Toronto Blue Jays: Possible MLB Debuts for Prospects

There is still hope that the 2020 Major League Baseball season will get underway this year.  With the Blue Jays well past the rebuild phase and progressing through the developing stage, they are already set for the future at many positions.

With names like Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio already fixed in their positions, it is time to look at the next wave of players and who could potentially make their major league debuts this season.

Nate Pearson
This pick is a no brainer, Nate Pearson will pitch for the Blue Jays and once he is called up it will be unlikely he will be sent back down.  Pearson’s call-up has the same issues that Guerrero Jr. had last season, as days on the calendar will determine if the Blue Jays get one more year of control on his contract.

As many know, Pearson was the compensation pick the Blue Jays got for losing Edwin Encarnacion in free agency.  Last season he played baseball at three different levels, as he suited up for Buffalo, New Hampshire, and Dunedin, pitching over one hundred innings to a 5-4 record and a 2.30 ERA.  He struck out 119 batters and held a miniscule 0.89 WHIP.  Prior to Spring Training being shut down, he pitched in four games for 7.0 innings where he surrendered just one run on two hits and collected 11 strikeouts.  Pearson looks to be the face of the pitching staff for the next decade.

Thomas Hatch
A lot of fans are not aware of who Thomas Hatch is as of yet, but they should see him a few times this year.  Hatch was acquired at last year’s trade deadline for David Phelps.  He was assigned to New Hampshire where he started six games for 35.1 IP, 2.80 ERA and a 0.76 WHIP.

Hatch was added to the 40-man roster this off-season and will start the season in Buffalo.  He pitched in four games this spring and allowed just two runs on one hit in 5.1 IP with six strikeouts.  Hatch will likely be a “yo-yo” player this year going back and forth depending on injuries.

Patrick Murphy
Toronto drafted the big right handed Patrick Murphy seven years ago out of High School in Arizona, and they selected him even though he was coming off Tommy John surgery.  His first four years of his career Murphy hardly hit the mound, as he dealt with different injuries including a surgery to have one of his ribs removed.

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In 2016, Murphy started putting things together and was progressing through the system.  Last year was interesting as he had a slow start, but began to put things together; however he hit another obstacle. Midway through the season he learned his mechanics would have to change as he had a toe tap that the league determined to be illegal, and he struggled after the change and forced adjustments.

Murphy got into a couple games this spring and was less than impressive.  He will start the season in Buffalo and if he can get things figured out he will likely see some time in Toronto.

Santiago Espinal
Hands down, Pearson is who I am most excited about seeing, but number two for me would be Santiago Espinal. The player the Blue Jays acquired a couple seasons ago for Steve Pearce had a big season last year and was looking really good in Spring Training.

Espinal climbed to Buffalo to finish the season last year where he batted .317 in 28 games with eight extra base hits after he batted .278 with 27 extra base hits over 94 games in New Hampshire.  The Blue Jays gave Espinal a lot of appearances in spring this year, as he got into 13 games and over 24 at bats he hit .417 with three home runs and seven extra base hits in total.

There is a lot of talk about how Cavan Biggio is versatile and could potentially move to the outfield, Espinal may help send him there sooner than later.

Who are you most excited to see?  Who isn’t on the list that you think will climb up to Toronto this season?