Funky former Blue Jays pitcher lands with Brewers after stint overseas

It's been a tumultuous couple of years for Jacob Waguespack. The 32-year-old right handed reliever has been here, there and everywhere over the last four years. After making his big league debut for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019, Waguespack has been on a journey that he hopes is finally going more in a straight line after recently signing a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Brew Crew may also have a path to the big leagues for Waguespack after recently trading their Ace Freddy Peralta to the New York Mets, but it will take some work for
Waguespack to be playing at the big league level this year.

Funky former Blue Jays pitcher lands with Brewers after stint overseas

Waguespack was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 37th round of the 2012 MLB draft but did not sign. Instead, he signed as an amatuer free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2015. Three years later at the 2018 trade deadline, he was dealt to Toronto in exchange for Aaron Loup.

In Toronto, Waguespack got his first taste of big league action when he pitched in 16 games, including 13 starts. He compiled a 4.38 ERA over 78 innings pitched with a 1.33 WHIP and 4.91 FIP in 2019 at 25-years-old. The next season he got into 11 games and got knocked around hard with batters slashing .346/.422/.474 against him.

He pitched the entire next season in Triple-A Buffalo and had a very effective season. He started 10 games, and pitched in 24 total with a 2.86 ERA in 69.1 innings with 74 strikeouts and only allowed three home runs. But instead of competing for a big league spot the following year, he elected to play overseas. Waguespack played with the Orix Buffaloes in 2022 and 2023 and returned to the big leagues with the Rays in 2024.

That go-around lasted just four outings and he also remained in Triple-A in 2025, which was spent in the Rays and Phillies organizations. He looked to be on the right track last year, recording a combined 2.45 ERA in 33 innings with a 24.4% strikeout rate, but he also spent half the season on the injured list.

Now seemingly healthy, Waguespack figures to be competing for a spot in the Brewers bullpen for 2026 as the minor league deal includes a non-roster invitation to spring training. With the Brewers having an abundance of left handed relievers as part of their current bullpen mix, a righty like Waguespack could have an inside track to making the team. He offers a four-pitch mix that includes a four-seam fastball that sits at 93 mph, a cutter, a low-80s changeup and a curveball.

Waguespack is also out of options which could work in his favour if he makes it onto the 40-man roster. Should Milwaukee want to send him back to the minors they would need to expose him to waivers first.