Tracking the Performance of Blue Jays Prospects at the Arizona Fall League

The Arizona Fall League is underway, and the eight Toronto Blue Jays prospects participating in it are all busy trying to shorten their path to the major leagues.

For those who don’t know much about the AFL, this is an offseason baseball league consisting of six teams. Each AFL team is affiliated with five different MLB clubs. These MLB clubs often send some of their top prospects to their respective AFL team. This allows some of the best prospects in baseball to directly play against each other.

The Blue Jays are affiliated with the Mesa Solar Sox of the AFL East. This is the team to watch if you’re interested in following some of the most talented players in Toronto’s farm system.

With the Solar Sox having played 16 of their 31 scheduled games already, let’s take a look at how the Blue Jays prospects on the team have performed so far.

Roberto Osuna, RHP

Coming off Tommy John surgery, Roberto Osuna has understandably struggled in the AFL. The right-hander has posted a 12.27 ERA in 7.1 innings pitched. He has also given up 15 hits, four walks and has seven strikeouts during that span.

While the overall numbers aren’t pretty, Osuna did throw three scoreless innings and struck out two batters during his last appearance.

Because of his rehab, Osuna started the 2014 minor league season late and only threw 23 innings. That’s why the main priority for the 19-year-old here in the AFL is just to build his innings count up and get ready for the 2015 season.

Dalton Pompey, Outfielder

Dalton Pompey had a breakout year in the minors in 2014 and is picking up exactly where he left off in the AFL. In 38 at-bats, the outfielder is hitting .289/.357/.421 with two RBI and seven runs scored. He also has four stolen bases in five attempts.

With both Melky Cabrera and Colby Rasmus becoming free agents, the Blue Jays will have two holes in their outfield heading into the offseason. If Pompey can continue to put up good numbers in the AFL and then follow that up with a good performance during spring training next year, it’s certainly possible that he might be able to crack the Blue Jays’ 2015 season Opening Day roster.

Blake McFarland, RHP

After posting a 2.89 ERA in 62.1 innings during the 2014 MiLB season, Blake McFarland has started off strong in the AFL. The right-hander hasn’t surrendered a run in 6.2 innings pitched for the Solar Sox. He has given up five hits, four walks and has six strikeouts during that span.

Despite being 26 years old, McFarland has never pitched above the Double-A level in his career yet. A great performance in the AFL could be enough for McFarland to be promoted to Triple-A Buffalo next season and get one step closer to the major leagues.

Sean Nolin, LHP

Sean Nolin has gotten hit hard during AFL action so far, posting a 6.48 ERA in 8.1 innings pitched.

The left-hander did throw three scoreless innings with five strikeouts during his last start though, so maybe things will get better from here on out.

After spending most of the 2014 MiLB season in Triple-A Buffalo, a strong performance in the AFL could allow the 24-year-old Nolin to come into spring training in 2015 and challenge for a spot in the Blue Jays’ bullpen. If that doesn’t work out, look for Nolin to start next season in Triple-A Buffalo and serve as organizational depth.

Arik Sikula, RHP

Arik Sikula had a strong 2014 season in the minor leagues, posting a combined 2.01 ERA in 58.1 innings pitched between Advanced-A Dunedin and Double-A New Hampshire. The right-hander has continued that success in the AFL, not giving up a run in 5.1 innings pitched.

Sikula has racked up 50 saves in 58 opportunities during these last two seasons. Continuing to post strong numbers in the AFL could allow the 25-year-old to challenge for the closer’s role in Triple-A Buffalo next season.

Sean Ochinko, Catcher

Sean Ochinko had a mediocre 2014 minor league season as a backup catcher, hitting .213/.250/.363 with three home runs, 13 RBI and seven runs scored in 80 at-bats between Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo.

But Ochinko’s performance in the AFL up to this point has been terrific. The right-handed hitter has a great slash line of .364/.375/.636 with one home run and eight RBI in 22 at-bats. Ochinko recently had game in which he drove in a whopping five runs.

Sure, looking at the small sample size in the AFL, it’s fair to say that Ochinko has overachieved and that his numbers will eventually drop off. But the 27-year-old has certainly gained a lot of attention with his early success.

Jon Berti, Second Baseman

Jon Berti has been solid but unspectacular in AFL action so far, hitting .250/.400/.357 with one home run, three RBI and three runs scored in 10 games.

Berti did hit .270 during the 2014 minor league season while playing for Double-A New Hampshire, so it’s possible that the 24-year-old’s batting average might increase as the AFL continues.

The Blue Jays don’t have a lot of depth at second base in their farm system, so a strong performance here by Berti will definitely allow him to raise his stock in front of the organization.

Dwight Smith Jr., Outfielder/Second Baseman

Dwight Smith Jr. is a Taxi Squad player for the Solar Sox. Taxi Squad players are only eligible to play for their team on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Smith Jr. has made the most of his limited playing time, hitting .300/.364/.450 with three RBI and three runs scored in 20 at-bats. He also has two stolen bases in two attempts.

After spending the first three years of his professional career as an outfielder, the Blue Jays are having Smith Jr. take reps at second base while he plays in the AFL, per Alexis Brudnicki of the Canadian Baseball Network. This is an interesting development, considering that Smith Jr. is one of the organization’s top outfield prospects. But if the 22-year-old can successfully make the transition to second base, that would help cover one of the biggest areas of weakness on Toronto’s depth chart.

*All stats are from MiLB.com and MLB.com and are current entering play on October 27, 2014.