Blue Jays well represented on Baseball America’s prospect list update

Baseball America released their latest update to their top 100 prospects list on Thursday, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. lead the way for the Blue Jays organization, coming in at #16 despite being just 18 years old.

For some baseball fans, talking about prospects and the future of their team is as much fun as watching the current edition of the roster. For those types, and even some of us that are wrapped up in the big league schedule, the Blue Jays have plenty to dream on for their future, as evidenced by Baseball America’s latest top 100 prospect list update.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads the way for the Blue Jays, coming in ranked at #16, despite being the tender age of 18 years old. Anthony Alford is second to no one’s surprise, and could move up even more if he continues his breakout season. The list also includes Lourdes Gurriel at #68, Sean Reid-Foley at #70, Rowdy Tellez at #89 and Bo Bichette rounds out the group at #93.

For the Blue Jays the future is bright in several areas, even if it may be a few years away from helping at the big league level. When it comes to the Jr. Guerrero, he’s barely able to buy a lottery ticket legally in the United States, and yet he’s producing at ridiculous levels in his first full season. At the moment his slash line is .347/.466/.568 with 4 home runs, 19 RBI, and 9 doubles in 95 at bats. That’s.. impressive.

Without setting unfair expectations for the young man, it seems like an inevitability that he’ll end up at the top of this list someday. For now, that spot is occupied by Yoan Moncada of the White Sox organization, who was the headliner of the trade that sent Chris Sale to the Red Sox. Andrew Benitendi had been the leader, but he’s no longer considered a prospect. The Dodgers’ latest young revelation in Cody Bellinger is #3, and won’t be on the list for long either assuming his call-up sticks (which, it should).

Alford has slowed down from the torrid pace he started the year with, but he’s still producing at a very encouraging level, slashing .296/.373/.418 over 93 at bats. The former multi-sport star also has 2 home runs, 10 RBI and 8 stolen bases in 9 attempts.

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Included in the “Top Risers and Fallers” section of the list update are those that have made the greatest gains. Baseball America readily admits they don’t make drastic changes for this update, but the Blue Jays still saw two players move up, including their budding young star in Bo Bichette.

Bichette is just 19 years old, but he’s already showing the type of pedigree that is associated with his family name (Yes, he’s Dante’s kid). Through his first 96 at bats with Single-A Lansing, the young shortstop is hitting .365/.450/.594, with 3 home runs, 19 RBI, and 11 doubles.

While it’ll be awhile before the situation develops into reality, it’s pretty fun to dream about the future middle-of-the-order for the Blue Jays’ offence. Obviously a ton of variables will come into play as these prospects develop, but the minor league depth in the Blue Jays’ system isn’t as bad as some would have you believe. It’s just several years away from being immediately helpful.

Next: Blue Jays: What to do with Ryan Goins

Baseball America does another upgrade around mid-season, and it’ll be interesting to see how they continue to evaluate the progress of the above mentioned names.