Blue Jays: Five under the radar prospects for 2018

Hagen Danner- Catcher

Hagen Danner was selected in the 2nd round, 61st overall by the Jays in the most recent amateur draft. The Jays inked Danner for $1.5 million nearly a half million over the $ 1,043,200 recommended slot value. The 19-year old Danner was a UCLA commit but opted to take his talents to the professional ranks.

Danner was tabbed by scouts as both a catcher and pitcher out of high school but the Jays have made a commitment to him being a backstop. The California native struggled in his first taste of pro ball hitting .160/.207/.248 with 20 hits, 2 homers and 20 runs batted in and 3 stolen bases in just 34 contests.

Danner projects as a power hitter with an above average arm behind the dish, he would touch low to mid 90’s when on the bump. Danner adds to a core of promising backstops in the Jays minor league ranks as he looks to shoot up the organizational depth chart in 2018.

The young catcher is someone to keep an eye on as he matures and gets his feet wet for an entire season. The Jays brain trust obviously saw a ton of potential when going over slot on the teenager, look for Danner to impress on the farm this summer.

Thomas Pannone- Pitcher

The Toronto Blue Jays acquired Thomas Pannone along with Samad Taylor from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for reliever Joe Smith at last summer’s trade deadline. General Manager Ross Atkins and company were familiar with Pannone from their days with the Tribes front office.

Pannone will likely begin the season as a member of the Buffalo Bisons Triple-A staff but could make his way north of the border at some point during the season should he continue to progress. Last season Pannone went 9-3 with a 2.36 earned run average and a 0.995 WHIP while fanning 149 in 144.2 innings between High-A and Double-A last season.

The 23-year old owns a 3.16 earned run average with a 9.4 SO/9 rate in 102 minor league games that include 76 career starts. The southpaw limited left-handed batters to a .181 average last season while right-handed hitters hit an uptick better with a combined .217 average versus  Pannone.

The former 9th round pick of the Indians could make leaps and bounds toward reaching the majors this season if he can excel at the Triple-A level. Pannone is definitely someone to keep an eye on this summer as he definitely has Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro in his corner.

Kevin Vicuna- Shortstop

In 2014, the Toronto Blue Jays signed Venezuela native Kevin Vicuna who was tabbed the 30th best International prospect at the time of the signing. The defensive-minded shortstop began his professional career as a 17-year in the Dominican Summer League.

Vicuna who is still only 19 years of age spent the 2017 season with all three Single-A teams (Vancouver, Lansing, and Dunedin) hitting .269/.322/.303 with 87 hits and 17 stolen bases in 84 games.

The teenager is a sure-handed defensive shortstop who should only get better as he gets bigger and stronger with age. In 194 games minor league games Vicuna owns a .266/.338/.302 slash line with 38 stolen bases and no home runs in 849 plate appearances.

There is no doubt Vicuna is still learning his craft however if the youngster can cut down on the strikeouts and harness the ability to make consistent contact he could climb the depth charts this season. He has plus speed that will play at any level especially as he matures on the base paths, thus far he has been thrown out 16 times in 54 attempts.

Speed and defence win ball games and Vicuna possesses both qualities so expect the infielder to put his name on the map this summer.

 Ryan Noda- First Base/ Outfield

Ryan Noda bust onto the scene last season after being selected in the 15th round, 459th overall in the 2017 amateur draft out of the University of Cincinnati. Nobody predicted the season Noda would have in his first taste in the pro ranks.

The 6’3″, 217 lb first baseman/outfielder had a Bo Bichette like season hitting .364/.507/.575 with 78 hits, 7 round trippers, and 7 stolen bags in 66 games with the Bluefield Blue Jays. Noda had 28 extra base hits while drawing 59 walks and scoring 62 runs in his rookie campaign.

The left-handed batter his .378 versus right-handed pitching and a more than respectable .310 against southpaws. Noda had an 8-game hitting streak at one point where he connected for 16 hits during the offensive outburst. The 21-year old also hit .400 (20 for 50) with 2 outs and runners in scoring position last season.

Last season was albeit a small sample size, however, there is a ton to be excited about when analyzing the numbers Noda put up in Bluefield. If Noda can transcend his success at a higher level in 2018, he will surely garner some attention and assert himself as a can’t miss, high upside prospect.

Kevin Smith- Shortstop

Kevin Smith was taken in the 4th round, 129th overall in the last year’s draft out the University of Maryland. The 21-year signed at slot for $405,100 and was assigned to the rookie level in Bluefield.

The shortstop hit .271/.312/.466 with 8 home runs and 9 stolen bases in 61 games with the baby Jays. Smith was an extra-base machine as 47% of his hits were of the extra base nature connecting for 25 doubles, 1 triple and 8 round trippers, a smooth 34/71 line.

The right-handed hitting Smith surprisingly struggled versus southpaw pitchers in his rookie season hitting just .217 versus lefties and .281 opposite right-handed pitching. Like Noda, the shortstop enjoyed success with 2 outs and runners in scoring position owning a .350 average. The success when the pressure is elevated bodes well for these youngsters mental fortitude and make-up.

Defensively, Smith should be able to stick at shortstop moving forward and provide a plus stick with above average speed. Unfortunately for Smith, he may have a roadblock with the big club at the shortstop position if “Bo” continues to dominate baseball. Too many shortstops is definitely a good problem to have.

Look for Smith to gain some recognition among prospect prognosticators this season if he can better last year’s totals.

Next: Blue Jays: Who will bat leadoff in 2018?