Blue Jays Nation’s Pre-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 26: Rafael Lantigua

Today’s prospect could play with the 2024 Blue Jays.

This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual pre-season list, in which I’ll take a look at the top 50 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 Rafael Lantigua.

Getting to know Rafael Lantigua…

Position: Everything except first base, catcher, and pitcher

Bats: Right

Born: April 28, 1998

Acquired: 2017 International Free Agency

2023 Team: Triple-A Buffalo

Previous Ranking: 42

Rafael Lantigua started his Blue Jays career in 2017, slashing .284/.379/.376 with no homers in 256 plate appearances, along with a higher BB% (12.9%) than K% (12.5). He had a similar 2018 at the rookie level, before struggling in 2019.

After the 2020 minor league season was cancelled due to the pandemic, Lantigua played the majority of his 2021 season with the High-A Vancouver Canadians. He was 23 years old at the time, and slashed .280/.375/.470 with 11 homers in 347 plate appearances, along with a 12.1 BB% and a 21.9 K% for a 127 wRC+.

Lantigua was one of just four players in the Blue Jays organization with 500 or more plate appearances in 2022, in fact, his 547 plate appearances were the most in the minor leagues for the Jays. Between Double-A and Triple-A, Lantigua slashed .274/.346/.393 with seven homers, along with a 9.7 BB% and a 19.2 K%.

However, Lantigua’s career-year came in 2023. With the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, Lantigua slashed .305/.425/.469 with 12 homers in 578 plate appearances, along with a career-high 17 BB% and an 18.5 BB%. His 131 wRC+ was seventh in the Blue Jays organization, and he once again led the Jays’ minor leaguers in plate appearances.