Blue Jays 2024 Season Preview: Starting Pitchers

With pitchers and catchers set to report on Feb. 15, we take a look at the Toronto Blue Jays starting pitchers, with most of the incumbents and a fresh face poised to compete for innings next season.
Wild Card Series - Toronto Blue Jays v Minnesota Twins - Game One
Wild Card Series - Toronto Blue Jays v Minnesota Twins - Game One / Stephen Maturen/GettyImages
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Adam Macko

Adam Macko was the headliner of the Erik Swanson trade in the winter of 2022-2023. When Toronto traded Teoscar Hernandez to the Seattle Mariners, they received Adam Macko and Erik Swanson from the Al West denizens. Erik Swanson has been a monster pickup for Toronto, pitching to a 2.97 ERA over 66.2 innings in 2023.

Macko has yet to pitch in the majors, having logged four seasons in the minors. He made it to the A+ level of the Vancouver Canadians in 2023, going 5-5 with a 4.81 ERA in 86 innings. When examining the projections, ZiPS forecast a notable jump in one important statistical category. For a pitcher who has never given up more than seven home runs in any year, they predict he will yield 11 in 2024.

Similar to Parsons, it's unclear if Toronto views him as starting or relief depth. Macko can clearly throw strikes, but it seems like he will need to improve his command as he climbs the minor league ladder. He issued twice as many walks in 2023 as his innings total climbed. Walking batters is a recipe for disaster in any role, especially in the bullpen when you are charged with getting big outs. Macko can be an important piece down the road as he still has multiple years of control remaining.