Blue Jays: How the prospects from the 2015 trade deadline have fared

July 31st

To the Blue Jays: RHP Mark Lowe

To the Mariners: LHP Rob Rassmussen, LHP Jake Brentz, and LHP Nick Wells

LHP Rob Rassmussen

Acquired from the Phillies alongside catcher Erik Kratz in exchange for pitcher Brad Lincoln back in the 2013/2014 offseason, southpaw Rob Rassmussen rode the options train quite a few times during his tenure with the Blue Jays. Over the course of 1.5 seasons on the Blue Jays active roster, Rassmussen would pitch well given the small sample size, earning a 2.92 ERA through 12.1 innings of work with 14 strikeouts.

That success would not translate to the Mariners, where the lefty would pitch to a 10.67 ERA through 19 outings before being designated for assignment the following offseason. The Los Angeles Angels would claim him off of waivers but the relief pitcher decided the following Spring Training to retire, heading back to Southern California to finish his schooling at UCLA and was on track to pursue a Masters of Business Administration.

LHP Jake Brentz

Drafted by the Blue Jays in the 11th round of the 2013 MLB Draft, Jake Brentz was grinding away in the minor leagues when he was dealt to the Mariners. He was with the Bluefield Blue Jays in Rooke League ball at the time.

Brentz would spend the 2016 season in the Mariners minor league system before being part of a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, his home for the next three seasons. He would be released from the Pirates organization in August of 2019 and would join the Kansas City Royals on a minor league deal shortly after.

The lefty relief pitcher would join the Royals alternate training site for the 2020 campaign and would make his Major League debut this season, appearing in 72 games for the Royals, sporting an impressive 3.66 ERA through 64.0 innings with 76 strikeouts, 37 walks, and a 1.28 WHIP while holding opponents to a 1.97 batting average with two saves.

Look for Brentz to be a major factor in the Royals bullpen next year as well, as the Missouri product led all Royals pitchers in terms of appearances this season.

LHP Nick Wells

A third-round draft pick of the Blue Jays back in 2014, Nick Wells was pitching in Rookie League ball at the time of the Mariners trade and only had just over a year of pro ball experience at just 19 years old.

Wells would spend the next four years in the Mariners minor league system before being traded to the Washington Nationals in May of 2019. This past season, Wells split his time between AA and AAA within the Nats farm system, finishing the 2021 campaign with a 4.96 ERA through 32 relief appearances.