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Eric Pardinho was one of 15 Blue Jay minor leaguers to become a free agent
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Photo credit: @WBCBaseball
Ryley Delaney
Nov 6, 2024, 16:30 ESTUpdated: Nov 6, 2024, 16:10 EST
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Quite a few minor leagues entered free agency.
On Wednesday, Baseball America released an article listing all the minor league free agents in baseball. Of course, some notable players were in the Toronto Blue Jays organization in 2024.
Of the 15 players from the Blue Jays organization who became free agents, there wasn’t a more shocking one than Eric Pardinho. Formerly a top 100 prospect, the 23-year-old Brazilian righty had a terrific 2024 season between Double-A and Triple-A, posting a 3.25 ERA and a 3.60 FIP in 55.1 innings pitched, with a 28.1 K% and an 11.9 BB%.
There were two separate one-month stretches where Pardinho didn’t give up an earned run. From April 21 until June 19, Pardinho threw 23 innings, 22 of which came in Double-A, where he had a 1.91 FIP, a 38.1 K%, and an 11.9 BB%. After a rough start to his Triple-A career, Pardinho finished the final month (August 17 until September 20) without giving up a run in 12 innings pitched, with a 1.32 FIP, 34.9 K%, and a 2.3 BB%.
Out of any Rule 5 eligible player in the Jays organization, Pardinho had (has?) the best chance of being added to the 40-man roster. Hopefully, the Jays can work out a deal to bring him back.

Braydon Fisher

The Blue Jays acquired Braydon Fisher from the Los Angeles Dodgers for long-time Blue Jay Cavan Biggio after he was designated for assignment.
After the trade, Fisher was assigned to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, where he had a 2.76 ERA and a 2.83 FIP in 16.1 innings pitched, along with a 36.6 K% and a 9.9 BB%. The 24-year-old righty’s trek into Triple-A didn’t go nearly as well, as he had a 6.38 ERA and a 4.99 FIP in 18.1 innings pitched with the Buffalo Bisons.

Adrián Hernández

During the 2022 season, it looked as if righty Adrián Hernández was going to be a depth option for the Blue Jays’ bullpen. However, he was hurt and struggled once he returned. In 2023, Hernández dropped to Double-A with not-so-great results and repeated the level there as a 24-year-old in 2024.
This past season, Hernández had a 3.04 ERA and a 4.27 FIP in 47.1 innings pitched, along with a 24.1 K% and a 10.3 BB%. The good news is that his BB% dropped from 19.9% to 10.3%, but he had a rough four outings with the Bisons.

Payton Henry

It’s safe to say that the Blue Jays will need to look for some catching depth this off-season for the Buffalo Bisons. One of three catchers to become a free agent was Payton Henry, who slashed .274/.337/.432 with three home runs in 104 plate appearances last season with the Buffalo Bisons.
Henry suffered a head injury on May 31 and missed over three months. He returned for the final three games of the season where he had five hits in 10 plate appearances. His return also included this wonderful interview which is a must watch.

Max McDowell

Sticking with upper minors catching depth, Max McDowell was acquired by the Blue Jays in September 2023 and also became a free agent.
Last season with the Bisons, the 30-year-old catcher slashed .172/.254/.320 with seven home runs in 190 plate appearances, along with a 6.3 BB% and a 33.7 K% for a 48 wRC+.

Rafael Lantigua 

Rafael Lantigua is one of the longest-tenured Bleu Jays, as he signed with the team in August of 2016.
The utility player had a terrific 2023 season with the Bisons, as he slashed .305/.425/.469 with 12 home runs in 578 plate appearances, along with a 17 BB% and an 18.5 K%. Unfortunately, the playoff-bound Jays didn’t need him on their roster.
Lantigua’s 2024 season didn’t go nearly as well, as he slashed .265/.367/.336 with four home runs in 521 plate appearances, with a 13.4 BB% and a 19.2 K% for a 94 wRC+. Had Lantigua had the season he did in 2023, there is no doubt he would’ve had an opportunity with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2024.

The rest of the list

Several other players became free agents, they are:
Andrew Bechtold (RHP)
Evan Elliott (RHP)
Sebastian Espino (RHP)
Luis Frías (RHP)
Jame Kaprielian (RHP)
Abdiel Mendoza (RHP)
Yerry Rodríguez (RHP)
Jose Ferrer (C)
Jamari Baylor (1B)
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

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