The Toronto Blue Jays Prospect Pyramid is interesting to navigate. The prospect pyramid is a tool to explore the method of measurement used for prospects for any team. The ranking system used for this is to forego the prospect list system. While lists may be more accessible for top prospects, any list will vary from person to person. Instead, prospects are categorized based on their projected ceiling. In this case, all players will come from the Blue Jays organization.
To qualify as a baseball prospect, a player must be:
- Born after December 31, 1997
- Appeared in fewer than 50 MLB games or 50 innings pitched
- Less than 130 MLB plate appearances
(Authors’ note: Brandon Barriera, Luis Meza, and Tucker Toman will not be placed in this pyramid. Instead, they will be marked under the “Too Early to Tell” category. No prospect has graduated from the Prospect Pyramid in 2022 that is still with the Toronto Blue Jays.)
First Tier
Ricky Tiedemann
Age: 20
Position: LHP
Bats/Throws: L/L
Level: AA
After an impressive first minor league season, Ricky Tiedemann has become the consensus top prospect in the Blue Jays farm system. In 78 and 2/3 innings pitched, he had an ERA of 2.17, 117 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 0.864. Despite starting the season in Low-A Dunedin, Tiedemann ended the season with Double-A New Hampshire. The left-hander has three pitches in his repertoire, with his slider and changeup considered above average. A significant improvement to his game last season was his command. He is on track to becoming a Blue Jays starter for years to come.
Top @BlueJays pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann was solid in his Double-A @FisherCats debut:
3 IP
1 H
0 R
1 BB
5 K pic.twitter.com/q05bFlVTiH— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 6, 2022
Second Tier
Addison Barger
Age: 23
Position: INF
Bats/Throws: L/R
Level: AAA
Addison Barger might be the most underrated prospect in the Blue Jays’ farm system. After an average year in 2021, Barger had a breakout year in 2022. The infielder from Washington hit .308/.378/.555 with 26 home runs and 91 RBI. Starting the year with the Vancouver Canadians, he earned two promotions as he ended ending 2022 with Triple-A Buffalo. Berger is a left-handed hitter with an effortless swing, something the Blue Jays could use in their lineup. While he may start the season with the Bisons, he likely could likely make his major league debut this summer.
ADDISON. BARGER.
GAME-TYING HOME RUN! pic.twitter.com/jNK3TGffez
— Buffalo Bisons🦬 (@BuffaloBisons) September 27, 2022
Otto Lopez
Age: 24
Position: INF/OF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: MLB
This past season, Otto Lopez took a big step forward in his development. Lopez spent 2022 as a regular in the Buffalo Bisons’ lineup. In 91 games, he hit .297/.378/.415 with three home runs and 34 RBI. Lopez even spent the offseason with Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League hitting .304/.353/.380. He can contribute to the Blue Jays lineup as he is a contact hitter with speed. The infielder can make the team right out of camp in 2023.
Yosver Zulueta
Age: 25
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: AAA
The right-hander from Cuba has seen his fair share of injuries. Coming off of Tommy John in 2022, Yosver Zulueta played for all four minor league clubs posting a 3.72 ERA in 55 and 2/3 innings. His fastball can reach into triple digits and throws his curveball to get batters out. In 2022, Zulueta averaged 13.6 strikeouts per nine innings. However, in 2023, he can make the Blue Jays bullpen.
Third Tier
Alex De Jesus
Age: 20
Position: 3B/SS
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: A+
Alex De Jesus may be a prospect that many Blue Jays fans would know. The name is familiar as he was acquired via trade in July for Mitch White. However, the infielder from the Dominican has plenty of power in his bat. In 113 games, he hit .263/.370/.433 with 14 home runs and 64 RBI. After playing for four teams in 2022, De Jesus is working on starting the season with Double-A New Hampshire.
Cade Doughty
Age: 21
Position: 2B/3B
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: A
Taken by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2nd round of the 2022 draft, the infielder from LSU had quite a season. In 59 games with the Tigers, the 21-year-old hit .298 with 15 home runs and 57 RBI. Following his draft, the Blue Jays assigned Doughty to Dunedin. Where in 26 games, he hit .272 with six home runs. Doughty has power but needs to improve his contact and fielding to progress.
