Blue Jays: How the 2022 top prospects ended up in the organization

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LAKELAND, FLORIDA – MARCH 19: Orelvis Martinez #95 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on prior to the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers during a spring training game at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 19, 2021 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

International Free Agency

1. Gabriel Moreno (Venezuala)

2. Orelvis Martinez (Domincian Republic)

5. Otto Lopez (Dominican Republic)

6. Miguel Hiraldo (Dominican Republic)

7. Estiven Machado (Venezuala)

10. Manuel Beltre (Dominican Republic)

11. Leo Jimenez (Panama)

12. Sem Robberse (Netherlands)

14. Rikelbin de Castro (Dominican Republic)

18. Victor Mesia (Venezuala)

23. Adrian Hernandez (Mexico)

24. Eric Pardinho (Brazil)

The Blue Jays top prospect heading into 2022 is catcher Gabriel Moreno, who was signed by the Blue Jays for $25,000 back in 2016. Moreno has pretty much hit at every level of the club’s minor league system and should be well on his way to making his Major League debut sometime in 2022. Some more time at AAA will not only help refine his skills after a thumb injury sidelined him for a few months last year but also gives the front office a chance to make some room for the Venezualan prospect, as the club currently features a pretty crowded catching scenario at the moment.

Following Moreno is infielder Orelvis Martinez, who is proving that he is worth every penny of the $3.5 million bonus the Jays shelled out in 2018. His raw power and advanced maturity at the plate should see the righty-batter find his way to AA and possibly AAA by the end of the season. Martinez is loved by the Jays organization, so much that the front office was unwilling to dangle him in any trades this past year. Has the mood changed since then?

Looking at the 2022 top prospects in the Blue Jays organization, the club has done a solid job picking up players via the MLB Draft and international free agency.

The Dominican Republic is featured the most on the Blue Jays’ top prospect list when it comes to international free agency, featuring Martinez, Otto Lopez, Miguel Hiraldo, Manuel Beltre, and Rikelbin de Castro. Lopez is the only member of this group who saw some MLB action last year (albeit limited to just one at-bat) but should be in the mix for a spot on the Jays Opening Day roster this year, most likely in a bench capacity. Hiraldo did have his fair share of struggles last season in Dunedin, so it will be interesting to see where he stacks up this year. de Casto will most likely make the jump to A ball after spending last season in the Florida Complex League while fellow countryman Beltre will most likely be making the jump stateside to play in the FCL this year after spending last season in the Dominican Summer League.

Jimenez impressed the Blue Jays staff enough that the club decided to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft while Brazilian-born Eric Pardinho was left exposed, mostly due to the battles he has faced over the past two seasons in terms of recovering from Tommy John surgery. Pardinho could bounce back in a big way this year but his overall health will be the biggest question mark.

Machado and Mesia join Moreno in hailing from Venezuela while the Blue Jays also have Hernandez (Mexico) and Robberse (Netherlands) in the mix.

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