Return is double-A infielder Josh Rivera and outfielder Yohendrick Pinango, sources tell me and @ArdenZwelling
Looking back at Nate Pearson’s time with the Blue Jays
Jul 27, 2024, 15:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 27, 2024, 14:50 EDT
On Saturday afternoon, the Blue Jays shockingly traded Nate Pearson to the Chicago Cubs.
It was a bit odd that they traded a former top 100 prospect (he ranked eighth in 2020!) with two additional seasons of team control when they were selling. However, the return they got – Josh Rivera and Yohendrick Piñango, was solid as both players ranked in the Cubs’ top 30 list. This article will focus on Pearson, though.
The Blue Jays drafted the 27-year-old all the way back in 2017 with a compensation pick after losing Edwin Encarnación. Pearson quickly became one of the team’s best prospects (along with a top prospect in baseball) as he had a terrific 2019 season, posting a 2.30 ERA in 101.2 innings pitched between High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A.
Pearson made his major league debut in 2020, pitching 18 innings in four starts (five outings) posting a 6 ERA and a 7.19 FIP. The following season, Pearson made one start before moving to the bullpen, a precursor of things to come. He didn’t pitch in 2022 with the Jays at all, but finally stayed healthy for a full-season in 2023.
Last season, Pearson posted a 4.85 ERA and a 4.85 FIP in 42.2 innings pitched, along with a 23.6 K% and a 9.9 BB%. This season, he has a 5.63 ERA and a 4.62 FIP in 40 innings pitched, while his BB% increased to 28% and his BB% dropped to 9.3%.
After so much promise, this is who Nate Pearson has become, a low-leverage reliever who could be more with a change of scenery. The stuff is still phenomenal, as he features a high-90s fastball with an excellent knuckle curveball and a good slider. However, a move to the bullpen because of injuries and poor results have forced the Blue Jays to trade him for two prospects that rank in the 20s.
Nate Pearson, 101mph ⛽️
Perhaps with a new organization, Pearson can find some success. Another often-injured, flame throwing righty that pitched for the Jays was acquired by the Cubs, as Julian Merryweather found his way to the team in early 2023. In his first season with the Cubs, the righty had a 3.38 ERA and a 3.52 FIP in 72 innings pitched, along with a 32.3 K% and an 11.9 BB%. This ideally will happen for Pearson as well.
Either way, best of luck to Pearson in the Cubs organization.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.