The Blue Jays released the list of non-40-man roster players they are inviting to spring training. A mix of minor league signings, prospects, and guys to fill out the training groups:
Infielders:
- Leonardo Jimenez
- Miguel Hiraldo
- Jordan Groshans
- Kevin Smith
- Joe Panik
- Orelvis Martinez
- Austin Martin
- Tyler White
- Logan Warmoth
- Richard Urena.
Catcher:
- Philip Clarke
Outfielders:
- Ryan Noda
- Chavez Young
- Forrest Wall
RHP
- A.J. Cole
- Anthony Castro
- Bryan Barker
- Jackson Rees
- Joel Murray
- Alek Manoah
- Adam Kloffenstein
- Yosver Zulueta
- Simeon Woods Richardson
- CJ Van Eyk
LHP
- Francisco Liriano
- Nick Allgeyer
- Kirby Snead
- Tim Mayza
I would love Urena to make the team, but Panik is far more likely to get the utility job. I’m looking forward to not getting to see all the prospects play this spring since Sportsnet doesn’t think we would want to watch. I guess darts and poker seem better draws.
Normally teams invite more catchers, but the Jays have five catchers on the 40-man.
A couple of the pitchers have a shot at making the team. Liriano or Mayza (if he’s healthy) could get a left-hander spot in the pen). If Cole looks good in spring, he’s very likely to make the team.
The others get to show what they can do against major league competition and make a good impression on the coaches and front office.
Keith Law posted his top 20 Jays prospects yesterday. The top five are:
- Pearson
- Martin
- Manoah
- Kirk
- Martinez
You have a good system when Jordan Groshans is your sixth-best prospect (yeah we can argue about it). He has three catchers on the list: Kirk, Gabriel Moreno and Riley Adams. The only outfielder is Dasan Brown (13th), who he says has 80 speed and a good eye at the plate.
Interesting names on the list: CJ Van Erk (10), Estiven Machado (12), Yosver Zulueta (15), Rikelvin De Castro (17) and Leo Jimenez (18).
Among the things he says:
This system has improved exponentially in the last two years, with a pair of strong drafts, some smart trades and one of the game’s most effective international scouting departments. The Jays have pitching depth and they have a ton of catchers and shortstops, the two positions where you most want to have prospect capital.
He picks Moreno as his sleeper.
MLB.com has a list of ten teams that ‘won’ the winter. They have the Blue Jays third.
Mike Wilner has his first Jays post up at the Toronto Star, about how George Springer and Marcus Semien improve the Jays. I’m very happy to see Wilner land on his feet. And I’m going to have to decide if I want to buy a subscription to the Star.
The Yankees signed Jay Bruce to a minor league deal. Bruce should like the left-field porch, but he hit .198 last year. There are going to be a ton of minor league signings this week.