After the latest round of promotions the Blue Jays still have more options in Buffalo

As the latest graduates from Triple-A Buffalo attempt to settle in the Blue Jays lineup, there are still compelling hitters slugging away in the minors.

Spencer Horwitz, Addison Barger, and the now suspended Orelvis Martinez, headline the position player side of the Jays system that consistently ranks among the league's worst. 

When the team fell deeper into the basement of the American League East, more doors continued to open and they became the latest trio of “Buffalo Boys” to make their debut.

Now, our attention shifts to the next wave of promotions to come, and as the season progresses, it's becoming apparent more opportunities will arise.

Shortstop Leo Jimenez (Jays Journal number 7th ranked prospect) was most likely management's ideal replacement for Bo Bichette’s brief stint on the injured list. They opted for Martinez instead due to the fact Jimenez was working back from an injury of his own.

Jimenez is 23, a year older than Martinez, and has also had an impressive start to his 2024 campaign. Slashing .289/.433/.464 clubbing seven home runs with 22 RBI, across 208 plate appearances for the Bisons. Jimenez is the better defender between the two, and the numbers are starting to stand out as he grows into more power. Given Martinez is no longer an option this season, he will be at the front of the line if an injury were to occur in the Blue Jays infield. 

Another option could be 25-year-old Riley Tirotta, a 12th-round pick back in 2021, he is starting to catch a lot of positive attention over the last few weeks. After starting the year on a rehab assignment in Single-A, he went back to Double-A New Hampshire and hit his way to a promotion on May 22. Since then, he has hit 7 home runs in 21 games during his first taste of Triple-A, with an OPS of 1.030 and 18 RBI. He has started primarily at first base for the Bisons, but last year he split time evenly between first and third. 

It remains to be seen exactly where he would slot in to the field if he were called up, as Horwitz and Barger both stand in his way position wise. Tirotta has 23 career starts in the outfield, mostly coming in right field, and offensive upside is exactly what this team needs to plug in, so it's not impossible he finds a spot in an outfield corner.

Alan Roden (Jays Journal number 6th ranked prospect) is fresh off a Triple-A promotion of his own and already has his first homer with the Bisons. He torched 11 doubles and 7 home runs for an OPS of .805 before making the jump from Double-A.

Toronto’s 98th overall pick in 2022 is known for his elite contact skills and can back it up with just 39 strikeouts in 264 plate appearances this year. The front office will take a good look at how he responds, and could be in consideration for a callup later down the road.

The 24-year-old corner outfielder has a defined position and a productive left-handed bat, two attributes that have been uncommon around these parts of late. His minor league career .404 OBP atop the order would be a welcome sight for the Blue Jays moving forward.

Some of the other younger position players that could also be brought into the mix include Damiano Palmegiani, or Will Roberston, who are both having productive seasons of their own.

While these names don’t carry the same pedigree as some of the other prospect pools around the league, or the crew of Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Cavan Biggio, that broke in back in 2019, they have the potential to contribute in different ways at the major-league level.

As long as the losses keep piling up, the Blue Jays decision-making will continuously inch towards prioritizing the future, and the Buffalo Boys will only grow in size.