Pitcher Nate Pearson is joining Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League
1 year ago
Well, one Blue Jay player will be playing baseball in the winter!
After pitching 33 innings in 2020 and 2021, the 26-year-old flame-throwing right didn’t pitch in an MLB game this season. This is because the former top prospect spent most of the season dealing with injuries, first with mononucleosis, and then with a lat injury suffered in a rehab game.
With the Bisons, he posted a 3.55 ERA and 4.38 FIP in 12.2 innings pitched. As to be expected, Pearson was also sitting in the high 90s and featured his plus breaking slider.
In the MLB, Pearson has posted a career 5.18 ERA and 5.58 FIP in his career but has been better overall out of the bullpen. As he moves further along in his career, it’s seemingly unlikely that he’ll be a starter, instead coming in relief.
This doesn’t mean that he can’t be an impact MLB player. Pearson touches 100 mph and averages in the high-90s. Add his wipeout slider, and Pearson is a guy that could potentially pitch in high leverage, something the Jays desperately need to develop.
It will be interesting to see which type of role the Tigres de Licey use him in, as it’ll be a good indication of how the Jays will utilize him in the future. Before the 2022 season, they planned to use him in a bulk role, but I think he’d be a better fit as a one-inning guy.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Brennan_L_D. I was scrolling through the Dominican Winter League to see which Jays’ players were heading there. Coincidentally, the Tigres had just announced that Pearson was joining them.
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