Blue Jays: Pitching prospects who could crack the Opening Day roster

TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 08: Kirby Snead #60 of the Toronto Blue Jays catches the ball during a MLB game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre on August 08, 2021 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 08: Kirby Snead #60 of the Toronto Blue Jays catches the ball during a MLB game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre on August 08, 2021 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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LAKELAND, FLORIDA – MARCH 04: Joey Murray #73 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers during a spring training game at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 04, 2021 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

A couple of days ago I covered a few different position-based prospects who had the potential to find themselves on the Blue Jays roster next season, especially if they have a strong Spring Training. With the position prospects discussed, now it is time to switch to pitching prospects within the club’s farm system who could find themselves on the Major League roster for Opening Day.

Joey Murray

Currently ranked as the Blue Jays #25 prospect, right-hander Joey Murray was on the radar to potentially make the active roster at some point last season before an injury kept him sidelined for most of the year. The former eighth-round pick back in 2018 has a fastball with incredible spin, one of the reasons he was able to strike out 169 batters across three different leagues in 2019.

A starter for most of his pro career, Murray’s path to the majors is most likely through the bullpen, which could bode well for both him and the Blue Jays if he can continue to throw his fastball well and pitch multiple innings. He will also need to be added to the 40-man roster before any potential call-up but could be one to fight his way to a roster spot coming late March.

Zach Logue

Beginning last season in AA, southpaw Zach Logue started seven games for the Fisher Cats before being summoned to AAA, where he turned into one of the most dependable starters for the Bison’s squad this year. He would finish the year with a combined 3.67 ERA through 25 appearances (24 starts) with 144 strikeouts, 27 walks, and a 1.11 WHIP in 125.0 innings of work.

The Jays will most likely keep Logue as a starter given his current trajectory, meaning he may be one of the first names called upon if an injury befalls a member of the rotation. There is the possibility that a rotation spot could be up for grabs if Robbie Ray and Steven Matz both leave the team this offseason, with Ross Stripling occupying one spot (most likely) and leaving the fifth up for battle amongst the internal candidates. Similar to Murray, Logue is not on the 40-man roster.