TORONTO BLUE JAYS TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. NATE PEARSON, RHP
AGE: 24. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-6. WT: 250. DRAFTED: JC of Central Florida, 2017 (1st round). SIGNED BY: Matt Bishoff.
TRACK RECORD: Pearson mostly pitched as a reliever when he was a freshman at Florida International. He transferred to the JC of Central Florida for 2017 and his stock soared as a starter. He was drafted 28th overall, signed for $2,452,900 and quickly looked like a steal. His 2018 season ended early—he didn’t pitch until May 7, then threw 1.2 innings before a line drive fractured his right forearm and ended his season—but he returned with an outstanding 2019 that put him in the conversation for the top pitching prospect in baseball. Pearson made his major league debut in 2020 and made four starts before going on the injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow. He returned in time to make one relief appearance at the end of the season and made the Blue Jays postseason roster. In his lone playoff appearance, he struck out five of six batters faced.
Pearson has a huge frame with a power fastball to match. He sits 94-98 mph, touched 101 in the majors and has previously been as high as 104, showing the ability to get empty swings when he elevates. Pearson significantly improved his mid-80s slider during his time in the minors and saw it carry over to the majors. It’s a plus pitch that flashes as a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale, with late bite and two-plane depth to dive underneath barrels. Pearson shows the feel to
