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Blue Jays Minor League Depth – Short Stop
Feb 24, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays infielder Munenori Kawasaki (66) jokes with teammates during morning workouts at Bobby Mattick Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Next stop on the diamond is short stop for us on the Blue Jays minor league depth list. We will continue to go through MLB ready talent, minor league reserves, break out candidates, and long shots.
The starting short stop is locked up currently by the veteran Jose Reyes. Reyes has been holding the position since coming over in the “Trade” prior to the 2013 season. He has missed some time due to injuries but has been overall a solid player in a Jays uniform thus far. We hope that he continues to be a solid defender and spark plug at the top of our lineup as we go into this season.
This years short stop position reserves are going to be greatly influenced by the events that shake out at second base. Ryan Goins, Maicer Izturis, Ramon Santiago could be apart of this list also. They are more then likely the back up infielders depending on which one of them gets the first chance at the starting job. To read up on those players please look at my previous article on depth at the Second Base position. This list gets short because of the core of talent we have up the middle that may slot better in the 2B position. Lets dive into the Short Stops that we have not had a chance to talk about so far at other positions.
MLB Ready Talent
–Munenori Kawasaki– Best interview in baseball
The always fun fan favorite Munenori Kawasaki has infiltrated the hearts of all Jays fans. What he brings to a club in the dugout as a character has been crucial over the past few years. His defensive play at multiple positions has been the main reason he been able to hold a backup role over that time. It has always amazed me that a player that hits the ball like Kawasaki hasn’t had a little more success at least at home in the Rogers Centre. Many slap / line drive hitters have had great seasons punching the ball on the carpet but for some reason Kawasaki always manages to hit the ball right at the other teams defense. He always seems to make contact where ever the ball is in the zone which has proved to be troublesome to many pitchers in the league. Fouling off multiple pitches just to hit a hard grounder to 2B or short has been his downfall. Kawasaki was always a plus hitter in Japan but that has yet to translate to the Majors. Either way his plus defense in the infield and character have continued to keep him in a Jays uniform and in our hearts as fans of the game. If you have not seen his interviews on MLB Network’s “Intentional Talk” you are missing out.
Minor League Reserves
Toronto Blue Jays
–Jonathan Diaz– What a glove
Diaz is one of the more solid defense men in our system. His plus glove has been solid up the middle at 2B and short but his bat has been the reason his overall play has been over looked. Last season in AAA he hit hardly above the Mendoza line at .205 in 303 at bats. On the flip side of the ball however he was incredible. In 84 games at 2B/SS he was only committed 4 errors. That was 348 chances with only 4 errors. Any team would be happy to have the kind of reliability up the middle but with his lack luster bat thus far it is hard to write his name on the lineup card. I would not expect him to be much more than depth at the position. His defense saves a lot of runs which could off set the offensive issues.
Shortstop Dawel Lugo watches as he hits a walk-off home run for the Bluefield Blue Jays against the Burlington Royals on July 19, 2013. Mandatory Credit: Jay Blue
Breakout Candidates
–Dawel Lugo– Offensive Potential
A season after mashing the Appalachian league for the Bluefield Blue Jays to the tune of a .297 batting average Lugo fell off a little. Last season with the Lansing Lug Nuts in the Mid West league he batted .259. He did continue to drive in runs at an impressive rate having 53 RBI in 117 games. His in ability to hit right handed pitching last season was his downfall. Only hitting .238 will drop you batting average significantly no matter who you are. The potential for Lugo is there and I would expect him to have a good year this season. Our number 14 top prospect here at Jays Journal is looking to have his good contact translate into more hits.
Toronto Blue Jays
–Richard Urena– Prospect watch
The Jays Journal’s #13 Prospect has played very well thus far in our organization. So well that they deemed his competition (Franklin Barreto) expendable and was traded as part of the Josh Donaldson trade to the Oakland A’s. Urena is expected to start the season in Lansing or Dunedin which are various levels of A ball. To this point he has shown the ability to hit well and play decent defense. His offensive output is definitely the attention grabber. At the age of 18 in the Appalachian league he batted .318 with 20 RBI in 53 games. He has a quick level swing which has allowed him to hit the gaps well thus far. In 2014 he was able to pop 15 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 home runs in the 53 rookie level games. His defense could have been better in that time but I expect him to improve. In 50 games at short he committed 19 errors in 229 chances last season. That is good for a .917 fielding percentage which is solid but could improve. I see him as a quick rise candidate for this season if he can keep his offense output on the higher side.
Mar 1, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) and teammates stretch during spring training workouts at Bobby Mattick Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Long Shots
–Kevin Nolan– Utility man
Nolan started last season in New Hampshire playing all main infield positions and finished in AAA Buffalo doing the same thing. He is able to play all 4 infield positions well. Spending most of his time at short stop is why he makes the list here. Playing in a total of 93 games at short between both leagues and holding onto a solid fielding percentage of .953 for the season stands out. I would imagine if they can commit a position to Nolan he would perform well defensively for an entire season. This would also allow him to focus on his hitting which he needs to improve. The potential for him as a line drive hitter is there and could evolve into some more power if he becomes more selective. In 123 games last season he was able to square up 23 doubles, 2 triples, and 5 home runs. This lead him to drive in 41 RBI last season and score 50 runs. I hope he finds a home at short so he can focus on hitting because he has the ability to hit the ball hard.
Toronto Blue Jays
–Emilio Guerrero– Where would you like me to play?
Throughout his minor league career so far Guerrero has bounced around from position to position. He has experience at 2B, SS, 3B, and CF. He has spent the bulk of the past couple seasons at short stop and looks pretty good there defensively. Last season in Dunedin he appeared in 76 of his 105 games at short. In the time at short he had 19 errors in 313 chances to post a .939 fielding percentage. Playing solid defense will continue to get him playing time but he could improve at the plate and become a solid prospect. Posting a .258 batting average in 424 at bats is not terrible but does not stand out from the crowd. He does have some good pop that couple translate to more hits but so far it has been all or nothing. Last season he produced 21 doubles and 9 home runs in Dunedin. If he becomes more selective at the plate he could be an imposing hitter. Only walking 21 times in 424 at bats is pretty low. If he could wait for a decent pitch his batting average could climb and have further power output.
All Statistic information provided by baseball-reference.com.