A day after signing the fifth overall selection of this year’s draft to a significantly over-slot deal, the Toronto Blue Jays have added him to their 60-man player pool, per TSN’s Scott Mitchell.
Austin Martin received the largest signing bonus of anyone not picked first overall yesterday, and he received more good news today. Martin will presumably head to Toronto for intake testing before joining the Blue Jays’ summer camp.
With third base vacated earlier today, it’s tempting to connect the dots and install Martin at the hot corner from day one. And while the Jays certainly hope the 3-year Vanderbilt star will be a quick riser – and his placement alongside Cavan Biggio, Vlad Guerrero Jr., and Bo Bichette is easy to dream on – Martin is still highly unlikely to see the major leagues anytime soon. His role on the 60-man player pool is almost certainly just an opportunity to get acclimated to professional ball, meet some players and coaches from the organization, and to begin the development process.
The Jays initially put together a 58-man pool, but they made three additions to the list yesterday. Add Martin to that group and they would seem to have a 62-man pool. However, teams can exceed the limit for players on the disabled list after testing positive for COVID-19. The Jays had at least one player test positive, but they also put four players on the 10-day disabled list without a noted injury (Brandon Drury, Elvis Luciano, Hector Perez and Jonathan Davis). Anything beyond that would be pure speculation.
Martin, Bichette, Biggio, Guerrero. Jays have built a pretty interesting young infield.
Not to mention Groshans, Orelvis Martinez, Hiraldo. Plenty of infielders coming up
Martin probably moves to CF. Either he does or Biggio does but Martin seems like the better athlete
Everything hinges on Bichette’s play at SS. Once that question is answered the rest should fall into place.
And what’s the question? Proved last year he can play it al the major league level.
Check Bo’s career fielding stats at SS in the minors. It’s slightly better than Vlad’s numbers at 3B. That’s not good.
Bo’s arm is a big question, and if you are basing his work at SS from last year then he’s definitely NOT the guy.
Everbody forgetting about Groshans ans Martinez.
My guess is (if these guys pan out) 2024 could looks something like:
C Jansen
1B Guerrero Jr
2B Biggio
3B Groshans
SS Bichette
LF Gurriel Jr
CF Martin
RF Martinez
Groshans missed the majority of 2019 with foot problems. As of now, he’s at 3B in 2023. DH could be Sebastian Kirk but the guy to watch for is Gabriel Moreno. Catcher built like a middle infielder.
Sebastian Kirk? Do you mean Alejandro?
Yes. Sorry. Alejandro.
C Jansen
1B Guerrero Jr
2B Biggio
3B Bichette
SS Lindor
LF Gurriel Jr
CF Martin
RF Martinez
🙂
I’m ok not signing big name bat, would rather see the jays go out in the offseason and acquire both Stroman and Paxton. Would be cheaper than Lindor that’s for sure. Could also use rest of offseason budget to sign a couple relief pitchers along with a extending Giles
C Jansen
1B Guerrero Jr
2B Biggio
3B Groshans
LF Gurriel Jr
CF Martin
RF Mookie
Also, not to be a stick in the mud but it’s now referred to as the IL.
I don’t get the Paxton love & as for Stroman, not a chance this front office brings him back after all his shenanigans while he was here.
Yes we need an injury proned Paxton to make 12 starts a year.
All Stroman is good for us social media. Always flapping his gums.
I’d agree generally with this. Pitching likely a bigger need than hitting…. but not Stroman or Paxton.
I don’t see a really top tier starter that’s attainable for them in free agency for the next couple years. Robbie Ray is ok. Bauer maybe? Syndergaard the next year but he’s been injury prone. Kershaw, Scherzer and Verlander are all getting up there.
I don’t think there’s a top tier pitcher available in free agency any time soon.
I hope Drury can get another shot this season. Maybe they will give him one more opportunity at third base with VG moving to first. I watched him for a full season in the minors one year and he raked. He was the best player on the field many nights that season, That was back when he was in Arizona’s system. Unfortunately that was a long time ago and he has been given some opportunities already and didn’t take advantage so I’m not going to hold my breath.
He will face lefties. He’s the RH bench bat replacing Shaw against lefties. If he hits he will play.
All depends on if Martin makes the team which I don’t think he will. But if he does you can’t keep Shaw, Rowdy, Panik, Drury on the roster. Think Shaw might be the odd man out after his comments on playing in Toronto this season
If Shaw is the odd man out it means Tellez safely makes the team. He was on the bubble in March. Martin doesn’t fit into the equation. The scenario hasn’t changed for Drury since Spring. He will start against lefties until told otherwise or if injuries pop up.
More teams should be adding top prospects who are young to the player pool. Love to see what dominguez could do against other yankees.