The Toronto Blue Jays were sellers this past trade deadline, moving all expiring contracts and a handful of veteran players to put some capital back into a farm system that needed some new blood in the organization.
One of the deals was moving Justin Turner to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for outfielder RJ Schreck, a ninth-round selection from last summer’s MLB Draft.
At the time of the deal, Schreck had just been promoted to double-A and played for the Arkansas Travelers in the Texas League. On the season, the California product had produced a .260/.396/.482 slash line with 17 home runs and 60 RBIs – mostly earned through his time in high-A with the Everett AquaSox.
Blue Jays’ RJ Schreck impressing in double-A
Defensively, the 24-year-old has spent most of his time in the corner outfield spots with a few centre-field starts mixed in. Left field has been his primary position, where he owns a .977 fielding percentage with five outfield assists dating back to last season.
Really impressive showing for RJ Schreck on Friday. Acquired by the Blue Jays for Justin Turner at the deadline, Schreck gave Hartford’s pitching fits, grinding out at bats & finding barrels. Hit two balls over 100+ mph last night
This left on left bomb was 103.1 mph #TOTHECORE pic.twitter.com/DwcyHVOu0t
— Geoff Pontes (@GeoffPontesBA) August 24, 2024
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Following the trade, Schreck shifted laterally to the Blue Jays double-A team in New Hampshire and so far, the lefty-hitting outfielder has been putting up solid numbers.
Through 19 games and 65 at-bats, Schreck has produced 20 hits (.308 average) and has 12 extra-base hits to his credit – including five home runs. On top of the power stroke, Schreck has collected 15 RBIs and four stolen bases while walking at a 13.0% rate with a .354 ISO and a .366 BAbip to go along with a .662 SLG and a 1.078 OPS.
He routinely puts the ball in play with exit velocities in the triple digits and his above-average speed with this raw power is seeing him easily collect the extra-base hits. When comparing the newest prospects acquired at the deadline and how they are faring in the Jays farm system, Schreck is one of the standouts amongst the group and has impressed many across the organization according to TSN’s Scott Mitchell.
Considering it has been quite some time since the Jays’ prospect system has churned out a bonafide outfield prospect, Schreck joins a group that is gaining some steam in Alan Roden, Gabriel Martinez, Dasan Brown, and Garrett Spain (alongside newly acquired Joey Loperfido).
Should Schreck continue this current trend for the rest of the season, the Duke/Vanderbilt alum is setting himself up for a potential promotion to triple-A next season.