How are the new Blue Jays prospects from the trade deadline performing so far?

As a fallout of the intensive work done by the Toronto Blue Jays at the recent trade deadline, they have significantly restocked their farm system with many promising top prospects. In fact, three of them actually made it into the Jays’ top 10 prospects list, with a total of nine players making their overall top 30 list, according to MLB Pipeline. In doing so, it appears as though the future has suddenly gotten a lot brighter for the Jays.

But without looking that far ahead, how have those deadline-acquired prospects fared so far since joining the Jays’ organization? Here, we will take a closer look at their performances to date.

Jake Bloss

As the main centrepiece coming back from the Yusei Kikuchi trade with the Houston Astros, top pitching prospect Jake Bloss has been living up to his billing. In two starts with the Jays’ Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons, Bloss has yet to yield a run while giving up just 4 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts over 6.2 innings of work. Currently ranked No. 3 on the Jays’ top prospects list, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bloss make his debut with the Jays before the end of the season.

Joey Loperfido

Since coming over to the Jays at the trade deadline, outfielder Joey Loperfido has been a mainstay for the most part in their big league lineup. That is in spite of some of his on-and-off struggles along the way. In 15 games to date, Loperfido is hitting just .192 with a .563 OPS along with 7 runs scored and 2 RBI. Although, he has done better lately, with two multi-hit games in his last three games including connecting for his first home run as a Jay in a recent game against the Chicago Cubs. However, his plate discipline remains a work in progress, as he has registered only 2 walks to go along with a whopping 20 strikeouts in just 52 at-bats. On the other hand, Loperfido has been flawless in the field, with no errors committed, one outfield assist and 1 DRS . He will get a long runway as he auditions for a potential spot on next year’s roster.

Will Wagner

Of all the prospects that the Jays obtained at the trade deadline, infielder Will Wagner has been by far the most impressive of the group. Starting off with the Bisons, Wagner tore up Triple-A pitching by posting a slash line of .400/.516/.600/1.116 with 6 runs scored, 2 doubles, 1 home run and 2 RBI in 7 games played. After getting a well-earned promotion to join the big league team, he has stayed hot and remained confident in his approach at the plate. Wagner has amassed a .435 batting average, 1.023 OPS, along with 2 runs scored, 3 doubles and 4 RBI in seven games played. With this kind of first impression with his new organization, it looks more and more like Wagner will be a keeper.

Jonatan Clase

Outfielder Jonatan Clase was one of the two prospects that came over in the Yimi García trade with the Seattle Mariners. Beginning his tenure in the Jays’ organization with Buffalo, Clase has put some of his power and speed on full display. In 15 games so far, he has registered 2 home runs, 7 RBI and 2 stolen bases already despite batting only .220 with a .656 OPS. Ranked No. 6 among the Jays’ top prospects list and having already seen some major league time with the Mariners prior to the trade, Clase might get a look with the Jays as a potential September call-up.

Jacob Sharp

As the other so-called ‘throw-in’ prospect coming back in the García trade, the acquisition of Jacob Sharp helped replenish some of the lost catching depth in the Jays’ organization from the past couple of years. Sharp is off to a booming start with the Jays’ High-A affiliate Vancouver Canadians as he has compiled a .244 batting average, .809 OPS with 5 runs scored, 2 doubles, 3 home runs and 9 RBI in just 13 games of action. With no catching prospects among the Jays’ top 30 prospects list, Sharp can get himself into the conversation with a strong finish to the 2024 season.

Cutter Coffey

After previously putting up some power numbers with 14 home runs and 46 RBI in 61 games with the Boston Red Sox’ High-A affiliate Greenville, infielder Cutter Coffey has struggled since coming over to the Jays’ organization in the Danny Jansen trade. In 15 games with Vancouver, Coffey has hit just .157 with a .539 OPS. Nevertheless, he has been at least somewhat productive in generating runs with 11 walks, 8 runs scored and 7 RBI over 51 at-bats.

Eddinson Paulino

Another top prospect in the return package from the Red Sox in the Jansen trade, shortstop Eddinson Paulino will begin his journey in his new organization with the Jays’ Double-A affiliate New Hampshire Fisher Cats. However, he has yet to appear in a game since the deadline as he is currently on the injured list.

Gilberto Batista

As the final piece of the three-prospect package from Boston, pitcher Gilberto Batista has joined the Jays’ Single-A affiliate Dunedin and has appeared in only one game thus far. In his lone start, Batista went 2 innings, giving up 3 runs (one earned) on 3 hits with 2 walks and an impressive 6 strikeouts. That meant every single out that he recorded in the outing was a strikeout. At just the young age of 19, he will have plenty of time to grow and develop his power game.

Josh Rivera

Shortstop Josh Rivera was one of two prospects that the Jays received back in the trade of Nate Pearson to the Chicago Cubs. Having struggled throughout this season since moving up to Double-A, Rivera has continued his ongoing slump with the move to New Hampshire. In 12 games, he has put up a dismal .103 batting average, .310 OPS with 2 runs scored, 1 double, 1 RBI, 4 walks and 18 strikeouts. Hopefully after an adjustment period to his new environment, things will get a little better for him.

Yohendrick Pinango

The other prospect coming over in the Pearson trade, outfielder Yohendrick Pinango has been off to a decent start with the Fisher Cats. Pinango has amassed a .250 average, .675 OPS with 5 runs scored, 5 doubles and 6 RBI in 14 games played to date. With just average speed, arm and power, he profiles to be a fourth outfielder in his future.

RJ Schreck

As part of the Justin Turner trade to the Mariners, the Jays got promising outfielder prospect RJ Schreck in return. Known to be a productive power hitter with some speed, his tenure with the Jays’ organization has begun with a sizzling start at New Hampshire. Over 15 games, Schreck has batted a stellar .308 with a 1.025 OPS, along with 10 runs scored, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 10 RBI and 3 stolen bases. If he keeps hitting like this, it won’t be long before we will see his current No. 28 ranking among Jays’ top prospects make a huge jump upwards in due time.