In a move that might raise some eyebrows, the Toronto Blue Jays have inked a minor league deal with left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming, signaling a potential shake-up in their pitching strategy. But here's where it gets interesting: Fleming, a 29-year-old southpaw, isn't exactly coming off a stellar season. According to ESPN's Alden González, the Blue Jays have extended a non-roster invitation to Spring Training for Fleming, who spent last year with the Mariners' Triple-A team. And this is the part most people miss: despite a lackluster 4.91 ERA over 84 1/3 innings, Fleming's ground-ball rate of 57.8% is nothing to sneeze at—though his 11.5% strikeout rate was among the lowest in Triple-A for pitchers with at least 50 innings. Is this a smart gamble by the Blue Jays, or a recipe for disappointment?
Fleming, a former fifth-round pick by the Rays, relies heavily on his sinker, which barely touches 90 MPH, complemented by a cutter, changeup, and curveball. His career has been largely spent in the AL East, pitching for Tampa Bay from 2020 to 2023 and briefly with the Pirates in '24. Across 254 2/3 major league innings, he's posted a 4.77 ERA, mirroring his Triple-A performance with a high ground-ball rate but minimal strikeouts. But here's the controversial question: Can a pitcher with such a low strikeout rate truly thrive in today's power-hitting era?
For now, Fleming is expected to start the season at Triple-A Buffalo, likely serving as long relief depth. And this is where it gets even more intriguing: could this be a strategic move by the Blue Jays to bolster their bullpen options, or are they simply taking a low-risk chance on a player with untapped potential? What do you think? Is Fleming a hidden gem or a risky bet? Let us know in the comments!
