Young Blue Jays are going to get their shot with deadline in rearview mirror

The trade deadline is officially over and it's fair to say it was successful for the Blue Jays, they managed to restock their farm system acquiring 14 prospects whilst trading away eight players - six of them rentals. As a result, George Springer is the only position player over 30 and with nothing to play for in what has been a disappointing 2024 season, it is time to give the young Blue Jays their shot.

So far we've seen some success from the young guys who came up from Triple-A Buffalo. Spencer Horwitz, even though he's cooled off lately has slashed .276 with 4 HR and 16 RBI in 45 games. He's thrived at second base since taking over that spot from Davis Schneider, one of the coldest hitters on the team.

As the youngest player on the active roster, Leo Jiménez has proved he's capable of taking over at shortstop since Bo Bichette went back on the injured list with a calf injury. In a short sample size of 23 games this season he's batted .224 and a .568 OPS. Going forward, Jiménez see more playing time at SS because Bichette isn't due back for a few more weeks.

Addison Barger, Jays Journal's No. 5 prospect, is coming off a great series in Baltimore. A versatile member of the team, Barger has seen the majority of his playing time in right field and is also capable of playing third and left field, with arm strength in the 99th percentile. Having said that, it's likely we'll see Barger as a rotating DH with Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Horwitz now that Justin Turner's left for Seattle.

Not only did the Blue Jays secure one of the biggest deals of the deadline but they acquired three prospects who should be called up later in the season. Outfielder Jonatan Clase, the new No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, infielder Will Wagner (son of Astros icon Billy Wagner), the new No. 22 ranked prospect and Jake Bloss, our new No. 3 ranked prospect. Bloss should slot into the back-end of the starting rotation this season. Before that, though, the Blue Jays will stretch him out in Buffalo for a few outings.

Joey Loperfido, the other key piece of the Kikuchi trade has already slotted into left field on the Blue Jays' active roster. He's expected to play everyday, something which the Astros couldn't guarantee.

Results won't matter as much to the Blue Jays with the record they have and are very much out of the running to make it to the postseason. They still have their core pieces Springer, Guerrero and Bichette on their roster, however the latter two will be free agents at the end of next season. With all things considered, there simply isn't a better time to give the young guys mentioned above the chance to show what they're made of and look ahead to hopefully a more successful season in 2025.