Blue Jays Promote Red-Hot Pitching Prospect


The Toronto Blue Jays' beleaguered bullpen is getting a new member, as they've called up red-hot pitching prospect Max Castillo from Triple-A Buffalo.

The 23-year-old right-hander doesn't have the premier prospect pedigree of some others in the organization, but he's been killing it in the minors this season. At Double-A New Hampshire, he sported a 3.10 ERA in six starts with a 10.9K/9. Promoted to Triple-A, he raised his play to another level, with a 0.66 ERA and a 0.73 WHIP in a combination starter-reliever role. In 27.1 innings, he allowed a measly 10 hits. 

His major league debut didn't go exactly as planned, as he surrendered back-to-back home runs to the first two batters he faced, Kyle Higashioka and Marwin Gonzalez. 

Right-hander Casey Lawrence was sent down to Buffalo to make room for Castillo. Lawrence is a 29-year-old who got into just 3 games for the Jays, allowing 3 earned runs in 7.1 innings. This was his first time back in the majors in four years, after previously getting into a handful of games in 2017 and 2018. 

The Jays' bullpen has had plenty of problems in recent days, and thus far, unfortunately, Castillo hasn't been the answer. 

Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports