2015 Toronto Blue Jays Top Prospects: #3 Dalton Pompey

It’s that time of year, where the team here at Jays Journal once again discusses the Toronto Blue Jays Top Prospects. We’ve compiled our Top 20. Basically, we wanted to create the most all-inclusive Blue Jays prospect ranking out there. We took a mixed approach to our rankings. Not only did we take a ranking from each member of our writing staff, but we also figured in the rankings from other publications as well, including MLB.com, Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, and Minor League Ball.

We’ve already begun our Top 20 prospects in the Toronto Blue Jays system. You can catch up with all the previous prospects here.

Today, we check in at the 3rd spot on our list with the 22 yr old Mississauga native, Dalton Pompey. If you missed it, Dalton took the time to sit down with us in our most recent edition of Jays Nest. In this appearance, he showed a maturity that you may not expect from a 22 year old. He discussed his progress and approach to making it in the big leagues.

Name: Dalton Pompey
Poistion: LF
Date of Birth: Dec. 11/92
Acquired: Drafted in 16th round of 2010 Draft
Height/Weight: 6’2″/ 195lbs
Throws/Bats: Right/Both

Awards/ Accomplishments:

• 2014 Canadian Baseball Network’s Randall Echlin Memorial Award (top offensive Canadian in MiLB)
• 2014 (and 2013) MiLB.com Organization All Star
• 2014 MiLB.com Fans Choice for Breakout Prospect
• 2014 (and 2013) Mid-Season All Star (MiLB)
• 2013 MiLB Gold Glove
• #43 on MLB.com 2015 Prospects List (#7 Outfielder)
• #17 on Jays Journal’s 2014 Prospect List

Stats/Analysis:

MiLB:

MLB:

Dalton Pompey seems to have come out of nowhere in 2014. His rapid rise through four levels of the Blue Jays system caught many by surprise. Starting in High A ball to start the season, Pompey used his ability to get on base to create several opportunities for each team  he played for along the way. His calling card is his high OBP and speed.

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In 2014, he stole 43 bases and was only caught 7 times. The speed he brings is also evident in his triple totals (9 in 2014 and 2013). Of course, Blue Jays fans will remember his game against the Orioles where he hit two in the same game.

Pompey has shown some pop in his bat as evidenced by reasonable extra base power. His double totals are respectable (22) and may actually be higher if his speed hadn’t gotten him to 3rd. Still, when we look for power, we can be content with extra bases and should not be too concerned about just 9 HR in 2014. It is a safe bet that Seattle Mariners Ace, Felix Hernandez will vouch for Pompey’s home run ability.

However, with a good approach at the plate (as evidenced bu his high OBP and walk totals), the extra base power, and a solid mechanical swing, we can expect the HR totals to come as he develops.

Perhaps one concern (if you really want to nitpick) could come in the area of his strike out totals. In 113 games, he collected 84 last season. Throughout his minor league career, his K% has only been over 20% at 3 stops along his travels. The upside of this is that in 2014, at the 3 MiLB levels, his K% didn’t reach as high as 18%. Now, in his brief time at the big league level, he struck out at a 27.9% rate. However, the improvements he’s made as he’s climbed the organizational ladder suggest that he is capable of adjusting. And, given his good approach at the plate, there is not really a cause to panic over his K%.

Outlook/ ETA:

Without overstating and hyperbolizing, Dalton Pompey’s time is now. It seems quite clear that Pompey will be entrusted as the future center fielder for the Blue Jays. Manager, John Gibbons has already shown he’s leaning toward Pompey starting the season in CF. The Blue Jays banished Colby Rasmus before last season even ended. They traded away Anthony Gose early in the off season. Each week that passed seemed to indicate that the club is more and more comfortable with Pompey in the lineup. 

Birds Watcher

Of course, they are leaving their options open by creating a competition (of sorts) between Pompey and Kevin Pillar. This is where things get a bit interesting. Should Pompey struggle in Spring Training and Pillar perform well, it is conceivable that the Blue Jays could start Pillar in CF and have Pompey start the year in AAA. In order for this to happen, Pillar would have to really excel and Pompey would have to struggle mightily. There is not really any sign in how he has progressed thus far to indicate that a struggle of those proportions are in the cards. However, Pillar has proven himself in extended time at AAA, Pompey has not spent much time there at all. It would not be the worst thing in the world for him to be sent down to make adjustments.

One may look to his 2014 and suggest that it was a one year fluke as an argument for not handing the job to Pompey so easily. However, before injuries impeded him, he had been through 3 levels in 2012. Given the history of the Toronto Blue Jays, it is not like them to rush a player through levels of the system (with few reps at each level) so quickly and confidently. We can take this to mean that Pompey is a talent that they believe in.

Barring the improbable, Dalton Pompey will be the starting CF for the Blue Jays in 2015. He has a track record of success that shows an ability to adjust at each stop along the way. With consistent reps at the big league level, there is no reason to think he can’t stick.

Next: 2015 Blue Jays Top Prospects: #4 Jeff Hoffman