Blue Jays LHP Ryan Borucki optioned to Dunedin

The Toronto Blue Jays have optioned LHP Ryan Borucki their single-A-advanced level affiliate in Dunedin.

Blue Jays hurler Ryan Borucki spent the 2016 season with Dunedin, of the Florida State League, and the Lansing Lugnuts of the Midwest League going a combined 11-8, with 117 strikeouts and a 4.18 earned run average.

The 22-year old didn’t have a bad spring training with the Blue Jays, appearing in 3-games, over 4 innings pitched compiling 3-strikeouts with a WHIP of 1.50.  He will likely finish out the spring with the minor league camp. When the season begins he will continue to develop his skills throughout the season in the minors.

Borucki was originally drafted out of high school by the Blue Jays back in 2012.   The 15th round draft pick was signed shortly after on July 10th of the same year.  The Mundelein, Illinois native, he has seen his ups and downs.  However, still young, he has an upside.

In his first season of professional baseball, Borucki started in the with the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays.  The then 18-year old appeared in 4-games over 6 innings pitched.  He earned 1-win, with 10-strikeouts and an impressive opposition batting average of .183.  However, the next season would be one to forget.

Following his first professional season, Borucki needed the all too common Tommy John surgery. This would force him to miss the entire 2013 season.  Upon his return for the 2014 season, he would spend his time with both the Vancouver Canadians (A-short) of the Northwest League, and in the Appalachian League with the Bluefield Blue Jays (Rookie level).  Borucki went 3-2 with 52 strikeout over 57 innings pitched.

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In 2015, Borucki would once again suit up for both Vancouver and Bluefield.  He once again, fought the injury bug finding himself on the disabled list.  He would only appear in 3-games for 1-loss, and an opposing batting average of .292.

Last year during the 2016 season, Borucki found himself back in familiar territory.  Playing a combined 26-games for the Lansing Lugnuts and Dunedin Blue Jays.  Overall, he had 11-wins and 8-losses, with a 4.18 earned run average.

Although he is still only 22-years old, he has spent 4-seasons of professional baseball.  Of course, this does not include the 2013 season which he required Tommy John surgery.  In his minor league career, he has totaled a 15-11 record, with an earned run average of 3.61 and 186 strikeouts.

Next: Blue Jays bold predictions for 2017 season

For the 2017 season, there is no doubt that Borucki will need to make some improvements.  The highest level Borucki has competed is A-level baseball.  It’s believed he does have all the tools to make a solid pitcher.  However, to do so, he will have to stay healthy, and strive for greater improvement to advance.