Toronto Blue Jays minor league system analysis
February 12, 2006

See the mid-April update

Moneyballers!  In the 2005 draft, the Jays made 50 selections, and only four were high school players. In 2004, they made 50 picks and this time only one was a high school player. The 2003 draft was similar --- another 50 picks, four high schoolers. In 2002, the Blue Jays took an unprecedented eight high schoolers in the draft. The last draft conducted before J.P. Ricciardi took over was the 2001, which brought a high of ten high schoolers (including a kid named Jeff Fiorentino who was drafted later by the Orioles and played in Camden Yards last season). 

All of this makes one wonder, since in prior years the Jays selections have included prep players --- Vernon Wells, Alexis Rios, Roy Halladay, Felipe Lopez, Chris Carpenter and Shawn Green to name a few. Ricciardi's plan of picking college players has provided the Jays with five major league ball players in four drafts. These include Russ Adams, Aaron Hill and Shaun Marcum.Their drafting prowess over the years has been so good that, since 1977, 19 of their first round picks have played in the majors.

The Blue Jays have benefited from their farm system in other ways the past few years.  In addition to Rios, Wells, Brandon League, Hill and Adams, they were able to develop and trade Zach Jackson, David Bush (might be most famous for being the pitcher Esix Snead attacked from behind last year in Richmond; the highlights made ESPN) and Gabe Gross for Lyle Overbay.  Home grown Orlando Hudson was joined with former free agent Miguel Batista to obtain Troy Glaus and Sergio Santos from the Diamondbacks. In addition, Gustavo Chacin made 34 starts last year for the Jays and Dustin McGowan came in to help at the end of the season.

JP Ricciardi's plan to draft college talent has resulted in the Jays being able to build solid depth. The Jays do not have any established blue chippers in their system, however they do have several young players who have been solid performers and have moved quickly through the system.  hey have mixed in older players with their younger talent to produce three straight winning seasons for their minor league system.

Overall, their best young talent looks to be in Toronto, however the system does have many players who can fill in for the big team this year if needed or be used to obtain major league players if they continue to develop. 

 Position Players:

1) Adam Lind, OF- The Jays third round pick in the 2004 draft, Lind is another college player taken by JP Ricciardi to provide instant depth in the minors. A left-handed hitter from the University of South Alabama, Lind's strongpoint is his offense. He is an American League type of offensive player and may be headed to the DH position. Last season at Dunedin, he hit 12 homeruns and 42 doubles. He had 107 walks and extra base hits compared to 77 strikeouts. He tailed off in the Arizona Fall League, batting only .238.

2) Curtis Thigpen, C – The former University of Texas catcher advanced two levels in the Jays system last season, finishing the year at AA New Hampshire. He did tail off slightly with his offensive production after making the jump from A to the more challenging AA level, however it was insignificant. The Jays second round pick in the 2004 draft was chosen primarily for his offense and there is speculation he may end up at another position, such as first base. In college, he played every position except shortstop and centerfield, which is understandable since the Longhorns had Taylor Teagarden. He is a line drive hitter and uses the entire field. Unfortunately, he lacks power, which would make him less valuable to the Jays as a corner infielder or outfielder.

3) Chip Cannon, 1B – How about this for a great baseball name? Right up there with Stubby Clapp, I would say. When he hits a home run, it could be called a real Cannon shot! And that’s why he is valuable to the Jays --- his power. The Citadel alumni pounded 32 home runs last season at three levels. However, he also struck out once every three times at bat at AA. His batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS also tailed off as he moved up.

4) Guillermo Quiroz, C- Projected by some to hit 20-30 HRs, Quiroz is an excellent defensive catcher who can swing the bat. Injuries have played a part in his development. They include a collapsed lung in 2003 and a broken hand in 2004 and most recently, a muscle injury behind his throwing shoulder in 2005. He did appear in the 2005 AFL season, playing in 15 games and batting .294 with only one home run. Quiroz has played in 29 games for the Jays between 2004 and 2005.

5) Rob Cosby, OF/INF – It’s not too late for Rob Cosby. The Jays 10^th round pick in the 1999 draft missed all of the 2004 season when he began the season with a collision in the fifth game which resulted in a torn ACL. He played first base for Caguas in 2004, and batted over .300 while gaining repetitions for time missed. Last season, he repeated AA and hit .308 with 17 homeruns.

Others of note: 

John Hattig - An older player obtained from the Red Sox who will provide depth at the corners. 
Erik Kratz - Another catching prospect. 
Joey Metropoulos - Dubbed Superman for his power, Metropoulos broke his leg in 2004 and repeated the A level in 2005, raising his average to nearly .300. 
Ryan Patterson - Following a big debut last season, Patterson is a player to be watched this season to see if he progresses.
John-Ford Griffin - Too old to be considered a prospect anymore, he hit 30 HRs last year in the minors.

 Pitchers:

1) Josh Banks, RHP – Banks was the Jays second round pick in the 2003 draft. If it weren’t for blister problems, he most likely would have been a first rounder. Banks throws a fastball between 92-94 MPH as well as a splitter and slider. He has been working on his curveball and changeup. He started and finished the 2005 season at the AA level where he struck out 145 hitters in 162 innings. He also walked only 11 hitters but gave up 159 hits,18 of them home runs. He has remained consistent statistically as he has moved up the ladder in the minors. He should start the 2006 season at AAA.

2) Casey Janssen, RHP – Originally drafted in the 49^th round of the 2003 draft by Baltimore, Janssen was picked higher (4^th round) by the Jays in 2004. Janssen is a former UCLA pitcher who worked at three levels last year, finishing the season as a 24-year-old at AA.  Janssen gives up very few homeruns. Last year he struck out 136 batters in 148 innings while walking only 18 hitters. A control pitcher, Janssen throws his fastball between 88 and 92 MPH, with a curveball, slider, cutter and changeup. He throws all for strikes. Janssen should be in the AAA rotation this season.

3) Kyle Yates, RHP – A small guy, Yates stands 5-10 and weighs just 190 pounds. Drafted in 2004 in the 13^th round, Yates was picked from the University of Texas program. He is a fastball, breaking ball pitcher who uses his changeup effectively. Yates may be described as a sleeper. He is a control pitcher who merely gets the job done. So far, he has outperformed first rounder David Purcey at the levels he has pitched. Ironically, Yates got his opportunity to pitch at Dunedin because Purcey had been promoted. Reportedly, his best pitch is his curveball. He won’t overpower hitters, but must hit his spots to be effective.

4) Ricky Romero, LHP – The Jays first pick in the 2005 draft, Romero finished the season as a 21-year-old in the Florida State League. He was the first pitcher taken in the '05 draft and was picked up by the Jays from the Cal State-Fullerton program. Romero throws a mid 90s fastball, hammer curve, and a slider ,and is able to change speeds. He is not afraid to pitch inside. Last season the Jays let him pitch and acclimate himself to the professional game.

5) Shaun Marcum, RHP - Marcum was a shortstop in college who has been converted to pitcher. Rarely do these switches work out (Nerio Rodriguez comes to mind). But Marcum has been posting good numbers. After starting the 2005 season at AA, his statistical performance at AAA remained steady. After starting in the minors, he appeared in five games for Toronto in relief. He throws his fastball at 89-92 MPH. His slider, voted best in the system in 2003, is complimented with a 12-6 curveball and changeup.

Others of note: 

See the mid-April update

 --- John Kazlo
(Kazlo is a diehard Orioles fan and Richmond Braves supporter from Virginia)