Toronto Blue Jays: Prospect Drew Hutchison to Make Big League Debut on Saturday

In an unexpected move, the Blue Jays will promote 21-year-old right-hander Drew Hutchison from Double-A New Hampshire to make his big-league debut against the Royals on Saturday, reports Sportsnet’s Barry Davis.

Hutchison—the Blue Jays’ No. 6 prospect—was the team’s 15^th round draft pick out of high school in 2009.  After logging only 68.2 innings between two Class-A levels in his first professional season, the 6’2”, 165-pounder enjoyed a breakout season in 2011.

He began the year at Class-A and recorded a 6-2 record over 14 starts.  In 72 innings, the right-hander registered a 2.63 ERA and 1.96 FIP, as well as a 10.50 K/9 and 2.38 BB/9.  His excellent control and ability to pound the strike zone with three pitches pitches earned him a quick promotion to High-A, where it was more of the same: 62.1 IP, 2.74 ERA, 2.57 FIP, 9.53 K/9, 2.02 BB/9 in over 10 starts.

However, that wouldn’t be Hutchison’s final stop, as he received a final promotion to Double-A New Hampshire to finish the 2011 season.  He made three starts there, winning all of them, while posting a 1.20 ERA and 1.20 FIP over only 15 innings.  He posted a 12.60 K/9 rate and once again demonstrated advanced control, as he walked only two of the 56 batters he faced.

Back at Double-A New Hampshire to start the 2012 season, Hutchison picked up right where he left off, as the Florida native recorded a 2.16 ERA and 3.08 FIP over 16.2 innings prior to the news of his promotion.  Granted it’s a small sample, but the right-hander’s 6.48 K/9 and 1.62 BB/9 are consistent with his average minor league output.

Hutchison breezed through the Blue Jays’ system in 2011 thanks to his superb control and knack for generating weak contact.  He attacks opposing hitters with his 88-93 mph fastball, locating it on both sides of the plate and occasionally throwing a variation to generate more sink or cut.

His offspeed arsenal consists of an above-average changeup, which he throws with a similar arm speed, and a slider that lags behind.  Neither is a swing-and-miss pitch, per se, but his across-the-body delivery adds an element of deception to all his pitches, and causes his offspeed offerings to play above their actual grade.

The Blue Jays have been aggressive with their promotion of pitching prospects over the last several seasons, so the news that Hutchison has been called up shouldn't be too surprising.

But does the 21-year-old have the makeup and stuff to stick in the Blue Jays’ starting rotation? With only 234.2 minor-league innings under his belt, there’s no question that Hutchison would benefit from more seasoning, either at Double or Triple-A.

However, the right-hander is uncharacteristically polished for his age, and his command is yet to falter.  He’s been promoted to fill-out the back-end of the Blue Jays’ rotation, a role he’s much better suited for rather than a No. 2 or No. 3 starter—although that’s something that could happen in a few years.

Yet, in reality, Hutchison has the repertoire, movement and mindset to be successful as the Blue Jays’ No. 5 starter.  He gets ground balls and keeps the ball in the park well enough to keep a game within reach, though he’ll never be one to overpower hitters.  Don’t expect him to post the high strikeout rates that he has in the minors.  But his ability to change speeds and utilize every inch of the strike zone is very real, and should serve him well as he takes his game to the next level.