TORONTO–As expected, the Toronto Blue Jays made some bold plays for some high-ceiling talent in the first two days of the MLB Draft.
Also as expected, a few of the names called out by Toronto caught some by surprise.
The selections of Chase DeJong, Matt Smoral and Mitch Nay certainly adhered to the Blue Jays stated intention to pursue high-end talent regardless of signability concerns, but did anyone forsee them taking a college arm (Marcus Stroman) with their second pick (22nd overall)?.
Didn’t think so.
And then of course, there was Toronto’s fascinating decision to select two-sport star Anthony Alford at No. 112, and then two college (see: cheaper) pitchers after him.
With some help from our friends at Google and YouTube, here’s a closer look at the first 10 names called out by the Toronto Blue Jays over the first two days of the 2012 MLB Draft.
Player: D.J. Davis | Pick: No. 17
Birthdate: 06/27/93 | Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6’1″ 180lbs | Bonus slot: $2 million
School: Stone County (HS) | Twitter: N/A
The Skinny: Said to be the fastest player in the draft… Compared to Kenny Lofton and current Blue Jays prospect Anthony Gose… High energy player projects as dynamic leadoff hitter… His father Wayne once played in the Jays system… Is not signed to a Division I school and therefore should not be difficult to sign.
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Player: Marcus Stroman | Pick: No. 22
Birthdate: 05/01/91 | Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 5’9″ 185 lbs | Bonus slot: $1.8 million
School: Duke | Twitter: @Mstroo7
The Skinny: Closer-type stuff with “electric” arm according to MLB.com… Compared to Tom (Flash) Gordon due to his size… Throws a fastball in mid-90s with power curve… Blue Jays not ruling out using him as a starter… “If there’s a player in this draft who has the ability to move quickly through our organization, it’s him,” said Jays scouting director Andrew Tinnish.
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Player: Matt Smoral | Pick: No. 50
Birthdate: 03/18/94 | Position: LHP
Height/Weight: 6’8″ 220 lbs | Bonus slot: $1 million
School: Solon (HS) | Twitter: @msmoral23
The Skinny: High-ceiling lefty was once considered a Top 10 pick, but slipped after missing this season due to a stress fracture in his right foot… Has a scholarship offer from North Carolina and might be a tough sign… On Tuesday, told Cleveland.com he’s unsure what he’ll do: “Right now I don’t really know. We’re going to talk about it. It’s two situations that anybody who plays baseball would love to have.”
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Player: Mitch Nay | Pick: No. 58
Birthdate: 09/20/93 | Position: 3B
Height/Weight: 6’3″ 195 lbs | Bonus slot: $884,100
School: Hamilton (HS) | Twitter: @mitchnay7
The Skinny: Power bat with strong arm, may end up as corner outfielder… Arizona Gatorade High School Player of the Year after hitting .380 with 11 homers while slugging .837… Has committed to Arizona State but on Tuesday told the East Valley Tribune: “We’re probably going to work something out. We’ll see what happens. ASU or signing, they’re both good options.”
S/o to all of my friends and family for all their support! extremely excited to become a part of the Toronto Blue Jays organization! #pumped
— Mitch Nay (@mitchnay7) June 5, 2012
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Player: Tyler Gonzales | Pick: No. 60
Birthdate: 01/22/93 | Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6’2″ 175 lbs | Bonus slot: $857,200
School: James Madison (HS) | Twitter: N/A
The Skinny: Quick arm action produces a fastball that tops out at 95-96 m.p.h., but Perfect Game says his best pitch is a sharp slider… Has an offer to play shortstop and pitch for University of Texas… Being draft eligible again in just two years time gives him some negotiating leverage.
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Player: Chase DeJong | Pick: No. 81
Birthdate: 12/29/93 | Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6’4″ 185 lbs | Bonus slot: $620,300
School: Woodrow Wilson (HS) | Twitter: N/A
The Skinny: Fastball sits in 87-92 m.p.h. range with good curve and changeup… Signed a letter of intent last July with his hometown USC Trojans but told MLB.com’s Chris Toman Tuesday night: “I’m pretty sure I’m going to be a Blue Jay, 95 percent sure. They will pay over slot for me. (I’ll) be treated as a first-round compensation pick financially.”
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Player: Anthony Alford | Pick: No. 112
Birthdate: 07/20/94 | Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6’1″ 205 lbs | Bonus slot: $424,400
School: Petal (HS) | Twitter: N/A
The Skinny: Has told teams he won’t sign as he intends to pursue football at Southern Miss… Named top baseball player in Mississippi for first time in 2012. Has won the award for football the past three seasons… Ranked No. 36 by Baseball America… Told MLB.com Tuesday, he’ll listen to the Blue Jays offer: “I didn’t think they were going to take me that early. I was excited, but I’m not going to make any quick decisions. I’m going to think about it for a while.”
