Today’s prospect could see some action with the big league team this season.
This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual Pre-Season Prospect Countdown, this time looking at the top 40 prospects in the organization. We’ll look at the player’s stats, my observations, and other publications’ scouting reports if available.
Let’s take a look at our 11th-best prospect in the Toronto Blue Jays system, Jonatan Clase!
Getting to know Jonatan Clase…
Position: Outfield
Bats: Switch
Born: May 23, 2002
Acquired: Trade with Mariners
Previous ranking: 13
Clase signed with the Seattle Mariners during the 2018 International Free Agency period, making his debut the following season with their Dominican Summer League team. He slashed .300/.434/.444 with two home runs in 286 plate appearances for a 147 wRC+. The outfielder headed stateside for the 2021 season, getting just 57 plate appearances as an injury took away most of that season.
The 2022 season was solid for Clase in Single-A, as he slashed .267/.373/.463 with 13 home runs in 499 plate appearances with a 13 BB% and a 26.7 K%, stealing 55 bases in 65 attempts. Splitting the 2023 season between High-A and Double-A, Clase slashed .242/.353/.449 with 20 home runs in 595 plate appearances for a 113 wRC+ with 79 stolen bases in 94 attempts.
Clase started the season with the Mariners Triple-A team, spending a few stints with them where he slashed .274/.373/.483 with 10 home runs in 280 plate appearances. He also earned a shot with the big league team, slashing .195/.233/.220 with no home runs in 43 plate appearances.
Before the 2024 trade deadline, the Mariners traded him and catcher Jacob Sharp to the Blue Jays in exchange for Yimi García, a trade that worked out well for the Jays given that they re-signed García in free agency. Clase didn’t do great with the Triple-A Bisons but was called up to the Blue Jays toward the end of the season where he hit his first big league home run and slashed .350/.435/.550 in 23 plate appearances.
Clase has a good blend of power, speed, and solid defence. However, his hit tool lags behind his other tools as there’s some chase in his game. If he can get that sorted out, he could be the Blue Jays’ centre fielder of the future.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
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