Josh Kasevich
Age: 22
Position: SS/3B
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: A
Much like Cade Doughty, Josh Kasevich started 2022 in the NCAA as an infielder who the Blue Jays took in the 2nd round of this draft. Additionally, the Toronto Blue Jays also assigned him to Dunedin. In 25 games, Kasevich hit .262/.344/.336. Unlike Doughty, Kasevich is more of a contact hitter who is an above-average fielder.
Adam Macko
Age: 22
Position: LHP
Bats/Throws: L/L
Level: A+
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired Adam Macko in a trade for Teoscar Hernandez. While he has yet to play for the Blue Jays farm system, the front office is excited to add him to it. The left-handed starter has an above-average fastball, curveball, and slider. The one area of improvement for him to work on would be his command.
Gabriel Martinez
Age: 20
Position: OF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: A+
The outfield prospect from Venezuela had a sensational 2022 season. In 96 games, he hit .293/.355/.477 with 14 home runs and 59 RBI. According to FanGraphs, he is above average in all five tools of the game. After starting the season in Florida Complex League, Martinez earned two promotions and ended the season with Vancouver. Moving up from Tier 5, and establishing himself as a top 10 Blue Jays prospect.
Orelvis Martinez
Age: 21
Position: SS/3B
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: MLB
Following a strong 2021 season, the highly touted infielder was underwhelming in 2022. While his power remained consistent, hitting 30 home runs, there are some concerns with his contact. In 118 games with New Hampshire, he hit .203/.286/.446 with a strikeout rate of 29%. Despite this, fans are hoping that he can bounce back in 2023.
Rainer Nunez
Age: 22
Position: 1B
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: A+
As a corner infielder from the Dominican Republic, he had a great 2022 with the Dunedin Blue Jays and Vancouver Canadians. In 120 games, he hit .304/.340/.484. Next season will mark his sixth season in the Blue Jays farm system, but he is hopeful he will play in the majors.
Sem Robberse
Age: 21
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: AA
Sem Robberse has become a top prospect in the Blue Jays system despite coming from the Netherlands. In 111 and 1/3 innings this season, he had an ERA of 3.23. After starting the season with Vancouver, he earned a promotion to New Hampshire in the middle of the season. Now he has the opportunity to make the Bisons out of camp.
Dahain Santos
Age: 20
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: A+
Despite a rocky season, the 19-year-old pitched in 86 innings in 2022. Despite posting a 4.50 ERA, he was pitching to players who were an average of four years older than him. While he will take a few years to develop, he is worth watching next season in Vancouver. Santos has potential to become a reliever if he shortens up his fastball and slider to get more strikeouts. It’s a major year for Santos, who will face older hitters who are more disciplined at the plate.
Fourth Tier
Manuel Beltre
Age: 18
Position: SS
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: A
After signing with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021, there was a lot of hype surrounding Manuel Beltre. However, in 2022, Beltre had an average season which saw him earning a late-season promotion to Dunedin. Beltre played 54 games, hitting .250 with a .357 OBP. He should remain at shortstop where his instincts and talent mesh well together. There’s plenty of time for Beltre to develop as he continues to earn the trust of his coaches and teammates.
Dasan Brown
Age: 21
Position: OF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: A+
The outfielder from Oakville had a fantastic 2022 season. In 85 games, he hit .283/.383/.420 stealing 24 bases and earning two promotions. This comes a season after it was a learning experience. Brown hit .212 with 22 stolen bases in 51 games. He is best known for his elite speed and fielding, but entering his age 21 season, his athleticism gives him potential as a fourth outfielder.
Adrian Hernandez
Age: 23
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: AAA
Adrian Hernandez wasn’t a prospect fans were familiar with when he signed out of Mexico in 2017. Nevertheless, he garnered attention in 2018, posting a 2.60 ERA over 55 1/3 innings in the Dominican Summer League. The Blue Jays are working with Hernandez to add some bulk as well as increase his fastball to the 92-94 mph range. His slider and changeup are some of the best pitches in the organization as his numbers prove it.
