In a move that might give the Blue Jays a welcomed boost, outfielder Will Robertson is set to make his big-league debut. With Toronto having some space on their 40-man roster, they’re making room on the active roster to bring Robertson aboard, a decision accelerated by a neck injury to Nathan Lukes, who’s now on the 7-day concussion list.
Robertson, 27, was drafted by the Jays back in 2019 as a fourth-round pick, hitting the ground running in Low-A right after being picked. However, the pandemic shutdown in 2020 meant his professional growth took a brief hiatus. His return saw a couple of challenging seasons at High-A and Double-A, where his knack for finding strikeouts overshadowed his power potential. Despite a few bumps, his persistence began to pay off in 2023 during a second stint in Double-A—he refined his patience at the plate, elevated his walk rate, and sent homers sailing with more consistency, presenting an encouraging wRC+ of 118.
The promotion to Triple-A Buffalo brought a fresh set of challenges as Robertson faced tougher pitching, leading to a spike in strikeouts and resulting in a .226/.319/.429 performance. Yet, it was the 2025 season that truly saw him hitting his stride, and he’s been putting on a clinic ever since. Robertson’s batting at an impressive .288/.410/.582 clip, his 12 home runs in just 188 plate appearances highlighting a striking improvement in power. Showing an increase in plate discipline, his walk rate has surged to 17.0%, while his strikeout rate has fallen to its lowest since his draft year.
While he isn’t prominently figured on MLB.com’s Top 30 Blue Jays prospects list, Robertson has undeniably made a case for himself. His remarkable performance this season—bolstered by a sizzling 159 wRC+, which ranks as the fourth-best in the International League—showcases a player whose talents the Blue Jays can hardly ignore.
The timing couldn’t be better for Toronto’s outfield, which has been stretched thin by injuries to key players like Anthony Santander and Daulton Varsho. With Lukes recently scratched from the lineup, Robertson’s promising form could be the vital reinforcement the Jays need. Whether it’s a tactical decision based on Lukes’ neck discomfort or Robertson’s undeniable excellence in Buffalo that pressed this call-up, the young outfielder is finally ready to show the big leagues what he’s made of. As the Blue Jays regroup, Robertson’s ascent represents hope and a fresh dynamic that could inject much-needed energy into their lineup.
