Aug 14, 2012. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The release of a young player under team control begs the question; what is Alex Anthopoulos planning at first base depth? With David Cooper gone,  it appears that the next in line for 1B depth is newly acquired Lars Anderson. Not a typical power hitter either (the most HR’s he hit in a single year of minor league ball was 14 over 577 PA in 2011), Anderson seems to be your typical replacement player who would look to bounce between AAA and the majors over the years to come, similar to David Cooper’s role with the team. The Blue Jays could also use Luis Jiminez, that huge guy you see getting some AB in Spring Training. He’s relatively unproven in the majors as well, but has has multiple 20+ HR seasons in the minors. However, he is 30 and is definitely not a long term option. Finally, the team could always bring up Canadian outfielder Adam Loewen. A former Orioles starting pitcher before elbow injuries forced him into the outfield, Loewen has some considerable outfield experience, but could always play as a DH/1B/OF option if an injury were to arise, providing more that what David Cooper offered in the past. The Blue Jays’ best option, unfortunately, might be to have Adam Lind stick it out for as long as possible, then addressing the DH issue in the off-season were he not to return to grace.

What’s next for David Cooper? According to a Joel Sherman tweet that was sent just as I was about to post this article, David Cooper might be out rehabing his back for the entirety of 2013, with the Blue Jays potentially resigning him to a minor league contract in 2014 with a potential return to the majors later that season. But with a back injury so severe that it will take most of a year to recover from, the already light-hitting option might not be the Blue Jays’ best first base option for the future.

Photo courtesy of worldsofwallpaper.com

Even with the rather major deals that Alex Anthopoulos has pulled off this winter, Adam Lind, and his struggles to hit any pitching, but especially left-handed pitching, are still very popular topics.  General consensus, at the very least, has a right-handed platoon partner needed, while the hopefuls have Lind sent away in shame and a full time replacement signed.  The latest story I read had Lance Berkman as the knight on a white horse, but the off-season has also seen names such as Jonny Gomes (now with Boston) and even recently signed Russ Canzler and his whopping 102 major league plate appearances bandied about as possible platoon partners.

Internally, Rajai Davis has been mentioned as a possible DH against lefties.  Admittedly, I do believe Rajai would be better than Lind, as his 230 point OPS advantage against left-handers in 2012 suggests.  However, giving so many at bats to Davis would detract from what his role should be, and what he is best suited for.  A fourth outfielder and late game pinch runner.

Organizationally, both the manager and gm are paying lip service to Adam Lind’s place in the team.  Both have him pencilled in as the full-time DH.  While this is all well and good during the off-season, as soon as spring training begins and Lind shows up either out of shape, or with a back complaint from ‘working out too hard’, a replacement will be sought.

Which brings us back to our Olerud look-a-like.  Cooper has proven he can hit AAA pitching (albeit in a very hitter friendly environment), so I don’t think his development is best served in Buffalo.  If Lind falters, I don’t see why Cooper as a like for like replacement is not the best course of action.

Jun 12, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter David Cooper (30) bats against the Washington Nationals at the Rogers Centre. The Nationals beat the Blue Jays 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

In a limited sample size, Cooper put together a pretty decent season in 2012.  He may not be the proto-typical slugging first basemen but the cyclicality of baseball has us going through a down period for power at the position.  Cooper’s 2012 .464 slugging percentage, if maintained for a full season, would have put him about middle of the pack for qualified players.

Cooper is a gap to gap doubles hitter.  With the radical reconstruction of the Jays lineup this off-season, Cooper’s skill-set may be exactly what the Jays need.  He would probably slot into the seven hole, behind the higher on base players like Bautista, Encarnacion, and (hopefully) Lawrie.  If given the opportunity, he may drive in a lot of runs hitting behind those players.

Defensively, Cooper rated as below average in 2012.  Again, small sample sizes, but you would have to believe he would be an upgrade over Encarnacion.  On paper at least, the rest of the infield should be quite respectable defensively, allowing Edwin to focus solely on hitting wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

Of course, I’m writing this article in a vacuum, assuming the 2013 choices at first base are already within the organization.  Based on the off-season thus far, that may very well be a mistake.  And Adam Lind may very well have a bounceback season, although if you believe that, you’re probably still spiking the remains of the egg nog.  This is my first big prediction of 2013, David Cooper starts over one hundred ball games at first next season and puts up an above average wOBA to boot.

