Long-forgotten Blue Jays workhorse returns to Brewers on new deal

The days of the Toronto Blue Jays rebuilding years feels like a distant memory. That era between 2018-2020 when they were caught between trying to hold on to those playoff runs of 2015 and'16 and looking towards a future that was built around Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. During those days, many players came and went whose contributions feel forgotten in Blue Jays lore.

One of those players though has resurfaced with the hopes of once again pitching in the major leagues, and that's right-handed reliever Jacob Waguespack. His name popped up on the transactions log as he re-signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on a minor league deal. In an odd bit of business, Waguespack began the season in Milwaukee's system and was pitching at Triple-A Nashville before he was granted a release on May 4. However, ten days later he's back with the Brewers on a new minor league deal.

Blue Jays fans may remember the name because it's an odd name that stands out among the likes of players like Mark Rzepczynski, Eddie Zosky or Scott Diamond. Their name just stands out, regardless of what they did on the field or for the team. You don't see a Waguespack every day and it may be hard to remember what he did in a Blue Jays uniform since most of his work came in a relatively short stint in 2019.

But when he did go to work he ate a ton of innings for a Blue Jays team that was not very good. The team lost 95 games that season with 39 different pitchers logging some innings. The guy that logged the fifth most? Wageuspack, who racked up 78 innings in 16 games, including 13 starts. He finished with a 4.38 ERA, while getting 63 strikeouts. He had a 1.33 WHIP and kept hitters to a modest .249 batting average against.

Not awful numbers from the 25-year-old at the time, but once the pandemic hit and the Blue Jays were trying to round out into more of a contender, Waguespack's 8.15 ERA in 17.2 innings in 11 games during the COVID shortened season just wasn't going to cut it.

Waguespack trying to get back to the big leagues with Milwaukee

Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 37th round of the 2012 draft, just getting to the big leagues was a trememdous accomplishment for Waguespack. He ended up signing as an amatuer free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2015. Three years later he was dealt from the Phillies to the Blue Jays for reliever Aaron Loup.

After the 2020 season ended, it took him four years to get back to The Show. He was granted free agency in 2021, then played overseas in Japan for the next two seasons before he made four appearances with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024, pitching to a 5.40 ERA in those appearances, including one start.

The 32-year-old Waguespack was having a good start to the year in Triple-A where he posted a 2.25 ERA in 11 games out of Nashville's bullpen. In 16 innings he has 23 strikeouts, while allowing eight runs and 11 walks. He was averaging just 92 mph on his fastball while his cutter and changeup sat in the mid-80s.

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