After undergoing elbow surgery 9 months ago, Toronto Blue Jays prospect Jeff Hoffman finally began throwing this week. Although the recovery period for Tommy John surgery usually lasts at least 12 months, Hoffman is ahead of track.
When Hoffman was selected in the 2014 Draft, Toronto knew surgery was in store for the young right-hander. He was a candidate to become a top three selection, but the inevitability of surgery allowed him to drop to ninth overall.
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After a final college season where he posted a career low 2.94 ERA, struck out 72, and walked only 20 in 67 and 1/3 innings, the Blue Jays likely didn’t believe they had a chance to draft him. After holding hitters to a .216 average, averaging 9.62 strikeouts per 9 innings, with a 1.08 WHIP his numbers and talent may have even given him the chance to be drafted first overall.
Although surgery scared off eight other teams, Toronto did “a lot of research since his surgery and really poured over the medicals” said Director of Amateur Scouting Brian Parker. With Tommy John surgery becoming more common among players and the Blue Jays comfortable with the time they spent scouting him, Hoffman was the easy choice.
His quick recovery has caused his name to appear in trade rumors, including one with him as the main return for a potential acquisition of Orioles executive VP of baseball operations Dan Duquette and as the “player to be named later” in a potential deal for former Atlanta Braves outfielder Justin Upton. His potential, however, was too high for the Blue Jays farm system to part with, no matter how much they desired Duquette or Upton.
Toronto believes he has the arsenal to pitch at the top of a major league rotation. With an overpowering fastball with downward movement, a power slider, a 12-6 curveball and changeup, he has four plus pitches that will make him an eventual frontline starter. His ability to mix all four pitches and attack the zone is well recognized and he could move through the minors quickly if he remains healthy.
With that talent and the Blue Jays propensity for giving young pitchers an opportunity if they excel in the minors, Hoffman could reach the Majors by late 2016. This year “he should be in games in April…and activated to be with a team in early may” General Manager Alex Anthopoulos told SportsNet. No matter what, Toronto has to be pleased with their young blue-chip prospect’s quick recovery, which justifies their decision to retain him despite the major acquisitions they could have made.
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