Toronto Blue Jays top ten prospects for 2020

The Toronto Blue Jays minor league system may not be what it was this time last year, but there are still several potential impact players on the horizon.

At this time last year, the Toronto Blue Jays farm system was one of the best in the game. With the likes of top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Danny Jansen, the Blue Jays had the core of their lineup on the cusp of the majors. The pitching may be a little behind, but the future was bright.

While that trio all graduated to the majors last year, the future is still bright in Toronto. The farm system may not be as strong as it was last year, but there are still several potential impact prospects in the system. Several more should make their presence felt on the major league side in 2020, giving the Blue Jays a strong foundation for the coming decade.

Those graduations do have another side effect – the Blue Jays system is not going to be as highly ranked as last season. However, that does not change the fact that there are several potential impact players on both sides of the ball still coming through the minors. If Toronto is to make noise in the tough AL East in the coming years, they will need to have several members of this list pan out.

With that in mind, let us take a look at the Toronto Blue Jays top ten prospects for the coming year.

9. Griffin Conine

Minors (A): 348 plate appearances, .283/.371/.576, 19 doubles, 22 homers, 38 walks, 125 strikeouts

Yes, the Toronto Blue Jays have yet another second generation prospect coming through the system.

The son of former Marlins and Orioles All Star Jeff Conine, Griffin Conine is not the player his father was. While his father was more of a gap hitter with doubles power, only hitting over 20 homers twice in his 17 year career, the younger Conine is essentially the prototypical all or nothing slugger.

When Conine can make contact, the results can be spectacular. With an uppercut swing designed to unleash his ample pop, he has displayed tremendous power, especially when it comes to pulling the ball. However, that swing leads to plenty of contact issues, as noted by his astonishing 35.8% strikeout rate in A-ball. He also has solid range and an excellent arm, leading to the thought that he could be the Blue Jays right fielder of the future.

It is, however, fair to question whether or not that future will happen. Conine has legit power, but his strikeout rates are troubling, especially for 22 year old in A-ball. What will happen when he faces more advanced pitching, either in High-A or in AA? Conine also had a 50 game ban at the start of last season after testing positive for Ritalin, putting a strike against him in the league’s substance abuse policy.

Griffin Conine is an intriguing prospect due to his power. However, if he cannot fix his propensity to swing and miss, he will not follow in the footsteps of the other second generation prospects in the system, and reach the majors with the Toronto Blue Jays.

8. Gabriel Moreno

Minors (A): 341 plate appearances, .280/.337/.485, 17 doubles, 12 homers, seven steals, 22 walks, 38 strikeouts

In his first taste of full season ball, Gabriel Moreno broke through as a legitimate prospect for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Moreno initially opened eyes in rookie ball last season, producing a .359/.395/.575 batting line in his 40 games, showing decent pop and respectable speed for a catcher. He continued that impressive showing in 2019, with his performance in the South Atlantic League possibly making him the Blue Jays top catching prospect.

He has displayed a propensity not only for making contact, but for making hard contact at that. Moreno has excellent hand-eye coordination and a feel for putting the barrel on the ball, resulting in a line drive approach that may make him more of a doubles and batting average player instead of a power hitter. Defensively, Moreno has a strong arm with a quick release, but still needs work on his ability to block pitches in the dirt.

The Blue Jays, in theory, have their catcher of the foreseeable future in Danny Jansen. They also have another solid catching prospect in Alejandro Kirk that could be a part of the plans moving forward. Yet, Moreno could prove to be the Blue Jays backstop of the future, or a very interesting option as trade bait.

Gabriel Moreno broke through in a major way in 2019. Given his contact oriented approach, and excellent bat to ball skills, he should continue to hit his way up the ladder.

7. Miguel Hiraldo

Minors (RK, A): 260 plate appearances, .299/.346/.485, 20 doubles, seven homers, 11 steals, 14 walks, 36 strikeouts

It is difficult to project players in the Rookie Leagues, but Miguel Hiraldo had an impressive first full season stateside for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Considered by some to be the top hitter in his international free agency class, he certainly did not disappoint in his professional debut in 2018. Hiraldo continued to impress with the bat in his first full season, culminating in a one game taste of the Midwest League. All in all, it was quite the season for the 18 year old prospect.

Hiraldo displayed that offensive ability last season as well, as he made contact at an above average rate. That contact ability did not lead to a decrease in power, as he gets natural loft with a quick, compact swing and a strong feel for putting the barrel on the ball. However, Hiraldo also pulled more than half of the pitches he made contact on, highlighting a potential issue down the road. If that success is going to continue in the upper levels of the minors, he will need to learn to use the entire field.

