X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Toronto Blue Jays Top MLB Prospects for 2017 Dynasty Leagues

Edward Sutelan's 2017 rankings of the top 10 Toronto Blue Jays MLB prospects for fantasy baseball dynasty leagues. He previews their minor league farm system.

When you have a lineup as stacked at the Blue Jays lineup has been over the past couple years, free agency will really have the potential to decimate a team. The Blue Jays have already lost Edwin Encarnacion, they have yet to resign Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson will be hitting free agency after this upcoming season. And while Russell Martin and Troy Tulowitzki both have several years left in their respective deals, both have seen their production start to slip a bit in the past couple seasons.

With so many expiring contracts of superstar bats coming up, the Jays are going to need to start looking within their farm system to help replace some of their stars. Following the departure of Encarnacion, Toronto is going to need to find a new first baseman/designated hitter if they hope to compete next season. And at least for the time-being, it seems likely they will just look from within to replace him rather than spend the bucks on a Mark Trumbo-type free agent. Look for them instead to use someone like Rowdy Tellez to fill the void at first base at some point this season if not immediately out of Spring Training.

This is the latest in our ongoing prospect coverage, going over the top 10 prospects for every team. Click the provided links to read about the systems of the Baltimore Orioles, the Boston Red SoxNew York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays. Later this week, we will look at the Chicago White Sox revamped farm system.

By the way, if you are interested in more MLB prospects columns, head on over to our 2017 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard. Throughout the offseason, you will find the rest of our team prospect breakdowns, fantasy baseball prospect rankings, tiered positional rankings, keeper values articles, and more - all in one easy place.

 

Toronto Blue Jays Top Prospects for Dynasty Leagues

Top Overall Talent: Richard Urena

Top Prospect to Debut in 2017: Richard Urena
Urena doesn’t have a dazzling array of tools, but he does everything well while playing the position of shortstop (at least for the time being). The 20-year-old shortstop prospect made it as far as Double-A last season and though he scuffled a bit at that level, he has shown promise in the past. At High-A this season, Urena hit .305 with eight home runs and nine steals in 97 games, following up on a solid season at Class-A where he mashed 15 home runs in 91 games (though only five steals and a lower .266 average).

The only question at this point remains which position he will play. Though he has the arm for shortstop, he has made his fair share of defensive blunders and some wonder if he will be forced to move off shortstop eventually. As long as he can stay up the middle and avoid the outfield, Urena should have plenty of value as a middle infield prospect who should be able to provide owners with 15/15 seasons on a regular basis. A move to the outfield, however, would likely decimate much of his dynasty value as his bat does not play nearly as well out there as it does at second or short.

Top Prospect who won’t debut in 2017: Anthony Alford

Biggest Boom or Bust: Anthony Alford
Alford has far and away the most upside of any prospect in the Blue Jays system, but he also carries a substantial amount of risk. Though he has had no trouble flashing his blazing speed and above-average pop, he has struggled to reign in his swing which tends to get long on him, leading to higher totals of strikeouts. He does, however, show a promising understanding of the strike zone which should be helpful for him moving forward.

Biggest Sleeper: Harold Ramirez
Ramirez has never been viewed as a top prospect in the game and has always flown under the radar, however he has always posted solid numbers in whichever level he plays. When looking through his stats, owners will find Ramirez consistently posts sub-20% strikeout rates with 20+ stolen bases and a batting average over .300. And though he hasn’t flashed much power, Ramirez still looks to be a reliable bat dynasty owners should be excited about owning.

 

Top Prospect Hitters

Best Power Hitter: Rowdy Tellez
This shouldn’t be terribly surprising given that his main position is first base, but Tellez has easily the most power of any hitter in this Jays’ system (though Vladimir Guerrero Jr. might have the most raw power). Last season, Tellez managed to hit 18 home runs across three levels, but this season (spent entirely at Double-A), the 21-year-old first baseman hit 23 home runs in only 124 games. Sure, he does play first base, but owners will take home run production anywhere they can get it and Tellez looks like a solid bet to mash some bombs once in the big leagues.

Most Likely to Hit over .300: Harold Ramirez
As discussed earlier with Ramirez, his combination of excellent patience at the dish and a line-drive oriented approach make him a reliable candidate to hit for an excellent average nearly every season of his career. Ramirez won’t blow anyone away with his other skills, but it can’t be denied his bat is promising and he looks like a near-lock to at least come close to the .300 mark every season.

