From The 6 to D.C..
...Checking in on the Blue Jays and Nationals
Toronto Blue Jays (92-70, 7 GB, L 2-0 in WC to SEA)
Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, 76-72, 4th in International League East
Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 59-79, 5th overall in Eastern League Northeast
High-A Vancouver Canadians, 67-62, 2nd overall in Northwest league
Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays, 66-63, 3rd in Florida State League West
Top 5 Prospects (as per Baseball America)
C Gabriel Moreno, MILB - 238 AB, .806 OPS, .315 AVG MLB - 69 AB, .733 OPS, .319 AVG
LHP Ricky Tiedemann, 78.2 IP, 2.17 ERA, 0.86 WHIP
RHP Yosver Zulueta, 55.2 IP, 3.72 ERA, 1.29 WHIP
LHP Brandon Barriera, 2022 MLB DRAFT - 1st round, 23rd overall selection, American Heritage HS, Plantation FL
SS/3B Addison Barger, 482 AB, .938 OPS, 9.0 BB%, 24.5 K%
Personal Prospect Pick
My selection here is a name you’ll also see below for some Canuck content. He was a 14th round selection in 2021 out of JUCO at College of Southern Nevada. In 2022 they hit 24 hrs over 2 levels with their above average-to-plus power being the calling card of the toolbox. The swing generates power by being exceptionally quick and compact. They play a reasonable 3B after cutting down on the errors he had in college. Damiano Palmegiani likely ends up playing 1B when it’s all said and done. His bat will have to be at a premium and I’m interested to see how the bat to ball skills show themselves at higher levels of pitching to go along with his power.
Canadian Content 🍁
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Montreal QC, Toronto
RHP Zach Pop, Brampton ON, Toronto
RHP Jordan Romano, Markham ON, Toronto
INF Otto Lopez, Montreal QC, Toronto, currently playing for Leones del Escogido in Dominican Winter League (LIDOM)
LHP Adam Macko, Stony Plain AB, Vancouver
RHP Alex Nolan, Oakville ON, Vancouver
OF Dasan Brown, Oakville ON, Vancouver
3B Damiano Palmegiani, Surrey BC, Vancouver
C Nicolas Deschamps, Quebec City QC, Dunedin
OF Jean-Christophe Masson, Levis QC, FCL-Blue Jays
Washington Nationals (55-107, 46 GB, .340 winning percentage….yikes)
Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, 67-81, 8th in International League East
Double-A Harrisburg Senators, 52-85, 5th overall in Eastern League SW
High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks, 65-65, 4th overall in South Atlantic League North
Single-A Fredericksburg Nationals, 75-55, 1st overall in Carolina League North
Top 5 Prospects (per Baseball America 12.14.2022)
OF James Wood, 291 AB, .956 OPS, 14.4 BB%, 21.6 K%
OF Robert Hassell, 456 AB, .758 OPS, 11.0 BB%, 21.9 K%
OF Elijah Green, 2022 MLB DRAFT - 1st round, 5th overall selection,
IMG Academy, Bradenton FL
RHP Cade Cavalli, 101.1 IP, 4.17 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
SS Brady House, 176 AB, .731 OPS, 5.9 BB%, 29.1 K%
Personal Prospect Pick
The two prospects I had my eye on have made it to the Top 5 (Green & House) so I will do a little stat-line scouting for something standing out. Not a huge sample size with 73 PA but the triple slash easily stood out - .400 avg, .425 obp, .614 slg. OF Jared McKenzie is the owner of said stats. Drafted from Baylor University in MLB 2022 Draft - 5th round, 141st overall. MLB Pipeline Scouting grades: Hit 50, Power 45, Run 55, Arm 45, Field 55, Overall 40. I will absolutely be putting some effort for looks at a player who was once described as the best pure hitter in college baseball while at Baylor.
Canadian Content 🍁
3B Nathaniel Ochoa-Leyva, Burlington ON, FCL-Nationals
Well we made it through all teams. Lots of talent to keep an eye on coming up in 2023! With this done, I will be working on some more Canadian Content you hosers. Got a couple things cooking and will devote some time to trying to tell the stories. As we will have an undeniably Canadian feel for the next couple main postings, we shall leave today with an old-school, Canadian hip hop icon.
“This is a throw down, a showdown, hell no, I can't slow down…”
Thank you for following along and checking in today. I’ll be talking with ya in a while. Until then…Keep It 80 Grade