Gabriel Moreno, the Toronto Blue Jays' top-ranked prospect, was pulled from Thursday's game with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons due to an apparent elbow injury.
Moreno was hit on the left elbow by a pitch from Syracuse Mets starter Connor Grey during the first inning. He remained in the game until leaving in the third.
The 22-year-old catcher from Baquisimeto, Venezuela, agreed to a deal with Toronto during the international signing period in August 2016. Previously a shortstop, Moreno had never played catcher prior to signing with the Blue Jays.
“His flexibility is outstanding. He receives pitches well. He makes accurate throws. He's quick behind the plate. He's quick with his release,” Blue Jays bullpen catcher Luis Hurtado told Sportsnet's Shi Davidi. “He's something special that you don't see often in a guy behind the plate.”
Moreno, who was No. 7 on Baseball America's prospect ranking entering 2022, has a .323/.382/.398 slash line and 19 RBI through 25 games with triple-A Buffalo this season.
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