Blue Jays and righty reliever Bobby Milacki have a minor-league deal. Son of former big-leaguer Bob Milacki. In 55 IP over 31 games between double- and triple-A with Padres last year, the 28-year-old struck out 49, walked just 13.
Blue Jays sign Bobby Milacki to a minor-league deal
Photo credit: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Dec 15, 2024, 14:00 ESTUpdated: Dec 15, 2024, 14:01 EST
While we wait for the Toronto Blue Jays to do something big, they keep adding minor-league free agents.
On Sunday afternoon, it was reported by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi that the Blue Jays signed right-handed pitcher Bobby Milacki to a minor-league deal.
Milacki was selected in the 38th round of the 2018 draft by the Washington Nationals out of Arizona Christian University. He pitched well in his first two seasons of professional ball but was released by the Nationals in 2020. Milacki then signed with the Minnesota Twins pitching two seasons there before signing a minor league deal with the Padres before the beginning of the 2023 season.
In 2023, Malacki had a 4.85 ERA and a 6.83 FIP in 52 innings pitched in his first taste of Double-A, the worst numbers of his professional career. However, he pitched better in his return stint in 2024, with a 3.13 ERA and a 2.78 FIP in 46 innings pitched, along with a 21.5 K% and a 3.7 BB%.
Milacki pitched with the Padres Triple-A team, where he struggled with a 13 ERA and an 8.39 FIP in 9 innings pitched, with a 16.7 K% and a 12.5 BB%.
The 28-year-old’s father also pitched, making the big leagues in 1988 where he would stay until the 1996 season. Bob Milacki pitched for the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland, Kansas City Royals, and Seattle Mariners, where he had a 4.19 ERA and a 4.26 FIP in 703 innings pitched, starting 125 games of his 143 appearances.
Along with Eric Lauer, the Blue Jays have been adding depth pitchers to fill in if there are any injuries this season. They still need a big move this off-season – whether for pitching or hitting – but Toronto’s depth must also be improved. There are quite a few relievers on the Jays’ 40-man roster who’ll be in the minor leagues next season, including Brett de Geus, Brandon Eisert, Easton Lucas, Michael Petersen, and Nick Robertson.
It’ll be tough competition for Milacki, but the depth is nice.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
Breaking News
- Blue Jays vs. Dodgers: Breaking down Tyler Glasnow ahead of World Series Game 3
- MLB betting preview (Oct. 27): Blue Jays vs Dodgers World Series Game 3 predictions
- Rob Manfred discusses potential MLB expansion in Canada beyond Montreal
- Blue Jays vs Dodgers: Gausman and Yamamoto deliver a ‘Hollywood’ duel in World Series Game 2
- Blue Jays: Arizona Fall League Game 14 recap