Gabriel Moreno promoted to the Toronto Blue Jays is finally happening. The Blue Jays No. 1 prospect will join the team for their weekend series against the Detroit Tigers, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Moreno’s call-up to the majors comes after catcher Danny Jansen was put on the IL with a fracture in his pinky finger. It’s the right time for the 22-year-old to prove to the Blue Jays what he can do.
#BlueJays No. 1 prospect Gabriel Moreno is joining the team in Detroit and he will be activated at some point during this weekend’s series, per source.
It’s time.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) June 9, 2022
Moreno inked a contract as an International free agent in 2016. Since then, his prospect stock has drastically increased thanks to an incredible 2021 season. Last season in Double-A, Moreno hit .323/.441/.651 with eight home runs. He only struck out 22 times in 32 games with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Despite missing time with a right thumb fracture, Moreno’s efforts were enough to receive a promotion to Triple-A Buffalo at the end of the year.
After the season ended, Moreno played in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .329/.410/.494 in 100 plate appearances. His performance pushed him to be a top 10 in Baseball America and the Blue Jays’ top prospect. In 35 games with the Bisons, the Venezuelan has posted a .324/.380/.404 slash line. While his numbers this year aren’t as powerful as last season.
With a strong sense at the plate, Moreno is a catcher who comes with a strong arm. Alejandro Kirk is having an All-Star-like season from behind the plate. Zack Collins will also fill in for the injured Jansen, which means the three catchers will shuttle at catcher and DH duties when necessary. The good thing about all this is that Moreno might not be ready to make a major impact at the league level. It’s fine because, for the time being, he needs to be a backup which starts a few times a week while soaking in his unique environment.
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