Baseball

Spencer Miles emerges as rotation candidate after surprising Blue Jays season

The Rule 5 draft pick, who had never pitched in the majors before 2026, proved versatile in multiple roles.

Tyler Brennan · Baseball Writer
October 17, 2026 · More from this writer

TORONTO · Spencer Miles has become a legitimate candidate for a permanent spot in the Toronto Blue Jays' 2027 starting rotation after a surprising rookie season. The right-hander began 2026 as a Rule 5 Draft selection with no major league experience and was recovering from Tommy John surgery. He proved his versatility by serving as a traditional starter, an opener and a reliever throughout the campaign. His emergence provides a potential solution as the Blue Jays face significant offseason questions about their pitching staff, with Jose Berrios and Bowden Francis recovering from surgery and Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer entering free agency.

Toronto acquired Miles from the San Francisco Giants, taking a significant chance on a pitcher who had never appeared in the majors and had thrown fewer than 15 minor league innings. He did not pitch at all in 2025 due to his recovery. Instead of merely filling a roster spot, he developed into a pitcher the team could rely on in difficult situations. His performance suggests a future that extends beyond a traditional relief role.

The Blue Jays must now evaluate if Miles can handle the demands of a full-time major league starter. This would require him to manage a heavier innings load, maintain effectiveness against lineups multiple times and prove his durability. The team is expected to actively explore the external pitching market this offseason to build depth. If their goal is to return to the postseason as a contender, they cannot afford to enter another year without a strong rotation.

Dylan Cease and Trey Yesavage are viewed as the rotation's core pieces entering the winter. Cody Ponce is expected to return from a knee injury. Having a player capable of filling multiple roles is valuable for a team that dealt with constant injuries and adjustments all season. Miles represents an inexpensive internal option who has already demonstrated readiness for a challenge.

The Blue Jays do not need to guarantee him a rotation spot, but his 2026 performance gives them every reason to let him compete for one in spring training. If he proves he can handle the starter's workload, the team would gain a valuable arm to build around. If not, he will remain an integral part of the bullpen. This gives the organization flexibility as it navigates a critical offseason for its pitching crew.

With files from Sports Illustrated