Jake Bloss: A Rising Star Returns from Injury

As Jake Bloss celebrates his 25th birthday today, he finds himself in an unusual position within the baseball prospect landscape. Having made his MLB debut two years ago, Bloss is on the brink of what is typically considered prospect eligibility. After undergoing Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him for the past 14 months, the anticipation surrounding his return has been somewhat subdued for a player who was once regarded as a top 100 prospect. Despite being ranked as the sixth best prospect in the organization at the start of the season, the buzz around him has diminished. However, after returning to AAA last week, Bloss could soon become a key player for the Blue Jays, especially given the current state of their rotation.

Bloss’s recent rehab outings have sparked intrigue among fans and scouts alike. In his last full season in 2024, his four-seam fastball averaged between 92-95 mph, occasionally reaching 96 mph. Although the sample size is small—only 95 fastballs tracked from his appearances with A Dunedin and AAA Buffalo—his velocity has noticeably increased since his return, averaging 95.8 mph and frequently hitting 97 mph. Notably, his hardest pitch this season matches his average from 2024, indicating a significant improvement in his fastball performance. This enhanced velocity, combined with his excellent extension and backspin, suggests that his fastball has evolved from solid to a definitive plus pitch.

Bloss’s sinker has also seen a velocity boost, climbing from an average of 93.3 mph to 95.0 mph. He has increased the spin rate on both fastballs by about 80 rpm, preserving their movement despite the added speed. This development is crucial, as slower pitches typically break more due to the additional time they have to accelerate based on their spin.

In addition to his fastballs, Bloss appears to have refined his secondary pitches. His changeup has gained a slight increase in velocity, moving from 87.2 mph to 88.5 mph, while also benefiting from a reduction in spin by 100 rpm. This change has led to a more pronounced drop and a wider velocity gap compared to his fastball. Similarly, his slider has improved, gaining about 2 mph and an additional 100 rpm in spin rate, which allows it to break more effectively over a shorter distance. Interestingly, while his curveball hasn’t experienced the same increase in spin rate, it is now nearly 2.5 mph faster, resulting in a slightly different shape with less glove-side break.

While Bloss has encountered some command issues typical for a pitcher returning from surgery, he is still in the process of getting fully stretched out. It may take a few weeks before he is ready to make an impact at the major league level. Nonetheless, the advancements in his pitching arsenal during rehab offer plenty of reasons for optimism as he gears up for his return.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.