Rafael Lantigua #83

Rafael Lantigua Tejada...Signed by the Blue Jays as an 18-year old out of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, in 2016...Over the course of his professional career, has appeared defensively at second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions.

2023

Spent the entire season with Triple-A Buffalo (129G), setting career-highs in batting average (.305), runs scored (101), doubles (40), home runs (12), RBI’s (85), walks (98), stolen bases (28), OBP (.425) and OPS (.894)...His 40 doubles trailed only Jhonny Peralta (44 in 2004) for the most in a single season in the Bisons modern era...Was named an Organizational All-Star by MiLB.com, leading all Blue Jays Minor Leaguers in hits, doubles, runs, and walks, while ranking third in steals, totals bases (218), extra-base hits (52), RBI’s and OPS...Named the recipient of the Fremo Vallone Community Service Award, participating in each of the Bisons community-related events during the season...Played six different defensive positions, including at least 10 appearances at five...Took the field for the Bisons as a left fielder (39G), third baseman (34G), shortstop (24G), right fielder (14G), second baseman (10G) and centerfielder (5G)...Combined to record a .976 fielding percentage...Hit safely in 17 of his 20 games in the month of September, batting .392 (31-for-79) with eight doubles, 15 RBI, 15 walks and six steals for a .484 OBP and a .978 OPS...His 31 hits in the month were second most among all Minor Leaguers, trailing only Sugar Land’s Will Wagner (34).

2022

Split the 2022 season between New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo...Hit .274 (134-for-489) over 128 combined contests, setting more then-career-highs in runs (73), doubles (35), RBI’s (64), and walks (53).

2021

2020

2019

2018

Split the 2018 campaign between a pair of Toronto Rookie-level teams (Bluefield & GCL Blue Jays), going a combined 57- for-198) over 56 contests with 13 extra-base hits and 26 RBI...Hit his first career professional home run in his 90th career game on July 31 at BRS, taking Oliver Garcia deep for a three-run shot in the second inning.

2017