Much like last year, the Jays are sending organizational soliders from their pitching ranks -- only Yates looks interesting long-term. Cannon and Thigpen are obviously better bets to contribute at the big-league level, and Klosterman shows some promise too. In the past, offensive stats have been inflated by the desert air, so don't get too giddy if the hitters post big numbers.

JP mentioned Thorpe a couple of weeks ago, I believe on WWJP.  He said Thorpe was somebody they liked and were looking at possibly putting him on the 40 man roster.  He certainly has had a very good year as the Fisher Cats closer.  55 2/3 IP with only 33 hits allowed, 62 strikeouts, 18 saves and an ERA under 3.00.  He's a big guy, at 6' 4" and 250 lbs.  The downside is his control, which needs some work, and his age (turns 26 in December).  Should have a shot at the closer role in Syracuse next year. 

I imagine part of the reason for Thorpe going to the fall league is to work on his control, and part is to have another look at him to help decide if he belongs on the 40 man.  I hope they don't lose him.

Even if Thorpe doesn't make the majors till age 27 or so, if a team can get  6 or more servicable years out of him then how much does age really matter at this point? If he's good enough to keep going into free agency and gets priced off the team, so be it. Most major league careers are around 4 years so except for the real super star talents I think sometimes way too much is made of a players age, providing they do at some point become servicable major leagues. It works the other way too.... see Jose Charbonneau, Jody Gerut etc.

Agreed.  I could care less how old the players are when they make the majors, just as long as they can perform at a high standard for as long as they are here.  Home town discounts for FA years are minimal at best anyway.  Most players have a "show me the money" attitude, mostly perpetuated by pressure from their union.  So you'll have to pay for premium talent regardless.

I believe the age concerns relate more to a player's ability than anything else.  Older players should do better against younger players.

Thorpe to me is this year's version of Ryan Houston.  Houston has put up good numbers in the pen but the Jays haven't called him up, despite going through many pitchers this year.

"I believe the age concerns relate more to a player's ability than anything else.  Older players should do better against younger players."

Very true, but at the AAA level there's plenty of older career type players and near major league talent so at that level age really should not matter as much, especially if injuries may have cause a lost year or two. Also there is the somewhat rare but not impossible factor of a player suddenly figuring something out and turning the corner , so to speak. Yeah, this is a longshot , but so are half the players who not only make the majors but end up with long and average to above average careers.

Thorpe had surgery for a torn labrum several years ago.  According to reports, the velocity is back at 95+ but his control remains a work in progress.  He's got a nice change, and gets oodles of pop-ups to go along with the strikeouts.  I like Thorpe a little better than Houston last year, but relievers with poor control make me nervous.