Bounce Back Candidate: Ricky Tiedemann
Photo credit: https://www.mlb.com/bluejays
Toronto Blue Jays top pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann entered 2024 as the top lefty pitching prospect in baseball, but suffered left ulnar nerve inflammation in April that later required Tommy John surgery. Baseball America continues to speak highly of the young lefty, who has dealt with health issues throughout his tenure in pro ball.
The Toronto Blue Jays selected Tiedemann in the third round of the 2021 draft out of Golden West College, a community college.
Like many pitchers drafted in the first few rounds, Tiedemann didn't make his professional start until the following season.
In Single-A, he posted a 1.80 ERA and a 2.09 FIP in 30 innings pitched for a 44.5 K% and an 11.8 BB%.
The lefty was promoted to High-A Vancouver, where he had a 2.39 ERA and a 2.92 FIP in 37.2 innings pitched, along with a 36 K% and an 8 BB%. Making it all the way to Double-A as a 19-year-old.
Tiedemann posted a 2.45 ERA and a 2.23 FIP in 11 innings pitched, along with a 34.1 K% and a 9.8 BB%.
Overall, Tiedemann had a 2.17 ERA and a 2.51 FIP in 78.2 innings pitched, along with a 38.9 K% and a 9.6 BB%.
Sadly, he spent a portion of the 2023 season on the injured list, as he had a left bicep injury. Still, he posted a 5.06 ERA and a 2.12 FIP in 32 innings pitched, along with a 39.7 K% and a 13.7 BB%.
As a 21-year-old, he started a game for the Bisons at the end of the season, pitching four scoreless innings.
The command and health issues continued for Tiedemann in 2024.
Starting the year in Buffalo, he only pitched nine innings in four starts, posting a 6 ERA and a 10.46 FIP.
He missed two large portions of the season, with his last game coming on July 10.
Tiedemann was removed from that game and underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after.
Tiedemann is expected to return in late 2025, and he could rise in the rankings if his stuff returns quickly like Painter's did last year.
Beyond the Tommy John surgery, Tiedemann has dealt with other injuries since entering pro ball.
When healthy, Tiedemann does a good job of repeating his mechanics, but he's struggled with his release point the past few seasons due to health.
He mixes three pitches in a four-seam fastball, slider and changeup.
His fastball sits 94-96 mph with heavy armside run that plays up due to his slot.
In 2024, Tiedemann generated less armside run on his fastball compared to previous seasons, possibly a product of his lingering elbow injury.
The slider is Tiedemann's primary secondary weapon.
The Blue Jays finished last in the American League East at 74-88, but after making the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023, they certainly have the talent to get back into the mix.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 10 | 111 ANSWERS Bounce Back Candidate: Ricky Tiedemann Barring any future injuries post Tommy John, does RIcky Tiedemann have what it takes to become an elite starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays? | ||
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