Blue Jays: Three Intriguing Infield Prospects To Watch

Oct 16, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a glove and baseball during batting practice prior to game one of the ALCS between the Kansas City Royals and the Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

C/1B Juan Francisco (Feliz) Kelly, 21 years old, Bluefield

• 5’10” 155 lbs, Bats Both, Signed as an international free agent 11 Jan ’12,  from DO

If I told you that a catcher was able to manage 10 extra base hits in only 71 PA while still managing a .366 OBP, would you be interested? Well, that’s what Kelly was able to produce in Lansing in 2015, all while throwing out a third of would-be-base stealers and holding a perfect fielding percentage. Now if I add that he weighs in at 155 lbs and measures 5’10”, how does it change your state of mind? It shouldn’t, but of course as with all prospects, it does.

While in Vancouver, Kelly mostly played 1B and was able to prove he can handle the position very well. He also has previous experience at 3B (9 games), giving him so flexibility around the infield. It’s something he emphasized that he enjoys doing. Brian Crawford of Jays Prospects provides us with this quote from Kelly, “I really enjoy playing multiple positions,” and added:

“It breaks up the monotony of playing in one spot all the time. I have days where the team has me catch a game and then the next day they ask me to play first base. I really like that aspect of my game.”

When you talk about someone punching above their weight, Kelly is the prime example, and he’s getting noticed for all of his hard work. The Blue Jays named him the GCL rookie level M.V.P. for his work in 2014, outdoing guys like Sean Reid-Foley, Lane Thomas, and Freddy Rodriguez to name a few. Yet, all of those mentioned and others get mentioned and noted more often as prominent Jays prospects.

When he got to Lansing, he managed to impress everyone with his first hit as a Lugnut:

“20-year-old Juan Kelly‘s first Midwest League hit was a tie-breaking home run in the 15th inning, helping the Lansing Lugnuts (9-6, 51-34) to a epic 6-5 victory over the Great Lakes Loons (5-10, 43-40) late Thursday night at Dow Diamond.”

If that’s not enough to get you thinking of Juan Kelly as a prominent Jays prospect, here are a few things to like about his 2015 season:

• Kelly hit .273/.347/.409 with 2 outs and RISP (49 PA)
• Hit .261/.360/.401 against RHP
• Managed 8 extra base hits over his last 73 AB with a line of .260/.349/.397
• Had an impressive 161 wRC+ while with the Lugnuts
• His .906 OPS and .413 wOBA while with the Lugnuts were equally impressive

What I like most of all about Kelly is his leadership abilities and willingness to do whatever it takes to get himself on the field. He has a ton of heart and loves to play the game. That’s something you can’t teach someone and it goes very far when things aren’t going so well numbers wise. The effort remains, the turnaround is quicker, and generally speaking that kind of player isn’t going to weigh others down when he struggles.

Next: Next, a SS that's raw as the come, but has the tools...

Oct 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Fans line up to enter Rogers Centre prior to game three of the ALCS between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Kansas City Royals. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

SS Jean Carlos (J.C.) Cardenas, 21 years old, Bluefield

• 5’10” 155 lbs, Bats Both, Drafted in 6th rd of ’15 , Barry University FL, signed to $250,000 Bonus

The Jays selected another Barry University player when they drafted C Yan Gomes in the 10th rd of the 2009 draft. However, Cardenas is the highest draft pick ever to be made out of that University, surpassing the previous high of the 10th round. On being drafted, Cardenas had this to say:

“My dream, since I was a little kid, has been to play pro ball. The Blue Jays were my first workout and they’ve been following me since high school. It feels really good to be going somewhere I’m wanted and appreciated.”

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While playing for Barry in 2015, Cardenas managed to hit 15 extra base hits in 162 AB (7 doubles, 4 triples, and 4 HR). He walked 26 times and only struck out 22 times, and stole 24 bases in 25 attempts. He led his team with a line of .357/.457/.519.

The intrigue that made Cardenas a 6th round Jays pick lies in the possibility of having a 5-tool middle-infielder in their grasp. Sure, he’s still learning the SS position and is making his fair share of errors (11) along the way, but he’s more than able to handle the position so far and no move is anticipated yet. Cardenas has the range and ability to get to balls, he just needs to learn to make routine plays consistently. If the Jays can get him going as a power capable LHB SS, they’ll be ecstatic.

He hasn’t let down expectations altogether, but I do believe many expected more from his bat as he played in Vancouver last season. It remains to be seen whether he gets a bump up to LoA Lansing, but wherever he winds up the expectations on his bat will be higher than they were last season.

Sometimes it bugs me that the majority of lists you see from MLB.com and Baseball America only go 30 players deep. Often, as is the case this season, they miss out on many of the lesser know, yet just as exciting to consider, prospects that deserve more attention. When I look at these three players I see a lot of potential, enough for them to make it to the majors.

Next: Toronto Blue Jays Scouting Department, Alex Anthopoulos' Legacy

Barreto has the potential to be an every day 2B in the right situation, or to become an effective utility player. Juan Kelly has the determination and skill to climb up the minors handily and challenge others for a spot on the roster. And Cardenas has a higher ceiling than both of them, with the abilities to become an impact middle-infield bat if he makes the most of his skills.

None of them are likely to become all-stars in MLB, but all of them will challenge their peers to perform as they fight for their opportunity to reach The Show. Good luck to them all, and keep a good eye on them!