There are also questions about Hiraldo on defense. He does not have great speed or range, but relies on his impressive athleticism and strong arm to make plays. If he can hit enough, Hiraldo may end up at third, but it is more likely that he becomes a second baseman or utility infielder. However, he will need to make adjustments for that to happen.

Miguel Hiraldo may be one of the more difficult Toronto Blue Jays prospects to project. There is a chance that he ends up as a solid major league player given his hit tool, but his pull happy approach may very well leave him stranded in the minors if he does not make the necessary adjustments.

6. Simeon Woods-Richardson

Minors (A, A+): 106.2 innings, 6-10 record, 3.80 ERA, 1.125 WHiP, 24 walks, 126 strikeouts

Simeon Woods-Richarson (or SWR going forward) burst onto the scene during the summer showcase circuit, only to fall flat in his senior year of high school. Nonetheless, the Mets took him in the second round, and he rewarded their faith with a strong debut in 2018.

Acquired along with Anthony Kay as part of the Marcus Stroman trade, SWR may well prove to be the better pitching prospect. Kay is certainly closer to the majors, and may have the higher floor, but there is no denying SWR’s potential as a top of the rotation arm.

Armed with a solid three pitch mix, SWR does a great job of repeating his high three quarters delivery. His fastball, which had dropped to the upper 80s during his senior year, is back in the mid 90s, and can reach as high as 97 MPH. He has an excellent curve with sharp break that also has the potential to be a plus offering. SWR also has a passable change, a developing pitch that could eventually be an average offering.

The biggest question for SWR is whether or not he can continue to be effective later into games, and keep his impressive stuff as he tires. He showed more of an ability to do just that last year, but his endurance will be the biggest key moving forward. If he struggles maintaining his stuff, then SWR could develop into a solid high leverage reliever.

He may have been the overlooked prospect coming back to the Toronto Blue Jays, but SWR has the potential to be a major part of the future. If he can reach his potential, he could end up as a top of the rotation arm for years to come.

5. Orelvis Martinez

Minors (RK): 163 plate appearances, .275/.352/.549, eight doubles, seven homers, 14 walks, 29 strikeouts

Yes, it is just the rookie level, and one cannot put much stock in those statistics, but the Toronto Blue Jays have to be excited with what they have seen in Orelvis Martinez thus far.

Martinez received the second largest bonus of any rookie in the 2018-19 international signing period, with the Blue Jays handing him $3.5 million to start his career. It was understandable why they would consider such an amount, as some scouts compared him to a young Adrian Beltre. Considering Beltre is a future Hall of Famer, that is high praise indeed.

It is easy to see why such comparisons would be made. An all around player, Martinez has displayed excellent power behind an extremely quick swing and a knack to make loud contact. He has already made some adjustments to his swing, as he moved his hands down, but may need to continue tinkering as he moves up the ladder. Defensively, Martinez has a strong arm, and shows average range at short. However, he may need to move to third long term, especially as his frame fills out.

Obviously, Martinez has a long way to go before he makes an impact upon the Blue Jays. Nonetheless, his professional debut was impressive, and it would not be a surprise to see the 18 year old begin 2020 in a full season affiliate. Should he continue to impress there, Martinez could be a top 30 prospect once the coming year is over.

Orelvis Martinez has been everything the Toronto Blue Jays hoped for in his first professional season. Now it is a matter of continuing his progress, and making his way up the ladder.

4. Alek Manoah

Minors (A-): 17 innings, 2.65 ERA, 1.059 WHiP, five walks, 27 strikeouts

Although Alek Manoah did not pitch much after being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays, he still showed why he was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.

Undrafted as a two way player out of high school, Manoah did not come onto the radar until his dominant performance as a starter in the Cape Cod League. He continued that showing in his junior year at West Virginia, leading to his being the second pitcher drafted in his past year.

On the mound, Manoah is certainly intriguing. At 6’6″ and 260 pounds, the righty is an absolute beast on the rubber. He has the power stuff to match his size, with a mid 90s fastball that has impressive run and sink from his three quarters arm slot. That arm slot also makes his slider a true weapon, giving him a potential second plus pitch. While the change is a work in progress, it has been a weapon for Manoah in the past, particularly in his aforementioned run in the Cape Cod League.

As intriguing as Manoah has been, there is still a great deal of projection left. He had been used primarily as a reliever during his first two years in college, and therefore does not have many starts under his belt. In fact, those 17 innings came over six starts, so the Blue Jays are being cautious with his workload.

