Four Blue Jays prospects set to make their MLB debut in 2017

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Jun 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A Toronto Blue Jays hat on the players bench in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Toronto Blue Jays won 13-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The Toronto Blue Jays have seemingly replenished their prospect cupboard and have four prospects with legitimate shots at debuting north of the border in 2017.

The Toronto Blue Jays are set to begin spring training with an overall strong roster for the 2017 campaign. However, many things can happen over the course of a season, and a seemingly strong roster can often look depleted come July due to injuries and underperforming.

In order to ensure success, a team must have a well-stocked minor league system that consists of both veterans and prospects. After the previous regime traded away many top prospects over the last couple of seasons, the Blue Jays are slowly starting to see their minor league system recover.

While it is never wise to rush a prospect to the major leagues at a young age, it is also counterproductive to keep them at a level they are dominating at. When the minor leagues are no longer a challenge, a player has earned an audition in the show. For the Toronto Blue Jays, four players, in particular, have reached this level and are destined to make their MLB debut in 2017.

Here is a look at four of the soon to be household names in Toronto.

ROWDY TELLEZ – 1B/DH

Rowdy Tellez during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports” width=”708″ height=”438″ /> Nov 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Toronto Blue Jays infielder Rowdy Tellez during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

After being a 30^th round selection in the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft, Tellez has done nothing but rake in the minor leagues. Tellez ranked as Jay’s Journal’s #4 prospect of 2017, spent the entirety of the 2016 season at the AA level, playing for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. In 438 at-bats Tellez smacked 23 home runs and drove in 81 RBIs, all while slashing a very respectable .297/.387/.530.

To go along with those great numbers, Tellez also boasted a great strikeout-to-walk rate (63 BB, 92 SO). Tellez, who will be turning 22 in March, has proven he is a pure hitter with a nice swing. Luckily for him, the Jays currently have a liability at first base in Justin Smoak.

Nov 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Toronto Blue Jays infielder Rowdy Tellez during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Smoak, a former first-round pick by the Texas Rangers in 2008, is evidence that top prospects don’t always pan out. After disappointing stints with the Rangers and the Seattle Mariners, Smoak was claimed and signed by the Blue Jays in 2014, only to disappoint yet another fan base.

In his two seasons with the Blue Jays, Smoak has had 595 at-bats. In those 595 at-bats, he has hit 32 home runs to go along with 93 RBIs and an abysmal slash line of .222/.306/.430. While he plays solid defense, Smoak’s bat is just simply not good enough to be a starting first basemen at the MLB level.

Some may say that Steve Pearce could be the full-time first basemen, but Pearce simply cannot fill that role effectively. He is a guy who can start versus left-handed pitching (career .270 hitter versus lefties) and pinch hit late in games, but that is about it. The Blue Jays need a guy at first who can consistently hit right-handed pitching, and it is looking like Tellez could be the guy.

While Tellez will probably not be on the opening day roster, he will eventually earn his call-up when Smoak (most likely) struggles. Once he gets his chance, which will probably come around June, watch for Tellez to run away with the job and become a household favorite among Blue Jays fans.

HAROLD RAMIREZ – OF

Sep 25, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The CN Tower is visible before a game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

When the Jays traded pitcher Drew Hutchison to the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, they acquired a solid lefty who would help them down in the stretch in Francisco Liriano. However, the Jays weren’t just going to give up on a young arm in Hutchison for an aging vet in Liriano. In order for the Jays to pull the trigger, they needed something else. Insert Harold Ramirez.

Rated by Jay’s Journal as the #18 Blue Jays prospect, Ramirez is proven hitter at the minor league level. Over the span of five seasons, the Colombian outfielder is a career .306/.364/.411.

Much like Tellez’ situation, Ramirez benefits from having a spot up for grabs at his position. It is no secret that the Jays lack a consistent, everyday left fielder. Currently, it looks as if Upton Jr. and Carrera will platoon in left field, which is not ideal for a team that is looking to contend. Some may also consider Dalton Pompey for that left fielder role, which is a fair statement. However, Pompey still needs to prove himself as an everyday left fielder. Whether he can do so remains to be seen.

