We Can't Be This Bad: Toronto Blue Jays (PS4)

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LEAKED: Blue Jays Scouting Report

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Re: We Can't Be This Bad: Toronto Blue Jays (PS4)

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Re: We Can't Be This Bad: Toronto Blue Jays (PS4)

LEAKED: Blue Jays Scouting Report

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Re: We Can't Be This Bad: Toronto Blue Jays (PS4)

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Re: We Can't Be This Bad: Toronto Blue Jays (PS4)

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Re: We Can't Be This Bad: Toronto Blue Jays (PS4)

2015 MLB Draft Tracker
BEN NICHOLSON-SMITH
JUNE 3 2015

On June 3rd, 2015, the next wave of young prospects with incredibly bright futures were vaulted into the bright lights of professional baseball. A lone draft can shape a franchise's future for years to come, and is a crucial part of the process of building a dynasty. Without further delay, let's take a look at the first round of picks in this June's draft.

Round 1, Pick 1 - Dansby Swanson, SS (Chicago White Sox)

Looked at as the best of the main 3 shortstops in this class, Swanson is this year's first overall pick.Swanson compares to 2014 Padres first rounder Trea Turner, a speedy shortstop with the glove to stick there. It remains to be seen if Swanson can hit at the higher levels, but as a collegiate player, Swanson will look to move quickly.

Round 1, Pick 2 - Brendan Rodgers, SS (New York Mets)

Regarded by some as the best prospect available in this draft, Rodgers is a prep shortstop with massive amounts of talent. A great glove at SS with fantastic bat speed, Rodgers looks to be the kind of talent a team can build a franchise around, although the risk of a high school player dropped him to second.

Round 1, Pick 3 - Alex Bregman, SS (Boston Red Sox)

The Red Sox add a prospect they already know well in Bregman, having drafted him in the 29th round of the 2012 MLB draft. Good friends with top catcher prospect Blake Swihart, the Red Sox continue to build their middle infield depth with prospects like Bregman, Yoan Moncada, Mookie Betts, and Xander Bogaerts. Bregman built his draft stock by showing off his new power stroke in the college season, while displaying an improved glove at short. his makes the 2015 draft the first ever draft to feature the first three overall picks all being shortstops.

Round 1, Pick 4 - Daz Cameron, OF (Cleveland Indians)

Cameron, the son of long-time MLB outfielder Mike Cameron, is a toolsy prep center fielder who does a little bit of everything. His bonus demands are quite high, and the Indians will have to consider if they wish to meet Cameron's demands, or if he will honor his commitment to FSU. This pick is protected, and the Indians would get the 5th overall pick in next year's draft if they fail to sign Cameron; in what is regarded a much better draft, this is an interesting possibility.

Round 1, Pick 5 - Dillon Tate, RHP (Miami Marlins

The Marlins add a top college arm - potentially the best arm in the class in Tate, who showed off improved off-speed pitches to go along with a big fastball. Tate should move quickly throughout the minors.

Round 1, Pick 6 - Kyle Tucker, OF (Houston Astros

Kyle Tucker is a left-handed hitting prep center fielder with a swing some people compare to Darryl Strawberry's. Tucker has the glove to stay in center field, but if his range does not hold up, his arm is extremely playable at either outfield spot. Tucker is a pure hitter.

Round 1, Pick 7 - Carson Fulmer, RHP (San Francisco Giants)

Fulmer, a hard-throwing right hander of fairly diminutive stature, has been compared to Tim Lincecum for his big fastball, high-effort delivery and concerns about his frame.

Round 1, Pick 8 - Cornelius Randolph, SS (Philadelphia Phillies)

The Phillies kick off their rebuild by taking Cornelius Randolph. Randolph has the hands and actions to stay at shortstop but may eventually move off of the position to third base, where his bat will play all the same. The Phillies' new GM, David Forst, looks to have made an excellent first pick to kick off a new era of Phillies baseball.

Round 1, Pick 9 - Andrew Benintendi, OF (Kansas City Royals)

If "helium prospect" could be defined by one player, it would be Andrew Benintendi. The outfielder from the Northeast shot up boards within the weeks leading up to the draft and landed squarely at 9. Benintendi, named his conference's player of the year, also led his conference in home runs.