Best Burner on the Bases: Anthony Alford
As previously discussed with Alford, the center-fielder can flat out run. He has proven himself year in and year out to be a stolen base machine with the potential to swipe 30+ bags given a full schedule of games. With 26 steals in 115 games last season between Rookie league and High-A, Alford has shown that potential in actual production rather than just raw speed and owners should be confident he can provide them with similar stolen base numbers in the big leagues.

 

Top Prospect Pitchers

Strikeout Machine: Sean Reid-Foley
Best Command: Sean Reid-Foley
Reid-Foley struggled a bit in 2015 (his first full season of professional ball), but he made some serious improvements in his 2016 campaign. After spinning a successful 58 innings at Class-A with a 2.95 ERA and 3.08 FIP, Reid-Foley was promoted to High-A where he put together his best numbers to date. He struck out 32.3% of the batters he faced (highest K% at any level) and walked only 7.3% of batters (lowest BB% at any level) while limiting opposing hitters to a measly .172 average. And for those thinking those numbers are a fluke, scouts can reassure you that his stuff is no joke. He has a mid-upper-90s fastball to go along with two above-average offerings (slider and changeup) that should help him rack up plenty of swings-and-misses at the big league level. His command still needs some improvement, but there is no doubt he is by far the best pitching prospect in this system.

 

Top 10 Dynasty Prospects for the Toronto Blue Jays

1. Richard Urena (SS, AA)
ETA: 2017
Mostly upside for right now, Urena is a poor defender with a bat that could stand out in the big leagues for a little bit of production in every category. He will need to prove he has the hands to stay at short.

2. Rowdy Tellez (1B, AA)
ETA: 2017
Tellez’s value mostly stems from the fact he will be able to provide owners with home runs as early as April of this year. He will need to hit for more power though if he is ever going to be a star first baseman.

3. Anthony Alford (OF, A+)
ETA: 2018
If Alford can tone his swing down a notch, he has the potential to be a perennial All-Star thanks to a wide range of tools. But he definitely has some work still to be done before we are calling him the next great Blue Jays’ outfielder.

4. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (3B, ROK)
ETA: 2020
Oozing with potential, Guerrero may not be the bat his father was, but he could still be a middle-of-the-order power hitter if he reaches his full potential. He still has a long way to go before he reaches the big leagues.

5. Harold Ramirez (OF, AA)
ETA: 2017
The only thing Ramirez does not do at an above-average rate is hit for power, but dynasty owners can take comfort knowing that his stellar plate discipline will help him stake out some role in the big leagues.

6. Sean Reid-Foley (SP, A+)
ETA: 2018
By far the best pitching prospect in the Jays’ system, Reid-Foley has the potential to be a very solid number three starter in the big leagues with plenty of strikeouts to help out his value.

7. Reese Mcguire (C, AA)
ETA: 2017
Mcguire’s glove will ensure he reaches the big leagues, but he will need to start hitting a bit more. At his best, he will become a Blue Jay version of Tucker Barnhart: Gold Glove defense and a respectable average (for a catcher) with next to nothing in the power category.

8. Max Pentecost (C, A+)
ETA: 2018
One of the many boom or bust prospects in this system, Pentecost has the potential to hit .290+ at the position of catcher. However, shoulder injuries could push him out from beyond the plate which would torch any value he might have.

9. Bo Bichette (SS, ROK)
ETA: 2020
Bichette has all the tools needed to be a power-hitting middle-infielder, but he will need to make some drastic improvements in his defensive game if he is going to stay up the middle.

10. Conner Greene (SP, AA)
ETA: 2017
Control is the biggest issue right now in what is an otherwise intriguing pitching prospect. Greene has the stuff to join Reid-Foley in the Jays’ rotation if he can only start to throw more strikes.

 

Conclusion

The Blue Jays farm system is not one to write home about, despite some promising names. Most of the top prospects like Alford and Guerrero are not only years away from the big leagues, but both need to start producing statistical results before it can be concluded their raw talents will turn into actual numbers for owners. And while Urena, Tellez and Ramirez look like solid bets to reach the big leagues in starting roles, it is tough to tell at this point how much they will actually be able to contribute to dynasty owners.

As a whole, the Toronto farm has enough prospects to keep dynasty owners interested, but lacks the depth found in many other organizations. This is a better crop of players than the Baltimore Orioles’ system, but it falls behind the Rays’ in the AL East in terms of overall talent and promise (not to mention the Yankees or Red Sox). Owners can find a couple names in here who can help out in dynasty leagues, but they will not be overly excited by most of the names in here.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Justin Verlander

Plans to Pitch in 2026
Junior Caminero

Day-to-Day With Back Tightness
Will Smith

Won't Return When First Eligible
Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP