Offseason Roster Thread 2025-26

[Laika]

Jays pick Spencer Miles

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Miles is built like a starter at a strapping 6-foot-3, and has a starter’s four-pitch mix, but he’s barely pitched since turning pro in 2022 due to multiple injuries, and he has basically zero innings foundation. He’s Rule 5 eligible this offseason and is pretty likely to end up in a bullpen if he’s rostered this offseason. If the Giants don’t roster him and nobody drafts him in December, his chances of starting (thanks to another year with purely developmental focus in 2026) improve.

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41. Spencer Miles, SIRP

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Drafted: 4th Round, 2022 from Missouri (SFG)

Age	24.5	Height	6′ 3″	Weight	200	Bat / Thr	R / R	FV	35+

Tool Grades (Present/Future)

Fastball	Slider	Changeup	Command	Sits/Tops
60/60	50/55	45/55	30/40	95-98 / 99

Miles went undrafted as an eligible sophomore and had an ERA over 6.00 at Mizzou, but the Giants still used a pretty high pick on him, and when the strapping 6-foot-3 righty has been healthy, that has looked like a good move. Healthy Miles will peak in the upper 90s and show two viable secondary pitches — a hard 88-92 mph slider, and an upper-80s changeup — but back and elbow issues have cost him all but a few weeks of the last two seasons; he’s thrown just 14.2 affiliated innings since turning pro. His repertoire is deep enough to have justified development as a starter, but given Miles’ injury history, it’s probable that he ends up in relief. Once that happens, it’s possible Miles will move very quickly, and his stuff is big enough that he has prospect value even though he has barely pitched.

 

Pinango was not picked unless I missed it 

[glory]

Yeah, Pinango was not selected. Good call by the Jays leaving him unprotected.

[Laika]

I know nothing about Spencer Miles but he pitched in the AFL and this does not feel like a "get him on the IL so he can rehab all year" thing. This seems more like a "let's see him in spring he might be a bullpen weapon now" thing

Touches 98/99 with a cutter/slider in the low 90s which he doesn't even seem to consider his second best pitch right now 

12 Ks, 1 BB, no HR in 8.2 AFL innings 

I am looking at these pitch grades below and thinking about just scrapping his 4 seamer altogether, and telling him to pitch backwards out of relief. Like Braydon Fisher, with a much better fastball shape (sinker) so he can throw it 33% of the time but it's mostly cutters and curveballs coming at hitters and messing them up. 

https://www.mlb.com/news/giants-prospect-spencer-miles-makes-arizona-fall-league-debut

 

https://aroundthefoghorn.com/hard-throwing-sf-giants-pitching-prospect-sets-high-expectations-after-promising-afl-campaign-01kawgchxrzt

 

 

[Spanky__99]

Yippee... no Jays were taken in the rule 5, and they did select Spencer Miles from the Giants, big arm high K pitcher with command that can't seem to stay healthy, here's to hoping he pans out.

Jays took Hedbert Perez in the Minor league draft, a power hitting OF'er from the Brewers. And a 27 year old pitcher Travis Kuhn from Detroit.

[glory]

[Eat My Shatkins]

100 miles...Miles??

[Spanky__99]

4 minutes ago, Eat My Shatkins said:

100 miles...Miles??

I kind of like it, at worst they're out a 150,000 grand for a ST showcase on a big arm, can't hurt.

[John_Havok]

Lets see... Spencer Horwitz was Spooner, miles straw is Kilometers Straw...

I herby annoint him Spooner Kilometers. 

[Spanky__99]

Peak velo he hits 98...
 

 

[sliderguy35]

i think miles gets sent back pretty quickly unless they figure out some kind of alternative breaking ball shape for him or he starts sitting 97-98 mph. the sinker shape is good given the velocity and release height but he's kind of just a 1 pitch guy to me, since all the other pitches are pretty stock / uninspiring. would love to see them try and tighten up the curveball to get more of a downer shape in the 83-85 range. 

about what you'd expect from a rule 5 guy though, especially when you're not picking from the cream of the crop (i really like the guy the rockies took at 1, his changeup is freaky).

