Four Blue Jays named to Baseball Prospectus Top 101

Number 60: Jordan Groshans

Sliding into the list just two spots ahead of Martinez is infielder Jordan Groshans. The Texas native was drafted one year after Pearson but out of high school, so he is just 22 years old today. Groshans has been in varied spots on the prospect lists the last few years, but this is his lowest ranking on the Baseball Prospectus list.

Groshans put together a nice 2021 solely with AA New Hampshire, posting a .291/.367/.450 line in 75 games before missing time with an injury.

"Groshans has all the raw ingredients to become a plus hitter with plus game power. The ball jumps off his right-handed bat because he combines a balanced swing with plus bat speed and a knack for barreling the baseball. He consistently hits hard line drives with backspin carry to all fields, has no problem turning around quality velocity and employs an approach that’s advanced for his age. – MLB.com scouting report on Groshans"

The talk of Groshans becoming the Blue Jays’ third baseman of the future has increased as the team looks to find a solid answer at the position. Cavan Biggio, Santiago Espinal and company aren’t the answer and the Blue Jays’ attempts at acquiring Jose Ramirez didn’t materialize in 2021 and aren’t likely to. Groshans has spent nearly twice as many innings at shortstop than third base, and with better early results, but profiles well as a future third baseman nonetheless.

A quick Twitter search will result in tons of Groshan hits in fans’ trade packages for the likes of Ramirez, Matt Chapman, Ke’Bryan Hayes and more. However, a trade for any star third baseman seems unlikely at this point and the Blue Jays seem content to see what internal options materialize for the position. Groshans should see time at Triple-A Buffalo and pending how things go with the big-league third-base options and how Groshans’ own season plays out, he could find himself at the major-league level at some point in 2022. Whether that would be at shortstop – currently maintained by Bo Bichette – or third base remains to be seen. The rest is up to Groshans.