The Toronto Blue Jays new logo

Did you hear? Did you hear? The Blue Jays got a new logo and new uniforms!

The reveal of the organization’s seventh logo and jersey was trending on Twitter, blasting on Facebook, and was immensely popular on the Blue Jays’ website, where the live press conference was being shown.

The new look, a modernized version of the franchise’s first logo from 1977-1997, is sleek, put together and patriotic.

Plus, the new jerseys are emphatically blue. As CEO, Paul Beeston, stated in the live press conference, “The blue is back in Blue Jays. We are not the Jays, we’re the BLUE Jays.

“This new look represents what the Blue Jays mean to our players, staff and most importantly, from the sentiment expressed by our fans.”

And how about the players behind the threads?

Jose Bautista indicated at the press conference that he enjoyed having an opinion with the redesign, adding, “The uniforms are perfect. […] They will certainly mark a change of culture for our team.”

But what about the prospects in the Blue Jays’ system who are hoping to find see the bright lights of Rogers Centre someday? What do they think about the changes?

Brett Lawrie, JP Arencibia, and Ricky Romero sport the new uniforms

Casey Lawrence, a pitcher in the Jays system, said it perfectly, “Today is an exciting day for the Blue Jays and their fans with the new logo and uniforms.”

And exciting, it certainly was. In fact, the Blue Jays’ released three different uniforms, a white home jersey, a grey road jersey, and a royal blue alternate jersey. While Adam Lind stated that his favourite was the grey, top=signed Toronto Blue Jays prospect from the 2011 MLB Draft, Jacob Anderson, told JaysProspects his preference: “I just saw a picture of [Brett] Lawrie in the blue alternate; I’ll have to go with those as my favorite.”

Deck McGuire, a top-ranked pitching prospect, who could find his way in one of the jerseys as soon as next year, was also asked if he had a favourite jersey. “I love them all! I absolutely love the new Jays uniforms!”

Furthermore, left-handed-pitcher, Frank Gailey, stated that the new uniforms looked, ‘sick;’ Justin Nicolino indicated that he immediately loved the new logo and Eric Arce liked the logo so much he stated, “I have got to get that hat!”

Thus, there is also a definite excitement about wearing the new logo among the minor leaguers.

Phillip Brua, a right-handed pitcher who recently spent his last season with the Vancouver Canadians, stated, “The new Blue Jays’ gear looks awesome. Pumped to get some this spring!”

Recently-drafted pitcher, Mark Biggs, told JaysProspects, “You have no idea how much I like the new jerseys and uniforms. Excited to get to be a part of it all! I definitely cannot wait to wear the stuff with the new logo on it!”

Noah Syndergaard, another top-ranked pitching prospect in the Blue Jays’ organization, agreed. As he told JaysProspects, “I just watched the video and [the uniforms] do look pretty sick. I cannot wait for the new gear we will get in spring training!”

Aaron Munoz further remarked, “I’m loving the Blue Jays uniforms. They make me even more excited for the 2012 season.”

Being excited for the 2012 season is something the organization hoped to accomplish by modernizing the organization’s first logo.

While many prospects mentioned that while the new logo resembles the one worn when the Jays won the World Series in ’92 and ’93, they also talked about how the new logo springs a new and exciting identity.

As Justin Jackson said, “The new logo is so sick. They are the best uniforms in the league, back to the glory days in the early 90s!”

Canadian pitcher, Les Williams, added, “The new Jays Logo is amazing. Feels like Joe Carter is back!”

Lugnuts’ pitcher, Shawn Griffin, mirrored Williams’ indication, saying, “Everything looks great. I love the old school look!”

Griffin’s teammate, Drew Elliott, also had positive comments to state in regard to the new gear, “The new Jays’ logo is nasty,” he stated. And when asked if he approved of the new jerseys, his response was simple – “no doubter!”  he replied.

Brett Lawrie, JP Arencibia, Ricky Romero and Adam Lind show the backs of their jerseys

JaysProspects was anxious to get as much feedback from the players as possible and also contacted both Drew Hutchison and Derrick Loveless. While both players had indicated that they had not yet seen the logo, they both seemed optimistic with the organization’s plan. “Actually I have yet to see or hear about what they’ll look like but I’m sure I’ll like them no matter what they are,” Loveless stated. While Hutchison added, “I’m at work and haven’t seen them yet, but I’d be happy to wear any big league Blue Jays’ jersey.”

Out of all the positive sentiments stated in regards to the uniforms, however, three players echoed everyone’s thoughts and summarized the new gear perfectly.

One of which, is Ian Kadish, present reliever in the Blue Jays system who was a dominant reliever with the Bluefield Blue Jays last season. “I think the new logo and jersey came out perfectly,” Kadish stated, “Especially with all the thought that went into them. They have a cool new look that blends our rich history in with the new era.  It’s a great addition and stamp on the beginning of a new Blue Jay era!”

Art Charles, a teammate of Kadish’s and a powerful first baseman, said: “I like the new jerseys a lot! Going back to the new old logo and colors with the uniforms is nice. I liked the old uniforms but these colors are better to me and the logo. I’m hoping it will bring back some of the World Series championships as well!”

Concluding, Matt Nuzzo, present infielder within the system further added to Charles’ notion, “I really love the new jerseys. It’s a great look. Reminds me of the ones they wore in the World Series. Proves to me the organization is definitely headed in the right direction!”

We could not agree more. With a new logo and re-found identity, JaysProspects expects this already strong organization to find nothing  but success in the future.