Round 1, Pick 10 - James Kapriellan, RHP (Pittsburgh Pirates)

Kapriellan, a big right-hander, rose up boards from the top 20 right into the edge of the top 10 with a late-spring hot streak and a few very good workouts. The Pirates add to their young core with a very good pitcher.


Round 1, Pick 11 - Ian Happ, OF


Round 1, Pick 12 - Tyler Stephenson, C


Round 1, Pick 13 - Tyler Jay, RHP


Round 1, Pick 14 - Josh Naylor, OF


Round 1, Pick 15 - Garrett Whitley, OF


Round 1, Pick 16 - Jon Harris, RHP


Round 1, Pick 17 - Kolby Allard, LHP


Round 1, Pick 18 - Nick Plummer, OF


Round 1, Pick 19 - Mike Nikorak, RHP


Round 1, Pick 20 - Trenton Clark, OF


Round 1, Pick 21 - Ashe Russell, RHP


Round 1, Pick 22 - Kevin Newman, SS


Round 1, Pick 23 - D.J. Stewart, OF


Round 1, Pick 24 - Mike Soroka, RHP


Round 1, Pick 25 - Richie Martin, SS


Round 1, Pick 26 - Walker Buehler, RHP


Round 1B, Pick 1 - Phil Bickford, RHP


Round 1B, Pick 2 - Christin Stewart, OF


Round 1B, Pick 3 - Beau Burrows, RHP


Round 1B, Pick 4 - Blake Trahan, SS

Spoiler

Full draft of real players:

