Today I'll take a look at the pitchers who will be representing the Blue Jays in Arizona.

Jason Arnold: Arnold had a difficult year in 2004 as he had to be shut down for a couple of months due to shoulder concerns. When he came back, he was relatively effective putting up a 3.65 ERA at Syracuse. He struck out 15 and walked 12 in 37 innings. The time is now for Arnold, as the Jays have many young pitchers coming up through the system. He really needs to have an effective campaign in the AFL to give himself a shot at opening the year on the roster. I think a best case scenario for Arnold is to start in the bullpen for the Blue Jays in 2005 and then possibly move into the rotation. Unless he really takes off at the start of next year I don't think his future will be in the rotation.

Adam Peterson: Mr. Peterson is the owner of an arm that rivals Brandon League's. He got off to a great start pitching for AA New Hampshire, posting an ERA of 2.54 with 38 SO's 10 BB's and only 20 hits in 28 1/3 innings. Everything was going well until he got the call. In Toronto, he gave up 5 ER in just 2 2/3 innings. It was clear he was not ready for the big show. It got even worse when he was sent back down to Syracuse. There he posted a 12.86ERA in 21 innings! Not so good. Outlook. Based on his minor league numbers and his college numbers I think Peterson is fully capable of being a great late inning reliever. It's not very scientific but I believe he just got all messed up when he went to the big show and couldn't put things back together. I fully expect him to start the year in Syracuse and put up some great numbers. He'll be pitching for the Blue Jays by the All Star break at the latest and he might even make the club out of spring training if things go well in the AFL.

Francisco Rosario: Rosario is probably the most fascinating of all the players the Jays have in the AFL. Rosario was signed as a 19 year old kid out of the Dominican Republic back in 1999. Since then he shot up the Jays depth chart all the way to A league team Charleston. At Charleston he sported a nice little 2.56ERA with 78 SO's and only 14 BB's in 66 2/3 innings. He also only gave up 50 hits. At this time, he was viewed as the Blue Jays #1 pitching prospect by many people. Then came the AFL, a torn UCL and a trip to have Tommy John surgery. Fast-forward to 2004 and he is back in the Jays plans. Rosario finished the season pitching for New Hampshire in AA. He pitched 48 innings, struck out 45 and only walked 16. He had a 4.31ERA and gave up 48 hits. Not quite the dominating stuff he had pre-surgery but still pretty good. I will be intrigued to see how well he pitches in the AFL and to see what kind of start he gets off to in the minors. My guess is he'll start in AA and move up to AAA after 5-7 starts. Then, I'd like to see him pitch the rest of the year in AAA unless he really sets the world on-fire where we'd probably see a call-up in September or after the All Star Break. It is really too bad to see both him and Dustin McGowan go down with the same arm injury. Throw in David Bush and the Jays would have quite the threesome of young pitchers for 2005. Regardless, I think we'll see all three pitching together in 2006.