Yosver Zulueta first signed for $1 million in 2019. The Toronto Blue Jays No. 3 prospect, according to MLB.com, is quickly generating some buzz. He scaled Toronto’s minor league system last year, pitching at four different league levels. After injuries in 2020 and 2021, he stayed healthy in 2022, throwing 55 2/3 innings in his first professional season. Here’s what to know about one of the team’s top pitching prospects.
Yosver Zulueta Prospect Profile
Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 50
Zulueta’s Bad Luck Turned Good
The Blue Jays plucked Zulueta out of a showcase in the Dominican Republic. His stuffed play-up at the showcase, only until he was pitching with a tear in his elbow even though the Blue Jays were more impressed that he was touching 93-97 mph. Following Tommy John surgery and missing all of 2020, he quickly generated buzz ahead of Spring Training in 2021. Unfortunately, his bad luck resurfaced after he tore his ACL covering a base on his very first outing.
Finally, it all came together for him in 2022. He stayed in Single-A climbing all the way through four affiliates, ending his season in Buffalo. Early on, he worked between three and five innings which is common for traditional starters. When he moved up the ranks, the Blue Jays gave him shorter stints as a reliever. But, there’s still belief he could become a starter, especially with the arsenal he has. With a smooth, easy delivery equipped with explosive velocity, he accumulated a 3.72 ERA.
Early Impressions
Zulueta kicked off 2023 with a strong start in Triple-A Buffalo. In his opening start, the right-hander threw six strikeouts, with a walk, one hit and no earned runs in 3 innings. However, he struggled in his second start. The outing saw Zulueta go 3 innings, striking out two while giving up seven earned runs. Since those two starts, the Cuban went four consecutive appearances without giving a run. In 11 games, six of them starts, he’s 1-2 with a 4.37 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings.
Strengths
The Blue Jays have been encouraged by Zulueta’s control early this year. Through seven starts, 248 of his 457 pitches have been in the strike zone. His fastball remains one of the best pitches in the organization. Zulueta’s breaking ball has the stuff of potential to make him great. With a quality slider and changeup in his repertoire, it has remarkable snapping movement when it’s consistent. If he can throw his pitches where he wants to in the zone, he’ll have success.
Weaknesses
Zulueta’s curveball can be inconsistent at times. However, like his slider and changeup, it’s incredible when it’s on. The other weakness emerged in his last few starts in High-A. A lack of strikes and control, plus facing more experienced batters who were open to his stuff. Although, he still overpowered hitters in Double-A and Triple-A, striking out 30, but walked 18 batters. The other concern is his spotty health record with a lack of innings.
Starter or Reliever?
At 25 years old, Zulueta will make his big league debut sooner than later. He has near potential to be in the back of the bullpen. Although, developing him as a long-term starter means he needs to go deeper into his starts. As a starter this season, Zulueta threw 16 strikeouts with 13 hits, nine runs, eight earned in 15 innings. He also had a 9.6 SO/9 with a 1.23 SO/W.
As a reliever, Zulueta tossed ten strikeouts with four hits, five runs, and three earned in 7 2/3 innings. His 11.7 SO/9 and 1.23 SO/W slightly increase his reliever role compared to his starts. He has the stuff to be a dominant reliever, either ramping up to a starter’s innings or decreasing to a reliever’s role based on results and needs.
If he can find a way to dominate Triple-A as he did at the lower ranks, the Blue Jays might have an intriguing choice later this summer.
Photo Credit: © Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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