With the dust still settling from all the Jays' moves, the team purchased the contracts of six of its top prospects, and now has 36 players on its latest 40-man roster, reports the Globe and Mail. (If you don't want to read David Leeder's story, I've copied the list -- click the Full Article link.)
In addition to these names, of course, there are several other candidates to make the 2003 Jays 25-man roster, recently acquired as minor-league free agents and invited to spring training: Doug Linton, Josh Towers, Howie Clark, Bruce Aven, et al. If they were starting the season tomorrow, I've marked my picks* to head north from Dunedin with the big club, leaving two spots open for pitchers.
There's competition for Jason Kershner from Scott Wiggins, now 5-0, 2.55 with 5 saves in the Arizona Fall League (who was that RF we traded for him?) and I've mentioned before, Tom Wilson is unlikely to be around once (if?) Kevin Cash becomes even an adequate hitter. DeWayne Wise could make it if Jayson Werth bombs in Florida, and Ricciardi is always a phone call away from another trade or FA signing.
PITCHERS (18)
Brian Bowles (R)
Vinny Chulk (R)
Pasqual Coco (R)
*Doug Creek (L)
*Kelvim Escobar (R)
Bob File (R)
*Roy Halladay (R)
*Mark Hendrickson (L)
*Jason Kershner (L)
*Cory Lidle (R)
Diegomar Markwell (L)
*Justin Miller (R)
*Cliff Politte (R)
Francisco Rosario (R)
Mike Smith (R)
*Jeff Tam (R)
Corey Thurman (R)
*Pete Walker (R)
CATCHERS (6)
Kevin Cash
*Ken Huckaby
*Josh Phelps
Guillermo Quiroz
*Jayson Werth
*Tom Wilson
INFIELDERS (7)
*Dave Berg
*Carlos Delgado
*Eric Hinske
*Orlando Hudson
*Felipe Lopez
Dominic Rich
*Chris Woodward
OUTFIELDERS (5)
*Jose Cruz Jr.
Alexis Rios
*Shannon Stewart
*Vernon Wells
Dewayne Wise
None of the six youngsters added today (Chulk, Rosario, Markwell, Rios, Rich and Quiroz) will have an impact in Toronto this year; Chulk would have to dazzle in AAA, where Smith and probably Thurman will be among his rotation mates, Rosario's rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and the others need more experience. No sign of Gabe Gross, suggesting that Rios may be considered the best OF prospect in the system. Interesting that Werth and Phelps are still considered catchers, and surprising that Bob File remains on the list after a disastrous 2002.
By the way, here's the Grand Canyon stats through yesterday. Gross is at a respectable .284-3-18, with 8 doubles, 2 triples and 4 SB in 5 attempts. As always with the big guy, the walks (10) and strikeouts (24) are a concern. Cash, who continues to get raves for his athleticism, is "hitting" .197 with an OPS under .600 -- a frightening resemblance to Joey Lawrence.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20021120011840999