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| Chris Rowley Sportsnet.ca Photo |
After a bit of a delay, the Blue Jays have released their Florida Instructional League Roster.
The FIL began in 1958. Its purpose is to give the top young prospects in MLB organizations coaching from the top instructors in the system. Sometimes, players are sent to learn a new position, or to make up for playing time lost to injury. Players practice in the morning, and play games against other FIL teams in the afternoon. There are no standings kept, and presumably whatever statistics compiled are not released by the teams.
The delay in releasing the Blue Jays roster may have something to do with the number of Caribbean players on it - there may have been some visa problems, and the club may have wanted to wait until the roster was finalized before releasing it.
Since there is no media coverage of the games, the best way to follow people who are watching the games on Twitter.
The two most interesting developments on this roster are the inclusion of pitcher Chris Rowley, and IFA Vladimir Guerrero. Rowley used six weeks of leave to dominate younger hitters in the GCL in 2013 after graduating from the US Military Academy at West Point. He had to leave before the end of the season to fulfill his five-year commitment to his country, but there was thought at the time that he might be able to receive an exemption this summer. I'm still trying to track down confirmation of whether or not Rowley was successful in doing so, but his presence on the roster suggests he was.
Guerrero is the most hyped International Free Agent in Blue Jays history with the possible exception of Frannklin Barreto in 2012. Scouts are united in their love of his potential impact bat, but there have been suggestions that he lacks the speed and arm to play a corner outfield position. Listing him at 3rd Base makes one wonder if the Blue Jays have decided on trying to switch him to a corner infield spot.
Another interesting name on the roster is P Gustavo Pierre, who was a highly touted IFA himself in 2008. Signed as a Short Stop, he was moved to 3rd, but had largely underachieved before he was dealt for John Mayberry Jr last September. The Blue Jays re-acquired Pierre this August, and have converted him to a pitcher.
Norberto Obeso was one of the top hitters in the Dominican Summer League, and it will be interesting to see how he fares against higher competition.
With the Blue Jays system having had over a dozen of its top prospects traded in the last 10 months, there has been a change in the rankings. Players like Anthony Alford, Richard Urena, Conner Greene, and Sean Reid-Foley are now the new wave of Top 10 prospects who will be attending Instructs.
With cheaper fares and slightly cooler weather, it's a good time to travel to Florida, and despite the emptying of the Blue Jays farm system, this roster shows that there's still plenty of talent in the organization.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
| ||||||
No.
|
PITCHERS
|
POS
|
B/T
|
HT
|
WT
|
2015 Team/Notes
|
37
|
Aleton, Wilfri
|
LHP
|
L/L
|
6’3
|
165
|
DSL
-signed November/12
-3 yr DSL guy; pitched well in their starting rotation this year
|
39
|
Chavez, Guadalupe
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’2
|
150
|
DSL/GCL
-July/14 signing from Mexico
-pitched in the GCL at 17 this year
|
38
|
Diaz, Denis
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’3
|
205
|
GCL/Dunedin
-Jan/13 signing from Honduras
-decent GCL numbers this year; started 8 games
|
13
|
Diaz, Yennsy
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’0
|
161
|
DSL/GCL
-averaged a K/inning at both stops this year.
|
59
|
Espada, Jose
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’1
|
170
|
GCL
-6th round pick last June
-solid debut season
|
85
|
Espinal, Joel
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’3
|
200
|
DSL
-pitched out of the pen this season; good command
|
50
|
Greene, Conner
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’3
|
165
|
Lansing/Dunedin/New Hamp.
-rocketed up the system this year
-added velo to both his curve and fastball
-one of the system’s rising stars
|
30
|
Gutierrez, Osman
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’4
|
185
|
GCL
-part of the dream IFA class of 2012; from Nicaragua
-finished very strong (192 Opp BA, 22Ks/21 inn in August)
|
23
|
Harris, Jon
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’4
|
175
|
Vancouver
-1st round pick from June had moments of promise but struggled in his pro debut season
|
22
|
Higuera, Juliandry
|
LHP
|
L/L
|
6’1
|
180
|
Bluefield
-IFA Sept/12 from Venezuela
-skipped the GCL to pitch in the Appy League this year
|
83
|
Kelyn, Jose
|
LHP
|
L/L
|
6’4
|
193
|
GCL
-IFA July/13
-topped 100 with his FB this year, but has command issues
|
43
|
Maese, Justin
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’3
|
190
|
GCL
-3rd round pick last June
-sits 91-93 with FB, with great command and feel. Developing promising slider and change.
|
71
|
Mayza, Tim
|
LHP
|
L/L
|
6’3
|
205
|
Lansing
-2013 12th rounder
-averaged over a K/inning out of Lansing’s bullpen
|
11
|
Meza, Juan
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’2
|
177
|
DSL/GCL
-10th rated IFA last year
-struggled with command and was hit fairly hard in his debut season.
|
35
|
Nova, Jose
|
LHP
|
L/L
|
6’1
|
167
|
DSL/GCL
-July/13 IFA
-K’d 7 batters in a game twice this year.
|
43
|
Nunez, Juan
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’2
|
185
|
DSL/GCL
-July/13 IFA
-pitched well out of the GCL Jays’ bullpen in August.
|
80
|
Perdomo, Angel
|
LHP
|
L/L
|
6’6
|
198
|
Bluefield/Vancouver
-Nov/11 IFA
-has been brought along slowly, but broke out this year; 31Ks in 21 IP with Vancouver.
