This Blue Jays prospect deserves a callup to Triple-A after Jake Bloss' injury

Earlier this week, the Blue Jays announced that pitching prospect Jake Bloss will undergo surgery on a UCL injury that will keep him out for the foreseeable future.

Bloss' injury is a huge blow. Not only is the team's No. 6 prospect (per MLB Pipeline), but he was also their most MLB-ready pitching prospect due to Ricky Tiedemann's injury.

And while the loss of Bloss will sting for the next year-plus, it does open up a spot in Buffalo's rotation — a spot that should be filled by pitching prospect Ryan Jennings.

Jennings is currently on a tear in Double-A New Hampshire, and is due for a promotion.

Jennings, a 25-year-old right-hander, as been with the Blue Jays since they selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB Draft. He's been effective in his minor league career, and is coming off a strong year where he saw work as both a starter and a reliever.

He posted a 1.93 ERA of 1.93 across 60 2/3 innings last year with a K/9 of 10.09. He had a 1.14 WHIP, held batters to an average .204 and had a walk rate of just 9%. He started the year in High-A before finishing it in Double-A.

Jennings has pitched only out of the bullpen this year and has a 2.86 ERA in 22 innings. His walk rate is up compared to last year (14%), but he also has 28 strikeouts.

Blue Jays' prospect Ryan Jennings is deserving of a promotion to Triple-A

The Blue Jays pitching depth seems to be deeper this season compared to years prior, and pitchers like Jennings are to thank for that. He has a big league profile and continues to find success at every level that he pitches at, so it's not hard to imagine him continuing to climb the ranks.

The Blue Jays need another arm in the mix at Triple-A, and Jennings would make an immediate impact whether it be in the rotation or the bullpen. The Bisons' depth is a bit thin right now thanks to Bloss' injury and Eric Lauer's promotion, so there's a space for Jennings.

Right now Lazaro Estrada is the other only pitcher in Triple-A who is in MLB Pipeline's Top 30 list for the Blue Jays (and he's currently struggling with a 7.15 ERA). If Jennings got promoted to Triple-A, not only would he get a chance to show his stuff against higher-quality hitters, and the Blue Jays would be able to get a chance to see if he can fit into their MLB picture in the near-future.

Jennings is quickly becoming one of the best relief arms in the Blue Jays' system, and it's clear that he doesn't have anything left to prove in Triple-A. Bloss' injury opened up a pathway for Jennings to make the Bisons roster, and the Blue Jays should take advantage of it.