White Sox 1 Dansby Swanson SS
Mets 2 Brendan Rodgers SS
Red Sox 3 Alex Bregman SS
Indians 4 Daz Cameron OF
Marlins 5 Dillon Tate RHP
Astros 6 Kyle Tucker OF
Giants 7 Carson Fulmer RHP
Phillies 8 Cornelius Randolph SS
Royals 9 Andrew Benintendi OF
Pirates 10 James Kapriellan RHP
Cubs 11 Ian Happ 2B
Orioles 12 Tyler Stephenson C
Twins 13 Tyler Jay RHP
Diamondbacks 14 Josh Naylor OF
Rays 15 Garrett Whitley OF
Rangers 16 Jon Harris RHP
Braves 17 Kolby Allard LHP
Cardinals 18 Nick Plummer OF
Rockies 19 Mike Nikorak RHP
Angels 20 Trenton Clark OF
Blue Jays 21 Ashe Russell RHP
Reds 22 Kevin Newman SS
Padres 23 D.J. Stewart OF
Nationals 24 Mike Soroka RHP
Athletics 25 Richie Martin SS
Dodgers 26 Walker Buehler RHP
Giants 27 Phil Bickford RHP
Royals 28 Christin Stewart OF
Tigers 29 Beau Burrows RHP
Blue Jays 30 Blake Trahan SS
White Sox 31 Nathan Kirby LHP
Mets 32 Kyle Funkhouser RHP
Red Sox 33 Donny Everett RHP
Indians 34 Brady Aiken RHP
Marlins 35 Kyle Holder SS
Astros 36 Thomas Eshelman RHP
Giants 37 Chris Shaw OF
Phillies 38 Scott Kingery OF
Royals 39 Nolan Watson RHP
Pirates 40 Ke'Bryan Hayes 3B
Cubs 41 Donnie Dewees OF
Orioles 42 Ryan Mountcastle SS
Twins 43 Brady Singer RHP
Yankees 44 Triston McKenzie RHP
Diamondbacks 45 Alex Young LHP
Rays 46 Chris Betts C
Rangers 47 Eric Jenkins OF
Braves 48 Lucas Herbert C
Cardinals 49 Jake Woodford RHP
Tigers 50 Brett Lilek LHP
Rockies 51 Tyler Nevin 3B
Angels 52 Jahmai Jones SS
Blue Jays 53 Jacob Nix RHP
Red Sox 54 Austin Riley 3B
Padres 55 Austin Smith RHP
Brewers 56 Cody Ponce RHP
Mariners 57 Alonzo Jones SS
Nationals 58 Andrew Stevenson OF
Athletics 59 Mikey White SS
Dodgers 60 Mitchell Hansen OF
White Sox 61 Andrew Suarez RHP
Mets 62 Desmond Lindsay OF
Red Sox 63 Joe DeMers RHP
Indians 64 Chandler Day RHP
Marlins 65 Cole Irvin LHP
Astros 66 Riley Ferrell RHP
Giants 67 Jalen Miller SS
Phillies 68 John Aiello SS
Royals 69 Josh Staumont RHP
Pirates 70 Kevin Kramer SS
Cubs 71 Bryan Hudson LHP
Orioles 72 Jonathan Hughes RHP
Twins 73 Kyle Cody RHP
Yankees 74 Ryan Perez LHP
Diamondbacks 75 Kyle Molnar RHP
Rays 76 Juan Hillman LHP
Rangers 77 Mike Matuella RHP
Braves 78 Blake Perkins OF
Cardinals 79 Bryce Denton OF
Tigers 80 Tyler Alexander LHP
Rockies 81 Cadyn Grenier SS
Angels 82 Taylor Ward C
Blue Jays 83 Drew Finley RHP
Reds 84 Mike Hickman C
Padres 85 Kyri Washington OF
Brewers 86 Nash Walters RHP
Mariners 87 Cole McKay RHP
Nationals 88 Cole Sands RHP
Athletics 89 Dakota Chalmers RHP
Dodgers 90 Daniel Reyes OF
White Sox 91 Kyle Dean OF
Mets 92 David Thompson 3B
Red Sox 93 Nolan Kingham RHP
Indians 94 Ryan Johnson OF
Marlins 95 Justin Jacome LHP
Astros 96 John India SS
Giants 97 Mac Marshall LHP
Phillies 98 Stephen Kolek RHP
Royals 99 Hogan Harris LHP
Pirates 100 Gio Brusa OF
Cubs 101 Darryl Wilson OF
Orioles 102 Marcus Brakeman RHP
Twins 103 Kody Clemens SS
Yankees 104 Mariano Rivera, Jr. RHP
Diamondbacks 105 Ryan Burr RHP
Rays 106 Brandon Lowe 2B
Rangers 107 Jake Lemoine RHP
Braves 108 Matt Rose 3B
Cardinals 109 Garrett Wolforth C
Tigers 110 Cam Gibson OF
Rockies 111 Julian Infante 3B
Angels 112 Grayson Long RHP
Blue Jays 113 Carl Wise 3B
Reds 114 Miles Gordon OF
Padres 115 Wyatt Cross C
Brewers 116 Demi Orimoloye OF
Mariners 117 Luken Baker RHP
Nationals 118 Nick Fortes C
Athletics 119 Skye Bolt OF
Dodgers 120 Nolan Long RHP
White Sox 121 Corey Zangari RHP
Mets 122 Thomas Szapuki LHP
Red Sox 123 Nick Halamandaris OF
Indians 124 Jonas Wyatt RHP
Marlins 125 Kyle Twomey LHP
Astros 126 Trent Thornton RHP
Giants 127 Steven Duggar OF
Phillies 128 Greg Pickett OF
Royals 129 Anderson Miller OF
Pirates 130 Jake Kelzer RHP
Cubs 131 Ryan Kellogg LHP
Orioles 132 Gray Fenter RHP
Twins 133 Isaiah Gillaim OF
Yankees 134 Tristan Beck RHP
Diamondbacks 135 Parker McFadden RHP
Rays 136 Joe McCarthy OF
Rangers 137 Chad Smith OF
Braves 138 Anthony Guardado RHP
Cardinals 139 Kep Brown OF
Tigers 140 Nick Schumpert SS
Rockies 141 Peter Lambert RHP
Angels 142 Brendon Sanger OF
Blue Jays 143 Devin Davis OF
Reds 144 Antonio Santillan RHP
Padres 145 Austin Allen C
Brewers 146 Blake Allemand SS
Mariners 147 Drew Jackson SS
Nationals 148 Rhett Wiseman OF
Athletics 149 Kevin Duchene OF
Dodgers 150 Brendon Davis SS
White Sox 151 Hunter Bowling LHP
Mets 152 Max Wotell LHP
Red Sox 153 Austin Rei C
Indians 154 Justin Garza RHP
Marlins 155 Tristan Pompey OF

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Who Are the Jays' Top Prospects?
BEN NICHOLSON-SMITH
JUNE 3 2015

With the conclusion of the 2015 MLB draft, it's time to take a look at how the Blue Jays' prospects have been progressing through the season so far. With the graduation of Dan Norris, and the trades of Aaron Sanchez, Sean Nolin, Franklin Barreto, and Taylor Cole, most of last year's top 10 is now gone. Paving the way is a new group of Jays prospects, including a group of some of the highest-ceiling players the Jays have seen in a very long time.