Leo Jimenez
Age: 21
Position: 2B/SS
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: AAA
Leo Jimenez hit .320 with a .532 OBP over 59 games in 2021 with Single-A Dunedin. It was some surprising stat lines in the system, only to be hit hard with the challenges of High-A. Jimenez saw his average drop to .230 with a .340 OBP over 65 games. The 21-year-old could play shortstop in the majors now, but it remains to be seen if his bat can hold up for 100 games or more.
Hayden Juegner
Age: 22
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: AAA
After being taken by the Blue Jays in 2021, Hayden Jugener earned his way to Triple-A Buffalo. The right-hander has a great fastball and slider. His slider produces swings and misses while his changeup continues to improve. Recently Jeugner has transitioned into a relief role with the Bisons and is poised to make his debut with Toronto in 2023. He’s given himself a window of opportunity to the majors if the results remain
Damiano Palmegiani
Age: 23
Position: 1B/3B
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: A+
His first full season in the Blue Jays farm system saw the infielder showcase his power. In 118 games, the Canadian raised player hit 24 home runs and 83 RBI with Dunedin and Vancouver. Entering 2023, Palmegiani will be put with the task of facing more advanced hitters through the upper levels of the minors. There’s plenty of room for him to climb through the prospect rankings.
Trent Palmer
Age: 23
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: AA
Trent Palmer comes from Minnesota and was drafted by the Blue Jays in the third round in 2020. In 55 and 1/3 innings between Vancouver and New Hampshire, he had a 3.90 ERA. Although his changeup is above average by most scouts, his slider and fastball need work. Unfortunately, Palmer underwent Tommy John Surgery late last season. He is expected to miss most of the 2023 campaign.
Davis Schneider
Age: 24
Position: 2B/OF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: AAA
Davis Schneider comes with an advanced plate approach. He certainly knows how to get on base thanks to a .366 OBP and 17 stolen bases in 2022. After 17 games with Buffalo, Schneider will be challenged with pitchers in a longer look at that level. Despite not having solid standout tools, it’s easy to imagine the 24-year-old as a utility option for Toronto as a right-hander bat coming off the bench.
Fifth Tier
Irv Carter
Age: 20
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: A
Irv Carter made his professional baseball debut in 2022. It wasn’t the easiest season for him, but he will certainly learn from his experience. In 47 and 2/3 innings, he had a 5.48 ERA. Carter has a fastball that sits in the 91-94 mph range. His slider has enough promise to be an above-average pitch. The building blocks for Carter are present, he just needs to work on a few things.
Estiven Machado
Age: 20
Position: SS
Bats/Throws: S/R
Level: A
Estiven Machado will split time between shortstop and second base. His offensive game will need to make some adjustments including his power or on-base development. However, Machado has defensive fundamentals which is a good stepping stone for him. 91 games is hard to make a real prediction out of a prospect, but the road to development is right in front of Machado.
Adrian Pinto
Age: 20
Position: SS/2B/OF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Level: A
Adrian Pinto had a step back in 2022, hitting .242 with a .375 OBP, 24 walks and 32 strikeouts in 45 games with Single-A. Despite the injury-shortened 2022 season, Pinto has spent time making up for lost time. His speed and on-base ability make him an ideal candidate as the leadoff man at each level. He will play all over the diamond as his athleticism gives him potential in both the infield and outfield.
Photo Credit:
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Ricky Tiedemann, Otto Lopez, Alex De Jesus, Cade Doughty, Josh Kasevich, Adam Macko, Orelvis Martinez, Rainer Nunez, Sem Robberse, Manuel Beltre, Dasan Brown, Adrian Hernandez, Leo Jimenez, Hayden Juenger, Damiano Palmegiani, Trent Palmer, Davis Schneider, Irv Carter, Estiven Machado, Adrian Pinto