Probably not the last incorrect one I make this season, but hey, you gotta be in it to win it.

1. 1B Art Charles (BLU): 19 AB, .421/.607/1.000 (1.607 OPS), 1 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1 SB, 9/4 BB/K

This week

Art Charles had himself a week, though, to be fair, he’s really having himself a season. After closing out the week on Sunday with another home run, Charles has seen his OBP and SLG rise to .459 and .576 respectively, both jaw dropping numbers. What’s even more impressive (or foreboding, if you’re a pessimist) is that he’s produced those numbers despite only a .235 average. I suggested earlier this month that a hot start would earn him a promotion, and the promotion has been received. Charles is on his way to Vancouver, where he’ll likely finish the 2012 season. It could actually boost his contact numbers, as the Northwest League traditionally has large parks with tons of room for fielders to cover. The expanded dimensions shouldn’t hurt his power numbers too much, as at 6-foot-6 and 220 lbs, Charles isn’t really a paint-scraper kind of guy.

2. LF Eric Arce (BLU): 15 AB, .333/.474/1.000 (1.474 OPS), 1 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 0 SB, 4/9 BB/K

Arce had a crazy professional debut last season, as in just 55 games he set a GCL Blue Jays record with 14 home runs. His 2012 season didn’t get off to nearly as hot of a start, with a .179/.385/.214 line in June. Arce picked things up this week, as on Monday and Tuesday he went a combined 4-for-7 with a double and three home runs. Those big games resulted in, yes, the second 1.000 slugging percentage week on the hot sheet, as Arce joined Art Charles in leading the Bluefield offense. Of his 10 outs recorded, 9 were strikeouts, resulting in a comically high .833 BABIP this week. Arce didn’t receive a ton of attention as a 25th round pick in the 2011 draft, but he is quickly making a name for himself as a power hitter despite his diminutive stature (5-foot-9).

3. 1B David Cooper (LAS): 33 AB, .455/.500/.758 (1.258 OPS), 7 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, 3/5 BB/K

When putting together the hot sheet, Cooper was one of the first names I came across, and I thought for sure he was going to be the week’s number one. Seven doubles in seven games is a pretty ridiculous number, especially when you consider Cooper’s usual outstanding contact rate. Unfortunately for him, the two Bluefield sluggers went ham this week. Dating back to last week Cooper is riding a nine game hit streak, but he did most of his damage in the past seven games. In those seven, he had two hits three times, three hits once, and a four hit game to close out the week. Even his two 1-for-5 games were solid, as he notched an extra base hit in each. Adam Lind has performed surprisingly well since his recall, leaving the future of David Cooper in serious doubt.

4. RHP Marcus Stroman (VAN): 1-0, 4 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Upon agreeing to terms with the Blue Jays, the 2012 first round pick was assigned to Vancouver where he was expected to get his feet wet for a couple of weeks before eventually moving to Double-A to face competition more suitable for his talent level. The first week didn’t go so well with four earned runs in just 1.1 innings, but Stroman turned things around dramatically last week. He made a pair of two inning appearances, on the 18th and 22nd, and allowed only one base runner between the two outings. He didn’t walk anyone, and 50% of his outs came by way of the strikeout. He’s likely not long for the Northwest League, and another dominant outing or two this week could push him to New Hampshire before the end of the month.

5. LHP Justin Nicolino (LAN): 2-0, 11.1 IP, 13 H, 6 ER, 0 BB, 15 K

His ERA isn’t the most attractive thing to look at, but his complete dominance over the strikezone was worthy of some recognition. If you go back as far as July 5th, Nicolino has 27 strikeouts against only one walk. Despite this, he’s allowed 26 hits and 13 earned runs in just 21.1 innings over that time frame. It’s a very unusual trend, as when a pitcher starts showing improved strikeout and walk rates, you usually expect the hits and earned runs allowed to dry up a bit. It’s been the reverse for Nicolino, as he actually found more success earlier in the year when he was striking out fewer batters. While the reasoning behind this is difficult to surmise, it likely has to do with the increased exposure to lineups. As opposed to going three or four innings and facing hitters once or twice, he’s now pitching five or six innings and facing the same hitters two or three times. They’re learning he’s around the strikezone, so they’re swinging with more frequency and aggression. As crazy as it sounds, Nicolino might need to start throwing fewer strikes.

