Toronto Blue Jays: 4 featured in Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects list

Toronto Blue Jays prospects Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette landed in the top 10 of Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects, while a pitcher makes a surprise appearance.

The baseball season is almost upon us. With under a month until pitchers and catchers report to camp, teams are starting to fall into place. On Monday, Baseball America released their Top 100 Prospects in the MLB. Among the list were four members of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette headlined the list of Jays’ representatives, taking the third and eighth spots respectively.

Guerrero Jr. had a fantastic second season in pro baseball. The 18-year-old posted a .323/.425/.485 line with 13 home runs and 76 RBI in 119 games played between A- Lansing and A+ Dunedin.

The editors of Baseball America also graded the Jays’ top prospect very highly in terms of individual skills.

Bichette went with Guerrero Jr. every step of the way this season. The pair were moved up to Dunedin together after ripping up low-A with Lansing to start the year.

Bichette finished the season with 14 home runs, 74 RBI and 41 doubles, to go along with a crazy .362/.423/.565 line.

It’s more than likely both individuals will make the jump to AA and the New Hamshire Fisher Cats for the 2018 season. It all hinges on their performance in spring training though.

Anthony Alford was the third Blue Jays’ prospect to feature on the list. He came in at 60th. Alford is also the only member of the Jays’ representatives to have played in the majors.

The outfielder featured in only four games with the Toronto Blue Jays in May before going down with an injury. He finished with a double and three strikeouts in eight plate appearances.

In the minors, Alford had a strong end to the year, hitting .299 with five home runs, 15 doubles, 26 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 77 games, split between Dunedin, New Hampshire and Buffalo.

Alford is the closest of the bunch to cracking the MLB roster full-time. Barring a lights-out spring training where he takes someone’s job, Alford will likely start with the Bisons. He will have more than enough opportunity with the Toronto Blue Jays if injuries arise in the outfield throughout the season.

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The last Jay to feature on the list could be considered a bit of a surprise. Nate Pearson was ranked as the number 91 prospect in baseball.

It comes as a shock as Pearson has only played a half a season after being taken with the 28th selection in the 2017 MLB Draft in June. But it was one hell of a half season from the hurler.

He played almost exclusively in short-season A ball with the Vancouver Canadians. He made seven starts for the team, compiling a 0.95 ERA and 0.58 WHIP, while striking out 24 and walking only five in 19.0 IP.

Pearson also managed to keep the opposition bats to a crazy .097 batting average last season. Although it’s a small fraction of a season, Pearson grabbed headlines around Toronto for his solid play out west.

Everyone knows he’s got a dynamite fastball that can reach into the hundreds. If his off-speed stuff can come around, Pearson will move up the ladder in the Blue Jays’ organization quickly.

Next: Donaldson willing to be patient with contract

Ronald Acuna was named the top prospect in baseball, with new Japanese sensation Shohei Otani finishing in the second spot on the list.

The Atlanta Braves had the most prospects on the list with eight, while the Brewers, Padres, Rays and Yankees all tied for second-most on the list, with six apiece.

You can see the full list here.