Right-hander Jake Bloss was acquired from the Houston Astros at last year’s trade deadline as part of the package the Blue Jays received for Yusei Kikuchi. That return was lauded as a major win for Toronto, as they received three quality prospects in exchange for a half-season rental in the southpaw, who was free-agent eligible this winter. Kikuchi performed well down the stretch for Houston but signed with the Angels last week on a three-year deal worth $63 million.

It remains to be seen what kind of impact Jays fans can expect from Bloss in 2025, especially because the team remains interested in adding a free-agent starting pitcher or two which would impact how many spots are up for grabs come Spring Training. Let’s look at how his last season went, and what we can expect going forward.

The former Astros farmhand was drafted in the third round of the 2023 draft out of Georgetown, where he dominated Big East hitters to the tune of a 2.58 ERA and 11.3 K/9 in his Junior year.

His advanced approach allowed him to advance quickly in 2024, getting the call-up to double-A Corpus Christi after just 17 1/3 innings pitched in high-A. Although his strikeout numbers weren’t as impressive to the small sample to round out the 2023 season (7.05 K/9), his 1.61 ERA through 44 2/3 innings pitched led to yet another call-up, this time straight to the Major Leagues as the Astros rotation was decimated by injuries and needed the top prospect in the big leagues. Bloss started three mostly forgettable games for the Astros before the trade, giving up five home runs through 11 2/3 innings and carrying a 6.94 ERA. He landed on the IL shortly after with shoulder discomfort.

Following the trade, many thought that the six-foot-three right-hander would have a chance to make some starts for the Blue Jays towards the end of the season, but struggles with command kept him in triple-A Buffalo. All told he made eight starts, starting off strong but having a couple of rough outings that skyrocketed his ERA to 6.91 while registering a 4.94 BB/9 and 8.23 K/9. He also had a bit of a late start with Buffalo following the acquisition as the Blue Jays sent Bloss to Dunedin to work with the staff at the Player Development Complex.

It is not all that surprising that Bloss eventually experienced some struggles in his first full season of pro ball. When combining all of his stat lines in 2024, the Greensboro, North Carolina native ended with a 3.18 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 8.5 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 across 21 starts.

The Blue Jays’ third-ranked prospect’s (per MLB Pipeline) arsenal includes three above-average pitches and the stamina to make him a potential starter at the big league level.

He attacks hitters with a low to mid 90’s fastball, pairing it with an upper 70’s curveball and a slider. He throws two versions of his slider, one in the lower 80s for more swing and miss and another in the upper 80s that he has better control of. The long-term effectiveness of Bloss will likely come down to how well he can command his pitches, as is true with many pitchers.

Even if the Blue Jays elect not to add any starting pitchers this offseason, there is likely nothing that will stop Bloss from starting next season on the Bisons’ Opening Day roster. Last season showed that the 23-year-old was advanced enough to debut in the show in a pinch for the Astros, but the right-hander would benefit from some more time in the minors to refine his command.

Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, and Chris Bassitt would appear to be locks for rotation spots, with Bowden Francis and Yariel Rodriguez likely ahead of Bloss in the starting rotation pecking order as things currently stand. This gets even more complicated and competitive if the Jays add a starter or two this winter as well. Things can change with injuries and performance standings in Spring Training can move players around on the depth charts but from the current standpoint, Bloss is on the cusp of the big leagues but a couple of notches below some other arms. Bloss will likely stay in the starter’s spot regardless of its in the Majors or in triple-A, as the Jays need some depth out of the rotation given the numerous injuries to the prospect arms last year – so a spot in the bullpen is unlikely for the former Astro.

The best-case scenario for the former third-round pick as well as the team is for him to continue to hone his craft in triple-A while being on the short list of potential call-ups should a rotation spot open up sooner than later.