3 Blue Jays prospects whose stock could dramatically rise this fall

Lazaro Estrada

Fellow Cuban Estrada will also feature for Scottsdale in the AFL this fall after the Blue Jays extended him for another two years. Given the lack of starting pitching depth in the organisation, it’s not out of the question that he’d could merit a promotion to the 40-man roster if he pitches well in Arizona.

Signed as a 17-year-old, international free agent in January 2018, the now 25-year-old pitched at three levels this year and posted a combined 3.29 ERA in 22 appearances (all starts) over 98.1 innings, with 113 strikeouts against only 33 walks. He allowed a solo home run with two strikeouts over 3 innings in his AFL debut on Wednesday.

While his ERA jumped after a July 9 promotion to New Hampshire, he still featured swing-and-miss stuff, with 55 strikeouts over 52.1 innings at the higher level. Over six minor league seasons with the Blue Jays organisation, he has a 3.28 ERA over 331.2 innings.

As per Jays Journal contributor Matthew Rowell, Estrada features a low-to-mid-90s fastball, “but its combination of extreme ride and his uphill attack angle make it a tricky pitch for hitters to pick up. He has also been known for his strong curveball that tunnels well off his fastball. Estrada has above average control and at least average command.” His advanced age for the level “is more a product of lost development years and a visa issue than lack of production.”