Blue Jays: All Time Drafted and Developed Starting Pitchers

#4 Pat Hentgen

Pat Hentgen might have the best trophy case of any Blue Jay in their history which is pretty impressive for a guy selected in the fifth round.  In 1986, despite committing to a scholarship to Western Michigan University, the Blue Jays drafted Hentgen and were able to get him to forgo his education to commit to playing professional baseball.

Like many pitchers drafted out of high school, Hentgen had a slow climb through the minor league system as his first four years were spent at Single-A or below, however he was showing signs of being a star.  During the 1988 season, despite still being a teenager the 19-year old Hentgen logged 188 innings winning 11 games while posting a minuscule 2.35 ERA.

After spending his first four years in the lower tiers of the Blue Jays organization he climbed the next two seasons through AA and AA and at the age of 22 he made his first appearance with the Blue Jays in 1991.

During the legendary 1992 season when the Blue Jays won their first World Series, Hentgen pitched in 28 games during the regular season winning five games, unfortunately for him, he was left off the postseason roster.  Hentgen’s legend status started to grow in 1993 as he led the rotation in wins (19), ERA (3.87), and WHIP (1.33).  He also picked up the win in Game 3 of the World Series after throwing six innings of 1 run baseball.

Hentgen would have eight consecutive seasons of double-digit win seasons, which included his remarkable 1996 season that saw him go 20-10 with a 3.22 ERA.  He would lead the league in complete games, shutouts, and innings pitched on his way to the first-ever Cy Young Award by a Blue Jays pitcher.  He was named a Blue Jay All-Star three times and finished with a record of 107-85 which ranks him fifth all-time for a Toronto Blue Jay.  Hentgen is the only Blue Jays pitcher to win both the Cy Young Award (1996) and World Series (1993) with the Blue Jays.