Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
4 Blue Jay Standouts From Early Arizona Fall League Action
The Blue Jays sent eight prospects to the 2023 Arizona Fall League, getting some of the organization's rising youngsters some extra work in the desert.
Through the first 10 games of this year's AFL slate, Toronto's top prospects have earned awards and attention with some strong play. Here are four Blue Jays standouts from the early Arizona Fall League action:
SP Ricky Tiedemann
Coming into 2023 with all the hype in the World, Tiedemann had a topsy-turvy season as Toronto's top prospect. When he was healthy, he flashed the same unhittable stuff that launched him up prospect rankings the year prior, recording 82 strikeouts in just 44 innings. But, the lefty missed half the season with a biceps injury and made it to Triple-A for just one outing at the end of the year.
Looking to add some more innings to his workload and set himself up for a strong 2024, Tiedemann has carved through two AFL contests. In 10 innings pitched, he has a 2.70 ERA, 14 strikeouts, and a .156 batting average against. He earned AFL Pitcher of the Week honors after the competition's first few games.
In his most recent outing (October 9) the southpaw racked up 15 whiffs on just 70 pitches. He struck out six batters, walked one, and allowed just two hits. He currently sits second in AFL strikeouts with 13 and his .90 WHIFF ranks third among starters with at least two appearances.
INF Damiano Palmegiani
Palmegiani has carried his command of the zone and quiet power from Toronto's upper minors straight to Arizona. Through seven AFL games, the infielder has one of the league's best on-base percentages (.455) while posting a .975 OPS.
The 23-year-old has played first and third base for the Saguaros. Though the Jays have plenty of corner infield options in the upper minors, Palmegiani's consistent success with the stick should make him a depth option for the Blue Jays at some point in 2024.
CF Dasan Brown
Dasan Brown has come out swinging in Arizona through six games. The swift outfielder has a .364 average and .936 OPS in the first two weeks of fall play, recording three extra-base hits and a few balls smoked over 100 MPH.
While Browns bat didn't play much in High-A this season (.624 OPS in 107 games), his 80-grade speed and 65-grade fielding should keep him relevant in Toronto's upper minors. If he can find even a little more success at the plate in 2024, Brown could push himself into the big league speed/defense role Cam Eden filled for the Jays in September this year.
P CJ Van Eyk
After missing all of 2022 with Tommy John surgery, Van Eyk returned in 2023 to make 11 starts across three minor-league levels. He got up to Double-A for a few outings by the end of the year and has carried over his success to the Fall League.
In two long-relief appearances, the 25-year-old has allowed just one run in 6.1 innings pitched. He's battled command, though, walking six batters to just four strikeouts. The righty has been sitting around 93 MPH on his fastball while mixing in his slider, curveball, and changeup equally as secondary options.
