Today’s prospect has plenty of potential, but his health is worrisome.
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 21st-best prospect, Brandon Barriera!
Getting to know Brandon Barriera…
Position: Starting pitcher
Throws: Left
Born: March 4, 2004
Acquired: 1st-round, 2022 (Blue Jays)
Previous ranking: 6
With the 23rd-overall pick in the 2022 draft, the Blue Jays selected Brandon Barriera, a left-handed starter out of high school. Like most young pitchers that the Jays select, Barriera didn’t make his professional debut until the following season.
Pitching just 18.1 innings in six starts with the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays, Barriera had a 4.42 ERA and a 3.26 FIP, along with a 31.5 K% and an 11 BB%. On top of that, he threw two innings with the Florida Complex League Jays after missing time due to injury, a common theme.
Barriera started the 2024 season with the Dunedin Blue Jays, but pitched an inning and a third before leaving the game. It turned out that the 20-year-old lefty would require Tommy John surgery, missing the rest of the season. It’s unclear when he’ll return, but it appears that Barriera received the Tommy John surgery that uses a brace, meaning a shorter recovery time if there are no setbacks.
As we climb the list, this will be a running theme for starting pitchers, as there are two other pitchers on this list who required Tommy John surgery this season. Barriera has the talent, but health is a big reason why he’s dropped as far as he has.
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