Blue Jays prospects to watch: the fast risers, those flying under the radar and some still figuring it out

Toronto Star

06-05-2025

The Blue Jays have one of the lowest-ranked minor-league systems in baseball but the lack of love from mainstream outlets doesn't mean the organization is void of talent.
Toronto has six minor-league affiliates with more than 150 assigned players. Even in a weak system, there is bound to be some gold.
Here's a brief rundown of some players to watch, with comments from Jays general manager Ross Atkins and minor-league field co-ordinator Eric Duncan.
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Fast risers
RHP Trey Yesavage, Class-A Dunedin: The 20th pick in last year's draft has gotten off to a blistering start with 36 strikeouts in 23⅓ innings. The No. 2-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is too good for the Florida Coast League but the Jays have kept him there for now because of the climate.
Atkins: 'We are confident that he is someone who could move quickly, and weather was a factor in the start process. (It was) a better, stable, consistent environment to start the year.'
SS Arjun Nimmala, High-A Vancouver: He got off to such a rough start last year that he put his season on hold in May to work on his mechanics at the player development complex. After returning in June, he responded with 36 extra-base hits and a .911 on-base plus slugging percentage in 61 games for Dunedin. It has been more of the same this year in Vancouver, where Nimmala is batting .295 with a .921 OPS. He's still a couple seasons away but he has the highest upside of any position player in the system.
Duncan: 'For his age, 19, in advanced A, making the adjustments he's making, learning how he's learning, and then going out there and playing fast and free … it's a testament to the work that he puts in and the maturity that he has.'
OF Jonatan Clase, Triple-A Buffalo: Acquired last year in the deal that sent Yimi Garcia to Seattle, the 22-year-old appeared in seven games for the Jays before arriving this spring buried on the depth chart. The Dominican is batting .321 with 15 stolen bases in Buffalo. As other outfielders such as Davis Schneider, Joey Loperfido and Alan Roden struggle, Clase's hot start puts him on the radar for a promotion later in the year.
Atkins: 'It's (working on) decision making, mostly on the defence and baserunning side. Also putting himself in the best position offensively to drive the ball, but (we're) really encouraged by his start.'
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Figuring it out
RHP Jake Bloss, Triple-A Buffalo: The key return in last year's trade of Yusei Kikuchi got off to a terrible start this season, walking nine batters and allowing 19 runs in 11 1/3 innings in his first three starts. The 23-year-old fared much better over the next two allowed four runs over 3 1/3 innings in his last appearance. Viewed as the Jays' top backup starter earlier this year, Bloss might need more time to develop than previously thought.
Atkins: 'He's made a couple of delivery adjustments that helped with consistency. Players have to pitch in brutal weather (in Buffalo), I think we had some of the worst weather and not only the weather they were pitching in, but what it meant for routines.'
IF Orelvis Martinez, Triple-A Buffalo: Once considered one of the Jays' top prospects until he got busted for violating MLB's drug policy. It's fair to question whether Martinez's previous success was a result of natural talent or the by-product of a banned substance. He has a .191 average and well-below average .614 OPS this season, though he has been better of late with four extra-base hits this month.
Under the radar
OF Yohendrick Pinango, Double-A New Hampshire: The Jays don't have much power but the 22-year-old is an exception. Pinango, a disappointment last season with an underwhelming .720 OPS across three levels, has 10 extra-base hits and a .971 OPS this year.
Duncan: 'He can do some special things with his bat speed and really competes and plays with a controlled violence that I'm a big fan of.'
OF Victor Arias, High-A Vancouver: Arias entered spring as the Jays' No. 29 prospect and it might not take long before he starts moving up. The 21-year-old is batting .281 with eight extra-base hits in 23 games.
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Duncan: 'He's another guy that can impact the game and do damage in a lot of different ways — at the plate, on the bases and on the field. He's somebody that is similar to Yohendrick that plays with a violence … and is really fun to watch compete.'
On the mend
LHP Brandon Barriera, RHP Landen Maroudis, LHP Ricky Tiedemann: All three missed most of last season because of elbow injuries, but they were considered three of the most promising arms in the organization before their setbacks.
Atkins: 'Barriera and Maroudis are throwing bullpens and getting ramped up … Tiedemann is behind them, just getting stretched out to 120 feet. But I would expect us to see Landen and Brandon in outings within weeks.'