Update on the Blue Jays Prospect List

I voted for Norris, but I really couldn’t disagree with anyone picking any of the three.

B+ Syndergaard, Norris
B Nicolino

-lefty
-upside of #2
-present stuff
-pro data(over norris)
-great control

Really hard to find a con

Synderlander.

I think you could make a case for an A- grade for him.

He’s the skinniest of the three at 6’3" 160lbs. He seems most likely to put on a little weight and gain more arm strength. If he adds a couple ticks on his fastball, it could setup his off-speed even more and be pretty dominant.

I love that size, and the numbers are just too damn good to ignore. Plus I’ve driven through his hometown 100 times going from HTown to Dallas.

Syndergaard, Nicolino, Norris.

It’s a tough one but I think Norris has to be last simply because there is no pro data and these guys had great years and have tons of potential. Syndergaard is throwing hard, showing good command, getting strikeouts + groundballs. Nicolino velocity is up as well around low 90’s, showing good command, strikeouts (lefty is a huge plus too) but I went with Syndergaard simply because of the upside. Nicolino could also grow add a tick or two if he fills out more so there is upside in his arm as well.

I don’t think its even close unless you desperately want to go with a lefty. Syndergaard has the body you would envision would allow him to eat innings, he has a big fastball, its a matter of refining the secondary pitches and command, but then again isn’t that what pretty much everyone needs

Nicolino is already 20 and has thrown about 60 innings, give me Norris who is about 18 months younger.

Geez that is a tough call. I voted Norris but I can see the argument for all three.

Its just so hard to argue against the scouting reports, results and the overall repetoire. If Justin can get bigger he will be a beast and that is something which can be done through diet regimen.

Norris was compared to Matt Purke at the same age and though his delivery is odd im sure its nothing that can’t be smoothed out. He’s got a repetoire for being a top flight starter with a fastball as high as 97 but an ability to pitch with it in the low 90’s. I’ve read his curveball has to take more shape but he’s got so many pitches and a great build so I can believe it.

Syndergaard is just a guy who strikes me as most likely to get hurt. He’s throwing 100mph darts in the minors and not many guys arms have unlimited darts like those unless their name is Verlander. Also he throws a splitter and guys who throw those always experience problems.

That said Syndergaard is built like a brick house, but to be honest, the differences between these threes ceilings are so slight as they could all be #1 guys depending on how they end up putting it all together.

I’ll ask this question: No doubt, Syndergaard and Nicolino had great results in 2011 and very much upped their stock. Still, I’d say they’re both borderline top-100 prospects now.

Obviously, Norris is behind them in experience. But if Norris had the same year in 2012 as, say, Nicolino had in 2011, would he be a borderline top-100 guy? He’d probably be a top-50 guy, easily, because of his pedigree today.

That’s a main reason why he ranks above the other two for me.