2016 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Depth: Catcher

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

2014/15 off-season saw the Toronto Blue Jays sign one of the game’s best catchers in Russell Martin. Martin’s multi-million multi-year deal adds stability at a premium position.

It’s possible that neither of Russell Martin‘s back-ups in 2015 will be rejoining the Blue Jays in 2016. Dioner Navarro signed with the Chicago White Sox (good signing for CWS) and Josh Thole was non-tendered .

It is possible Thole’s services will be retained; however, if not Thole, than who?

***update-Thole signs with Jays (full article)****

Toronto Blue Jays minor league system isn’t stocked with viable option, especially at in the upper levels. New GM Ross Atkins will need to sign several catching free-agents (see Humberto Quintero signing), of the minor league variety and major league variety.

Until that time, I have amassed all of Toronto’s catching prospects still active on the farm.

Max Pentecost

The systems most highly touted catching prospect is Max Pentecost, who spent all of 2015 on the shelve after undergoing his second operation on his throwing shoulder (partial labrum tear)(see 2015 season wrap up). Pentecost showed a solid bat, with little power (wrist injury), and showed his athleticism behind the plate. When healthy, Max could be a guy that flies through the system.

Launch pad- If healthy to start the year, Max will start in Dunedin. If he gets a late start Vancouver or Lansing is more likely.

Next: Is 2016 the Year for AJ Jimenez?

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bisons

A.J. Jimenez 25-yrs-old

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Jimenez was drafted in the 9th round of the ’08 draft. Once a highly regarded catching prospect, he has seen his stock fall due to an inability to stay healthy. The talent is still there. A.J. has a strong, accurate arm behind the plate, a youthful love for the game, and the skills to be an everyday catcher at the major league level.

First, he needs to stay healthy. 2015 was another year of injures. He was placed on the disabled list on April 6th for 10 days and again on June 4th for the remainder of 2015.

In 28 games between Buffalo and New Hampshire, Jimenez caught 27 games allowing 4 passed balls (PB) and 22 stolen bases (SB) and and .991 fielding percentage (Fld%). A.J. used his premium arm to catch 11, throwing out 33% (CS%)of stolen base attempts.

For his career Jimenez has successfully thrown out 40% stolen base attempts in 429 games.

Jimenez will never hit for much power in the majors, but should hit enough for a .230-260 batting average. Between Triple-A and Double-A, Jimenez hit only .194 with 7 doubles, a triple, 9RBI, 9BB, 18K in 108 AB’s.

Launching pad- If healthy, it is very possible you are looking at the Toronto Blue Jays next back up catcher. Since health in not A.J.’s BFF, back to Buffalo he goes.

More from Toronto Blue Jays Prospects

• One prospect the Blue Jays should not have traded at the deadline
• Blue Jays: Can expanded rosters provide positivity?
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• Blue Jays: Top Pitching Prospect Tiedemann Impresses in AA Debut
• Blue Jays 2022 Draft: Who did Toronto Land in Round Two?

New Hampshire

Derrick Chung 27-yrs-old

This is one of my favorite players. He has a cannon of an arm, athletic behind the plate, and a grinder. Unfortunately, like Pentecost and Jimenez,  Chung missed a chuck of time to injury in 2015.

Derrick started the season on the DL after spending sometime with the Jays in spring training. He was activated on July 15th, playing for the D-Jays between July 25th and August 4th. Derrick spent the rest of August as the Fisher Cats starting catcher and hit .282 with 6 doubles, 8RBI, 12 BB, 8K in 24 games.

Behind the plate, Derrick allowed 2PB, 15SB, 29CS%, .995Fld% in 29 games.

Launching pad- Chung should be backing Jimenez up in Buffalo or which ever veteran depth FA is signed.

Martin Medina 25-yrs-old

Medina was acquired from Chicago White Sox on June 5^th. He hit .206 5 doubles, 2 triples, a HR, 11RBI, 16BB, 42K in 50 games.

Behind the plate, Martin allowed 6PB, 40SB, 18CS% and .990Fld%.

Launching pad- Medina should get most of the reps in NH.

Next: What's down in A-Ball?

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Dunedin Blue Jays

Mike Reeves 25-yrs-old

Born in Peterborough, ONT. Reeves is a 21st round pick in ’13 draft and split time between Dunedin (48GP), and Lansing (27GP) in 2015. Mike hit .206,  7 doubles, 2 triples, 21RBI, 33BB, 61K in 75 games.

Behind the plate, Reeves allowed 10PB, 72SB, 13CS%, and .992Fld%.

Launching pad- depth guy, so where ever he’s needed.

