Blue Jays: Numerous pitchers standing out early in the AAA bullpen

Jeremy Beasley

While fans may remember Jeremy Beasley from last season (eight earned runs through 9.1 innings), the right-hander has found a groove early with the Bisons in 2022. He primarily works out of the bullpen in a long-relief role, with eight outings requiring him to go 2+ innings, but also has two starts on the year due to his past experience in the rotation.

Beasley did not give up his first earned run until his seventh outing on the year and currently leads all Bisons relief pitchers with 28 strikeouts on the season. A versatile pitcher who can give the team some innings if needed, I wonder if he can transition that success back to the big league level or will fans see him get hit around again like last season if he finds himself back on the active roster.

Graham Spraker

Reliever Graham Spraker has been on the radar of any Blue Jays fan who watches the club’s prospect system after his impressive 2021 campaign.

Spending most of the year in AA, Spraker impressed many when he finished the campaign with a 2.74 ERA through 42.2 innings of work, amassing a 13.1 K/9 and a 1.219 WHIP on the year. He did struggle a bit with the command and did have an elevated 4.9 BB/9 to finish out the season but didn’t slow down when he suited up in the Arizona Fall League, allowing just four hits through 11.1 innings with zero earned runs.

Starting the season with a promotion to AAA, Spraker has picked up right where he left off, owning a 2.89 ERA through 13 outings while allowing just six earned runs off nine hits. While he has been keeping runs off the board, his command is wilder than ever this year, allowing 19 free passes and sporting a 9.2 BB/9 through almost two months. This will obviously need to be reeled in before any potential promotion to the Blue Jays roster but once he can keep the walks in check, the sky is the limit.

Kyle Johnston

Acquired by the Blue Jays back at the 2019 trade deadline, right-hander Kyle Johnston has been quietly impressing since making the transition to being a full-time reliever.

While he still made nine starts last year, Johnston was impressive with both New Hampshire and Buffalo, owning a collective 1.57 ERA through 35 outings. Through 69.0 innings, the former Washington Nationals prospect amassed a 1.159 WHIP and 55 strikeouts compared to 29 walks, allowing only 12 earned runs on the season.

So far this season, the bullpen down in AAA for the Toronto Blue Jays owns a collective 2.86 ERA and has been impressive early on this year.

One positive note about the lockout this past offseason is that there was no Rule 5 Draft for eligible players of the Major League portion, as I truly believe that Johnston would have been picked up by another team since he was left off the Jays’ 40-man roster.

So far this year, the Texas product is currently tied with Matt Gage at 14 appearances on the season for the Bisons and has allowed just four earned runs through 17.2 outings. Similar to Gage and Hernandez, Johnston has been used primarily at the end of the game and pitching in high-leverage situations, which has earned him three saves on the year.

If he continues to pitch well and can bring the walks down from his current 4.1 BB/9, the Jays may have another solid bullpen arm down in Buffalo if the need arises.