Ryan Borucki

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #10 prospect in 2018
  Injuries have slowed Borucki's development. He had Tommy John surgery as a high school senior, then dealt with shoulder problems in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Borucki had pitched just six games above low Class A entering 2017, but he took off that season and finished the year at Triple-A Buffalo. Borucki locates his fastball, gets ground balls and changes speeds effectively to keep hitters off balance. He's a strike-thrower who walked 2.2 per nine innings in 2017, with good command of a fastball that sits in the low 90s and scrapes 96 mph. He catches hitters leaning out front or swinging through his changeup, a plus pitch that he disguises well to look like a fastball out of his hand. Borucki's slider is a fringe-average pitch, so he mostly relies on his fastball/changeup combination. While arm problems have hampered him in the past, Borucki showed durability by throwing 150 innings in 2017. Borucki's big leap forward put him in contention to compete for a rotation spot in Toronto in 2018, though most likely he begins back in Triple-A. He has the profile of a back-end starter.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #16 prospect in 2017
  Borucki finally returned at full strength in 2016 after three injury-filled seasons, including Tommy John surgery as a prep senior and shoulder issues that shut him down in July 2015. The Blue Jays started him in the high Class A Florida State League, but Borucki wasn't ready. He gave up 10 home runs in just 20 innings before being reassigned to low Class A Lansing, where he thrived. He ranked second in the Midwest League in ERA, first in winning percentage (.714) and fourth in WHIP (1.13). Borucki's best pitch is an above-average changeup that's the best in the organization, thrown with confidence and good arm speed that is a plus pitch at its best. He can still get more consistent with the change, and it would play up if his fastball improved. It's an average pitch at 88-92 mph, touching 94, with modest life that he needs to spot with precision. Borucki's slider has its moments as a pitch to induce groundouts but needs tighter shape to get swings and misses. Borucki earns plaudits for his work ethic and answered questions about his durability. He's a potential No. 4 starter who will headed back to high Class A Dunedin for 2017.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #14 prospect in 2016
  The Blue Jays signed Borucki away from an Iowa commitment for a $426,000 bonus as a 2012 15throunder, even though he was diagnosed with a tear in his elbow in March of his senior year at his Illinois high school. He had Tommy John surgery, then was waylaid in 2015 by early elbow soreness and later shoulder pain that prompted the club to shut him down after July, including for instructional league. Borucki has pitched just 69 innings as a pro, but club officials still consider him one of their top pitching prospects. He has the system's best changeup, a double-plus pitch that he throws with tremendous arm speed and confidence, and he can locate it even when he's had long spells of inactivity. He sits 88-92 mph with his fastball, which jumps on hitters thanks to the deception in his delivery and excellent extension out front. His slider needs refinement, but mostly Borucki just needs to stay healthy. He has yet to take the mound for a full-season club, so his 2016 season at low Class A Lansing will be an important step.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #12 prospect in 2015
  Borucki's father reached Triple-A as an infielder, and Ryan is making his mark on the mound. He injured his elbow as a high school senior and required Tommy John surgery after signing with the Blue Jays for $426,000 in 2012. He missed the entire 2013 season, then returned with a strong 2014 season capped by seven shutout innings in a short-season Northwest League playoff start for Vancouver. Borucki's fastball sat 90-94 mph early in the season and settled in at 88-92. He has shown pitching aptitude by reducing the effort in his delivery and reducing the height of his high elbow in the back, producing more consistent plane to his heater from his loose, quick arm action. His top secondary offering is a plus changeup. He has a feel for his changeup and for throwing strikes. Borucki currently shows a below-average to fringe-average curveball and may begin using a slider that is more conducive to his three-quarters arm slot. He will likely begin the season at low Class A Lansing and offers a lean, projectable and highwaisted build that should allow him to get stronger.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked American League #12 prospect in 2014
  There was uncertainty surrounding Borucki's health in the spring of his senior season after suffering an elbow injury doctors thought would require Tommy John surgery. Borucki elected for rehab and went in 15th round, then signed for third-round money. He would up having Tommy John surgery, which kept him from pitching last season. In his return, Borucki teamed in the Bluefield rotation with another 2012 overslot prep lefthander from the Midwest who has had injuries troubles, Matt Smoral. Borucki showed polish and strike-throwing ability, producing the lowest walk rate (1.6 per nine) and highest strikeout-walk rate (5.0) of any lefthander in the league, starter or reliever. He projects for at least average control with a chance to be plus. His delivery has improved significantly, and he throws with significantly less effort from his loose, quick arm, while working over the ball more and not leaking with his hips. Borucki's fastball was 90-94 early in the season and sat 88-92, touching 94 later in the season. He relies on his two-seamer that has at least average sink and arm-side run. Borucki demonstrates advanced feel for a changeup with plus potential. His curveball is a below-average to fringe-average offering, and Borucki could begin throwing a slider this offseason. He has a starter's build at a lanky 6-foot-4 with a high waist and significant projection remaining.

• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Injuries have slowed Borucki's development. He had Tommy John surgery as a high school senior, then dealt with shoulder problems in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Borucki had pitched just six games above low Class A entering 2017, but he took off that season and finished the year at Triple-A Buffalo. Scouting Report: Borucki locates his fastball, gets ground balls and changes speeds effectively to keep hitters off balance. He's a strike-thrower who walked 2.2 per nine innings in 2017, with good command of a fastball that sits in the low 90s and scrapes 96 mph. He catches hitters leaning out front or swinging through his changeup, a plus pitch that he disguises well to look like a fastball out of his hand. Borucki's slider is a fringe-average pitch, so he mostly relies on his fastball/changeup combination. While arm problems have hampered him in the past, Borucki showed durability by throwing 150 innings in 2017. The Future: Borucki's big leap forward put him in contention to compete for a rotation spot in Toronto in 2018, though most likely he begins back in Triple-A. He has the profile of a back-end starter.