On Saturday, many Blue Jays’ prospects participated in the first ever Spring Breakout game… and it didn’t go great.

The Blue Jays prospects lost to the New York Yankees prospects 9-1, registering just three hits while striking out 13 times. Moreover, only three prospects had a clean inning, two of which had a full clean inning. Pitching prospects only struck out four total batters, the same total of walks allowed, while giving up three home runs in the afternoon.

With all that being said, let’s look at some things worth mentioning…
Addison Barger had the only extra base hit for the Blue Jays in the game, a triple with a 103.9 mph exit velocity to lead off the top of the fourth. Unfortunately, Sam Shaw, Damiano Palmegiani, and Spencer Horwitz all struck out immediately after leaving him stranded. A throw in right field nearly had the same velocity as his triple, as it had a velocity of 103.8, with a running start of course.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
The throw that Addison Barger made from right field to home plate in the 3rd inning was clocked here at&#8230; 103.8 mph. 
That&#39;s a wild number, and exactly why he&#39;s playing more right field. Barger&#39;s game has its inconsistencies, but there&#39;s some &#39;wow&#39; moments to him. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlueJays</a>
&mdash; Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeeganMatheson/status/1769121994123931956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Tucker Toman had a hit and drove in the Jays’ only run of the afternoon. The 20-year-old switch-hitting infielder had a rough first professional season, slashing .208/.320/.313 with five homers in 503 plate appearances in Single-A. Toman’s 2024 season will be a big one in determining his ceiling.
Enmanuel Bonilla had the only other hit of the afternoon, a single that moved catcher Maykel Minoso to second base, giving the Blue Jays runners on first and second with no outs. Unfortunately, the team followed with two strikeouts from Yhoangel Aponte and Manuel Beltre, before Palmegiani grounded out to end the inning.
There were three drawn walks from Blue Jays hitters, as Horwitz, Edward Duran, and Minoso all drew walks during the afternoon. Duran, a catcher, was acquired in the Anthony Bass/Zach Pop deal at the 2022 trade deadline. Last season, he slashed .315/.422/.417 with two homers in 154 plate appearances between the Florida Complex League and Single-A.
Landen Maroudis made his Blue Jays debut in this game, finishing with a line of 0.1 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 0 K. Obviously, the line leaves something to be desired, but his fastball averaged 94-95 mph and touched a tick under 97 mph, a very encouraging sign.
CJ Van Eyk picked up half of Toronto’s strikeouts, as he finished with a line of 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K while giving up a home run. The fastball touched as high as 96.6 mph, but averaged 93-94 mph.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Here&#39;s his second strikeout of the game, this one on a 94.7 mph two-seamer.<a href="https://t.co/JmTPiawmA6">pic.twitter.com/JmTPiawmA6</a>
&mdash; Brennan Delaney (@Brennan_L_D) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brennan_L_D/status/1769115172491121142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Kendry Rojas was one of just two pitchers to pitch a full inning without giving up a run (Connor Cooke pitched two thirds of an inning). Rojas allowed a hit, but his fastball was sitting 94-96 mph, and touched a tick under 97 mph, which seems to happen a lot.
Brandon Barriera was the other pitching prospect to pitch a full inning without giving up a run, as he walked two batters and struck out one. Unlike the other pitchers we looked at, the young left-handed pitcher reached 97.6 mph with the fastball that was paired with a low-mid-90s cutter. Last season wasn’t great for the 23rd overall pick in 2022, but he is a breakout candidate for 2024.
Although the game itself was a mess for the Blue Jays, it’s not a determining factor in whether their farm system is good or not. Moreover, it’s just a single game, and I’d bet quite a few of the players involved in this game are going to have great seasons. Still, it’s a fun event and hopefully, it’s an annual game for each team.
<hr />
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Brennan_L_D.
<hr />
<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://switchboard.actionnetwork.com/offers?affiliateId=931&amp;campaignId=6242&amp;context=web-book-review-page&amp;stateCode=ON&amp;propertyId=324" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">ARTICLE PRESENTED BY BETANO</a></h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61491" src="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Betano_ON_Base_727x404-1.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" srcset="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Betano_ON_Base_727x404-1.png 727w, https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Betano_ON_Base_727x404-1-300x167.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 727px) 100vw, 727px" />

On Saturday, many Blue Jays’ prospects participated in the first ever Spring Breakout game… and it didn’t go great.