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Player: Tucker Donahue | Pick: No. 145
Birthdate: 08/27/90 | Position:: RHP
Height/Weight: 6’2″ 200 lbs | Bonus slot: $308,700
School: Stetson University | Twitter: @Tuckeryan
The Skinny: Fastball has been clocked as high as 97 m.p.h accordng to Stetson coaches… posted a 2-1 record with a 5.20 ERA in 28 appearances this season. Struck out 27 in 27.2 innings.
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Player: Brad Delatte | Pick: No. 175
Birthdate: 01/13/90 | Position: LHP
Height/Weight: 6’0″ 175 lbs | Bonus slot: $231,100
School: Nicholls St University | Twitter: NA
The Skinny: Much like Donahue, status as a college senior with little draft leverage may see them sign for less than slot, allowing Jays to divert funds to tougher signs… Back in April, he expressed uncertainty over his pro prospects: “I wish I knew what my plans were after graduation. I’m really hoping the draft works out. I mean, every ball player wants to make it to the next level, but if not, I’ll probably end up coaching high school ball.”
And the rest of the rest…
Player: Eric Phillips | Pick: No. 205
Birthdate: 07/16/90| Position: 3B
Height/Weight: 6’02” | School: Georgia Southern
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Player: Ian Parmley | Pick: No. 235
Birthdate: 12/19/89 | Position: OF
Height/Weight: 5’11” | School: Liberty University
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Player: Harrison Frawley | Pick: No. 265
Birthdate: 06/01/89 | Position: C
Height/Weight: 6’1″ 195 lbs | School: Coastal Carolina University
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Player: Jordan Leyland | Pick: No. 295
Birthdate: 09/06/89 | Position: 1B
Height/Weight: 6’4″ 205 lbs | School: Azusa Pacific University
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Player: Alex Azor | Pick: No. 325
Birthdate: 11/21/88| Position: OF
Height/Weight: 5’11” 190 lbs | School: United States Naval Academy
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Player: Grant Heyman | Pick: No. 355
Birthdate: 11/07/93| Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6’4″ 185 lbs | School: Pittsford Sutherland (HS)
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Player: Ryan Kellogg | Pick: No. 385
Birthdate: 02/04/94 | Position: LHP
Height/Weight: 6’5″ 215 lbs | School: Ryan Henry Street (HS – Whitby, ON))
LISTEN NOW: Ryan Kellogg on Jeff Blair Show Wednesday
385th overall! Thanks to everyone who has supported me over the years! I appreciate the best wishes through texts and twitter #blessed
— Ryan Kellogg (@Ry_Kellogg) June 5, 2012
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Player: John Silviano | Pick: No. 415
Birthdate: 07/11/94 | Position: C
Height/Weight: 5’11” 190 lbs | School: Summit Christian School (HS)
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Player: Zakery Wasilewski | Pick: No. 445
Birthdate: 06/16/93 | Position: LHP
Height/Weight: 6’01” 190 lbs | School: Tazewell (HS)
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Player: Ryan Borucki | Pick: No. 475
Birthdate: 03/31/94 | Position: LHP
Height/Weight: 6’04” 175 lbs | School: Mundelein (HS)
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Player: Will Dupont | Pick: No. 505
Birthdate: 12/01/93 | Position: 2B
Height/Weight: 6’0″ 170 lbs | School: Lafayette (HS)
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Player: Shane Dawson | Pick: No. 535
Birthdate: 09/09/93 | Position: LHP
Height/Weight: 6’1″ 180 lbs | School: Lethbridge CC (HS)
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Player: Alonzo Gonzalez | Pick: No. 565
Birthdate: 01/15/92 | Position: LHP
Height/Weight: 6’5″ 200 lbs | School: Glendale Col (HS)
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Player: Jorge Flores | Pick: No. 595
Birthdate: 11/25/91 | Position: SS
Height/Weight: 5’5″ 165 lbs | School: Central Arizona College
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Player: Dennis Jones | Pick: No. 625
Birthdate: 09/04/92 | Position: CF
Height/Weight: 6’3″ 185 lbs | School: Hillsborough CC (HS)
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Player: Colton Turner | Pick: No. 655
Birthdate: 01/17/91 | Position: LHP
Height/Weight: 6’03” 185lbs | School: Texas State
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Player: Josh Almonte | Pick: No. 685
Birthdate: 01/28/94 | Position: RF
Height/Weight: 6’3″ 193 lbs | School: Long Island City (HS)
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Player: Trey Pascazi | Pick: No. 715
Birthdate: 08/07/93 | Position: SS
Height/Weight: 6’1″ 175 lbs | School: East Rochester (HS)
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Player: Matt Rose | Pick: No. 745
Birthdate: 08/12/94 | Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6’4″ 195 lbs | School: Palm Bay (HS)
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Player: Jason Leblebijian | Pick: No. 775
Birthdate: 05/13/91 | Position: SS
Height/Weight: 6’1″ 190 lbs | School: Bradley University