Bluebird Banter Mid-Season Prospect Review 1-10

The end of our review of the players on our prospects list. Again, not a re-order, that comes in January next year, but just a look at how the players on our list are doing. This one was kind of easy, as 4 of the 10 were traded this week. And 3 others are currently on the major league team.

If you have missed any of it:

• 11-20 is here.
• 21-30 is here.
• 31-40 is here.

1. Daniel Norris, LHP: Traded.

You know what happened, won a starting job out of camp, made 5 kind of middling starts, had a 3.86 ERA and a 5.00 FIP. Walked a few too many (12 in 23.1 innings) and was shipped out to Buffalo. He wasn't great in Buffalo: In 16 starts, he had a 4.27 ERA, in 90.2 inning he allowed too many walks (43) with not as many strikeouts as you would like (78). His last 5 starts weren't all that much better, 3.86 ERA, 23.1 innings, 23 hits, 12 walks and 18 strikeouts.

I would have rather have had him starting for us than Felix Doubront, but he has work to do.

He's starting for the Tigers Sunday. I'll be cheering for him.

2. Aaron Sanchez, RHP: You know the story. Started the season in the rotation, had a rough time in his first few starts, seemed to be getting better each start. On June 5, he went 8 innings, allowed 6 hits, 1 earned with no walks. And, a few days later, he was on the DL.

His rehab starts weren't going all that well, and the team decided he should come back to the majors as a reliever. He looked great in Thursday's game.

3. Dalton Pompey, CF: Geeze, does everyone on this group of ten have the exact same story?

Anyway, Pompey was given the CF job. The season didn't start out great, he was having troubles at the plate and he seemed to be taking those troubles into the outfield. After a bit, they switched him and Kevin Pillar in the outfield. And then, a few days later, sent him to the minors, first to Buffalo, then to New Hampshire, and now back to Buffalo. In 23 games in the majors, he hit just .193/.264/.337. Personally, wish they would have given him a bit more time. I mean hit .181/.237/.257 in 29 games in May and they didn't give up on him.

When he first went to Buffalo, he took his hitting troubles with him. Moved down to New Hampshire, it took a few games, but then he started hitting (I'm sure, if left in Buffalo, he would have started hitting there). He hit .351/.405/.545 in 31 games for the Fisher Cats. Moved up, he's hit .379/.471/.534 In 14 games, in July in Buffalo.

I really, really want them to bring him back up to Toronto. If nothing else, he can catch the ball in left field. Really, Colabello isn't hitting like Rod Carew anymore, let's, at least, have defense out there.

4. Jeff Hoffman, RHP: Traded.

Coming off Tommy John, started the season in Dunedin. Made 11 starts, 3.21 ERA, in 56 innings he allowed 59 hits, 4 home runs, 15 walks and 38 strikeouts. Moved up to New Hampshire, he made 2 starts, 1.54 ERA, in 11.2 innings he allowed 9 hits, 2 walks with 8 strikeouts.

You might expect more strikeouts, with his stuff, but, since he's just coming back from Tommy John, I don't think it is a worry. I think the Diamondbacks got a good one, but I'd make that trade.

5. Max Pentecost, C: Had shoulder surgery, way back in February (his second surgery on the same shoulder in just a few months) and hasn't played yet. He was throwing the ball in Vancouver but had some sort of ‘setback' and has stopped.

I read, in a few places, that Max was our best trade chip, but I can't see him being in any trade until he plays a few games.

6. Devon Travis, 2B: Well, you know, he's been great, other than a couple of injuries. He's day to day at the moment, I'm hoping he's not out long. He's hitting .304/.361/.498 with 8 home runs, 18 walks and 43 strikeouts. He's also played better defense than I expected.

7. Dwight Smith Jr., OF: Dwight is playing in New Hampshire, he hasn't played any second base, so I'm guessing that idea has died off. He's playing mostly LF, but has played a few games in center and right. He's hitting .263/.325/.358 with 3 home runs, 31 walks and 47 strikeouts, with 4 stolen bases. Last year he hit .284/.363/.453 in Dunedin with 15 stolen bases.

He had a very good April, but hasn't hit as well since. I'd imagine he'll drop out of the top ten next year, unless he starts hitting or we trade everyone else off.

8. Miguel Castro, RHP: Traded to the Diamondbacks.

Started the year as a setup man, Brett Cecil had a couple of bad games and Castro was made closer. That lasted almost to the end of April, then he lost his closer job and soon after was sent to the minors.

In Buffalo, he had a 4.53 ERA in 13 games, 5 starts. In 19.2 innings, he allowed 26 hits, 4 home runs, 12 walks and 21 strikeouts. He is now an Albuquerque Isotope.

9. Jairo Labourt, LHP: Traded to the Tigers.

Labourt had a 2-7 record in 18 starts for Dunedin. In 80.1 innings, he had a 4.59 ERA, allowed 83 hits, 6 home runs, 44 walks with 70 strikeouts. Like most guys in the lower minors, he needs to work on the control. He's 21.

10. Roberto Osuna, RHP: You know. He's been bloody amazing. A 2.18 ERA, 6 saves. In 43 games, he's pitched 45.1 innings, allowed just 31 hits, 2 home runs, 11 walks and 51 strikeouts. He's just 20 years old. I'd hate to think what our bullpen would be like without him. Batters are hitting .191/..244/.302 against him.

Maybe we should have had him higher up on the life?