Under the C’s – Which Blue Jays prospect has the next ticket out of Vancouver?

With Alan Roden’s departure for AA New Hampshire this week, it’s becoming quickly apparent that the Jays brass is very aware of the success of the Vancouver Canadians and their players.

With Vancouver currently sitting 19 games above .500(Yes, you read that right) in the High-A Northwest League, it’s quite obvious that the squad would turn some heads all the way over in Toronto.  Minor league baseball exists to be a feeder system for the major leagues, so it’s only natural that some of the C’s might be getting the dreaded 416-xxx-xxxx phone call.

Here’s the tricky part though; The Canadians are PRIMED to make a serious run for the Northwest League Championship this Fall, as they already guaranteed their spot in the Final by registering the best record in the first half of the regular season.  BUT YOU TORONTO READERS DON’T CARE ABOUT THAT.  So here’s a list of the Top 5 Vancouver Canadians who could (unfortunately) be on a plane to Manchester.

Obviously, the list has to start with the South Cambie Crusher. 

Alex De Jesus’s notoriety for piss missiles into the parking lot outside Nat Bailey Stadium has already been well, well documented throughout the run of Under the C’s, but consistency and reliability are truly the names of the game for the man dubbed The Camel by his Vancouver teammates.  With 10 jacks and a team-leading 54 RBIs (15 2B and 7 3B, if you’re interested), the 21-year-old out of the Dominican Republic has the call to New Hampshire and Buffalo looming over his head.

The PRIDE of Abbey Park High School in Oakville, Ontario (They just don’t know it yet) is as lethal a base runner as you’ll find in the minor leagues, with speed the people of Vancouver haven’t seen since a young Pavel Bure first laced up the skates at the Pacific Coliseum back in 1991.  OK, maybe I’m exaggerating a touch, but Dasan Brown’s ability to “get on his horse and ride” this season is nothing short of remarkable.  Leading the club with a ridiculous 22 stolen bases, Dasan is the perfect depth hitter from the outfield who can break a cold line-up out of a multi-inning slump with a single at-bat.  He’s brought home 32 RBIs on 65 hits this season at The Nat, becoming quite the fan favourite in the process.  Dasan Brown is definitely someone who should really consider screening his calls over the next few months…

The mound seems to get the least amount of love, at least here on this article series, but the performance on the slab this season from Devereaux Harrison has been getting its deserved recognition in the Pacific Northwest. Harrison has found himself named as the Northwest League pitcher of the week twice this season, followed by NWL Pitcher of the Month accolades in June. Devereaux’s season highlight in Vancouver this Summer came on June 11th, when he pitched six hitless innings, in only his fourth pro start, en route to Vancouver’s first No-Hitter since 2005.  The Jays 9th round pick in 2022 is certainly “fresh” in the system, but when you’re throwing 53 strikeouts and No-Nos in your first pro season, you might get noticed. MIGHT.

His .252 average might not jump off the screen at you, but his timing for big hits, along with near-mistake free play in the field, make Gabby Martinez quite the sleeper pick for quick progression up the ladder.  Currently sitting in seat #12 on the farm train to Toronto, Martinez quietly has connected with 67 hits in 69 games, with 30 RBIs and six homers, while also displaying good vision at the plate, taking the walk to first twenty times this year.  In the aftermath of a player like Alan Roden’s departure, Martinez could be THE guy on the C’s to take that next step and garner some attention from back east as well.

Devonte Brown is fun.  He’s simply a blast to watch play.  The North Carolina State alum has made a splash in Vancouver since making the journey over from Dunedin in April.  In that time, he’s developed a picante for Walk-Offs, brought in 38 RBIs, and became a favourite of a few people here at Blue Jays Nation.  As a player that wasn’t drafted, Devonte had a bit more of an uphill struggle up the mountain to the major leagues, but he’s found his footing in Vancouver.  At the fast rate of development, the 24-year-old is going through, hopping on the Amtrak for a four-day journey to the east coast might be in his future.