Five young Blue Jays arms who could enter the 2027 rotation conversation

While the focus right now remains on the Toronto Blue Jays doing everything they can to compete for a playoff spot in the final month and a half of the 2026 season, it's never too early to look at what's next. And it's an exciting look ahead when it comes to the questions surrounding the Blue Jays' rotation simply because there are so many arms in their farm system that seem to be exceeding expectations this year.

Between Nolan Perry’s rapid climb, Ricky Tiedemann’s long-awaited big-league debut, Johnny King’s strikeout upside, Cole Carlon’s draft pedigree and Dasan Hill’s deadline-arrival intrigue, Toronto has a few names worth tracking before spring training in 2027.

Blue Jays have several younger pitching options who could make a statement in spring training

Nolan Perry

Perry is arguably on the best path to be a starter in the majors by the time next season arrives. Toronto’s No. 2 overall prospect has already climbed three levels this season while returning from Tommy John surgery, and his first taste of Double-A has done nothing to slow the excitement.

Through his first four games with Double-A New Hampshire, Perry has posted a 0.87 ERA across 10.1 innings while holding hitters to a .127 batting average and striking out 15. Across Single-A, High-A and Double-A, he has 93 strikeouts in 62 innings with a 2.32 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. MLB Pipeline also lists his estimated MLB debut for 2027, which makes him the most realistic rotation-adjacent name in this group.

Ricky Tiedemann

Similar to Perry, Tiedemann's development has hit a few stumbling blocks, but unlike Perry, Tiedemann has taken a lot longer to over come those set backs. However, the 23-year-old left-hander made his long-awaited MLB debut on Aug. 15, throwing 1.2 innings out of the bullpen in Toronto’s 4-1 win over the New York Yankees and recording the first two strikeouts of his big-league career.

He was sent back down to Triple-A after the team reinstated Brendon Little from the paternity list, but his first taste of MLB action is in the books, and it's something Tiedemann can savour from now until whenever that next moment arrives.

If Tiedemann can remain healthy and build up some volume before the end of the season, he may still have the best chance to help Toronto sooner than later. If the Blue Jays decide his durability and workload need more protection, he could remain more of a relief or bulk-inning option this year, perhaps even as a September call up, before fully re-entering the rotation conversation in spring training.

Johnny King

King belongs in the middle of this conversation because his upside is easy to see, even if his path to Toronto is estimated to take a little longer than Perry’s or Tiedemann’s. MLB Pipeline has his debut date coming at some point in 2028, but the six-foot-three 20-year-old lefty has already pushed himself into the upper levels of the system.

King’s strikeout numbers put him firmly on the radar. He's punched out 117 batters in 88 innings across two levels this season. The Blue Jays may still view him as a pitcher who needs more minor-league refinement before being asked to handle big-league rotation innings. But his .211 batting average against and 1.40 WHIP are certainly nice numbers to dream on.

If the command improves and the swing-and-miss continues, King could make the 2027 conversation much more crowded than expected.

Dasan Hill

Hill is the wild card here. The 20-year-old left-hander is Toronto’s No. 8 overall prospect. He came over in the Jeff Hoffman deal and gives the Blue Jays another 6-foot-5 pitcher with loud raw traits to develop.

Before the trade, the Twins were encouraged by how quickly Hill adjusted to pro ball. His fastball touched 99 mph and averaged 95 during his debut season, and there could be more consistent upper-end velocity coming as he adds strength.

Hill may need more refinement before he becomes a realistic Opening Day candidate. However, he's currently pitching with High-A Vancouver and in two starts the Blue Jays' minor league coaching staff seems to have been able to get what they want out of him. He's struck out six hitters in six innings, while walking only two and keeping hitters to a .238 batting average against.

It's a long shot, with MLB Pipeline estimating his MLB debut to come in 2028, but when looking at how fast the injuries piled up this year, Hill could be a name to circle next season.

Cole Carlon

The 6-foot-5 Carlon was only drafted a few weeks ago, but scouts at the time said he already has "two October pitches." Even so, it looks as if the Blue Jays envision him as a starter and they are going to do everything they can to mold him into one. Drafted with the 39th overall pick, he's yet to make his professional debut, and MLB Pipeline has him getting to the big leagues in 2029,

However, at 21-years-old, and with stuff that already has scouts saying he could get big league hitters out, it wouldn't be completely unheard of if he gave the Blue Jays a real chance to pause and consider him for Opening Day. He's got a four-pitch mix, beginning with a fastball that can reach 98 mph and usually sits around 94. The pitch can get flat and his command is still scattered, but his short, cutter-like slider gives him a bat-missing weapon to build around. He can also show a 12-to-6 curveball and a fading changeup that rounds out the arsenal.

We'll have a better idea of what he looks like once he starts getting into actual games, but if Carlon sticks around for a while in camp next season it would be quite fitting given how high scouts are on him.

The Blue Jays 2027 rotation isn't going to make or break depending on the status of these five pitchers. But they should create some healthy competition once that part of the offseason rolls around.

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