This story was excerpted from Keegan Matheson’s Blue Jays Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
TORONTO — For most of the Blue Jays’ roster, the goal of Spring Training will be to reach the end.
Just look at George Springer a year ago. Fresh off an ugly 2024 season, Springer went 4-for-37 (.108) in spring, then wiped all the worry away with one of the best seasons of his career. For Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Kevin Gausman and all the other household names, a healthy spring is a successful one.
On the edges of the roster, it’s a different story.
Last year, Alan Roden forced his way onto the Opening Day roster, leaving Addison Barger on the outside looking in. Remember Jacob Barnes and Richard Lovelady? Yes, both were on the 2025 Opening Day roster. Even with a roster that’s so close to being set, Toronto will have some camp competitions, and these players have the most at stake:
1) The outfielders (Davis Schneider, Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, Joey Loperfido)
Let’s group this bunch together. The Blue Jays have a crowded outfield depth picture here beyond Daulton Varsho, especially when we consider that Barger will play plenty of right field and Anthony Santander will need a spot somewhere. Something’s got to give, so this becomes a matter of fit, not just best talent. Think of it like building a postseason roster.
Schneider hit in the top two spots in the order four times in the World Series, which speaks to how valuable he can be to this roster when the Blue Jays face left-handed pitching. This organization has stuck with Schneider for good reason, and he’ll be given every opportunity to take another step. Lukes is fresh off a career season, though, with a .730 OPS, a rock-solid big leaguer in every way.
Straw brings the element of defense, base running and a valuable clubhouse presence, while Loperfido offers perhaps the most upside of the group, even if he wasn’t given as many opportunities to show it last season. This is a crowded table right now. When teams are looking for outfield depth, the Blue Jays’ phone will be ringing.
Each spring needs its prospect darling. Last year, it was Roden. This year, Schreck has a shot.
The Blue Jays’ No. 10 prospect hit .249 with 18 home runs and a .854 OPS last season, finishing in Triple-A. He’s 25 now, later on his prospect curve, but Toronto needs a young outfielder to step forward and simplify this puzzle. Schreck, with his offensive upside from the left side, will be given plenty of opportunities to show that in camp. He’s on a path to filling a role similar to Lukes, but the Blue Jays will hope for even more.
Is Jiménez the Blue Jays’ next-best option in the infield? If he is, great. If not, they need to find one.
Jiménez is still just 24 years old, but he is out of Minor League options and feels like the type of young player who would quickly get scooped up elsewhere if he’s exposed at the end of camp. That said, Jiménez missed much of 2025 with injuries and has lost some of the momentum he built over the two years prior, so this is a pivotal camp for the former top prospect.
Jiménez is a slick defender with the cool, easy nature of a big leaguer, and if he can hit, there’s a job for him long-term. Will Toronto’s roster need that right away, though? With Schneider’s ability to play second, Barger’s ability to play third and Ernie Clement’s ability to move around, this will be a real decision for the Blue Jays. Jiménez’s game action in Spring Training will be as meaningful as any other player.
The Blue Jays’ Rule 5 selection is one of two Rule 5 arms in camp (with Angel Bastardo), but Miles feels likeliest of the two to compete for a job in the bullpen. Between Tommy John and back surgery, Miles has barely pitched professionally and never done so above Single-A, but Toronto took this surprise swing for a reason. Like Jiménez, his spring appearances will really (really) matter.
Adding Valenzuela from the Padres last season for Will Wagner was a sharp, quiet move. Valenzuela is more of a defender than a hitter, but with only Tyler Heineman ahead of him, Valenzuela has a major opportunity to become the Blue Jays’ long-term backup behind Alejandro Kirk. Still just 25, Valenzuela could make his MLB debut this season.
