OFFICIAL: We’ve acquired UTIL Jay Harry from the Twins in exchange for RHP Trevor Richards. Welcome to our #BlueJays family!
Getting to know Jay Harry, the utility infielder the Blue Jays acquired in the Trevor Richards trade
Photo credit: © Joseph Cress- Iowa City Press/Citizen (USA Today)
Jul 30, 2024, 17:30 EDTUpdated: Jul 30, 2024, 17:51 EDT
The Blue Jays have acquired another 2023-draftee.
Their first trade of Tuesday came towards the end of the deadline, as they moved reliever Trevor Richards to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Jay Harry.
Harry is a 22-year-old utility infielder who was selected in the sixth-round of the 2023 draft by the Twins.. Harry spent three seasons at Pennsylvania State University, slashing .304/.380/.439 with 12 home runs in 634 plate appearances.
The utility infielder spent his first half-season with Minnesota’s Florida Complex League team, as well as their Single-A team. Overall, he slashed .339/.434/.468 with a 10.9 BB% and a 6.2 K% in 129 plate appearances. He hit one home run, nine doubles, and one triple in his short stint.
6th round pick Jay Harry had himself a day to remember going 4-4 with a HR, a double, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored in the @MightyMussels win 💥 Through 19 games at Single-A, Harry is slashing .347/.442/.472 with a .914 OPS and a 11.6% BB rate to a 4.7 K%‼️ #MNTwins
This is Harry’s first full season, and he’s been with the Twins High-A team throughout the season. Prior to the trade, he was slashing .214/.306/.349 with eight home runs in 340 plate appearances, along with an 8.8 BB% and a 19.1 K%.
Harry doesn’t rank on MLB Pipeline’s top 30 prospect list, which makes sense given Richards’ recent struggles since the start of July. There’s some pop in his bat and prior to this season, but he’s a hit-over-power type of prospect. Harry is hard to strikeout and plays all around the infield, something the Blue Jays love in their prospects. However, Harry seems to profile as a utility infielder with low-upside.
Jay can get you out of a Harry situation. Which of these sliding plays from Sunday was your favorite?
Funnily enough, the Blue Jays have now acquired five 2023-draftees prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline. Joining Jacob Sharp , Josh Rivera, RJ Schreck and Jake Bloss.
Still, it’s not a bad trade for a rental reliever whose numbers have been declining in recent times. The Jays do a tremendous job of helping players become better with their hit tools, so there’s a chance that Harry figures it out with the Jays.
At worst, it’s organizational depth for the Jays.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.