4 dark horse candidates to fill out Blue Jays' 2024 Opening Day bench

As hard as it might be to believe for some, we are now only three weeks away from Blue Jays pitchers and catchers reporting for spring training. Even allowing for plenty of people calling the organisation's offseason a disappointment to date, this is still an exciting time of year for fans.

There will be plenty of questions which need answering ahead of the 2024 regular season, all centred around if the Blue Jays can go from a fringe contender to one which genuine aspirations of competing for the World Series.

This includes which of the younger players and prospects can find their way onto the roster for the beginning of the regular season. Here is a look at four candidates who are dark horses to be on the opening day roster in Tampa.

Addison Barger

The theme surrounding Addison Barger has always been about being patient with his development. That's what happens when you're drafted as a High School prospect.

This theme continued into last season, when Barger got off to a slow start with the Bisons, hi(low)lighted by a .237 batting average and .662 OPS through his first 20 games in Triple-A. In fairness though, he did have to contend with an elbow injury which sidelined him for six weeks.

In any event, the patience in the 24-year-old did eventually pay off, as he heated up later on in the season. He was particularly impressive during July and August, with a .278/.397/.469 slash line.

Come season's end, Barger had produced nine home runs, 46 RBI and 52 walks in 88 games for the Bisons. This all contributed towards a .250/.353/.403 slash line and .756 OPS, but the promise comes in him still being capable of so much more.

The left-handed bat has filled out and improved his strength, which only helps his hitting potential at the plate. He has a superior throwing arm which can be utilised in a number of positions defensively; he was originally projected to end up at either third base or shortstop, but it's noteworthy that he saw more playing in right field last season.

In theory -- and probably reality -- the odds are against Barger being named to the Blue Jays' opening day roster, with him more likely making his Major League debut at some point later on in the season Of course this could all change, if he has an excellent spring training.

In this respect, last year's spring training saw the 2018 sixth round draft pick produce a .294/.351/.441 slash line and .792 OPS in 34 at-bats. As tough as it will be for him to make the opening day roster, he still has the potential to achieve just this.

Alan Roden

When it comes to Alan Roden, his inclusion in this article is a contradiction of sorts. On the one hand, he is even less likely to make the opening day roster, when compared to Barger and Martinez.

This is purely due to the fact Roden is not currently on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster. In other words, someone would need to be designated for assignment to make room for him on the 40-man.

On the other hand though, we are talking about a player who is arguably coming off the best offensive season of anyone within the organisation's system. In many ways though, this is just a continuation of what the 24-year-old has always done.

Pure and simple, Roden is a natural hitter; he had a .383 batting average during his three seasons in college and has continued in a similar vein with the Blue Jays. Yes, there were some teething problems early on and an adjustment period, but now he's getting into the swing of things (in more ways than one).

First up, the 2022 third round draft pick was just unstoppable at the plate in 69 games at the High-A level last season with the Canadians. He produced an excellent .321/.437/.459 slash line and .896 OPS, to earn a promotion to Double-A.

Once there Roden continued to thrive, resulting in a .310/.421/.460 slash line and .881 OPS in 46 appearances. As a result of his success, he has moved all the way up to seventh on the Blue Jays' prospects list.

The Middleton, Wisconsin native isn't too shabby on defence either, and seems to have found a home in the outfield corner positions -- his preference is for right field if pushed -- with decent arm strength and excellent instincts. Overall, a strong spring training is more likely to see him end up in Triple-A, but the organisation is fully aware of what he's capable of and come opening day, you never know ...

Damiano Palmegiani

Damiano Palmegiani is in a similar position to Roden, in that he is not currently on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster. Again, someone would have to be cut to make room for him, and overall he is the least likely of the four prospects mentioned in this article, to be on the opening day roster.

However, Palmegiani is no stranger to proving people wrong, after previously being drafted in the 35th round by the Blue Jays in 2018. He instead chose to go to college, where he played well enough to be re-selected by the Blue Jays in the 14th round of the 2021 draft.

The just-turned 24-year-old made an immediate impression for the Blue Jays in the Florida Complex League, producing a .333 batting average and .997 OPS during 17 games in 2021. He then continued to improve and work his work up the ranks the following year.

The 2023 season proved to be Palmegiani's most impressive yet, as he continued his success at the plate, in both Double-A and then Triple-A. This included 20 games with the Bisons, when he recorded an excellent .284/.427/.554 slash line and .981 OPS.

The Blue Jays have always been taken by the Venezuela native's power with the bat, but now he has become even better thanks to more discipline and patience at the plate. He continued an impressive year with a .263/.366/.575 slash line and .941 OPS, during 22 games in the Arizona Fall League.

Defensively, the projection is that Palmegiani will likely end up at first or third base. In truth though, he does still have plenty of work to do before he can settle comfortably at either position, but he has already shown he is prepared to put in the necessary dedication and hard work.

Ultimately, the right-handed bat has enough about him to make it at the Major League level and stick around. Admittedly, being in the opening day roster is a long-shot, but regardless, he has been predicted by some to make his regular season debut with the Blue Jays in 2024.