1. Mitch Nay OF

Hitting .265/.346/.424 with 6 HR in AAA, Nay has continued his meteoric rise as a prospect. After switching to outfield first time, Nay still projects as a high OBP, decent-slugging player with a good arm and below average range. He compares to Detroit Tigers prospect Nick Castellanos.

(Prospect lists: MLB.com 33, ESPN by Keith Law 67, Baseball America 35, Baseball Prospectus 37)

2. Jeff Hoffman RHP

The young righty have been massively impressive at extended Spring Training after returning from Tommy John surgery. Showing off incredible life on his pitches and getting many whiffs, Hoffman is showing why he was in the conversation for 1-1 in last year's draft.

(Prospect lists: MLB.com 38, ESPN by Keith Law 47, Baseball America 28, Baseball Prospectus 32)

3. Roberto Osuna RHP

Osuna, signed from the Mexican League at just 16, has shot through the system, with several posting several double-digit strike out games in AA to go along with a 2.87 ERA and a 61/24 K/BB ratio in 53.1 AA IP.. After earning a promotion to AAA, Osuna looks to join the bullpen at some point this year. For now, though, he'll have to continue his incredible performance so far.

(Prospect lists: MLB.com 35, ESPN by Keith Law 14, Baseball America 45, Baseball Prospectus 46)

4. Max Pentecost C

Pentecost has set the world on fire by maintaining an average of near .300 in AA so far this year, as well as hitting .297 for the month of May. With an OBP over .400, Pentecost now needs to work on finding his power stroke; his slugging percentage has only hovered around .420 so far this year. Pentecost has lots of potential both as a backstop and with the bat, but he could switch to second base or outfield as well.

(Prospect lists: MLB.com 67, ESPN by Keith Law 98, Baseball America 74, Baseball Prospectus 62)

5. Miguel Castro RHP

Castro, relatively unknown, has pitched well in AA to start the year. The 20 year old features a big fastball as well as an effective slider that should allow him to be a solid mid rotation starter, if not a very good closer, at the next level.

6. Ashe Russell RHP

Russell, a hard throwing righty, was taken 21st overall by the Blue Jays in the draft. Russell will reportedly ink a deal slightly above slot, and move to the Bluefield Blue Jays to begin his career.

7. Matt Boyd LHP

A 24 year old in AA, Boyd lit it up, showing improved velocity (up to 92-94 MPH on his fastball). After his promotion to AAA, Boyd could perhaps carve out a career as a back-end starter or a LOOGY.

8. Anthony Alford OF

The sky is the limit for Alford. The dynamic center fielder has explosive speed, allowing him to cover incredible amounts of ground in the outfield. He has good raw power but is just that at the plate; raw. After leaving behind a promising football career to focus on baseball full time, Alford will look to shoot up prospect lists in the near future.

9. Blake Trahan, SS

Trahan, the younger brother of previous first rounder Styker Trahan, has plus-plus speed at shortstop and a good glove to stick there, as well as an average bat. Trahan, almost 22, will head off to Dunedin to get a quick start to his pro career.

10. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. OF

All but officially signed, Vlad's son shows off an amazing amount of raw power for a 16 year old as well as an impressive hit tool. However, he doesn't have much of a position. He reportedly would have gone first round if he had been eligible for this year's draft.


11. Devon Travis 2B
12. Sean Reid-Foley RHP
13. Jacob Nix RHP
14. Matt Smoral LHP
15. Danny Jansen C
16. Devin Davis OF
17. Dalton Pompey OF
18. Drew Finley LHP
19. Richard Urena SS
20. Clinton Hollon RHP


Recently drafted prospects not in the top 10 include Jacob Nix, Devin Davis, and Drew Finley. Nix, part of the Brady Aiken controversy last year, went to IMG Post-Prep Academy this year and put up gaudy stats while flashing #2 starter potential. Davis, considered a very tough sign, will require in excess of $900,000 to sign. The hard-hitting outfielder isn't a sure thing to put ink to paper right now. Finley has a good fastball and a very good curveball to pair with it; he bears resemblance to previous Cardinals draft pick Rob Kaminsky.

