Jay Bird Watching is partnering up with SouthOfThe6ix.com and Prospectslive.com to bring you great shows on the Toronto Blue Jays Top 30 prospects. In this episode they discuss players that just missed the Top 30 on the list. Jason Woodell of Prospects Live joined us to kick off our weekly episodes counting down the Jays list.
Prospects 30 – 26
#30 – Chavez Young – OF
The 21-year-old switch hitting outfielder put together a solid performance for the Lansing Lugnuts in 2018. After his first full season Young is showing plenty of promise as a possible steal from the 2016 draft. He has now put together a great performance in the Midwest League and will be looking for a true test come 2019. He did have some issues during the long season but was able to burst out of a midsummer funk to finish strong with the playoff running Lugnuts. He is truly athletic and was able to steal 44 bases while scoring 88 runs. He would also slap 33 doubles, 9 triples, and 8 home runs as well.
Expected 2019 Level – Dunedin Blue Jays
📽️ | Chavez Young’s 7⃣ homer of the season was a BLAST 💥 pic.twitter.com/FIjtAdjyDV
— Lansing Lugnuts (@LansingLugnuts) August 11, 2018
#29 – Chad Spanberger – 1B
This big-hitting first baseman joined the Blue Jays as part of the Seunghwan Oh trade with the Colorado Rockies. Spanberger showed off some offensive pop prior to the trade in which he mashed 22 homers and knocked in 75. He showed off some speed with 16 stolen bases but his ability with the lumber is what controls his future. If he can continue to ascend through the system and show there is plenty of RBI potential in his stick he might rise quick. The Jays system is currently lacking depth at 1B but has plenty of athletic options.
Expected 2019 Level – Dunedin Blue Jays
Asheville’s Chad Spanberger is the 2018 Sally League HR Derby champ with 29 home runs, several of which bounced off the building across the street from right field. pic.twitter.com/h34C3gBsuJ
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) June 19, 2018
#28 – Ryan Noda – 1B Noda is currently the heir apparent to Kevin Youkilis in the walks department. Noda took 109 free passes during this past season with the Lansing Lugnuts. He did also strike out 135 times in route to a 20 home run – 80 RBI season. Even with all those positives, he got off to a torrid start to the season in the cold months in the Midwest League. As things heated up he began to. He batted .350 in June and kept his foot on the gas after that. Noda might be destined to restart the season in Lansing but could break the team with the Dunedin Blue Jays depending on where the rest of the first baseman depth lands after Spring Training. Noda is an intriguing player that could break out if he meets his new challenges. Expected 2019 Level – Lansing Lugnuts
📽️ | Ryan Noda and Chavez Young both hit two-run homers in the Lugnuts 5-3 win in Fort Wayne! #LugLife pic.twitter.com/GWkg3HUL5v
— Lansing Lugnuts (@LansingLugnuts) August 5, 2018
#27 – Forrest Wall – OF
Wall is the other player that the Jays acquired in the Seunghwan Oh trade and promptly began to crush the ball after the change of scenery. Wall had a very mixed season in which he raked in the California League, struggled in the Eastern League with the Hartford Yard Goats, to having a great finish in the same league with the now Champion New Hampshire Fisher Cats. While with the Cats he sprayed the ball into both power alleys and showed some pop that could translate into some long balls eventually. Wall is currently 23 and was once ranked in the Top 100 prospects in prior to the 2016 season. If he hits like he did in New Hampshire this could be a steal for the Blue Jays.
Expected 2019 Level – New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Forrest Wall again! His two-run single ties the game at 3-3.
At least it did…until Josh Lester hit a two-run homer. 5-3 Erie, bottom 3. pic.twitter.com/Ty7Ik3hznr
— New Hampshire Fisher Cats (@FisherCats) August 5, 2018
#26 – Elvis Luciano – RHP
The youngest player to ever be selected in a Rule 5 draft has everything to gain in a season the Blue Jays might be looking for bullpen help. Luciano will turn 19 as he reports to Spring Training for a chance a roster spot with the big club. The rules with the Jay having to put him on the 25 man roster to retain his talents will be the driving force behind that idea. Luciano is a talented righty that already has a low 90’s fastball and a solid changeup. The Blue Jays are hoping those two pitches while he develops a curveball will carry well out of the bullpen. He has not pitched above the Rookie-level but has shown the ability to miss plenty of bats with his raw stuff.
Expected 2019 Level – Toronto Blue Jays
@fangraphs actually has footage on this kid!
Your newest #BlueJay Elvis Luciano RHP
Not sure if I get this one yet…….https://t.co/FxjElc4shs— Jay Bird Watching (@BirdWatchingGC) December 13, 2018
All this and more in the above podcast as Jason Woodell and Craig Borden discuss all things prospects and Bo Bichette’s epic hair. All new episode will be recorded soon to include prospects #25-21