To say the middle infield is not a strength of the Jays' minor league ranks is an understatement. Batter's Box only had two middle infielders in our top 25 this year, and one of them (Brad Emaus) is no longer with the organization, while the other (Adeiny Hechavarria) has yet to prove anything despite his hefty price tag.
It's a relief, then, that the major league club has two excellent middle infielders who will be with the team for at least a couple years while the young'uns like Dickie Joe Thon and Gustavo Pierre attempt to give the organization some MI prospect depth.
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Toronto: The big club is set with Aaron Hill and Yunel Escobar turning the double plays. Hill had a rough year in 2010, but I'm optimistic about a bounceback season - he was, after all, one of the best second basemen in the game just two years ago. Escobar, meanwhile, was solid after coming over from the Braves, though we're certainly hoping for an offensive output closer to his early career numbers. John McDonald will back Hill and Escobar up, as he dutifully does year in and year out.
Las Vegas: The organization doesn't have any real middle infield prospects at the AAA level - unless you count Brett Lawrie, who looks to have moved to third - so the 51s will run out a tandem of Manny Mayorson and Mike McCoy. I would guess McCoy will get the first call-up if Hill or Escobar is injured. Jesus Merchan, Jonathan Diaz and Callix Crabbe are also in the mix for MI ABs in Vegas.
New Hampshire: The big name in Manchester is Adeiny Hechavarria. Hech struggled in his first year, but the organization felt he was ready for AA having come to North America at a more advanced age than many Latin American prospects, so he'll likely pick up where he left off. The starting second baseman could be one of the aforementioned Vegas reserves, possibly Diaz. Luis Sanchez will be around to back things up.
One other interesting name is Scott Campbell. The Kiwi had a great 2008 but struggled in 2009 and didn't play at all last year. Also note that John Tolisano will be at New Hampshire but played more third than second last year.
Dunedin: Not much to see here: Ryan Goins, Ryan Schimpf, Jon Del Campo and Justin McClanahan could see at bats in an attempt to surprise everybody by actually becoming prospects.
Lansing: Keep your eye on Gustavo Pierre. One of the most highly-regarded Latin prospects in the Jays' system will get his first taste of full-season ball after playing in Auburn as an 18-year-old shortstop in 2009. Pierre didn't have a great season, but it wasn't terrible either, and he was very young (still is!). Justin Jackson, still languishing in the lower minors, might see some time at second, but I'd rather the bulk of the at bats go to Oliver Dominguez, who has actually had some success in his minor league career. Super-sub Kevin Nolan is also around.
Vancouver, Bluefield: The low A teams will feature one very interesting middle infield prospect: Dickie Joe Thon. Also, Shane Opitz was the 11th round pick last year and was a three-sport star who had to be signed away from a college commitment. After that, though, yawn. Daniel Arcila, Andy Fermin, Christian Frias and Matt Johnson are apparently names of Jays MIs at this level.
GCL: Gari Pena, an 18-year-old Dominican who spent the last two seasons in the GCL, looks to build on his two unsuccessful campaigns. Nicholas Bidois and Matt Abraham could be in the GCL too.
A general comment about the lower levels: Gerry has a very helpful organizational spreadsheet that helped me figure out who exactly all these dudes are, but there will probably be a ton of organizational filler added at the lower levels before they start their season, so don't bother trying to remember most of these guys' names.
Tomorrow we move on to the outfield.
