Blue Jays MiLB season preview

Apr 1, 2017; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays infielder Rowdy Tellez reacts after hitting a home run in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2017; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays infielder Rowdy Tellez reacts after hitting a home run in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 14, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Matt Dermody (50) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Matt Dermody (50) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Buffalo Bisons- Triple A

The Buffalo Bisons are going to have plenty of great depth this season with all of the talent in New Hampshire.  They are also going to be a home for many of the MLB ready players that could fill in with the Toronto Blue Jays this season.  There are plenty of players that have experience in the Show in the past and some that may kick that door down in the near future.

Bob Meacham will lead this mix of experience and talent along with new hitting coach and Blue Jays great Devon White.  On the offensive side of the ball Rowdy Tellez highlights the talent that is coming to Buffalo.  Tellez has been receiving plenty of praise from Blue Jays manager John Gibbons after a solid Spring Training performance.  Tellez raked in 2016 to the tune of a .297 batting average with 23 home runs and 81 RBIs.  He recently got a chance to show off his power in the Montreal series with a home run to center.

Blue Jays also have MLB experience in Darrell Ceciliani and Chris Coghlan.  Both have played in the show and could be solid contributors on a good team.  Coghlan was recently signed to a Minor League contract and will be roaming the Bisons outfield.  Joining those two in the outfield will be Dwight Smith Jr.  Smith was able to show off some more power this past season with the Fisher Cats, and popped 15 homers while driving in 75 runners.  His athleticism will be a welcome site in the Bisons outfield when paired up with Cecilianin and Coghlan.

On the mound there is a nice balance of ready to go to the Majors and talent that just missed the big leagues.  Mat Latos and Brett Oberholtzer have had success in the Majors and are looking to prove they still can be there.  Casey Lawrence was one of the big topics during Spring Training after having a great outing against Major league level talents.  Lawrence found success with the heard this past season and will look to build on that as he progresses toward the Show.

Lefties Matt Dermody and Chad Girodo will highlight the bullpen to start the season and both were in the conversation to head North with the Jays during Spring Training.  They are very talented and will be pushing for the big leagues sooner rather then later if they get off to a strong start to the season.

Casey Lawrence gets the ball to start the season for the Bisons at home this Thursday.  He will have to wait for Buffalo Sabres young star Jack Eichel to throw out the first pitch of the season though.

Next: Gavin Floyd released