Blue Jays: Pitching prospects looking to bounce back in 2022

Yosver Zulueta

If you didn’t know who Yosver Zulueta was in 2020, you probably jumped all aboard the hype train regarding the Cuban-born right-hander in Spring Training last year. Zulueta impressed early this spring, utilizing an impressive fastball that can touch 99 MPH and showcasing a strong presence on the mound at just 23 years old.

Tommy John surgery delayed his professional debut with the Jays until this past season and Zulueta would begin the year in Low-A ball with the Dunedin Blue Jays. Beginning the year in the starting rotation, Zulueta’s season quickly came to an end after suffering a knee injury in his first start of the season when covering first base.

With so much excitement coming into the 2021 campaign, it is super disappointing that a freak injury delayed Zulueta’s first real season with the Blue Jays, especially after the Tommy John surgery already set him back. He should be healthy and ready to go for the 2022 campaign and the torn ACL should hopefully not impact his ability to get back on the mound and continue throwing the heat the organization is used to seeing.

The best thing the right-hander can do is come back this season and continue throwing the fastball with some strong velocity and keeps himself healthy, with the Jays most likely sending him back to A ball to get some innings under his belt and maybe a move to AA by the end of the year.