Travis d'Arnaud, the top-ranked prospect in the Blue Jays system, was protected placed on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster

The future got a little bit closer on Friday for the Toronto Blue Jays. The team added RHP Nestor Molina, C Travis D’Arnaud, 1B Mike McDade and LHP Evan Crawford to their 40-man roster on Friday. This protects the players from being selected by another team in the Rule 5 draft. It is also makes it easier for the Jays to decide to recall any of these names during the season, as all players must be put on the 40-man roster prior to being called up to the big leagues.

All four players were part of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats team that won the Eastern League Championship last summer. Travis D’Arnaud and Nestor Molina are the two of Toronto’s more highly profiled prospects.

Many thought Kyle Drabek was the key to the Roy Halladay deal, but d’Arnaud is turning out to be the crown jewel. He put up great offensive numbers last summer with a .311 batting average, 21 homers and 78 RBIs while being the Eastern League’s MVP. Oh, and by the way, he’s the top prospect in Toronto’s system. The Jays aren’t going to rush him though, as JP Arencibia enjoyed a fine rookie campaign and was one of the best power hitting catchers in the Majors last year. Having stated that, Toronto has shown under Anthopolous’ watch that good seasons can be rewarded with September call-ups.

Molina is regarded by many as the pitcher with the most upside of any in the Jays farm system. It was just his third season as a pitcher and first in a starting role as he compiled a 12-3 record with a 2.21 ERA between High-A Dunedin and Double-A New Hampshire. If he continues to roll along the way he did in 2011 don’t be shocked to see him dawn one of the Jays old school uniforms at the Rogers Center this coming season.

While a reliever with the Lugnuts last year, Nelson Molina, started this year, posting a 12-3 record with a 2.21 ERA

Crawford was the Jays 8th round pick in 2008 and posted a 3.35 ERA in 45 relief appearances for the Fisher Cats this past season. This is an interesting move he has pitched well and the Jays are going to be in need of relief pitching this coming season. The bullpen depleted after the Colby Rasmus trade and Toronto will need to add some arms down there in 2012. If Crawford repeats the success from last year he could be a player the Jays call-up.

McDade is in an interesting spot. The Jays have their man at 1st base in Adam Lind and should be in the market for a DH this winter. Where does that leave McDade? Maybe he’s an option if there is an injury at the big league level. The native of Las Vegas, Nevada might also be dangled as a possible trading chip. He had .281 average with 16 homers and a led the Fisher Cats in doubles with 37.

With all of that said, the off-season is still young so we can be certain there will be many more moves to the 40-man roster to come.