THREE FOR THIS YEAR
1
Glenn Sparkman, RHP Opening day age: 24 Height/ Weight: 6- foot- 2, 210 lbs Bat/ Throw: S/ R Acquired: Selected in 2016 Rule 5 draft from the Kansas City Royals
2016 stats: 2-7, 5.22 ERA, 60.1 innings, 70 hits, 10 BB, 65 K in 16 games with the rookie- level Arizona League Royals, Low-A Lexington, High-A Wilmington and AA Northwest Arkansas
In brief: After hitting on righthander Joe Biagini last season, the Jays decided to go back to the Rule 5 well, selecting Sparkman out of the Royals organization in December. While Sparkman’s 5.22 ERA in 2016 didn’t look pretty, the righty was still recovering from Tommy John surgery and his peripherals looked much better than the final numbers. He’s thrown just 80.1 innings over the past two years, so expect the workload to be monitored carefully if he sticks in the bullpen.
ETA: Early 2017
2
Lourdes Gurriel Jr., 2B/ 3B/OF Opening day age: 23 Height/ Weight: 6- foot- 2, 185 lbs
Bat/ Throw: R/ R Acquired: Signed in 2016 out of Cuba for seven years, US$ 22 million
2016 stats: .344/.407/. 560 in 245 plate appearances in Cuba ( 2015/ 16)
In brief: When you consider what the Blue Jays have done this winter, swooping in and signing this Cuban youngster in November is arguably the biggest splash they’ve made. No one’s really sure what position he’ll end up at, but the
unknown upside is as intriguing as it gets. The expectation is that he’ll be Major Leagueready fairly soon, too.
ETA: Mid- 2017 3
Rowdy Tellez, 1B Opening day age: 22 Height/ Weight: 6- foot- 4, 220 lbs
Bat/ Throw: L/ L Acquired: Drafted in 30th round ( 895th overall) in 2013
2016 stats: .297/. 387/. 530, 23 HR, 4 SB in 124 games at Double-A New Hampshire
In brief: When Tellez arrives at Rogers Centre is pretty much up to the California- born slugger. If he rakes in spring training, he’ll give the Jays front office something to think about, but either way he’ll be a phone call away if he starts 2017 hot. There are still questions about the legitimacy of his 2016 breakout, and he’ll have to continue to prove he can handle first base to avoid the DH- only label.
ETA: Mid- 2017