The Toronto Blue Jays haven’t reached an agreement with not only their top prospect Tyler Beede, but with their 5th round selection Andrew Chin. Chin said the money wasn’t good enough, and he wanted to finish College.
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Blue Jays Fail To Sign Tyler Beede
16 AugThe Toronto Blue Jays have failed to come to terms with 21st overall pick Tyler Beede, which means that Beede will go to Vanderbilt and the Blue Jays will receive a compensation pick at 21 next year.
Jays Sign Norris, Smith Jr. and Comer
16 AugThe Toronto Blue Jays have signed LHP Daniel Norris, LHP Kevin Comer and OF Dwight Smith Jr. Norris was ranked as high as the top 15 among pitchers in early June but had issues of signability; the Jays locked up the 71st overall pick with a $2 million bonus. Comer signed for $1.65 million, Smith Jr. signed for $800,000 and 35 pick overall Jacob Anderson signed for just under $1 million dollars.
Tyler Beede Says Decision “Hardest Of My Life”
15 AugBlue Jays first round pick Tyler Beede still hasn’t signed with the club despite today being the last day that he can sign. Beede took to his Twitter account to say how he was feeling:
“Today my life is going to change, one way or another! I understand people will get hurt or wont care at all..but i ask that you please understand this is the hardest decision of my life and all that matters is that im happy! thank you, god bless.”
We will update with any news of Beede’s decision, as of the last couple of weeks, it looked like Beede wasn’t going to sign and he was going to go to college, unless he was blown away with an offer.
Jays Sign 13th Round Pick Dean
15 AugThe Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms with Texas third baseman and 13th round pick Matt Dean. ESPN’s Keith Law is reporting that the deal is worth $737,500, which does exceed the recommended amount by the MLB. SBNation calls Dean a good power bat, though its unlikely he can stay at third base; they also compare him to former Houston Astros third baseman Morgan Ensberg.
Brett Lawrie Hits Grand Slam; Jays Win
11 AugBrett Lawrie hit his first career grand slam and had two hits, and Henderson Alvarez allowed pitched 5.2 innings with a no decision in his debut as the Toronto Blue Jays 8-4 win over the Oakland Athletics. Jesse Litsch also worked 2.2 innings for the first save of his career. The Blue Jays current record sits at 59-57.
Brett Lawrie Set To Make Rogers Center Debut
9 AugBrett Lawrie will make his debut in Toronto tonight for the Blue Jays. The Jays are set to face the Oakland Athletics. The battle of the Canadians begins as Lawrie will face off against Rich Harden. Lawrie has appeared in 3 games so far for the Blue Jays and has impressed, going 5-11 with a homer.
Jays To Call Up Henderson Alvarez
8 AugBlue Jays pitching prospect Henderson Alvarez is on his way to the big leagues. John Lott is reporting via twitter that the Blue Jays have called up the 21 year-old right-hander. In 14 starts and one bullpen appearance, Alvarez had posted a 8-4 record with a 2.86 ERA with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
What Brett Lawrie Has Shown In Three Games
8 AugBrett Lawrie has only played three games in the MLB. As Lawrie said, he is not the savior of the Blue Jays season. He is however, showing that he is a legitimate ball players with a smooth swinging stroke, which should continue to keep Lawrie in the big leagues for the rest of the season, and potentially for the rest of his career.
Lawrie in only three games so far has accomplished quite a lot. Less importantly, he has gotten five hits and he hit his first career home run. More importantly he, and new-comer Colby Rasmus, have injected the Blue Jays with life.
Lawrie just isn’t another prospect with the potential to be an everyday player. He was rated the #40 prospect entering the season, and it was likely that he would have been rated higher if it wasn’t for reported “attitude problems.” He was then traded for the Blue Jays best pitcher at the time, Shaun Marcum. Than, he tore up the minor leagues, putting up the numbers that would be associated with baseball video-games.
Essentially, Lawrie isn’t a savior. I don’t think any player in the league aside from a select few could even come close to having the title. However, he has shown not only in Las Vegas but also very early into his Blue Jays career that he is a dynamic individual with talent. It also doesn’t hurt that he plays the one position that had the most question marks in the future for the Blue Jays.
Romero; Castro Earn Players of the Week
8 AugRicky Romero of the Toronto Blue Jays and Starlin Castro of the Chicago Cubs were named American and National League Player of the Week (respectively). Romero had an impressive week, going 2-0, with a 1.69 ERA in 16 innings, while Castro had an MLB leading 17 hits, 10 runs, 25 TB; and a NL-best .515 avg.
