Blue Jays: Who is next in line for an internal promotion to the bullpen?

The Toronto Blue Jays bullpen has struggled over the past month, with the team ERA dropping to 3.97 amongst the relief corps with 119 earned runs and 288 strikeouts. While this puts them at 13th in the major leagues in terms of relievers ERA, if the Blue Jays want to contend for a playoff spot this season, the bullpen will have to improve these numbers.

Ross Atkins has publicly said that he is currently exploring options outside the organization to improve the pitching corps, with a recent transaction with the New York Mets seeing right-hander Jacob Barnes head to the Jays’. The front office also signed veteran reliever John Axford to a minor league deal after a great performance with Team Canada, a move that is considered low risk with a potential high reward if he can find the same form that saw him lead the NL in saves back in 2011.

That being said, there are a few options that the Blue Jays could utilize down in AAA that could benefit the major league roster if given the opportunity.

The Toronto Blue Jays need help in the bullpen, and while Ross Atkins and the front office have been looking outside the organization for assistance, there are a few options down in AAA that could improve the major league pitching corps.

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Bryan Baker

40-man roster: No

Acquired from the Colorado Rockies back in 2018, right-hander Bryan Baker is cruising right now with the Bisons.

With 14 appearances under his belt so far, Baker sports an impressive 0.57 ERA with 10 walks and 18 strikeouts. He’s converted four saves through four opportunities and has only surrendered 1 earned run through 15.2 innings pitched out of the bullpen.

He would need to be added to the 40-man roster in order to be promoted to the active roster.

Kirby Snead

40-man roster: No

Drafted by the Blue Jays back in 2016, left-hander Kirby Snead spent a majority of the 2019 campaign with the Buffalo Bisons and is once again in AAA to begin the 2021 season.

So far this year, Snead has appeared in a team-high 17 games with four walks and 25 strikeouts through 18.2 innings. His 0.75 WHIP has been impressive in the bullpen and he’s converted two saves in three opportunities for the Bisons through the first two months.

Similar to Baker, Snead is not on the 40-man roster.

Connor Overton

40-man roster: No

One of the more experienced players in the Blue Jays farm system, Connor Overton has been through the gauntlet since being drafted by the Miami Marlins back in 2014.

The right-hander has played for numerous farm systems and even had two separate stints in independent ball before being signed to a minor league contract last season.

This season, Overton has pitched well, appearing in 11 games with four of those games being used as a starter (and not going just one or two innings). He has crafted a 1.52 ERA with four walks and 30 strikeouts through 29.2 innings, surrendering only five earned runs without giving up a home run.

He too is not on the 40-man roster.

Hobie Harris

40-man roster: No

At 28 years old, right-hander Hobbie Harris is another experienced arm down in Buffalo who is putting together a pretty solid campaign so far this season.

A late draft pick of the New York Yankees back in 2015, Harris has appeared in 14 games for the Bisons with a 1.76 ERA through 15.1 innings. He has 23 strikeouts compared to six walks while only allowing three earned runs all season. The right-hander has three saves so far on the year.

Conclusion

Although the Blue Jays are looking outside the organization for bullpen help, there are a few options down in AAA that could possibly benefit the active roster without having to give up a prospect or two to another club.

The biggest hurdle for any of the players mentioned above would be that they need to be added to the 40-man roster, with a roster crunch looming with all the players on the 60-day injured list returning in the near future. The Jays could designate the likes of Carl Edwards Jr. or Jeremy Beasley (as well as a few others who are currently injured), but any player not on the 40-man right now is in a difficult position.

Out of the group above, Snead does have a slight advantage given he is left-handed and the Jays bullpen could benefit with another southpaw given how Tim Mayza is struggling and Ryan Borucki is on the injured list. Baker is another option who should be near the top of the list considering how he is pitching well and does have a few years experience in AAA compared to his counterparts.