After it seemed the Blue Jays were going to be tentative and take their time with their prospects, there has been a flurry of promotions in the Toronto Blue Jays farm system over the last month.

It should be an exciting time for Jays fans who have endured some tough times over the last 18 seasons. Sports Illustrated’s ‘Inside baseball’ featured the Blue Jays last week. Writing about Toronto getting ready to over throw the Yankees and Red Sox in the AL East. SI has slammed the Jays with preseason predictions over the last few of seasons. To see this article was very refreshing.

A couple years ago, if Toronto didn’t sign first round pick Tyler Beede the organization would have been ridiculed (remember 2009 when Toronto didn’t sign 3 of their top 4 picks) but, the farm-system is strong enough that they can lose a year of development with a top prospect. Toronto will get the 22nd pick in the draft next year as compensation.

We all know the system is strong, let’s now take a look at my top 5 promotions over the last month:

Hechavarria has hit . 412 in 12 games since being moved up to AAA

1. Adeiny Hechavarria, SS promoted to AAA Las Vegas: Hechavarria might be the best defensive shortshop in the game. While many people wondered whether he can hit, he has answered by batting (in the hitter-friendly PCL). With the Jays bringing in Kelly Johnson to tend second base the rest of the season, Hechavarria might have a chance to make the Jays prospect out of camp, if Johnson leaves as a free agent. (Though he is most likely to start next season in AAA).

In three starts at AA, Molina has a 0.58ERA, striking out 24 in 16.1 IP

2. Nestor Molina, SP promoted to AA New Hampshire: Alex Anthopolous has publicly stated that teams have put in phone calls on the 22-year-old Venezuelan prior to the trade deadline. But the Jays were reluctant to move him. Good call, as in 3 starts at AA New Hampshire he’s put a video game ERA of 0.58 and has struck out 24 over 16.1 IP for the Fisher Cats. This is a guy who could be in the Majors at this time next year.

3. Drew Hutchison, SP promoted to AA New Hampshire: Hutchison has blown through the Jays system this summer. He started in Lansing, before being promoted to Dunedin and now to AA New Hampshire, where he will make his first start tonight. Hutchison was a 15th-round pick in 2009 and the Jays are very happy he elected not to go pitch in College. In 134.1 IP he has struck out 150 batters. While posting an 11-5 record and a 2.68 ERA. Oh by the way… he has only given up 6 homers in a year and half as a pro, but 3 were in his 11 starts in Dunedin.

Casey Lawrence is 7-1 with an ERA of 1.66 over his last 10 starts

4. Casey Lawerence, SP promoted to high-A Dunedin: Lawerence, a relatively unknown pitcher, is 13-8 this season between Dunedin and Lansing. Did I mention he is 7-1 with an ERA of 1.66 over his last 10 starts? Not bad for a guy who was signed as a undrafted College free agent last summer.

5. Noah Syndergaard and Justin Nicolino, both starting pitchers promoted to mid-A Lansing: The high draft picks in 2010 have not disappointed yet in the early stages of the minor leagues. Nicolino in 52.1 IP for Vancouver posted a 5-1 record and 1.03 ERA. Syndergaard split time with Bluefield and Vancouver while putting up 1.66 ERA over 50 IP and went 5-2.

As always, I look forward to hearing your comments and remember you can follow me on twitter @cmessina85.