Throughout Pearson’s appearance, there was some debate around the ballpark whether the stadium’s radar gun might be off, as Pearson hit 99 MPH with regularity. His upper-80s slider, much like his heater, is the best in Toronto's system and highly effective against hitters on both sides of the plate thanks to its late, glove-side action.
The crowd breaks out in cheers after Nate Pearson hits 100 MPH on the stadium radar gun. Pearson continued to thrive in his pro debut, turning in a lights-out performance across two levels, though he's been plagued by injuries in 2018. While he famously hit 104 mph during a one-inning, 2018 AFL Fall Stars Game outing, Pearson's explosive fastball usually sits in the 98-101 mph range as a starter.
).Pearson features front-of-the-rotation stuff when he's healthy, including the best fastball and slider in Toronto's system. That’s insane, so say the least.Pearson faced six batters and struck out three of them over two innings of work for the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays ended up selecting Pearson 28th overall with the second of their two first-round picks, then signed him for slightly above slot value at $2,452,900.
The performance, along with a heavily scouted bullpen session in late May, during which he hit 102 mph, gave the right-hander some serious helium ahead of the 2017 Draft. His slider, similarly, was never thrown harder than 87 mph and usually was 83-85. It’s only been a full week of spring training games, but the 23-year-old is already turning heads around the Grapefruit League.Pearson fooled Bell with this pitch; an 89 MPH changeup at the bottom of the strike zone.
Unfortunately, during his High A debut for the Dunedin Blue Jays, he was struck by a line drive that fractured his right forearm and sidelined him for the 2018 season.
1 ranked prospect and No. All eyes were on the towering 6-foot-6 pitcher as he dominated the Pirates lineup.
He can maintain an upper-90s fastball deep into games, repeatedly climbing into triple digits.
But then he added some extra gas to deliver some triple-digit heat to Colin Moran.Nate Pearson isn’t just the Toronto Blue Jays’ top prospect, he’s one of the best prospects in all of baseball.
3 starter, perhaps more if he can improve his secondaries and overall command.Pearson's Draft stock exploded in the weeks prior to the 2017 Draft after the right-hander hit 102 mph during a heavily scouted bullpen session.