Toronto Blue Jays Offseason: What’s Been Done and What to Watch for
Prospect Preview:
Potential prospects to watch next season: Richard Urena, Sean Reid-Foley, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Rowdy Tellez, Reese McGuire
While many have argued that the Blue Jays farm system is bare, they are very much incorrect. While the Jays don’t have a farm system on par with the Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, and Braves, there are certainly players in the system that have the potential to be impact players at the next level and I think there are five guys who could actually have an impact as early as next season.
Richard Urena: The Blue Jays No. 1 overall prospect, Urena is a talented young player who has the potential to be a very solid starting shortstop in the majors. An incredible athlete, Urena reminds me a lot of former Blue Jays Adeiny Hechavarria and Orlando Hudson in that he is going to be a solid hitter who is a more than capable defender and has some solid speed to his game as well, although Urena has more pop in his bat than both of those guys ever did. Only 20 years old, Urena finished the season strong with double-A New Hampshire and should be a September call-up at some point for the Blue Jays.
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Sean Reid-Foley: While Urena is the Jays No. 1 overall prospect, Reid-Foley isn’t too far behind him and is the Blue Jays top pitching prospect. A steal in the second round of the 2014 MLB draft, Reid-Foley was incredible this season between single-A and high-A ball, and has pretty nasty stuff that should allow for him to move through the Jays system quickly. He possesses a really good fastball that can touch 98 mph as well as a solid slider and a changeup. Reid-Foley is a big kid at 6-foot-3 and almost 230 pounds, and it is possible that he could steal a bullpen spot for the Jays like Aaron Sanchez, Osuna, and Stroman did in the past. While his future is probably as a No. 3 starter, we could see him in the bullpen next season.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.: The mystery man signed out of Cuba by the Blue Jays just over a week ago, Gurriel Jr. was widely considered one of the best available international free agents and the Jays did very well in signing him to a relatively cheap seven-year deal. Comparable to a Ben Zobrist in that he has the ability to play all over the place, Gurriel will surely start the season with double-A New Hampshire, but will be closely tracked by management as a player who could rise through the minors extremely quickly. Gurriel is another player who could be used as a late season right or left fielder.
Rowdy Tellez: In my opinion, the Blue Jays most MLB ready hitter in their entire system, Tellez showed that he can really rake following a season where he hit .297 with 23 homers and 81 RBI. Tellez is the future at first base and should be given a shot to make the team out of spring training because his bat is that special.
Reese McGuire: Hopefully the Blue Jays future catcher, McGuire was acquired by Toronto in the Francisco Liriano trade and could very well be the backup catcher for Martin next season.
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An elite defensive catcher, McGuire is already a major league caliber catcher on the defensive side of the ball, but his offense leaves much to be desired. If McGuire can show that his bat is even serviceable, consider him an incredible upgrade at backup catcher over the mercurial Josh Thole.