With just two weeks left until the end of spring training and the start of the 2015 season, Toronto Blue Jays prospect Roberto Osuna has made a strong case to make the Blue Jays’ Opening Day roster.
In 9.2 innings of work this spring, Osuna has yet to allow a run and has eight strikeouts during that span. Numbers aside, the right-hander’s stuff has looked very sharp. His fastball has topped out in the mid to high 90s, and his slider and changeup have both looked effective.
Considering that Osuna missed most of last season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, it’s a surprise to see how quickly he’s rebuilt his arm strength and gotten back to a high level on the mound.
Then again, it’s worth keeping in mind that despite being just 20 years old, Osuna isn’t really inexperienced when it comes to playing professional baseball. The Mexican native actually started his professional baseball career in Mexico when he was 16 years old.
So, should Osuna make Toronto’s Opening Day roster after his impressive spring? That’s an interesting question.
On one hand, the Blue Jays badly need impact relievers after their bullpen finished 25th in the majors last season. While Osuna's been a starting pitcher throughout his minor league career, he could spend the 2015 as a reliever in the majors and have his role re-evaluated at the end of the season.
The Blue Jays used employed a similar tactic with top prospect Aaron Sanchez last season. Sanchez got his first taste of the majors as a reliever and is in the mix to be part of the team’s starting rotation during the upcoming season.
On the flip side, despite Osuna’s strong showing this spring, he’s still working his way back from a serious injury. It’s also worth stressing that Osuna has thrown just 128.2 innings during his minor league career and could use some more seasoning before having to pitch in the majors.
The best course of action here for the Blue Jays might be to send Osuna down to the minors at the end of spring training and call him up to the majors later on in the season if the need arises. This way, Osuna gets some much-needed innings in the minor leagues under his belt and the Blue Jays have a high-upside prospect ready to call up in case of injuries or underperformance.
Despite what Toronto decides to do here, it’s obvious that Osuna’s brilliant performance this spring has significantly raised his stock within the organization and has fast-tracked his way to the major leagues.
*All stats are from MiLB.com
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