Blue Jays Top 5 For 2009

1. Travis Snider - OF (above)

Travis Snider wasted no time getting to the major leagues. He was the 14th overall pick in the 2006 draft, but is one of only 11 players from that first round to have already reached the majors. Snider checks in at just 5'11, but there's a lot of power in his frame. He clubbed 23 homers and 31 doubles spanning three minor league levels last year. In 73 major league at bats, he had eight extra-base-hits -- six doubles and two homers. Nobody doubts that Snider will hit -- and hit for power -- but he could stand to cut down on the strikeouts. He struck out out 154 times in less than 500 AB last season. Snider is likely to open the year back in AAA, but should be Toronto's long term LF/DH and should be up for good sometime this year.

2. J.P Arencibia - C

Arencibia was on the radar for a long time prior to getting drafted 21st overall in 2007. He's lived up to his billing as an offensive-oriented catcher, smashing 36 doubles and 27 homers between High-A and AA. What Arencibia lacks is patience -- he drew only 18 walks in 510 at bats last year. Still, that kind of power is hard to find out of a catcher and Arencibia should sniff the majors sometime this year with the idea of becoming Toronto's full-time catcher in 2010.

3. Brett Cecil - LHP

One of the best things the Blue Jays have done in recent years was turn Cecil into a starter. The 38th overall pick in 2007 was a reliever at Maryland, but the results as a starter have been strong: 9.9 K/9, 7.3 H/9, 2.8 BB/9, and strong groundball tendencies in 42 career games, including 41 starts. Cecil held his own in a late-season stint in AAA and that's where he'll return to open 2009. But it won't be long until he's a fixture in the middle of Toronto's rotation.

4. David Cooper - 1B

After missing out on Canadian prep star Brett Lawrie, the Blue Jays took Cooper, and it's hard to argue with Cooper's professional debut. Between the short-season NYPL, Low-A Lansing, and High-A Dunedin, Cooper hit .333 with 29 doubles, 5 homers and a tight 30/46 BB/K in 273 AB. He should start the year in AA and could finish it in Toronto. He doesn't figure to have the power you'd like for a first baseman, but he figures to hit for a high average, get on base, and rack up doubles. Think of Lyle Overbay's best years, but slightly better.

5. Justin Jackson - SS

A supplemental first rounder in 2007, this toolsy shortstop supposed to be known for his defense, but he committed 26 errors last year, one behind the team lead. His hitting needs a lot of work, too. In 454 AB, he struggled for hit for average (.238) and had problems making contact (154 strikeouts). Despite the strikeouts, he showed decent patience by drawing 62 walks, most on the team. He didn't hit for much power, going deep just seven times, but he was second on the team with 26 doubles. He did show speed -- Jackson was 17 for 25 in stolen base attempts and he legged out six triples. Jackson has a lot of potential, and at 19, has plenty of time to fulfill it. He's very raw and should be back in Lansing next year. He didn't do anything to show he's ready for the next level.