Blue Jays send six players to Arizona Fall League

SURPRISE, AZ - NOVEMBER 03: Relief pitcher AFL West All-Star, Evan Kruczynski #75 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws a pitch during the Arizona Fall League All Star Game at Surprise Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SURPRISE, AZ - NOVEMBER 03: Relief pitcher AFL West All-Star, Evan Kruczynski #75 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws a pitch during the Arizona Fall League All Star Game at Surprise Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Toronto Blue Jays will be sending six minor league players to continue their season with the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League.

The team will be managed by the Dunedin Blue Jays manager Cesar Martin and begin play on September 18th versus the Mesa Solar Sox.

The Jays sent pitchers Maverik Buffo, Mike Ellenbest and Graham Spraker along with infielders Cullen Large, Kevin Smith and Logan Warmoth for extended fall games.

Maverik Buffo is a 24-year old right-hander selected in the 34th round of the 2017 amateur draft. Buffo made 14 appearances between Rookie and High-A last season accumulating a 5.40 earned run average while surrendering 15 earned runs in 25 innings of work last season.

Mike Ellenbest is a 25-year old right-hander who spent most of last season with High-A Dunedin before concluding the campaign in New Hampshire. Ellenbest made 25 appearances in 2019 although 22 were with Dunedin earning a 2.30 earned run average while striking out 35 in 48.1 innings on the bump.

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Graham Spraker rounds out the trio of hurlers headed to Arizona, the 24-year old Spraker spent the entire season in Dunedin albeit for one appearance with the Buffalo Bisons. Spraker made 25 appearances including 17 starts going 7-5 with a 2.84 earned run average.

Cullen Large was selected in the 5th round of the 2017 amateur draft and spent most of his season in Dunedin before ending the year with New Hampshire. Large hit a combined .260 with four homers and five stolen bases while also striking out 125 times in 110 games.

Logan Warmoth struggled yet again in 2019 after the Blue Jays selected him in the 1st round, 22nd overall in 2017. Warmoth split the season between Dunedin and New Hampshire hitting .235 with three homers and 14 stolen bases in 17 attempts. The 24-year old also whiffed 115 times in 412 plate appearances.

Kevin Smith had a very disappointing campaign after hitting .302 with 25 homers in 2018. The shortstop spent the entire season with Double-A New Hampshire hitting just .209 with 19 homers and 151 strikeouts in 116 games. Hopefully, Smith can go back to the drawing board in Arizona and simplify his approach.

Scottsdale also has some notable prospects on the squad from around the league as Joey Bart, Alec Bohm, Mickey Moniak, and Heliot Ramos will be joining the Jays contingent on the Scorpions.

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