BY THOMAS HALL
According to MLB analysts, Blue Jays fans can have hope for the 2018 season and beyond.
“Two of the guys that have really impressed me the most lately are Teoscar Hernandez, and Richard Urena, said Steve Buffery, the Toronto Sun’s Sports Columnist.
Richard Urena is the first #BlueJays rookie with a walk-off RBI since Kevin Pillar on June 9, 2014.
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) September 13, 2017
Since arriving on Sept. 1, both Hernandez and Urena have been very productive playing in the field and at the plate. Hernandez hitting .286Avg/2HR/7RBI over 13 games. Urena hitting .240Avg/1HR/4RBI over 13 games.
“Hernandez is a bit of a late bloomer to baseball, but he’s got all the tools, his speed on the base path, his range in the outfield, his bat control and his power,” said Buffery.
Buffery also spoke about prospect, Anthony Alford. According to MLB.com, Alford is the Blue Jays third best prospect.
“Three months ago I would of told you that Anthony Alford would be the guy who would get a shot at playing everyday in right field next season. He got injured with a broken wrist back in May, but he’s coming back and he’s got some incredible tools just like Hernandez and in some ways, I like Alford better, he’s built like a linebacker, he’s got unbelievable speed, and there’s potential for the power in his swing to become really good too once he gets use to major league pitching,” said Buffery.
Ben Wagner, the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons play-by-play man, discusses some of the players he watched this season in triple-a that will have an impact on this team for next season and beyond.
“What Carlos Ramirez has done this season has been incredible. From a position player conversion to now a back-end of the bullpen pitcher, where he’s dominated at every level that he’s been at and it has continued into the big leagues,” said Wagner.
Carlos Ramirez is the first #BlueJays pitcher to not allow a run in his first 7 career games since Roberto Osuna in 2015. pic.twitter.com/jEhmUGViP2
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) September 15, 2017
Wagner also talks about another key bullpen player that has really impressed him this season and who he thinks can be a really important piece for the Blue Jays in the future.
“Tim Mayza has been outstanding and I think with that power left-handed arm that he’s got, he’s going to factor in right away,” said Wagner.
One last player Wagner talked about was Rowdy Tellez , Tellez is one of the Blue Jays top prospects and Wagner talks about what could come next in Tellez’s career.
“He’s got the power, he’s got the strength to hit those opposite field home-runs but with his position being a first-baseman, you want to have those big home-run numbers and I just don’t know if he is going to hit for enough power to get to that next level. Rowdy will really need to dominate next season to even be thought of as a call-up for next year,” said Wagner.
After hearing from both Buffery and Wagner, the Blue Jays have a really good shot at bouncing back next season and making a push for the playoffs.
