Upper Perkiomen alumnus Tim Mayza pitched well enough this season to earn an invitation to the Arizona Fall League. A strong showing in the developmental league – which begins Oct. 11 – might propel the Toronto Blue Jays prospect to the major leagues, according to Mayza's agent Jeff Randazzo.

                "A good performance could really boost Tim's value," Randazzo said.

                Mayza, 24, posted his best professional season in the Blue Jays organization. In 42 combined games with Double-A New Hampshire and Single-A Dunedin, the lefthander posted a 3-3 record with a 2.25 earned run average. In 64 innings, he registered 65 strikeouts and allowed just 52 hits, while limiting opposing hitters to a .220 average.

                "Tim had a great year," Randazzo said.

                Most of that success came with Dunedin. Mayza, a 2010 graduate of Upper Perkiomen High School, limited Florida State League hitters to a .201 average while posting 52 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings during two stints with the team. He converted four of seven save opportunities and pitched in the league's all-star game.

                "Tim put himself on the map this year," said Gil Kim, Toronto's director of player development.

                Some nights, Mayza displayed the stuff of a late-inning, big league relief pitcher, according to Kim. He said the pitcher flashed a fastball at 96 and 97 mph, as well as a put-away slider.

                Mayza did a good job attacking opposing hitters, according to Randazzo. The agent, a former minor league pitcher, described his client as an uncomfortable at-bat for left-handed hitters.

                "Tim has electric stuff," Kim said. "He's a very talented pitcher. He's got a lot of value."

                During spring training, Mayza served as a guest player in three Major League games for the Blue Jays. He pitched one inning each against the Tampa Bay Rays and the Minnesota Twins.

                He started the season with Dunedin before accepting a promotion to Double-A. However, Mayza struggled with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, issuing 15 walks in 15 1/3 innings. In 14 relief appearances, he went 1-3 with a 4.11 ERA.

                "I kind of got in my own head," Mayza said. "I was pressing too much."

                Upon his return to Dunedin, Mayza scrapped an inconsistent changeup and decided to focus on two pitches. The results were good enough to earn him a spot in the fall league, which features the top prospects from each team in Major League Baseball.

                According to Kim, the Blue Jays usually send their best upper level prospects – and those players who would benefit from facing a high level of competition – to the league.

                "It's quite an honor," Mayza said.

                The prospects are grouped into six teams. Mayza and his Toronto teammates will compete for the Mesa Solar Sox, which will also include players from the Chicago Cubs', Oakland Athletics', Cleveland Indians' and Miami Marlins' organizations.

                According to Randazzo, a strong showing by Mayza could force the Blue Jays to place him on their 40-man roster in advance of December's annual Major League Rule V Draft.

                If Mayza is left off the roster, he would be eligible for the draft. If selected by another team, the pitcher would have the opportunity to make that organization's major league roster next spring.

                "There's a strong possibility that Tim could be selected if the Blue Jays don't protect him," the agent said. "He has a very intriguing arm that could create an opportunity."