What does the Blue Jays pitching depth actually look like?
Photo credit: Mark Steffens/ The Province
Let's talk about pitching.
While the Blue Jays do boast a fairly strong rotation, the number five spot is still a toss up between Yariel Rodriguez, Jake Bloss, and potentially Eric Lauer. But what do the Blue Jays have beyond that? Who comes up in the event of an injury or ineffectiveness.
There are few candidates.
Firstly, it won't be Ricky Tiedemann or Alek Manoah. Both are recovering from surgeries and will likely miss at least the first half of 2025. Brandon Barriera should be fully recovered by April or May, but he was always a few years away. Chad Dallas is healing a torn UCL and probably won't be a factor.
With Bloss potentially on the big-league roster to start the season, he won't be included here either so who does that leave.
The first name that comes to mind is Adam Macko. The Slovak-born pitcher who spent time in Ireland before coming to Canada was acquired as part of the Erik Swanson deal at the end of 2022.
Macko appeared at all three levels of the minors last year but realistically will probably need at least a couple of months in Buffalo before getting the call. He is the Blue Jays #8 overall prospect, and fourth pitcher behind Tiedemann, Bloss, and number one overall Trey Yesavage. Expect to see Macko around the All-Star break.
Also in Triple-A is CJ Van Eyk. The 26 year old has had some injury troubles after missing 2022 recovering from Tommy John surgery. He made 16 starts in New Hampshire last year and will most likely begin the year in Buffalo.
Further down are Lazardo Estrada and former 4th round pick Ryan Jennings. While neither has been mentioned that much, both appeared in the Arizona Fall League this November, and Jennings in particular is showing signs of being ready soon after a strong finish to his season last year. The only question for him is whether he stays a starter.
These names may not be inspiring or well known, but they are ones to watch in terms of starting. Only time will tell as to when we will see them in a Blue Jays uniform.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 30 | 111 ANSWERS What does the Blue Jays pitching depth actually look like? Which prospect is most likely to make their debut in 2025? | ||
| Adam Macko | 51 | 45.9 % |
| CJ Van Eyk | 14 | 12.6 % |
| Ryan Jennings | 16 | 14.4 % |
| Lazaro Estrada | 30 | 27 % |
| List of polls | ||
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