The Toronto Blue Jays added some pitching depth to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on Thursday.
According to numerous sources, the Blue Jays have signed an old friend, Connor Overton, to a minor-league deal.
Drafted in the 15th round of the 2014 draft by the Miami Marlins. For his first six seasons, he pitched in the minor league systems of the Marlins, Washington Nationals, San Francisco Giants, and even had two stints in Independent Ball before signing with the Jays shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. He re-signed with them heading into the 2021 season.
Finally, Overton made his big league debut that season as the Jays burned through a ton of pitchers. Overton looked good in the four appearances he had, not allowing an earned run and finishing his stint with a 2.87 FIP in six and two-thirds innings pitched. However, he was designated for assignment in September and claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The rest of the season saw him post an 8.31 ERA and a 4.67 FIP in 8.2 innings pitched. He stuck around the big leagues in 2022, pitching for the Cincinnati Reds, where he had a good 2.73 ERA and a 3.66 FIP in 33 innings pitched, starting four of the six games he appeared in. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find the same success in 2023, posting an 11.45 ERA and a 7.07 FIP in three starts, or 11 innings pitched.
Overton’s 2024 season was spent in the minor leagues, mainly pitching in Triple-A with a few rehab appearances sprinkled in. Overall, he finished with a 7.85 ERA and a 7.99 FIP in 36.2 innings pitched.
The day of his signing, Overton pitched for the Buffalo Bisons for the first time since Aug. 7, 2021, hurling three innings with an earned run given up and two strikeouts. He’ll give the Bisons some length, and who knows, maybe he’ll find his way back to the Blue Jays in the near future.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.