Blue Jays cut ties with 12 minor leaguers including Canadian pitcher

The Toronto Blue Jays have released 12 minor league players including Canadian pitcher Alex Nolan.

According to the Baseball America Transactions page, the Blue Jays have cut ties with 12 players as the organization continues to down size their minor league affiliates. The list of players includes eight pitchers, three catchers and one outfielder.

Released Players

Alex Nolan (RHP), Felipe Castaneda (RHP), Juanfer Castro (RHP), Yohan Concepcion (RHP), Leo Correa (RHP), Austin Havekost (RHP), Blake Sanderson (RHP), Andrew Sopko (RHP), Omar Gutierrez (C), Jesus Hernandez (C), Gleybar Jimenez (C) and Amin Araujo (OF).

Canadian pitcher Alex Nolan was one of the causalities to receive his walking papers. The 24-year old Burlington, Ontario native made 12 appearances for the Vancouver Canadians in 2019, his first season with the organization after inking a contract out of Brock University in St. Catharines.

Nolan went 1-3 with a respectable 3.22 earned run average while fanning 35 in 58.2 innings of work for the Low-A affiliate. It would appear by the numbers that Nolan is worthy of another opportunity in pro ball but unfortunately it will not come in a Blue Jays uniform.

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Blake Sanderson was actually just drafted in the 31st round of the 2019 amateur draft. The overage 25-year old posted a 3.07 earned run average in six appearances in his first taste of pro ball.

The Blue Jays also reportedly signed pitcher Thomas Ruwe which was confirmed via the pitchers Twitter feed. Ruwe spent his collegiate career pitching for both Nebraska-Kearny and Missouri Western Universities posting a 5.45 earned run average in 49 games.

According to BA, pitcher Brad Wilson also voluntarily retired following two seasons in the minors. The 24-year old right-handed pitcher sported an impressive 1.94 earned run average in 61 relief appearances between three minor league stops in Bluefield, Dunedin and New Hampshire.

It is apparent that there are just not enough roster spots to go around with the Jays losing two of their affiliate teams during the MLB down sizing project.

I should point out that these under the radar transactions took place between November 14th and December 14th, 2020.