By Matt Eddy
January 11, 2008

Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible. Ages are as of April 1, 2008.

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TOP TEN PROSPECTS

1. Travis Snider, of 2. Brett Cecil, lhp 3. Kevin Ahrens, 3b/ss 4. J.P. Arencibia, c 5. Ricky Romero, lhp 6. Justin Jackson, ss 7. John Tolisano, 2b 8. Curtis Thipgen, c/1b 9. David Purcey, lhp 10. Ryan Patterson, of

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Travis Snider Best Power Hitter Travis Snider Best Strike-Zone Discipline Brian Jeroloman Fastest Baserunner Eric Eiland Best Athlete Eric Eiland Best Fastball David Purcey Best Curveball Ricky Romero Best Slider Brett Cecil Best Changeup Ricky Romero Best Control Josh Banks Best Defensive Catcher Brian Jeroloman Best Defensive Infielder Luis Sanchez Best Infield Arm Sergio Santos Best Defensive Outfielder Eric Eiland Best Outfield Arm Moises Sierra

PROJECTED 2011 LINEUP

Catcher J.P. Arencibia First Base Adam Lind Second Base Aaron Hill Third Base Kevin Ahrens Shortstop Justin Jackson Left Field John Tolisano Center Field Vernon Wells Right Field Alex Rios Designated Hitter Travis Snider No. 1 Starter Roy Halladay No. 2 Starter A.J. Burnett No. 3 Starter Dustin McGowan No. 4 Starter Brett Cecil No. 5 Starter Shaun Marcum Closer Jeremy Accardo

TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Position 2007 1998 Roy Halladay, rhp Blue Jays 1999 Roy Halladay, rhp Blue Jays 2000 Vernon Wells, of Blue Jays 2001 Vernon Wells, of Blue Jays 2002 Josh Phelps, c Pirates 2003 Dustin McGowan, rhp Blue Jays 2004 Alex Rios, of Blue Jays 2005 Brandon League, rhp Blue Jays 2006 Dustin McGowan, rhp Blue Jays 2007 Adam Lind, of Blue Jays

TOP DRAFT PICKS OF THE DECADE

1998 Felipe Lopez, ss Nationals 1999 Alex Rios, of Blue Jays 2000 Miguel Negron, of Mets 2001 Gabe Gross, of Brewers 2002 Russ Adams, ss Blue Jays 2003 Aaron Hill, ss Blue Jays 2004 David Purcey, lhp Blue Jays 2005 Ricky Romero, lhp Blue Jays 2006 Travis Snider, of Blue Jays 2007 Kevin Ahrens, 3b Blue Jays

LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORY

Ricky Romero, 2005 $2,400,000 Felipe Lopez, 1998 $2,000,000 Gabe Gross, 2001 $1,865,000 Russ Adams, 2002 $1,785,000 Travis Snider, 2006 $1,700,000

BLUE JAYS LINKS

Blue Jays' Team Page Blue Jays Top 10 Scouting Reports  Last Year's Blue Jays Top 10 Prospects 2007 Draft: Blue Jays (Basic Database) 2007 Draft: Blue Jays  (Advanced Database) 2007 Draft Report Cards: American League  Complete Index of Top 10 Prospects Pre-Order the 2008 Prospect Handbook

The Blue Jays' pitching took a giant step forward in 2007 only to be sabotaged by a sagging offense, resulting in a five-game drop in the win column. But more vital to the organization's long-term health, Toronto had the type of draft that could shape its player-development outlook for years to come, the type of draft its farm system desperately needed.

Compensated for the loss of free agents Frank Catalanotto, Ted Lilly and Justin Speier, the Blue Jays held seven of the top 88 picks and put them to good use, selecting high-ceiling prospects at critical defensive positions, such as third baseman Kevin Ahrens (16th overall), catcher J.P. Arencibia (21st), shortstop Justin Jackson (45th) and second baseman John Tolisano (85th). All four shot to the top of Toronto's depth chart at their respective positions, as did center fielder Eric Eiland (88th), a raw talent on whom the Jays could afford to gamble with its extra picks.

Most talented of all was lefthander Brett Cecil (38th), a closer at Maryland whom Toronto will develop as a starter, as they will righthanders Trystan Magnuson (56th) and Alan Farina (third round), relievers while at Louisville and Clemson. The Blue Jays successfully developed two other college relievers, Shaun Marcum and since-traded David Bush, into major league starters.

At the big league level, Toronto pitching allowed the second fewest runs in the American League—and it wasn't all the doing of Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett. Dustin McGowan announced his arrival by one-hitting the Rockies on June 24. He lost the no-hit bid in the ninth that day, but he ended up taking the second-most starts on the staff and won 12 games. Marcum and Jesse Litsch also took regular turns in the rotation and were similarly effective.

McGowan, Marcum and Litsch all were 25 or younger last season, as were bullpen stalwarts Jeremy Accardo and Casey Janssen. Acquired from the Giants for a declining Shea Hillendbrand in 2006, Accardo thrived in the closer's role after B.J. Ryan succumbed to Tommy John surgery. Janssen, who posted a 5.07 ERA as a rookie starter the year before, sliced that mark to 2.35 working in relief.

The fine work turned in by Marcum, Litsch, Janssen and second baseman Aaron Hill was especially noteworthy, as they represent the only productive players drafted and developed by the Blue Jays since general manager J.P. Ricciardi came aboard in 2002. Outfielder Travis Snider, a first-round pick in 2006, continued to crush minor league pitching, suggesting he might one day provide an emphatic counterpoint.

Toronto's offense sputtered to a disappointing 10th-place AL finish in scoring, and few young players appeared ready to provide the boost the pitching staff got. Adam Lind, the No. 1 prospect on this list a year ago, hit just .238 with 11 homers in 89 games, though he was much better during a September callup. Outside of having Lind live up to expectations, the Jays have to hope the likes of Troy Glaus, Lyle Overbay and Vernon Wells can rebound in 2008.

The new talent infused via the draft will need a few years to develop, though. And the Jays signed just one player to a six-figure bonus during the international signing period, but they believe 22-year-old Cuban righthander Kenny Rodriguez can move quickly as a reliever.

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