Toronto Blue Jays Top Prospects Update: 21-25

We started to check in on the Toronto Blue Jays top prospects yesterday by looking at the Honourable Mentions and players ranked 26-30. Today we will continue with an update on the players we ranked 21-25 on our 2014 Blue Jays top prospect list.

Name: Rowdy Tellez
Position: 1B
Top Prospect Rank: 25

Some thought Tellez might make Lansing to start the season but with a plethora of other first baseman ahead of him on the depth chart for now he’s still in extended spring training. Charlie Caskey, who writes for us here and also at the Vancouver Sun and his own blog Your Van C’s, has done an excellent job keeping tabs on Tellez and others during EST. According to Charlie, Tellez’s bat speed is receiving rave reviews but his defense at first still needs work. However he shows a good approach at the plate and has the raw power to hit the ball out, anywhere.

Name: Clinton Hollon
Position: RHP
Top Prospect Rank: 24

Sorry guys and gals, I wish I could say I had something on Hollon but I don’t. He’s still in the mystery land of extended spring training and there hasn’t been much (anything?) written about his progress. He finished the season with a couple of strong outing in Bluefield and if he pitches well this year he could be off to the Vancouver Canadians by season’s end.

Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Miguel Castro has impressed during extended spring training. Credit: MLB Prospect Portal

Name: Miguel Castro
Position: RHP
Top Prospect Rank: 23

I don’t have much of an update on Castro either but according to Charlie Caskey at Your Van C’s the long, lanky right-hander has impressed during extended spring training.

"Another 19 year old is also turning heads. Given fact he is 6’5″ 190 pounds, Miguel Castro has a ton of projectability. It’s his mound presence that has impressed though, along with his feel for pitching. Encouraging signs for someone so young. Another potential promotion candidate."

Definitely like to hear that and who knows, maybe Charlie will end up seeing Castro at some point this season for the Vancouver Canadians? A strong showing in Bluefield could make it a lock.

Name: Santiago Nessy
Position: C
Top Prospect Rank: 22

Repeating at Lo-A Lansing, Nessy has been inconsistent at the plate to start the season. He’s only collected one hit in his past seven games but did have a stretch when he was hitting the ball well. He’s displayed gap power at times and a good eye with nine walks and twelve strikeouts. Runners have been able to take the extra base against him as he’s only caught five would-be base stealers in 23 attempts.

He’s still just 21 and the upside is still there so I wouldn’t be surprised to see some better numbers from Nessy going forward. He’s had some very good games and has been putting the ball in play while making solid contact. However I think the Blue Jays made a good decision by keeping him in Lansing until he’s ready for the FSL.

Name: Jairo Labourt
Position: LHP
Top Prospect Rank: 21

After a breakout season in 2013, Labourt has struggled to start the year with the Lansing Lugnuts. Control has been an issue for the lefty as he’s walked 20 batters in just 14 innings (12.9 BB/9). He pitched four scoreless innings his last start but walked five and only had two strikeouts however he did do a good job keeping the ball on the ground. That was his bread and butter last season but so far in 2014 he’s had slightly more air outs than ground outs.

He just turned 20 in March so give Labourt more time and hopefully he’ll be able to iron out the kinks in his delivery. Jason Parks of Baseball Prospectus gave this report on Twitter.