Kikuchi to Astros

[Carlos Danger]

Some called it

[Carlos Danger]

That poster in the other thread was spot on Jake Bloss part of the return.

[BTS]

Looks like Jake Bloss is part of the return

[Carlos Danger]

50FV.. Let's see if anything else...

[L54]

Bloss was taken 99th overall in the 2023 draft out of Georgetown after spending his first three years of collegiate ball at Lafayette College. He coasted through A-ball and was given a quick hook to Double-A after the first month of the 2024 season.

 

Bloss throws from a high slot that, along with his plus extension, generates significant carry on his 93-96 mph four-seamer; the pitch has a 31% miss rate so far in 2024. He also has a deep secondary mix to back up the fastball. His 76-81 mph curveball is a very vertical breaker. He’ll adjust the amount of depth on it, sometimes throwing a deep “freeze” type, while at others, he’ll shorten it up for more drastic snap action. Bloss does something similar with his slider in that he’ll throw ones with hard, two-plane shape while others are shorter, more cutter-like offerings; both shapes regularly show average teeth while flashing a tick above. Bloss’ changeup has the furthest to go to be an average weapon for him, but he’s a small school arm who we think is benefitting from pro instruction and we believe it’ll get there. The best ones he’ll throw have late diving action and a hint of fade, though he’s still prone to frequently throwing ones that have very minimal action. Bloss is a fairly explosive, whippy-armed athlete with below-average body control and frame composition. We’re skeptical the improvements he’s made as a strike-thrower in 2024 will stick, but the way his fastball plays doesn’t make that a strictly necessary aspect of his profile. He’s trending up and tracking like a mid-rotation starter.

[Ray]

Holy s*** a 50FV guy for half a season of Yusei Kikuchi.

 

Even the Ross haters gotta admit he cooked the Astros here

[Spanky__99]

Team Logo of Houston Astros

Ranked Houston Astros #2 prospect in 2024

BA Grade: 50/High

 

Track Record: Bloss spent three seasons with Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, earning an All-Patriot League first-team selection after his third season. He transferred to Georgetown for his fourth season and went 8-4, 2.58 with 96 strikeouts and 24 walks across 76.2 innings. Bloss won Big East pitcher of the year and was a unanimous first-team all conference selection. The Astros took Bloss in the third round of the 2023 draft and signed him for a below-slot bonus of $497,500. Bloss debuted in the Florida Complex League making two appearances before a promotion to Low-A Fayetteville.

 

Scouting Report: A strong-framed and athletic pitcher, Bloss has the broad- shouldered build of your typical innings-eater. Bloss mixes primarily a four-seam fastball, a curveball, a slider and a changeup. Bloss’ fastball sits 93-95 mph and was clocked as high as 97 while at Georgetown. Due to the spin efficiency and lower release height he’s able to create a flat plane of approach on the pitch which makes it difficult for hitters to get on plane. His primary secondary is an upper-70s curveball at 77-78 mph with heavy two-plane break. Bloss’s slider is hard at 85-87 mph with heavy cut, and he shows above-average command of the pitch. His changeup is an upper-80s offspeed with two-seam fastball movement. Bloss has fringe-average command but should develop into an average strike-thrower.

 

The Future: A late blooming college arm with a four-pitch mix led by a plus fastball, Bloss has a chance to blossom into a back-of-the-rotation starter with the ability to be effective out of the bullpen.

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50

[The Cats Ass]

Fangraphs had him at 92 on their updated list.

[G-Snarls]

Decent

 

They done now?

[RobinThicc]

Sounds like a good return

[L54]

Kikuchi was a valuable trade chip, I’m not shocked that they got a back end top 100 ish guy for him

 

I’m sure they were pretty set on getting an arm close to or in the majors to fill the void for this year and next and looks like they did

[BaseballIsLife]

Interesting arm. But he’s a pitching prospect. They break a lot.

[Omar]

As long as he isn't damaged goods. He was hurt in June. Also I thought he was 45FV?

[Pendleton]

Pretty good young arm to get for a rental Kikuchi, hopefully we are getting another lottery ticket or two as well

[hanton]

As long as he isn't damaged goods. He was hurt in June. Also I thought he was 45FV?

 

50FV as of last month, Fangraphs has him as Astros #2 prospect

[Carlos Danger]

He appears to have good BB% which I like. I prefer control over anything else.

[glory]

I hate pitching prospects but a top 100ish prospect plus others (I would assume) seems pretty fair. Let’s see what the rest of the deal looks like.

[Carlos Danger]

I hate pitching prospects but a top 100ish prospect plus others (I would assume) seems pretty fair. Let’s see what the rest of the deal looks like.

 

I hope there is more, but that might be the totality of the deal...

[Jays24]

So does he become our best prospect with Martinez juicing and Ricky breaking apart?

[Omar]

The Jays should resign Kikuchi in the off season. Really liked him. He is a fitness freak and will age well. He apparently liked his time in Toronto and seemed to gel with Pete Walker. Edited July 30, 2024 by Omar

[hanton]

I really wonder what the Dodger offer was

[max silver]

So does he become our best prospect with Martinez juicing and Ricky breaking apart?

 

Martinez wasn't busted for steroids, he tested positive for a fertility drug.

[metafour]

Sounds like there might be 2 more prospects involved.

[hanton]

Bloss is pretty much developed already so that's good

[Jonn]

Sounds like there might be 2 more prospects involved.

 

Lets Go

[Krylian]

Not an Atkins fan.

 

This is a solid trade.

[Krylian]

The Jays should resign Kikuchi in the office season. Really liked him. He is a fitness freak and will age well. He apparently liked his time in Toronto and seemed to gel with Pete Walker.

 

I would be down, but I think someone is going to give him meaningful term and dollars. If not, I'd be open to it.

[Jonn]

Decent

 

They done now?

 

We shouldn't be.

 

Still have Richards and Kiermaier to move at the very least.

 

Not ruling out Vlad if someone blows their load for his services.

 

Would also be lovely if they moved on from Chad Green and Chris Bassit.

[Omar]

From what I see on X most Astros fans don't like this deal for a rental. Perhaps Houston sees Bloss as a high floor low ceiling prospect. This could be a steal for the Jays but let's see. He seems close to ready but was rushed through AAA it seems.

 

Is Click pulling the trigger on these moves?

[AMS528]

Genuinely great trade. Six years of control with a basically ready to go starting pitcher for a two month rental. Plus Kikuchi loves Toronto. Trade Bassitt and bring Kikuchi back in the winter.