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. -- Watch Alan Roden from the 2023 season, and you¡¯d see a batting stance that could be used to screw a new lightbulb into a ceiling lamp.

Roden¡¯s hands started well above the top of his head, his arms nearly straight up in the air. It was as upright a stance as you¡¯ll see, something Roden and the Blue Jays had developed after they drafted him in the third round in 2022.

The idea was to generate more power. That¡¯s still the idea in 2024, even as Roden has lowered his hands closer to chin level again. It looks more comfortable, more relaxed, helping Roden launch into a swing that uses his entire body. Last year, Roden felt himself using his upper body too much, trying to muscle the ball out with arms alone. They¡¯re trying to find the sweet spot here, where Roden can squeeze some more pop out of his strong frame, the missing piece in an already fascinating puzzle.

Besides, he¡¯s an on-base machine. When Roden wakes up in the morning, he¡¯s already standing on first base. It¡¯s power that will help him kick the door down.

¡°Standing tall was a way to get me out of the swing I had before, the swing I had in college,¡± Roden said. ¡°I was really low, really wide. Going upright and moving the hands up was a good fix for the things I needed to work on. I still have a similar stance now with lowered hands. Just the move in my lower body is going to help a lot. I¡¯m still upright and pretty tall -- basically standing -- but the way I move into my legs is the change and should lead to some progress.¡±

Now 24, Roden is coming off a .430 on-base percentage between High-A Vancouver and Double-A New Hampshire last season, just a remarkable number. He walked (68) more than he struck out (64) and went 24-for-28 in stolen base attempts, something those in the organization are quick to point out doesn¡¯t receive enough attention. There¡¯s a unique offensive package here in Roden, who ranks as MLB Pipeline's No. 7 Blue Jays prospect.

Can Roden hit for enough power, though, given that he profiles as a corner outfielder? Every prospect has a ¡°but," and this is his. Roden hit 10 home runs last season, faring far better against right-handed pitching, but his entire projection changes if that takes a few steps forward.

Roden is no skinny slap hitter, either. He¡¯s grown into a thick muscular build. A home run Tuesday in Lakeland and a bases-loaded double to the opposite field Sunday in Tampa are two early signs of optimism.

On the strength of his approach alone, though, Roden could be a big leaguer. It¡¯s an attitude as much as an approach, something that coaches and development staff heap praise upon when Roden¡¯s name is mentioned.

¡°I¡¯ve always been a really team-oriented type of player,¡± Roden said. ¡°Anything I can do to help the team win is how I¡¯ve gone about it. The origin story is that I just love getting on base. I¡¯ll take my walks. I love walks. It¡¯s free. It¡¯s the easiest thing for us to do. It¡¯s the only way I know how. It¡¯s the way I¡¯ve always done it. It¡¯s always been reinforced to me in high school and college, and now that I¡¯m here, it¡¯s a pretty valuable thing.¡±

This has all happened fast for Roden. His 2023 season was among the best in this organization, catapulting him up lists.

Roden isn¡¯t a lottery ticket for down the road; he¡¯s an option as soon as this summer if he keeps hitting. Behind George Springer, Daulton Varsho and Kevin Kiermaier, the Blue Jays¡¯ outfield depth relies heavily on utility players. If something longer is needed? Roden could be right in that mix. He¡¯s competing for something real here.

¡°It¡¯s really exciting and it¡¯s kind of surreal,¡± Roden said. ¡°You¡¯re still getting used to it, the new environment, and trying to find your place in it, too. You¡¯re not on the outside looking in, but you¡¯re looking up to it and excited about it. You still have to prepare the same way. I like to compare it to college. I didn¡¯t play right away in college. I¡¯m taking it from that perspective. I just have to keep working. Work while you wait.¡±

There¡¯s not long left to wait, especially if Roden finally finds what he¡¯s been looking for.