Toronto Blue Jays 40-man roster set for Rule V Draft

It’s official, the Toronto Blue Jays have set their 40-man roster in anticipation  for this years 2015 Rule V Draft. Every year there are some surprise additions, some additions that make fans scratch their heads, and then there are the disappointments, the ones that where left unprotected.

Surprises

RHP Ryan Tepera, not a well known prospect, Ryan was added earlier this week to the Blue Jays 40-man roster. He doesn’t get the media attention of an Aaron Sanchez, and profiles more like an Aaron Loup. Loup made the jump directly from Double-A and quickly established himself as a mainstay in the Blue Jays bullpen. I’m not suggesting that Tepera is Loup, nor am I suggesting that he will find Loup-esque success. It’d be nice. I did a very good job of recapping Ryan Tepera’s 2014 season, if I do say so myself (click here). We did a vote to see where you, the fans, thought that Tepera would play in 2015. 42% of voters predict that Ryan will spend 2015 in the same spot as he did in 2014. Only 26% felt that Tepera would be playing for the Blue Jays…..is anyone ready to change their tune now.

Head Scratchers

RHP Cory Burns (27) was claimed September 28th off the Tampa Bay Rays. He has spent time with the San Diego and Texas. He throws a fastball, change up and an occasional slider. According to Fangraphs his FB is about 90 and his CH is 80. His BB/K (17/23) isn’t very good, he has allowed the same among of GO as he has AO, but has a respectable overall FIP of 4.34 in 29.1IP.

RHP Bo Shultz (29) was claimed in October off the Arizona Diamondbacks roster. Bo got his first taste of the BIGS in 2014 and finished with 0-1, 7.88ERA in 4 games out of the pen. According to Brooks Baseball, Bo throws a mid-90’s sinker, a 4-seamer, a mid-80’s slider, and change-up.

Surprises

3B Andy Burns is one of those guys that shows you just enough to still consider him a future major leaguer. Just like Ryan Tepera, I toyed around with the idea of adding him to the 40-man (click here). I asked if Burns would be protected and 70% (160 votes) said that he would be protected, but he also won’t be selected. I hope he doesn’t. He is currently playing winter ball in the Venezuelan League, but hasn’t played since October 22nd.

RHP Blake McFarland is another guy I already looked at this fall (click here). He was a beast for the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League. He made 9 appearances, 12.2IP, without allowing a run. When asked if this 26-year-old should be added to the 40-man roster, the masses said yes (72%), well Alex? WELL? I suggested that McFarland may have done enough in the AFL to get the attention of a rival GM and may find himself on a major league roster in 2015. Take a look at his full AFL stats.

RHP Arik Sikula was nearly as good as Blake McFarland in the AFL (stats). Shaun Doyle and I chewed on the probability that Sikula receives consideration for the Blue Jays Closer role in 2015, given his success in the AFL. This poll asked the fans to play GM and if they would consider Arik Sikula. The results were as split as they come…30% of respondents answered “Who’s Arik Sikula?”, 33% answered “No”, and 37% answered “Yes”.

Notables that I think could get selected, but are very very very unlikely.

3B/2B Ryan Schimpf– got some pop in that bat, but not consistent enough contact. Year in review. Winter stats.

RHP John Stilson– A Closer in the making IMO…..that is once fully recovered from shoulder surgery, which is what makes him unlikely to be selected. Year in review.

2B/LF Jon Berti– Speed to burn. Good approach at the plate. Decent glove. Good utility guy. Could be taken by a team in desperate need of a second baseman…..like more desperate than the Blue Jays, if that’s possible.

Too Far to Jump

These guys are either coming off good years or are full of potential but have yet to put it together. They are in the lower minors, which makes them unlikely to be selected.

RHP Taylor Cole (25)- Minor League FA. Spent most of 2014 in High-A ball, making a jump to the Big League a huge stretch.

RHP Adonys Cardona (20)- Still young, still full of talent, and still not impressing anyone. Played in Low-A ball Lansing in 2014 and finished a 8.44ERA before being shut down.

Tell me who you think will stay and who may get picked, if any. If you don’t have time to leave a comment throw me your vote.