Blue Jays Announce 2017 Projected Roster
The Dunedin Blue Jays are proud to announce their 2017 projected Opening Day roster!
View the full roster at the link below:
While there will be many familiar faces on the 2017 roster, many new players will be playing in Dunedin for the first time. Here's five names fans should know this season:
LHP Angel Perdomo In his first year in full-season ball, Perdomo broke out in 2016, leading the Midwest League (Class A) in strikeouts and strikeouts per nine innings. Opposing hitters hit just .219 against Perdomo, and he was rewarded for his stellar play by being selected for the Futures Game and being named to the Midwest League mid-season and post-season All Star teams. He uses his height (6'6") to get a solid downward plane on his fastball, which reaches 94, and his deceptive delivery leads to swings and misses.
RHP T.J. Zeuch The Blue Jays took the towering (6'7") Zeuch with their first-round selection in the 2016 MLB draft out of Pittsburgh. His fastball, which sits 93-94 and can reach 97 with arm-side movement and heavy sink, was rated one of the best in the draft class. He compliments his fastball with a 12-6 curveball, slider, and developing changeup. After making 6 starts at Low-A Vancouver and posting a 3.52 ERA and 8.61 K/9 ratio, he finished the year at A-Lansing.
IF Cavan Biggio The Blue Jays fifth-round pick in 2016, Biggio brings an advanced eye at the plate (more walks than strikeouts at A-Vancouver) and Hall of Fame pedigree (son of Craig Biggio) to Dunedin. His ability to get on base and savvy baserunning profile him as a top of the order hitter. Biggio led the Vancouver team in hits in 2016 and was second in stolen bases.
IF Lourdes Gurriel The Blue Jays signed Gurriel, one of the most sought-after international prospects, to a 7-year, $22 million deal this off-season. A professional since age 16 in Cuba's premier league, Gurriel batted an impressive .344 with 10 home runs in his last full season in Cuba (2015). After spending a year out of competitive baseball due to the complicated international free agency process, Gurriel will look to shake off any rust and show off the bat speed, mature offensive approach, raw power, and athleticism that have established him as one of the top prospects in the game.
C Max Pentecost Injuries have slowed the development of the 2014 11th overall draft pick, but Pentecost returned to the field in 2016 after missing all of the 2015 season (shoulder surgery) and quickly made an impact. In his first game of the year, Pentecost went 3-4 with a home run. He finished 2016 with a .314/.375/.490 slash line at A-Lansing, earning a late-season promotion to Dunedin. It remains to be seen where Pentecost will end up defensively, but his polished bat will contribute from any place on the field.
In total, the Dunedin Opening Day roster projects to have seven of the Toronto Blue Jays Top 30 Prospects according to MLB.com. In addition to Zeuch (#7), Pentecost (#12), and Perdomo (#20), Dunedin will also have top prospects LHP Ryan Borucki (#16), C Danny Jansen (#22), RHP Jordan Romano (#23) , and IF Juan Kelly (#24) to open the season.
The Blue Jays will begin this season in Clearwater against the Threshers on Thursday, April 6th. Their Home Opener will be on Saturday, April 8th at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30 PM. The Home Opener celebration will be highlighted by a magnet schedule giveaway and post-game fireworks. Tickets are available at www.DunedinBlueJays.com or by calling (727) 733-9302.