Blue Jays: Top pitching prospects progression through the sytem

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We are midway through the month of June and the Blue Jays are seeing some of their pitching prospects start to make some noise to be the next Alek Manoah. With that being the case, I thought I would give you a look at how each of the Blue Jays’ top pitching prospects are faring on their climb to the Major Leagues.

Ricky Tiedemann – Vancouver Canadians

The Blue Jays used their second pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, which was in the third round last year, to draft Ricky Tiedemann and sign him to a nearly $645,000 signing bonus, which at this point looks to be a steal. Tiedemann is listed as the organization’s top pitching prospect and fourth overall jumped into the Top 100 of MLB Top Prospects with their new rankings in May.

Tiedemann started the season in Single-A Dunedin and after posting a 3-1 record over six starts and striking out 49 batters in just 30 innings, the 6’4”, the left-hander was called-up to the Vancouver Canadians mid-way through May.

https://twitter.com/MLBPipeline/status/1530406424924282880

Tiedemann was very impressive in his first start with the Canadians as he allowed just one earned run over 4.2 innings pitched and was even better in each of his next three appearances.

In his last three starts, Tiedemann has pitched a combined 15 innings, striking out 24 batters, without surrendering an earned run and walking just one, while allowing just seven hits. Over two levels of baseball this season, Tiedemann is 5-1 with a 1.27 ERA and 0.725 WHIP while averaging 14.0 strikeouts per nine innings. With Gabriel Moreno now with the Blue Jays, Tiedemann is one prospect to get excited and watch climb the Minor Leagues over the next season or two.

TORONTO, ON – MAY 21: A Rawlings baseball glove during batting practice ahead of the MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Cincinnati Reds at Rogers Centre on May 21, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

Sem Robberse – Vancouver Canadians

The Blue Jays signed Sem Robberse as an international free agent in 2019 and he may be having a breakout season in Vancouver.

The 20-year-old has gone on a hot stretch with the Canadians as he has allowed just one earned run over his last four appearances and 23.2 innings pitched. So far to start the campaign, Robberse has had two seven-inning shutout appearances to go with another pair of six-inning outings. Robberse had one bad start this season where he allowed five runs over three innings, but in his other eight starts, he has a combined ERA of 1.19. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Netherlands-born prospect earns a promotion to New Hampshire later this year as this season marks his second stint with the Canadians.

Adam Kloffenstein – New Hampshire Fisher Cats

The prospect that appeared to be affected the most due to the COVID shortened 2020 season has to be former third-round pick Adam Kloffenstein. The soon-to-be 22-year-old was forced to go play Independent ball because of the cancelled season and has not been able to quite back on track since.

He started the season off in Vancouver and after having a shaky first outing, he was able to string together a few good starts. In late April and early May, Kloffenstein had a stretch of three starts where he pitched 14 innings and allowed just two earned runs which helped earn a call-up to New Hampshire.

The Blue Jays have a number of pitching prospects that have taken a giant stride this season led by big lefty Ricky Tiedemann.

It has been a tough go for Tiedemann since joining the Fisher Cats as he has not been able to pitch through the fifth inning and has suffered from command issues. Just two starts ago, Kloffenstein hit four batters in as many innings and has plunked a total of six over four starts to go with seven walks. In total at Double-A, the right-hander sports a 7.63 ERA and 1.565 WHIP, however, he is playing at a level where the average age is nearly 3 1/2 years older than him.

DUNEDIN, FLORIDA – MARCH 19: Bowden Francis #59 of the Toronto Blue Jays poses for a portrait during Photo Day at TD Ballpark on March 19, 2022 in Dunedin, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Bowden Francis – Buffalo Bisons

Blue Jays fans got a quick glimpse in early May of Bowden Francis, who is the prospect the organization acquired along with Trevor Richards in exchange for Rowdy Tellez last season.

He made one relief appearance and faced three batters, striking out one and allowing one base hit. It has not been a kind journey since returning to Buffalo as the 26-year-old had an 11.12 ERA in May and has an even higher 12.71 ERA so far in June. Francis has been moved to the bullpen and has not been able to string together multiple successful appearances.

In his five relief appearances since being moved to the relief role, Francis has allowed 14 earned runs through 9.0 innings. Overall, his 2022 Triple-A season has him posting an 8.53 ERA and 1.816 WHIP so far this year.

Adrian Hernandez – Buffalo Bisons

If Marcus Stroman taught us anything, it is not to worry about the height of the pitcher.

International free agent signing Adrian Hernandez stands just 5’8″, but has been climbing the organization mountain over the last two seasons. In 2021, Hernandez played at three levels of affiliate ball and he continues to rise in 2022.

The 22-year-old started the season in New Hampshire but has found himself pitching in Buffalo for most of the season out of the bullpen. Hernandez has made 15 appearances and collected five saves, along with three wins. In Buffalo, he has allowed an earned run in just two outings which has led to a 1.10 ERA and 0.612 WHIP. He currently sits second on the team in saves and third in wins.

Next. Which prospects are next in line to debut this season?. dark

Is there a pitching prospect not on this list that has gained your attention that you have some high hopes for?

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The Blue Jays have a number of pitching prospects that have taken a giant stride this season led by big lefty Ricky Tiedemann.

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