Forecasting the 2015 Buffalo Bisons Bullpen

May 30, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher

(51) throws a pitch in a game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. The Kansas City Royals won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Returning Arms

John Stilson RHP

Toronto selected Stilson in the 3rd round of the 2011 draft. His shoulder issues resurfaced in 2014 and this time it required surgery to repair his labrum. Before the injury, Stilson was looking like a candidate for a mid-season call to Toronto. He will be ready in April or May and will be showing off his fastball that hits the high….very high 90’s as a member of the Bisons. Once he proves that his shoulder is 100% we can expect John to take over the Bisons closer role.

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Rob Rasmussen LHP

The former 2nd round choice of the Florida Marlins has a track record for being traded. Drafted in 2010, traded twice in 2012 to Houston and Los Angeles Dodgers, traded twice in 2013 to Philadelphia and finally Toronto. The 25 year-old made three trips to Toronto in 2014, a year that saw him become a full-time reliever. Rasmussen uses his mid-90’s fastball, high-70’s curve, and mid-80’s change/slider to produce solid strikeout numbers. Rob will be valuable LHP who doesn’t show any noticable splits.

Bobby Korecky RHP

Last year’s closer is back for another go-around. He should get a shot at sticking with the Blue Jays because of his strong 2014 stats. He’s converted 179 saves throughout his 12-year minor league career. Bobby doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but knows how to pitch and gets lots of ground balls. If he starts with the Herd, he’ll start as their closer and have another fine year.

Colt Hynes LHP

Colt throws a low-90’s fastball and a low-80’s slider. Shows good control (1.8 BB/9 in Triple-A) and decent strike out numbers (6.5 K/9 in Triple-A). Hynes does a good job of keeping the ball on the ground with a 1.72 GO/AO rate over his 8 year minor league career. If he can continue keeping the ball on the ground and limit the base-on-balls then he’ll challenge for a spot in the Jays bullpen.