Toronto Blue Jays Top-15 Prospects of 2010, No’s 1 – 5

ALSO SEE – Blue Jays Top Prospects, No’s 6 – 15

Grades are based on a prospect’s projected value over the course of his career and how likely it is that prospect will fulfill his projected value. Various factors are accounted for including upside, red flags, actual performance, and closeness to the majors. See the 2010 Prospect Primer for more information as it relates to prospect grading and philosophy.

If you need to reach me in any way, please contact me via e-mail or post a comment at the bottom of the page and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. The first two prospects are available for everybody to read.

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Player Grades
Fastball – 55 Now | 55 Future
Curveball – 60 | 65
Change-Up – 45 | 50
Control – 45 | 55
Command – 45 | 55
Pitchability – 50 | 60
ETA – 2010
Final Grade – B+

I compiled a scouting report on Kyle Drabek earlier in the year, which you can read here. The report was done while he was still in A+ Clearwater. After he was promoted to Double-A Reading, he continued his solid performance, but he wasn’t dominant like he was in Clearwater.

Drabek still has a very solid three pitch mix with the change-up being the weak link at the moment. His lack of a refined change-up was exposed when he faced more advanced hitters in Double-A

Drabek stayed healthy for the entire season, which is a huge plus, but does anybody else find it a bit worrisome that he threw 163 innings last year when he didn’t pitch in 2007 and only pitched 34 innings after initially coming back from Tommy John surgery in 2008?

Traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in the Roy Halladay deal, Drabek will likely find himself in Toronto’s starting rotation at some point in 2010.

Best Case Outcome – No. 2 starter

More Likely Outcome – No. 3 starter

Player Grades
Contact – 50 Now | 55 Future
Power – 50 | 55
Discipline – 45 | 55
Speed – 40 | 35
Defense – 40 | 45
Arm – 60 | 60
Instincts – 55 | 60
ETA – 2010
Final Grade – B

You can read my scouting report on Brett Wallace by clicking here.

What I’ll add is that I actually felt Wallace was somewhat of a disappointment last season. I felt his plate discipline regressed. In my mind, he’s better than he showed last year. He still covers the plate extremely well and he’s got a pretty swing, but he needs to swing at better pitches.

Best Case Outcome – Top-7 first baseman or borderline All Star third baseman with well below average defense

More Likely Outcome – Top-10 first baseman or above average third baseman

Brief Rundown on Prospects 3 – 5

3. Zach Stewart | RHP | Grade – B – Very nice pick-up for the Blue Jays considering the cost…potential No. 3 starter or multi-inning reliever

4. Chad Jenkins | RHP | Grade – B/B- – Numbers in college were excellent and scouting reports have been very positive…a sleeper for 2010

5. Travis d’Arnaud | C | Grade – B/B- – Looking to bounce back from a down year…would like to see him up his walks while maintaining his high contact rate

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UP NEXT – Toronto Blue Jays Top Prospects, No’s 6 – 15

Other References and Resources Used for This Article – First Inning and Minor League Splits