Toronto Blue Jays updated 2021 Top 10 Prospect rankings

Baseball America released it’s latest 2021 Top 10 Prospect list ranking the Toronto Blue Jays top organizational prospects.

It is that time of year again where Baseball America releases the organizational pecking order among Top Prospects. The Blue Jays latest rankings feature some familiar names with a few surprises mixed into the Top 10 this time around.

The complete rankings require a subscription, however, we have full access for your viewing pleasure. Two players on the list also made their respective MLB debut in 2020, however, they are both still prospect eligible.

Positionally, the rankings feature four right-handed pitchers, four shortstops, and a pair of catchers. Surprisingly not one outfielder broke the organizational Top 10 although there are rumblings that Austin Martin could one day end up in the outfield.

The website also tabulated their “Best Tools” categories anointing a number of players for their expertise in a specific baseball discipline.

So without further ado, we count down your Toronto Blue Jays 2021 Top 10 Prospects.

#10. Miguel Hiraldo- Shortstop

Hit: 55. Power: 55. Run: 45. Fielding: 45. Arm: 55

The 20-year old native of the Dominican Republic has as much potential as anyone on the list although he is still somewhat of an unknown commodity in the prospect world.

In 2019, Miguel Hiraldo suited up for 57 games between Bluefield and Lansing hitting .299/.346/.485 with 72 hits including 20 doubles, seven homers, and 11 stolen bases in 260 plate appearances.

Since making his professional debut in 2018, the middle infielder sports a career .300/.354/.460 slash line with nine round-trippers and an impressive 29 stolen bases in 121 games. Defensively, Hiraldo has spent time at shortstop as well as second and third base thus far.

#9. Adam Kloffenstein- Pitcher

Fastball: 55. Curveball: 50. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50

Adam Kloffenstein was a third-round, 88th overall selection in the 2018 amateur draft signing an over-slot deal worth $2,450,000. The 20-year old has appeared in 15 contests with Dunedin and Vancouver posting an impressive 2.17 earned run average while fanning 9.2 hitters per nine innings.

During the pandemic stoppage, Kloffenstein played Independent League ball with Texas and Sugar Land in the Constellation Energy League. In 27 games including 15 starts, the right-hander went 0-6 with a 4.64 earned run average while striking out 60 in 64 innings of work.

Baseball America projects Kloffenstein to be in the Blue Jays starting rotation in 2024 along with Nate Pearson, Hyun Jin Ryu, Simeon Woods Richardson, and Alek Manoah.

#8. Gabriel Moreno- Catcher

Hit: 55. Power: 45. Run: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55

Gabriel Moreno is the first of two backstops to grab Top 10 honours in 2021. The 20-year old native of Venezuela made his professional debut as a 17-year old in the Dominican Summer League. Moreno spent the 2019 campaign in Single-A with the Lansing Lugnuts.

In 154 career minor league games, the catcher hit .294/.339/.468 with 172 hits,16 homers, and 14 stolen bases. Moreno looks as if he will stick behind the plate and coupled with Alejandro Kirk provide the Blue Jays will a solid battery behind the dish for years to come.

Moreno was also chosen as the Best Defensive Catcher in the organization by Baseball America.

#7. Alek Manoah- Pitcher

Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50

Alek Manoah was selected in the first round, 11th overall in the 2019 amateur draft out of West Virginia University. Manoah possesses a larger-than-life presence on the mound but he also has the arm to back it up and figures to be an integral piece in the starting rotation of the future.

Manoah made six starts in 2019 for Low-A Vancouver going 0-1 with a 2.65 earned run average whiffing 27 in just 17 innings on the bump in his first taste of the pros.

The 22-year old could be on the fast track to the majors if he can get some innings in the minors under his belt to start the season. The future is very bright for Manoah.

#6. Orelvis Martinez- Shortstop

Hit: 60. Power: 60. Run: 45. Fielding: 40. Arm: 60

The smooth fielding Orelvis Martinez is still just 18-years old and one of the most promising prospects in the Blue Jays entire farm system.

In 40 games with Dunedin in 2019, Martinez hit .275/.352/.549 with 20 extra-base hits including seven home runs in 162 plate appearances as a 17-year old. The International signee is still a few years away from the majors but he is already garnering attention.

