Blue Jays Minor League Report: Ricky Tiedemann is close to returning, Brandon Barriera is back on the injured list, and more!

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation | By Brennan Delaney | Last updated 8/8/23

There may be no games to cover, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t minor league news to talk about!

A left-handed pitcher returns to action, while another left-handed pitcher goes down with injury. Moreover, the Blue Jays signed an interest right-handed pitcher.

Let’s dig in.

Tiedemann returns:

The Blue Jays best prospect went down with an injury in early May, and has been working his way back for the past month. Well, it’s reported that the 20-year-old left-handed pitcher will return to New Hampshire this week at some point.

Here’s Ricky Tiedemann (@TiedemannRicky3)’s whiff and strikeout edit from yesterday evening.#BlueJays #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/OZ3Ax58Nhu

— Brennan Delaney (@Brennan_L_D) April 26, 2023

This is season in Double-A, Tiedemann has a 4.97 ERA and a 1.51 FIP. Walks were an issue with New Hampshire, as he had a 13 BB% (the highest at any level), but his K% of 42.6% is off the charts.

With the rehab starts included, Tiedemann has a 3.05 ERA and a 0.81 FIP in 20.2 innings pitched, along with a 51.2 K% and a 10 BB%. Just bonkers stats.

Brandon Barriera shut-down again:

From good news to bad news. The Blue Jays first rounder from 2022 has been shutdown once again with an injury.

It’s been a tough debut season for the 19-year-old left-handed pitcher, as he has a 4.42 ERA and a 3.24 FIP In 18.1 innings pitched with the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays. The first injury was due to an elbow injury this time, it’s due to bicep soreness, similar to Tiedemann’s shutdown in May.

We had to wait an extra day for Brandon Barriera, but it was worth it. FB 92-95, flashed CH in low-80’s, SL was filthy in the 82-85 MPH range. Tight spinning breaker. Here’s the one he used to put away Miles Curley. #PGNational pic.twitter.com/yzBKyFY3A2

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) July 18, 2021

Barriera has done a great job striking out batters in his first season, as he has a 31.5 K% at the lowest full-season level. His BB% of 11% is high, but when he’s been healthy, he’s been good.

Blue Jays sign Carson Pierce:

The Blue Jays signed University of Oklahoma reliever Carson Pierce to a non-drafted free agent deal.

Last season with U of O, the 21-year-old had a 3.94 ERA in 29.2 innings pitched, along with a 15.3 K% and a 10.2 BB%.

Carson Pierce (‘23 elig) running it up to 95 out of the ‘pen. Short low-80s SL w/ bit of depth is a go-to secondary. Impact transfer arm for @OU_Baseball this season. pic.twitter.com/l02CPIUL9Q

— PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) March 12, 2023

His community college strikeout stats are a bit more encouraging, as he had a 12.63 K/9 in 41.1 innings pitched with the Cowley Tigers in 2021-22. However, his ERA sat at 5.01.

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This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

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