Blue Jays organizational prospects with the best tools

Baseball America recently released its Toronto Blue Jays prospect rankings along with the organizational list of up and comers with the best tools and there are a few surprises.

Baseball America requires a subscription for their full rankings but here is how the best tools played out organizationally for the Blue Jays in 2020.

Jordan Groshans who is the 29th ranked prospect by BA took the Best Hitter for Average honors while Griffin Conine was awarded the Best Power Hitter in the minor league system. Conine popped 22 bombs in just 80 games last season.

Backstop Alejandro Kirk was anointed the most disciplines hitter, the catcher walked 56 times in 92 games in 2019. The 21-year old also impressed during Grapefruit League action play notching four hits and four walks in 12 plate appearances this spring.

Canadian speedster Dasan Brown took home both the fastest baserunner and best athlete categories. The 18-year old was selected in the third round of the 2019 amateur draft and managed to swipe six bags in eight attempts in his first 14 games of pro ball.

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

• Blue Jays: Alek Manoah on pace to succeed in possible postseason
• Blue Jays: Bradley Zimmer has carved himself a valuable role
• Anthony Bass has been the shutdown reliever the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. open to a long-term contract
• Blue Jays: Snapping cold streaks at the right time

Hitting

Best Hitter For Average: Jordan Groshans

Best Power Hitter: Griffin Conine

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Alejandro Kirk

Fastest Baserunner: Dasan Brown

Best Athlete: Dasan Brown

It is no surprise that Nate Pearson dominated three of the five pitching categories, the fireballer is ranked as the 7th overall prospect in baseball by BA and was expecting to accomplish big things in 2020.

Eric Pardinho will have to wait a while to continue to hone his curveball as the young hurler underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this offseason.

Simeon Woods Richardson was acquired along with Anthony Kay in the Marcus Stroman trade. The 19-year old walked just 24 in 106.2 innings of work last season.

Pitching

Best Fastball: Nate Pearson

Best Curveball: Eric Pardinho

Best Slider: Nate Pearson

Best Changeup: Nate Pearson

Best Control: Simeon Woods Richardson

On the defensive side of things, Reese McGuire was tabbed the best defensive catcher in the organization. McGuire put his skills on full display last season in 30 games with the big club last year and is expected to split time with Danny Jansen this season.

International free-agent signing Rikelvin de Castro was surprisingly nominated as the Best Defensive Infielder. The Jays inked the Dominican shortstop last summer for $1.2 million but he has yet to play in the minors.

Groshans returns to the list with the best infield arm while Brown returns as the Best Defensive Outfielder thanks in part to his tremendous speed and ability to cover tons of real estate in the outfield.

Chavez Young and his 13 outfield assists from last season earned him the distinction of having the Best Outfield Arm.

Defense

Best Defensive Catcher: Reese McGuire

Best Defensive Infielder: Rikelvin de Castro

Best Infield Arm: Jordan Groshans

Best Defensive Outfielder: Dasan Brown

Best Outfield Arm: Chavez Young

There you have it, the players with the “Best Tools” in the organization according to Baseball America.