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Free Agent Profile: Nick Madrigal was selected fourth overall and could use a change of scenery
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Photo credit: © Patrick Gorski - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
Nov 30, 2024, 08:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 29, 2024, 06:15 EST
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It’s been a long time since the Toronto Blue Jays hit on a flier.
Remember in late 2014 when the Blue Jays claimed Chris Colabello off waivers? They called him up after a terrific April with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in 2015. Colabello continued that success with the Jays, slashing .321/.367/.520 with 15 home runs in 360 plate appearances for a 143 wRC+ and a 1.4 fWAR.
Before the 2021 season, the Blue Jays signed Marcus Semien to a one-year contract. He had shown glimpses of promise before but slashed .223/.305/.374 with seven home runs in 236 plate appearances the season before signing with the Jays. In the one season he played with the Jays, he slashed .265/.334/.538 with a career-high 45 home runs for a 131 wRC+ and a 6 fWAR.
While Colabello and Semien’s situations weren’t the same, the principal was: The Blue Jays took a chance on a player no one else would, and they rewarded Toronto with a great season. They’ve found fliers in the past and they’re due for another one. Perhaps Nick Madrigal could find the same magic.

Nick Madrigal’s stats

The talent is there for Madrigal. In 2018, the Chicago White Sox selected the infielder fourth overall. In his first season in the big leagues, Madrigal slashed .340/.376/.369 with no home runs in 109 plate appearances for a 110 wRC+ and a 0.5 fWAR. He was even better in 2021, slashing .305/.349/.425 with two home runs in 215 plate appearances for a 112 wRC+ and a 1.3 fWAR.
Before the 2021 trade deadline, Madrigal was traded to the White Sox’s cross-town rivals, the Chicago Cubs. His first season with the team was in 2022, where he slashed .249/.305/.282 with no home runs in 228 plate appearances for a 73 wRC+ and a 0.3. His best season with the Cubs was in 2023, where he slashed .263/.311/.352 with two home runs in 294 plate appearances for an 85 wRC+ and a 1.2 fWAR.
Unfortunately, injuries (a common theme in his career) limited him to just 94 plate appearances in 2024, where he slashed .221/.280/.256 with no home runs and a 57 wRC+ and -0.7 fWAR. The Cubs non-tendered him before the deadline, making him a free agent.
Defensively, Madrigal has played both second and third base in his career. In 2023 at the hot corner, he had 8 Defensive Runs Saved and 10 Outs ABove Average in 560.1 innings, so he’s entirely capable of contending for a Gold Glove. For his career at second base, the 26-year-old has 0 DRS and 2 OAA in 1353.2 innings.

Nick Madrigal’s contract outlook

The 2025 season was Madrigal’s final of arbitration eligibility. Had the Cubs tendered him, the 27-year-old was projected to make $1.9 million in arbitration.
Madrigal doesn’t even have a “market value” section on Spotrac and The Athletic’s Jim Bowden doesn’t mention him in his predictions article. It’s safe to assume that Madrigal will earn a minor league contract if he can stay healthy.

Is Nick Madrigal a fit for the Blue Jays

Madrigal was selected fourth overall and the Chicago Cubs were evidently not a good environment for his development. Perhaps a change of scenery could help him unlock some of that potential the White Sox saw in him.
With that being said, the only way the Blue Jays should bring in the 27-year-old is on a minor league deal, as he hasn’t shown he’s nearly good enough to earn a 26-man roster spot. Even then, is it worth it for Madrigal to take playing time away from prospects like Leo Jiménez, Damiano Palmegiani, and Orelvis Martínez? I don’t think so.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

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