Jays Journal's Top 30 Blue Jays Prospects - 2024 Update

6. Alan Roden- AA (Previous Rank: 5)
24 y.o / LHH / OF

Roden lacks the contact quality and defense you typically associate with great position player prospects. Despite this, his hit tool looks like it'll carry him to a productive MLB career. His pre-swing moves are very similar to Nolan Schanuel of the Angels, he starts completely upright with a "Statue of Liberty" stance. He has good barrel control through the zone and his shorter levers help him to rarely swing and miss in or out of the zone. Roden is a passive hitter that rarely chases a bad pitch, helping him walk at a good clip. He's physically strong and can get to modest exit velocities but he has a swing and approach more geared for groundballs and line drives. Roden's power is more situational at the moment, if a pitcher hangs a breaking ball on the inner-half he's more than capable of pulling and lifting it into the seats. He's a better athlete than he gets credit for and shows solid speed and plus instincts on the base paths. I mentioned that Roden lacks defense which is perhaps a bit unfair. He's more than capable in a corner outfield spot but the fact of the matter is that it's a position you typically expect more thump at. If every bit of his hit tool translates you're looking at an every-day player but the median outcome could be a strong-side platoon bat.