Toronto Blue Jays may be ready to move on from Dalton Pompey

The only player on the Toronto Blue Jays 40 man roster not in the majors, it is obvious that Dalton Pompey’s time with the franchise is nearing an end.

At one point, Dalton Pompey was expected to be a future star for the Toronto Blue Jays. He made his major league debut in 2014 at just 21 years old, holding his own with a respectable .231/.302/.436 batting line, hitting a homer and two triples in 43 plate appearances. Understandably, he was a consensus top 100 prospect entering 2015, a player expected to become a centerpiece for the Blue Jays.

Instead, he has failed to reach expectations. While Pompey cracked the Opening Day roster in 2015, he was quickly sent back to the minors after looking overmatched. He put together an excellent season in the minors that year, but has been unable to capture the form from his debut. In his 116 plate appearances since the start of 2015, he produced a disappointing .217/.284/.349 batting line, hitting two homers and eight doubles.

His time with the Blue Jays may have reached its nadir. Although he did get some time at the major league level earlier in the year, he did not impress, with two hits, a walk, and six strikeouts in 11 plate appearances. Possibly due to that performance, Pompey is the only player on the Blue Jays 40 man roster that is not currently at the major league level as the season comes to an end.

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This may prove to be the final nail in the coffin for his time in the Blue Jays organization. At this point, it is fairly obvious that he is not considered a part of the future. In fact, with a roster crunch and a glut of outfielders on the roster, it may not be a surprise if Pompey was let go, especially as he is out of options.

If this is indeed the end of Pompey’s time in the Blue Jays organization, it speaks volumes to the mismanagement of his development. He was rushed to the majors after just 43 games above A-ball, and made the center fielder at just 22 years old. When he predictably struggled, the Blue Jays pulled the plug, refusing to give him another extended look at the majors.

Now, they will either be forced to designate Pompey for assignment, and risk losing him for nothing, or get back an underwhelming return in a trade. Pompey still has considerable talent, but he needs a change of scenery. Perhaps playing for a different organization, and having a franchise that believes he can be that special player the Blue Jays hoped for, will allow him to reach his potential.

Dalton Pompey was expected to be a star for the Toronto Blue Jays. Instead, he is no longer a part of their future.