Nate Pearson made his third spring training appearance on Saturday against the Boston Red Sox.
After throwing two scoreless innings last week, Pearson again tossed two scoreless innings, striking out three Red Sox and giving up zero hits.
The Blue Jays phenom pitched the fifth and sixth innings, striking out three Red Sox including veterans Mitch Moreland and Jonathan Lucroy. All three punchouts came on his overpowering fastball.
Can we get some 🔥 for @big_nate5?
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) March 7, 2020
His day: 2 IP, 0 H, 3 Ks 😯 pic.twitter.com/a0TdqAaJ1V
Pearson threw 27 pitches and managed to get out of a jam in the fifth inning after walking Boston catcher Christian Vazquez and first baseman Bobby Dalmec with one out.
Facing a precarious situation, the 23-year-old got second baseman Jonathan Arauz to fly out to center and center fielder Rusney Castillo to ground out to second to end the inning.
The right-hander has now pitched five hitless innings, recording nine strikeouts in spring training so far.
Pearson continues to build his case to earn the final starting rotation spot for the start of the season on March 26. The first four spots in the rotation look secured in Hyun-Jin Ryu, Tanner Roark, Chase Anderson and Matt Shoemaker.
Even if Pearson begins the season in Triple-A, he shouldn't be there long as he looks primed to join the young nucleus of infielders Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Cavan Biggio and Bo Bichette in Toronto.