Where Jays' top prospects are starting 2021

With the Minor League season opening Tuesday, here's where the Blue Jays’ Top 30 Prospects are projected to start:

1) Nate Pearson (MLB No. 10), RHP -- Buffalo (Triple-A)
2) Austin Martin (MLB No. 18), SS -- New Hampshire (Double-A)
3) Jordan Groshans (MLB No. 38), SS -- New Hampshire (Double-A)
4) Simeon Woods Richardson (MLB No. 77), RHP -- New Hampshire (Double-A)
5) Orelvis Martinez, SS -- Dunedin (Low-A)
6) Alek Manoah, RHP -- Buffalo (Triple-A)
7) Gabriel Moreno, C -- New Hampshire (Double-A)
8) Miguel Hiraldo, SS -- Dunedin (Low-A)
9) Adam Kloffenstein, RHP -- Vancouver (High-A)
10) C.J. Van Eyk, RHP -- Vancouver (High-A)
11) Otto Lopez, SS -- New Hampshire (Double-A)
12) Leonardo Jimenez, SS -- Extended spring training
13) Estiven Machado, SS -- Extended spring training
14) Eric Pardinho, RHP -- Extended spring training
15) Dasan Brown, OF -- Extended spring training
16) Rikelvin de Castro, SS -- Extended spring training
17) Joey Murray, RHP -- Buffalo (Triple-A)
18) Riley Adams, C -- Toronto (MLB)
19) Manuel Beltre, SS -- Extended spring training
20) Patrick Murphy, RHP -- Injured (shoulder)
21) Yosver Zulueta, RHP -- Dunedin (Low-A)
22) Will Robertson, OF -- Vancouver (High-A)
23) Nick Frasso, RHP -- Extended spring training
24) Trent Palmer, LHP -- Extended spring training
25) Sem Robberse, RHP -- Extended spring training
26) T.J Zeuch, RHP -- Buffalo (Triple-A)
27) Joshua Palacios, OF -- Buffalo (Triple-A)
28) Kevin Smith, SS -- Buffalo (Triple-A)
29) Chavez Young, OF -- New Hampshire (Double-A)
30) Nick Allgeyer, LHP -- Buffalo (Triple-A)

Team to watch

Prior to the season, the Blue Jays spoke about trying to get both Austin Martin and Jordan Groshans as many looks at shortstop as they could. Those looks, however, will come on the same team as both will join Double-A New Hampshire to open 2021. Their combined offensive firepower alone would make the Fisher Cats worth watching, but there’s more Top 100 talent on the mound in the form of Simeon Woods Richardson, who sports a solid four-pitch mix and throws with plus control. It’s a deep and talented group headed to Double-A.

Teams on MiLB.TV

Triple-A Buffalo
Double-A New Hampshire

New faces

Manuel Beltre was Toronto’s big international signing back in January when he was inked for a $2.35 million signing bonus. The Jays have been aggressive with the Dominican shortstop since then, having already given him a stateside look as part of Spring Training last month, but they aren’t ready to move him to a full-season affiliate ahead of his 17th birthday in June.

On the shelf

Patrick Murphy stood out early in his career for a plus fastball, plus curveball and unique delivery that included a toe tap that umpires eventually ruled as an illegal move. He made his Major League debut with four relief appearances during the abbreviated 2020 season but has been slow out of the gate in 2021 due to an AC joint injury in his right shoulder.