Blue Jays invite a pitcher with big swing-and-miss stuff to Spring Training

The Toronto Blue Jays have one of the longest lists of non-roster invites to spring training this year, including notable players such as top prospect Arjun Nimmala and a former Silver Slugger winner Eloy Jiménez.

That list expanded prior to pitchers and catchers reporting, as the team added right-handed reliever Nate Garkow (and pitcher Tanner Andrews) to their official NRI group.

Garkow, 28, signed with the Blue Jays out of independent ball during the 2024 season. He has spent the last year and a half steadily climbing the minor-league ranks, reaching Double-A in 2025.

Nate Garkow brings tantalizing production to Blue Jays' spring camp

A three-pitch pitcher, Garkow is revered for his changeup, which has received positive grades across the board. His other offerings (a low-90s fastball and a slider) aren't quite as big-league ready, but that hasn't stopped him from dominating the minors.

Though he only completed 24 innings in 2024 after signing, he surrendered a scant 1.88 ERA (2.74 FIP). He struck out opposing hitters 36.6% of the time, which was more than good enough to mitigate the traffic on the basepaths created by his 11.8% walk rate.

He began last year in High-A Vancouver and continued to do his thing, amassing a ridiculous 17.28 K/9. After a mid-season promotion to New Hampshire, the right-hander ended the 2025 campaign with a 38.7% strikeout rate.

There are prevailing concerns about his command — as he's moved up various levels, free passes have become a bigger and bigger issue. Garkow's walk rate spiked to 14.0% last season, which won't be playable against MLB hitters with a better knack for the strike zone.

Still, anyone who is striking out nearly four in every ten batters they see is worthy of a look in spring training, especially since Garkow also excels at limiting hard contact (he allowed a .153 opponent's batting average last year). If he can simply improve upon his 45.5% first-strike percentage, he could become a serious weapon out of the bullpen.

Though a spot in the big-league bullpen is probably out of the question, the 28-year-old could make the jump to Triple-A with a strong performance during the spring exhibition slate. Fans will first have a chance to see Garkow pitch when the Blue Jays open spring training against the Philadelphia Phillies on February 21.