Prospects in the Blue Jays’ 2020 player pool from the Appalachian League

As part of the new rules for the 2020 Major League season, each of the 30 organizations will maintain a 60-man player pool for the duration of the campaign. Some members of the player pool will feature on the active Major League roster while others will work out at an alternate training site in the hopes of staying fresh for a potential callup or getting in much-needed development time.

The MiLB.com staff is rounding up the notable prospects in each organization’s 60-man player pool and analyzing what the new system will mean for their 2020 seasons.

The Blue Jays rebuild began blossoming at the top last season, and the well of impactful young talent hasn’t dried up just yet. With the likes of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio already meaningful presences in the American League East, Toronto boasts a second crop of prospects on the cusp of joining them.

Jordan Groshans (Bluefield 2018)**, SS:** The 12th overall selection in the 2018 Draft was hitting the cover off the ball last year before his season was ended by a left foot injury. Regarded as one of the top prep hitters out of Magnolia High School in Texas, the 75th overall prospect batted .331 over 37 games in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League before making the jump to Class A Lansing in 2019. In the Midwest League, he amassed a .337/.427/.482 slash line with eight extra-base hits and 13 RBIs in 23 games. The second-ranked Blue Jays prospect may be blocked at the Major League level at short, but his ability to play multiple positions and the organization’s belief that the 6-foot-3, 205-pounder with a plus-arm will develop above-average power make him an interesting prospect to keep an eye on as this 60-game sprint unfolds.

Simeon Woods Richardson (Kingsport 2018)**, RHP:* One of the youngest players drafted in his class when he was taken at age 17 by the Mets in the second round two years ago, Woods Richardson has displayed advanced skill and poise since his professional debut. Acquired at last season’s Trade Deadline in a deal that sent then-ace *Marcus Stroman** to New York, the No. 98 overall prospect was greeted by his new organization with a promotion to the Florida State League. The right-hander showed he was up to the task -- finishing the year with six sharp starts in which he posted a 2.54 ERA and an 0.88 WHIP with 29 whiffs and seven walks over 28 1/3 frames. The third-ranked Blue Jays prospect impressed again in his first action of Summer Camp, recording a groundout and a strikeout with a pair of walks.

Alejandro Kirk (Bluefield 2018)**, C:** Signed out of Mexico in 2016, the fifth-ranked Blue Jays prospect worked his way to Class A Advanced Dunedin last season after being limited to just one game in his first professional season because of a hand injury. Praised for his hitting ability and strike-zone awareness, Kirk sported a .290/.403/.465 slash line with 56 walks and 39 strikeouts over 92 total games last year. Listed at 5-foot-8 and 265 pounds, a position change isn’t likely for the backstop who is highly regarded for his blocking ability and a quick, accurate arm behind the plate. Kirk threw out 38 percent of attempted basestealers in 2019. In his first taste of Major League Spring Training, the 21-year-old went 4-for-8 with a dinger, four walks and a pair of RBIs in eight Grapefruit League games.

Anthony Alford (Bluefield 2014)**, OF:** The 25-year-old played parts of the past three seasons in The Show, but his career has been beset by injuries since 2016, when he suffered a knee injury and a concussion. The following year, the 21st-ranked Blue Jays prospect made the jump from the Eastern League for his Major League debut but suffered a broken hamate bone in his fourth big league game that sidelined him the rest of the season. Alford’s 2018 campaign was delayed by hamstring issues, but he did work his way back to Toronto for 13 games. Last year, the 2012 third-round selection began the season on the temporary inactive list and spent two stints on the injured list. But the Mississippi product still returned to the bigs for 16 games and collected five hits -- including a homer -- worked a walk and scored three times. He’ll be in the mix for the fourth outfielder position as Summer Camp plays out.

Other notables

Kevin Smith (Bluefield 2017) (No. 23) is an above-average defender at short and has the versatility to play three different infield positions. While his offensive numbers took a dip last season after trying to tweak his swing, the 24-year-old’s work ethic and baseball IQ make him a viable option if injuries cripple the Blue Jays.