10 prospects to watch in Toronto’s Spring Breakout

This story was excerpted from Keegan Matheson's Blue Jays Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- By this point of camp, anything new is welcome.

A new route between the Blue Jays’ complex and TD Ballpark that takes 10 minutes instead of 11? Thrilling. An iced americano instead of a cold brew on the drive over? I can hardly bear the excitement.

Spring Training has its own dog days, which is why Spring Breakout seems to be landing at the perfect time. At 4:05 p.m. ET on Saturday -- after the big league game scheduled for 1:05 p.m. -- you’ll get a glimpse of the future in this inaugural prospect showcase, where 22 of the Blue Jays’ Top 30 prospects will play against the Yankees’ stars of tomorrow.

How to watch: MLB Digital (MLB.TV, MLB.com, MLB App), MLB Network, YES Network, Sportsnet+, Sportnet 590 THE FAN Radio or ESPN+; or follow live on Gameday.

Here are 10 things I’ll be watching for in the Spring Breakout game:

1. First look at Arjun Nimmala (No. 3)
The Blue Jays’ first-round pick from 2023 is still just 18 years old, but you can pick him out from 400 feet away based on his physical build alone. Nimmala represents the type of prospect the Blue Jays need more of, with potential to dream on and flashes of legitimate high-end power. This will be your first glimpse at a young man who could easily be a Top 100 prospect by the end of the summer.

2. A moment of appreciation for Leo Jimenez (No. 5)
You won’t see anything flashy. Jimenez won’t hit a ball 470 feet or steal six bases. He’ll play a solid MLB-caliber shortstop, though, and given that he’s already on the 40-man roster, he’s as close to the big leagues as any of the club’s Top 30 prospects. This is a player you could see in Toronto at any point in 2024.

3. Big, bold Addison Barger (No. 6)
If anyone is going to swing out of their cleats and hit a ball out of the stadium, it’s Barger. He’s coming off a down year, but the big exit velocities were still there despite battling injuries. If Barger can lift the ball -- his main focus in 2024 -- his highlight reel will have as much “wow” in it as any prospect in Toronto’s Top 30.

4. An Alan Roden at-bat (No. 7)
Roden lives on base. He loves walks. Coaches and players alike praise him for his value as a teammate. Yes, some more power would help, but he’s made a recent stance adjustment to lower his hands to hopefully produce a bit more of that. If the Blue Jays need an outfielder to cover an injury by midseason, it could be Roden. He’s a sneaky pick to become a fan favorite.

5. Introducing … Enmanuel Bonilla (No. 8)
Click on his prospect profile. See that baby-faced outfielder from two years ago? He’s gone. Bonilla has added muscle and a beard, completing a jarring transformation. Along with Nimmala, Bonilla is the other top-ranked position player you can truly dream on. Enjoy your first look.

6. Breakout candidate: Adam Macko (No. 9)
Macko came over in the Erik Swanson deal prior to the 2023 season, and while he didn’t exactly hit the ground running, he ended the season on a remarkable run. He even gained velocity as the year went on. If Macko gets on the mound, watch for his nice 12-6 curveball. The 23-year-old lefty could move quickly this season.

7. Rave reviews for Josh Kasevich (No. 11)
It sure sounds like Kasevich will stick at shortstop, where coaches and teammates speak extremely highly of his defense. I’ve also had multiple prospects who are older and more experienced than Kasevich mention his name as one they follow and emulate. That doesn’t happen much.

8. Another breakout candidate: Landen Maroudis (No. 12)
Maroudis has “boom” potential. He played both ways in high school (shortstop), but now that he’s focusing only on pitching, he’s been throwing 95-96 mph and he’s made a leap physically. If the Blue Jays’ fancy new complex can turn a couple of Maroudis-like projects into legitimate big leaguers, it will pay for itself quickly.

9. A reintroduction to … CJ Van Eyk (No. 18)
First, Van Eyk’s journey was derailed by the COVID disruptions in 2020. Then, Tommy John surgery. But finally, the 2020 second-rounder is back to “normal” and it’s all coming together again. Van Eyk might be my dark-horse pick to be the best performing pitcher in the system this season.

10. Don’t blink … Dasan Brown (No. 27)
Brown’s offensive approach will determine his long-term ceiling, but he could be a big leaguer based on speed and defense alone. If the Canadian kid is standing on first base when a double is hit -- or is chasing down a ball in the gap on defense -- you’re in for a show.