Blue Jays’ Rotation Depth: Optimist, Pessimist, Realist

The 2017 season is finally upon us! Jays Journal is introducing a new weekly series where contributors take a look at the latest Blue Jays rumor or news piece from the viewpoint of an optimist, a pessimist, and a realist. There are three sides to every argument; comment below to share which view you agree with the most for each article.

This week’s article topic is the Blue Jays’ starting rotation depth, and what may happen if there is an extended injury to one of the starting five. Toronto’s rotation currently consists of five above-average pitchers, all of whom can act as a rotation ace on any given day.

However, the next tier of Blue Jays starters are limited in both talent and number. If a starter were to go down with a long-term injury, the Blue Jays could theoretically choose from the following pitchers currently in the minor leagues:

Mat Latos: 4.89 ERA, 1.49 WHIP (2016) and 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP (career)

Mike Bolsinger: 6.83 ERA, 1.52 WHIP (2016) and 4.61 ERA, 1.45 WHIP (career)

T.J. House: 3.38 ERA, 2.25 WHIP (2016) and 4.44 ERA, 1.48 WHIP (career)

Casey Lawrence: 3.77 ERA, 1.29 WHIP (MiLB career), No MLB experience

Sean Reid-Foley: 3.58 ERA,1.27 WHIP (MiLB career), No MLB experience

The aforementioned names definitely do not bring any particular excitement or reason for optimism. However, there are players on the list that either have MLB experience and prior success like Mat Latos, or bring high upside to the table like top prospect, Sean Reid-Foley, who is starting off the year in Double-A.

Do the Jays have enough depth to survive a long-term injury to the starting staff and if so, what are the reasonable results to expect out of the next group of pitchers? Jays Journal writers take a look from three different perspectives.