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Blue Jays: A 20-year review of the top-ranked organizational prospects

By Cory Hildenbrand

TORONTO - APRIL 21: Alex Gonzalez #11 and Vernon Wells #10 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate Gonzalez's run against the Kansas City Royals during a MLB game at the Rogers Centre April 21, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages / Getty Images)
TORONTO - APRIL 21: Alex Gonzalez #11 and Vernon Wells #10 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate Gonzalez's run against the Kansas City Royals during a MLB game at the Rogers Centre April 21, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages / Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 29: Alex Rios #15 of the Toronto Blue Jays receives congratulations from teammates during the game against the Oakland Athletics at the McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California on August 29, 2007. The Athletics defeated the Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings. (Photo by Don Smith/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 29: Alex Rios #15 of the Toronto Blue Jays receives congratulations from teammates during the game against the Oakland Athletics at the McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California on August 29, 2007. The Athletics defeated the Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings. (Photo by Don Smith/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

2002 – Josh Phelps

Phelps was originally drafted by the Jays in the 10th round (279 overall) in the 1996 amateur entry draft. In 2002 Phelps was listed as the 36th best prospect on MLB’S Top 100 prospect list.  He was drafted as a catcher but split his MLB playing time between DH, 1B, and catcher. Phelps played in parts of 10 MLB seasons but was your classic journeyman with 6 different teams and constantly between AAA and MLB.

Hindsight Alternates- Orlando Hudson 2x all-star, 4x gold glove

Who did they miss in the draft – When your 10th round pick plays for 10 seasons that’s pretty good.

2003 & 2006 – Dustin McGowan

McGowan was the Jays top prospect in both 2003 and 2006. He had been listed as the 36th and 48th best prospect on MLB’S Top 100 Prospects list. McGowan had been drafted by the Blue Jays in the 2000 amateur draft in the 1st round (33rd overall). Another highly touted Jays prospect that just never panned out.   McGowan has pitched in parts of 10 MLB seasons with 3 different organizations but not with great results.

Hindsight Alternates- Jayson Werth 1x all-star 2008 world series/ Ricky Romero 1x all-star

Who did they miss in the draft – Cliff Lee was selected in the 4th round. Was a 4x all-star, Cy Young winner and ERA title winner.

2004 – Alex Rios

Alex Rios was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 1999 amateur entry draft in the 1st round (19th overall).  Rios was 6th on the MLB top prospect list. Rios would play in parts of 14 MLB seasons, would be a 2x all-star and 2015 world series winner.

Hindsight Alternates-. I’ll say the experts got this one right.

Who did they miss in the draft – John Lackey was drafted in the 2nd round. Lackey pitched 15 yrs, 1x all-star, 3x world series winner, and 1x ERA leader.

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