Baseball America has begun listing the top 20 prospects from each minor league. The Arizona Rookie League was yesterday and today we see two Blue Jays in the GCL top 20. BA will also have a chat following each list. This thread will list all the Blue Jays making the lists over the next couple of weeks.
| GCL | Appy | NW | MidWest | FSL | EL | PCL | |
| #3 - DJ Davis, CF #12 - Alberto Tirado, RHP |
#8 - Roberto Osuna, rhp #10 - Santiago Nessy, c #14 - Daniel Norris, lhp |
#20 - Taylor Cole, rhp | #5 - Noah Syndergaard, rhp #6 - Aaron Sanchez, rhp #11 - Justin Nicolino, lhp |
#11 - Jake Marisnick, CF | #9 - Jake Marisnick, CF |
#2 - Travis d'Arnaud, CA #8 - Anthony Gose, CF #14 - Adeiny Hechavarria, SS | |
| Webster Awards | Alberto Tirado, RHP | Christian Lopes, 2B/SS | Javier Avendano, RHP | Justin Nicolino, LHP | Daniel Barnes, RHP | Ryan Goins, SS/2B | Adeiny Hechavarria, SS |
GCL:
BA notes Davis's speed, arm and wrist strength and a handsy swing. They suggest he needs to work better on incorporating his bottom half into his swing and in recognizing breaking balls. That describes most young hitters.
For Tirado BA says: His fastball peaked at 91 mph when he signed, rose to 94 by the end of the year and sat at 91-94 with a high of 96 in the GCL. Tirado has plus velocity and the ability to command his fastball down in the strike zone, an unusual combination for a player his age. BA also notes that Tirado's change-up is good, better than his slider.
In the Q&A there were several Jays related questions:
Cardona had some arm soreness and because of his health issues and his lack of a breaking ball Ben Badler sees him as a reliever at best.
Yeyfry Del Rosario is a good strike thrower and is polished but Tirado's stuff is better.
Jairo Labourt would rank between Tirado and Del Rosario. He sits 88-92 with a good curve.
Dawel Lugo is a gifted hitter but he swings at everything. If he learns some plate discipline he could be a break-out candidate. He could stick at short.
Appy League
BA notes Osuna's size, namely 230 pounds, and suggest he has fully developed, which in scouting terms means he has probably reached his potential with his fastball speed. That fastball sits 91-92 and is complemented by a very good change-up that Osuna can keep down in the zone. Osuna's future may depend on his breaking ball which needs development.
Santiago Nessy was complimented as being the best defensive catcher in the league. Nessy also has good bat speed and power but he is still a hacker.
Daniel Norris has good pitches but he has problems repeating his delivery.
Appy Q&A
Matt Dean might have the highest ceiling among the rest of the position players. He has good power.
Anderson looked lost at the plate.
Dwight Smith has good potential but he is not a centre fielder and needs to develop power to be a left fielder.
Northwest League
BA notes Cole has a good feel for pitching. If he can regain FB velocity he could be better. Because of his feel for pitching he could be a #5. Cole throws a 89-91 FB, a good slider and change-up.
NWL Q&A
Avendano can hit his spots but there is not much to get excited about.
Ben Badler reveals his just missed list and his sleepers but there are no Canadians listed.
Midwest League
Syndergaard is rated higher because of his stronger second half, plus better control. One scout put an Adam wainright comp on Noah.
Sanchez has great "stuff" and makes it look easy. Said one scout ""With his easy delivery and arm action, it looks like the kid is playing catch on the mound, the first pitch I saw was 97 and there was no effort at all to what he was doing."
Nicolino had the best stats. Jose Valentin, ex major leaguer, said: "He knows how to get people out. He works both sides of the plate with his breaking ball and he can come inside to righthanders. You never know what's coming because he can throw all three pitches in any count for a strike. You don't see too many lefthanders with that command."
MWL Q&A
All three Lansing pitchers will head to Dunedin for 2013. It reminds Jim Callis of how the Rays handle pitchers.
All three pitchers look like starters for now.
Syndergaard and Sanchez should be top 100 prospects.
AA will be THE test for Kevin Pillar. He is a grinder.
Scouts liked Anthony DeSclafani and Typer Ybarra
Florida State League
Jake Marisnick - Can he hit a breaking ball? His defense is outstanding.
FSL Q&A
Sean Nolin sits 90-92 with his Fb with a good change-up and curve. he has some development left and should pitch in the big leagues. 2012 was a very good year for prospects so many good players did not make the top 20.
Eastern League
Marisnick, like Gose, has 4 plus tools. The question is on his hit tool. The story notes Marisnick's improvment/development over his last four weeks in the EL. The story also suggests Marisnick needs to be more selective at the plate.
EL Q&A
After Marisnick John Stilson is the best bet to be a major leaguer. He throws hard and has a good curve and change. He might end up in the bullpen.
Pacific Coast League
d'Arnaud could have been league MVP if he wasn't injured
Gose, the usual comments regarding whether he will hit enough
Hechavarria has a quick bat but likely will not hit for much power, he would fit at the bottom of a lineup
PCL Q&A
