Toronto Blue Jays sign left-handed relief pitcher
Photo credit: https://toronto.citynews.ca
The Evansville Otters have announced one of their pitchers had his contract purchased by the Toronto Blue Jays. Left-hander Grif Hughes was signed to an MiLB deal the team announced. The 23-year-old will report to the FCL Blue Jays to begin his career.
Last year was his professional debut season with the Otters where he pitched 44 innings across 36 games, allowing 17 walks while striking out 61. He posted a 3.07 ERA, allowing only 18 runs all season.
He posted a 3.07 ERA, allowing only 18 runs all season.
Hughes has been a reliable arm out of the bullpen for the Otters this season.
In 18.2 innings pitched, he carries a stat line of four wins and two losses to go with 28 strikeouts and three walks in 13 games. He has also posted a 2.89 ERA.
"Grif has put incredible work into his game over the last couple of years," Otters Field Manager Andy McCauley said. "We are incredibly proud and excited to see what is next for him."
A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Hughes pitched at Carson-Newman University, where he had a four-year ERA of 5.48, appearing in 63 games and striking out 147 batters in 120 innings of work.
Across 120 innings, the southpaw crafted a 1.400 WHIP while striking out batters at an 11.0 K/9 clip.
His senior campaign was his strongest, where he struck out 71 batters through 58 1/3 innings while posting a 3.86 ERA across 20 outings (five starts).
Following graduation, Hughes took his talents to independent ball, signing with the Evansville Otters in the Frontier League.
He would make 36 appearences for the Otters out of their bullpen, allowing just 15 earned runs through 44 innings of work to the tune of a 3.07 ERA and a 1.136 WHIP. He also posted a 6.8 H/9 and a 12.5 K/9 in his first year of independent ball.
Hughes returned to the Otters for the 2025 season and began the year on a hot note, striking out 28 batters through 13 outings and 18 2/3 innings.
He allowed just six earned runs and three walks (1.4 BB/9) during this span and was sitting at a 2.89 ERA before signing with the Jays.
Do you think left-hander Grif Hughes will make be a good edition to the Blue JAys Farm system?
Tell us what you think in the Poll below.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 20 | 130 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays sign left-handed relief pitcher Do you think left-hander Grif Hughes will make be a good edition to the Blue JAys Farm system? | ||
| Yes | 52 | 40 % |
| No | 20 | 15.4 % |
| Too early to tell | 58 | 44.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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