Blue Jays: Top pitching prospects progression through the sytem

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.