The Toronto Blue Jays are one of the most exciting teams in baseball, with an explosive lineup and an improving rotation.
This offseason, they lost reigning Cy Young winner Robbie Ray, but they replaced him with a rock-solid hurler in Kevin Gausman, and should have full seasons from Jose Berrios, Alek Manoah, and Nate Pearson.
However, there are also reasons to be excited in the farm system.
These two prospects have a chance to help out the Jays at some point in 2022 due to proximity to the majors and talented profiles.
2. Jordan Groshans
The Blue Jays’ first-round draft pick back in 2018, Jordan Groshans projects as a solid regular mainly because of his excellent contact skills and ability to get on base via walks, too.
There is plenty to be excited about his profile: he is an extremely polished hitter who knows how to lay off bad pitches and take advantage of mistakes.
He played the entire 2021 season with the Jays’ Double-A team, hitting .291/.367/.450 with seven homers in 278 plate appearances.
The power output wasn’t particularly impressive, but he has potential in that area because the ball jumps out of his bat when he makes contact.
His career trajectory looks a lot like Jonathan India of the Cincinnati Reds, with a solid approach, the ability to take walks, and modest power that ended up being the last tool to develop.
Blue Jays prospect Jordan Groshans clears the bases and hammers a grand slam for @FisherCats. pic.twitter.com/XsTbrTFwXW
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 26, 2021
Once it did, India exploded as a prospect and established himself as an everyday player.
Groshans seems ticketed for a similar trajectory, which wouldn’t be a bad outcome at all for Toronto.
Defensively, he is not plus, but he projects as a good third baseman, and that’s precisely a position of need for Toronto.
He will likely start the year in Triple-A, and depending on his performance, he could see some time in Toronto starting from May.
1. Gabriel Moreno
There was a time, somewhat recently, in which the Blue Jays thought each one of Danny Jansen or Alejandro Kirk could be their “catcher of the future”.
However, in the last couple of years, prospect Gabriel Moreno has taken over that unofficial title with his spectacular play.
Back in 2019, when he was in Low-A, people could see his offensive potential, as he hit .280/.337/.485 with 12 home runs in 82 games as a 19-year-old playing a premium position.
In 2021, he played at three levels, including a short stint in Triple-A, and hit .367/.434/.626 with eight homers in 37 games.
He suffered a fracture in June that took away most of his season, but he made every game count.
The 21-year-old carries a comfortably above-average bat that could make him a top-five offensive catcher in MLB in less than five years.
Gabriel Moreno OFF A BUILDING.
The Blue Jays' No. 7 prospect drills one for the @FisherCats. pic.twitter.com/wJtlZDGxwT
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 5, 2021
Defensively, he is solid, and has a good arm, although he is no Yadier Molina.
He is more than good enough to stay behind the plate for the future, though, and with his offensive potential, that’s all that matters.
Given the fact he only played three games at the Triple-A level in 2021, there is a good chance he will start the 2022 season there.
If he gets off to a hot start, however, Toronto may call him up in the summer, and he’ll be able to showcase all of his potential.
NEXT: Kevin Gausman Could Be The Missing Piece For The Blue Jays