As expected, the Blue Jays have promoted top catching prospect Gabriel Moreno today to make his big league debut. As a corresponding roster move, catcher Zack Collins was optioned to Triple-A, per the Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath (via Twitter). The inevitability of Moreno’s arrival in the bigs first broke a couple of days ago. Today should be the day we get to see him on the diamond as the Jays take on the Tigers in Detroit later this afternoon.
This is not likely to be the last time that Collins sees time in the bigs, as he has largely performed as expected, providing some left-handed pop from behind the plate. The 27-year-old has slashed .212/.288/.455 with four round-trippers in 73 plate appearances. Collins was acquired from the White Sox in a straight swap for Reese McGuire.
Moreno was the 7th-ranked prospect in all of baseball at the start of the season per both MLB.com and Baseball America. He now gets his first taste of the bigs after slashing .324/.380/.404 across 150 plate appearances in Triple-A so far this season. Whether or not Moreno is here to stay could depend on a number of factors, but with the Blue Jays fairly well-stocked behind the plate, Moreno will likely have to hit the ground running to make himself into a fixture in Toronto. With Alejandro Kirk behind the plate and Danny Jansen set to return from the injured list at some point, the Blue Jays may not be able to find regular at-bats for Moreno unless he’s back in Triple-A.
Cool
Wow so all those Sox fans who were crying about giving Zack Collins a chance must be emailing Toronto’s front office now with complaints. After all, who knows more about players’ potential, fans or the professionals who run teams?
There are plenty of Jays fans who still think Collins is the real deal, too, and just needs playing time. He went 8-15 during a 4 game stretch in April. Aside from that he’s 6-51 with 26 strikeouts, much more in-line with his career, and yet there’s always someone saying he’s been a “bright spot” in the lineup this year or some nonsense.
TIme to go with Kirk and Moreno full-time.
I don’t believe there is any blue jay fans who think he’s the real deal. He is a pipe dream for all
Zach is the classic tools guy scouts love who get GMs fired, the guys Billy Beane threw a tantrum over.
How long until Kirk eats his way out from behind the plate and Moreno becomes the primary catcher? Kirk looks like Ce-Lo Green behind the plate, but he must be a heck of an athlete as he is delivering despite his conditioning.
He looks like a mini-Vogelbach.
His height to weight proportions remind me of Pablo Sandoval
Good thing he doesn’t play in a Prairie state. Would be worried about him rolling away like tumbleweed.
He is fun to watch at the plate
We’re not selling jeans
So this is their stud. Jesus those OBP numbers and that contact rate look nice. Can he call a game and throw?
He can throw, yes (54% CS) , but that’s so little of the game now I’m not sure it matters. Supposedly his game calling and framing is good enough.
As long as you aren’t sailing it into the outfield everytime, you can easily get away with a weak-armed catcher. Only Cedric Mullins and Randy Arrozerna had 20 or more SBS.
But there was a time when even Prince Feilder looked like Henderson vs Jays Catchers
It’s nice to see Kirk and Moreno have cannons
There was a time Cecil Fielder stole a base on them too, not that the past has any real bearing on what’s done now.
I believe it matters as it gives pitchers a bit more confidence with a runner on. The Yankees were among the bottom last year in CS and pick offs with Gary Sanchez behind the plate. Their new pitching coach Matt Blake made an emphasis on holding runners and it has made a world of a difference. 54% CS is outstanding. Rooting hard for Moreno.
I don’t disagree that stealing is much less part of the game than even 10 years ago, however I will say that just last night I was at the game and the M’s attacked Rich Hill’s startling slow delivery. It was a big part of the game for an inning. JP got one, then Dylan Moore got nabbed in a 0-2 pitchout on a perfect throw from Vazquez. Our big kid Cal Raleigh has a pretty decent arm as well.
It’s still something that comes into play and goes along with basic fundamentals. You don’t want a noodle back their with Julio on first lemme tell ya!
If you can’t throw out a guy the opposing team will run all over you.
NWMarinerHawk – Please refrain from such profanities. They are highly offensive and not appreciated.
Highly offensive- sort of what Los blue jays are kinda going for at this position – no?
POP of 1.83 sec on only steal attempt today. 98th %ile. So yes he can throw.
Looking more and more like the Jays make a run at Yadier Molina closer to the trade deadline
Why on Earth?
Why would they do that with so many catchers already?
Ok I’ve given some weird comments.
Please explain Molina
Bc the Cards will inevitably collapse and trade away their one-team franchise icon and potential HOF’er for a lottery ticket?
No
We’ll give you Yadi for July and August in exchange for Teoscar and Manoah. Yadi comes back for the September stretch run and appropriate retirement celebrations.
There’s odd takes and then there’s this one.