The Blue Jays prospects lost to the New York Yankees prospects 9-1, registering just three hits while striking out 13 times. Moreover, only three prospects had a clean inning, two of which had a full clean inning. Pitching prospects only struck out four total batters, the same total of walks allowed, while giving up three home runs in the afternoon.



With all that being said, let’s look at some things worth mentioning…

Addison Barger had the only extra base hit for the Blue Jays in the game, a triple with a 103.9 mph exit velocity to lead off the top of the fourth. Unfortunately, Sam Shaw, Damiano Palmegiani, and Spencer Horwitz all struck out immediately after leaving him stranded. A throw in right field nearly had the same velocity as his triple, as it had a velocity of 103.8, with a running start of course.

https://twitter.com/KeeganMatheson/status/1769121994123931956

Tucker Toman had a hit and drove in the Jays’ only run of the afternoon. The 20-year-old switch-hitting infielder had a rough first professional season, slashing .208/.320/.313 with five homers in 503 plate appearances in Single-A. Toman’s 2024 season will be a big one in determining his ceiling.

Enmanuel Bonilla had the only other hit of the afternoon, a single that moved catcher Maykel Minoso to second base, giving the Blue Jays runners on first and second with no outs. Unfortunately, the team followed with two strikeouts from Yhoangel Aponte and Manuel Beltre, before Palmegiani grounded out to end the inning.

There were three drawn walks from Blue Jays hitters, as Horwitz, Edward Duran, and Minoso all drew walks during the afternoon. Duran, a catcher, was acquired in the Anthony Bass/Zach Pop deal at the 2022 trade deadline. Last season, he slashed .315/.422/.417 with two homers in 154 plate appearances between the Florida Complex League and Single-A.

Landen Maroudis made his Blue Jays debut in this game, finishing with a line of 0.1 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 0 K. Obviously, the line leaves something to be desired, but his fastball averaged 94-95 mph and touched a tick under 97 mph, a very encouraging sign.

CJ Van Eyk picked up half of Toronto’s strikeouts, as he finished with a line of 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K while giving up a home run. The fastball touched as high as 96.6 mph, but averaged 93-94 mph.

https://twitter.com/Brennan_L_D/status/1769115172491121142

Kendry Rojas was one of just two pitchers to pitch a full inning without giving up a run (Connor Cooke pitched two thirds of an inning). Rojas allowed a hit, but his fastball was sitting 94-96 mph, and touched a tick under 97 mph, which seems to happen a lot.

Brandon Barriera was the other pitching prospect to pitch a full inning without giving up a run, as he walked two batters and struck out one. Unlike the other pitchers we looked at, the young left-handed pitcher reached 97.6 mph with the fastball that was paired with a low-mid-90s cutter. Last season wasn’t great for the 23rd overall pick in 2022, but he is a breakout candidate for 2024.

Although the game itself was a mess for the Blue Jays, it’s not a determining factor in whether their farm system is good or not. Moreover, it’s just a single game, and I’d bet quite a few of the players involved in this game are going to have great seasons. Still, it’s a fun event and hopefully, it’s an annual game for each team.

<hr />

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Brennan_L_D.

<hr />

<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://switchboard.actionnetwork.com/offers?affiliateId=931&amp;campaignId=6242&amp;context=web-book-review-page&amp;stateCode=ON&amp;propertyId=324" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">ARTICLE PRESENTED BY BETANO</a></h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61491" src="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Betano_ON_Base_727x404-1.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" />

Blue Jays Prospects lost 9-1 to New York Yankees prospects in the first Spring Breakout game

It’s a new season, but the same issue plagues the Blue Jays in 2025

Despite bullpen struggles, the Blue Jays have a bigger problem under the hood

Blue Jays GDB – 37.0: Jays look to avoid the sweep at the hands of the Angels

Throwback Thursday: The Blue Jays acquire Devon White from Angels

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel (18) celebrates after scoring the winning run on a double by right fielder Jorge Soler (12, not pictured) as Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman (23)walks off the field during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium.

Recent articles from Ryley Delaney

Breaking News