Blue Jays sign undrafted free agent pitcher Kyle Huckaby

The Toronto Blue Jays inked undrafted free agent pitcher Kyle Huckaby adding another major league bloodline to the organization.

Kyle Huckaby is the son of Blue Jays catching coordinator and former MLB backstop Ken Huckaby.  The senior Huckaby spent six seasons in the majors including two stints with the Blue Jays spanning three seasons. The former catcher sports a career .222/.256/.281 line in 161 MLB games, his three career homers came as a member of the Jays in 2002.

The younger Huckaby was expecting to be selected in the recent amateur draft, however, after 40 rounds his name was not called leading to the free agent signing. Following the signing, Huckaby took to Twitter to show his appreciation to the Blue Jays organization for taking a chance on him.

"“What a whirlwind of a day…from expecting to hear my name called in the draft, to all 40 rounds going by without me being selected. I am so excited to say that I will be signing with the Toronto Blue Jays as an Undrafted Free Agent. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone that helped me get to this point. Go Blue Jays!!!”"

Huckaby attended Benedictine University where he pitched out of the bullpen mainly in the closer’s role. In 2019 while pitching for the RedHawks, Huckaby went 2-2 with an impressive 1.47 earned run average while fanning 37 in 30.2 innings of work. Huckaby also notched eight saves while limiting the opposition to a .178 average.

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Aside from Huckaby, the Blue Jays have already come to terms with 20 of the draft picks including Kendall Williams who was deemed to be a tough sign due to his academic commitment. First-round selection Alek Manoah was not included in that tally, however, an agreement is rumoured to be in place and Manoh is wearing a photoshopped Jays jersey in his Twitter profile picture.

There is no word where Huckaby will be assigned to begin his professional career but good on the Jays for taking a shot on the young hurler and keeping the Blue Jays bloodlines in the family.