Jordan Groshans ended his debut season of professional baseball last year with a few priorities.

He wanted to get bigger. stronger and faster, with a desire to further establish himself as a top prospect.

And the 19-year old Lansing Lugnuts slugging shortstop/third baseman has achieved those things while getting off to a strong start in his first full-season experience in the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor league system.

Groshans, the 12th overall selection in last year’s major league draft, has hit safely in his first five games with the Lugnuts. He entered Wednesday’s scheduled game against West Michigan batting .412 with two doubles, two RBI with four walks and five strikeouts.

Groshans, who left last season at 180 pounds and is now up to 205, said the focus on strength has been big as he strives to perform at a high level despite being one of the younger players in the Midwest League.

"I know I'm a younger kid on the team, so being able to come out here (to Lansing) with all these guys is big," said Groshans, who turned 19 in November. "To be able to showcase my talent out here and to be able to show the Blue Jays what I can do in a full season is really important to me."

What's also important to Groshans is meeting the high expectations that come with being a first-round draft pick and ranked the No. 6 overall prospect in the Blue Jays’ minor league system, according to MLB.com. The Magnolia, Texas, native has embraced being a highly regarded prospect.

“It's fun,” Groshans said. “It's a big competition for me trying to push myself all the way up to the top so hopefully I can be the No. 1 prospect some day. For me it's going about my business every day and doing what I need to do and doing what I need to take care of. I try not to think about it. I just go out there, hustle, be a good teammate and play as hard as I can every day.”

First-year Lugnuts manager Dallas McPherson -- a former top prospect that played in the majors -- believes good things are in store for Groshans.

“He's got a lot of drive,” McPherson said. “He wants to be good. He's very coachable and works his tail off and has a great makeup to do a lot of great things in this game.”

More:Playing days behind him, Lugnuts manager Dallas McPherson has found passion for coaching

It's a high school reunion for a trio of Huntington Beach graduates with Lansing Lugnuts

Back to Midwest roots, Josh Winckowski is Opening Day starter for Lansing Lugnuts

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.

THE GROSHANS FILE

Jordan Groshans

Age: 19

Height/weight: 6-3, 205 pounds

Bats/throws: Right/right

Hometown: Magnolia, Texas

Key stats: .412 batting average, 2 doubles, 2 RBI in five games

Notable: Ranked No. 6 prospect in Toronto Blue Jays' minor league system by MLB.com. Drafted by out of Magnolia High School by the Blue Jays with the No. 12 overall pick in the MLB draft last June.