Once the training wheels come off, Alek Manoah may be as intriguing a pitching prospect as there is in the game. If his changeup continues to develop, and he can continue to work deeper into games, the Toronto Blue Jays could have a real gem.

3. Eric Pardinho

Minors (RK, A): 37.2 innings, 2-1 record, 2.15 ERA, 1.221 WHiP, 16 walks, 35 strikeouts

If Eric Pardinho can stay healthy, he could be an ace for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Perhaps the top prospect ever to come out of Brazil, Pardinho made his presence felt as a 15 year old in the World Baseball Classic qualifiers, impressing scouts with his command, feel for pitching, and upper 80s heater. The Blue Jays were certainly impressed as well, giving him a $1.4 million signing bonus during the 2017-18 international signing period.

When he has been on the mound, Pardinho has displayed the stuff that intrigued so many teams. He has had an uptick in velocity since signing, sitting in the lower 90s with his fastball, and has been clocked as high as 96 MPH. He has a plus curve, which may well be his best offering. Pardinho also has a slider and a change, both of which have the potential to be, at minimum, average offerings, although they have flashed plus at times.

The problem with Pardinho is his durability. At 5’10” and 155 pounds, there is a great deal of concern that his velocity will lead to injury woes. He has already missed extended time due to elbow soreness, and has seen his velocity taper off as he pitches deeper into games. While he is ranked highly here, this is a matter of projection – seeing him pitch an entire season and remain healthy would do wonders for his future outlook.

Eric Pardinho has the stuff to be a top of the rotation arm. The Toronto Blue Jays have to hope that he can remain healthy in order for him to fulfill those expectations.

2. Jordan Groshans

Minors (A): 96 plate appearances, .337/.427/.482, six doubles, two homers, 13 walks, 21 strikeouts

With the likes of Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Danny Jansen in the majors, this was supposed to be the year that Jordan Groshans established himself as the Toronto Blue Jays top prospect. Instead, a foot injury cost Groshans most of the 2019 campaign.

Groshans even being a part of the Blue Jays roster is a bit of a surprise. With Guerrero and Bichette in the fold, the right side of Toronto’s infield appeared set for years to come. However, Groshan’s upside was more than the Blue Jays felt they could pass up with the 12th overall selection.

One can quickly see why. Groshans has a short, quick swing with excellent power as the ball explodes off his bat. He makes consistent contact, and uses the entire field at the plate. The biggest complaint one can make is that his swing is more line drive oriented, but he could still be a 25 home run hitter down the road.

If Groshans continues to develop as expected, he will force the Blue Jays into an interesting dilemma. In theory, Guerrero and Bichette are the third baseman and shortstop of the present and future. Cavan Biggio outperformed expectations, and may have made himself the future at second. Could Groshans force Guerrero to first, or Biggio into a super utility role?

The Toronto Blue Jays could have an abundance of riches on the infield if Jordan Groshans continues to develop as planned. It is certainly a great situation to be in.

1. Nate Pearson

Minors (A+, AA, AAA): 101.2 innings, 5-4 record, 2.30 ERA, 0.885 WHiP, 27 walks, 119 strikeouts

After two injury riddled seasons, Nate Pearson finally had his coming out party for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Selected with the Blue Jays second first round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, Pearson caught everyone’s attention by throwing 102 MPH during a bullpen session before the draft. However, he pitched a combined 21.2 innings over his first two professional seasons, as he was sidelined with an intercostal strain and a fractured ulna after being hit with a comebacker.

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Finally healthy this year, he displayed the stuff that made him such a high draft pick. His fastball is electric, sitting in the upper 90s and can reach 100 MPH – he even threw the heater at 104 MPH during his one inning in the Fall Stars Game. Pearson pairs that with a plus slider with late bite, generating strikeouts and grounders when contact is made. He occasionally flashes a curve and a change, but both offerings lag far behind the fastball and slider. In fact, those two offerings would make Pearon a bullpen weapon right now, potentially even a dominant closer.

Because of those injuries and his playing just one season in community college, Pearson is still a bit of an unknown. The stuff is there, particularly his fastball and slider. Toronto also took the gloves off with Pearson in the second half of the year, removing his pitch counts and unleashing him on the minors. If he can stay healthy, it would not be a surprise to see him make his major league debut by the All Star Break, especially if he dominates in AAA the way he tore through the minors last year.

The Toronto Blue Jays need to find a top of the rotation arm, a true ace as they look to break out of the AL East basement. Nate Pearson could be the pitcher they need.