Better Know Your Blue Jays 40-man: Taylor Guerrieri

If you are like me, you forgot the Blue Jays picked up Taylor Guerrieri, back in early November, off waivers from the Rays,.

Guerrieri had been a top prospect. He was 62nd on Baseball America’s top MLB prospects back in 2013.

He’s had injury issues. He missed most of last year with an elbow injury. Before that, he had Tommy John surgery in 2013. He also missed time for a suspension for using a ‘substance of abuse’.

All that helps explain why he’s 25 and hasn’t yet pitched in the MLB.

When he has pitched, he has been good. In 6 minor league seasons, he has a 2.51 ERA in 81 games, 77 starts. In 361.2 innings, he’s allowed 298 hits, 18 homers, 86 walks and 279 strikeouts.

He has a low-90s fastball, slider, curve and change up.

I’m wondering what the plan is for Taylor. I’m thinking they might be planning on trying him as reliever. The seem to have a number of pitchers for the starting rotation in Buffalo and working out of the pen would be easier on his elbow.

If the Jays decide to have Joe Biagini start the season in the Bisons’ rotation, there might be an open spot for a long reliever type in the majors.

I kind of like the idea, if he was just throwing a couple of innings at a time, Taylor would gain a little on his fastball. And, well, he’s been trying to make it as a starter for years now and it hasn’t worked out.