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Toronto Blue Jays 2018 Top Prospects: #4 Nate Pearson

ByClayton Richer|

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 24: Brett Gardner

The Toronto Blue Jays appear to have found their ace of the future in Nate Pearson, the big right-hander skyrocketed to #4 on the Jays Journal Top organizational prospect rankings for 2018 in just his first season of professional baseball.

The Blue Jays drafted Nate Pearson with their 28th selection in the 1st round of last summer’s amateur draft from Central Florida Community College in Ocala, Florida. Initially it was thought Pearson may go earlier in the first round, however, teams may have been scared off due to the screws that were inserted in Pearson’s throwing elbow during his high school career. Regardless the Jays inked the hurler to an over-slot deal of $2,452,900 million.

Name: Nate Pearson
Position: P Age: 21
Height: 6’6” Age: 245 lbs.
Throws: Right Bats: Right
Acquired: 1st round- 2017 amateur draft

Pearson has a big arm and the frame to go with it as the hurler will consistently be in the high 90’s with his fastball and can touch triple digits. His secondary pitches are a work in progress and will be the determining factor on just how fast he shoots up the ranks.

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Even just after 8 starts last season, Baseball America still anointed Pearson 91st on their Top 100 Prospect rankings. Don’t be shocked to see Pearson in the Top 50 by the halfway point of next season if he continues to rake on the bump.

Last season in 8 starts Pearson compiled a dominant 0.90 earned run average while fanning 26 in 20 innings of work. The 21-year old surrendered a mere 2 earned runs and only walked 5 batters in his first taste of professional baseball.

Pearson was also an integral part of the Vancouver Canadians Northwest League title starting two playoff games for the Canadians. Pearson surrendered just one earned run while striking out 14 in 8 innings of postseason work. It will be interesting to see the numbers he can put up this year in an entire campaign.

Blue Jays manager Ross Atkins had glowing reviews for Pearson a few weeks earlier comparing the hurler’s stuff to a young Bartolo Colon. Atkins also stated he has not seen another pitcher progress the way Pearson has so far.

"Man, the stuff, the power, the character, the makeup, the athleticism, there is nothing not to like, we couldn’t be more pleased and absolutely do value the industry see him that way."

Next: Blue Jays sign pair of relievers to minor league deals

As far as pitchers go, Pearson is the pitching equivalent to Bo Bichette and the Jays brain trust is very high on the young hurler. He is essentially an untouchable commodity and someone who will become a household name north of the border in very short order.

Get on the Pearson train now folks, this kid is the real deal.

Top-30 Blue Jays Prospect Rankings:
#30: OF Jonathan Davis #29: OF Harold Ramirez #28: OF Joshua Palacios

#27: 1B/OF Ryan Noda #26: SS Kevin Smith #25: OF Roemon Fields

#24: P Angel Perdomo #23: C Reese McGuire #22: OF Dwight Smith Jr.

#21: P Jordan Romano #20: P Jon Harris #19: P Tim Mayza

#18: C Riley Adams #17: P Thomas Pannone #16: P Justin Maese

#15: C Hagen Danner #14: C Max Pentecost #13: 1B Rowdy Tellez

#12: P Eric Pardinho #11: SS Richard Urena #10: P Ryan Borucki

#9: P Sean Reid-Foley #8: P T.J. Zeuch #7: C Danny Jansen

#6: SS Logan Warmoth #5: SS Lourdes Gurriel

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