What's next for Tiedemann, Barger? Other Toronto top prospects?

The Blue Jays’ farm system is off to a relatively slow start through April, with many of the club’s Top 30 prospects still trying to find their footing.

This group is getting back to a more balanced point, though, with near-term options and long-term lottery tickets.

Starting at the very top, here are your questions about the stars of tomorrow …

Assuming we’re competing for a playoff spot all season, when do you think we see our first Ricky Tiedemann callup? -- Mark S.

That suddenly depends on Tiedemann’s health after the No. 1 prospect left his Thursday start with a left biceps injury.

The Blue Jays have already been managing Tiedemann’s innings, and his diagnosis will obviously play a major role in that. Prior to the injury, I would have said that August works as a (very) loose target, with a bullpen debut possible in a valuable bulk role. If this is a short-term injury, that timeline wouldn’t necessarily change. A healthy Tiedemann has MLB-ready stuff and has for a while.

In regards to Addison Barger, is the organizational plan to have him play third base every day next season in the big leagues? -- Jake D.

That’s one of the likelier outcomes, but there are 100 possibilities at this point. Barger recently hit the IL with an elbow issue in Triple-A, where he’d started seven of his 20 games at third. He’s hitting .237 with a .662 OPS, and he’s making harder contact than those numbers show, but the strikeout rate is high.

Barger, 23, has nothing but time. The reality of Matt Chapman is that he’s well on his way to earning a massive contract, so the Blue Jays need to have a plan in place. The best way to put it right now? The Blue Jays would love for Barger to make that transition an easy decision. Right now, it’s just one of many, many options.

Now that some time has passed since Minor League contraction/realignment, have you noticed any changes in how the Jays handle their prospects? -- Michael P.

One development strategy you'll see more is the use of the complex, which will feature prospects already halfway up the ladder. In 2022, the Blue Jays put No. 1 prospect Tiedemann on the “Development List” and brought him back to the complex, keeping him out of game action for four weeks. This allowed them to manage his workload while still having Tiedemann work on his game with members of the development staff and their endless arsenal of technology. It certainly won’t be the last time you see this.

Do you see a road for Damiano Palmegiani being a Cavan Biggio type, or should the Jays trade Biggio and prospects for help this upcoming year? -- Jake D.

Palmegiani crushes right-handed pitching and is off to an excellent start in Double-A, making a move to Triple-A likely at some point this season. Some versatility beyond first and third would help the 23-year-old, but he’s earned every bit of his prospect status and could continue to rise from his current No. 29 ranking. Higher-ranked prospects such as Barger and Otto Lopez are closer to the front of the line for now.

Following the Jays higher-level prospects and not overwhelmed with the results so far. Is there anyone you think could help the Jays this year? -- Anthony B (@TFBel)

Beyond top names such as Lopez, Barger, Yosver Zulueta or Hayden Jueunger, I want to give Spencer Horwitz some shine. As a first baseman who plays the odd game in the outfield, his potential is limited to his bat and being on Vladdy’s team. If injuries pile up, though, Horwitz’s .441 on-base percentage will translate. He has an exceptional plate approach, and even though the power isn’t there, everything else is offensive.

Does Gabriel Martinez fit with the Blue Jays or do you think he will be traded?

This organization has been thin on outfield prospects for a while now. Anthony Alford was the Blue Jays’ No. 3 prospect in 2017-18 and Dalton Pompey ranked No. 2 in ’15. Going back to ’12, you can find Jake Marisnick at No. 3 and Anthony Gose at No. 2. Some other recent outfielders who come to mind are Griffin Conine or Edward Olivares, who were both traded.

The shorter version? None of these players have helped the Blue Jays in any long-term way. Any prospect can be traded, but the Blue Jays need to develop an outfielder eventually, so they won’t deal one unless they absolutely need to.

If the Jays can’t afford to renew Chapman and possibly aren’t sure they want to give Kevin Kiermaier an extension he wants, is anyone potentially ready to step up or would we need to seek free agents? -- Morrey E. (@MorreyEwing)

Looking at the near-ready MLB infielders, Lopez, Barger and Orelvis Martinez are all off to slow starts. In the outfield, No. 15 prospect Dasan Brown could develop into that defensive whiz one day, but not by Opening Day 2024. With how well this marriage is going between Kiermaier and the Blue Jays, another year could make a lot of sense for both sides.

Do we see Otto Lopez in a Jays uniform this year or is he trade bait to go out and get someone at the deadline? -- Chris (@Leafs604)

A month ago, I thought Lopez deserved a spot on the Opening Day roster. Now, he’s hitting .171 with a .471 OPS in Triple-A. He’s too good not to bounce back, but given his start, his value isn’t exactly peaking. Lopez is an injury away at several positions and can typically come off the bench to put the ball in play, so I see him staying with the club as depth.

Opinions on Manuel Beltre and Rikelbin De Castro? -- @ClaxtonsGhost

Beltre is a legitimate breakout candidate. He has advanced instincts and is very mature. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a more impressive conversation with an 18-year-old player, and now that he’s off the IL, he can continue that fantastic start he was off to in Single-A. He’s sharing an infield with De Castro, who has enticing defensive potential. What he can do over a full season offensively will determine whether he pushes himself into our Top 30 rankings.