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Blue Jays: Getting to know Ryan Sprock
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Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jul 12, 2026, 15:45 EDTUpdated: Jul 12, 2026, 15:27 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays’ catching pipeline is gradually getting better.
On Friday, the Blue Jays sent relief pitcher Tommy Nance, along with $250,000 in international signing bonus pool money, to the Minnesota Twins for catching prospect Ryan Sprock.
Even if the Jays end up selling before August 3rd’s trade deadline, this is not a seller’s move. The Jays have a plethora of right-handed relievers in their bullpen, and for a good as Nance has pitched in parts of the past three seasons, he’s a low-leverage reliever.
As for the signing bonus pool money, that may sound like a lot, but it’s worth noting that the Blue Jays acquired the exact same amount for a recently DFA’d Wes Parsons early into the 2024 season. Signing bonus pool money is useful, but the Blue Jays clearly have some money to spare with no more notable prospects to sign.
When adding that context, it makes sense why the Blue Jays made the trade, especially since they got a pretty darn interesting prospect in return.
Sprock was drafted in the eighth round of the 2025 draft out of Elon University. In his junior season, he slashed a career-best .321/.411/.593 with 14 home runs in 263 plate appearances. Throughout his collegiate days, Sprock played in the infield, playing second base, third base, and first base. He also pitched in 44 games, amassing a 6.85 ERA in 118.1 innings of work.
Although he never played catcher in college, he appeared in three games behind the plate to end the 2025 season. He mainly played third base, but also started five games in the outfield. Over the 23 games, he slashed. 257/.395/.386 with two home runs in 86 plate appearances for a 130 wRC+.
Sprock became a full-time catcher in the Twins’ organization this season, appearing in 31 games where he committed six errors over 265.2 innings of work. He’s still playing third base and left field as well, appearing in 18 and five games respectively. With no prior catching experience, there’s a learning curve, though he’s an above average athlete.
Offensively, it’s been a good season for Sprock. Mainly spending it in with the Twins’ Single-A team, he slashed .306/.436/.441 with five home runs in 280 plate appearances for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, good for a 144 wRC+. Sprock also walked more (17.5 BB%) than he struck out (11.1 K%) at the level.
Shortly before the trade, Sprock earned two starts with the Twins’ High-A team, where he managed to drive in a run. It’s likely he’ll join the High-A Vancouver Canadians, forming a tandem with Jacob Sharp.
Sharp is one of a handful of catchers making waves in the Blue Jays’ organization this season. Brandon Valenzuela, acquired before the 2025 trade deadline, became the big league team’s backup catcher, while both Aaron Parker and Sharp have had strong seasons with the twig. 
That doesn’t even mention lower-minor prospects like Juan Caricote, Franklin Rojas, and Giaconino Lasaracina, who are all having great seasons at the plate. Nor does it mention Will Brick, who the Blue Jays selected in the fourth-round on Saturday afternoon.
Sprock is certainly a player worth monitoring over the next few seasons, because his athleticism and bat-to-ball skills are intriguing.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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