Blue Jays Nation’s countdown of the top Canadian baseball prospects continues with the third and final Blue Jays prospect to appear on the list.
#6 Adam Macko
Hometown: Vauxhall, AB
Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Position: Left-handed pitcher
Acquired: Trade with Seattle (2022)
Born in Bratislava, Slovakia, Adam Macko spent his teenage years in Alberta before embarking on his professional journey, making his way through the minor leagues with two different organizations. Originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the seventh round of the 2019 draft out of Vauxhall Academy, he was acquired alongside Erik Swanson by the Blue Jays in the Teoscar Hernández trade during the 2022/2023 offseason. After being added to the club’s 40-man roster last year to avoid the Rule 5 Draft, the left-hander could be making his major league debut in short order.
Having the chance to
catch up with Macko last month allowed me to hear how driven he was to become the best version of himself. He has gone through some ups and downs as a pro, including injuries and the 2020 pandemic, but he’s been able to respond well to them and continue his upward trajectory.
After carrying a whopping 14.1 K/9 with high-A Everett (SEA) in 2022, Macko remained in the same league with Vancouver to open up in 2023. Given his success the previous year, it seemed as if it would only be a short while before he got the call to double-A. However, some inconsistencies kept him in high-A for the whole year. All told, he held a 4.81 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 11.1 K/9, and 4.2 BB/9.
Despite the elevated numbers, he certainly peaked late, allowing just four total hits over his last four starts (20 innings) of the year, striking out 31 in the process. His final start for Vancouver ended up being in the playoffs, where he earned the win and ultimately got to celebrate a Northwest League Championship with his teammates.
Macko’s 2024 season
The momentum built towards the end of the 2023 season helped Macko earn a spot in double-A New Hampshire’s rotation to start 2024. Despite facing stiffer competition, the six-foot left-hander was able to limit baserunners, as his 7.6 H/9, 3.3 BB/9, and 1.22 WHIP were improvements on his time in Vancouver. He was able to continue to strike out batters at a high rate, posting a 10.0 K/9 that would have ranked third in the Eastern League had he pitched enough innings to qualify.
Macko did miss some time in 2024, as an injury suffered in early July sidelined him for almost two months. After rehabbing with single-A Dunedin, he was able to return to New Hampshire and pick up where he left off. His quality work earned him a mid-September call-up to triple-A Buffalo, where he would make one start before the season ended.
Macko’s repertoire and ceiling
Macko’s fastball sits in the low-mid 90s, with his best pitch being his curveball, which has garnered high grades since being drafted. In 2024, he relied on two different versions of the curve: a slower, get me over hook, as well as one thrown much harder that generates plenty of whiffs. He also started to mix in a cutter in 2024 when he was behind in counts, a pitch that kept batters honest when they were sitting on a fastball.
The 2024 season was a big step forward for the 24-year-old, as he impressed at a pivotal level while throwing the most innings (93 1/3) in any season of his professional career. Despite having less than ideal size, Macko’s strong secondary offerings give him the potential to develop into a mid-rotation starter in the major leagues. This is especially true if he can live more consistently with his fastball in the mid-90s. Based on his ties to Canada, it wouldn’t be surprising if he became an instant fan favourite whenever he gets the call to Toronto.
Where will he play in 2025?
Like this time last year, Macko is due to be bumped up a level for the start of the 2025 season. His one-game cup of coffee at triple-A Buffalo in September likely means that the left-hander will be in the Bisons rotation for Opening Day, which puts him within striking distance of the major leagues.
Although the Blue Jays’ starting pitching depth is still to be determined, Spring Training will likely go a long way toward the former Vauxhall Academy standout making a strong impression to the Jays coaching staff. If all goes for Macko, there’s a strong chance that he will get the call to Toronto at some point this summer.
Previous
Presented by Betway