-on the cusp of being a Top 10 prospect
|
60
|
Pierre, Gustavo
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’2
|
183
|
GCL
-originally signed as an IFA in 2008; traded to Phillies Sept/14, reacquired and converted from If to P last month.
|
64
|
Reid-Foley, Sean
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’3
|
216
|
Lansing/Dunedin
-2nd round pick in 2014
-started at Lansing, promoted to Dunedin in July.
-125 Ks in 96 innings
|
26
|
Rios, Francisco
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’1
|
180
|
Vancouver
-2012 IFA from Mexico
-has moved quickly; pitched in the NWL at 20.
|
77
|
Robson, Tom
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’4
|
210
|
Lansing
-2011 4th rounder from Ladner, BC
-Tommy John surgery May/14; returned to action in July
-has regained former velocity; 35 Ks in 36 IP this year.
|
84
|
Rodriguez, Dalton
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’1
|
180
|
Bluefield
-Aug/12 signing from Mexico
-pitch-to-contact guy
|
49
|
Rodriguez, Hansel
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’2
|
170
|
GCL
-201-3 IFA
-pitched in the GCL at 18
|
36
|
Rowley, Chris
|
RHP
|
S/R
|
6’2
|
200
|
Military
-2013 non-drafted FA
-dominated the GCL as a 23 yr old in 2013; West Point Grad - may have been successful in being released from his commitment.
|
35
|
Sanchez, Luis
|
RHP
|
R/R
|
6’4
|
200
|
GCL/Bluefield
-2013 IFA
|
34
|
Saucedo, Tayler
|
LHP
|
L/L
|
6’5
|
185
|
Bluefield/Vancouver
-21st rounder last June
-pitched well at two levels; 31K in 35.2 IP at Vancouver.
|
63
|
Smith, Evan
|
LHP
|
R/L
|
6’6
|
205
|
Vancouver
-2013 4th rounder
-one level at a time guy so far
-gave up some contact (63 H in 49 IP) this year
-yet another of those long, lean, athletic lefties the organization covets.
|
25
|
Young, Daniel
|
LHP
|
L/L
|
6’3
|
200
|
Vancouver
-8th rounder last June
-Opp BA of .394 (.435 vs RH) this year
|
No.
|
CATCHERS
|
POS
|
B/T
|
HT
|
WT
|
2015 Team
|
19
|
Kelly, Juan
|
C
|
S/R
|
5’10
|
205
|
Vancouver/Lansing
-IFA Jan/12
-has a bat that will play, but there are questions about his ultimate position.
|
16
|
Jansen, Dan
|
C
|
R/R
|
6’2
|
230
|
Lansing
-16th rounder 2013
-missed huge chunks of last two seasons with injuries; needs to play
-good pitch framer and blocker of balls in the dirt already
-org thought enough of him to have him catch Stroman’s Lansing start
|
33
|
Hissey, Ryan
|
C
|
L/R
|
6’0
|
200
|
GCL/Vancouver
-14th round pick in June
-hit well at two levels; usually hit 3rd or clean up for Vancouver
|
15
|
Spiwak, Owen
|
C
|
L/R
|
6’2
|
195
|
GCL
-GTA product; 10th round pick last June
-decent numbers in his first pro season
|
21
|
Morgan, Matthew
|
C
|
R/R
|
6’2
|
195
|
Bluefield
-2014 4th rd pick has yet to find himself at the plate (.139/.218/.441 in two pro seasons, almost a 50% K rate)
-lauded for his tools, but has had a rough go of things so far
|
20
|
Hernandez, Javier
|
C
|
R/R
|
6’1
|
180
|
GCL
-already earning rave reviews for his D; hit tool is a work in progress
|
No.
|
INFIELDERS
|
POS
|
B/T
|
HT
|
WT
|
2015 Team
|
8
|
Urena, Richard
|
SS
|
L/R
|
6’0
|
185
|
Lansing/Dunedin
-July/12 IFA
-best IF prospect in the organization
-showed surprising pop (16 HR) this year, but needs to improve BB/K’s - 16:110
-needs to hit LHP better
-MLB-ready with the glove.
|
44
|
McBroom, Ryan
|
1B
|
R/L
|
6’3
|
235
|
Lansing
-2014 15th rounder
-Midwest League MVP
-part of a logjam of IB/DHs in the organization.
