dagger wrote:There is a trailer in the Groshans trade that might make it particularly sweet for the Jays: prospect C Edward Duran.
Edward Duran is an intriguing catching prospect in the Toronto Blue Jays system. Based on recent reports and his performance, here is a detailed scouting report:
Strengths & Defensive Profile
Duran's main value lies in his defensive tools and makeup, which project him as a potential Major League catcher.
• Arm Strength (60 Grade): This is his best tool. Duran possesses a strong, plus arm that can deter baserunners. While his caught-stealing percentage has fluctuated, the raw arm talent is considered elite.
• Receiving & Blocking (55 Grade): He is regarded as an above-average receiver and has made significant improvements in this area, particularly after transitioning to a one-knee-down setup. He has also cut down substantially on passed balls, showing good hands and athleticism.
• Athleticism: Duran is an athletic catcher with better-than-expected speed out of the box, which helps his overall defensive movements behind the plate.
• Plate Discipline: He shows a strong ability to draw walks (maintaining a good walk rate, e.g., BB%≈11−15%). This OBP-driven approach will be key to his offensive profile.
Hitting & Offensive Outlook
Duran's offensive game has shown flashes of improvement, particularly during the 2025 season in Single-A Dunedin, though he still profiles as an offense-light bat.
• Hit Tool (45 Grade): Duran uses a straight stance and employs a leg kick. He is best suited to an on-base-percentage (OBP) driven profile, focusing on contact and taking walks rather than slugging. He had a strong 2025 season in Single-A with a slash line of .296/.378/.439 before a promotion to High-A.
• Power (40 Grade): His power is below average, projecting for a low number of home runs at the MLB level. However, his average exit velocity has shown a positive trend, increasing from 2024 to 2025, which suggests a small bump in contact quality and gap power.
• Splits: He found more success in Single-A (A) than in High-A (A+), which is typical as he adjusts to higher levels of pitching. His strong finish in High-A (with a wRC+ of 131 in a late-season stretch) suggests he is adjusting.
Overall Projection & Outlook
Edward Duran has emerged as the Blue Jays' best catching prospect through his strong defensive foundation and developing plate discipline.
His ultimate ceiling is likely a solid Major League backup catcher who can provide reliable defense, control the running game with his plus arm, and contribute an acceptable OBP against low power. If his offensive improvements in Single-A stick as he climbs the minor league ladder, he could potentially develop into a low-end everyday starter, but his primary value remains behind the plate.