The jury is still out if Martinez will remain at shortstop or slide on over to the hot corner. In his first professional season, the Dominican Republic native played 26 games at short and another 11 at third base.

Don’t sleep on Martinez, he has the makings of something special and could be a household name sooner than later.

#5. Alejandro Kirk- Catcher

Hit: 70. Power: 50. Run: 20. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50

Alejandro Kirk instantly became a folk hero after his MLB call-up this past season, the little ball of energy has an opportunity to surpass Danny Jansen as the primary catcher moving forward if he continues to hit major league pitching.

In nine games, the 22-year old hit .375 with nine hits and a homer in 25 plate appearances. The rookie also notched his first postseason hit during the Wild Card series. Kirk never played above High A ball before making his MLB debut this past season.

In 151 MiLB games, Kirk hit .315/.418/.500 with 163 hits, 41 doubles, 17 home runs, 101 runs batted in, and five stolen bases in 619 plate appearances on the farm.

Kirk was recognized by Baseball America for having the Best Strike-Zone Discipline among all the organization’s prospects.

#4. Simeon Woods Richardson- Pitcher

Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 60. Control: 60

Simeon Woods Richardson appears as if he is going to the crown jewel of the Marcus Stroman trade with the New York Mets. The Blue Jays acquired Woods Richardson along with fellow pitcher Anthony Kay in exchange for Stroman in the summer of 2019.

The 20-year old posted a 3.80 earned run average in 2019 with an impressive 2.54 earned run average in six starts following the trade to Toronto. The hurler also made his debut on the Baseball America Top 100 prospect list coming in at 61 in a previous ranking.

Woods Richardson factors to be a mainstay in the rotation in the next couple of years and was recognized for having the Best Control and Best Changeup in the entire farm system.

#3. Jordan Groshans- Shortstop

Hit: 60. Power: 60. Run: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60

Jordan Groshans in all likelihood will be the next prospect to make an impact with the big club. The 21-year old was selected 12th overall in the 2018 amateur draft but has only played 71 games due to injuries and the pandemic.

In 71 professional games, Groshans is batting .309/.376/.457 with 83 hits including 19 doubles and seven homers in 303 plate appearances. The shortstop will presumably end up at third base with Bo Bichette firmly entrenched at the shortstop position.

Groshans spent last season at the Blue Jays training site working out under the watchful eye of the Blue Jays coaches. Baseball America has pegged Groshans to have the Best Infield Arm throughout the minor league ranks.

#2. Austin Martin- Shortstop

Hit: 70. Power: 55. Run: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50

It still blows me away that Austin Martin fell to the Blue Jays in the amateur draft as the budding superstar is already the top-ranked position player in the entire organization without having played a professional game.

Martin was the best pure hitter of the entire draft class which is also reflected in his 70 Hit rating from Baseball America. The 21-year old spent three seasons at Vanderbilt University where he hit .368/.474/.532 with 200 hits including 39 doubles, 14 home runs, 76 runs batted in, and 43 stolen bases in 140 games with the Commodores.

Baseball America has already proclaimed Martin the Best Average Hitter in the minors. Martin will be a vital cog in the Blue Jays future plans once they determine where he plays defensively.

#1. Nate Pearson- Pitcher

Fastball: 80. Curveball: 50. Slider: 70. Changeup: 55. Control: 55

Nate Pearson finally made his MLB debut in 2020 albeit to mixed reviews as the fireballer ended up on the injured reserved following just four starts. In 18 innings of work, Pearson posted a 6.00 earned run average while striking out 16 and surrendering five homers.

The 24-year old factors to be an important piece in the rotation next season after getting his feet wet in 2020. Pearson is the hands-down best prospect in the Blue Jays organization, however, he will soon be passing the torch to Martin once he no longer qualifies for prospect status.

Pearson has an electrifying fastball which is the best in the entire organization including anyone on the current MLB roster. Pearson received an 80 grade for his heater and a 70 grade for his accompanying slider by Baseball America.

This kid is the real deal and will be a pleasure to watch for the next decade or more.