Forecasting the 2015 Buffalo Bisons Infield

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Mar 3, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; A general view of Florida Auto Exchange Park prior to a spring training baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bisons will open their season on April 9th versus the Rochester Red Wings. The Red Wings finished the season half a game behind the Bisons, 4.5 games back of the Syracuse Chiefs and the wildcard winning Pawtucket Red Sox.

The Bisons 2015 roster was completely overhauled, with a whole new set of outfielders, a few new infielders, and bunch of new arms. There will be some familiar faces that the Herd faithful will remember.

With the first couple of spring training games just getting under way, player movement is expected which will impact exactly what the Bisons roster look like on April 9th. Since I am an impatient fan. I want to forecast where the Blue Jays future stars will start the 2015 season.

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The potential candidates for the Buffalo Bisons starting rotation was covered on Monday. Now it’s time to forecast the Buffalo Bisons infielders for 2015. The Herd’s 2014 infield consisted of career minor leaguers Dan Johnson, Andy LaRoche Jared Goedert, Munenori Kawasaki, Mike Nickeas, and Jonathan Diaz. This group of infielders was complimented by a pair or Ryan’s….Ryan Goins and Ryan Schimpf.

Alex Anthopoulos had a busy off season improving the Bisons offence. Alex did a good job of adding power to a team which finished middle of the pack in many offensive categories.

Let’s get to it

Feb 22, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; A detailed view of Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Scott Copeland (54) socks as he practices at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Corner Infield

Andy Burns- Bench option

Andy Burns is one of my favourite prospects. He started off slow last season by barely hitting over .200 in the first two months. He never hit under .255 the rest of the way. He’ll have a chance to compete for the starting 3rd base job with the Bisons and will see time with Toronto as a September call-up.

Matt Hague- Starting 3rd

Matt Hague should get off to a fast start after playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic. He hit .289/.355/.336 with 7 doubles, 22RBI, 13BB, and 28K….that’s what he brings to the Bisons. In 13GP Hague played 3rd and hit over .300, 1HR, 7 doubles, and 10 RBI. Matt has a lot of intrigue as a prospect because the 29 year-old’s gap power and high average would look great in Toronto. Some of those doubles could turn into HR’s and fill a need in Toronto.

Chris Colabello- Starting 1B/DH/RF

Colabello had a really good April with the Minnesota Twins, but couldn’t sustain that pace and it resulted in demotion. Toronto will look to Colabello to play 1st and RF and be an importan part of a veteran triple-A team, which will show the youth how to play the game and work hard.

Jake Fox- Starting 1B/DH

Jake’s power, versatility, and experience will provide the Bisons with more than other player on this team. Fox has hit 179 MiLB home run since 2003 and has played 145 games in the OF, 196 games behind the plate, but has spent the most time at 1st with 262GP.

Sep 24, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Munenori Kawasaki (66) slides home to score from a fly ball by second baseman Ryan Goins (17) (not in picture) in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Blue Jays won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

Middle Infield

Munenori Kawaski- Fan favorite

Muni will continue to provide Toronto and Buffalo with a high energy bench option. The 33 year-old native of Kagoshima Japan knows his role and does it well. He battles and grinds out ever at-bat and never takes an out off. Despite being a fan favourite in Toronto, it is best for the Jays if Muni spends the entire season in Buffalo.

Jonathan Diaz- Starting shortstop

Diaz will provide the Herd will outstanding D once again in 2015. With more infield depth than last year, Diaz will have an uphill battle if he is to make it to Toronto this season.

Ryan Goins- Starting at 2nd

What a difference a year makes. Going into the 2014 Spring Training the second base job was his to lose. After making the team out of spring training, Ryan lasted 22 games before being sent to Buffalo. Ryan would split time between SS (51GP) and 2B (49GP) while producing a 4.69RF and 3.94RF respectively. Manager Gary Allenson will expect the same from Goins in 2015.

Ryan Schimpf- The Wildcard (read more)

Don’t let his batting average sway you. He hit more home runs than any other prospect in the Jays system. Ryan played winter ball in Mexico and hit .242 with 3HR, so I expect him to get off to a strong start. If he could hit for a higher average in 2015, he could find his way onto the lips of Toronto Blue Jays fans.

Ramon Santiago- 16 year Vet

Santiago’s experience could win him a job on the Blue Jays bench. If he ends up in Buffalo, he’ll need to compete with guys above for at-bats.

Feb 26, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Sean Ochinko catches during spring training workouts at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Catchers

A.J. Jimenez- Starting Catcher (read more)(2015 Top Prospect)

A.J. Jimenez must be very confused. He had an amazing off-season only to see his chances of making to the Majors decrease. His defence is what will get his to Toronto and that’ll finally in 2015 as a September call-up. Jimenez will be the Bisons starting catcher, but will need to prove he can stay healthy.

Sean Ochinko- Back-up

After being suspended for the use of an amphetamine in August of 2013 Sean became a forgotten man. Sean received a NRI to this years Spring Training after hitting over .300 with a home run and 11 RBI in 12 games in the Arizona Fall League. He could start the season with either New Hampshire or Buffalo…I think he’ll get a shot to backup Jimenez.

Jack Murphy- Back-up option

This guy has quickly become a legend playing in the Australian Baseball League. He has hit over .300 in all three ABL season, while providing timely hits and solid defence. Would love to see Murphy backup Jimenez and will see some time at 1st. (read more)

Feb 26, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Derrick Chung catches during spring training workouts at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

On the Rise

Kevin Nolan- Utility player

Nolan will provide the Bisons with solid bench play. The 27 year-old played every infield position, expect catcher, in 2014, but he’s a shortstop. He doesn’t have the glove of a Diaz or Goins, but his bat has a chance at being better than both.

Jon Berti- Jonny Hustle

I’ve been pumping Berti’s tires all winter. He brings speed, defence, versatility, and hustle to the diamond everyday. He is a two time R. Howard Webster award winner and had a chance to play in the Arizona Fall League this off-season. He can play 2nd or the OF and will lead in SB for whichever team he plays on.
(read more)(read even more)

Derrick Chung

Chung has only become a full-time catcher in 2013…only 160 games behind the plate. Behind the plate he has a 42% caught stealing percentage, a 8.47 RF/g, and .994 fielding percentage. He will start 2015 as the FisherCats starting catcher, but depending on what Toronto does with Donior Navarro and Josh Thole with determine how long he remains there. (read more)

Devon Travis- The New Guy (2015 Top Prospect)

Dealt to Toronto from Detroit for a guy that was once considered one of the Top Prospect in the Blue Jays farm system, Devon Travis will now have the burden of caring the label of Toronto’s Future 2nd baseman. Where he starts will depend on how well he does this spring. His performance in Florida will have a huge impact on who starts for the Bisons and who starts with the FisherCats.

Next: Ranking the Blue Jays talented young arms

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