The Toronto Blue Jays took advantage of expanded rosters by adding seven players Friday afternoon.
The club was able to add depth at various positions for the stretch run in an attempt to strengthen their 2.0-game lead in the AL East.
Toronto got some key contributions from their September call-ups last season, so here’s a look at the most recent additions and what they could provide to the club (Note: we did not include Devon Travis or Josh Thole since they have been with the Blue Jays for the majority of the season):
Name: Dalton Pompey
Age: 23
Position: Outfield
What he provides: Pompey has had a tough year at the minor-league level, but the outfielder should be a valuable player either as a baserunner or a defensive replacement in the outfield. Pompey was used in that role for Toronto during last year’s playoffs and given how Ezequiel Carrera’s production has dropped off in the second half of the season, there could be a spot for the 23-year-old on the playoff roster.
Name: Darrell Ceciliani
Age: 26
Position: Outfield
What he provides: Ceciliani hit .115/.179/.192 in multiple stints with the Blue Jays this season, so he shouldn’t be counted on for much offensively despite the small sample size (he only had 28 total plate appearances). However, he can provide depth at multiple outfield positions in case of an injury or replace a player in need of a day off (Jose Bautista, for instance).
Name: Danny Barnes
Age: 26
Position: Relief Pitcher
What he provides: Barnes posted flat-out dominant numbers in the minors this year — a 0.35 ERA with triple-A Buffalo and a 1.01 ERA in 35.2 innings with double-A New Hampshire — and can be a middle relief option as a right-hander. He has already made three relief appearances with the Blue Jays this season.
Name: Matt Dermody
Age: 26
Position: Relief Pitcher
What he provides: Dermody only threw 16.1 innings at the triple-A level this season, so it’s safe to say the Blue Jays won’t be using him in high-leverage situations. Yet, he can still provide depth as a left-handed reliever, as the club has only one lefty currently on the roster (Brett Cecil) and Aaron Loup isn’t yet eligible to be recalled. Dermody has never pitched in a big-league game but has had an impressive rise through the system, as he opened 2016 with the Blue Jays’ high-A affiliate.
Name: Ryan Tepera
Age: 26
Position: Relief Pitcher
What he provides: Tepera has bounced between the Blue Jays and the triple-A level for the majority of the last two seasons. He is likely only to be used primarily low-leverage situations and the Blue Jays may ideally prefer not to have to use him in the post-season.
