The final hitting position in our series is outfielders. We are not writing a story on designated hitters, in the minor leagues the DH is usually filled by rotation. Sometimes you have two good players at a position, for example last season Dunedin had Travis d'Arnaud and Yan Gomes, both catchers who were hitting well. The DH position could be used to get extra at-bats for both. The DH position also allows a team to get at-bats for the reserves.
Outfield is not considered a position of strength for the Jays but there are several outfielders whose 2011 performance will be closely watched. Can Darin Mastroianni handle AAA? Same question for Adam Loewen? How will Moises Sierra return from an injury filled year? Will Anthony Gose improve his hitting? Those are some of the more interesting story lines for 2011.
Toronto
Travis Snider, Rajai Davis and Juan Rivera appear to be the front runners for the outfield spots in Toronto. Jose Bautista looks to be headed for third base but if the Jays find a third baseman Bautista could head back to the outfield. Corey Patterson is in line to be the fourth outfielder. All of this is subject to change if, as I said above, the Jays find a third baseman; if the Jays trade Rivera; or if the Jays sign Scott Podsednik; all of which have been rumoured recently.
Las Vegas
Last year's AA outfield appear to be headed to AAA. Eric Thames led New Hampshire in offense last season and he will get the left field job. Darin Mastroianni also produced well in AA and added to that with a very good winter league performance and he should be the centre fielder. Adam Loewen had an up and down 2010, some of which was blamed on his acclimating to playing a full season. Loewen is a year-to-year free agent so the Jays should send him to AAA to see if he has major league potential.
Others in the mix include Adam Calderone who bounced between AA and AAA last season; and free agents Jason Lane; Richard Nanita and Danny Perales.
New Hampshire
The Jays expect Moises Sierra to make the New Hampshire opening day squad. Sierra had a brief stay in AA at the end of 2009 but injuries derailed his progress in 2010. Assuming he is back to his old form I expect Sierra to be in right field for the Fisher Cats.
Anthony Gose is a longer shot to make AA. In 2010 his hitting was not great and he struck out too much. If the Jays believe his hitting has improved he could be sent to AA but I think he will get another three months in Dunedin. Gose is just 20 so he has time.
The rest of the New Hampshire outfield could be filled by minor league free agents such as Danny Perales and Richard Nanita.
Dunedin
Assuming Anthony Gose returns to Dunedin we will have two spots to fill. Kenny Wilson was promoted to Dunedin late in the season last year. Wilson has spent two years in Lansing and while he hasn't conquered A ball he probably needs a change of scenery. I believe Wilson will make the team and his playing time will depend on performance. Brad Glenn hit well for Lansing in 2010. He did have some injuries that impacted his performance but he deserves a shot at Dunedin as well. There are several players in the mix for the fourth outfielder and DH positions including hold-overs Brian Van Kirk; Chris Hopkins; Brad McElroy and Concepcion Rodriguez.
Lansing
Jake Marisnick and Michael Crouse were promoted to Lansing in August of last season. Both will be 20 years old on opening day and they will fill two thirds of the outfield. Marcus Knecht, drafted by the Jays in 2010, will take the third spot. The only issue is who will play right field, both Crouse and Knecht can play there.
The backup roles will fall to Steve McQuail and Jonathon Jones, both 2010 draftees who played in Auburn.
Extended Spring/GCL
Last years GCL outfield of Melvyn Garcia; Angel Gomez; Dalton Pompey; Ronald Melendez and Carlos Ramirez will return for another year.
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