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If Pompey does not prove himself worthy of the left fielder spot, Ramirez could be a good player to keep your eyes on to replace him. If Ramirez can continue to hit at a .306 pace, the Jays would be crazy not to give him a chance in left field come midseason.

Another factor that Blue Jays fans can’t forget is that while Jose Bautista takes great care of his body, he is also going to be 37 this year. There is a reason nobody gave him the long-term contract he wanted – teams question how much longer he can play at an elite level. When healthy, Bautista is a bat-flipping stud. However, as you get older, injuries start to become tougher to shake, and the grind of a 162 game season can take a toll on a player’s body. While it is impossible to predict an injury, it is good to know there is organizational depth in the system with Ramirez.

While Ramirez will more than likely not be on the opening day roster, he is definitely a prospect to follow closely. If Pompey stumbles and Ramirez continues to eat minor league pitching for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can bet you will find Ramirez playing for Toronto at some point later in the season.

SEAN REID-FOLEY – RHP

Power. That is the word that describes Sean Reid-Foley’s pitching style. With a fastball that can reach the upper 90s consistently, Jay’s Journal has Reid-Foley as the #2 Blue Jays prospect entering 2017.

At the age of 21 (turning 22 in August), Reid-Foley is still very young. There is almost no chance of him making the team out of spring training, as the highest level of baseball he has played is A+ for Dunedin. However, he is a name you should watch for down the stretch.

After posting a 4.22 ERA in 2015 as a 20-year-old, Reid-Foley made major strides in 2016. In 115.1 innings (21 starts), Reid-Foley posted a combined 10-5 record with a 2.81 ERA at Lansing (A) and Dunedin (A+). To go along with those sparkling numbers, Reid-Foley had 130 strikeouts to go along with only 38 walks.

With no true bullpen ace besides Osuna, there are major question marks when it comes to the Jays bullpen. Recently acquired relief pitchers Joe Smith and J.P. Howell will certainly help the bullpen, but fatigue can hit come late in the season. If the bullpen starts to struggle, it would be nice to be able to turn to a guy like Reid-Foley who can come out throwing 97 mph in the late innings.

Another thing that must be noted is that the Jays are no stranger to bringing their young pitchers up late in the season to pitch out of the bullpen. They did it with Aaron Sanchez, so why not try it with a pitcher that has a similar makeup? While Reid-Foley is not Aaron Sanchez, he could be a very nice piece out of the bullpen down the stretch. After all, the Jays are expected to compete this season. Come crunch time, you want the best guys on the 25-man roster. If Reid-Foley has another lights out year, he could find himself pitching out of the bullpen for a team in the playoff race.

Not to mention the dude has a killer mustache.

LOURDES GURRIEL JR. – IF/OF

Jun 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Toronto Blue Jays logo on a sleeve patch during a game Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Toronto Blue Jays won 13-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

When Lourdes Gurriel Jr. left Cuba to come to the MLB, there was significant league interest. The Blue Jays won the sweepstakes, signing the 24-year-old Cuban infielder/outfielder to a seven-year contract worth 22-million dollars. Rated by Jay’s Journal as the #11 prospect entering 2017, Gurriel Jr. could make an immediate impact for the MLB club.

While playing in the Cuban league, Gurriel Jr. did nothing but spank the baseball. In 2015-2016, Gurriel Jr. posted monster numbers, slashing .344/.407/.560. Being new to the North American game, Gurriel Jr. will more than likely start the season in AAA.

While finding a spot for Gurriel Jr. in 2017 may be tough, his versatility makes it a bit easier. A natural second baseman, Gurriel Jr. also played left field, shortstop, first base and third base in his Cuban league career. If anyone begins to struggle and Gurriel Jr.’s game translates quickly, a call-up is likely.

Another factor that must be weighed is that the current middle infield for the Blue Jays, while elite, is also injury prone. Starting second basemen Devon Travis has been injured in each of his two seasons with the team, and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki hasn’t played more than 143 games in a season since 2011. An injury to one or both of these two players could very well happen, and if it does, Gurriel Jr. could step right in and make an impact.

Next: Which Blue Jay is poised for a breakout season?

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