Blue Jays: A Look at Potential September Reinforcements

Starting Pitching

Joe Biagini – On 40-man roster (MLB – 5.11 ERA, 1.32 WHIP)

Likelihood of Call Up : Very High

Potential for Success : Moderate

Summary : Biagini struggled in the MLB as a starter this year and the back-and-forth between reliever and starter could take a toll on his performance. Then again, he has the arsenal to succeed as a starter and could impress.

It appears that he’s stretched out and ready for a call up any time, which could come as soon as this weekend when John Gibbons will need a starter on Sunday. If not, he’s a near lock to be called up when the rosters expand, and the Blue Jays’ brass will be paying close attention when he starts with an eye on next year’s rotation needs.

Brett Anderson – Not on 40-man roster (MLB – 8.18 ERA, 2.09 WHIP)

Likelihood of Call Up : Moderate

Potential for Success : Moderate to Low

Summary : After struggling immensely with the Cubs, the Blue Jays signed Anderson to an MiLB contract in hopes of rediscovering past success. The talent is there (3.99 career ERA) but the health and consistency is questionable at best. The Jays may use Anderson in the bullpen if there are no available spots in the rotation.

Mike Bolsinger – Not on 40-man roster (MLB – 6.31 ERA, 1.82 WHIP)

Likelihood of Call Up : Moderate

Potential for Success : Low

Summary : Bolsinger is a name that Jays fans may already be familiar with. He’s likely a depth option at best and like Anderson, could work out of the bullpen as a long-man. He’ll likely get called up to serve as depth, if for no other reason, though the Blue Jays likely know what they have with him at this stage of the game. He did look good as a reliever earlier this year, so it’s possible he could get a few extra opportunities there.

Relief Pitchers

Leonel Campos – On 40-man roster (MLB – 3.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP)

Likelihood of Call Up : High

Potential for Success : Moderate

Summary : Campos has been back and forth between Buffalo and Toronto for the whole season. He’s experienced solid success in the MLB this season and his 1.88 ERA in Buffalo shows he has potential. Expect him to be a solid, yet unspectacular middle reliever for the Jays down the road.

Carlos Ramirez – Not on 40-man roster (Triple-A and Double-A – 0.00 ERA, 0.62 WHIP)

Likelihood of Call Up : High to Moderate

Potential for Success : High to Low

Summary : Ramirez is probably the most intriguing name in this article. An outfielder-turned reliever, Ramirez has a 0.00 ERA in 33.2 innings pitched in the minors this season. There is no question about the talent, but expecting a pitcher with just 148.2 professional innings under his belt to directly translate his talent into the MLB may be too much to ask this year.  Then again, who’s to say he isn’t the next Kenley Jansen?

Ryan Borucki – On 40-man roster (Double-A and A-Adv – 3.21 ERA, 1.15 WHIP)

Likelihood of Call Up : Low

Potential for Success : Moderate

Summary : Let’s make it clear – Ryan Borucki’s future is in the rotation. However, it isn’t unrealistic for the Jays to consider giving Borucki his first cup of coffee in the MLB as a reliever. This has proven to be a very effective method for many top pitching prospects in recent years (e.g. Sale, Sanchez, Stroman). Also, giving fans a taste of the future could go a long way in making up for the disappointing 2017 season.

Infielders/Catchers

Rowdy Tellez (1B) – Not on 40-man roster (Triple-A – .222/.289/.336, 6 HR)

Likelihood of Call Up : Low

Potential for Success : Low

Summary : Rowdy Tellez doesn’t necessarily deserve a promotion to the big leagues. His 2017 season has been a disappointment and he admitted to being caught up in the hype. However, Tellez is on a hot streak (.313 avg in last 20 games) and it doesn’t hurt to show confidence in a young, promising talent.

