As it turns out, Ricky Tiedemann will not be starting the Blue Jays’ opening spring training game.
Tiedemann, who was ranked as the organization’s top prospect by all major outlets and as the top prospect by Jays Journal, sought to build on and surpass his inconsistent 2023 campaign.
Within a day, there have been several rumors, one of which is from MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson, stating that the talented southpaw has been out from the beginning. Manager John Schneider informed the media that all indications point to left hamstring soreness. In addition, Schneider selected Jays Journal No. 19 prospect Chad Dallas as the starting pitcher substitute.
The 21-year-old Tiedemann struggled with numerous injuries during the previous campaign and finished with just 15 starts spread across four divisions. Though he is still regarded as the Blue Jays’ “next big thing,” this did not lessen the shine on his prospect. In the end, the club won’t want him to push himself too hard thus early in the season, so his exclusion from this spring training session is really a precaution. Instead, it makes sense that he would start a spring game in the coming days.
Dallas, a right-hander who is 23 years old and had his own prospect stock soar last year, is the focus of interest right now. With a 3.65 ERA and more than ten strikeouts per nine innings, he was 9-3 in 23 starts split between two minor league levels. When Tiedemann received his own call-up, the source told Jays Journal late in the previous season that he was “inches away” from being promoted to Triple-A. However, the former was shut down for the year in order to protect his arm.
Dallas will have his chance to shine in the spring training opening. Dallas has been one of the more exciting up-and-coming stars in this Blue Jays system. The outcomes of these games shouldn’t be taken too seriously, but it will be good to see one of the young players take the field when the Phillies’ spring team visits on Saturday.