An ace will get the ball on Opening Day.
It was announced on Twitter by the Buffalo Bisons on Thursday afternoon that Blue Jays’ top prospect Ricky Tiedemann would get the ball on Triple-A Opening Day on Friday.
Last season, Tiedemann made one start in Buffalo, where he finished with a line of 4 IP, 2 Hm 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, giving him a 42.9 K% and a 14.3 BB%. Between Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A, Tiedemann posted a 3.83 ERA and a 1.98 FIP in 47 innings pitched, along with an organization leading 43.7 K% and a 31.5 K-BB%. However, Tiedemann struggled with command as he had a 12.2 BB%.
After the season ended, the Blue Jays sent the young left-handed pitcher to the Arizona Fall League, where he posted a 2.50 ERA in 18 innings pitched, along with a 31.5 K% and an 11 BB%, winning the Arizona Fall League Pitcher of the Year. On top of that, Tiedemann helped the Surprise Saguaros win the Arizona Fall League Championship, although he was shut down after four starts.
Coming into the 2024 Spring Training, Tiedemann was shut down early as he was dealing with a hamstring issue. However, he appeared in three games and had a 5.40 ERA and a 6.59 FIP in 6.2 innings pitched, along with a 27.6 K% and a 10.3 BB%.
Tiedemann features a mid-90s fastball that has touched a tick below 100 mph and averages in the high-90s early in the season. On top of an excellent fastball, his changeup and slider are both secondary pitches, and with the deception in his delivery, he is a massive problem for both left-handed batters and right-handed batters alike.
He is a consensus top 100 prospect and the top Blue Jays prospect. It’s probable that Tiedemann will find his way up to the big leagues, but staying healthy and going deep into games is something he’ll have to achieve before that happens.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Brennan_L_D.

ARTICLE PRESENTED BY BETANO