Tiedemann Headlines Blue Jays Prospects Heading To AFL
The Blue Jays are sending some top talent to the desert this year.
Toronto's top prospect Ricky Tiedemann headlines a group of eight Blue Jays prospects who will participate in the 2023 Arizona Fall League.
Here's the complete list of Blue Jays prospects heading to Arizona:
- LHP Ricky Tiedemann
- RHP Conor Larkin
- RHP Trent Palmer
- RHP Fitz Stadler
- RHP CJ Van Eyk
- OF Will Robertson
- OF Dasan Brown
- INF Damiano Palmegiani
There's a clear trend among many of Toronto's AFL selections this year, with most of the players missing time during the year with injury or coming off of major surgeries.
Tiedemann missed nearly half the season this year with a biceps injury, reaching just 40 innings pitched so far. The lefty posted a 4.05 ERA in those 14 outings, striking out 17.1 batters per nine. Tiedemann will be joined by other upper-minors arms including Trent Palmer and CJ Van Eyk, both of whom came back from Tommy John surgeries this year.
On the hitting side, a pair of Canadians in Dasan Brown and Damiano Palmegiani headline the group. Brown played the entire season for High-A Vancouver, hitting seven homers and stealing 26 bases in 107 games. Palmegiani earned a late-season promotion to Triple-A after raking for most of the year. Across Toronto's highest two minor-league levels, the 23-year-old infielder hit .253 with 22 homers and an .836 OPS.
Toronto's prospects will suit up for the Surprise Saguaros. The 2023 Arizona Fall League season begins on October 2 and runs through November 11.
Mitch Bannon is a baseball reporter for Sports Illustrated covering the Toronto Blue Jays and their minor league affiliates.Twitter: @MitchBannon