Relax Jays fans, it's still early
I have been reading many blogs/posts/tweets etc. on how the Jays are "terrible, horrible, blow it up", I would like to interject for a moment, and bring some sanity to the Blue Jay fan populace.
This team is a rebuilding young squad, with some very good potential on it, but to set aside the reality from the fantasy, I am going to break down what you should expect from the current group on this team.
Pitching:
Ricky Romero: quality starter, contending team #2 or #3
Brendan Morrow: quality starter, contending team #2 or #3
Kyle Drabek: Ace potential, excellent "stuff", high velocity, great movement
Jesse Litsch: Borderline MLB pitcher, could be a backup starter on a contender
Jo-Jo Reyes: potential #4 or #5 starter, needs to work on consistency and mechanics
Brett Cecil: potential #3 or #4 starter, needs to work on delivery to stay low in zone (must pitch low in zone or 88-90mph will be hit and hit hard), also must work on working the corners and changing speeds more effectively.
Catcher:
J.P. Arencibia: high end hitting potential, possible he develops into consistent .280/.300 hitter with 20 HR's per year, needs to adjust to major league pitching on consistent basis as well as continue to grasp the nuances of catching.
Jose Molina: solid "veteran catcher", every team needs a guy like Molina, his worth to a team is in his knowledge and ability to teach
Infield:
Edwin Encarnacion: good bat, terrible glove, a liability due to his inability to make routine plays at 3rd base, would not consider him part of a contending team, unless used as pinch hitter.
Yunel Escobar: great 5 tool player, should develop into top hitting AL shortstop once Jeter retires, solid glove, great instincts.
Aaron Hill: has the tools to be the 2nd best 2nd baseman in the AL behind Cano, needs to get passed whatever has been holding him down since last year, good glove, good bat when going, if he doesn't put together something close to .270 20HR 75RBI this year, I would walk away from resigning.
Adam Lind: glove has been progressing at 1st Base, still not a true power hitting 1st baseman however, still doesn't hit left handed pitching well and is regularly over-matched by 92+mph fastballs
John McDonald: excellent glove, great team player, would be a welcome addition to any playoff caliber team, is the kind of player who fights tooth and nail all year long from the bench for his team, and ends up hitting a World Series winning base hit, good karma will follow this guy.
Jayson Nix: decent bench player, has some pop, has a good glove, not a starter for a contending team however, best used as a pinch hitter/defensive replacement/spot starter
Outfield:
Jose Bautista: has the makings of a perennial all-star, is developing his game with a better eye at the plate and has the "fear factor" working for him now, pitchers nibble and that only makes Jose's job easier. a true 5 tool player.
Corey Patterson: has a good glove, good speed, and decent bat, would be considered an excellent bench player, pinch runner or spot starter on a contender.
Juan Rivera: looks lost this year, has potential but it doesn't look like he'll find it in Toronto, not going to be here once team contends.
Travis Snider: high end potential, 5 tool player, maybe the highest potential of any player on the Jays, has raw power, glove needs some work, still learning to hit ML pitching but should put up numbers this year or I would start to worry.
you may agree or disagree on this analysis, but I think it's fairly accurate and hopefully will temper the "blow it up" calls from the new baseball fans, I have watched this team since 1983 and have played/coached at high levels of baseball. I know a thing or two, until next time Jays fans!
This team is a rebuilding young squad, with some very good potential on it, but to set aside the reality from the fantasy, I am going to break down what you should expect from the current group on this team.
Pitching:
Ricky Romero: quality starter, contending team #2 or #3
Brendan Morrow: quality starter, contending team #2 or #3
Kyle Drabek: Ace potential, excellent "stuff", high velocity, great movement
Jesse Litsch: Borderline MLB pitcher, could be a backup starter on a contender
Jo-Jo Reyes: potential #4 or #5 starter, needs to work on consistency and mechanics
Brett Cecil: potential #3 or #4 starter, needs to work on delivery to stay low in zone (must pitch low in zone or 88-90mph will be hit and hit hard), also must work on working the corners and changing speeds more effectively.
 |
| has the makings of a perennial all-star |
Catcher:
J.P. Arencibia: high end hitting potential, possible he develops into consistent .280/.300 hitter with 20 HR's per year, needs to adjust to major league pitching on consistent basis as well as continue to grasp the nuances of catching.
Jose Molina: solid "veteran catcher", every team needs a guy like Molina, his worth to a team is in his knowledge and ability to teach
Infield:
Edwin Encarnacion: good bat, terrible glove, a liability due to his inability to make routine plays at 3rd base, would not consider him part of a contending team, unless used as pinch hitter.
Yunel Escobar: great 5 tool player, should develop into top hitting AL shortstop once Jeter retires, solid glove, great instincts.
Aaron Hill: has the tools to be the 2nd best 2nd baseman in the AL behind Cano, needs to get passed whatever has been holding him down since last year, good glove, good bat when going, if he doesn't put together something close to .270 20HR 75RBI this year, I would walk away from resigning.
Adam Lind: glove has been progressing at 1st Base, still not a true power hitting 1st baseman however, still doesn't hit left handed pitching well and is regularly over-matched by 92+mph fastballs
John McDonald: excellent glove, great team player, would be a welcome addition to any playoff caliber team, is the kind of player who fights tooth and nail all year long from the bench for his team, and ends up hitting a World Series winning base hit, good karma will follow this guy.
Jayson Nix: decent bench player, has some pop, has a good glove, not a starter for a contending team however, best used as a pinch hitter/defensive replacement/spot starter
Outfield:
Jose Bautista: has the makings of a perennial all-star, is developing his game with a better eye at the plate and has the "fear factor" working for him now, pitchers nibble and that only makes Jose's job easier. a true 5 tool player.
Corey Patterson: has a good glove, good speed, and decent bat, would be considered an excellent bench player, pinch runner or spot starter on a contender.
Juan Rivera: looks lost this year, has potential but it doesn't look like he'll find it in Toronto, not going to be here once team contends.
Travis Snider: high end potential, 5 tool player, maybe the highest potential of any player on the Jays, has raw power, glove needs some work, still learning to hit ML pitching but should put up numbers this year or I would start to worry.
you may agree or disagree on this analysis, but I think it's fairly accurate and hopefully will temper the "blow it up" calls from the new baseball fans, I have watched this team since 1983 and have played/coached at high levels of baseball. I know a thing or two, until next time Jays fans!
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