6. RF Moises Sierra (LAS): 24 AB, .333/.385/.583 (.968 OPS), 0 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 1 SB, 2/6 BB/K

Sierra appears to be the forgotten man in Las Vegas despite producing a solid all around season. Snider was the obvious choice for a promotion, but if the team needed two outfielders, Moises Sierra really should have been the second. His numbers aren’t spectacular in the context of the Pacific Coast League, but it’s hard to knock an .847 OPS with near equal performances against left handed and right handed pitching. Additionally, as a near-24 year old with seven years of minor league experience, it is/was time for the organization to see what they have in the Dominican outfielder. His two home runs week brought his season total up to 16, which is tied for 7th in the PCL. I really hope he receives a promotion by September at the latest, as Sierra has definitely earned it.

Honorable mention: Noah Syndergaard (LAS), Jake Marisnick (NH), Chase DeJong (GCL), Roberto Osuna (BLU), Chad Jenkins (NH)

Addendum: Dunedin right handed pitcher Jesse Hernandez nearly threw a no-hitter on Friday night, getting to two strikes on his final batter before finally giving up his first hit of the game. Due to his soaring pitch count, Hernandez wasn’t even able to finish the game. It wasn’t a junky, high walk / low strikeout game either, as Hernandez was dominant from the start with 12 strikesouts against only 1 walk. He’ll be turning 24 years old in a month, and with no dominant pitch he’s less a prospect and more an organizational guy. Even so, such an excellent game is worthy of some recognition, and a hat tip to Charlie Caskey (@CharlieCaskey) for the reminder.

After reportedly issuing the team an ultimatum, the Blue Jays released Vladimir Guerrero on Tuesday morning. (SI.com)

Hector Gomez, sports editor for Z101, a leading radio station in the Domincian Republic passed along some interesting quotes (translated) from Guerrero this morning via Twitter:

“I left the team, right now I am at home in Anaheim. I was not treated as a professional. I am not a boy,” one tweet read.

“Last night after the game, I sent my letter of resignation to the organization. I am not a boy, I demand respect,” read another.

“I proved I’m ready. I have nothing more to prove in the minors,” Guerrero added.

The thing, though, is that Guerrero barely proved anything in the minors.

Signed to a minor league contract on May 10, Guerrero appeared in a handful of extended spring training games before reporting to Advanced-A Dunedin. There, he did what any player that considers himself big-league ready should do, which was absolutely rake against minor league pitchers nearly half his age. In four games, Guerrero went 9-for-20 with one double, four home runs and eight RBI.

In a potential stepping stone to his return to the Majors, Guerrero reported to Triple-A Las Vegas at the beginning of June. There, however, he hit just .214 (6-for-28) with two doubles in his first seven games, before leaving early after getting hit on the hand with a pitch in Saturday’s contest against Fresno. When he returned to action last night, he went 4-for-5 in only his second multi-hit game with the 51s this season, with a triple and two RBI before reportedly leaving the team after the game.

With David Cooper deserving an extended look at first base after hitting .314 with an .842 OPS in 15 games this season and Edwin Encarnacion leading the Jays offense with a .934 OPS out of the DH spot, there really wasn’t any room for Guerrero. especially when factoring in the Blue Jays’ upcoming schedule. Though they have two AL-rule interleague series against the Nationals and Phillies at Rogers Centre this week, the Blue Jays hit the road for three-game series in Milwaukee and Miami next week. Guerrero, a DH at most, would have limited the Blue Jays’ flexibility as a bat off the bench, which was a big reason why Yan Gomes, capable of playing at least four positions, was called up prior to the Jays’ series in Atlanta last week.

While Guerrero might feel that he’s major league-ready, it’s a selfish move on his part to demand a call-up. Including extended spring training, he probably appeared in a total of 15 games–a relatively light workload for someone that had been out of the game since last year. According to ESPNdeportes, there might have been an agreement between the Blue Jays and Guerrero where a decision on his big-league future would had to have been made by June 10, or one month from the date he signed his contract. That was extended when Guerrero got hit in the hand, which might have been his reason for comments like this one:

Would it have been a bad thing for Guerrero to log extra at-bats in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League while the Blue Jays completed their interleague schedule in NL parks? Not at all. Then, if he was still hitting when the Blue Jays rolled into Boston on the 25th, it could have been easier for him to force the Jays’ hand to make a move. Even in that scenario, though, a roster spot for Guerrero would have been far from guaranteed.

