Blue Jays waste no time promoting Brett Bateman, acquired in Kevin Gausman deadline trade

Brett Bateman is heading to the Major Leagues. He was one of the players acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays in the trade deadline deal that sent Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs. The 24-year-old left-handed outfielder will be making his MLB debut when he officially steps onto the field as a member of the Blue Jays.

Bateman was originally drafted by Chicago in the eighth round of the 2023 draft (No. 236 overall) and has steadily climbed the ranks over the last three seasons. Known for his contact ability, speed, and defense, Bateman slashed .280/.396/.341 with 83 stolen bases and 319 hits over 317 minor league games from rookie ball all the way up to Triple-A.

He's also shown an advanced eye at the plate with a 17.3% walk rate in 84 games at Triple-A this season, and he manages to put the ball in play a ton, producing a .389 BABIP and a 124 wRC+.

Defensively, Bateman has been all over the highlight reels this year between playing with the Iowa Cubs and the couple of games he's suited up for the Buffalo Bisons. He's played over 500 innings in the outfield this year and has committed only four errors. He's also robbed a ton of would be extra-base hits by running down balls in the gaps.

As of the time of this writing, Bateman is slotted in the number nine hole and will play in center field as the Blue Jays take on Zack Wheeler (10-2, 2.49 ERA) and the Phillies in the opener of a three game set in Philadelphia.

Brett Bateman joins a growing list of prospects who have debuted for the Blue Jays this season

Bateman will be the 12th player to make his MLB debut with the Blue Jays this season. That list includes: CJ Van Eyk, Brandon Valenzuela, Yohendrick Piñango, Kazuma Okamoto, Spencer Miles, Charles McAdoo, Adam Macko, Sean Keys, Hayden Juenger, Chad Dallas and Tanner Andrews.

He was slotted into Toronto's Top 30 prospects list at the No. 20 spot via MLB Pipeline after being acquired alongside Ty Southisene (a shortstop who is the Blue Jays' No. 17 prospect). The five-foot-ten Bateman is actually ahead of his projected curve as MLB Pipeline predicted him to make his MLB debut at some point next season.

But that's what happens when the roster has been like a revolving door all season, as is the case for the Blue Jays, and prospects get their opportunities to shine.

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