Arizona Fall League update: A healthy Jake Bloss would do wonders for Blue Jays’ 2027 rotation plans

The Toronto Blue Jays will almost certainly look outside the organization for rotation help this offseason, but a really useful addition may already be in their system. The 2027 pitching staff could get a boost from 25-year-old right-hander Jake Bloss, who has already reached the majors in his career.

Though it was only 11.2 innings pitched three seasons ago, and with another organization, Bloss has a chance to finally make his Blue Jays' debut next year - something Jays fans have been waiting for ever since he was the central part of the Yusei Kikuchi trade at the 2024 trade deadline.

After Tommy John surgery limited his 2025 season and a right teres major strain ended his 2026 campaign in July, Bloss has arrived in Arizona having thrown only 51 innings over the previous two years. Healthy innings, normal recovery between outings and the return of his fastball will be the real measuring sticks of a successful AFL campaign.

Bloss opened his Fall League schedule with two perfect innings, retiring all six hitters on 24 pitches. His four-seam fastball averaged 94.6 mph and reached 95.6 mph. Those are encouraging velocity numbers for a pitcher who was making his first game appearance since July 11.

Bloss was back on the mound on Oct. 14 for the Mesa Solar Sox and pitched another two innings of one-run ball. He threw 40 pitches and allowed three hits. His velocity was down just a tick. He averaged 93.7 mph on the fastball and topped out at 94.7 mph. If Bloss can carry his health and mid-90s velocity through the fall and into spring training, he gives Toronto a reason to consider him as a legitimate rotation candidate.

Bloss is not the only Blue Jays' prospect getting extra work in this fall. Seven other prospects are also suiting up for the Mesa Solar Sox.

Blue Jays prospects Jake Cook and Brandon Barriera look to strengthen their case for a spring training invite

Jake Cook

Cook has continued to make speed the defining feature of his fall league stint. Through six games, he is 7-for-21 with a .333/.417/.333 slash line and a .750 OPS, with all seven hits coming as singles. He has also stolen seven bases without being caught, walked twice and struck out seven times. While there's room to grow as he looks to do more damage offensively, consistently reaching base gives his 80-grade speed a chance to change games.

Jake Casey

Casey endured an 0-for-11 start before getting on the board, but he has still found ways to affect games with his legs. Through his first six contests, the Blue Jays’ No. 23 prospect is hitting .100/.280/.300 with one home run, two RBI and five stolen bases. His strikeout rate was an early concern, yet this assignment is also giving him valuable at-bats after a broken hamate cost him a significant portion of the regular season.

Aaron Parker

Parker has received fewer opportunities than Toronto’s two outfielders, but he's made them both count. In his first game he went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base. The 23-year-old then went 2-for-4 with two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs on Thursday (Oct. 15).

Parker is coming off a breakout Double-A season in which he hit 19 home runs, giving him a chance to enter 2027 as a potential Triple-A depth option behind the plate. His next step is making more consistent contact after striking out in more than 32 per cent of his plate appearances during the regular season.

Brandon Barriera

Barriera’s first couple of appearances have been just as encouraging as Bloss'. The 2022 first-round pick worked two innings, allowed one hit and an unearned run, struck out two and did not issue a walk in his first outing. The next time out on Wednesday (Oct. 14), he lasted two innings and did not strikeout a batter, giving up one run on three hits and one walk. For Barriera, it's all about stacking up these outings one after the other and being able to come back and throw again when called upon.

Yondrei Rojas

Rojas has been one of the steadier Blue Jays relievers in Mesa. Through his first two appearances, the right-hander allowed only an unearned run across four innings while striking out four and walking two. His sinker sat in the mid-90s and his four-seam fastball reached 97.1 mph, showing the velocity that makes him an intriguing bullpen arm.

Gilberto Batista

Batista’s first two appearances showed both sides of the risk-and-reward profile. He struck out two and allowed one hit over 1.1 innings in his debut, earning the win, but walked three and surrendered two earned runs while recording only two outs the next time out.

Fernando Perez

Perez entered the fall needing innings and a reset after an injury-affected 2026 season in which he struggled with both his mechanics and his control. The right-hander had walked 23 batters in 20 regular-season innings after posting a 3.04 ERA across High-A and Double-A in 2025. So far in the AFL, Perez has not yet struck out a batter in 1.1 innings pitched, while giving up two earned runs on four this and two walks.

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