Jays Prospects Mega-Thread

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

I look forward to your analysis of how this trade re-shapes this list. It should be an interesting year for this list, considering the trades that are left to be made (Overbay for 'spects) and the draft in June.

[Chris from NY]

The guy I'm most curious about right now is David Cooper. He had a great year in 08. His 09 was nothing spectacular, but I don't think it was weak. He seems a little more like a Lyle Overbay type hitter than like Wallace, and I wonder what the long term plans are for him now. I'm assuming he'll start the year in AA and he stills seems a few years away. Is there any idea what their long term plan is now regarding him?

[Chris from NY]

I might have been able to answer my own question if I'd been looking at Bluejays.com lately. This is what Jordan Bastian said just the other day:

Is there a chance that first baseman David Cooper will get into the starting roster this coming season? If Overbay is traded, would Cooper get his spot at first for the season? Do you think Cooper will bring the type of power to fist base that Carlos Delgado once did?
-- Kyle R., Bolton, Ontario

Cooper -- selected by the Jays in the first round of the 2008 Draft -- does not project to have the type of power Delgado did. In some ways, the left-handed-hitting first base prospect projects to be similar to Overbay. It's unlikely that Cooper will see the big leagues this season. If Overbay were to be traded, the Jays would likely look for a new first baseman, or consider trying prospect Brian Dopirak, or perhaps Lind, at the position. Cooper might still be a couple of years away from being ready to test his skills on the big league stage.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

I said it in the thread in Current Events, but I think that Wallace and Cooper will likely both benefit from the competition for the position (well, one will end up NOT benefitting in the end haha, but whatever). I don't think that having 2 or 3 potential big-league 1Bmen is a negative by any stretch.

[Chris from NY]

I said it in the thread in Current Events, but I think that Wallace and Cooper will likely both benefit from the competition for the position (well, one will end up NOT benefitting in the end haha, but whatever). I don't think that having 2 or 3 potential big-league 1Bmen is a negative by any stretch.

Yeah, I just finished reading that one too. (I'm behind, I know.) I don't really forsee having them both right now as an issue. I seems quite the opposite, much like you said. I think it could be a logjam if both of them were in the same stage in their development. Bit, as far as I can tell, Wallace seems to have an edge over Cooper right now.

[Woodman19]

The thing about baseball prospects is, you have to recognize that 1 bad season in the minors doesnt make a career. Lots of times players are playing over their head in a league higher then they should be. I think many of our "top" prospects were rushed along last year due to our weak farm system and many of our guys suffered because of it. This year will be a big year to see how they play at levels they should be playing at for this stage of their development. I have to keep players on the list who had "bad" years because all the physical tools and potential.


I wonder, would you all like to participate in the selection of top 10?

[Woodman19]

Just read this, great work Woodman. I am not totally up on my Toronto prospects so I was wondering whatever happened to David Purcey? Where does he project in the Jays future, if he does anymore?

Purcey pitched enough games in the majors to lose his "Prospect" status, However he is still someone who projects to be a capable everyday major leaguer. I suspect this season he will be given the opportunity to pitch serious innings. If he has improved his control enough I could see him sticking around as a #4-5 starter or maybe even a bullpen specialist.

Thats one thing we have going for us, we have alot of lefty's in the system who project to be at least bottom of the rotation starters. Even though they are projected to be bottom of the rotation, they still command high value because they are lefty's. Im sure Anthopolous will "weed out" the worst for prospects back.

[Greg Maddux's Biggest Fan]

I might have been able to answer my own question if I'd been looking at Bluejays.com lately. This is what Jordan Bastian said just the other day:

Is there a chance that first baseman David Cooper will get into the starting roster this coming season? If Overbay is traded, would Cooper get his spot at first for the season? Do you think Cooper will bring the type of power to fist base that Carlos Delgado once did?
-- Kyle R., Bolton, Ontario

Cooper -- selected by the Jays in the first round of the 2008 Draft -- does not project to have the type of power Delgado did. In some ways, the left-handed-hitting first base prospect projects to be similar to Overbay. It's unlikely that Cooper will see the big leagues this season. If Overbay were to be traded, the Jays would likely look for a new first baseman, or consider trying prospect Brian Dopirak, or perhaps Lind, at the position. Cooper might still be a couple of years away from being ready to test his skills on the big league stage.

Im a little dumbfounded as to why Dopirak didn't receive any PT whatsoever in September. The guy's put back-to-back excellent seasons in the high minors, and doesn't appear to have obvious flaws such as exorbitantly high strikeout totals at the dish. He's a mature at this point being almost 26 at the time of his non-callup and had a very consistent and well rounded season at NH/Las Vegas. At the very least we could have determined how he fared with ML pitching with 100 AB's or so, at least initially.

Now, should we trade Overbay we have no idea if Dopirak will fill the void adequately or not. Either way I hope he gets first crack.

