Jays Journal
FanSided

Toronto Blue Jays: Taking a look at where all the 2019 starters are now

By Tyson Shushkewich

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 28: Trent Thornton #57 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch during first inning of their MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre on September 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 28: Trent Thornton #57 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch during first inning of their MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre on September 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
DETROIT, MI – JULY 19: Starting pitcher Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers during a MLB game at Comerica Park on July 19, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JULY 19: Starting pitcher Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers during a MLB game at Comerica Park on July 19, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

The heavy lifters

Marcus Stroman

Blue Jays: ERA: 2.96     Record: 6-11     IP: 124.2     WHIP: 1.227     bWAR: 3.2    GS: 21 of 21

To begin the 2019 season, Marcus Stroman was the Toronto Blue Jays de-facto ace of the rotation. He would have a fantastic season at the front of the rotation, pitching to a 2.96 ERA while striking out 99 batters and being the Blue Jays only all-star in 2019.

Stroman and the Blue Jays management had a back and forth battle all season regarding his contract status and whether to extend the New York native, and this would eventually lead to Stroman being traded to the Mets a few days before the deadline. He will begin the 2020 season with the Mets, and will become a free agent at the end of the season.

Wilmer Font

Blue Jays: ERA: 3.66     Record: 2-3     IP: 39.1     WHIP: 1.144     bWAR: 0.9    GS: 14 of 23

Wilmer Font would be acquired by the Blue Jays midway through July from the New York Mets for cash considerations. Being used as both a starter and reliever throughout his career, Font would spend a few outings in the bullpen before being thrown into manager Charlie Montoyo’s opener strategy for most of August and September.

Font would never go on to pitch more than 2.1 innings when he started a game and would transition back to the bullpen in mid-September once the rosters expanded. For the 2020 season, Font is competing for a spot in the Blue Jays bullpen and the ‘opener’ strategy will most likely be a thing of the past given the recent rotation additions and young starting prospects in the minors.

Jacob Waguespack

ERA: 4.38     Record: 5-5     IP: 78.0     WHIP: 1.326     bWAR: 0.9    GS: 13 0f 16

The 6’6″ right-hander was acquired in 2018 in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies and would spend the rest of the season down in the minor leagues. When injuries arose on the MLB pitching corps, Jacob Waguespack would find himself starting for the Toronto Blue Jays and would have a successful season. He would go on to pitch to a 4.38 ERA with 63 strikeouts and a 1.326 WHIP while finishing the season as a starter on the Blue Jays roster.

For the 2020 season, Waguespack is currently in the mix for the 5th starting rotation spot on the MLB roster. If he were to lose the competition, the Blue Jays do plan to keep him stretched out as a starter in AAA Buffalo instead of moving him to the bullpen.

Clay Buchholz

ERA: 6.56     Record: 2-5     IP: 59.0     WHIP: 1.492     bWAR: -0.3    GS: 12 of 12

Clay Buchholz signed a 1-year contract with the Blue Jays during the 2019 spring training, a move that added some veteran presence on the young roster. He would start five games on the team before finding himself on the injured list (IL) due to right shoulder inflammation, going on to miss most of May, June, and July before returning to the rotation in late August.

Unable to shake the injury bug that has been dogging him the past few seasons, Buchholz became a free agent at the end of the season and is still a free agent to begin the 2020 season.

Home/Toronto Blue Jays News