Blue Jays: A Look at Potential September Reinforcements

September is that time of the baseball year where rosters expand and the clubhouse and dugout is packed with exciting new talent. Teams can use this opportunity to either help a late playoff push or evaluate for next year.

In the case of the Blue Jays, their struggles in 2017 make it especially important to consider possible September call ups. This is the ideal time for the Blue Jays’ front office to evaluate which new players can make an impact with the team in 2018 and beyond. It is also a time where fans can see minor league players that they’ve only heard about and potentially even get excited about a bright future.

In this article, I’ve categorized the possible reinforcements in two different ways. The first shows how likely a player is to get called up, and the second shows the potential for success that a particular player may have. Filled with top prospects, breakout performers, and familiar faces, this September figures to be one of the most intriguing months in the otherwise disappointing Blue Jays season.

The Blue Jays are an interesting case, as they’ve got a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. Most of their elite MiLB prospects are in the lower rungs of the minor league system, but there are plenty of talented prospects that deserve a look. Their current situation in the standings could allow the team to give their youngsters plenty of opportunities as well, so let’s have a look at who could be coming to a TV screen near you this fall.

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.