Tolleson was an infielder with the South Carolina Gamecocks, an infielder his first three years with the Minnesota Twins and did not step into the outfield, except for a relay, until double-A New Britain in 2008. After that, playing in the San Diego Padres, Oakland A’s, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox and the Jays organization his high-water mark was 32 games at New Britain and triple-A Rochester. Of his 889 games in the minors he’s played in 13.7% of the games in the outfield.
This is not to pick on Tolleson. He’s a fine young man, a fine utility infielder to play either second or third.
This opening day roster has flaws and not the kind you expect to see from a contender.
Check out some other rosters of teams hoping to win a wild-card berth.
See how many have six rookies, and it’s a balanced attack the Jays have — two in the every day lineup in second baseman Travis and centre fielder Pompey, two in the bullpen in Miguel Castro and Roberto Osuna and two in the rotation with Norris and Sanchez.
See how many teams have seven players under the age of 25 expected to play key roles: Castro and Osuna are 20, Norris is 21, Sanchez and Pompey are 22 while Drew Hutchison and Travis are 24.
Hutchison has the least amount career starts since Todd Stottlemyre started opening day in 1990.
Castro has pitched 30 innings above class-A Vancouver, Osuna has worked 64 1/3 innings the past two seasons above Vancouver.
