The Blue Jays announced they have selected infielder Will Wagner to their roster, his first time cracking a big league roster. Infielder Luis De Los Santos was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo in the corresponding move. @LoperBloss reported the Wagner move on X yesterday. After yesterday’s game, Julia Kreuz of MLB.com relayed on X that De Los Santos had been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. “They want to see some new players in the organization,” De Los Santos said. “But it’s OK. I’ll keep working, doing my part and I’m hoping to come back soon.” The Blue Jays had a vacancy on their 40-man roster but it is now full.
Wagner, 26, is the son of long-time closer Billy Wagner. The elder Wagner had spent much of his career with the Astros and it was that organization that drafted the younger Wagner, using an 18th-round selection on him in 2021. Houston flipped Wagner, outfielder Joey Loperfido and right-hander Jake Bloss to the Blue Jays in the recent trade that sent left Yusei Kikuchi the other way.
In his professional career, Wagner has continually put up solid numbers at the plate, though in a hit-over-power fashion. He has 1,273 minor plate appearances across multiple levels with just 25 home runs in that time. But he has only been punched out in 17.1% of those trips to the plate while drawing walks at a strong 13.9% clip. Despite the limited pop, his .297/.402/.441 combined batting line translates to a 125 wRC+, indicating he’s been 25% better than league average overall.
That includes strong work at the Triple-A level. He was promoted to the top minor league plateau in September of last year and has since slashed .337/.445/.465 for a 136 wRC+ in 383 plate appearances. There are only six home runs in there but he has walked more than he has been struck out by a hefty margin, drawing a free pass in 15.9% of his appearances compared to a 10.2% strikeout rate.
That quality plate discipline was enough for the Jays to target him in trade talks with the Astros and they will now promote him to the majors after giving him a seven-game close-up look at Triple-A Buffalo. Baseball America ranked him the #17 prospect in the Astros’ system coming into the year, complementing his hit tool but noting that he’s not a strong defender. He’s currently listed 25th in the Jays’ system at BA. In June, FanGraphs put him 26th in the Astros’ system and currently lists him 30th in Toronto’s organization.
The Jays are out of contention and using the remainder of the season to assess some current players and make decisions about how to tackle their offseason. The club plans to return to contention in 2025 and is currently giving playing time to young guys like Loperfido, Spencer Horwitz, Leo Jiménez, Addison Barger and now Wagner, seeing which positions are the most or least in need of addressing during the winter.
Wagner has played all three non-shortstop infield positions this year, though the Jays mostly have had him at second base since the trade. The Astros gave him a lot of playing time at first, but that might have been a reflection of that club’s struggles at that position, whereas Jose Altuve has the keystone locked up.
The Jays have been giving Horwitz a lot of time at second this year but could perhaps have him and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. split first base and designated hitter now that Justin Turner has been traded and is no longer in the DH spot. Or perhaps Wagner will see significant time as the DH since his glovework isn’t highly regarded. Guerrero has also been playing a bit of third base this year and could move over to that side of the diamond, with Jiménez and Ernie Clement also in the mix for some infield playing time. Barger and Davis Schneider can also play some infield, though the Jays have George Springer, Daulton Varsho and Loperfido getting regular playing time out there.
There are plenty of moving parts but there’s lots of versatility in the group, so manager John Schneider will probably spend the rest of the year rotating guys around and spreading out the opportunities so that the club can assess each of the players at the plate and in the field.
Well , I’ll be a son of an Astro.
And I’ll be the GM of the Blue Jays.
@Steinbrenner2728
If you can correctly answer the following question, you have the job.
a) Crossing the street when there is an image of person walking means you can cross.
b) crossing the street when there is an image of a flashing hand means you can cross.
c) Crossing the street when there is an image of a flashing hand and you are a ginger means you can cross.
Hint:option C is the most correct answer.
The crosswalks started confusing me when they switched to images instead of the clear “walk” and “dont walk” signs
Cavan…is that you?
I was just thinking the Jays need more legacy infielders
They love the nepo babies. Pretty clear sign they’re winning the lottery and getting Holliday.
Cheering for Will!
They traded Billy’s son?
Upside is a bat only AAAA player?
Kudos to Atkins on the Kikuchi deal. The Jays got a haul.
I believe that Wagner will eventually stick at the MLB level as a professional hitter type in left field.
I believe Click had most to do with this. Atkins is showcasing now…
Actually Atkins got lucky as he originally had a deal with the Twins that would have saw the Blue Jays (do Atkins favorite thing) pay all but !M of Kikuchi’s salary and get 2 so so darts back in return BUT the Astro’s got desperate and came with “the offer” and even Atkins was not dumb enough to turn it down.
This information was provided by a Twins reporter who said the deal was almost done before the Astro’s came calling.
Mrs. Atkins….is that you?
Why was Davis Schneider not sent down instead? They already got a good look at him and know he is basically a AAAA player where as Del Los Santos is someone that could be so much more BUT they will never know unless they give him a shot to see. This is the time to see what they have. Wins mean nothing right now except less chance at a better draft pick.
Schneider reminds me of a right-handed Biggio. Plays multiple positions, but not very well, and provides offense that is about 10% below average.
Another comparison is with Varsho. Both have similar offensive profiles. Lots of K’s, and every once in a while a homer. But Varsho also provides platinum glove level defense.
Wouldn’t be the worst idea to send Davis down to work on whatever he needs to work on.
Why is Davis Schneider not in the minor leagues have u seen his damn batting average in last 40 games , in his last 7 he is batting ( .071)in his last 15 (.107) and his last 40 (.109) , u keep sending a guy up to bat that makes no contact so how can he get hits. Wake up Atkins and Shapiro , they have been asleep for off for 2 consecutive off seasons and 2 regulars seasons thats why Bo and Vlad will leave when they get a chance .
Gaps too big between AAA and MLB right now. They need to figure out how to hit big league pitching. The only real good reason to send him down right now would be if it’s a confidence issue and crushing minor league pitching would bring that back up.
@Jdgoat Yeah I hear ya but I never really saw Schneider as a major league player. Like I said more of a AAAA player or as a better example, he is like a spot starter you bring him up when you need too and if he has a good start give him another one or two and then send him back down …..rinse and repeat when needed.
The fact that the Blue Jays are sacrificing potential developmental playing time, for a guy like Del Los Santos, to give it to a guy like Schneider just makes no sense. This is the time when you find out if these guys have major league potential or nothing.
I wrote on June 11:” I think Davis Schneider will end up back in the minors for a stretch. Pitchers know how to get him out and he hasn’t adjusted back to them yet. #BlueJays”
Unless he learns to adjust Davis Schneider will find himself in AAA for a long time.
Yes that’s we’re he should be now , do not wait
Just become the Toronto Sons of Former Major Leaguers at this point.
Just need to add that Holliday kid….
They drafted him out of high school in the late rounds but he didn’t sign obviously
I was referring to Jackson Holliday…
jays need left handed batters – wagner has a chance to stick next year among all the AAAA talent currently on the roster
Still kinda hurt the Astros traded him away, but I wish him the best. 3 hits, an RBI and a defensive gem is a pretty good way to start your MLB career. Good luck on the rest of your career Will! Your father is a legend in our town so we will always root for your success.