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Jays' Monthly Recap: June
BARRY DAVIS
JUNE 3 2015

Heading into the dog days of summer, the Blue Jays have picked up the pace, surpassing the .500 mark at 33-29. While still fourth in the AL East, they are well within shouting distance of a Wild Card. The team has seen marked improvements in both the pitching and the hitting.

Justin Smoak has easily been the biggest contributor this season, leading the team in RBI while slashing .282/.368/.554 with 10 HR. With very good defense at first base, the switch hitter has joined a long list of Blue Jays hitters that have been picked up off the scrap heap and turned into valuable contributors.

The rest of the bats have also stepped it up; Jose Bautista his hitting over .400 the last 10 games, Russell Martin has stepped it up to slash .244/.324/.440 with 7 homers, and even Nick Swisher, the salary dump included to get Trevor Bauer (since moved to the bullpen), has an OBP of .340 with 3 home runs.

The triumvirate of Reyes-Encarnacion-Bautista is still struggling, however. Encarnacion has a measly slugging percentage of .393, while Jose Reyes' ISO is a paltry .062. Bautista is getting on base at just a .302 clip, seeing a decline in walks. Josh Donaldson has gone slightly cold as well, bringing his slash line down to .258/.316/.436.

Luckily, the pitching has been superb. Led by young starter Drew Hutchison, boasting a 2.33 ERA with a 70/15 K/BB ratio in 77.1 IP, the staff has been tremendous this year. Marcus Stroman has followed up an excellent 2014 with 61 strikeouts in 65 IP and a 3.17 ERA, and Daniel Norris has hit the ground running in his MLB career, pitching 32.2 IP of 1.65 ERA baseball. While that surely won't continue, the Jays' young pitchers have stepped up to bring the team back into view of contention.

Down on the farm, Jesus Montero has torn it up since being acquired, hitting .381/.426/.667 in 10 AAA games. Max Pentecost hit .297 in AA this May, showing off what scouts describe as a plus hit tool. Roberto Osuna struck out 28 hitters in his first 19.1 AAA IP, shooting him up prospect lists across the nation. Minor league free agent Mike O'Neill has hit .361 in May, with an impressive glove in center field; look for him to grab a spot on the big league club at some point in the year. Dwight Smith Jr has earned a promotion to AAA, after slashing .286/.349/.438 in AA. He will play second base and outfield.

Some notes from around the league:

• Jose Abreu: With just a .287 OBP and the White Sox nowhere near contention, could the White Sox look to move him after a 34 HR 2014?
• Jason Kipnis: After a down year in 2014, Kipnis has shot out of the gate, hitting .302 with 11 homers and 29 RBI.
• Yasmani Tomas: The Mariners' investment has paid off so far, with .294/8/30 so far.
• Ryan Howard: Talk about a return to form. Howard's blasted 12 HR already this year with a .362 OBP.
• Cubs young hitters: Uh oh. The highest batting average on the Cubs is just .252 from Javier Baez.
• Miguel Montero: MVP? Montero's hit .343/.431/.569 with 11 homers already.
• Stephen Piscotty: Run-away ROY. 10 homers with an OBP over .400. Looking good in right field as well.
• Wil Myers: The shine is off his star a bit this year, with his average dipping 30 points and his OBP hovering around .300.
• Madison Bumgarner: What? Only a 3.74 ERA? Not pitching great.
• Matt Moore: A 1.68 ERA with 83 strikeouts. All the potential in the world and he's putting it together.
• Corey Kluber: Despite just a 3.93 ERA this year and 4.63 the year before, I think there's something there. So many strikeouts.
• Aaron Sanchez: Oomph. A 1.94 ERA with 71 SO. Painful for Jays fans.

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BREAKING: Phillies claim AJ Jimenez
BEN NICHOLSON-SMITH
JUNE 03 2015



The Philadelphia Phillies have announced that they have claimed C AJ Jimenez off of outright waivers from the Blue Jays. Jimenez, formerly a top 10 prospect in the organization, was DFA'd recently.

As well, the Blue Jays have announced they have signed RHP Carlos Frias to a minor league contract. He will report to AAA Buffalo.

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Re: We Can't Be This Bad: Toronto Blue Jays (PS4)