2016 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Depth: 2nd base

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Dunedin Blue Jays

Dickie Joe Thon 24-yrs-old

Thon’s progress has been slow and steady, spending a full year at each level. He strikes out (26.4 K%) too much, commits too many errors (22 errors in ’15), and doesn’t seem to have a true position. There’s no doubting his athleticism, as he possesses an excellent arm and good range.

Thon spent 2015 splitting time between 2nd (50 GP) and SS, with 12 games in OF. He has spent most of his career at SS with 142 games, but didn’t see any time there in ’14 and only 30 games in 2015. He has played 118 games at 2nd in the past two years, posting 4.46 RangeFactor and .967 Fld% while committing 18 errors.

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At the plate, Thon doesn’t have the power to sustain his strike out numbers with .095 ISO, .252 wOBA and 59 wRC+ at Dunedin. He was over matched in Advanced-A never seeing batting average higher than .180 when playing more than 12 games in a month.

Thon received regular playing time in August and responded by hitting .148, 2 HR, 3BB and 27K.

Launching pad– It is tough to gauge Thon. He battled a blood disorder in 2011 which may have derailed his development. But after hitting .180 with Dunedin in 83 games look for Thon to repeat Advanced-A and to platoon with our next 2nd baseman.

Jason Leblebijian 24-yrs-old

Like Thon, Leblebijian crushed Lo-A pitching and struggled against Hi-A pitching. Like Thon, Leblebijian appears to filling the utility role, playing all 4 infield positions (not catcher).

During his time in Dunedin, Leblebijian hit .170 in 32 games, but he’s having a great time with the Canberra Cavalry of the ABL. In Australia, Jason has won the starting SS job by hitting .318 with 5 HR in 34 games; unfortunately, he’s struggled the past 10 games hitting only .156.

In 112 games at 2nd, Jason has a 4.40 RangeFactor and .980 Fld% over 4 seasons.

Launching pad– Splitting time at 2nd with Dickie Joe Thon with the D-Jays.

Next: Lansing: Thomas