It’s Opening Day today for the GCL Blue Jays and we’re going to look at their roster to see what we can see! Obviously we have to keep in mind that the team hasn’t signed all of its 2014 draft picks yet and because of that, there’s going to be some fluctuation throughout the next couple of months. You might also see some DSL players coming over now that the US short seasons have started.
Pitchers
LHP Jacob Brentz – 19 years old – 11th round pick, 2013 draft – Ballwin (MO)
LHP Miguel Burgos – 19 years old – International Free Agent (2011) – Venezuela
LHP Joe Claver – 22 years old – Undrafted Free Agent (2014) – Illinois State
RHP Francisco Diaz – 21 years old – International Free Agent (2012) – Dominican Republic
RHP Francis Eduardo – 20 years old – International Free Agent (2011) – Dominican Republic
RHP Conner Greene – 19 years old – 7th round pick, 2013 draft – Santa Monica (CA)
LHP Brandon Hinkle – 23 years old – 34th round pick, 2014 draft – University of Delaware (DE)
LHP Angel Perdomo – 20 years old – International Free Agent (2011) – Dominican Republic
RHP Sean Reid-Foley – 18 years old – 2nd round pick, 2014 draft – Jacksonville (FL)
RHP Daniel Rodriguez – 17 years old – International Free Agent (2013) – Mexico
RHP Hansel Rodriguez – 17 years old – International Free Agent (2013) – Dominican Republic
RHP Jordan Romano – 21 years old – 10th round pick, 2014 draft – Markham (ON)
LHP Evan Smith – 18 years old – 4th round pick, 2013 draft – Semmes (AL)
LHP Jonathan Torres – 19 years old – International Free Agent (2011) – Venezuela
RHP Jon Wandling – 22 years old – Undrafted Free Agent (2014) – U of Southern Indiana
LHP Bob Wheatley – 22 years old – 26th round pick, 2014 draft – U of Southern California
Whew. That’s a lot of pitchers. So, I’m sure that you’ll agree that there’s a lot to take in here. Clearly the biggest name on this list is Sean Reid-Foley. Foley was the Jays’ 2nd round pick this year and was expected to go higher in the draft than the 49th overall selection. I know a lot of people, including Chris King, are excited to see him pitch.
Hansel Rodriguez was also a big name that the Jays signed out of the Dominican Republic, using some extra cash for the international bonus pool that they picked up in a trade immediately following the Rule 5 draft. He and Mexican righty Daniel Rodriguez are the youngest players on the team (along with a couple of position players).
Jake Brentz is another guy that we want to see succeed. He’s a tall lefty who’s considered very raw since he didn’t really pitch until his last year of high school. Like Matt Smoral, he’s a guy from whom we shouldn’t expect too much for another year or so.
Interesting names that aren’t on the list include Tyler Gonzales and Nick Wells. Gonzales was the 60th overall pick (supplemental round) in the 2012 draft and hasn’t come through on his potential. Another notable omission is lefty Nick Wells who the Jays selected in the third round this year. Reports are that he’s signed but it may not be official yet and he will probably end up on this roster shortly.
Catchers
Juan Kelly – 19 years old – International Free Agent (2012) – Dominican Republic
Matt Morgan – 18 years old – 4th round pick, 2014 draft – Thorsby (AL)
Brett Wellman – 22 years old – Undrafted Free Agent (2014) – Auburn – Montgomery (AL)
The biggest name to keep in mind here is Matt Morgan, the Jays’ fourth round pick in the draft this year. Morgan is highly touted for his catching ability as well as the potential in his bat.
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Infielders
2B Deiferson Barreto – 19 years old – International Free Agent (2011) – Venezuela
UTIL Dean Bell – 21 years old – International Free Agent (2012) – New York
SS Andrew Florides – 19 years old – 27th round pick, 2013 draft – New York (NY)
3B Edwin Fuentes – 19 years old – International Free Agent (2011) – Colombia
SS Yeltsin Gudino – 17 years old – International Free Agent (2013) – Venezuela
SS Trey Pascazi – 20 years old – 23rd round pick, 2012 draft – Rochester (NY)
2B David Pepe – 22 years old – 31st round pick, 2014 draft – Pace University (NY)
1B John Silviano – 20 years old – 13th round pick, 2012 – Hypoluxo (FL)
3B/OF Lane Thomas – 18 years old – 5th round pick, 2014 draft – Knoxville (TN)
It’s a very mixed group of infielders that include some a high-profile international free agent and a high-profile draft pick.
Gudino is the one to really watch seeing as he was the top ranked international pick up the Jays made in 2013. He’s the latest in a group of international shortstops that the Jays have picked up over the last three years that includes Dawel Lugo, Franklin Barreto and Richard Urena.
Lane Thomas is another guy to watch. The Blue Jays went way over slot to sign him and whether he spends more time at third or in the outfield will also be interesting to see.
Outfielders
Cliff Brantley – 21 years old – 19th round pick, 2014 draft – Adelphi University (NY)
Andres De Aza – 20 years old – International Free Agent (2012) – Dominican Republic
Nathan DeSouza – 20 years old – 26th round pick, 2012 draft – Milton (ON)
Angel Gomez – 20 years old – 23rd round pick, 2010 draft – San Lorenzo (PR)
Freddy Rodriguez – 17 years old – International Free Agent (2013) – Venezuela
Juan Tejada – 20 years old – International Free Agent (2011) – Dominican Republic
There are two players to really keep an eye on here: Freddy Rodriguez and Andres De Aza, both are international free agents. De Aza may not have eye-popping stats from 2013 in the GCL but he could take a step forward. Rodriguez was #1a to Gudino’s #1 status from the 2013 International Free Agent class. He, along with Gudino and the Rodriguezes (Daniel and Hansel) are the youngest players on the team.
For DeSouza, it will be his third year in the GCL so he’ll need to get out to a fast start. For Tejada, it’s his first year in the GCL after two uninspiring seasons in the DSL. He had 20 stolen bases last year though so he could be a top-of-the-order type of guy.
Who are these players? Find out in The 2014 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook, now available as an ebook at Smashwords.com for $7.99 US. It’s coming soon to Amazon, Apple iBooks, Kobo and other fine retailers. You can purchase and preview the book at our Smashwords.com page! If you like us here,“like” us on Facebook!
All photos are copyright Blue Jays from Away (2013-2014) and may not be used without permission.