Having a strong minor-league system can fuel an organization for years to come. Quality young talent can propel an organization to new heights—see the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays.
This time, we'll look at the Toronto Blue Jays, one of many teams who will have to contend with the young talent the Rays have groomed.
The Jays haven't made the playoffs since capturing the 1993 World Series, but they have shown an ability to turn prospects into big contributors at the major league level. They drafted Roy Halladay, the 2003 American League Cy Young winner, as well as Vernon Wells, a two-time All Star.
Toronto Blue Jays 2009 Top-Five Prospects
1. Travis Snider, OF, 2/2/1988 - Snider, the 14th overall pick in the 2006 draft, is one of just 11 players from the first round of that draft to have already cracked the majors.
He did so on August 29th and ended up hitting .301/.338/.466 in 73 at-bats.
It was a rapid rise through the system for Snider, who began the year with High-A Dunedin before advancing to AA-New Hampshire, AAA-Syracuse and eventually Toronto.
Hitting isn't Snider's problem—through 1138 AB in the minors, he's compiled a line of .299/.375/.513.
Striking out is his problem. In those 1138 AB, a stretch of 305 games, Snider has struck out 330 times, including 154 times in 487 AB (133 games) in the minors last year.
Snider is likely headed to Las Vegas, Toronto's new AAA affiliate, to begin 2009. He'll work on cutting back on the strikeouts, the biggest mark against him.
Vernon Wells and Alexis Rios are locked up long term in Toronto, so Snider could end up in left field, though he could be an option at designated hitter. He'll be back in Toronto before too long.
2. J.P. Arencibia, C, 1/5/1986 - A standout at Tennessee, Arencibia followed Snider in the first round a year later, going 21st overall in the 2007 draft.
Arencibia's best asset is his bat. It was his calling card in the draft, and between Dunedin and New Hampshire this past season, he hit .298/.322/.527, including 36 doubles and 27 homeruns.
Patience is a virtue, and one Arencibia seems to lack. He walked just 18 times in 510 at bats last year, an abysmal rate, and one that was even worse while he was with New Hampshire. He also struck out 101 times on the year.
He's probably ticketed for Las Vegas to begin 2009, but could debut in Toronto later in the year. There's nobody blocking him at the major league level.
3. Brett Cecil, LHP, 7/2/1986 - Cecil was primarily a reliever during his days at Maryland, but the Jays have used him as a starter since taking him 37th overall in the 2007 draft.
He's made them look smart. Cecil is knocking on the door of the major leagues after a 2008 season that included stops in Dunedin, New Hampshire, and Syracuse.
Cecil made 28 starts, accumulating 118.2 innings. He allowed 100 hits, walked 41, and struck out 128—more than a batter per inning at each level. His usually good control wavered a bit in Syracuse, where he walked 16 in 30 innings.
He's been a consistently good performer in the minor leagues and will have a chance enter 2009 with a rotation spot in Toronto—especially if A.J Burnett leaves via free agency. Either way, he's about ready.
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