NEW JAYS’ PITCHER SHOWS PROGRESS

Right-handed pitcher Andrew Sopko may not be as highly touted as Ronny Brito, but clearly the Jays like what he brings to the table.

The Missoula, Mont. native was the Dodgers’ seventh-round pick in 2015 out of Gonzaga. He’s had a bit of an up-and-down minorleague career but did show signs of figuring things out in 2018. He started last season with the Advanced-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes where he went 3-4 with a 3.22 ERA in 12 starts. He was promoted to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers in June and posted a 3-1 record with a 3.88 ERA across 14 games to close out the season.

Sopko has posted a career minor league record of 27-17 while recording a 3.61 ERA and 363 strikeouts over 394.1 innings. His fastball sits in the low-90s and touches 95 mph, though he’s a fly ball hitter and that might not play well at the Rogers Centre if he ever makes it to the bigs. His primary off-speed pitch is a mid-70s, 12-6 curve ball. He also throws a change-up.

Another reason why Toronto GM Ross Atkins (and president Mark Shapiro), may like Sopko? He grew up a Cleveland Indians fan.