|
50
|
Atkinson, Justin
|
UTL
|
R/R
|
6’1
|
211
|
Vancouver/Lansing
-26th rd pick, 2011
-played 1B/C/3B this year
|
2
|
Wise, Carl
|
3B
|
R/R
|
6’2
|
210
|
Bluefield/Vancouver
-4th rounder from June hit .235/.273/.310 between two levels
|
7
|
Cardenas, JC
|
SS
|
S/R
|
6’1
|
190
|
Vancouver
-6th round pick struggled at the plate (.179/.316/.257) in his pro debut
|
18
|
Williams, Christian
|
1B/3B
|
L/R
|
6’3
|
210
|
Bluefield
- 16th rounder hit .220/.285/.318
|
51
|
Gudino, Yeltsin
|
SS
|
R/R
|
6’0
|
150
|
Bluefield
-prized 2013 IFA from Venezuela is a defensive wizard, but the the hit tool is yet to show up in two pro seasons
|
6
|
Barreto, Deiferson
|
2B
|
R/R
|
5’10
|
165
|
Bluefield
-2011 IFA from Venezuela is no relation to Frankie
-.296/.360/.386 over 4 pro seasons
|
46
|
Severino, Jesus
|
SS
|
L/R
|
6’1
|
175
|
DSL/GCL
-2013 IFA
-described as having soft hands and a plus arm, despite below average speed
-struggled at the plate with GCL Jays
|
6
|
Lizardo, Bryan
|
3B
|
S/R
|
6’1
|
185
|
GCL
-2013 IFA
-has drawn good reviews for his bat in the past, but hit .193/.255/.250 in his first year of stateside ball in 2015.
|
53
|
Vicuna, Kevin
|
SS
|
L/R
|
5’11
|
140
|
DSL
-2014 IFA; 30th ranked Int. prospect
-slick-fielder, hit well in DSL despite his glove being ahead of his bat at this point
|
27
|
Guerrero, Vladimir
|
3B
|
R/R
|
6’1
|
200
|
Signed for 2016
-#1-ranked Int IFA in 2015.
-interesting to see him listed at 3rd; scouts have expressed concerns about his speed/range - are the Jays trying to convert him to a corner IF?
-his bat will play
|
No.
|
OUTFIELDERS
|
POS
|
B/T
|
HT
|
WT
|
2015 Team
|
9
|
Alford, Anthony
|
OF
|
R/R
|
6’1
|
215
|
Lansing/Dunedin
-2012 3rd pick
-gave up college football last fall, and has had a dizzying past calendar yr: 2014 Instructs, Aussie League, MLB spring training, Lansing, MWL All Star Game, Dunedin.
-Top 100 prospect
|
17
|
Almonte, Joshua
|
OF
|
R/R
|
6’3
|
195
|
Lansing
-2012 22nd round pick
-struggled in first half of his first shot at full season ball; missed time with injury; hit .316/.360/.532 in August
|
23
|
Davis, DJ
|
OF
|
L/R
|
6’1
|
185
|
Lansing
-2012 1st rounder
-repeated Lansing, and showed improved pitch recognition, and some of his base-stealing speed began to shine through
|
4
|
Fuentes, Antony
|
OF
|
R/R
|
5’11
|
160
|
DSL
-2013 Int FA
-294/.343/.396 line this year.
|
1
|
Guillotte, Andrew
|
OF
|
R/R
|
5’8
|
170
|
Bluefield/Vancouver
-32nd round pick in June
-hit mostly leadoff for Vancouver; 17-21 SB
|
69
|
May, Kalik
|
OF
|
S/R
|
6’2
|
205
|
GCL
-33rd round pick last June
-hit .261/.376/.406
-a bit old (22) for the GCL
|
84
|
McKnight, DJ
|
OF
|
L/R
|
5’11
|
190
|
Bluefield
-12th round pick last June
-hit 3/4/5 in Bluefield’s order
|
60
|
Obeso, Norberto
|
OF
|
L/R
|
6’0
|
172
|
DSL
-2014 IFA (Mexico)
-4th in DSL in batting average, 1st in hits, 2nd in BB, .897 OPS
|
3
|
Olivares, Edward
|
OF
|
R/R
|
6’2
|
170
|
GCL
-2013 IFA (Venezuela)
-struggled at the plate in his first year of stateside play
|
4
|
Pruitt, Reggie
|
OF
|
R/R
|
6’0
|
173
|
GCL
-surprise signing after being picked in 24th rd in June
-after a good start (.288 July), tailed off in August (.161)
-15-17 SB
|
5
|
Rodriguez, Freddy
|
OF
|
L/R
|
6’1
|
180
|
Bluefield
-ranked the 18th IFA in 2013
-lauded for his approach at the plate, but has struggled in two pro seasons
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