Toronto Blue Jays: 5 most important individuals in 2019

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 20: Justin Smoak #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays is congratulated by teammates at home plate after hitting a game-winning solo home run in the ninth inning during MLB game action against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre on September 20, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 20: Justin Smoak #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays is congratulated by teammates at home plate after hitting a game-winning solo home run in the ninth inning during MLB game action against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre on September 20, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Blue Jays
SURPRISE, AZ – NOVEMBER 03: AFL West All-Star, Vladimir Guerrero Jr #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats during the Arizona Fall League All Star Game at Surprise Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

1) Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Let’s be honest; no one is surprised to see Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at the top of our list. However, this doesn’t make him any less important to the Blue Jays’ chances of being competitive this year.

In addition, Guerrero Jr. will inject some much-needed excitement into the proceedings during the 2019 season. As the future face of the Blue Jays’ franchise, he’s also the top-rated prospect in all of baseball and with good reason.

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The 19-year-old’s hitting ability is exceptional; in fact, scouts gave him the highest possible grade in this area. As a result, he’s blazed a trail through every level he’s played at, including tearing up the competition in Double and Triple-A last year.

If there’s any doubt about Guerrero Jr.’s ability to succeed at the Major League level — no matter how minor — it relates to his ability as a defender. And the Blue Jays will use this to their advantage, to justify him not starting on opening day.

As we’ve previously reported, the Blue Jays will hold the third baseman back for just over two weeks, in order to gain an extra year of control. However, this will still leave him the majority of the 2019 season to prove himself in the Majors, in the process giving fans an optimistic glimpse into what lies ahead in the coming years.

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What’s your take on the five names listed? Are there any other Toronto Blue Jays’ individuals you would have included in your top five and if so, who would you remove and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.