[Sorrow]

He had a 45% whiff rate on the 4 seamer in the AFL. One breakdown I’ve seen has suggested that he uses the 4 seamer up early to steal an early strike and then uses the sinker like a change up as it has a lot of separation from the 4 seamer.

 

“Here's some approximations of his pitch metrics from the AFL, based on his pitch plot from prospectsavant.com (though Statcast had trouble classifying his pitches):
4SFB: 95 mph, 15" iVB, 9" HB
SINKER: 95 mph, 6" iVB, 16" HB
CURVE: 80 mph, -10" iVB, -12" HB
CUTTER: 90 mph, 7" iVB, -1" HB“

 

”

The 4-seamer was his best pitch at the AFL, inducing a 45% whiff rate as he was able to locate the pitch at the top of the zone consistently. Its shape isn't the best from his high three-quarters delivery, but it's made up for by the velocity that he ran up to 98.4 at the AFL.

The sinker gets a surprising amount of separation from the fastball, to the point where Statcast mislabeled it as a changeup. It should be used as a changeup though, as with its amount of drop and arm-side movement it can be an effective put away pitch against lefties.

The curve isn't as good as the sinker, but it was still an effective offering, and also has the potential for more. Miles averaged over 2800 rpm on the curve, and curveballs from that arm slot with that spin move a little more than his, so he could unlock more movement via better spin efficiency.

The cutter is his final pitch, and it's not a standout offering but still helps to keep hitters honest. He locates it well, routinely throwing it up and in against lefties.

Miles doesn't have a slider, but I think he should add one, and it may not be hard for him to pick one up and command it well. I'd guess that pitch would have about -7" HB based on the movement of his cutter & curve.”

 

 

[Jonn]

Today would be a great day to make Kyle Tucker a Blue Jay.

[Alejandro Murphy]

Vlad and myself have a strong feeling that Kyle will soon don a Blue Jays Jersey 😉

[Olerud363.354]

32 minutes ago, Jonn said:

Today would be a great day to make Kyle Tucker a Blue Jay.

1.  Blue Jays interested in Kyle Tucker

2.  Blue Jays close on Kyle Tucker

3.  Tucker to make a decision in next 24 hours.  Wife seen visiting Toronto Real Estate agent.

4.  Toronto offers 12 years 430 million.  No one else close. 

5.  Tucker signs short term high AAV with Dodgers.  3 years 145 million, mostly deferred and funded with a 30 year treasury bond set to mature in 2056. 

[Ball4Life]

Vladimir commented on Tucker’s IG post.

[Eat My Shatkins]

7 minutes ago, Ball4Life said:

Vladimir commented on Tucker’s IG post.

Tucker's IG post?

Vladdy's comment?

Any info would be appreciated.

[Jays24]

7 minutes ago, Ball4Life said:

Vladimir commented on Tucker’s IG post.

Would be unreal to get him man.  Then we can worry about Bo afterwards.  

[Jays24]

1 minute ago, Eat My Shatkins said:

Tucker's IG post?

Vladdy's comment?

Any info would be appreciated.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Torontobluejays/s/GVeknWWonD

[BTS]

Hoping for Tyler Rogers now that Suarez is off the board. I could also get on board with a 1-year Kenley Jansen deal. I guess Fairbanks kind of rounds out the top tier of available remaining arms?

[The_DH]

2 hours ago, Olerud363.354 said:

1.  Blue Jays interested in Kyle Tucker

2.  Blue Jays close on Kyle Tucker

3.  Tucker to make a decision in next 24 hours.  Wife seen visiting Toronto Real Estate agent.

4.  Toronto offers 12 years 430 million.  No one else close. 

5.  Tucker signs short term high AAV with Dodgers.  3 years 145 million, mostly deferred and funded with a 30 year treasury bond set to mature in 2056. 

Great post but how did you source points 2-4?

