The Northwoods League ventures into the always powerful American League East today as they breakdown the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays haven’t made it back to the MLB Playoffs since they won the World Series in 1993, but expect to compete with the Rays, Red Sox, and Yankees again this summer. The Blue Jays have 15 former NWL players in their organization with Casey Janssen and Mike McCoy on the MLB 40-man roster.
Casey Janssen was a 4th round pick in the 2004 MLB draft after attending UCLA. The right handed pitcher played in the Northwoods in 2000 and 2001 for Wisconsin. Janssen has spent four of the last five years in the bullpen for the Blue Jays and is expected to see quality innings again in 2011. The twenty-nine year old had one of his best seasons at the MLB level this past season. Janssen appeared in 56 games out of the bullpen and ended the season with a 3.67 earned run average with a 5-2 record.
Mike McCoy, the former Brainerd Mighty Gull, is listed on the 40-man roster for the Blue Jays in 2011. The El Cajon, CA native led the NWL in 2000 with 30 stolen bases and hit .257 with seven doubles and 17 RBI. The 5’9’’ former NWL All-Star will be a part of an offense that led the Major Leagues in home runs with 257 in 2010. McCoy is currently listed as the third string shortstop for the Blue Jays, but can also play 2nd base and outfield. The 34th round pick in the 2006 MLB Draft spent most of 2009 in Colorado before being claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays in November of 2009.
Other former NWL alumni to watch in the Toronto Blue Jays organization – Eric Thames and Jonathan Diaz
Eric Thames, a former La Crosse Logger, has experienced success at the plate in the Minor Leagues over the past two seasons. Thames was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 7th round of the 2008 MLB Draft and has career .295 MiLB batting average. The former Pepperdine standout made the Arizona Fall League ‘Rising Stars’ All-Star game this past November. Thames is a non-roster invite for the Blue Jays in 2011.
Jonathan Diaz was a 12th round pick of the Blue Jays in 2006 and has bounced around Double-A and Triple-A the past four years. Despite his small frame (5’8’’/155 pounds), Diaz is known for his defense and ability to put the ball in play at the plate. The former North Carolina State Wolfpack product earned NWL’s ‘Finest in the Field’ in 2005 for the Thunder Bay Border Cats and only committed sixteen errors in his career for the NC State. Diaz split time in 2010 between New Hampshire (Double-A) of the Eastern League and the Las Vegas 51’s (Triple-A) of the Pacific Coast League. Diaz is a non-roster invite for the Blue Jays in 2011.
Check back Monday, February 28th as the NWL does a breakdown of the Atlanta Braves and George Sherrill.