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Getting to know Jonatan Clase, the outfield prospect the Jays acquired for Yimi García
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Photo credit: © Stephen Brashear - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
Jul 26, 2024, 17:15 EDTUpdated: Jul 26, 2024, 17:18 EDT
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Ladies and gentlemen, the Toronto Blue Jays have made their first trade prior to the trade deadline.
On Friday afternoon, the Jays traded Yimi García to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for two prospects – Jonatan Clase and Jacob Sharp. The former is the prospect we’ll look in this article.
Clase signed with the Mariners through international free agency back in 2018 with a signing bonus of $35,000. The switch-hitting outfielder made his season debut the following season, slashing .300/.434/.444 with two homers in 286 plate appearances, along with a 17.8 BB% and a 19.6 K% for a 147 wRC+. His 2021 season was a short one, getting 57 plate appearances with the ACL Mariners where he slashed .245/.333/.388 with two homers for a 92 wRC+.
He earned a promotion to Single-A in 2022, where he slashed .267/.373/.463 with 13 home runs in 499 plate appearances, where he had a 13 BB% and a 26.7 K% for a 117 wRC+. Moreover, he stole 55 of 65 bases, a common trend in his career.
Clase started the 2023 season in High-A, where he slashed .333/.453/.701 with seven home runs in just 106 plate appearances, along with 17 stolen bases in 21 attempts. Obviously, he wasn’t in High-A long, as he was promoted to Double-A where he slashed .222/.331/.396 with 13 home runs in 489 plate appearances, along with a 13.1 BB% and a 28 K% for a 94 wRC+. Moreover, he stole 62 of 73 bases.
To start the 2024 season, Clase played for the Mariners’ Triple-A team, where he slashed .274/.373/.483 with 10 home runs in 280 plate appearances, along with a 14.3 BB% and a 25.7 K%. Moreover, he stole 26 of 35 bases.
The 22-year-old even played for the Seattle Mariners, where he slashed .195/.233/.220 with no homers in 43 plate appearances, before being optioned to Triple-A.
According to MLB Pipeline, Clase ranked as the Mariners 10th best prospect in the organization. The tool that immediately stands out is his speed, as they grade it at 70, but other publications have it at 80. He has a small frame (standing at 5’10”, 150 lbs), but has legitimate pop in his bat, albeit with some chase. Defensively, his home is centre field where his speed allows him to excel.
Overall, getting Clase alone for a reliever on an expiring contract is a good get for the Blue Jays.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

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