According to a recent article from MLB Pipeline, Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Gage Stanifer was the prospect who had the biggest breakout in the organization in 2025.

About Stanifer

Now 22, Stanifer is ranked as the No. 6 prospect in the organization by the outlet. A 19th-round pick of the Jays in 2022 out of the Indiana high school ranks, he's projected to make his major league debut in 2027.

What they're saying

Here's what MLB Pipeline had to say about his 2025 season:

A 19th-round pick in 2022, Stanifer posted ERAs above 6.00 in each of his first two full seasons. He opened this campaign back with Single-A Dunedin as Trey Yesavage’s piggyback partner and has been one of Toronto’s many pitching success stories in 2025. The 21-year-old  (22) righty closed out the season at Double-A New Hampshire and finished with a 2.86 ERA with 161 strikeouts (fifth-most in the Minors) in 110 innings. Stanifer shows two plus pitches in his mid-90s fastball and mid-80s slider.

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How he'd fit in with the Jays

Stanifer made 16 starts in 24 appearances across three levels for the Jays in 2025, and it appears that he's seen as more of a starter.

Assuming that's the case, he's in an interesting spot:

Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber are set to be free agents after the 2026 season, so there are theoretical openings in the starting rotation in 2027, however, the Jays have several in-house options already.

Jose Berrios could transition back from the bullpen to the rotation and the team could give a job to Bowden Francis. Of course, both of those players could be traded before 2027, giving Stanifer more of an opportunity, but the Jays also have a willingness to spend money to cover up holes. And prospects Jake Bloss and Ricky Tiedemann are also in the mix.

Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage and Cody Ponce will all have rotation spots in 2027.

More Blue Jays news and notes

--With the Christmas holiday behind us, it's now time to get to work on building the rest of the roster for 2026. The Jays will be on the field at spring training in just about six weeks and they still need to figure out a resolution on the Bo Bichette/Alex Bregman/Kyle Tucker front. They are expected to get at least one of those players in free agency.

--The World Baseball Classic is set to take place in March of 2026 and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is already confirmed as playing for the Dominican Republic. Alejandro Kirk is expected to play for Team Mexico.

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