Blue Jays Journal

Kevin Goldstein released his list of the Blue Jays top eleven prospects and you have to be happy with the talent on the list.  At the top is catcher Travis d’Arnaud.  The 2007 first round draft pick raked at Double-A last year and while he’ll probably spend the front part of the season in the minors, it’s going to be hard to keep this kid down.  I like the chance of seeing d’Arnaud in the All Star Game at some point in the next few years.

Outfielder Jake Marisnick is second and while he’s a little further away then d’Arnaud, there’s a lot of talent here as well.  He’ll be in the Florida State League which is historically a pitcher’s league but hopefully he’ll be able to hold his own.

Daniel Norris is the top pitching prospect and he was their second round pick in 2011.  He signed too late to play but he’s a hard throwing left handed pitcher.  Anthony Gose (OF) and Noah Syndergaard (RHP) round out the top five.

The Blue Jays avoided arbitration with outfielder Colby Rasmus as they signed him to a one year, $2.7 million deal.  The former first round pick came over to the Jays in the three team deal that included guys like Octavio Dotel and Edwin Jackson.

Rasmus belted 23 home runs in sophomore campaign but he struggled in 2011 with a .225 batting average between the two teams he played for. He was awful for the Jays in the final two months of the season with a .517 OPS.  He has a solid hitting eye and can draw some walks so there’s upside here.  He’s also still young and he’ll turn 26 in August.