Reviewing MLB Pipeline's in-season update of the Blue Jays' Top 30 prospects

Blue Jays prospects out of the Top 30

With so many additions to the Top 30, some players were inevitably surpassed and saw their stock fall far enough to be dropped out of the rankings. So, which prospects are no longer considered among the organization's best?

Starting pitcher Sem Robberse (7,--), who was part of the Jordan Hicks trade, is the only player no longer in the organization. After his move to the Cardinals, the promising right-hander slots in as the No. 8 prospect in the St. Louis system.

One of the most noticeable omissions from this update is Otto Lopez (14,--). At one point this spring, it seemed like the 24-year-old would find his way onto the Opening Day roster after a solid start to his camp and a big performance at the World Baseball Classic.

But since developing groin soreness at the WBC and starting the season in Triple-A, Lopez has struggled to maintain the same performance as in previous years, hitting .251/.307/.330 in 80 games with Buffalo. Recently placed on the 60-day IL with an oblique strain, the versatile fielder's season is done without getting another chance in the majors.

Another notable name left off the new rankings is right-handed pitcher Hagen Danner (22,--), who recently made his MLB debut and only recorded one out before leaving with an injury. After a late start to his season due to forearm problems, the 24-year-old put up impressive numbers between New Hampshire and Buffalo. He posted a 3.66 ERA and recorded 56 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings of relief. Hopefully, Danner can bounce back next season and get another shot at The Show.

The remaining players who lost their spot include a pair of New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Reliever Adrian Hernandez (23,--) is pitching to a 5.66 ERA and 9.51 BB/9 in 30 appearances. First baseman Rainer Nunez (26,--) is struggling to gain traction in Double-A, hitting .218 in 52 games, after raking in High-A to start the season.

20-year-old infielder Estiven Machado (24,--) is riding the struggle bus in High-A Vancouver this season, slashing just .208/.308/.260 in 54 contests. In Low-A Dunedin, 20-year-old right-hander Irv Carter (27,--) has an ugly 8.59 ERA and 29:30 strikeout-to-walk ratio through 12 appearances starts.

Down in the FCL, starter Trent Palmer (25,--) is just beginning his season after returning from Tommy John surgery. Famous for his pair of late-season no-hitters in 2021 with Dunedin, the 24-year-old acquitted himself well in seven starts in Double-A last season and may get a chance to throw in the Arizona Fall League this year.

Dropping off from the bottom of the rankings, 18-year-old catching prospect Luis Meza (30,--) has had difficulty getting going in his first season stateside. He's hitting .208/.283/.229 in 17 games in the Complex League after slashing .229/.267/.292 in 28 games in the Dominican Summer League in 2022.