Amidst generational talents, Cavan Biggio perhaps biggest surprise

The biggest story in minor league baseball right now is perhaps the pair of second-generation top prospects in the Toronto Blue Jays system. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., son of Vladimir Sr., and Bo Bichette, son of Dante Bichette, have been highly regarded prospects since they started taking middle school PE.

Guerrero Jr. is barely 19 and Bichette turned 20 in March. Yet both are manhandling Double-A, with Guerrero Jr. in particular fulfilling his promise as not just Toronto’s top prospect, but one of the very best in the game.

Vladdy the younger and Dante Jr.’s younger brother (how cool would both juniors doing this have been?) are appropriately stealing the spotlight of not only the New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Eastern League, but most of the entire minor leagues.

However, another generational talent currently suits up alongside them. Never heralded as a top prospect like the other two, the third player is arguably the biggest surprise of the three.

Cavan Biggio, son of Craig Biggio, was a fifth round pick in 2016. Taken three rounds after teammate Bo, Biggio has garnered a lot of attention as a mid-round selection for obvious reasons.

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The 23-year old was the very first name on John’s “others” list for the 2018 Blue Jays, and has eyes on an ascension with his hot start to 2018.

Born in Houston (Vlad Jr. was born in Montreal), Cavan entered pro ball as a second baseman just like his old man. Unsurprisingly sporting a contact-driven approach, Biggio hit .282 with a symmetrical .382 OBP across Short-A and Low-A in his 2016 debut, walking one more time (29) than he struck out (28).

In year two, he saw a power surge at the expense of contact. (Sound familiar?) He hit in the low .230’s and struck out 140 times, but went from a grand total of zero home runs in 2016 to 11 in 2017. He also once again stole 11 bases, and walked 74 times.

Additionally, as the case with any player that hits and isn’t guaranteed the chance to become a future MLB regular, he ventured to a few different spots on the diamond. Along with his customary second base, he played some third and also appeared at each corner outfield spot.

This season, he was bumped to Double-A, if not for the sake of the future movie based on the three sons.

He’s taken his contact approach from year one and his power from year two to put together a dynamic start to 2018. Through 31 games, he’s hitting .298 with an OBP north of .400 and an OPS above 1.000. He has 10 home runs and 30 RBI already, and has been successful on four of five steal attempts.

He has also started seven games at first base, further expanding his defensive profile among a roster —and system— that is ripe with middle infield prospects.

The attention, hype and recognition mostly go to Guerrero Jr., then Bichette, and then from there is dispersed among other Fisher Cat participants. But between his historical name value and elevating stock, Cavan Biggio gives the Blue Jays another generational prospect to consider.