I, like many people, would have liked to see Guerrero join the Blue Jays, if for no other reason than because of closely watching him for so many years with the Expos. Considering that I’m in Las Vegas for the rest of the week to watch 51s games as well, surely I would have enjoyed seeing him with the team. But with Vlad’s refusal to log more time in the minors and demand a call-up instead, the Blue Jays were smart to cut ties with the former AL MVP and continue on with their season as originally planned.

March 2, 2012; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman David Cooper (30) poses for a portrait during photo day at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Cooper, 25, will kick off his third stint with the Blue Jays after making a pair of visits to Toronto last year, when he hit .211/.284/.394. That line is somewhat deceiving, though, as Cooper’s 13-game stint at the beginning of the 2011 season brings down the .289 average and .851 OPS that he put up during his 14-game stint in September.

In addition to winning the Pacific Coast League batting title last year with a .364 average at Triple-A Las Vegas, Cooper became only the fifth player in over 50 years to hit more than 50 doubles in a season. The 2008 first round pick also drew a career-high 67 walks and led the league with a .439 on-base percentage in 120 games.

Returning to Triple-A this season with Adam Lind blocking his way, Cooper hasn’t replicated his 2011 success, but has still been effective at the plate. While his strikeout rate is slightly higher, his walk rate is nearly identical to last year, and he’s continued to drive in runs. The biggest knock on Cooper last season, though, was that he only hit nine home runs; far from acceptable for a first baseman, even with so many doubles.

Talking to Cooper in spring training, he told me that he revamped his offseason workouts to get stronger in hopes of turning a few more of his doubles into home runs. The plan seems to have paid off, as the California native has already belted six home runs in 42 games this season after hitting nine in 120 games in 2011. Cooper does, however, have one glaring split this season, which is his .177 average and .654 OPS in 16 games away from Cashman Field this season.

Even though he hasn’t racked up the ideal power numbers from a first baseman, I feel Cooper will still be a useful addition to the Jays, providing he gets an extended look this time around. His eye at the plate will instantly be one of the best on the team, and after seeing so many free-swinging players on the Jays this season, I think it will be somewhat of a refreshing change.

March 12, 2012; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Ryota Igarashi (17) throws throws in the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at McKechnie Field. The Phillies defeated the Pirates 4 - 1. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE

Igarashi, signed as a minor league free agent by the Pirates in December after spending his entire major league career with the Mets, was shipped to the Blue Jays for cash back on March 30. The 32-year-old likely drew attention from general manager Alex Anthopoulos because of the impressive numbers he put up with Triple-A Buffalo in 2011, and he’s been even better for Las Vegas this season.

In 21 innings for the 51s, Igarashi has compiled a 1.29 ERA with 28 strikeouts to three walks. His 12 strikeouts per nine innings are a career-high and his 1.3 BB/9 is his lowest mark since coming over from Japan in 2008. More impressively, Igarashi has not given up a home run and allowed just 10 hits all season in the hitter-friendly confines of Cashman Field and the Pacific Coast League, limiting opposing hitters to a mere .139 average.

After Crawford gave up six earned runs on 10 hits with four walks in just 7 1/3 big league innings, the move to send him down certainly made sense. With Igarashi in the fold, it adds a new arm with big league experience to a Blue Jays bullpen that is currently one of the worst in the majors right now, despite getting overhauled during the offseason. Igarashi will replace Crawford nicely and see more time against left-handed hitters, but his splitter can generate a ground ball from any hitter.

- JM

1. C/1B/3B Yan Gomes (LAS): 27 AB, .519/.552/.815 (1.367 OPS), 2 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, 2/4 BB/K

Mar 3, 2012; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Yan Gomes (68) throws to second base during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Florida Auto Exchange Park. The Blue Jays defeated the Pirates 7-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE

We’re barely a month into the season, yet Yan Gomes has already taken the “hottest Blue Jays prospect” title on two occasions. Gomes played in all seven of Las Vegas’ games last week, and produced multi-hit efforts in five of them – including three 3-hit games! He had struggled with his plate discipline in previous weeks, but his two walks here improved his walk rate to a slightly more acceptable 4.8% for the year. The power continued to flow from Gomes’ bat, as his four extra base hits this week raised his season total to 14 (11 walks, 3 home runs). Gomes has struggled to find playing time in the past, with his 290 at-bats last season setting a career high. Things have changed this year, as his defensive versatility have given him the opportunity to play in 27 of Las Vegas’ first 32 games, totaling 108 at-bats. With the offensive numbers continuing to pile up –- including away from the friendly confines of Cashman Field –- one has to ponder if the former 10th round pick has more of a big league future than people gave him the potential for.

