Post by Toronto Blue Jays on Jan 17, 2024 21:26:47 GMT -5
Toronto Blue Jays Top Prospects
1. OF Jackson Chourio
The Brewers’ eight-year, $82 million deal with Chourio further illustrates what anyone who’s seen Chourio the past couple years has known—he’s a cornerstone for Milwaukee for the rest of this decade and beyond as a well-rounded center fielder with power and speed.
Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 70 | Run: 70 | Field: 60 | Arm: 45
2. OF James Wood
Wood’s jump to Double-A in 2023 saw his strikeouit rate rise, but he continued to hit for power while displaying his athleticism in the outfield and on the bases. The combination of Wood and Dylan Crews gives the Nationals an outfield duo to envy.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 65 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55
3. SS Brooks Lee
Scouts see Lee as more likely to be good than great, but that’s not a criticism as much as an appreciation about how likely he is to be a solid big leaguer. Lee can hit, he’ll be fine at second or third base and he seems destined to log many years in the big leagues.
Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50
4. SS Colt Emerson
Drafted with the 22nd overall pick in last July’s draft, Emerson hit the ground running in his professional debut, hitting .374/.496/.549 with a nearly identical strikeout-to-walk rate. Emerson is a polished hitter with above-average or better bat-to-ball skills, approach and power. Emerson is the biggest riser post-draft in the 2023 class.
Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55
5. 3B Curtis Mead
Injuries have slowed Mead’s ascent, and his arm will likely limit him defensively, but whenever he’s been healthy, Mead has shown he hits strikes hard.
Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 30
6. C Tyler Soderstrom
Soderstrom’s hyper-aggressive approach buckled for the first time in 2023, especially upon reaching the majors. He still packs quite a bit of impact into his powerful lefthanded swing when he makes contact and has middle-of-the-order upside if he can rein in his pitch selection. He could see time at catcher, first base and designated hitter in Oakland if he breaks big league camp with the A’s.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55
7. SS Brayan Rocchio
A heady player and standout defensive shortstop, Rocchio will buy himself time to develop his offensive profile. His Triple-A production was mediocre, and he fell flat during his MLB debut, but a big winter in the hitter-friendly Venezuelan League may help him build momentum. Signs point to more of a glove-first outcome.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Field: 60 | Arm: 50
8. SS Orelvis Martinez
Martinez rebounded big in 2023 after a difficult 2022 season that saw him hit just above the Mendoza line. Martinez refined his swing decisions and showed maturity at the plate, forcing pitchers to work. He possesses some of the best quality of contact in the minors, as he shows the ability to consistently backspin flyballs to his pullside. Likely to move away from shortstop, Martinez has seen time at both second and third base.
Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60
9. P Quinn Priester
Priester will enter 2024 with a clear chance to seize a roster spot in Pittsburgh on Opening Day. To do so, he’ll need to maintain consistency throughout his repertoire and improve his control. If he does that, he has the upside of a No. 4 starter.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45.
10. SS Walker Martin
Martin didn’t play after signing, so 2024 will give him his first test as a pro. His ceiling is as an offensive-minded infielder on the left side of the diamond.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50. Run: 55. Field: 50 | Arm: 50.
1. OF Jackson Chourio
The Brewers’ eight-year, $82 million deal with Chourio further illustrates what anyone who’s seen Chourio the past couple years has known—he’s a cornerstone for Milwaukee for the rest of this decade and beyond as a well-rounded center fielder with power and speed.
Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 70 | Run: 70 | Field: 60 | Arm: 45
2. OF James Wood
Wood’s jump to Double-A in 2023 saw his strikeouit rate rise, but he continued to hit for power while displaying his athleticism in the outfield and on the bases. The combination of Wood and Dylan Crews gives the Nationals an outfield duo to envy.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 65 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55
3. SS Brooks Lee
Scouts see Lee as more likely to be good than great, but that’s not a criticism as much as an appreciation about how likely he is to be a solid big leaguer. Lee can hit, he’ll be fine at second or third base and he seems destined to log many years in the big leagues.
Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50
4. SS Colt Emerson
Drafted with the 22nd overall pick in last July’s draft, Emerson hit the ground running in his professional debut, hitting .374/.496/.549 with a nearly identical strikeout-to-walk rate. Emerson is a polished hitter with above-average or better bat-to-ball skills, approach and power. Emerson is the biggest riser post-draft in the 2023 class.
Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55
5. 3B Curtis Mead
Injuries have slowed Mead’s ascent, and his arm will likely limit him defensively, but whenever he’s been healthy, Mead has shown he hits strikes hard.
Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 30
6. C Tyler Soderstrom
Soderstrom’s hyper-aggressive approach buckled for the first time in 2023, especially upon reaching the majors. He still packs quite a bit of impact into his powerful lefthanded swing when he makes contact and has middle-of-the-order upside if he can rein in his pitch selection. He could see time at catcher, first base and designated hitter in Oakland if he breaks big league camp with the A’s.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55
7. SS Brayan Rocchio
A heady player and standout defensive shortstop, Rocchio will buy himself time to develop his offensive profile. His Triple-A production was mediocre, and he fell flat during his MLB debut, but a big winter in the hitter-friendly Venezuelan League may help him build momentum. Signs point to more of a glove-first outcome.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Field: 60 | Arm: 50
8. SS Orelvis Martinez
Martinez rebounded big in 2023 after a difficult 2022 season that saw him hit just above the Mendoza line. Martinez refined his swing decisions and showed maturity at the plate, forcing pitchers to work. He possesses some of the best quality of contact in the minors, as he shows the ability to consistently backspin flyballs to his pullside. Likely to move away from shortstop, Martinez has seen time at both second and third base.
Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60
9. P Quinn Priester
Priester will enter 2024 with a clear chance to seize a roster spot in Pittsburgh on Opening Day. To do so, he’ll need to maintain consistency throughout his repertoire and improve his control. If he does that, he has the upside of a No. 4 starter.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45.
10. SS Walker Martin
Martin didn’t play after signing, so 2024 will give him his first test as a pro. His ceiling is as an offensive-minded infielder on the left side of the diamond.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50. Run: 55. Field: 50 | Arm: 50.