[Woodman19]

Im a little dumbfounded as to why Dopirak didn't receive any PT whatsoever in September. The guy's put back-to-back excellent seasons in the high minors, and doesn't appear to have obvious flaws such as exorbitantly high strikeout totals at the dish. He's a mature at this point being almost 26 at the time of his non-callup and had a very consistent and well rounded season at Las Vegas. At the very least we could have determined how he fared with ML pitching with 100 AB's or so, at least initially.

Now, should we trade Overbay we have no idea if Dopirak will fill the void adequately or not. Either way I hope he gets first crack.

You and me both

[Woodman19]

Started Updating the List

Removed 3 prospects added new top 2

[Woodman19]

It looks like Anthopolous is giving me no chance to do a full scale rework of the group as he is constantly adding. Therefore I think I will wait until the Chapman situation is resolved and hopefully that will give me enough time to fully rework the organizational report.

[Big_Mac]

Looking forward to it Woodman! Great work on all of this and it gives someone like me who has minimal knowledge on the club's farm system (although I'd like to know more).

[Woodman19]

Just a update

I have updated the top 7 List and Plan to have it completed before Tomorrrow.

[Woodman19]

the 2010 Early Season list is now updated!

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showth...ts-Mega-Thread

Check out the top 15 List

Blue Jays Top 15 Prospects:
1B/3B: Brett Wallace
SP: Kyle Drabek
C/ Travis D'Arnaud
SS/ Adeiny Hechevarria
RHP: Zach Stewart
LHP: Marc Rzepczynski
RHP: Chad Jenkins
LHP: Henderson Alvarez
RHP: Tim Collins
LHP: Brad Mills
1B: David Cooper
C/ J.P. Arencibia
RHP: Robert Ray
2B: Brad Emaus
OF: Jake Marisnick

[Woodman19]

Also a Quick note:
Brett Cecil, Brett Wallace, Brad Mills are all off to a hot start in AAA
D'Arnoud, Justin Jackson and Alvarez are also cutting through low Rookie Ball.

[babaganoosh]

It's been a few years since I've heard Justin Jackson is cutting through anything. From what I remember, he's never hit above .250 at any level.

[Woodman19]

So far this year in 5 games Jackson is hitting .308, however he is only playing at high A ball. If he can keep hitting above .290 if and when he gets moved up to AA, it will open some eyes and bring him back into the fold as a top prospect, I moved him out of my top 15 mostly because Anthopolous has brought in some high quality players that have made the top 15 harder to crack. I look forward to seeing the system this time next year when there will be an abundance of high draft picks and possibly more through trades.

[next ortiz]

I think you should maybe move Tim Collins to number 1 on the list.
4.2 innings , 9 K's, 0 ER
Las Vegas is waiting for him.

[Chris from NY]

I don't necessarily think that getting off to a fast start is automatic grounds to move a player up to number one just like that. Hopefully, he keeps pitching well though.

[Woodman19]

Indeed, I tried to blend both upside with how close they are to being major leaguer's. That way if you have a 23 year old player and a 19 year old one with similar upside, the 23 year old will be ranked higher then the 19 year old.

I thought I did rank Tim Collins quite highly lol? the players he is ranked behind are great prospects, and for a reliver to be ahead of starters is quite an accomplishment in my books.

[next ortiz]

By just looking at his past stats you can tell he's gonna be good.

I do agree with not ranking people highly after a fast start. I was just being enthusiastic.

I don't know much about Hechevarria but I read somewhere that he might not be that good. I was wondering if you could tell me more?

[Woodman19]

By just looking at his past stats you can tell he's gonna be good.

I do agree with not ranking people highly after a fast start. I was just being enthusiastic.

I don't know much about Hechevarria but I read somewhere that he might not be that good. I was wondering if you could tell me more?

some scouts think he has the tools to become a All-Star Caliber shortstop with the same physical tools as Alfonso Soriano, some Scout's think he will only become a above average defender wtih limited offense. I decided in my list to give him a ranking based on optimism albeit toned down a bit, hence the Rollins comparison (less power and offense)

I think when its all said and done I will have a better gauge of him at least midway through this season as we will get to see how his tools translate to the pro game. I do however have reason to be optimistic as its been a while since we have made such a huge splash.

[Woodman19]

I think im going to update this list after the deadline, we might be getting a huge infusion of prospects, also im eager to give J.P. Arencibia props for his excellent bounce back season.

[howiek]

Whats up with Travis Snider? I noticed he is down in New Hampshire (AA). Is he on rehab? or is he going backwards.

[babaganoosh]

He's re-habbing right now. I think he should be about ready to come up though (I recall hearing something about him coming up shortly after we had our double-header with Detroit). Brad Mills just made a spot start yesterday for us, so he'll be optioned back down today or tomorrow, I'd expect Snider to get called up to replace him.