[Roof-Daddy]

Blue Jays draft pick Conine intends to reach majors ‘as quick as I can’

“My goal now is to get to the big leagues as quick as I can,” said Conine, who made his professional debut for the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays Wednesday after officially agreeing to terms. “Now that’s all signed and done my next goal is to advance through the system as quick as I can.”

Conine points to Andrew Benintendi and Michael Conforto, two other left-handed hitters who excelled in college, became high draft picks and debuted in the big-leagues just one year after being selected.

“We’re moving to where guys can fly through the system when they show good numbers and advance,” he told reporters on a conference call Thursday.

Benintendi debuted at age 22 in 2016 and has since become a mainstay in the Red Sox outfield. Conforto debuted at age 22 in 2015 and made his first all-star team with the Mets last year.

Conine, who turns 21 next month, threw out a runner at the plate in his pro debut Wednesday. That throwing arm is another reason that some observers compare him to Conforto.

“I like that comparison, both based on it’s a left-handed bat, he’s got power to all fields and a strong arm,” he said. “I think those are my two biggest tools.”

Along with Conforto, Conine has been compared to Jay Bruce, also a left-handed hitter. “I like those two a lot,” he said. “Those are unbelievable players.”