Seven Blue Jays on the bubble with something to prove this spring

White, in essence, put himself back onto Toronto’s 40-man roster last fall with his resurgent performance down the stretch. Now, the goal becomes continuing that impressive showing into this spring.

After being plagued by a shoulder injury last year, it’ll be interesting to see what the right-hander can do with a healthy off-season and training camp – an opportunity that’ll either result in a multi-inning relief role or his second waiver stint in less than nine months.

Nate Pearson

MiLB Options Remaining: 1

Entering his final option season, Pearson is running out of chances to prove himself worthy as a full-time reliever on a contending club such as the Blue Jays. He has the talent to stick at the highest level but has yet to display sufficient consistency, suggesting this will be his most critical season to date.

The hard-throwing 27-year-old, who’ll turn 28 next August, impressed with his arsenal in 2023, finishing first on the team out of 18 qualified pitchers (min. 20 innings) in Stuff+ (127). At the same time, however, he also placed last in Location+ (93) under those same qualifiers, matching his underlying metrics with his on-field command woes.

Pearson can force the envelope if he displays improved control this spring, potentially bumping someone like Richards to the chopping block. But if those struggles remain, the explosive righty will likely be making numerous trips back and forth from Buffalo during what could be his final season with the organization.

Spencer Horwitz

MiLB Options Remaining: 2

Considering Brandon Belt’s departure and Justin Turner’s arrival, Horwitz’s left-handed presence could prove extremely useful toward the Blue Jays’ lineup balance in 2024. Due to his lack of power, he probably isn’t a suitable middle-of-the-order threat, though he certainly gave the team a small taste of his offensive abilities last season.

The 26-year-old first baseman is an on-base machine, evidenced by his 1.08 walk-to-strikeout ratio in 107 games at Triple-A Buffalo. He also features remarkable bat-to-ball skills, which helped pave the way for his stellar .337/.450/.495 slash line and 144 wRC+, ultimately leading to his mid-season MLB debut.

Horwitz appears poised to open this season in the big leagues as a reserve unless the Blue Jays acquire another hitter before spring training wraps. But one vital factor they’ll have to consider is whether playing every day with the Bisons is more beneficial to his development than coming off the bench in the majors.

There’ll surely be designed rest days for Turner against right-handed pitching, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will need days off his feet, too. But with a career 128 wRC+ in those matchups, the former Boston Red Sox will probably occupy most of the DH reps versus righties.

However, if Horwitz continues to impress, keeping him off the major-league roster won’t be an easy decision.

Ernie Clement

MiLB Options Remaining: Zero

Few hitters benefited more under the tutelage of the Bisons’ hitting department – headlined by former big leaguer Matt Hague, who’s now an assistant coach with the Blue Jays – last season than Clement as he enjoyed the top statistical performance of his professional career. And he has to be elated about having a chance to continue that relationship, now in Dunedin.

The only issue is the 27-year-old infielder isn’t guaranteed a big-league roster spot and is out of minor-league options. With the vast number of teams seeking cost-effective position players, plus the career season he delivered in 2023, odds are his Blue Jays tenure wouldn’t survive a waiver assignment.

But as long as Santiago Espinal remains on the roster, Clement is likely headed in that direction unless a notable injury arises later in camp.

Bowden Francis

MiLB Options Remaining: 1

Francis pleasantly surprised the Blue Jays brass last season, displaying increased fastball velocity while carving out a multi-inning reliever role across the campaign’s final two months, addressing a major need in the bullpen. If not for the Yariel Rodriguez signing, that role would almost certainly be his to lose heading into the 2024 season.

Instead, the 27-year-old righty will probably be stretched out as a starter this spring, positioning him as part of the big-league club’s Triple-A depth. Even so, it won’t be surprising if he continues to turn heads with his fastball-curveball combo, which produced spin rates in the 94th and 68th percentiles, respectively, in 2023.

There’s also a chance Francis could start this season in the majors if the Blue Jays assign Rodriguez to the Bisons to further develop as a starter rather than a reliever. That path would also open the door for White to earn a big-league opportunity, likely creating an internal battle between the two.

Either way, there’s no question Francis will be determined to leave a lasting impression on Toronto’s coaching staff.

Hagen Danner

MiLB Options Remaining: 1

To be full disclosure, Danner probably wouldn’t make this list if he had more than one minor-league option left. But since that’s not the case, observers should circle the 25-year-old reliever, who’ll undoubtedly be motivated this spring after an oblique injury ended his 2023 season – and ruined his brief MLB debut – last August.

As a hard-throwing righty whose four-seamer reaches the upper 90s and pairs excellently with his wipeout slider, the converted catcher shouldn’t have any issues standing out. That said, with Richards and Pearson slotted above him, his big-league return will likely have to wait.

Honourable Mentions

There are two goals for Yosver Zulueta this spring: 1. Stay healthy and hope his surgically repaired knee – which bothered him in 2023, per TSN’s Scott Mitchell – doesn’t flare up again. 2. Cut down the free passes without surrendering too much from his electrifying repertoire.

Last season was a disaster for Zach Pop, who struggled to a 5.51 ERA in 31 games at Triple-A and couldn’t regain his swing-and-miss potential or keep balls in the yard. With only one option remaining, the 27-year-old must re-establish his value as a medium-to-high-leverage reliever.

Leo Jimenez finds himself in a similar predicament as he’s down to his final option. After debuting in Triple-A last season, the 22-year-old glove-first infielder will be tested against superior pitching that’ll help measure how long until his big league-ready defence arrives at the next level.