Blue Jays looking to restock minor system

It’s clip for nan Toronto Blue Jays to restock their insignificant convention system.

Amateur scouting head Shane Farrell said pinch media connected Wednesday up of this weekend’s Major League Baseball draught and said nan Blue Jays’ insignificant convention system, particularly astatine nan double and triple-A levels, needs to beryllium refreshed pinch caller prospects.

“I deliberation that’s been a byproduct of immoderate of nan moves that we’ve made to make our awesome convention squad arsenic competitory arsenic imaginable and to make playoff runs,” said Farrell, utilizing nan waste and acquisition that sent pitching prospects Adam Kloffenstein and Sem Robberse to nan St. Louis Cardinals for Major League reliever Jordan Hicks arsenic an example.

“There’s evidently a request and a desire to support backfilling pinch soul prospects. I deliberation this draught allows america to do truthful and we’re looking guardant to that opportunity.”

Injuries and nan determination to designate a mates of veterans for duty has led to a fistful of Toronto’s triple-A prospects to beryllium called up to nan Blue Jays’ awesome convention roster, including infielders Ernie Clement, Spencer Horwitz and Leo Jimenez.

Outfielder Steward Berroa besides started nan twelvemonth successful nan minors and 2nd baseman/left-fielder Davis Schneider was a astonishment erstwhile he started nan play successful nan bigs and not pinch nan insignificant convention Buffalo Bisons. Outfielder Addison Barger besides spent 20 games pinch Toronto but was sent backmost to Buffalo erstwhile seasoned designated hitter Justin Turner returned from nan paternity database connected Saturday.

“We do request to make judge that erstwhile nan players are getting adjacent to nan large leagues, that they’re capable to instrumentality successful nan large leagues,” said Farrell successful a video convention call. “I deliberation that’s nan organization’s work to make judge that those players are some fresh physically, fundamentally and mentally to not only look successful nan awesome leagues, but to instrumentality and person a person a agelong career.”

Left-handed pitcher Ricky Tiedemann, nan apical subordinate connected Toronto’s extent chart, started for nan Bisons against nan Lehigh Valley IronPigs connected Wednesday. The 21-year-old has been recovering from ulnar nervus inflammation that forced him onto nan injured database successful mid-April aft 3 starts pinch Buffalo.

Although Tiedemann’s No. 1 successful nan Blue Jays’ system, he’s No. 45 wide according to MLB’s imaginable rankings.

Second baseman Orelvis Martinez, No. 2 connected nan Blue Jays’ imaginable extent chart, was suspended by MLB for 80 games aft testing affirmative for a performance-enhancing drug.

Shortstop Arjun Nimmala and left-handed pitcher Brandon Barriera, Nos. 3 and 4 successful nan minors, are some astatine nan single-A level.

Jimenez and Barger are nan 5th and sixth highest classed prospects successful nan Blue Jays’ strategy according to MLB.

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“We’re perpetually reasoning astir really to get amended each day,” Farrell said. “We’re perpetually pursuing passim organized master baseball, whether they’re Blue Jays aliases connected immoderate different teams.

“We’re ever reflecting connected our individual process arsenic scouts and then, broadening that, we’re continuously reflecting connected nan department.”

Toronto has nan 20th wide prime successful this year’s draught that starts Sunday successful Fort Worth, Texas.

Oregon State 2nd baseman Travis Bazzana, Georgia outfielder/third baseman Charlie Condon, and Florida first baseman/left-handed pitcher Jac Caglianone are nan apical 3 prospects disposable to beryllium picked.

The Blue Jays’ approximate scope of selections includes Oklahoma State outfielder Carson Benge, who is nan No. 18-ranked prospect, precocious schoolhouse right-handed pitcher Ryan Sloan (No.19), Louisiana State 3rd baseman Tommy White (No. 20) and Iowa right-handed pitcher Brody Brecht (No. 21).

“I deliberation we’re seeing a batch of spot astatine nan apical of nan draft, specifically pinch nan assemblage position players,” said Farrell. “I deliberation we’re seeing a small little magnitude comparative to past twelvemonth connected possibly nan precocious schoolhouse position subordinate group, and moreover immoderate of nan precocious schoolhouse pitching perchance that could sneak into nan first round.

“All successful all, different beardown people and successful our eyes, and I deliberation we’re excited astir our, our imaginable options astatine prime 20.”

This study by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2024.