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How Ricky Tiedemann can help the Blue Jays pitching staff in 2026
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Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Aidan Sinclair
Jan 27, 2026, 14:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 27, 2026, 09:55 EST
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Ricky Tiedemann is a name most Blue Jays fans who follow the farm system are familiar with.
Drafted in the third round of the 2021 draft out of Golden West College, what some may not realize is that he will be entering his fifth season in the organization and will be just 23 years old come spring training. 
At just 19 years old in his first year in professional baseball in 2022, he reached Double-A New Hampshire, posting a 2.17 ERA across three minor league levels, and appeared to be the next prospect pitcher worth watching in the Jays system. 
Unfortunately, Tiedemann’s trajectory to reaching the big leagues has been tumultuous.
Out of the gate, Tiedemann presented a smooth delivery from the left side, though two persistent flaws have kept him in the minor leagues. Throughout his brief minor league career, the trend of command issues, as well as remaining healthy, has hovered over the southpaw like a hawk. 
Through 140 minor league innings across three seasons to date, his 68 walks have produced a 16.2% walk rate (4.4 BB/9), nearly double the Major League average. Coupled with his inability to demonstrate durability, Tiedemann has become a volatile prospect who has a lot to prove in 2026. After going under the knife for Tommy John surgery in mid-2024, Tiedemann’s path to Major League Baseball is back on track as he returns to the mound this season. 
On the flip side, he has displayed an incredibly effective arsenal that features a fastball sitting in the mid-90s, a wipeout slider, and a nasty changeup that falls off the table to right-handed hitters. This combination of weapons has produced 226 strikeouts in his aforementioned 140 career minor league innings, to the tune of a 39.7% strikeout rate, equaling an elite 14.5 K/9. 
Blue Jays fans have seen flashes of his talent in prior spring training, providing a glimpse of what could be added to an already established pitching staff at the MLB level. For example, back in February of 2023, in his Spring debut, he flashed a fastball that reached 99mph, dismantling Javier Baez, Austin Meadows, and Matt Vierling on just 12 pitches. 
Blue Jays’ pitching depth 
Since Tiedemann joined the Jays’ system back in 2022, the Major League roster has seen multiple identity shifts, leading to the present-day roster heading into 2026. The acquisitions of Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce have solidified an already formidable starting rotation group, leaving limited opportunities for Tiedemann to establish himself as a starter this season. Tyler Rogers was added to bolster the back end of the bullpen, with left-handers Mason Fluharty, Brendon Little, and Eric Lauer filling out the Jays’ southpaw trio. 
Though it has been an organizational struggle to develop young arms into proven Major League entities (à la Nate Pearson and Alek Manoah), the rise of Trey Yesavage in 2025 made the case for an alternative narrative. With Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber entering their walk years this season, multiple prospects have made strides to potentially overtake Tiedemann as viable options in the near future. From Johnny King to Gage Stanifer to Jake Bloss and Adam Macko, numerous options could compete for starting roles before Tiedemann could establish an ability to stay healthy. 
2026 will feature a surplus of arms in the Blue Jays system, all competing for regular playing time. As of now, Jose Berrios is not guaranteed a spot in the starting five come opening day, and Yariel Rodriguez will be attempting to earn another opportunity with the big league bullpen after being DFAd in December. Though there appears to be a logjam of arms fighting for time with the Jays, Tiedemann has one advantage that triumphs them all: he throws absolute fuzz from the left side. 
Final Thoughts
Dealing with numerous injuries in his young career and struggling with command, many questions circle Tiedemann’s name, and 2026 will be a prove-it year for the now 23-year-old southpaw.
After being added to the 40-man roster in November, it was confirmed that he would be ready to go for Spring Training this season and could become a weapon out of the Blue Jays at some point in 2026. Whether it’s in the rotation or the bullpen is yet to be seen, and the likelihood of Tiedemann starting the year to get some innings under his belt in Triple-A is high because he’s coming back from Tommy John. 
At this year’s trade deadline, the Jays may not need to hunt for a high-leverage lefty to punch tickets late in ballgames. They may already have their man in Ricky Tiedemann, who could impress many in 2026. 

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