Blue Jays Pitching Prospect Update: Reid-Foley and Greene shine

This weekly series will feature Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospects and provide weekly updates on whose stock is rising, and whose is falling at all minor-league levels.

Lansing Lugnuts, Class-A

The trio of promising Lansing Lugnuts pitchers have had mixed results in the first week of the season. Rain and snow in the Michigan area resulted in four postponed baseball games for the Class-A squad. Nonetheless, 2015 first round draft pick Jonathan Harris squeezed in two starts already and 6-foot-6 lefty Angel Perdomo is bringing heat out of the bullpen.

Jonathan Harris (0-0, 5.79 ERA)

It was a nightmare debut with the Lugnuts for Harris, who was handed the ball on Opening Day, but could not make it out of the first inning. After striking out the first batter he faced, Harris followed that with a single, walk, and double, before recording his second strikeout of the inning. That’s when things got ugly.

With one run already in, and two runners on base, Harris walked the next three batters he faced, allowing two more runs to score via the free pass. His night ended with 0.2 innings pitched, two hits, four walks, and an ERA of 40.50. But the minor-leagues are all about improving, and that’s what Harris did in his next start against the Bowling Green Hot Rods.

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Just one unearned run scored during Harris’ four innings of work. He walked just two batters this time around and gave up four hits, while striking out two.

Angel Perdomo – (0-0, 3.00 ERA)

Perdomo has appeared in three innings of relief so far and is doing what he has always done – racking up strikeouts. He struck out five batters in those innings and has given up nothing but a solo home run when his team was up by three. Perdomo struck out 13.1 batters per nine innings in 21.1 innings in Vancouver last year.

Sean Reid-Foley – (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

The powerful young right-hander has had a great start to the season. Reid-Foley did not allow a run in his six innings against the Drayton Dragons, allowing just one hit and walking four. Reid-Foley will have to find better command going forward to avoid trouble and for his success to continue. While he did strike out four batters, I’ll be interested to see how many free passes he allows in his next time out.

Ryan Cook – (0-0, 1.13 ERA)

A “diamond in the rough” may be a bit premature, but Ryan Cook has looked good in a Lugnuts uniform so far. Cook was signed to a minor-league contract in June 2015 and spent time with the Vancouver Candians and Dunedin Blue Jays last year. In his first start, the 6-foot-3 righty pitched six innings of one-hit ball. He added five strikeouts and did not walk a batter.

Cook also made a relief appearance, giving up one earned run on two hits, but he did strike out another five batters in those innings. Cook is officially on my radar, and his status will be monitored throughout the week. It’s safe to say he’s earned his spot in the rotation.

Dunedin Blue Jays, Advanced-A

Conner Greene – (0-1, 2.70 ERA)

High expectations for Connor Greene this year have plenty of eyes watching to see how he starts his season, after his surprising designation to the Dunedin Blue Jays. Greene started on Opening Day against the Clearwater Threshers and did not factor into the decision after giving up two runs on six hits, one walk, and collecting two strikeouts in five innings.

He was the hard-luck-loser in a tough 1-0 loss to the St. Lucie Mets five days later. He posted similar numbers to his first start — another five innings, allowing one run, six hits, two walks and adding two strikeouts. It’s been a solid start for Jays Journal’s #4 ranked prospect, and as he improves through early weeks of the season, his strikeout rate should trend upwards as well.

Ryan Borucki – (1-1, 7.71 ERA)

Borucki had a tough start to his 2016 campaign, getting creamed for eight earned runs in 4.1 innings. He gave up nine hits and a pair of walks while striking out just one batter. With a chance to make amends, Borucki won his second start of the season after going five scoreless innings. We will keep an eye on which Ryan Borucki takes the mound next week.

Next: What Toronto's Jay Bruce interest could mean for Saunders

New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Double-A

Jeremy Gabryszwski – (0-1, 2.31 ERA)

Jeremy Who? Gabryszwski was a 2011 second round pick out of Crosby High School in Texas. He has made two starts already for New Hampshire and has totalled nine strikeouts in 11.2 innings. Gabryszwski has allowed three earned runs on eight hits and two walks over two fairly consistent starts to begin his season. The 23-year-old spent last year with the Dunedin Blue Jays and posted a 3.77 ERA in 129 innings.

Shane Dawson – (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

The Drayton Valley, Alberta native impressed in first start of the season for the Cats, picking up his first win in his Double-A debut. Dawson tossed five scoreless innings and gave up just three hits. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. Perhaps the major-league experience at Olympic Stadium did him some good. It’s great to see him put up zeroes in his first start at this level.