Toronto Blue Jays Top 20 Prospects

The Blue Jays find themselves in a similar situation with the Orioles except the Jays have a better major league core, but a worse minor league system by far. Every year, the Jays always seem to be in contention but they always fall short in the challenging AL East. Losing A.J. Burnett to division rival Yankees hurts the team drastically in their chances at competing as well. The Rays continue to improve as well and the Jays need to start focusing on rebuilding a younger core, but that will be difficult as well as they have very few impact players in the minors and have one of the worse systems in the league.

2009 Toronto Blue Jays Top 20 Prospects

1. Travis Snider (A-) - OF

Snider is the unanimous top prospect in the Blue Jays system and is also considered a top 10 prospect in all of baseball. Snider is a complete hitter with tremendous power potential and solid plate discipline, though he doesn't hit with the best average and strikes out a lot. However, only 20 years old, Snider is major league ready and performed well in his major league debut at the end of last season. I see Snider as a .275+ hitter with 30+ HR potential.

2. Brett Cecil (B+) - LHP

Cecil is the consensus top pitching prospect in the Jays system. Cecil's repertoire includes a low-90s fastball with an excellent slider (perhaps his best pitch), an average curve, and a developing changeup. Cecil was a closer in college at Maryland, but enjoyed success at AA as a starter before experiencing some difficulty in AAA. In the future, I see Cecil as the #2 or #3 starter for Toronto.

3. J.P. Arencibia (B) - C

With no real dependable catcher up in the majors, Arencibia looks like the future catcher for the Blue Jays. At the plate, Arencibia has excellent power for a catcher, slugging 25 HRs in the minors this year. He also hit for a solid average in the minors at .295. However, Arencibia currently has poor plate discipline and strikes out a lot, so he'll need to work a lot on that if he wants to become a reliable catcher in the future.

4. David Cooper (B) - 1B

The Jays first round pick this past draft, Cooper projects as a solid hitter in the future. Cooper reached High-A in his first year and showed off excellent contact ability and plate discipline. Cooper projects as the Jays future first baseman.

5. Justin Jackson (B-) - SS

Jackson is an athletic shortstop drafted out of high school last year. He has struggled to hit so far, but I see Jackson hitting well in the future and becoming the Jays shortstop in several years.

6. Brad Mills (B-) - LHP

Along with Cecil, Arencibia, and Jackson, Mills was another 2007 draftee and has experienced great success so far. Mills doesn't have as good potential as the others above as Mills projects more as a finesse type pitcher, like Jamie Moyer. Mills' numbers have been excellent so far, but he'll need to remain spot on as he doesn't have electric stuff to fall back on.

7. Kevin Ahrens (C+) - 3B

Yet another 2007 draft pick (first round actually), Ahrens has yet to hit much at all since being drafted, which is the reason why he is lower than some other draftees. Still young, Ahrens has potential to become the Jays third baseman in several years.

8. Ricky Romero (C+) - LHP

Since being drafted #6 in the 2005 draft, Romero has been a major disappointment (especially with the success of players the Jays passed on, such as Troy Tulowitzki). Still, I have hope in some sort of success, as I generally do with players drafted so high as Romero. Just look at Josh Hamilton who turned everything around when everybody had him written off. Now, I'm not saying Romero will turn everything around, in fact, their situations aren't alike at all, but, maybe Romero can still enjoy success?

9. Brad Emaus (C+) - 2B

Emaus is a solid overall second baseman with good contact skills and discipline, though he doesn't offer much upside. But if Aaron Hill doesn't perform, Emaus might get a look by the Jays late in 2009.

10. Marc Rzepczynski (C+) - LHP

Rzepcynski doesn't have great stuff, but showcased excellent numbers last season, including an excellent ground ball/fly ball ratio. He also only allowed 2 homeruns all year, which is incredible.

11. Eric Thames (C) - OF

Thames is a solid looking draft pick from this season who could be a C+ or higher next year.

12. Markus Brisker (C) - OF

Another draft pick from 2008, Brisker is very raw and toolsy (just what I like!). Brisker could rise higher if he shows discipline and results, or he could fan out like a lot of other tools guys.

13. Scott Campbell (C) - 2B

While Campbell doesn't have much upside, he did display excellent plate discipline, with K:BB ratio less than one, and a batting average of .302. Possible role player if he continues this production.

14. Luis Perez (C) - LHP

An intriguing lefty with solid numbers this year and in years past. Should he be a C+? I'm not a fan of the Blue Jays' system.

15. Kenny Wilson (C) - OF

The Blue Jays 2nd round pick this year, Wilson is a very speedy outfielder; similar to the Orioles' Xavier Avery, with less offensive upside.

16. Tyler Pastornicky (C) - SS

An athletic, defensive minded shortstop, Pastornicky needs to drastically improve his offensive game, especially his average as he has little power, if he wants to make an impact.

17. Andrew Liebel (C) - RHP

Finally a right hander! Liebel is a decent pitcher, an inning-eater type from the college ranks.

18. John Tolisano (C) - 2B

Tolisano struggled this season, but has been ranked higher by others in the past. Look for a rebound next season.

19. Curtis Thigpen (C) - C

Well, Thigpen really struggled this year offensively, but he could serve as a reserve catcher for the Jays in the future. Feel free to insert another player here if you so choose, perhaps Robert Ray, but Thigpen's ready to contribute next year to the squad.

20. Gustavo Pierre (C) - OF

A very young (17) tools oriented outfielder just signed this year, Pierre has solid potential as a leadoff type, but has a long, long way to go. I like his potential though, could rise rapidly with results.

Other "C"s who didn't make the cut:

Brian Dopirak- 1B
Fabio Castro - LHP
Robert Ray - RHP
Scott Richmond - RHP
Danny Farquhar - RHP
Chad Beck - RHP
Brian Jeroloman - C
Eric Eiland - OF

Tim Collins - LHP