Blue Jays Short Season Rosters part 2: Bluefield Blue Jays

BluefieldBlueJayscap

 

The Bluefield (West Virginia) Blue Jays have released their roster for the 2013 season that begins on June 20 and it features some of the bigger names in the Jays young pool of prospects.

Pitchers:

Brett Barber (R) Age 22
Mark Biggs (R) Age 20
Adonys Cardona (R) Age 19, Venezuela
Shane Dawson (L) Age 19, Canada
Chase DeJong (R) Age 19
Yeyfry Del Rosario (R) Age 19, Dominican Republic
Brady Dragmire (R) Age 20
Francisco Gracesqui (L) Age 21
Adaric Kelly (R) Age 20
Jairo Labourt (L) Age 19
Tom Robson (R) Age 19 (turns 20 on June 27), Canada
Scott Silverstein (L) Age 23
Alberto Tirado (R) Age 18, Dominican Republic
Zakery Wasilewski (R) Age 20

 

Catchers:

Garrett Custons (B:R/T:R) Age 22
Jorge Saez (R/R) Age 22
John Silviano (L/R) Age 18

 

Infielders:

SS Timothy Locastro (R/R) Age 20
SS Dawel Lugo (R/R) Age 18, Dominican Republic
3B Mitch Nay (R/R) Age 19
3B Matthew Dean (R/R) Age 20
SS Alex Maldonado (R/R) Age 22
1B Angel Rojas (R/R) Age 20, Venezuela

 

Outfielders:

LF Eric Arce (L/R) Age 21
OF D.J. Davis (L/R) Age 18
OF Derrick Loveless (L/R) Age 20
RF Jesus Gonzalez (R/R) Age 18, Venezuela
CF DJ (Dennis) Jones (R/R) Age 20
OF Melvin Garcia (R/R) Age 21
OF Jon Davis (R/R) Age 21

 

If you’re looking for prospects, this is where you want to go. Pitching prospects Adonys Cardona, Chase De Jong and Alberto Tirado have all been established as guys to watch out for and Jairo Labourt has been tagged as a sleeper who could have a big year and turn some heads. Yefry del Rosario has also been noted as a pitcher who could also move through the ranks this year. A pair of recently drafted college pitchers, Brett Barber and Scott Silverstein, will make their pro debuts with the Bluefield club as well and there are also a pair of Canadians on the Bluefield roster: pitchers Tom Robson and Shane Dawson.

 

For the fielding prospects, there’s a mix of players who are new to the level and those who are returning. Eric Arce, who has already proven that he can hit at this level, may not stay very long. Mitch Nay, who hasn’t played a professional game yet, will make his pro debut at this level. D.J. Davis returns to the level that he had his best statistical success last season and newly signed 2013 draftees Jon Davis and Garrett Custons will begin their pro careers there.

 

Some names that aren’t so familiar to Jays prospect followers include outfielders Loveless, Jones, Gonzalez and Garcia. Loveless was a 27th round pick in 2011 and hasn’t done a lot in two seasons in Dunedin in the GCL. He does look like could have some extra-base power in his bat as he progresses. Dennis Jones, or D.J. as he’s being listed as now, was a 20th round pick in 2012 and didn’t do a lot between Bluefield and Dunedin, hitting .192 at each stop. Gonzalez was in the Dominican Summer League last year and didn’t do much there while Garcia didn’t play at all. The last reference I can find to him is regarding a September 2011 50-game suspension for amphetamines. He’s listed on the MiLB.com website as being on the restricted list which probably means that he still hasn’t served the suspension and is locked into the Bluefield roster.

 

Unfamiliar names among the infielders include Tim Locastro (recently signed draftee) as well as Alex Maldonado, an undrafted free agent who was recently signed by the Blue Jays. He’s a shortstop out of the College of the Holy Cross in New York State. Rojas played on the Dominican Summer League team for the last three years and only really started to hit last season.

 

So there’s your Bluefield Blue Jays opening roster for 2013. I’ll be headed down to see them in July so we’ll be sure to keep you updated on their progress!

 

Who do you think will break out from the Bluefield club this year?

2 thoughts on “Blue Jays Short Season Rosters part 2: Bluefield Blue Jays

  1. Definitely a few names that intrigues me:
    Arms – DeJong, the latino 4, Wasilewski
    Position guys – Nay, Dean (hopefully he can bounce back but not sure) and DJ Davis

    I can see DeJong and Nay breaking out and moving to Vancouver at some point. Del Rosario is my dark horse for this year.

    1. Great comment Will!

      There are definitely some exciting arms on the Bluefield club this year! I’ve heard some good things about Del Rosario from some guys who saw him down in Spring Training, so he might be a great dark horse!

      As far as the bats go, I’m hoping for improvements from Nay and Dean, but my dark horse there is going to be Eric Arce. I can see him starting off with a big June/July and moving to Vancouver or even Lansing by the time the season is over.

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