Blue Jays: Prospects recap during the first week of Spring

With spring training underway and the Blue Jays have four games under their belt, there are quite a few prospects who are making their first appearance at a Toronto Blue Jays spring training camp. Some names on this list include Simeon Woods-Richardson, Austin Martin, and Yosver Zulueta, all of whom are creating quite a buzz with how they are performing early in camp.

With that being said, let’s take a look at how the prospects are faring so far in the first week of Blue Jays spring training in 2021.

Players

Logan Warmoth – Outfield

Drafted in the first round of the 2017 MLB draft, Logan Warmoth has spent the past few years trudging through the minors to mixed results. He made the jump to AA last year and would finish the season with a .235/.324/.333 with three home runs, 31 RBI, and a .658 OPS.

This spring, Warmoth is off to a hot start. In three games and four plate appearances, both of Warmoth’s hits have been for extra bases; a double and the Blue Jays first home run of the year. The right-hander has also made the position switch to the outfield after spending most of his minor league career as a middle infielder, and he looks comfortable in the position.

Forrest Wall – Outfield

Another outfield prospect off to a hot start for the Blue Jays, Forrest Wall rejoined the Blue Jays again this year after signing a minor league contract during the off-season. Six seasons in the minors have cumulated into a .274/.353/.419 slash line for the 25 year old with 40 home runs and 232 RBI to boot.

So far this Spring, Wall has a .500 batting average with three hits and one stolen base, and has played in four out of the five Blue Jays spring training games this year. Expect the Florida native to start in AAA this year and be in the waiting if a Blue Jays outfielder goes down with injury, although the path to the MLB is crowded with the likes of Josh Palacios and Jonathan Davis competing alongside him.

Jordan Groshans – Infield

The Blue Jays third ranked prospect, Jordan Groshans is known for his batting ability and his overall prowess at the plate. His minor league stats are very impressive at .309/.376/.457 with seven home runs and 56 RBI, however the slugger did miss considerable time in 2019 with a left foot injury.

The start of 2021 has not been kind to Groshans, as he currently has three strikeouts over four plate appearances in three games with the Blue Jays so far. The Texas native has been prone to strikeouts during his MiLB career, but the hits should start coming shortly for him as the spring is early and the bat is just a bit cold at the moment.

Chavez Young – Outfield

Drafted in the late rounds of the 2016 draft, Chavez Young has spent the past four years in the Blue Jays Rookie and A leagues, crafting a .271/.340/.414 line over 1358 plate appearances with 18 home runs and 136 RBI with 78 stolen bases.

This is Young’s third spring training with the Blue Jays and he is off to a slow start. He has a plate appearance in almost every Blue Jays spring game, but has three strikeouts over five plate appearances. While the Bahamas native might not be competing for a roster spot, a strong spring should shoot the switch hitter to AA with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Alejandro Kirk – Catcher

After a quick debut last year, Alejandro Kirk had never appeared past A ball before being called up to the Blue Jays roster last year. In nine games, Kirk slashed .375/.400/.583 with a .983 OPS, one home run, and RBI in 25 plate appearances. This spring, Kirk is fighting for a spot on the active roster competing against Reese McGuire for the backup role.

Kirk has played in two games this spring, mustering one hit and two RBI in three at-bats. Look for the burly backstop to get some opportunities this spring to try and secure a roster spot, with a competition with McGuire gaining steam to see who will secure the backup catcher role come late March.