Toronto Blue Jays top 10 prospects for 2018
10. Max Pentecost, C
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 3/10/93 (25)
2017 teams/levels played for: Gulf Coast League Blue Jays, high-A Dunedin Blue Jays
2017 Stats: .274/.330/.431, 316 PA, 9 HR, 23/62 BB/K
Info: Pentecost was the 11th overall selection in the 2014 draft, with an excellent ability behind the plate and an advanced bat as well, with many considering him one of the best catching prospects to leave the draft in many years.
He came out his draft year and put up a .324 batting average with excellent gap power and got plenty of people excited while showing very good receiving and blocking skills. Then he was off the field all of 2015 with injury before only being allowed to DH in 2016.
In 2017, (Pentecost) returned behind the plate, though the Blue Jays did not have him catch on back to back days
In 2017, he returned behind the plate, though the Blue Jays did not have him catch on back to back days, mixing in time at first base and DH to keep his body fresh. Pentecost still has a quality bat with excellent gap power, and that hasn’t left him.
What the Blue Jays were pleased to see when Pentecost was able to catch was that he had all of his ability to block and move laterally back when he was behind the plate, but he did need recovery time afterward.
Pentecost will already be 25 this season, and he’s yet to play in AA, which is why he was most likely passed over in the Rule 5 draft, but he could still provide plenty of value if he is able to slowly build up his endurance again behind the plate.
Even if he’s in a role akin to what Evan Gattis has done with the Astros and Braves over the years, that would provide tremendous value to a team with his quality ability to make contact.
Pentecost should get his first shot at AA in 2018, and it will be imperative that he shows well after all the time he’s missed.
9. Eric Pardinho, RHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 1/5/01 (17)
2017 teams/levels played for: none
2017 Stats: none
Info: Brazil had a good year in the pitching market. Luiz Gohara became the second Brazilian to make a start on the mound in the major leagues, joining former big leaguer Andre Rienzo. Gohara was dominant at times with the Braves, feasibly securing a 2018 rotation spot at just 21 years old in 2017.
Pardinho represented Brazil as arguably the top arm available in the 2017 international free agent class. He and Gohara could not be more opposite in build, as Gohara is a 6’5″, hefty lefty. Pardinho is 5’9″ and listed at 160 pounds, and that seems to be a stretch.
Pardinho has tremendous stuff and polish, which is very rare for as young as he is. He works in the low-90s and can run the ball up to the upper 90s. His curve is one that Statcast will love as it has an incredible spin rate and hard, sharp break, seemingly nose-diving underneath bats.
He’s working with the Blue Jays to learn a change and may work some further alterations to his grips to maximize his shorter stature, which right now is the biggest knock on Pardinho, as his pitching is as advanced as you could hope for from a Latin signing in the July 2nd market.
He should begin his pro career in the Gulf Coast League in 2018.
Next: #7 and #8