2014 was a year of high expectations for the Toronto Blue Jays, especially at the big league level. Things did not happen as expected though. Even at the minor league level, only two affiliates (Class A Advanced Dunedin and Class A Short Season Vancouver) made playoff appearances. Overall the organization was ranked 16th out of the 30 Major League organizations, and had a combined .493 winning percentage (412-424).
The organization as a whole may have failed to win games, but there were many individual success stories. The promotion and emergence of top prospects Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez were the headline grabbers, but the entire system received solid individual performances, here are some of the best of the Blue Jays Organizational All Stars as named by MiLB.com.
Top Climbers
Kendall Graveman
Graveman was probably the least touted out of all the top performers from the Blue Jays organization. He, however, went on to accomplish the most, having pitched across four minor league levels, and then receiving a September call-up when rosters expanded. The call-up was well deserved as Graveman posted an ERA of 1.83, a 1.03 WHIP, and 1.7 BB/9 in his four minor league stops. When he arrived at the big league level he threw 4 2/3 innings while recording four strikeouts, giving up two runs and four hits, and not surrendering a walk. Graveman’s rise through the ranks obviously caught some attention as he was included in the trade that brought Josh Donaldson to Toronto, and he may even compete for spot at the back end of Oakland’s rotation this spring.
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Following the September benching of Colby Rasmus, and the subsequent lack of attempts to re-sign him (or a replacement), it seems as if Dalton Pompey has been pegged as the center fielder for the Blue Jays in 2015. This comes following a 2014 campaign which saw the former 16th round pick post a slash line of .317/.392/.469 to go along with 9 homers and 43 stolen bases in 113 minor league games across three different levels. In his September audition, the 21 year old batted .231 with a homer and two triples in 17 games. Pompey was also named an Arizona Fall League Rising Star while posting an OPS of .729 and swiping nine bags.
After his impressive 2014 campaign, which saw him pitch at three minor league levels and the majors, the 21-year old Norris is now considered Toronto’s top prospect. In 124 2/3 minor league innings, Norris pitched to the tune of a 2.53 ERA while amassing the 5th most strikeouts in the minor leagues, 163. In September, he appeared in five games (including one start), and is likely to compete for the fifth spot in the rotation with Aaron Sanchez this spring.
The Speedsters
Tim Locastro
In his second professional season, the 2013 13th round draft pick made a big impact on the base paths by stealing 32 bases while only getting caught 4 times. Locastro did so while posting a .313 BA and .407 OBP over 256 at bats.
Franklin Baretto
Considered by some to be the centrepiece of the trade that sent Brett Lawrie and Kendall Graveman to Oakland, the 18-year old shortstop stole 29 bases for the Vancouver Canadians over 73 games this past season. Baretto is more than just speed, he also contributed a .311 BA, to go along with a .384 OBP and .481 SLG.
The Veterans
At 35, Johnson is the oldest player on the list, but he has by far the most experience (1258 minor league games and 431 major league games). His 18 home runs, .381 OBP and more walks (86) to strikeouts (81), earned him his 3rd IL All Star nod, and also garnered him another shot at playing as he signed a minor league deal with the Astros this offseason.
While still only 25, Pillar has spent parts of the last two seasons in the majors (36 games in 2013, and 53 games in 2014). In his 411 career minor league games, Pillar has put up good numbers, including compiling a .322 AVG, and has accomplished about as much as he can, so he will look to make the big club in 2015 in a bench role.
Keep an Eye Out…..
The 26-year old former 31st round pick and one-time infielder elected for a career change and chose to move behind the plate after the 2012 season. He spent 2014 between Class A Dunedin (where he was an FSL midseason All Star) and Double A New Hampshire. He didn’t fare quite as well with the bat there (.240/.275/.275), but his defense caught peoples’ eyes. He threw out an astonishing 44 percent of would-be base thieves (22/50). Yadier Molina (47.7 percent) and Caleb Joseph (40.4percent) were the only two catchers on the MLB level to accomplish a caught-stealing rate above 40 percent.
Over two stops in Class A in 2014, the 21-year old only hit 3 home runs, but he posted an OPS of .712 and drove in 60 runs. Even though he only hit 3 home runs, Nay smacked 35 doubles, and the Jays are still hopeful their number 7 prospect will produce numbers more like that of a corner infielder.