Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 4: Jake Bloss

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Sep 25, 2024, 09:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 25, 2024, 08:28 EDT

In this article, we’ll look at one of two pitchers the Toronto Blue Jays acquired at the trade deadline.

This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual Mid-Season top prospect list, where we’ll look at the 35 best prospects in the Blue Jays system. We’ll look at the player’s stats, my observations, and other publication’s scouting reports if available.

Let’s take a look at our fourth-best prospect, Jake Bloss!

Getting to know Jake Bloss…

Position: Starting pitcher

Throws: Right

Born: June 23, 2001

Acquired: Trade with the Houston Astros

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Jake Bloss was drafted in the third round of the 2023 draft by the Houston Astros. After a brief tenure in the Arizona Complex League, Bloss pitched in Single-A where he had a 2.76 ERA and a 3.46 FIP in 16.1 innings pitched, along with a 29 K% and a 15.9 BB%.

Bloss’ 2024 was incredible and incredibly busy. Starting the season in High-A, he had a 2.08 ERA and a 2.81 FIP in 17.1 innings pitched, along with a 36.8 K% and an 11.8 BB%. The Astros saw it fitting to call him up to Double-A, where he had a 1.61 ERA and a 3.30 FIP in 44.2 innings pitched, with a 21.2 K% and a 7.9 BB%.

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It wasn’t long before Bloss was called up to Triple-A, where he didn’t give up an earned run in four innings pitched. The Astros then called him up to the big league team, where he had a 6.94 ERA and a 7.62 FIP in 11.2 innings pitched, along with a 20 K% and a 5.5 BB%.

Prior to the trade deadline, the Astros traded him, Will Wagner, and Joey Loperfido to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Yusei Kikuchi. This trade is shaping up to be a good one for both teams.

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OFFICIAL: We’ve acquired RHP Jake Bloss, OF Joey Loperfido, and INF Will Wagner from the Astros in exchange for LHP Yusei Kikuchi. Welcome to our #BlueJays family!

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After the trade, Bloss was optioned to Triple-A, where he has a 6.91 ERA and a 5.87 FIP in 27.1 innings pitched, along with a 19.1 K% and an 11.5 BB%. It’s been tough going for Bloss in his last five starts, as he’s given up 21 runs in 17.6 innings pitched. Over his first three starts, he didn’t give up a run in 9.2 innings pitched.

According to MLB Pipeline’s mid-season update, Bloss is the Blue Jays’ third-best prospect. Although he only sits 92-94 mph and touches 97 mph, he has a low release point, which is deceptive to batters. Bloss also has two sliders, a sweeper and a hard slide, as well as a sharp curveball. The 23-year-old righty also features a changeup that is a little further behind the other four pitches.

Bloss does a good job at throwing strikes and he’s on the Blue Jays 40-man roster. Expect him to be a depth option for the rotation next season at the bare minimum.