With spring training now in full swing, the “rosterbators” are out in full force predicting 25 man rosters for the upcoming season. This is not is not an article about my own personal rosterbation, but actually one about what prospects could see the big leagues this year.
Lets start this off this three part series with the infield, where the Jays have top notch Catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud, wizard defender Adeiny Hechavarria and not much else in terms of near impact talent.
Travis d’Arnaud
Travis d’Arnaud could be a September call-up this season, or maybe earlier if J.P. Arencibia goes down to injury, as there is no chance that Anthopolous would entrust every day at bats to Jeff Mathis. Possessing solid defensive and receiving skills, he should in time become a plus defender. d’Arnaud draws rave reviews for his ability to handle a pitching staff to go along with a strong arm and athletic body. At the plate d’Arnaud has good pop for a catcher projecting as a 20+ homerun hitter down the line with solid on base skills, who will hit for solid average and has a good approach using all fields.
Adeiny Hechavarria
The young Cuban who will be 23 on April 15th is one of the best defensive players in the minors and already plays defense that is MLB ready. Hechavarria’s questions lie with the bat though. Over 775 AA plate appearances Adeiny has a triple slash of .248/.286/.362. “Hech” posted fantastic numbers in AAA, at hitter friendly Las Vegas though, in 116 PA. His triple slash of .389/.431/.537 was off the charts and a complete aberration from the past. While those numbers are to be taken with a grain of salt, scouts of always liked his swing and there is a little potential to hit. Another problem for Hech at the plate is right handers. He hit .305 off LHP in AA last year,, and only .207 of RHP. Hechavarria is in line for a September call-up, but likely wont hit much at all. His glove will get him to the big leagues, but his bat will tell if he can play every day or is a bench piece down the line.
Mike McDade
First Basemen Mike McDade has mammoth power, but around that ability there isn’t any tool that really jumps out at all. McDade slugged .457 last season and it wasn’t a product of his favourable home park as he hit 9 of his 16 home runs on the road. Despite hitting .281 as a switch hitter last season, questions remain about his ability to hit. McDade has struck out over 100 times in every full season since turning pro and not walking much (133 time in 1915 AB’s). The .281 average he posted last season was his best as a pro though his 5.3% walk rate was below his minor league rate of 6.7% heading into last season. McDade is not a great defender, but he can hold his own at the position despite his 6’1 260 lb frame. McDade could see time as a September call-up or could end up spending the full season in AAA splitting time with David Cooper at 1B/DH. Cooper is the higher thought of prospect though.
David Cooper
Cooper had a couple of small cups of coffee last season, where despite not putting up gaudy numbers he didn’t look last. His advanced plate approach led to .678 OPS in 81 big league plate appearances. While his .211 batting average was nothing to write home about, he managed to slug .394 despite the low batting average which slotted him in between Adam Lind and Edwin Encarnacion on the Blue Jays leader board. Cooper doesn’t post typical 1B power numbers but does use the whole field and has a knack for hitting the balls into the gaps in right and left center leading to doubles galore (Cooper recorded 58 doubles and 11 homeruns in 538 At Bats. Coopers supreme approach at the plate had him strike out only 57 times last season while walking 74 times (7BB/14K with the Jays). He’s not a very good defender at first base, but does have the athleticism to one day become and average at least defender. He could spend the full season in the big leagues as Adam Lind’s back up or could be a September call-up. Should Lind be traded or injured you can bet Cooper will get some serious AB’s with the Jays whether at DH or 1B.
I have big questions about Hech. He doesn't seem to have any kind of hitting ability and was terrible last year in the Arizona Fall league. I think hitting is an ability and if he doesn't have it now I don't know if a lot of wishful thinking is going to make it so he suddenly discovers how to identify pitch types and put his bat on the ball. Unless something drastically, and quite frankly miraculously happens we will have a gold glove quality ss with blazing speed who has trouble hitting above the mendoza line and is a fixture in the 9th spot in the lineup. I think Jays fans are taking Yunel for granted with our pipe dreams of this highly talented player who seems to have all the tools with the exception of the most important one...hitting.
ReplyDeleteHech took great strides with Mottola as his hitting coach. Its said his development jumped more in that month in AAA then the rest of his time in the Blue Jays system. I guess we will see this year how much hitting ability he really has. He has shown flashes here and there. Most likely though he'll hit okay enough for the 9 hole with his defensive ability.
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