Next Guys Up: Nate Pearson

The flame throwing righty Nate Pearson is a 23 year old starter who is currently ranked the top prospect in the organization, and 8th in all of baseball. Pearson is an exciting young arm who gained attention nationwide after throwing as fast as 104 MPH in a game, and has since become one of the most exciting players in the organization.

Not only can Pearson throw hard, but he has the stuff to become a future ace for the Jays. At the moment, he is one of the most highly valued players in the organization, as the biggest need for the team is pitching. He is expected to slide into the role of the team ace within a few years, and lead the staff for years to come.

For 2019, Pearson started the season at advanced A Dunedin, but with huge success, he quickly propelled himself to AAA to finish the year. His strong year propelled him from the 90th ranked prospect in 2018, to number 8 in 2019. In high A, Pearson made 6 starts prior to his promotion, finishing with an incredible ERA of 0.86. Continuing through the system, Pearson was nearly untouchable yet again in AA, with a 2.59 ERA in 16 starts with a WHIP under 1.000 yet again. In AAA he only had 3 starts to finish the year, but still had a strong 3.00 ERA in 18.0 innings (average 6.0 per game). Pearson is scheduled to make his debut mid-season in 2020, and is a huge piece to the future success of the team.

Pearson is a former first round pick of the Jays (technically), after being picked in the compensatory rounds. He was the result of the acquired pick from of the departure of Edwin Encarnacion, and his rejection of the qualifying offer. In 2018 (his first full pro season), Pearson started the year with advanced A Dunedin, and his career was almost over as fast as it started. In the second inning of his first start, a come back pitch hit his elbow, breaking the ulnar bone in his pitching arm. The Blue Jays stuck with him however, and are fortunate they did, as Pearson might just be the future of their pitching staff. This is a name fans will get used to quickly.