Anyway, let’s take a closer look at the prospects Toronto received (even if it was for a limited time) for Roy Halladay.

Michael Taylor, OF | Oakland | 6’6” | 250 lbs | Bats: R | Throws: R

Con: Even though he’s 6’6”, 250 lbs, projects to cap out at 25 HR.

DobberBaseball Prospect Rank (Last Rank):  37th (28th)

Offensive Comparison: Hunter Pence

Ranked the best power hitter in the Phillies minor league system, Taylor has the tools to become a 5 tool stud. Observe:

After a disappointing sub-par college career, the Phillies selected Taylor in the 5th round of the 2007 draft, and placed him in A- ball.  He did have trouble adjusting to pitchers, hitting .227, but managed above average power (6 HR, 33 RBI) and good speed (8 SB).

After some time adjusting to minor league pitching, Taylor went back to being the high-contact hitter he was known as and flexed the power / speed combination everyone was hoping to see.  Between A and A+ ball, he hit .346 with 19 HR and 15 SB.

Taylor was promoted to AA in 2009 and continued his successful ways, hitting .333 with 15 HR, 65 RBI and 18 SB.  From a fantasy perspective, he showed an elite walk %, good contact %, borderline elite power and very good speed.  A promotion to Triple-A followed where he went on to hit a respectable .282 with 5 HR, 19 RBI and 3 SB in just 110 AB.  He had a little trouble adjusting to AAA pitching, but everything else (BB%, power, speed) pretty much stayed the same.

The 24-year-old was going to be stuck in the minors for another year with Werth, Victorino & Ibanez already manning the OF, so a trade made sense for the Phillies.  Taylor was shipped to the Toronto Blue Jays (Yay!), before being flipped to the Oakland A’s (Boo!) for…

Brett Wallace, 1B/3B | Toronto | 6’2” | 235 lbs | Bats: L | Throws: R

Pro: Polished hitter

Con: Is he a true 30+ HR guy?

DobberBaseball Prospect Rank (Last Rank):  10th (10th)

Offensive Comparison: Justin Morneau

The Jays get their man they originally drafted back in 2005, before he opted to go the college route.  He was subsequently drafted 13th overall by the Cardinals in 2008, and then shipped off to Oakland for Matt Holliday at last year’s trade deadline.

To the hardcore fans, this is a trade everyone seems to be split on.  There is growing concern whether or not Wallace can generate the 30+ homerun power he was drafted for.  Wallace has been dubbed “a pure hitter” and has a similar build as new teammate Travis Snider, but there are questions about his swing mechanics and whether or not that swing can translate to homeruns.  You would think it could after seeing his ginormously huge thighs.  However, the fact that he appears to sit on that back leg and not shift his weight on the swing may limit his power.  I imagine the Jays will work with him on that part of his game.

Wallace started off in the Texas League to begin the 2009 season and hit .281 with 5 HR and 16 RBI in 32 games before being promoted to Triple-A.  He continued to hit for average, but had a tougher time hitting balls out of the park, hitting .293, with 6 HR and 19 RBI in 62 games.  The trade to Oakland seemed to revitalize him as he saw his numbers rise to .302, with 9 HR and 32 RBI in just 44 games.  He did strike out more, but at the same time drew more walks.

Currently a third baseman, Wallace lacks the range and mobility to stay at 3B.  Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos has already stated that Wallace will be moved to 1B, a position Lyle Overbay may not occupy for the Jays much longer, as he’s been the subject of trade rumors.  Wallace will get the call up sooner rather than later, but don’t expect the 30HR power to come immediately.  Some have said he might follow the Justin Morneau path, and I’d have to agree.

Kyle Drabek, SP | Toronto | 6’1” | 190 lbs | Bats: R | Throws: R

Pro: Fastball/Curveball combination rated best in his draft class

Con: Needs to develop 3rd and 4th pitch.

DobberBaseball Prospect Rank (Last Rank):  14th (19th)

Comparison: Phil Hughes

Originally one of the untouchables in the Roy Halladay trade rumors at last year’s deadline, Drabek finally found himself on the move as the cornerstone piece for Roy Halladay.   The former first round pick currently projects as a #2 or #3 starter with the potential of being a #1.

Drabek's repertoire currently features a mid 90s fastball that has late movement, and a vicious 12-6 curveball he uses as his out pitch.  He also has a slider that clocks in around the 80s and is currently working on a changeup that is still not quite developed - there is no question that his bread & butter are the fastball and curve.  He struggled early in his minor league career with command of his pitches and was subsequently shut down for Tommy John Surgery.  Drabek changed his delivery after surgery, and found more success with his fastball velocity and location.  He was placed in A+ ball to begin the year, where he dominated – a 2.48 ERA with a 4-1 record, 10.8 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9.  He was moved to Double-A ball in June, where he continued to dominate, sporting a 4-0 record with a 2.43 ERA.  He started to show signs of slowing down in July and August, and was consequently shut down after throwing 158 innings.

The Blue Jays will more than likely start Drabek in Double-A ball to begin the 2009-2010 season.  Most casual fans who read that Drabek projects to top out as a #2 or #3 starter will probably not be too happy about the return, but there’s no denying Drabek’s stuff and potential – remember, he was the one piece the Phillies refused to give up at last year’s trade deadline, and the one piece the Jays made a “must” in any Doc Halladay deal.  If Drabek can throw the changeup and slider effectively and consistently then the Jays just might have themselves a bona fide #1 starter in waiting.

Travis D’Arnaud, C | Toronto | 6’2” | 195 lbs | Bats: R | Throws: R

Pro: Athletic defensive catcher with raw power potential

Con: Lack of plate patience

Current Dobber Baseball Prospect Rank (Last Rank):  Not Ranked (NR)

Offensive Comparison: Miguel Montero

Drafted by the Phillies in the 2007 draft just before the Toronto Blue Jays could select him 37th overall, (Jays ended up drafting Brett Cecil 38th), D’Arnaud still has a couple years before Jays fans might be able to see him.  The 6’2” catcher is something the Jays sorely need – an above-average defensive catcher who knows how to call a game.

D’Arnaud was placed in Rookie ball after being drafted in the first round, and had trouble adjusting to wood bats.  He hit a measly .241 with 4 HR, 20 RBI and 4 SB in 141 AB.  He was placed into Low-A ball the following year and showed nice growth, particularly with his power, hitting .309 with 4 HR and 25 RBI in 175 AB, before moving up to A Ball and posting a line of .297, 2 HR and 5 RBI.

He started off the 2009 season in A ball very slowly, hitting a paltry .207 with 8 HR and 39 RBI over the first half.  He showed a much better eye over the second half, hitting a very good .302 with 5 HR and 32 RBI, and managed to add 7 SB, to finish off the year with an overall line of .255, 13 HR, 71 RBI and 8 SB.  At first glance, the .255 avg is nothing too exciting, but taking a look behind the average, the 20-year-old boasts a very good walk rate (8%), makes good contact with the ball, and possesses good power.

Local Philadelphia website PhuturePhillies.com, wrote a nice piece on Travis D’Arnaud, and in this particular article compared D’Arnaud’s power at age 20 to catchers like Mike Napoli or Jesus Flores.

The Jays got themselves a catcher who can hit for a decent average with 20+ HR power.  With the above average defensive skills, the ability to call a game, and very strong arm, the Jays could have themselves their own Miguel Montero.

In our next edition, we will highlight the pieces the Phillies received.

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Ian Fergusson said:

	... very nice article Jason, informative for this Jays fan.
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January 08, 2010
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