[Orgfiller]

18 minutes ago, BTS said:

Hoping for Tyler Rogers now that Suarez is off the board. I could also get on board with a 1-year Kenley Jansen deal. I guess Fairbanks kind of rounds out the top tier of available remaining arms?

I'd probably rather rather Fairbanks and Rogers over Jansen, if only because I think they'd be more used to working in random points of the game, rather than Jansen being super accustomed to the classic "closer" role. There's also the age and other factors of course.

[glory]

Kenley Jansen is the type who could have an ERA of 7.86 in August and still be the closer because of track record and faith. Avoid. 

[Eat My Shatkins]

If Yimi is healthy that is already a big boost to the bullpen, plus having Varland from the start of the season should also be a boost.

 

Its sexy on paper thinking about bringing in big time closers as long as the cost doesn't hold you back in other areas. Probably much better off spending the money you'd use on a guy like Saurez and bring in two quality arms for the same price, such as Keller and Rogers for example, or Seranthony and Fairbanks.

[Jimcanuck]

19 minutes ago, Eat My Shatkins said:

If Yimi is healthy that is already a big boost to the bullpen, plus having Varland from the start of the season should also be a boost.

 

Its sexy on paper thinking about bringing in big time closers as long as the cost doesn't hold you back in other areas. Probably much better off spending the money you'd use on a guy like Saurez and bring in two quality arms for the same price, such as Keller and Rogers for example, or Seranthony and Fairbanks.

Nothing wrong with a closer by committee.  Although Schneider tends to use his BP arms as set pieces.

[Olerud363.354]

1 hour ago, The_DH said:

Great post but how did you source points 2-4?

Just kidding around.  No doubt he will be signing with the Mets or Dodgers but Jays will be super-close.  Sounds like Vlad just liked his instragram post so it has be really close.  As close as it could be like an inch from the World Series close.  I am sure Tucker is sitting there with his offer the pen is on the paper... close... so close...   Dodgers or Mets call at last minute.  But so close!

[mphenhef]

Jays bullpen right now has 

Hoffman

Yimi

Varland *

Little * 

Fisher ***

Flu **

Lauer

Francis *

Potentially a starter as they have 6 right now.

 

It's not a terrible bullpen and could last until a deadline acquisition.  The number of options (*) makes for great flexibility but you have to imagine if they bring in another big name someone might be on the block as I can't see Little, Varland or Fish spending much time in the minors.

[mphenhef]

2 minutes ago, mphenhef said:

Jays bullpen right now has 

Hoffman

Yimi

Varland *

Little * 

Fisher ***

Flu **

Lauer

Francis *

Potentially a starter as they have 6 right now.

 

It's not a terrible bullpen and could last until a deadline acquisition.  The number of options (*) makes for great flexibility but you have to imagine if they bring in another big name someone might be on the block as I can't see Little, Varland or Fish spending much time in the minors.

And this doesn't even include a bunch of others on the 40 man..Nance, Bruihl, Schullz, etc

[Pendleton]

2 hours ago, BTS said:

Hoping for Tyler Rogers now that Suarez is off the board. I could also get on board with a 1-year Kenley Jansen deal. I guess Fairbanks kind of rounds out the top tier of available remaining arms?

I haven't really looked closer at Brad Kellar's outstanding season under the hood but he has to be one of the most intriguing RP options remaining if the success is sustainable. 

 

From the left side, Sean Newcomb is also on that same vibe. Likely not going to cost as much as some of these proven high end relievers but he certainly was lights out as a RP last year. 

 

 

[Jonn]

Really glad the Jays passed on Suarez at the number. There’s like 3 relievers in Baseball that deserve to make 15+ million a year and he’s not one of them. If you’re not Josh Hader, Edwin Diaz, or Mason Miller you’re not worth that money.

[Jonn]

A Rogers and Fairbanks combo could be intriguing. Probably come in less combined than Suarez as well AAV.

Talk about 2 pitchers that come from dramatically different arm angles.