2016 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Depth: 2nd base

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bisons

Jon Berti 25-yrs-old

Jon Berti played his 5th season in the Blue Jays system in 2015 reaching triple-A for the first time. He has speed (176 career stolen bases), a good eye at the plate (0.56 BB/K), and produces league average offence (.291 wOBA).

Berti’s ability to play multiple position and his speed are the tools that will get him to the major leagues. Berti played 52 games at 2nd, 29 games at 3rd, and 15 games in the OF between CF and LF. Over his minor league career he has played over 400 games at 2nd producing a 4.75 RangeFactor and a .975 Fld%.

Berti had an up and down year in 2015, finishing the season with a .249/.331/.323 triple slash, hitting only .228 in 40 games with Buffalo. He managed to hit 15 doubles, 3 triples and 3 HR, while going 23-for-30 in stolen base attempts. Jon had to deal with a long DL stint to start the year, not starting his season until June 11th.

Launching pad– Berti didn’t look like the same explosive player I saw in 2014, which I attribute to the injury that kept him out of the lineup for the first two month of the season. Look for a stronger start in 2016, where he’ll get the majority of the 2nd base reps for the Herd. GM Ross Atkins will likely pick up a pair of minor league infielders between now and spring training, but it should not impact Berti’s playing time too much.

Next: New Hampshire: Lopes and Opitz