Who to watch on Jays' Short-Season teams: Hitters edition

Mc Gregory Contreras is one of the hitters to watch on the class-A Short Season Vancouver Canadians. Photo Credit: Jay Blue

By Jay Blue

Blue Jays from Away

With the opening of the short seasons, it's time to take a look at the opening rosters of the 2018 Vancouver Canadians, Bluefield Blue Jays, GCL Blue Jays and DSL Blue Jays. We'll divide some of the selections into "newly drafted players" and "returning" players so that neither group gets ignored.

Vancouver Canadians

Returning: Mc Gregory Contreras

Contreras is only 19 and had a solid season in Bluefield last year and is one of the youngest players on the Canadians. He's already got a multi-home run game in the books and has some speed, some power and the ability to get to the barrel of the bat to the ball, with a .270/.335/.421 slash line in Bluefield last year.

Newly drafted: Vinny Capra

The Jays have a lot of depth at the shortstop position but the Jays brought in Vinny Capra out of the University of Richmond in the 20th round of the draft. We're expecting to get Griffin Conine in Vancouver soon so there may be another collegiate draft pick to watch in 2018.

Bluefield Blue Jays

Returning: Davis Schneider

I'm not sure how much he's going to play, but I'm a big fan of Davis Schneider who led the GCL Blue Jays in home runs last year. Just 19 years old, Schneider has a lot of patience at the plate, walking as much as he's struck out but he'll be competing for playing time with newly drafted John Aiello. A runner up for a "guy to watch" would be Hagen Danner. He had a rough transition from high school to the pro ranks last year but he looked good when I saw him back in March in Florida.

Newly drafted: Hunter Steinmetz

Steinmetz is a speedy outfielder who stands only 5-foot-9 but, as an 11th-round pick, could sneak under the radar. Also look for John Aiello, a power-hitting third baseman.

GCL Blue Jays

Returning: Joseph Reyes

While he hasn't had the best track record, corner infielder Joseph Reyes has the potential to hit the ball hard if he can control his strikeouts which were a huge blight on his 2017 season. Gabriel Moreno was off to a great start as well, so keep an eye on the catcher who was in the DSL last year.

Newly drafted: Jordan Groshans

It's pretty easy to select the first pick in the draft by the Blue Jays this year, but the big shortstop is going to get a big opportunity to show what he can do both defensively as well as offensively. Addison Barger will also get a good look at short.

DSL Blue Jays

New Player: Miguel Hiraldo

Hiraldo has some fanfare from the brass who talked up the third baseman since his signing on July 2 last year. The 17-year-old is hitting .390/.456/.644 in 14 games in his young career.

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The 2018 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook is now available!