Top Jays prospect Pearson hoping to build off strong start
TRENTON » The challenge for Nate Pearson this season has been overcoming injuries and harnessing his immense talent with consistency — all while shouldering the weight of being one of baseball’s top prospects.
With a fellow top minor-league arm on the hill Thursday night, Pearson rose to the occasion in what Blue Jays fans can only hope will serve as a turning point.
The hard-throwing righthander set season highs in innings (five) and total pitches (87) as he held Scranton scoreless while fanning six hitters in a 10-0 Bisons victory during Game 2 of a doubleheader.
“This was definitely my best outing of the year,” said Pearson, who is rated by MLB Pipeline as Toronto’s No. 1 prospect. “Obviously I think I could do a lot better. But it was a good first step in the right direction and I’ve just got to build off this now.”
While navigating those 15 outs, Pearson allowed just one extra-base hit, two singles and three walks. He generated eight swing-and-misses, kept hitters off-balanced and buckled down in big spots.
In the top of the second, Pearson
stranded runners at second and third by sending down Hopewell native Brandon Wagner with a sharp curveball on the outside corner. That performance came two at-bats after he overpowered Derek Dietrich with a 100 mph fastball.
The encouraging effort lowered Pearson’s season ERA (including one start in the majors) to 5.30.
“I think it was more of a mentality thing ... not trying to be too fine,” Pearson said. “I think it’s only going to get better.”
Inefficiency and command issues had plagued Pearson. Injuries, at least in part, have likely contributed because they disrupted his daily routines. He missed most of spring training with a right abductor strain and then skipped a turn in Buffalo’s rotation in midMay because of a mild right shoulder impingement.
“I think it just goes back to not having that proper build-up right
away, obviously missing spring training, missing that game atmosphere and having to rehab,” Pearson said. “I feel like I just got a little delayed, but I’m hitting my stride. It’s so early in the year still. It’s just all about building consistency here now and diving into my work ethic, my side (sessions), my bullpens and everything and throwing program. I think the rest will take care of itself.”
Pearson’s dominance was particularly noteworthy on a night when Deivi Garcia, the Yankees’ No 3 prospect, was erratic. The righty lasted only two-plus innings while surrendering five runs on five hits and three walks. He threw just 34 strikes on 63 pitches and only struck out two hitters.
Garcia, as Trenton fans know, became a household name with the Thunder in 2019 as he struck out 87 batters in 53.2 innings, including a 15-strikeout game.