Blue Jays rookie takeover hits the big stage versus the Royals

The Toronto Blue Jays are committed to a rebuild after back-to-back disappointing campaigns precipitated by an aging corps of players who have underperformed and struggled to remain healthy for the past two seasons.

The youth injection will be front and centre tonight as rookie Sean Reid-Foley toes the rubber pitching to his battery mate Danny Jansen. Both players were promoted from Triple-A Buffalo yesterday and will be making their respective MLB debuts together.

This will mark the first time in Blue Jays history that a pitcher and catcher make their MLB debuts together as battery mates. The pair will join the likes of Ryan Borucki, Thomas Pannone, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. who have all gotten their first taste of the majors this season. Pannone just made his debut this past Friday pitching 1.2 innings in relief.

Reid-Foley will be the 14th different starter utilized by skipper John Gibbons this season as the Jays look for someone to eat up some innings. Injuries to Aaron Sanchez, the trade of J.A. Happ and the vacated starting spot by Jaime Garcia have left the manager scrambling week to week for viable arms.

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Reid-Foley has made 23 starts this season between Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo pitching to the tune of a combined 2.98 earned run average. The 22-year old sports a respectable 3.50 earned run average in 15 starts with the herd, however, Reid-Foley has allowed three runs or less in his last 9 starts with the Bisons.

The former 2nd round pick has rejuvenated his career after a disappointing season last year with the Fisher Cats. Reid-Foley made 27 starts in 2017 pitching to an inflated 5.09 earned run average while surrendering 22 long balls. This season he has only been a home run victim on eight occasions.

The transition to the majors should be a seamless one with a familiar face behind home plate. Reid-Foley and Danny Jansen were teammates in Buffalo and Jansen in all likelihood should draw the start behind the dish.

Jansen has made great strides offensively the past two seasons and credits his success to some new eyewear that helped him greatly at the plate. This season Jansen is hitting .275/.390/.473 with 82 hits and 12 round trippers in 88 games with Buffalo.

The young backstop could see considerable playing time if he can produce with the stick, he may also become the personal catcher for his best friend Ryan Borucki who he has a familiarity with as well.

The youth movement is alive and well in Toronto and we haven’t even hit Septemeber yet.