Jorge Saez 25-yrs-old

Drafted in the 32 rd of the ’12 draft, Jorge is a solid defensive catcher who has encouraging reviews, praising his ability to call a game, receive pitches and handle a pitching staff. He won’t give you much offensively, but these are great guys to have in the system and future coaches. Saez hit .176, 11 doubles, a triple, 3HR, 22RBI, 25BB, 56K

In the field Jorge allowed 5PB, 67SB, 34CS%, .990Fld% in 71 games.

Launching pad- Likely splitting time with Medina in New Hampshire.

More from Toronto Blue Jays Prospects

• One prospect the Blue Jays should not have traded at the deadline
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• Blue Jays 2022 Draft: Who did Toronto Land in Round Two?

Lansing Lugnuts

Juan Kelly 21-yrs-old

Split time between Vancouver and Lansing, splitting time between 1st and catching. He only catch 15 games, so more of a 1st baseman. Kelly allowed 2PB, 11SB, 35CS% with .991Fld%. In 58 career starts behind the plate he has throw out 32CS%.

Kelly hit .249, with 4HR, 23 RBI, 11doubles, 27BB, and 44K in 53 games.

Launching pad- Since he finished the year in Vancouver, we can expect Kelly start 2016 in Lansing playing mostly 1st.

Michael De La Cruz 22-yrs-old

Caught 60 games allowing 18PB, 51SB, 27CS% and .987Fld%. De La Cruz had a good year at the plate with a .242 BA, 15 doubles, 17RBI, 23 BB, and 41K.

Launching pad- De La Cruz deserves a shot at Dunedin, could just be a depth guy.

Danny Jansen 20-yrs-old

Toronto’s 2nd best catching prospect, behind Max Pentecost; unfortunately, he too struggled with injuries in 2015. Jansen suffered a broken hand when he was hit with a pitch.

The 16th round pick in the ’13 draft, played 5 games for the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays and 46 with Lansing, missing time between August 10th and 18th.

Danny allowed 6 PB, 44SB, 29CS%, .988Fld% in 51 games. He hit .210, 9 doubles, 5HR, 30RBI, 21BB, 27K and continues to show plus power, plus strike zone awareness despite low BA.

Launching pad- Depends where Pentecost starts the year. Danny should be the D-Jays starting catcher.

Next: On to beautiful British Columbia with the Canadians

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Gulf Coast League (GCL) Blue Jays

Owen Spiwak 20-yrs-old

Spiwak is a home grown talent from Mississauga, ON who was drafted in the 10th round of the ’15 draft. He caught 31 games, allowing 11PB, 26SB, 16CS%, and .988Fld%. In 82 at-bats, Owen hit .293, a home run, 9 RBI, 4BB, and 14K.

Launching pad- split time between Bluefield and Vancouver in 2016.

Robert Lucido 22-yrs-old

Only played 4 games behind the plate, allowing  1PB, 7SB, and 0CS%, and .941Fld%.Lucido hit 259 with 10BB and 8K in 27 at-bats.

Launching pad- depth guy.

Javier Hernandez 19-yrs-old

Hernandez made 39 appearances behind the plate, allowing 4 PB, 20SB, throwing out a whopping 41CS%, and .979 FPCT. Looks like the hit tool is whats holding him back, hitting .200, 4 walks, 29K and 2RBI in 85 at-bats.

Launching pad- Bluefield back-up

FanSided

Dominican Summer League (DSL)

Manuel Herazo 20-yrs-old

Playing in his 2^nd season in DSL, Herazo was the DSL primary catcher starting 48 games. He allowed 15 PB, 69SB and 25CS%, .975Fld%. The Colombian catcher hit .282, 7 doubles, 15RBI, 23BB, and 32K’s in 149 at-bats.

Launching pad- starter for the GCL Blue Jays

Yorman Rodriguez 18-yrs-old

Rodriguez had a very good 2015 season, mainly playing 1st base (33GP). In 17 games behind the plate, Yorman allowed 7PB, 23SB, 4CS%, and .981Fld%

Launching pad- GCL, but not as a catcher.

Antonio Concepcion 18-yr-old

Concepcion appeared in 35 games, only starting 3 games. He was using as a PH or late inning replacement the rest of the time. Antonio allowed 5 PB, 8SB, 27CS% and .981Fld%.

Launching pad- repeat DSL

Andres Guerra 18-yrs-old

Andres made 7 starts at catcher, allowing 3 PB, 14 SB, and 22CS%, and .967Fld%.

Launching pad- repeat DSL

Next: An interview with Minor Leaguer Jon Berti