What We’d Like to See Under the Tree for Top Blue Jays Prospects

It always seems like the shortest span of the year is that time between the first day of December and Christmas Eve. There’s never enough time to get everything done.

But we did have time to put together a gift list for the top players in the Blue Jays system as the moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow is about to give the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

Ricky Tiedemann

For the top prospect in the system, and one of the most-prized arms in all of minor league baseball, simply, it’s good health.

The road to pitching stardom is littered with young hurlers whose trip to the top was derailed by elbow and/or shoulder woes. Tiedemann’s shoulder issues last season caused all of us to hold our breath for a bit. A strong performance in the Arizona Fall League helped to put some of that worry, well, not for a long winter’s nap, but at least to rest for now.

It’s very important to remember that Tiedemann just passed 100 innings for his career in August. The Blue Jays have monitored his innings carefully, and will continue to do so. He most likely begins the season in AAA (he may even be held back until the weather warms up), although it’s very much a possibility he makes his MLB debut this year. As has been suggested by Eric Longenhagen of Fangraphs, it may be in a relief role, with the club transitioning him back to a starting job next season.

While I’m no longer holding my breath, I don’t think I’ll breathe easy until Tiedemann makes it through 2024 in full health.

Orelvis Martinez

Continued improved pitch recognition. Consider this nugget from Fangraphs:

Orelvis got off to a slow start last year, and because he was repeating AA, many jumped off his bandwagon. But we learned that the organization had asked him to focus on going the other way for the first few weeks of the season, and while there are some who will jump all over that edict, you can’t argue with the results. Orlevis hit 11 HRs in May, and earned a second half promotion to AAA. Yes, the swing-and-miss element to his game returned when he went to Buffalo, but he also had 28 extra-base hits in 225 PAs, all while seeing a career-high 4.1 pitches/AB.

2nd Base appears to be his new home, and while his arm might be more suited for the left side of the diamond, the keystone might be better suited to his fringy range and reactions to ground balls.

Yes, Davis Schneider was the talk of the baseball world (before going on an 0-36 run down the stretch), and perhaps he has a leg up on getting the majority of reps at the position in Toronto. But Orelvis’ time is coming.

Yosver Zuleta

A map of the strike zone would be a nice find for the hard-throwing reliever to find under the tree.

After rocketing through the system in his Rule 5 year last year, Zulueta struggled mightily with walks primarily in a relief role in 2023. After issuing 39 free passes in 45 innings, he was sent down to the pitching lab in mid-August to get himself back together.

The results were encouraging. Zulueta seemed to find a consistent shape and ability to locate his slider, and while his fastball velo was down, that secondary pitch allowed him to fan 17 while walking only four in eight September outings.

It would be nice if that fastball could tick up (as had been expected when he moved to the bullpen), but locating it will be the key to him becoming a valued late-inning guy or one who bounces from organization to organization.

 Chad Dallas

Just a touch more velo. That might be all that Dallas needs to become a solid 3rd or 4th big leauge starter.

Dallas rebounded from a tough first pro season to become one of the top pitching prospects in a system whose depth was reduced somewhat. He did add a notch onto his fastball this season, then developed a cutter after being promoted to AA. Added velo would help with the separation between that pitch and his other secondaries.

Tucker Toman

A trampoline for a huge bounce back season.

The Jays were thrilled to land Toman with the 77th overall pick (and a hefty $2 million bonus), but his first pro season, mostly with Dunedin, was a disappointment. Toman slashed only .208/.320/.313 in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League.

Still, there is some reason for optimism. In limited viewing, Toman showed an ability to work the count - only three players in the system saw more pitches; then again, only two posted a lower OPS. The scouting report on Toman termed him a pure hitter with a knack for contact, but 135 Ks might suggest otherwise.

 Joe Sclafani

Ok, so he’s not a player, but what I’d like to see under the tree for the Blue Jays Director of Player Development is simple: some better players.

The farm system isn’t exactly empty, but once you get past the top handful of nearly big league-ready players, it’s kind of empty. Trades to bolster the MLB roster, and a lower draft position haven’t helped, and the efforts from the International side have been inconsistent at best.

The Blue Jays have a state-of-the-art training complex that has already had an impact on the minor league system. Draftees are impressed by it, minor league players are staying in Dunedin to train at it, and other MLB execs envy it. The Blue Jays have a budding competitive advantage in this facility. Now it’s up to the amateur scouting staff to help fill it.

All the best to you and yours this holiday season. It’s a good time to be grateful and reflect on one’s blessings. Here’s to a healthy 2024. Thanks for your support.