Better know your Blue Jays 40-man: Julian Merryweather

Julian Merryweather finally made it into a major league baseball game last year, at the age of 29.

You all know the story. He came to use in a hasty Josh Donaldson trade, that came on August 31st, 2018. Actually Julian was the player to be named later in that deal. Since then there have been some arm issues, but last year he pitched in 8 games and impressed us. But then averaging 96.9 MPH on the fastball will always impress me.

This spring he has been ‘dealing with some back tightness’, but he threw 2 innings in a simulated game yesterday. He should play in a spring game soon, from there they decide if he can be ready for opening day (and if they want him on the opening day roster.

Earlier in the winter, they talked about Merryweather working as a starter, but that seems to have disappeared. It looks like his spot will be the 2-3 inning reliever type. Well, likely, with Charlie, 2 innings at best, but in that kind of bridge role. He has the potential to be a setup guy, with his stuff, but let's just hope for a healthy season at this point. .

ZiPS has him pitching in 18 games, 15 starts, with a 5.06 ERA over 74 innings.

PECOTA has him making 57 relief appearances, 60 innings, 59 strikeouts, and a 4.05 ERA.

Given his injury history and the crowded nature of the Jays bullpen, I think 57 appearances is overly hopeful.