Looks like the end has arrived for Alan Roden and the Toronto Blue Jays
Photo credit: Jays Journal
Alan Roden may have generated more buzz than any other Blue Jays prospect during spring training. In a system light on MLB-ready talent, he made a name for himself last year by earning the title of Blue Jays Minor Leaguer of the Year.
Blue Jays prospect Alan Roden should be sent down to Triple-A for his development.
Henry Palattela from the Jays Journal writes that heading into Thursday's game, Roden was batting just .188 (13-for-69) over 25 games. After a strong start to the season, going 7-for-22 in his first nine games, he's struggled significantly, recording only six hits in his last 16 games and currently enduring an 0-for-22 slump.
"In a perfect world, the Blue Jays would be able to give Roden an avenue to work through those troubles in MLB. But there are a couple reasons why that can't be the case right now." -Palattela
Palattela writes that offense has been a major issue for the Blue Jays this season, as they sit in the bottom five in MLB in home runs, RBIs, and slugging percentage. With the team desperate for production, keeping a roster spot occupied by a prospect who hasn't recorded a hit in over two weeks isn't doing them any favors.
"The second is the current construction of the roster. The Blue Jays now have seven outfielders on their roster after they reinstated Daulton Varsho from the injured list and sent Will Wagner down to Triple-A. That lack of roster balance doesn't seem to be setting the team up for success." -Palattela
Roden is also caught in a crowded rotation for a single outfield spot. With Daulton Varsho locked in as the everyday center fielder and George Springer and Anthony Santander splitting time between a corner outfield role and designated hitter, Roden finds himself battling Addison Barger, Nathan Lukes, and Myles Straw for limited playing time.
Palattela also writes that the final concern is Roden's development. At this stage in his progression, he needs consistent playing time, something he's not getting with the Blue Jays at the moment.
"Roden showed last year what he can do when he's playing every day (he hit .293 with 16 home runs in 125 games across Double-A and Triple-A), and he'd be better off working on his swing on the daily in the minor leagues." -Palattela
The Blue Jays are in a position where they have to exhaust every option to spark their offense. Right now, Roden isn't delivering.
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