Blue Jays: Five Surprise Pitchers in Spring Training

Feb 15, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher J.A. Happ (33), pitcher JP. Howell (56) and teammates arrive for the first day of pitchers and catchers work outs at Cecil P. Englebert Recreation Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher J.A. Happ (33), pitcher JP. Howell (56) and teammates arrive for the first day of pitchers and catchers work outs at Cecil P. Englebert Recreation Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Beliveau(36) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Beliveau(36) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeff Beliveau

 Left-handed reliever Jeff Beliveau is hopeful he will become a household name much like that of the Montreal Canadiens great he shares a surname with. The hurler is not sure if he is related to the Hockey Hall of Famer somewhere down his family tree.

The 30-year who last pitched in the majors in 2015 with the Tampa Bay Rays but has been on point this spring in limited innings. Beliveau has a 2.45 earned run average in 7.1 innings of work surrendering 2 runs while fanning five and collecting 3 holds in Grapefruit League action play.

The former 18th round selection in the 2008 amateur draft has 58 major league games under his belt with the Chicago Cubs and Rays between 2012-2015. The native of Providence, Rhode Island sports a career 4.00 earned run average with 47 strikeouts in 45 career innings of work.

Beliveau rehabbed back from torn labrum surgery in 2015 posting impressive numbers with the Baltimore Orioles Single-A and Double-A affiliates last season. The lefty amassed a 2.54 ERA in 31 MILB games.

Left-handed batters are hitting .243 off Beliveau for his career in 86 plate appearances. If Beliveau can consistently retire lefties, he could be a valuable asset to John Gibbons out of the gate or later in the season when the skipper needs fresh troops in the pen.

The Beliveau situation is an interesting one to keep an eye on in the remaining 10 days of camp.