How it all got started
Gabriel Moreno signed with Blue Jays during the 2016 international signing period for $25,000 as an unheralded catching prospect, and since then he has proven to be a great get. Toronto’s No. 1 prospect out of its Top 30 and MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 on its Top 100, the catcher combines elite contact skills with a foreseeable future behind the dish.
FAST FACTS
MLB Organization: Blue Jays
Birthdate: 02/14/2000
Primary position: C
Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 160 pounds
Bats/throws: Right/right
Hometown: Barquisimeto, Venezuela
From infielder to catcher
A converted infielder, Moreno has blossomed into an above-average defender behind the dish. Scouts like his ability to call games, block pitches in the dirt, and frame offerings on the edges of the zone to steal strikes. Posting elite whiff rates throughout his MiLB career, especially for a catcher, Moreno has one of the more intriguing hit tools in the Minors. In addition to having a Minor League career batting average above .300, he can also drive the ball for extra-base hits, being noted by evaluators for his ability to impact the ball effectively.
History of performance
Moreno was the highest-ranked prospect in the AFL during the 2021 MiLB season, making the All-AFL Team in the process. He's played in the Venezuelan Winter League for two years and spent the bulk of his 2021 MiLB season with Toronto's Double-A affiliate, where he slashed .373/.441/.651. He is one of the most athletic catchers you’ll find, using his agility and athleticism to enhance his defense. Combining solid pop times and an above-average arm, the 22-year-old backstop has thrown out 36% of runners during his four seasons in the Minors. Moreno has been experimenting with the glove, taking reps at third base in order to add some versatility to his profile.
Making a name for himself
During his time in the Minors as a top prospect, Moreno made a name for himself throughout the Blue Jays organization. Whether it be batting practice, or in-game, he consistently impressed his peers with his feats, his skills, and his maturity.
Veteran pitcher Casey Lawrence told Sportsnet that when he pitched to Moreno late in 2021, the young catcher showed advanced skills behind the plate and was “very prepared.” Fellow Blue Jays prospect Chavez Young called Moreno “an awesome human being,” and someone who is “joyful to watch,” due to his constant smile.