Miguel Hiraldo
Signing with the Blue Jays during the 17/18 international free agency period, Dominican product Miguel Hiraldo enters the 2022 campaign in a bit of an awkward position.
A featured name on the Jays top prospect list over recent years, Hiraldo took a step back last season with Low-A Dunedin, finishing the year with a .249/.338/.390 slash line, seven home runs, and a .727 OPS through 105 games. He did steal 29 bases and drove in 59 runs but he also struck out 111 times through 390 at-bats, which is a tough stat to look at.
Regardless of how 2021 went, Hiraldo is one name to watch this season as he could find himself in AA by season’s end if he can find the bat that helped him post a .829 OPS in Rookie Ball back in 2019.
Hiraldo is still a few years away from the big leagues but the bat speed and ability to hit across the diamond is intriguing for opposing teams looking for some prospect infield depth. Teams interested in the righty batter could snag him in the Rule 5 Draft if they so desire, as the Jays left him off the 40-man roster, most likely hoping the strikeouts and the fact he has not progressed past A ball will deter opposing organizations.
Adding Hiraldo as part of a package deal seems possible this season if the club looks to make a big splash with a team like Cleveland or Oakland.