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Blue Jays: Analyzing the top international players within the farm system

By Tyson Shushkewich

TORONTO,CANADA - APRIL 1: Fans display their tickets prior to the home opener for the Toronto Blue Jays as they face the Minnesota Twins during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre April 1, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
TORONTO,CANADA - APRIL 1: Fans display their tickets prior to the home opener for the Toronto Blue Jays as they face the Minnesota Twins during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre April 1, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 28: Baseball fans hold out baseballs to be signed at The London Stadium on June 28, 2019 in London, England. The New York Yankees are playing the Boston Red Sox this weekend in the first Major League Baseball game to be held in Europe. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 28: Baseball fans hold out baseballs to be signed at The London Stadium on June 28, 2019 in London, England. The New York Yankees are playing the Boston Red Sox this weekend in the first Major League Baseball game to be held in Europe. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) /

Eric Pardinho

Hailing from Luceila, Brazil, hard throwing right-hander Eric Pardinho was signed to a $1.4 million agreement in the summer of 2017.

Since signing with the Blue Jays, Pardinho has been an absolute sensation in professional baseball. Across the two seasons and over 18 games started, the Brazilian has accumulated a 2.57 ERA along with 99 strikeouts, 32 walks, and 25 earned runs in 87.2 innings pitched.

Part of his 2019 season was spent on the shelf due to injury, where Pardinho experienced elbow tightness in his throwing arm at the beginning of the year and there was speculation this could be a long term injury. While he did miss a significant amount of the season, he would make one spot start for Gulf Coast Blue Jays at the end of June and would spend the rest of the season with the Class A Lansing Lugnuts.

What makes Pardinho so impressive is not only his numbers, but the fact that he has accomplished so much at such a young age. He has already represented Brazil on the international stage, pitching a clean inning against Pakistan during a World Baseball Classic qualifier at just 15 years old. Pardinho has also been on the younger side of every professional league he has participated in, but still finds ways to strike out players with more experience than him.

Pardinho is known for his fastball, which has exceptional command and velocity given his experience and that continues to improve as he continues to fill out his frame. His secondary pitches consist of a curveball, slider, and a changeup, with his curveball being of plus value and his second best pitch in his arsenal. He continues to work on his changeup, which is starting to come along given it is the newest pitch in his repertoire. He currently sits as the Toronto Blue Jays 5th ranked internal prospect.

In the end, Pardinho does have the makeup and potential to slot in the starting rotation. While there is still a significant amount of development to go before fans will see him in the Blue Jays blue uniforms, Pardinho could find himself in Toronto in the next few years if he can stay healthy and if he can continue to produce like he already is.

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