As pitchers and catchers get ready to report to Dunedin tomorrow, the Blue Jays' spring training storylines are already heating up. There’s no shortage of intrigue around this camp - from high-profile additions to comeback candidates and under-the-radar arms with something to prove. Let’s break it down.
Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce: The Headliners
The spotlight is squarely on Dylan Cease, and for good reason. The Jays made a splash bringing him in this offseason, and now it’s time to see how his electric stuff plays in a new environment.
Cease has the kind of raw arsenal that jumps off the screen - mid-to-upper 90s fastball, sharp breaking ball, and the kind of presence on the mound that makes hitters uncomfortable. The question isn’t whether he looks the part - it’s whether that stuff translates into consistent results in the AL East gauntlet.
Spring won’t give us all the answers, but it’ll be our first look at how he’s settling in.
Cody Ponce, meanwhile, is a fascinating case. After spending time honing his craft overseas in Japan and Korea, he’s back in North America with reportedly improved stuff.
That’s not uncommon - we’ve seen pitchers return from international leagues with sharper command, refined secondary pitches, and a better feel for attacking hitters. Ponce will get a real chance to show if that growth holds up against MLB hitters.
His spring outings could go a long way in determining whether he carves out a meaningful role on this staff.
The Returnees: Hoffman and Berríos
Then there are the familiar faces trying to re-establish themselves. Jeff Hoffman is looking to bounce back after a rocky stretch.
The talent has always been there - a live arm with swing-and-miss potential - but consistency has been elusive. Spring training will be about finding rhythm and confidence, and if he can do that, he’s got the tools to be a valuable piece.
Jose Berríos is another name to watch closely. He’s had stretches where he’s looked like a frontline starter, but last season didn’t quite go according to script.
The Jays are hoping for a reset - and if Berríos can regain his form, it would go a long way in stabilizing the rotation. His track record suggests it’s in there; now it’s about execution.
The Wild Card: Spencer Miles
If you’re looking for a name off the beaten path, keep your eye on Spencer Miles. The Rule 5 pick is a bit of a mystery box - and that’s exactly what makes him so intriguing.
He’s touched 98 mph, reportedly has a solid slider, and even shows flashes of command. That’s a tantalizing combo, especially for a guy who’s only thrown 23 innings since being drafted.
But in those limited frames, he’s struck out 34. That’s not nothing.
Miles is a long shot to stick with the big-league club, sure. But Rule 5 picks always come with a twist - if he shows enough upside, the team has to keep him on the roster or risk losing him.
That gives him a real shot to make an impression this spring. And if he does?
The Jays might just find themselves with a hidden gem in the bullpen.
Bottom Line
Spring training is always about hope and projection, but this year’s Jays camp has a little bit of everything - proven arms, bounce-back candidates, and high-upside wild cards. Cease and Ponce will draw the headlines, but don’t sleep on the rest of the group.
The battle for innings is wide open, and every bullpen session, live BP, and Grapefruit League outing will matter. Buckle up - Dunedin is about to get interesting.