Travis Hubbel

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #20 prospect in 2001
  The Blue Jays have a reputation for loving athletic, projectable righties while eschewing shorter pitchers. While that has been true and will continue to be so, the Jays also are trying harder to find pitchers like Brandon Lyon and Hubbel who know how to pitch, no matter what size they are. Hubbel does conform to another Jays tendency: He's a converted third baseman, like Bob File. Hubbell hit just .186 without a home run before moving to the mound in 1999. His arm strength was his best tool at third, and it has translated into pure power on the mound. Hubbel's fastball rivals File's and Charles Kegley's as the system's best, ranging from 92-95 mph when his mechanics are right. Hubbel lacks command of his slurvy breaking ball and needs to develop an offspeed pitch. He lost time last season to a flu-like virus, but with a good season in high Class A in 2001, he could move into the organization's top echelon of prospects.