2013 Predictions: Outfielders

Previously: pitchers, infield.

This is the last post in my prediciton entries. I’m not doing other players, like relief pitchers of players who will mainly pinch hit or run. It’s just too hard to predict that stuff. This will also probably be the last post until Opening Day, so relax.

  • Melky Cabrera: 153 G 14 HR 73 RBI .289 AVG .360 OBP .404 SLG 15 SB
  • Colby Rasmus: 150 G 24 HR 77 RBI .230 AVG .288 OBP .408 SLG 6 SB
  • Jose Bautista: 155 G 39 HR 98 RBI .262 AVG .395 OBP .555 SLG 7 SB
  • Rajai Davis: 98 G 3 HR 34 RBI .240 AVG .310 OBP .363 SLG 36 SB

2013 Predictions: Infield

Last Saturday, I did my predictions for starting pitchers for this upcoming season. Today, I’m writing my predictions for Blue Jays infielders:

Next Saturday I have predictions for the outfield, so stay tuned!

Jose Bautista's Ask Me Anything

This afternoon, José Bautista did an AMA on Reddit. These were my favourite questions and answers from it:

  1. Who is the toughest pitcher you have faced in the majors?

    For right-handers it’s Jered Weaver. For lefties it’s CC Sabathia.

  2. Thank you for being a part of this organization. As a Canadian, who lives in Toronto and is a lifelong Jays fan, we are so happy to have you. All I want to know is: What is Colby Rasmus like to hang out with?

    We all hang out quite a bit. Colby is awesome to hang out with. Loves southern food (which I happen to love as well).

  3. How excited are you for guys like Reyes, Cabrera, Josh Johnson, and Mark Buehrle to join the team? What do you think they will bring to the team that was absent last year?

    I, along with the whole organization, are really excited about the upcoming season. Anytime you acquire that kind of talent in the off-season it changes the makeup of the team. We’re a confident group and are excited about the upcoming season. At the same time, we know the rest of the league is really good as well, so we still have to execute when it matters.

  4. Who is the funniest in the clubhouse?

    Brett Lawrie. Not sure he even tries to be funny, but he is hilarious.

  5. If you could be a professional athlete in any other sport, which sport would you pick?

    Probably football. Would love to play WR.

  6. Who can eat more nachos, Travis Snider or Eric Thames?

    Travis Snider. By far. Not even close.

So. Now that Joey Bats has done one, hopefully more Jays will jump on board and do an AMA…

Prospects who could debut this season

This time last year, the Blue Jays had one of–if not the–best farm systems in baseball. From rookie ball, to Triple-A, the Blue Jays were loaded. However, after sending top prospects Jake Marisnick, Justin Nicolino, and Anthony DeSclafani to the Marlins in November, the Jays minor league system fell in the rankings by a half-dozen-ish spots. They sunk even further in the prospect rankings after trading Noah Syndergaard and Travis d’Arnaud to the Mets for Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey.

So, while definitely not as strong as last year, the Blue Jays still have a lot of very good, potential All-Stars in the low minors–particularly from Rookie to Low-A. This should work out well, considering the low minors prospects are still three to five years away, and the Blue Jays Major League roster isn’t likely to go through many changes.

Still, after all the trades, Toronto still has four or five prospects who could see some time in The Show. So without further delay, here are five of those players who I think have a decent shot at Big League action this year:

  1. Marcus Stroman: The Jays drafted Marcus in the first round of last year’s draft, and many baseball writers and scouts thought he could have debuted last season. However, after testing positive for a banned substance, his Major League debut was postponed until at least May of this season. I think we’ll see him in June or July, if not as soon as his 50-game suspension is over.

    YearLevAffWLERAGGFIPHRERBBSOWHIPH/9HR/9BB/9SO/9SO/BB
    2012A--AATOR303.2615219.116879231.2937.40.54.210.72.56
    2012A-TOR103.187211.18543150.9716.40.02.411.95.00
    2012AATOR203.38808.0833681.7509.01.16.89.01.33
    1 Season303.2615219.116879231.2937.40.54.210.72.56
    Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
    Generated 3/4/2013.

  2. Ryan Goins: Drafted by Toronto in the 4th round of the 2009 draft. Goins is primarily a middle infielder, but has played four infield positions, and would be a great utility player for the Jays. I think Ryan Goins is like a younger Mike McCoy. He doesn’t have a lot of power, but if he keeps making contact, and playing good defense, he’ll be with Toronto this season. Expect him mid-season, but definitely in September if not July or August.

    YearLevAffGABHHRRBISBBBSOBAOBPSLGOPS
    2012AATOR136546158761154778.289.342.403.745
    4 Seasons40815544311318327140287.277.335.378.713
    Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
    Generated 3/4/2013.

  3. Danny Barnes: Danny boy was a 35th(!) round draft pick of the Blue Jays in 2010. He played college baseball for Princeton University. Barnes was the closer for the Dunedin Blue Jays last season, racking up 34 saves. I doubt he’ll ever pitch in the ninth inning, at least not for awhile. We’ve got Casey and Sergio for that. I think he’ll be a September call up, and he’ll get a chance to pitch out of the bullpen.

    YearLevAffWLERAGGFSVIPERBBSOWHIPH/9HR/9BB/9SO/9SO/BB
    2012A+-AATOR131.8751483453.01118651.0756.60.73.111.03.61
    2012A+TOR121.4050473451.1816631.0326.50.52.811.03.94
    2012AATOR0116.201101.23222.40010.85.410.810.81.00
    3 Seasons752.131177648156.237512171.0726.70.52.912.54.25
    Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
    Generated 3/4/2013.

  4. Sean Nolin: The Blue Jays drafted Nolin in the 6th round of the 2010 draft. He’s a left-handed starting pitcher, but would almost definitely pitch out of the bullpen in Toronto, maybe in a long-relief or mop-up role. He could be this year’s Carlos Villanueva. As far as when he’ll arrive: I think he’ll start the season in Double-A, start three or four games, and then go pitch out of the pen in Buffalo for a month. I’m guessing he gets his debut in June this season, or maybe a September call-up.

    YearLevAffWLERAGGSIPERBBSOWHIPH/9HR/9BB/9SO/9SO/BB
    2012A+-AATOR1002.042018101.123271081.0667.20.62.49.64.00
    2012A+TOR902.19171586.12121901.0777.50.72.29.44.29
    2012AATOR101.203315.026181.0005.40.03.610.83.00
    3 Seasons1463.045246231.078682471.1998.10.62.69.63.63
    Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
    Generated 3/4/2013.

  5. A.J. Jimenez: Now that d’Arnaud is with the Mets, Jimenez is the Blue Jays top catching prospect. He was drafted by the Jays in 2008, out of Puerto Rico. A.J. was off to a great start last year in Double-A, but needed Tommy John surgery after 27 games. With his injury mind, I’ll say he gets a cup of coffee in September, and some more games next year. He’ll probably spend most of this season in Buffalo.

    YearLevAffGABHHRRBISBBBSOBAOBPSLGOPS
    2012AATOR27105272102514.257.295.371.666
    5 Seasons3001080305141534061223.282.322.394.715
    Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
    Generated 3/4/2013.