2018 Wildcard Bluejays Team Preview

Jake Lamb (Ari-3B)

Summary:  Here we have a great example of what patience, accurate drafting and good mid-season pickups will accomplish.  Wildcard Bluejays (WB), a perennial cellar dweller, has finally begun the climb up the latter into contention.  While WB may not be the most talented team in the league it is surely one of the most potent and could beat any team on a given week (ie: dangerous). 

Hitting:  The youth movement for WB's offense has been a successful one.  It has worked hard to jettison aging players to replace them with young players capable of excellence.  Hot corner Kris Bryant (ChC-3B,OF) has already won a MVP award with shortstop Fransisco Lindor (Cle-SS) and Byron Buxton (Min-OF) receiving MVP votes last season.  Mashers Adam Duvall (Cin-OF) and Jake Lamb (Ari-3B) both hit 30 or more homers last season while Khris Davis (Oak-OF) finished with 43 knockers!  Veteran Adrian Beltre (Tex-3B) is as steadfast as they come when healthy while Addison Russell (ChC-SS), Hunter Renfroe (SD-OF) and Yoan Moncada (ChW-2B) all look to be potential stars in the making.  New catcher Jorge Alfaro (Phi-C) is amongst the top backstop prospects in baseball to go along with 2017 1st overall pick Mickey Moniak (Phi-OF), Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (Tor-3B), stunts like his daddy, and Austin Meadows (Pit-OF), who is due to produce this season.  WB has a nice group here and only looks to be getting stronger as it continues to mature. 

Pitching:  If looking for a weakness, it appears to be the lack of top-of-rotation starters.  Mid-Tier arm Dallas Keuchel (Hou-SP) and Jose Berrios (Min-SP) appear to be the best of the bunch with Marcus Stroman (Tor-SP), Aaron Sanchez (Tor-SP) as well as Carlos Rodon (ChW-SP) all ailing last season.  While the potential is there, it will have to be proven before it is believed.  Youngsters Kyle Freeland (Col-SP) looked good and bad at times though Blake Snell (TB-SP) showed he was somewhat rushed last season while A.J. Puk (Oak-SP), Vladimir Gutierrez (Cin-SP) and Rule-5 pick Mike Soroka (Atl-SP) could be difference makers soon.  Closers Roberto Osuna (Tor-RP) and Felipe Rivero (Pit-RP) look like lockdown closers going forward which will help things.  WB has some questions marks here that hopefully do not hold this team down so adding some nice fixtures will be critical. 

Draft:  Adding an arm with the 8th overall pick will likely be the choice here.  The question will be if WB goes with a prospect or a current MLB starter/closer.  There looks to be an surprising amount of closers on the market and that might be the choice here with someone like Archie Bradley (Ari-RP) or Brandon Morrow (ChC-RP) available.  If WB sides with a prospect then Cuban fireballer Michael Baez (SD-SP) or fellow Padres lefty Adrian Morejon (SD-SP) might be the answer. 

Prediction:
RD 1: Archie Bradley (Ari-RP) - See Above
RD 2: Michael Wacha (Stl-SP) - Good team and established arm capable of good numbers 
RD 3: Kyle Wright (Atl-SP) - Likely the best 2017 draft arm available after Green and MacKenzie
RD 4: Jedd Gyorko (Stl-1B,2B,3B) - Good productive utility bat at a valuable position for insurance
RD 5: Keston Hiura (Mil - 2B) - Quick moving offensive force at a shallow position
RD 6: Mike Soroka (Atl-SP) - Keeper

Prospect Draft:
RD 1: Eduardo Diaz (Ari-OF) - Young projectable outfielder with a nice balance of skills
RD 2: Kelvin Gutierrez (Was-3B) - Good organization with a nice bat to boot

RD 3: Luis Garcia (Phi-SS) - International signee with a lot of skills to like