2. 1B David Cooper (LAS): 20 AB, .350/.435/.850 (1.285 OPS), 1 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, 3/1 BB/K

For the second consecutive week, David Cooper is named to the Blue Jays prospect hot sheet, and actually improved his numbers from the last edition. Despite playing in only five games –- for 20 at-bats –- Cooper smashed three home runs, accumulating seven RBI. He continued to show his usual impressive plate discipline, walking three times against only one strikeout. This dominant stretch of games couldn’t have come at a better time for Cooper, as the ineptitude of Adam Lind in Toronto has many fans actively calling for an alternative. If the Blue Jays prefer to look in-house for a replacement, David Cooper could be the guy.

3. RHP/LHP Jaron Nanchez (LAN): 2-0, 14 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 14 K

I mentioned in last week’s prospect hot sheet that both Sanchez and Nicolino had been throwing in the bullpen after their in-game work, and that four inning appearances could be on the near horizon. Well, they came a bit sooner than I expected, as in Lansing’s May 5th game against West Michigan, both Aaron Sanchez and Justin Nicolino were stretched out to four innings a piece. The two pitchers were the driving force in yet another shutout victory for the Single-A affiliate, as the Lugnuts won the game 2-0. There were some suggestions entering the season that playing in the larger Low-A Vancouver park may have falsely boosted the statistics of the young trio, but their domination of the Midwest League should lay those claims to rest.

4. 1B Mike McDade (NH): 28 AB, .429/.529/.679 (1.208 OPS), 1 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 1 SB, 6/5 BB/K

The second first baseman on the hot sheet is the only representative from the Double-A Affiliate this week, as Mike “Big Mac” McDade finally began swinging the bat with authority. Through his first 76 at-bats of the year, McDade had 22 hits (.289 average), but only four went for extra bases (.368 slugging) –- an uninspiring 79 ISO. In his seven games this week, he slugged one double and two home runs, boosting his season numbers to a .327 average and a .452 slugging, for an improved 125 ISO. He’s also now accumulated 16 walks in 28 games (13.3% walk rate) this year, which is a massive improvement upon his 2011 total of 28 walks in 125 games (5.3%).

5. CF Anthony Gose (LAS): 28 AB, .321/.441/.429 (.870 OPS), 0 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 4 SB, 6/6 BB/K

Anthony Gose has had an underwhelming start to the season, falling well below the lofty expectations placed upon him after a breakthrough 2011 season. The past week was a bit of a turnaround for him, however, as he finally managed consistent contact, knocking at least one base hit in each of his seven games, while striking out only six times –- an acceptable number for a developmental project like Gose. After setting a career high with 43 extra base hits last season, most people –- myself included –- saw the potential for a significant power spike while moving to the Pacific Coast League. He’s been a bit of a disappointment in that regard, with only six extra base hits through his first 30 games. Hopefully this week is a step in the right direction, and the numbers will arrive with some more regularity.

Honorable mention: Travis d’Arnaud (LAS)

1. C A.J. Jimenez (NH): 20 AB, .400/.429/.850 (1.279 OPS), 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, 1/2 BB/K

March 2, 2012; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Antonio Jimenez (71) poses for a portrait during photo day at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Jimenez played in only five games this week, which is the reason for his low at-bat total of 20. Regardless, when he found the field, he played like the top prospect he is, racking up three multi-hit efforts, and swinging with authority. Jimenez is hardly known for his power, but his .850 slugging percentage this week was the highest in the system. Astoundingly, his two home runs in these five games are exactly half of what he managed to hit over the entire 2011 season (102 games). Jimenez had only 10 hits in his previous 12 games this year, so hopefully this hot streak has him back on track moving forward. This week raised his batting average an impressive 56 points, from .213 to .269.

