Blue Jays: Top 100 Players In Team History (96-100)

As we creep closer to Spring Training 2021 opening up and the Blue Jays having well over 40 years of history, I thought it would be fun to look at a list of the Top 100 Blue Jays.  What I learned when researching the topic, is the list drops off dramatically at a point and there are some young guys on the list already, one of which has played less than 100 games.  Without further ado here is the list.

Blue Jays Top 100 (91-100)

100. Gustavo Chacin LHP (2004-2007)

The Blue Jays signed Gustavo Chacin who was an international free agent out of Venezuela as a 17 year old in 1998.  He was an effective starting pitcher through the minor league system and was called up in September 2004.  Chacin would have quality starts in both games he pitched in and earned himself a spot in the starting Rotation in 2005.  During his rookie season, Chacin threw over 200 innings and finished with a 13-9 record and 3.72 ERA, which was good enough to have him finish fifth in Cy Young Voting and even finished with two first place votes.

Chacin had struggles repeating his success in 2006 due to elbow and finger injuries and battled to stay on the mound.  By 2008, the Blue Jays granted the southpaw free agency, but could only get back to the Major Leagues for a brief stint in 2010 with the Houston Astros.  Chacin finished his Blue Jays career with a 25-15 record, one save and a 4.15 ERA over 58 appearances.

99. Vladimir Guerrero Jr 1B/3B (2019-2020)

In July 2015, the Blue Jays announced that they signed one of the premiere International Free Agents when they brought 16-year old Vladimir Guerrero Jr into the organization.  Guerrero Jr was arguably the most hyped prospect the Blue Jays have ever had and he destroyed the minor leagues.  He made his debut as a 20-year old in 2019 and finished the season batting .272 with 15 home runs and 43 extra base hits total in 123 games and finished sixth in Rookie of the Year Voting

Most prospects Guerrero Jr’s age have yet to make the major leagues and he already has 183 games to his credit. Based on the photos circulating on social media, he looks to be coming into the 2021 season determined.  Through his first portion of his career, Guerrero Jr. has a slash line of .269/.336/.442 with 39 doubles, 24 home runs and 102 RBI.

98. Cavan Biggio 2B (2019-2020)

The 2016 MLB Draft might go down as one of the best drafts by the Toronto Blue Jays and part of that is they selected Cavan Biggio in the fifth round.  Biggio ripped through the minor league system which was highlighted by being named the AA Eastern League MVP in 2018 when he finished with 20 stolen bases, 26 home runs and 99 RBI.  Biggio made his debut early in 2019 and showed he had a keen eye at the plate and a lot of power, as well as being able to play all over the field.  His rookie season was highlighted by becoming the third player in Blue Jays history (Kelly Gruber and Jeff Frye) to hit for the cycle.

In his second season Biggio increased his doubles and batting average, while decreasing his strikeouts. He brings a lot of value to the team with his versatility, as he can move around the field to wherever there is a weakness.  He is part of a young core that could climb into the top 25 by the end of their careers, if not higher.  Over his first 159 games, Biggio has hit 59 extra-base hits,  has walked 112 times, and is a perfect 20 for 20 in stolen bases.

97. Hyun Jin Ryu (2020)

It has only been one season and 12 starts, but Hyun Jin Ryu has started his career with the Blue Jays at an elite status.  Ryu signed with the Blue Jays prior to the 2020 season after eight years with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  The veteran finished his first season with the Blue Jays with a 5-2 record and 2.69 ERA, good for third in Cy Young Award Voting and winning the Warren Spahn Award as the top left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. Ryu has three seasons remaining on his contract and should climb up the list to one of the better pitchers in team history.

96. Mike Flanagan (1987-1990)

The Blue Jays acquired the former Cy Young Award winning Mike Flanagan at the trade deadline in 1987 during a run for the playoffs.  Flanagan was nothing short of elite during the push, which was highlighted by an incredible pitching performance on October 3, 1987 when he took the loss in the second last game of the year.  Going into that game, the Blue Jays and Tigers were tied for the AL East Pennant.  Flanagan would go out and pitch 11 innings allowing just one earned run.  Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, Alan Trammell would single home Jim Walewander in the 12th inning to get the Tigers the win and followed it up the next day with another win to take the Pennant.

Flanagan would pitch the next three years for the Blue Jays, including winning 13 games in 1988.  He would start one game in the American League Championship Series in 1989 against the Oakland Athletics, however it did not go well.  Flanagan would allow two home runs to Rickey Henderson and another to Jose Canseco that would reach the upper deck in left field.

Flanagan would finish his Blue Jays career the following May when the team released him.  Flanagan’s time in the Blue Jays would end with a 26-27 record and a 3.94 ERA.

The next five on the list include a pair of shortstops and pitchers, as well as a big arm in the outfield.