Red Sox vs the AL East: farm systems

Feb 25, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Daniel Norris (32) works out during spring training at Bobby Mattick Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

2. Toronto Blue Jays

Notable Prospects: Daniel Norris, Aaron Sanchez, Dalton Pompey, Jeff Hoffman, Max Pentecost, Devon Travis

After a number of breakout seasons a year ago, this Blue Jays farm system looks poised to start churning out top major league talent sooner rather than later.

Norris, an intriguing talent before last season, broke out in a big way in 2014 as he posted a 2.53 ERA across High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A before a brief stint in Toronto last September. He now looks poised to compete for a job in the rotation during spring training and could add a major boost to a mediocre Blue Jays rotation. Sanchez, who had started throughout his minor league career, pitched in 24 games out of the Blue Jays’ bullpen last season and posted a 1.09 ERA and a .128 opposing batting average.

The Blue Jays also got a breakout season at the plate last year as Dalton Pompey, a native Torontonian, hit .317/.392/.469 with 43 steals across the three highest levels of the minors before making his own major league debut. In addition to the breakouts from Norris and Pompey, however, the Blue Jays also added some significant talent to their system by drafting pitcher Jeff Hoffman, who has undergone Tommy John Surgery but remains a top prospect, and catcher Max Pentecost in addition to acquiring second baseman Devon Travis (.298/.358/.460 in Double-A last season) from the Tigers. All three of the Norris/Sanchez/Pompey combination should contribute in Toronto this season as the Jays will add some young life to their powerful, veteran roster.