Blue Jays Arizona Fall League roundup: Jake Cook surges through first week, Jake Bloss looks to stay strong

The Toronto Blue Jays sent eight players to this year's Arizona Fall League. That included some intriguing pitching prospects in Jake Bloss and Brandon Barriera who are both overcoming arm-related injuries and using the AFL to get some extra work in.

Meantime, catcher Aaron Parker and outfielders Jake Cook and Jake Casey are trying to work their way into the Blue Jays' 2027 spring training plans.

Jake Casey

Casey, the 23rd ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, has appeared in the most games thus far for the Blue Jays. In five games, he is hitting .125/.333/.375 with one home run, two RBI, and five stolen bases.

While speed has been Casey's best tool, he is currently striking out 42.9% of the time after having a 28.1% strikeout rate during the season. Casey is making up for lost time after breaking his hamate early in the season.

Jake Cook

The 20th ranked prospect, Cook has looked good thus far after one week of play. In four games, Cook is hitting .364/.500/.364 with one RBI, and five stolen bases. What Cook lacks in power (30-grade power), he makes up with his elite speed (80-grade speed). He, like Casey, will need to work on the strikeouts as he currently has a 35.7% strikeout rate after having a 27.6% strikeout rate during the season.

Aaron Parker

Parker, who had a breakout 2026, has only appeared in one game thus far. In his lone game, he went 3-for-5 with one RBI, and one stolen base. Parker spent all of 2026 at Double-A and hit a career-best 19 home runs. While the power numbers were great, it came at the expense of a 32.3% strikeout rate. The main thing to keep an eye on for Parker will be whether or not he can trim down the strikeout rate.

A familiar name headlines the Blue Jays' pitching group in the Arizona Fall League

Jake Bloss

Bloss, the 11th ranked prospect, is making up for lost time after missing most of 2026 recovering from Tommy John surgery and a teres major strain while rehabbing. In his lone appearance, he threw two scoreless innings.

If Bloss can show he is healthy and finishes the AFL season strong, he could potentially factor into the pitching plans for 2027. The Blue Jays will have to make a decision on him ahead of the season since he is out of options heading into 2027.

Brandon Barriera

Barriera, the Blue Jays' former first-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, is a unique combination of all three scenarios. He missed a majority of his first four seasons due to a litany of injuries. In his lone Fall League appearance this year, he threw two innings, allowed one run, and struck out two.

Not only is Barriera getting additional reps, he is also eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this offseason. Given how he performed in 2026 (4.89 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in 38.2 innings) and how far he is from the Majors (only reached High-A), it is highly unlikely he is added to the 40-man roster.

Yondrei Rojas

Rojas has appeared in two games, threw four innings with one run allowed, walked two, and struck out four batters. After taking a step back from his breakout 2025 season, the 2026 follow up wasn't as great.

A year ago he had a 1.43 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 37.2 innings. In 2026, Rojas posted a 5.47 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. The main thing to look for from Rojas is whether or not he can regain the swing-and-miss as his strikeout rate went from 32.4% in 2025 to 20.6%. Rojas is also Rule 5 eligible.

Gilberto Batista

Batista, acquired in the Danny Jansen trade, has really struggled over the last two seasons, posting a 6.42 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over 172.1 innings. In two Fall League games, he threw two innings where he allowed two earned runs, while walking three and striking out three. Batista is trying to rein in his walk rate as it jumped from 5.9% in 2025 to 11% in 2026.

Fernando Perez

After a breakout 2025 in which Perez posted a 3.04 ERA and 1.16 WHIP between High-A and Double-A, the Nicaraguan took a major step back in 2026 which resulted in him being placed on the Development List. In his lone appearance so far, those struggles continued as he threw 1.1 innings, allowed four hits and two earned runs, and walked two.

The key to success for Perez will be whether he can rediscover his command as his walk rate went from a pristine 5.6% in 2025 to a ghastly 24.8% in 2026. Perez is also Rule 5 eligible.

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