2. CF Jake Marisnick (DUN): 26 AB, .423/.444/.846 (1.290 OPS), 2 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 1 SB, 1/0 BB/K

Despite his team’s overwhelming success –- the D-Jays are 18-5 entering Monday -– Marisnick hadn’t really found his stroke until this past week. It’s been a bit of a trend for the offense down in Florida, as fellow top prospects Marcus Knecht (.589 OPS) and Michael Crouse (.561 OPS) are also struggling to make regular contact. Marisnick broke out in a big way, however, with hits in five of six games, including a ridiculous 10-for-17 stretch from Wednesday through Saturday. They weren’t just slap singles either, as he had five extra base hits this week, including the three home runs. The huge week raised his season line to .286/.377/.518 (.894 OPS), which is much more like the Jake Marisnick we’ve grown to know and love.

3. LHP/RHP Jaron Nanchez (LAN): 1-0, 12 IP, 9 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 16 K

Jaron Nanchez is back for a second consecutive week, despite the fact that the Aaron Sanchez / Justin Nicolino duo each appeared in two games, totaling six innings a piece. Scouts and prospectors have been buzzing on Sanchez in the early going, and it’s no surprise why: he’s made five three-inning appearances this season, and in each he’s allowed one hit, no runs, and struck out at least three. Sanchez could have ranked on the list by himself, but the contributions from Nicolino (6 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) should not be overlooked. It was noted by the Lansing Lugnuts radio broadcasters that, after their appearances, both pitchers are continuing to throw in the bullpen. We could be very close to seeing four inning outings from the young Lansing staff.

4. 1B David Cooper (LAS): 23 AB, .391/.481/.783 (1.264 OPS), 6 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, 4/1 BB/K

David Cooper got off to a slow start this year, particularly in the power department. After hitting 51 doubles in 120 games for Las Vegas last season, he had only two through his first 13 games this year. It’s been a different story over the last ten, particularly in the six games he played this week. What’s especially crazy about Cooper’s performance is that it included two 0-fers, so in reality, those seven extra base hits came in only four games. With four walks against only one strikeout this week, Cooper has boosted his season totals to 10 walks and 11 strikeouts, showing the sharp eye we’ve come to expect from him. He would have a ton of value if he had some defensive flexibility, but I’m not sure he has enough to make it as a major league first baseman, despite the numbers he constantly produces in Triple-A.

5. C Travis d’Arnaud (LAS): 21 AB, .381/.381/.619 (1.000 OPS), 2 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB, 0/4 BB/K

Finally, the system’s top prospect makes an appearance on a hot sheet. d’Arnaud narrowly edged out Lansing catcher Carlos Perez for the final spot, which as I mentioned earlier, speaks volumes about the depth Toronto has at the catcher position. d’Arnaud is currently riding a nine game his streak going back to last week, which could be a sign the backstop has finally found his stroke. Despite a rather underwhelming (given the friendly confines of Las Vegas) season slash line of .263/.341/.413 (.753 OPS), there have been some positives. His current 9.2% walk rate would be a career best, and his 17.2% strikeout rate would be his lowest since A-ball in 2009. Perhaps I’m overly sensitive about d’Arnaud after writers at Baseball Prospectus passed along the opinion of some scouts who feel he may be closer to a league average hitter than an All Star, but another big, healthy year from d’Arnaud would be big for this franchise, and would greatly ease my nerves.

Honorable mention: Carlos Perez (LAN), Sean Nolin (DUN)

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That raises the question of whether or not the Jays have the No.2 starter that the Reds are apparently asking for, since they obviously don’t have a closer to offer.

However, with Adam Lind‘s contract guaranteed through 2013, Edwin Encarnacion in line to be the Jays’ full-time DH next season, and an eerily similar player in David Cooper waiting close by in Triple-A, do the Jays even need to consider trading for Alonso, let alone consider giving up something like a No. 2 starter to acquire him?

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The problem is, though, that the Jays already have a first baseman under contract for the next two seasons in Adam Lind, whose struggles are starting to test the patience of the Jays’ fan base. With all of the big offseason names to choose from, there’s another first baseman in the organization who, despite having a great year, is often overlooked and whose status is somewhat up in the air.

That would be David Cooper, and what exactly is going to happen to him going forward?

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There are some possibilities, as listed below:

Control (more…)