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Toronto Blue Jays Top 10 Prospects for 2017

By Benjamin Chase

Jun 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Toronto Blue Jays logo on a sleeve patch during a game Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Toronto Blue Jays won 13-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Toronto Blue Jays logo on a sleeve patch during a game Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Toronto Blue Jays won 13-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Conner Greene, RHP

Birthdate: 4/4/95 (21 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: high A, AA
Stats in 2016: 146 1/3 IP, 3.51 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 11.22 BB%, 15.64 K%

Greene has an interesting background, having appeared as an actor in sitcoms and done modeling both before and since being drafted in the 7th round by the Blue Jays in 2013.

On the field, he uses more than good looks and charm to ring up solid numbers as he’s filled out into his 6’3 frame. With the added size, he’s added velocity as well.

Greene is a guy who throws from a high 3/4 delivery, allowing him to get very good plane on his pitches

Greene is a guy who throws from a high 3/4 delivery, allowing him to get very good plane on his pitches, using his 92-94 MPH fastball with heavy sink as a ground ball generator.

His change up is his best secondary pitch with very good arm deception and excellent plane and sink as well. His curve has very good depth, but the velocity of the pitch is more to get weak contact than to get whiffs.

All in all, Greene is a guy who generates a ton of weak contact, and that’s not a bad thing at all. He did get off in his delivery for a stretch this season, which led to higher walk numbers than he’d usually seen, but as he gets his delivery more settled and consistent, he should be able to pound the zone with his sinking stuff to generate weak contact.

He won’t likely get a lot of whiffs in a typical year, but Greene could be a very valuable pitcher as he eats up innings with quick, weak contact on hitters. He profiles as an ideal mid-rotation starter.

The Blue Jays may send him back for a full season at AA or choose to push him to AAA in 2017. Some have suggested his sinking stuff could end up an excellent fit at the back of the bullpen if he doesn’t work in the rotation as well.

Next: #9

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