In addition to his struggles in Triple A, the Blue Jays still have plenty of folks who need at bats at DH/1B, as it’s unlikely that they’ll be sitting down either Justin Smoak or Kendrys Morales with much regularity. Look for Tellez to be very much like the Blue Jays in looking for a re-set in 2018.

Danny Jansen (C) – Not on 40-man roster (Triple A, Double-A, A-Adv – .339/.414/.510, 10 HR)

Likelihood of Call Up : Moderate to Low

Potential for Success : High to Moderate

Summary : Jansen’s breakout year in the minor leagues this season has many people quickly cementing him as the catcher of the future for the Toronto Blue Jays. Through three minor league levels, Jansen has easily outclassed the opposing talent and already looks ready for the MLB (1.334 OPS in Buffalo). Coupled with the fact that Jansen is extremely hot at the plate right now (.469 avg in last 10 games) and the Blue Jays’ dire need for catching help, this seems like a no-brainer. However, the front office could also elect to keep Jansen in the minor leagues in order for further development.

Outfielders

Anthony Alford – On 40-man roster (Double-A, A-Adv – .301/.396/.418, 15 SB)

Likelihood of Call Up : High to Moderate

Potential for Success : High to Moderate

Summary : While Bichette and Guerrero Jr. have stolen most of the headlines this season, the five-tool talent in the Jays’ system is Anthony Alford. Alford actually made his MLB debut earlier this season but unfortunately, an injury briefly delayed his ascent. The obvious heir to Jose Bautista, Alford is truly an exceptional talent that Jays fans will likely come to love in the coming years. A September call up should be fairly likely though Alford’s playing time is less of a guarantee.

Teoscar Hernandez – On 40-man roster (Triple-A – .265/.352/.477, 15 HR, 15 SB)

Likelihood of Call Up : High to Moderate

Potential for Success : Moderate

Summary : There are many conflicting evaluations on Teoscar Hernandez. Some people believe he will develop into a solid, everyday outfielder while others suggest that he is more of a 4th outfielder type. Regardless, Hernandez is a young talent with potential and could provide competition to Anthony Alford in the battle for right field next season. In terms of 2017, a September call up likely wouldn’t result in many at bats for Hernandez but rather coming in late in games as a pinch runner or defensive replacement.

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Dwight Smith Jr. – On 40-man roster (Triple-A – .273/.346/.399)

Likelihood of Call Up : High to Moderate

Potential for Success : Moderate to Low

Summary : In a brief cup of coffee with the Blue Jays this season, Smith impressed many with a .858 OPS. However, with the likes of Kevin Pillar, Anthony Alford, and Teoscar Hernandez in the organization, Smith’s future is unclear and he would likely have to beat out Alford or Hernandez in Spring Training if he doesn’t want to be a Quadruple-A player or 4th outfielder next season.

Roemon Fields – Not on 40-man roster (Triple-A, Double-A – .286/.349/.352, 45 SB)

Likelihood of Call Up : Moderate

Potential for Success : Moderate

Summary : Too many times this season, the Blue Jays were criticized for lacking the element of speed. Roemon Fields solves that problem. A contact hitter, Fields currently owns an impressive .295 avg in Triple-A to go along with a .362 OBP. While there is little guarantee his success translates into the MLB, Fields is exactly the type of player the Blue Jays need in the future: a left-handed, high OBP speedster at the top of the lineup.

Michael Saunders – Not on 40-man roster (MLB – .205/.257/.360)

Likelihood of Call Up : Moderate

Potential for Success : Moderate to Low

Summary : After spending an enigmatic season with the Blue Jays last season, Saunders signed with the Phillies this year in hopes of repeating his success (in the first half). However, things didn’t go according to plan and the Jays’ signed Saunders to a MiLB deal after he was released by the Phillies. Saunders doesn’t really stand out from the rest of the outfielders, but he is hot right now at the plate (.341 avg in last 10 games) and it doesn’t hurt to have a left-handed hitting bench option for late game situations.

Next: A game of milestones in Tampa Bay