Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins has historically acted fairly self-contained during his media availabilities. You’ll rarely hear him unpromptedly reference an individual player in an interview. That’s typically how he operates.

But Atkins flipped the script, slightly at least, when he met with reporters Thursday as pitchers and catchers reported for spring training. The club’s GM was asked which prospect he’s most excited to observe in camp over the next six-plus weeks, and without hesitation, he went out of his way to highlight outfielder Alan Roden.

After being selected in the third round of the 2022 draft, Roden — Rule 5-eligible after this season — has quickly shot up the organization’s rankings, impressing at each stop along the way. He arrived at triple-A Buffalo last June, reaching the highest minor-league level less than two years after he was drafted.

It’s been a rapid ascension thus far, and his next stop could include the major leagues in 2025 if all goes right.

It was a surprising reaction. Not because Roden — Toronto’s No. 8 top prospect per Baseball America’s pre-season rankings — isn’t worthy of that kind of recognition. He certainly is, especially after slashing .293/.391/.475 with 16 home runs and 75 RBIs while posting a 136 wRC+ (100 league average) in 125 games split between double-A and triple-A last season.

Not only can he create damage at the plate, but he also has an incredible knowledge of the strike zone, which he’s carried with him from his days at Creighton University to now as a top prospect in the Blue Jays farm system. For reference, he registered a combined 12.1-per-cent walk rate compared to his 14.2-per-cent strikeout rate in 2024.

But hearing such high praise from Atkins usually doesn’t happen without purpose, especially when he delivers it on his own accord. You can probably count the times he’s acted similarly in the past on one hand. And given his calculated nature, he’s likely sending a message with those comments regarding Roden’s status entering this season.

Reading between the lines, the 25-year-old could have a legitimate chance to break camp with the big-league squad coming out of spring training. Lots would probably have to fall his way, considering the likes of Nathan Lukes, Joey Loperfido, Jonatan Clase, and Steward Berroa are already on Toronto’s 40-man roster and likely ahead of him on the depth chart. And Myles Straw, a non-roster invitee, fits in somewhere, too.

At the same time, though, the Blue Jays lineup still needs more thump. They’re one impact hitter shy of constructing a vastly improved starting nine from last season. Perhaps Roden could fill that void if he pushes the envelope during exhibition play. Or maybe he could help address that need in another way, potentially as a trade chip for a significant addition that features term well beyond 2025.

The latter option is one the front office probably hopes to avoid at all costs. Still, no matter how you slice it, Roden’s stock has skyrocketed over the last few years — likely accelerating his timeline much sooner than Toronto’s brass previously anticipated.