Blue Jays bring back former top pitching prospect on minor league deal

The Jays add some more pitching depth with the reunion with a former top prospect

Mar 6, 2021; Dunedin, Florida, USA; A detailed view of the Toronto Blue Jays logo on a building at TD Ballpark during the spring training game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
Mar 6, 2021; Dunedin, Florida, USA; A detailed view of the Toronto Blue Jays logo on a building at TD Ballpark during the spring training game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images | Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

With pitching depth being one of the main focus of the Toronto Blue Jays this offseason, they have decided to bring back one of their former top pitching prospects to help out with the cause.

On Friday, it was announced that the Jays have signed right-handed pitcher Eric Pardinho to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training.

Blue Jays bring back former top pitching prospect on minor league deal

Pardinho was actually a pitching prospect that once ranked as high as No. 5 on the Jays’ top prospects list back in 2019, according to MLB Pipeline. However, a slew of injuries derailed the once-promising right-hander, who has been working hard to get back into the picture the past few seasons. But at just 23 years old, time is still on his side to get his professional baseball career back on track.

Last season, Pardinho began the year strong with the Jays’ Double-A affiliate New Hampshire where he posted a stellar 1.01 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, giving up just three earned runs with 10 walks and 37 strikeouts in just 26.2 innings pitched. That elite performance earned him a much-deserving promotion to Buffalo midway through 2024.  

Pardinho struggled at first after making the move to the Triple-A level. However, once he got comfortable with the new level of challenge, he became a beast for Buffalo down the stretch, compiling a 0.00 ERA, giving up just seven hits, one walk and 15 strikeouts in 12 innings of work over his final 10 appearances. Overall, Pardinho compiled a solid 2-1 record with a 3.25 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, together with 28 walks and 66 strikeouts in 55.1 innings pitched over 45 total games played in 2024. Despite the strong showing, he surprisingly entered free agency upon the conclusion of the season.

But more than likely it was his maturity in making the right adjustments during the final month of his minor league season that caught the Jays’ attention. As a result of the convincing performance, it has earned him another potential shot at the big leagues with the organization.

With the Jays undergoing a massive overhaul of their bullpen for the 2025 season, don’t be surprised if we end up seeing Pardinho suit up for Toronto for his MLB debut at some point in the upcoming year. Especially if he has a strong showing during his highly-anticipated audition in Spring Training.

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