Cavan Biggio

Position: 2B
Level: Class A
Affiliate: Lansing Lugnuts
League: Eastern League
Age: 21 yrs, 2m
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 203
B/T: Left / Right
Acquired: 5th Rd., 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft (TOR)

Prospect Spotlight

The son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, Cavan stepped onto Notre Dame’s campus in 2013 as one of the better-known freshmen in all of college baseball, already pegged by scouts as having a modest tool set, with impressive feel for the game and an advanced level of comfort in the batter’s box. Three years and 167 college games later – a starter in all but one of those contests – the former Houston prep product was popped by Toronto in the fifth round of this year’s MLB First-Year Player Draft, signed for $300,000, and promptly assigned the talent-rich Short-Season A Northwest League, where he has shown well over his first week of play.

Biggio remains much the same player he was in high school, demonstrating a high level of comfort and confidence in his actions, but lacking impact in his profile. His hit tool is his loudest, projecting to average at present, with some room to tease up to an above-average weapon with modifications in his swing mechanics. His cuts come with pre-load noise, and some inconsistency from his load through his launch, leading to an inconsistent path to the ball and sporadic hard contact. He controls the strike zone well, and does a solid job picking out pitches to attack, but he may need to quiet his actions some to achieve more efficiency and limit his exposure to both velocity and more advanced spin.

Though listed as an outfielder, the Blue Jays have started Biggio at second base in five of his first six pro games (he was the DH in the sixth), which is consistent with his usage at Notre Dame. He lacks fluidity in his actions on the dirt and could eventually need to shift to the outfield, where his below-average arm would limit him to left field. It’s likely his defense will be a developmental focus for the Jays, as the key to his long-term viability as a pro contributor may very well be tied to his ability to produce adequately at the keystone, where his average hit tool could play.

Biggio is unlikely to be a star, but there’s little question as to his ability to put in the work and get the most out of his abilities. With reps, instruction and a little luck, he could grow into an everyday contributor at the four-spot with a solid on-base profile.