Toronto Blue Jays 2017 top prospects: #2 Sean Reid-Foley

Sean Reid-Foley jumps into the MLB.com Top 100 prospects after showing off his talents this past season.  This mature right handed pitcher appears to have a bright future.

Sean Reid-Foley was selected in the second round of the 2014 draft.  He was the 49th overall pick and was a highly coveted arm coming out of Sandlewood High School in Florida.  The scouts saw a star pitcher in the making with a plus arm and a solid base of secondary pitches.  Known for having a great fastball that gets to the high 90’s with ease.

Name: Sean Reid-Foley
Position: RHP       Age: 21
Height: 6’3″    Weight: 220 lbs
Throws: Right            Bats: Right
Acquired: 2014 MLB Draft (2nd Round)

Reid-Foley got things going with the Bluefield Blue Jays but really turned things on once he landed in Lansing with the Lugnuts in 2015.  He would go on to start 17 games and post a nice 3.69 ERA.  Reid-Foley’s strike out abilities were on full display.  Through 63.1 innings he struck out 90 batters while with the Lugnuts.  He also had a 10 strikeout game against the Dayton Dragons.

All of this success earned him a call up to the Dunedin Blue Jays where hopes were that he would continue this success.  In his debut with 5 shutout innings there were no signs to him taking his foot off the gas.  Reid-Foley would have his ups and downs over his over his 8 starts with the D-Jays.  He would finish the season with a 5.23 ERA over 22.2 ERA.  The strikeouts continued but his walk rate climbed.  During 32.2 innings of work in Dunedin he would allow 24 free passes.  This is what he would look to improve on going into the 2016 season.

The organization opted to put Reid-Foley back in Lansing to work on his control.  The move paid off and dropped his walk rate significantly, while maintaining the power pitching mentality that he was becoming known for.  He would throw 58.0 innings and allow just a 2.95 ERA while striking out 59 batters.  He would allow just 22 walks and a minuscule .208 apposing batting average.  Reid-Foley was also becoming known for having a very mature approach despite his youth.  He has the complete package of talent and character that will pay off in the long run as he develops into a star pitcher.

The talents of Reid-Foley were getting noticed and the organization decided it was time to give him a new challenge.  He was promoted back to the Dunedin Blue Jays and got even better.  He would go onto finish the season with some jaw dropping numbers.  He would throw 57.1 innings and hold opposing batters to a ridiculously low .172 batting average and 0.89 WHIP.  This new found control was allowing Reid-Foley to become a complete pitcher.  He would allow just 16 walks during his second run with the D-Jays.

In the above video you can see how Reid-Foley has found so much success over the past season. He has a smooth and easy delivery that he generates plenty of velocity from.  There are no hitches and he explodes toward the plate with all of his tall frame.  Out of this he generates effortless velocity.  Now that he has found a great arm slot he has found control to go with that velocity.  His mechanics are simple and super repeatable.  This will allow him to maintain success and minimize slump periods.

Next: Blue Jays using varied strategy this offseason

This coming season appears to be set for a New Hampshire Fisher Cats Debut for Sean Reid-Foley.  After dominating the both the Single A levels this past season through 115.1 innings this past season.  His combined ERA was 2.81 and he struck out 130 batters while walking just 38.  This is a clear indicator that he is ready for a new challenge.

The fun part is that at the moment the Blue Jays bullpen at the Major League level is looking pretty thing in the middle innings.  A high strikeout pitcher like him could possible play well in that role similar to how Aaron Sanchez was used prior to this season.  Reid-Foley has nasty stuff that has baffled many hitters thus far.  He could impress this year in spring training and possibly force the Blue Jays to make a decision on if he is ready or not for a debut at the MLB level.

One way or the other if you have not been following this youngster should be.  He has all the makings of a solid pitcher and had been making hitters look silly through out the Single A level.  He could be coming to Toronto sooner then you think and should be fun to watch during Spring Training in the next few weeks.

Top-30 Blue Jays prospect rankings:
#30: RHP Jordan Romano     #29: RHP Yennsy Diaz     #28: CF Reggie Pruitt
#27: 1B Ryan McBroom     #26: CF Roemon Fields     #25: 2B Cavan Biggio
#24: RHP Jose Espada     #23: RHP Patrick Murphy     #22: C Danny Jansen
#21: OF Dwight Smith Jr.     #20: RHP Zach Jackson     #19: RHP Francisco Rios
#18: OF Harold Ramirez     #17: C Max Pentecost     #16: Ryan Borucki
#15: OF Joshua Palacios     #14: OF J.B. Woodman     #13: C Reese McGuire
#12: RHP Conner Greene     #11: IF/OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. #10: SS Bo Bichette
#9: LHP Angel Perdomo  #8: RHP Justin Maese   #7: T.J. Zeuch
#6: Jon Harris #5: SS Richard Urena #4: 1B Rowdy Tellez
#3:OF Anthony Alford