Bluebird Banter Top 50 Blue Jays Prospects: 45-41

Hi everyone! It's good to be back. I hope everyone is doing well. Anyway, here's the next installment of our top prospect list. Tom just checked in with #46-50 yesterday.

45. Wilmer Becerra, OF/SS - a 17-year old signed out of Venezuela at just 16, Becerra came over as a shortstop but his future is apparently in the outfield. Becerra is one of many significant international free agent signings the Jays have made during the Alex Anthopolous era. He will have a long way to go, but he could see some rookie ball in 2012. Becerra, a righthanded hitter, has speed and strength. It's unclear whether he'll be able to stick in center field, but he has drawn positive comments for his work ethic and makeup. Obviously, his development as a hitter will be all-important.

44. Dawel Lugo, SS - Another significant international free agent signing, Lugo hails from Bani, Dominican Republic and was also signed as a 16-year old. The Jays spent $1.3 million on the young shortstop. At 6', 175 lbs at just 16, Lugo isn't fleet of foot and so isn't a lock to stick at shortstop, but he is said to have good hands and a strong arm. It's unclear whether he'll be able to continue at short for a while in the mold of a Jhonny Peralta, or whether he'll be moving to third base in a few years. Lugo projects well as a hitter, with good bat speed and natural loft in his swing, so he looks like he could be a good power bat for the infield down the line. Lugo was assigned to the Dominican Summer League after his signing but you'd think he would have a shot at rookie ball this year.

43. Anthony DeSclafani, RHP - DeSclarfani, a Freehold, NJ native (Bruuuuuuuce!!!) was signed by the Boston Red Sox out of high school (22nd round) but he chose to attend college at Florida University. DeSclafani was impressive in the famed Cape Cod Baseball League and had a nice junior season as a Gator before the Jays selected him 199th overall. DeSclafani hasn't started much in his young career but is said to have impressive stuff that hasn't quite translated into dominating stats because he hasn't quite harnassed it yet.

42. Christian Lopes, SS/2B - Lopes, a southern california native selected by the Jays in the 7th round in 2011 out of high school, is said to have nice soft hands and to be athletic around the bag. Some concerns about his arm and his middling range and speed suggest that he might end up at second base, but he does project nicely as a hitter. The right-handed hitter is well-regarded for his skill with the bat and should field well enough at second to let his bat do the talking.

41. Kellen Sweeney, 3B - Sweeney, the brother of major-leaguer Ryan Sweeney, was a well-regarded second-round pick out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Kellen had a nice adjustment to pro ball after being drafted (.267/.450/.444), which is always a good sign for a high school hitter. Unfortunately 2011 was a lost year for Sweeney - he was assigned to Bluefield and suffered a freak injury in which he fell during a rundown and broke a small bone at the base of his thumb. The good news - the injury wasn't anything chronic and had nothing to do with his arm (he had TJ surgery in high school). Therefore, with a healthy season, Sweeney could be right back on track, particularly considering he's still just 20 and won't be 21 until September. The Jays are reportedly still quite high on the lefty hitting infielder, who is said to have a sweet line drive swing and a nice approach at the plate.

Well that's all for now. Woodman will be back with the next five. Enjoy!