Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America
2013 (22) | 2012 (5) | 2011 (4) | 2010 (19) | 2009 (19)
2013 Affiliate Records
MLB: [74-88] AL East
AAA: [74-70] International League – Buffalo
AA: [68-72] Eastern League – New Hampshire
A+: [63-68] Florida State League – Dunedin
A: [61-78] Midwest League – Lansing
A(ss): [39-37] Northwest League — Vancouver
Graduated Prospects
Todd Redmond (RHP); Aaron Loup (LHP)
The Run Down
No one questions Aaron Sanchez‘s fantasy upside, which is as sexy as any minor league starting pitcher’s. And Marcus Stroman is a whiff machine — a former Duke Blue Devil, whose fastball/slider combo is so impressive that it (almost) allows me to look past the fact that he (probably) roots for Duke hoops. I loathe Duke hoops. Anyway, after those two headliners, this Toronto farm is young. Quite young. And as we know, youth is volatile. There’s upside here, but much of it hasn’t yet reached the full-season level, and therefore, it’s largely untested. A good number of these promising youngsters, however, will be headed to Toronto’s Low-A affiliate in the Midwest League next spring, and being a Chicago native, I’m excited to have the chance to put eyes on the Lansing squad when it passes through Kane County. I’ll be sure to keep you posted on what I see. Until then…
Top Ten Fantasy Prospects
1. Aaron Sanchez, RHP: Sanchez was #30 on my mid-season top 50, but there’s plenty of potential for him to move up near the top of that list before 2014 is through. Based on stuff alone, the 21-year-old is an elite-level SP prospect with upper-90s heat and plus secondary stuff (CB, CH). If he can continue to improve in the command department, Sanchez has the tools to be the top arm in the minors, a talent who could offer Jose Fernandez-type impact potential. He’ll step up to Double-A in 2014, and if all goes well, he should be ready for the bigs by year’s end. ETA: Late 2014
2. Marcus Stroman, RHP: Stroman got a late start to his 2013 season following a 50-game suspension for testing positive for something called Methylhexaneamine. The 22-year-old still made 20 Double-A starts in the shortened season, posting a 3.30 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and K/9 at 10.4. Those of you who read my posts throughout the regular season know that I’m intrigued by Stroman — he brings a fastball/slider combo that’s as good as any in the minors, and that skill set makes for some exciting performances (he whiffed 11+ batters in four of his 20 starts). Stroman was probably ready for a big league look this past September, but the Jays opted to send him to the Arizona Fall League instead. Big time whiff potential will make him a coveted piece in the fantasy game as soon as he surfaces. ETA: 2014
3. Roberto Osuna, RHP: Osuna flashed some of his considerable upside early on in 2013, posting a 51/11 K/BB through 10 Low-A starts. Unfortunately, his season was cut short to Tommy John surgery. The injury is a major blow to the 18-year-old’s prospect status, which was soaring back in April. #3 might be a tad aggressive considering the circumstances — full recovery after TJ is not the sure-thing that many would have you believe — but this is a young and risky system after the top two, and it’s tough to look past Osuna’s upside. ETA: 2017
4. D.J. Davis, OF: With Davis, it’s all about the tools — the 19-year-old has off-the-charts speed and plenty of potential with the stick. At this point, though, it’s tough to put a firm projection on him, as he’s yet to play at the full-season level. He’ll make that leap next Spring at Low-A Lansing, and a year from now we’ll have a much better gauge on his overall outlook. ETA: 2017
5. Franklin Barreto, OF: Same as Davis, Barreto is a tough prospect to forecast considering he hasn’t yet reached the full-season level. Also like Davis, Barreto is a tool shed, and he brings impact potential across the board for the fantasy game. The 17-year-old should reach Low-A before 2014 is through. ETA: 2017
6. Daniel Norris, LHP: Norris’s on-paper production in his first year of full-season ball wasn’t exactly eye-popping (3.97 ERA, 1.45 WHIP), but reports on the southpaw remain positive. The 20-year-old works primarily with a three pitch arsenal (FB, CB, CH), all of which project as plus offerings. This isn’t a top-of-the-rotation arm, but it’s one that could serve as a solid mid-rotation option, offering above average K potential. The Blue Jays are hoping for improved consistency out of Norris at High-A Dunedin in 2014. ETA: 2016
7. Alberto Tirado, RHP: Big raw tools, but yet to log time above the short-season level — sound familiar? Tirado has the makings of three plus pitches (FB, SL, CH), and his ceiling is quite large. But, as is the case with a handful of others on this list, we’ll have a much better feel for the 18-year-old’s potential once he settles in at a full-season assignment. ETA: 2017
8. Chase DeJong, RHP: With a career line boasting a 2.78 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and a K/9 north of 10, you’d think I’d have a lot to say about DeJong. Frankly, though, there’s really not too much to delve into with this 19-year-old, who’s yet another Toronto prospect still waiting to push through to Low-A. The raw stuff (FB, CB, CH) is promising, but there’s a long way to go on DeJong’s development, so stay tuned. ETA: 2017
9. Rowdy Tellez, 1B: Tellez was a highly regarded draft prospect, but he slipped to the 30th round this past June because of signability concerns. Raw power is the 18-year-old’s best asset, receiving plus-plus grades in that department from talent evaluators throughout the game. But, as is the case with all 1B prospects, there’s tremendous pressure on the bat to meet expectations — without defensive flexibility, Tellez’s bat will need to reach the lofty offensive profile that’s become the standard among first basemen and designated hitters. ETA: 2017
10. Sean Nolin, RHP: Having already earned his cup of coffee in the bigs, Nolin is probably the “safest” prospect on this list. As far as impact potential… well, that’s a different story. Nolin, age 23, features a four pitch mix (FB, CB, CH, SL), all grading as average, or slightly above average offerings. He’s not of the high-impact variety, but he’s a good bet to settle into a role at the back-end of the rotation. ETA: 2014
