The Toronto Blue Jays called up many of their top prospects during the 2019 season. Valdimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio all produced at some level in 2019 and are expected to be major contributors in 2020.
These call ups did take away most of the excitement from their minor league system, but there are still a few names to get excited about.
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Nate Pearson (SP)
He’s the top dog still left in the Jays minor league system. The Blue Jays are an exciting young team and the farm system still has some interesting names to watch even after calling up Vlad, Bo, and Cavan last season. They took a very cautious approach with Pearson last season limiting his innings pitched to begin the year.
In his first 11 starts he only averaged 3.1 innings pitched alternating between 5 innings pitched and 2 innings pitched but this was not due to performance as it was due to design by the Jays to limit him. Pearson is 6’6” 240 lbs. and can touch triple digits with his fastball.
The Jays started giving Pearson regular work from July 24 to August 30 he started and pitched at least 5 innings in every game. In this span, he went 46.1 innings 47 Ks 14 BBs and a 2.14 ERA. Pearson is one of a few guys in the minors that has true ace potential and could spend the majority of 2020 with the big-league roster.
Jordan Groshans (3B/SS)
His season was cut short by injury, but before he got hurt, he was arguably the best hitter in the Midwest League. He played in 23 games and posted a .337/.427/.482 slash line in A ball. Groshans was drafted in the first round in 2018 and was impressive his rookie year as well slashing .331/.390/.500 in 37 games in rookie ball.
With last year getting cut short his arrival to the big leagues could have to wait till 2022. The Blue Jays are fielding a young team right now and if the window to compete is sooner rather than later Groshans could get pushed through the system quickly if he continues to improve his power, which he is projected to do just that, and the batting eye continues to be a strength.
Simeon Woods Richardson (SP)
He’s an exciting young pitcher with a pitch mix featuring a four and two-seam fastball, a curveball, and a changeup. At 19 years old, he is already 6’3” 210 lbs. In 2019 he pitched 106.2 innings with a 3.81 ERA 126 Ks and only 24 BBs.
Woods Richardson projects to be a solid mid-rotation starter with a safe floor but there is also a ceiling here at 19 years old where is stuff develops into an Ace. Do not expect Woods Richardson in the rotation until 2022 as continues to build his repertoire and stamina in the Blue Jays minor league system.
Alex Manoah (SP)
He was selected 11th overall by the Blue Jays in 2019. Manoah is a big right-handed pitcher (6’6” 260 LBS) that features a plus fastball sitting 94-97 with sink and run into right-handed batters and a slider that flashes plus often. The changeup is the third pitch that needs to develop more consistency to his ceiling.
Manoah spent his first two years at West Virginia coming out of the bullpen before developing as a starter this last year. As a pro, Manoah started 6 games and went 17 innings with a 2.65 ERA 27 Ks and 5 BBs. Manoah is another starting pitcher for the Blue Jays that should not expect to be in the rotation until 2022. The ceiling is a mid-rotation starter and the floor is a high upside reliever.
Additional Names to Watch In 2020
- Anthony Kay (SP) – Kay is the lone prospect in the rest of the Blue Jays top 10 that has a chance to be up this year. Kay had a sold year in the minors in 2019, 133.2 IP 2.96 ERA 135 Ks and 56 BBs. The upside is not there, but Kay could log some starts in the Jays rotation this year before the rest of their minor leaguers are ready to go. Kay is a lefty with average velocity and no standout secondary offerings.