes the team then one of the two backups could head for AAA. McDonald has the flexibility to play both shortstop and second, while Inglett can play second and the outfield. If John McDonald was off the team then Aaron Hill would be the backup at shortstop, that doesn't sound likely. Alternatively the Jays could send Travis Snider down and platoon Millar and Inglett at DH, not exactly the bronx bombers but you have to play the hand you were dealt.
The AAA roster could depend on what position Scott Campbell plays. In 2008 Campbell played second base all season but when he went to the Arizona Fall League he played some games at third base to increase his positional flexibility. The Jays have signed Brett Harper as a minor league free agent, presumably to play third base in AAA, so it looks like Campbell will play second in Vegas. Brandon Fahey will be the shortstop with 2008 hold-over Kevin Melillo as the backup.
Brad Emaus is coming off a strong season in Dunedin and will move up to play second in AA. Minor league free agent Angel Sanchez will probably play shortstop. Sanchez has some AAA experience but it is unlikely that he can usurp Fahey and take the AAA job. Jon Diaz could be the utility guy/backup in AA although Chris Gutierrez could also fill that role.
Justin Jackson will move up from Lansing to Dunedin to play shortstop. Jackson's numbers in 2008 were average but it was his first full season and he has been highly touted by various organizations such as Baseball America in the off-season. Jackson's defense is good enough for high A, his challenge this season will be to improve his pitch recognition and cut down on his strikeouts. There are several candidates to play second base beside Jackson. Jon Tolisano, drafted at the same time as Jackson, could also be pushed up from Lansing. 2008 hold-overs include Marcos Cabral, Chris Gutierrez, Jon Diaz and Luis Sanchez. In the absence of an injury one or more of these players could find themselves without a job. Tolisano had average numbers in Lansing last season but his defense still needs some work, I assume Tolisano will stay in Lansing to start the season.
If Tolisano stays in Lansing then the issue is who will play shortstop beside him? Tyler Patornicky could follow the Justin Jackson path and move up to A ball for his first full season. But as Dick Scott said last season the 2008 draftees were less polished than the 2007 crop. On that basis Pastornicky will head for extended and college level player Bryan Kervin will fill the shortstop job in Lansing.
To sum it up here is my prediction:
Major League: Aaron Hill; Marco Scutaro; Joe Inglett; John McDonald
AAA: Scott Campbell; Brandon Fahey; Kevin Melillo
AA: Brad Emaus; Angel Sanchez; Chris Gutierrez
A+: Marcos Cabral; Jon Diaz; Justin Jackson
A: John Tolisano; Jon Del Campo; Bryan Kervin;
Extended: Gustavo Pierre; Kyle Gilligan; Jimmy (Arvin) Gonzalez; Tyler Pastornicky; Luis Fernandez
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20090218223321286