60 Names to Know for 2011

Wrapping up my pontifications on the Jays Farm System (for now) I conclude with The Massive overkill Top Prospect list. This will be a Top 60 List, but before I do it let me explain something – I KNOW that NO team ACTUALLY has 60 PROSPECTS. So I decided to call it “60 Names to Know” but for all intents and purposes, it's my Top Prospect list supplemented with a lot of other players I consider worthy of at least some degree of interest. 

I further remind you that after the top 10 or 15, relative positions are not that important – being 21 or 23 doesn't matter much . . . being 21 instead of 31 does. Also, I'm constantly adjusting my list at this time of year and if you find that a couple of guys are reversed from where they were on the positional list, that's not a mistake but a reflection of an updated opinion. Because I commented so extensively on the Positional Lists, I'll try to keep my remarks here brief. The parenthesis indicate a guess at ETA under an “all things being equal” assumption (i.e. assuming no injuries, trades, etc which might alter the timeline)

1. Kyle Drabek - RHP - (2010 – ready now, may not arrive for good 'til mid-season) – Could very easily break camp with Jays, depth of choices might push that back. Ace potential.
2. Zach Stewart – RHP - (2011) – results last year very similar to Drabek, maybe not quite the ceiling but a lot closer than many think.
3. J.P. Arencibia – C - (2010) – nothing left to prove in AAA. Opening day starter, barring a trade or injury. Looks very much like Buck 2.0 though maybe not in first year.
4. Carlos Perez – C – (2015) – Probably better than JPA, Jays have luxury of taking time. Might switch positions depending. Might be #1 on this list a year from now.
5. Adeiny Hechevarria – SS – (mid/late-2012) – Escobar gives Jays chance to be patient. Might end up a similar player in the majors.
6. Anthony Gose – CF – (2014) – conservative schedule since he's said to be raw. Crawford type?
7. Henderson Alvarez – RHP – (mid-2014) - Rough season, still quite young. As above, depth gives him plenty of time, but he's the kind of guy who could “click” and come faster.
8. Aaron Sanchez – RHP – (mid-2015) – A LOT of positive buzz about the kid.
9. Jake Marisnick – CF – (2015) – Very positive reports, May slide to RF if Gose develops as projected.
10. Deck McGuire – RHP – (2014) – seems to be somewhat better regarded than Jenkins.
11. Travis d'Arnaud – C – (late 2013) – Dropped some, more because of the nature of the injury (back) than because of the on field results of being hurt.
12. Eric Thames – LF – (late 2011) – last three could be in any order – I'm a believer in his offensive potential.
13. Chad Jenkins – RHP – (2014) – I think the late season fade was fatigue, but scouting reports have an unenthusiastic tone sometimes.
14. Asher Wojciechowski – RHP – (2015) – might come faster but a lot of bodies to sift through in front of him. Physically a clone of Jenkins.
15. Antonio Jimenez – C – (2014) – I like him, not a level below the three catchers in front of him – higher potential to bust.
16. Adonis Cardona – RHP – (2017) – Paid like a first rounder, I'll rank him like one for now.
17. Dicke Joe Thon – SS – (2016) – similar thinking, first round talent and pay. Henceforth I shall call him “DJ” just because I wish it.
18. Noah Syndergaard – RHP – (2016) – I'm kind of skeptical of the sudden senior explosion but open minded.
19. Drew Hutchenson – RHP – (2015) – Under some radars, and a lot of higher profile folks on the depth chart, but has a chance.
20. Brad Emaus – 2B/3B – (2011) – Emaus is this low only because the ceiling is lower. I have a lot of confidence he'll reach it.
21. Gustavo Pierre – SS – (late 2015) – Still very raw, but excellent tools
22. Mosies Sierra – RF – (2014) – Might develop faster, but depth allows caution.
23. Darin Mastroianni – CF – (late 2011) – might be 2012 before a roster spot opens, Brett Gardner type.
24. Kevin Ahrens – 3B – (2014) – One last benefit of the doubt, based on good results after he stopped switch hitting.
25. Griffin Murphy – LHP – (mid 2015) – Well regarded draftee, ranking based on reports.
26. Kellen Sweeney – 3B – (2015) – same as Murphy, good results in small pro sample
27. Adam Loewen – RF – (2012) – Team execs still speak highly, some possibility of move to 1B.
28. Joel Carreno – RHP – (late 2012) – might be reliever in the majors.
29. Sam Dyson – RHP – (2015) – great stuff, fragile. Potential as late inning reliever, as well as starter.
30. David Cooper – 1B – (mid/late 2012) – much better in second half – illusion?
31. Daniel Webb – RHP – (2016) – good stuff, raw. Likely to move slowly.
32. Brian Jeroloman – C – (2012) – would be higher if he projected to hit at all in the majors.
33. Marcus Kenect – RF – (2015) – well regarded hitter
34. Brad Mills – LHP – (2011) – trade bait? That or the bullpen.
35. Danny Farquhar – RHP – (late 2011) – this low because of his position. He's good.
36. Trystan Magnuson – RHP – (late 2011) – Same comment as Farquhar.
37. Alan Farina – RHP – (2012) – Ditto. Just a half year or so behind those two.
38. Mike McDade – 1B – (maybe 2014 if at all) – More likely Calvin Pickering than Cecil Fielder
39. Michael Crouse – RF – (2016) – Might take big jump up list if results continue.
40. KC Hobson – 1B – (mid 2015) – well regarded by scouts and team.
41. Justin Jackson – SS/2B – (maybe never, not before 2015) – might be running out of chances.
42. Justin Nicolino – LHP – (2016) based on draft reports.
43. Chris Hawkins – 3B – (2016) – less strike zone control than Sweeney.
44. John Tolisano – IF/OF – (never) – lack of defensive home hurts.
45. Mark Sobolewski – 3B – hasn't lived up to post-draft praise, but not a failure either.
46. Gabriel Cenas – 3B – too young to predict outcome, bonus babies often fail.
47. Devy Estrada – RHP – results might be an illusion, doesn't come up when system is praised.
48. Bobby Bell – RHP (2013) – eventually a reliever, even if he starts now for the innings.
49. Scott Campbell – 2B – can he get his health back?
50. Casey Lawrence – RHP – non-drafted steal, or mirage?
51. Ryan Goins – SS – didn't handle promotion to Dunedin well.
52. Santiago Nessey – C – another very young bonus baby.
53. Egan Smith – LHP – a lot of good results but unheralded.
54. Sean Ochinko – C/3B – versitility, organizational awards, not a high ceiling.
55. Yan Gomes – C – fringy major league guy at best unless he takes a leap.
56. Nestor Molina – RHP – sleeper
57. Mitchell Taylor – LHP – considered good draft choice
58. Sean Nolin – LHP – Ditto.
59. Myles Jaye – RHP – a few reports considered him a good value where he was drafted.
60. Luis Perez – LHP – fringy lefty might sneak into bullpen role.

Also worth notice: Bobby Ray, Frank Gailey, Kyle Ginley, Dustin Antolin, Lance Durham. Include all the non-rookies who might be on the major league roster at some point next year and you have almost 100 players who might be worthy of the interest of a die-hard Jays-junkie. Please forgive any names misspelled. It's too late for me to cross-reference and proof them all.