5 Blue Jays in the system who could make an impact on the 2027 roster

The Toronto Blue Jays dealt with a lot of pitching injuries in 2026, using a franchise record 40 different pitchers to get through their 162 game schedule. While they will spend some time this winter looking at ways outside of the organization to help insulate against those losses again, there are four arms currently in the system who could also do just that.

None of them is a household name yet, but all of them are likely heading to spring training with a chance to show Toronto's brass they are ready for the big leagues.

Meantime, after a tremendous minor league season, there is one position player who could also be given a long look, and every opportunity, to help the Blue Jays at the big league level, and that player is Sean Keys.

Why these five could matter for the Blue Jays in 2027

RHP, Jose Rodriguez
He is the most likely of these five names to be in Toronto right from the get-go. The Blue Jays acquired Rodriguez from the Dodgers on Sept. 1 for minor-leaguer Sebastian Rodriguez, and he wasted little time making an impression. He debuted Sept. 18 and finished with 4.2 scoreless innings, five strikeouts, no walks and a 0.64 WHIP.

He was solid in the minors last season as well with the Dodgers. In 28 games he posted a 3.79 ERA and 3.56 FIP with 51 strikeouts in 38 innings. Over his minor league career, he has 342 strikeouts in 244.2 innings and has allowed only 17 home runs.

His fastball can reach triple digits, and Rodriguez looks like a high-strikeout reliever who was a September afterthought but could be a real bullpen piece. He is on the 40-man roster right now and it's a spot he should hold onto, heading into Opening Day 2027.

RHP Jake Bloss
The former Yusei Kikuchi trade piece had another bumpy year in 2026 as he worked back from Tommy John surgery and dealt with a shoulder/teres major issue. Bloss posted a 6.18 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 37 strikeouts in 39.1 innings over 11 starts.

But Bloss is finally getting the results he's been looking for in the Arizona Fall League. He had one rough outing where he gave up seven earned runs in one inning of work. Outside of that he had been cruising when called upon with his fastball touching 97.5 mph, while it's been averaging about 95 mph.

He is on the 40 man roster after being reinstated from the 60-day IL earlier this week and he is out of options. It's basically a make or break situation for Bloss. However, all signs are pointing to the fact that after almost three seasons, not only will he make his Blue Jays' debut in 2027, he's got the potential to hold down a rotation spot if given the opportunity.

1B/3B/OF Sean Keys
Keys hit 28 home runs between Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo, tops in the Blue Jays' system, and finished with a .294/.417/.602 line and a 1.019 OPS in 100 minor league games. He made his MLB debut on June 27 and hit .197 with two homers and nine RBIs in 25 games, a small sample, but enough to show he belongs in the conversation.

The question is playing time, since first and third base are already occupied by two guys who aren't going anywhere (Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Kazuma Okamoto). That is why the club has talked about adding versatility to his game by getting him some reps in the outfield.

They would clearly love to have his power in the lineup, but they will also go shopping for upgrades this winter, meaning Keys' role will shrink. Still, if there is a significant injury, he'll likely be the first one called up.

LHP Cole Carlon
Carlon, the Blue Jays' 2026 first-round pick (39th overall), is a 6-foot-5, 230-pound left-hander who went 5-2 with a 3.87 ERA and 133 strikeouts in 83.2 NCAA innings this season. His fastball averages 96 mph and touches 101, and he pairs it with a power slider near 90 mph.

According to The Athletic's Mitch Bannon, Carlon already has major-league-ready stuff and could follow a Trey Yesavage-like path to the majors toward the end of next season. The caveat is that he hasn't thrown a professional pitch yet. Carlon's first professional season will be worth keeping a close eye on.

LHP Brandon Barriera
The 2022 first-round pick (23rd overall) has had his career derailed by shoulder, biceps and elbow injuries, including Tommy John surgery. In 2026 he only High-A, but it was a significant achievement as he pitched almost 40 innings - the first time he has been able to stay healthy over a significant stretch since they drafted him.

In those 38.2 innings, he posted a 4.89 ERA and 1.71 WHIP with 40 strikeouts. Barriera also made four scoreless starts in August, totaling 13.2 innings with 16 strikeouts, and his fastball was back in the high 90s, though he walked 29 batters in those 38.2 innings.

He is also Rule 5 eligible this winter but a 40-man roster addition looks unlikely at the moment, but he is also a very low risk to be snatched up in that draft. 2027 will be a year for Barrier to not only prove that his can have a full healthy season, but also a chance to rise up and perhaps he can be this years version of Ricky Tiedemann.

None of these five is a lock to open 2027 in Toronto, but if a few of these names pan out, the Blue Jays may be able to better cover themselves for another round of injuries.

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