Photo credit: The Athletic
The Toronto Blue Jays have had their fair share of breakout stars in recent memory, the latest being Trey Yesavage who jumped four levels to get to the majors, the next projected star is pitcher Gage Stanifer, according to MLB Pipeline he's the most progressed prospect for the Blue Jays.
Stanifer was Yesavage's partner in crime in the minors, after struggling in his first two years as a pro he has stepped it up big time this season.
Gage Stanifer will be the Blue Jays next breakout star.
Brady Farkas of Yahoo Sports reported on Stanifer's progress as a pro, after struggling a lot in his first two years in Single-A, he was phenomenal this year, and ended getting called up to Double-A in New Hampshire.
"A 19th-round pick in 2022, Stanifer posted ERAs above 6.00 in each of his first two full seasons. He opened this campaign back with Single-A Dunedin as Trey Yesavage's piggyback partner and has been one of Toronto's many pitching success stories in 2025. The 21-year-old (22) righty closed out the season at Double-A New Hampshire and finished with a 2.86 ERA with 161 strikeouts (fifth-most in the Minors) in 110 innings. Stanifer shows two plus pitches in his mid-90s fastball and mid-80s slider."-Farkas
One thing that might hold Stanifer back is that he is a starting pitcher, and expected to be ready for the Majors by 2027, the Blue Jays have more than enough starting pitchers right now. With Shane Bieber, Dylan Cease, Yesavage, Cody Ponce, Jose Berrios and potentially Chris Bassitt coming back, there might not be enough room for him. He will have to be so convincing that he takes someone's job.
"Jose Berrios could transition back from the bullpen to the rotation and the team could give a job to Bowden Francis. Of course, both of those players could be traded before 2027, giving Stanifer more of an opportunity, but the Jays also have a willingness to spend money to cover up holes. And prospects Jake Bloss and Ricky Tiedemann are also in the mix."-Farkas
This is a good problem to have for the Blue Jays, their pitching was a weakness of theirs just three months ago, and now it appears that it will be one of their greatest strengths. If Stanifer continues his development at this pace, the Blue Jays will have another breakout star.
Previously on Toronto Baseball Insider
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 30|254 ANSWERS The Toronto Blue Jays have another Trey Yesavage on their hands Will Gage Stanifer make the Toronto Blue jays starting rotation by 2027? | ||
| Yes | 95 | 37.4 % |
| No | 159 | 62.6 % |
| List of polls | ||