Jays Minor League Affiliate/Prospect Discussion Thread

[SmallTownJournalist303]

This, as you may have guessed, is where all discussion regarding the Jays minor league affiliates go. If you wish to start a new topic about one single prospect who you feel needs to be talked about then we'll let that slide for now; however, if the board starts getting cluttered with them, we'll begin to move those in here as well.
Also, any minor league talk about prospects or teams not relating to the Blue Jays should be posted on the Minor League board.
Go Chiefs!

[Andrea>Dirk]

Is Travis Snider playing AAA this year? or AA?

[SmallTownJournalist303]

I think he's starting in A-ball this year, although I may be wrong.

[Ramako]

It's been a while since I followed the Jays' minor league system/prospects, and I'm a little blurry on who the most promising prospects are these days. Last time I paid any attention to it, Jason Arnold was the big name. Anyway, I started this thread because I'd like posters with some knowledge to list the Jays best prospects in their opinion, including positions, potential, and readiness.

Thanks.

EDIT: I'm going to move this to the Minor League Thread as soon as I figure out how to use the damn moderator buttons. - STJ

[Andrea>Dirk]

I find it funny there's already a thread about minor leagues right after you made a sticky on them

[SmallTownJournalist303]

Meh, it was good practice. Thanks, Koz.

[Ramako]

Meh, it was good practice. Thanks, Koz.

This sticky is dedicated to general Jay's minor league discussion, right? Everything from discussing players to scores to standings, right?

I'm not sure my thread should be merged here because I specifically wanted a list of prospects ranked in order of their talent/potential. My thread had a very narrow scope that I think it might get lost in here. Anyway, up to you.

[SmallTownJournalist303]

Sorry, I just figured putting it in here would be more appropriate. If you wanted to just discuss, say, Travis Snider then I probably would've let it go, but because your question involves multiple prospects and all levels of our system, I thought it'd be better suited for this thread.
It actually works as a perfect kick-off and intro to our minor league system for anyone who doesn't know much about it, which would be a great help for this particular thread.

[-MetA4-]

Travis Snider is starting out in Pulaski (A ball).

[OldNo7]

Over/under on when he reaches AA? Is this kid going to be the real deal of a hitter? I sure hope so, we could use an impact guy coming through our system.

[-MetA4-]

He should make his way up at Dunedin (High A) this year and I could see him POSSIBLY getting a bit of time in at AA at the end of the year if he's completely destroying it. More realistically though he should reach AA the season after this year.

As a hitter he has the ability to be a complete stud, reminds me a bit of current Royals hyped prospect Billy Butler in terms of hitting ability...although Snider is a bit more athletic.

[beater97]

I don't think he will play AA this season.

[hightime]

What ever happened to Josh Banks hes doing well in AAA but i havn't even heard about him.

[SmallTownJournalist303]

I've been a huge Banks fan for a while, but his inability to limit home runs is holding him back right now. His K/BB ratio is fantastic, but it's literally impossible to put him in the big leagues right now when he's giving up 35 home runs in 170+ innings.

[2009NBAChamps]

Could someone please make a list of our top prospects? Either in terms of potential or most ready to make the team?

Also who was that pitcher we took in the first round a couple years back? Romero was it? How's he doing? I heard a rumour about some teams interested in him (I think it was Phillie)

[aligator]

Travis Snider is starting out in Pulaski (A ball).

Incorrect. The former BJ team in Pulaski was a rookie league team which no longer exists. Snider will be playing in Low A Lansing of the Midwest league.

[aligator]

What ever happened to Josh Banks hes doing well in AAA but i havn't even heard about him.

Banks will be in the starting rotation at Syracuse. He is still considered a prospect.

[SmallTownJournalist303]

I don't really have time to do in-depth analysis, but here's Baseball America's take on our system: http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/pr ... 62822.html

[rdua]

Could someone please make a list of our top prospects? Either in terms of potential or most ready to make the team?

Also who was that pitcher we took in the first round a couple years back? Romero was it? How's he doing? I heard a rumour about some teams interested in him (I think it was Phillie)

Excluding the likes of Aaron Hill, Casey Janssen, and Brandon League these are Jays top prospects. This is entirely based on my opinion, so don't put huge weighing into it.

The top two hitters in the system are clearly a cut above the rest of the system. The rest of the position players are pretty interchangeable. The pitchers, I wouldn't call any of them a sure bet. All of them either have great command and poor stuff or poor command and great stuff.

Position Players:
1) Travis Snider, RF (biggest upside of any hitter, defence is average)
2) Adam Lind, LF (will hit no doubt, his defense is below-average)
3) Curtis Thigpen, C (average hitter for C, solid behind the plate)
4) Balbino Fuenmayor, 3B (raw - but great potential, defence can be sloppy)
5) Ryan Patterson, LF (adjusting to AA, but solid power numbers at lower A)

Pitchers:
1) Ricky Romero, LHP (soft tosser - but great changeup, lacks an 'out' pitch)
2) Dustin McGowan, RHP (great stuff, poor command - potential to be a top starter - getting old for a prospect)
3) Francisco Rosario, RHP (out of options - most likely will be traded)
4) David Purcey, LHP (unbelievable stuff - but I've heard of a problem in his delivery, leading to poor command)
5) Chi-hung Cheng, LHP (Never actually seen him play, but he sounds intriguing - hopefully someone has more info)

Hope this is a start.

[Michael Bradley]

This is how John Sickels ranked the system after the 2006 season.

1. Adam Lind, OF, Grade A- (his bat is not a fluke)
2. Travis Snider, OF, Grade A- (outstanding hitter)
3. Ricky Romero, LHP, B (I think he'll rebound)
4. Curtis Thigpen, C, B- (good bat, good glove, lacks home run power)
5. Ryan Patterson, OF, C+ (tons of power, but could end up like Ryan Ludwick)
6. David Purcey, LHP, C+ (great arm, command a problem)
7. Jesse Litsch, RHP, C+ (good command, but stuff isn't the best)
8. Brandon Magee, RHP, C+ (good arm, good command, but already 23)
9. Davis Romero, LHP, C+ (Short but a good pitcher)
10. Kyle Yates, RHP, C+ (excellent curve)
11. Josh Banks, RHP, C+ (good command, but stuff isn't thebest)
12. Jean Machi, RHP, C+ (good arm, nice free agent pickup)
13. Chi-Hung Cheng, LHP, C+ (will have to prove himself at higher levels)
14. Anthony Hatch, INF, C+ (promising bat)
15. Dustin Majewski, OF, C+ (drew 100 walks, good glove, some power)
16. Francisco Rosario, RHP, C (great arm, but I don't trust him to throw strikes)
17. Chip Cannon, 1B, C (Good power, but Arizona Fall League numbers look flukey)
18. Ryan Kosterman, INF, C (possible utility candidate)
19. Kyle Ginley, RHP, C (live arm from 2006 draft)
20. Chase Lirette, RHP, C (strike thrower from 2006 draft)

Others: Yohermyn Chavez, OF; Jordan DeJong, RHP; Chris Emanuele, OF; Eric Fowler, LHP; Graham Godfrey, RHP; Rey Gonzalez, RHP; Luke Hopkins, 1B; Brian Jeroloman, C; Cory Patton, OF; Brian Pettway, OF; Paul Phillips, RHP; Ty Taubenheim, RHP; Tracy Thorpe, RHP; Jamie Vermilyea, RHP.