Toronto Blue Jays left-hander will make MLB history in 2026 MLB debut
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Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Adam Macko is on the verge of making history, set to become the first player raised in Slovakia to appear in a Major League Baseball game.
Adam Macko was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Vauxhall High School.
His path to professional baseball has been anything but conventional: born in Slovakia, raised in Ireland, and developed as a high school player in Canada.
Despite that international upbringing, Macko is slated to represent Canada at the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
The early stages of his professional career were derailed by injuries.
Across his first four seasons — one of which was lost to the pandemic — Macko logged just 95 total innings.
That stretch came to an end following the 2022 season, when he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays alongside Erik Swanson in exchange for Teoscar Hernández.
Macko spent his first full season in the Blue Jays organization with the High-A Vancouver Canadians in 2023.
Over 86 innings, he posted a 4.81 ERA and a 3.97 FIP, striking out 28.5 percent of opposing hitters while walking 10.8 percent.
Given his long-standing command issues, the reduction in walk rate was an encouraging sign, as was the fact that he nearly matched his career innings total from his first four seasons combined.
The 2024 season proved more uneven. Pitching primarily at Double-A, Macko recorded a 4.87 ERA and 3.72 FIP across 81.1 innings, with a 26.4 percent strikeout rate and an improved 8.8 percent walk rate.
He also made three rehab starts at Single-A and appeared briefly with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
Adam Macko will make history if he reaches the big leagues as the first player raised in Slovakia to play in MLB.
After missing the start of the 2025 season following knee surgery, Macko returned to Triple-A in early June.
His initial results as a starter were underwhelming, prompting a move to the bullpen, where his performance improved.
Working with a four-pitch mix — highlighted by a slider and curveball that both grade as above-average — Macko’s fastball typically sat at 92–94 mph as a starter.
Control and command have long trailed behind the quality of his raw stuff.
The shift to relief paid dividends.
The shift to relief paid dividends.
Macko added nearly a full mile per hour to his fastball, attacked the strike zone more consistently, and induced more chases, even with his heater.
He finished the season on a strong note, posting a 3.00 ERA and 4.57 FIP over his final 11 appearances, totaling 39 innings.
While his walk rate during that stretch remained elevated at 11.9 percent, he paired it with a solid 27 percent strikeout rate, making the overall finish a positive development.
Macko is expected to make his MLB debut this season. When he does, he’ll become the first player raised in Slovakia to reach the majors, and the first Slovakian-born big leaguer since 1961 — a milestone moment for both the pitcher and the sport’s global reach.
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FEVRIER 9|81 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays left-hander will make MLB history in 2026 MLB debut Do you think Adam Macko make his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2026? | ||
| Yes | 48 | 59.3 % |
| No | 33 | 40.7 % |
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