Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 10: Adam Macko

Photo credit: Mark Steffens/Fotoguy

Sep 17, 2024, 18:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 17, 2024, 17:02 EDT

The Toronto Blue Jays have quite a few left-handed starters in their top 10, starting with today’s prospect.

This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual Mid-Season top prospect list, where we’ll look at the 35 best prospects in the Blue Jays system. We’ll look at the player’s stats, my observations, and other publication’s scouting reports if available.

Let’s take a look at our 10th-best prospect, Adam Macko!

Getting to know Adam Macko…

Position: Starting pitcher

Throws: Left

Born: December 30, 2000

Acquired: Trade with the Seattle Mariners

Previous ranking: 18

Adam Macko is a Slovakian-born, Irish-raised, Canadian-drafted left-handed pitcher. The 23-year-old was selected in the seventh round by the Seattle Mariners. Later that season, he made his professional debut with their rookie league team, posting a 3.38 ERA and a 3.80 FIP in 21.1 innings pitched, along with a 33 K% and an 11.7 BB%.

Macko pitched in Single-A in 2021, posting a 4.59 ERA and a 3.33 FIP in 33.1 innings pitched, along with a 36.1 K% and a 13.5 BB%, but dealt with injuries throughout the season. It was much the same in 2022, as Macko posted a 3.99 ERA and a 3.77 FIP in 38.1 innings pitched, along with a 35.9 K% and a 12 BB% in High-A. Like the previous season, he missed significant time with injury, last pitching in 2022 on May 21 before a stint in the Arizona Fall League.

In mid-November 2022, the Blue Jays traded Teoscar Hernández to the Mariners in exchange for Macko, as well as reliever Erik Swanson.

Toronto Blue Jays

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OFFICIAL: We've acquired RHP Erik Swanson and LHP Adam Macko from the Mariners in exchange for OF Teoscar Hernández. Welcome to the #BlueJays!

4:11 PM · Nov 16, 2022

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Macko repeated the High-A level in 2023, posting a 4.81 ERA and a 3.97 FIP in 86 innings pitched. On top of staying healthy, he posted a career-best 10.8 BB% while maintaining a good 28.5 K%.

The lefty once again remained relatively healthy in 2024, starting the season with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats. There, he posted a 4.87 ERA and a 3.72 FIP in 81.1 innings pitched, along with a 26.4 K% and a new career-best 8.8 BB%. Towards the end of the season, he dealt with an injury and rehabbed with the Dunedin Blue Jays. He’s expected to start Tuesday’s game for the Buffalo Bisons as well.

Buffalo Bisons

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Shuffling up to Buffalo! Welcome to the Herd, Macko 🦬

6:01 PM · Sep 17, 2024

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Macko ranked as MLB Pipeline’s ninth-best prospect in their mid-season ranking. The left-handed pitcher features a 94-95 mph fastball but has reached as high as 97 mph in the past. His best pitch is his 12-6 curveball, while also featuring a slider and a changeup. Both are, at worst, average pitches.

In recent seasons, Macko’s health and walk rate have been the big concern around him. The past two seasons, he’s stayed relatively healthy, but the most encouraging sign is the significant improvement in his command and control. He’s on the 40-man roster, and we could see him in the big leagues as soon as next season.