The Toronto Blue Jays select contract of 25th-ranked prospect, Lazaro Estrada

In the midst of a tear, the Toronto Blue Jays are set to bolster their bullpen with the addition of Cuban right-hander Lazaro Estrada. The corresponding move on Friday's transaction included the transfer of Anthony Santander to the 60-day IL, while Justin Bruihl was DFA'd. Estrada, ranked as the 25th best prospect in the system, has been a starting pitcher in his 15-game stint with the Triple-A Bisons.

Estrada is a prime example of why patience is crucial with a prospect, as his journey to the big leagues has been far from linear. After signing with the Blue Jays, the 26-year-old's road to the show began in 2019, where he pitched to the tune of a 5.85 ERA over 11 outings with the Bluefield Blue Jays.

While Estrada was looking to regain his stride the following season, a pandemic hit instead. Estrada only made it through seven outings in the 2021 season before he blew out his elbow, which resulted in a year-long recovery process filled with setbacks.

Once he made his return in 2022, he got into seven games with the Dunedin Blue Jays. In Florida, he pitched to a 2.93 ERA while striking out at an astounding rate of 14.1 K/9. The stint in Single-A proved plenty enough, so he was sent north of the border, to High-A Vancouver. At the time, Estrada was applying for U.S. residency and couldn’t leave the country, which led him to play another year in Dunedin. As a 24-year-old in a league with players younger than him, Estrada pitched to a 2.83 ERA in 76 innings with a 12.1 K/9.

2024 saw him break out while pitching to a 3.29 ERA over 22 starts between Dunedin, Vancouver, and Double-A New Hampshire. The call to Double-A after a short stint in Vancouver was evident, as he dropped jaws with a 1.96 ERA and an 11.9 K/9. The cherry on top of 2024 was the seven-inning no-hitter in Vancouver while fanning eight.

Estrada has made 15 starts for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons this year. He's put up a 4.75 ERA in 60.2 innings pitched, with a 25.3 K%, which further proves he's able to miss bats at each level. His season went off to a bit of a cold start, but he's been sharper as of late, improving to a 2.89 ERA in his last 10 starts.

He can thank his electric arsenal for the quick rise through the minors and prospect rankings. His four-pitch mix starts off with the rising fastball, which averages just 90-93 mph, but it has reached 96 mph. His elite fastball, although its speed is ordinary, is complemented by his hammer-like curveball. The high spin curveball averages mid-70 mph, while he also mixes in his above-average slider and splitter with late life thanks to a ton of induced vertical break.

A move to the bullpen as a long reliever seems like the most likely landing spot for Estrada. Eric Lauer improved to a 2.65 ERA last night with another stellar outing, and as long as Max Scherzer stays healthy, that spot will be filled, too. As well, Manoah, who'll be another option to start, is slowly ramping up.

The current state of the bullpen for the Toronto Blue is solid, but the addition of a reliable long man won't cause anyone, any harm.