Following up a masterful spring training debut on Tuesday, Blue Jays flamethrower Nate Pearson continued to baffle batters on Sunday.
In two innings of work against the Pirates, the 23-year-old faced a total of six hitters — striking out three, including major leaguers Josh Bell on a 99 mph fastball and Gregory Polanco — and topped out at 100 mph.
Spring is for lessons 📝
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) March 1, 2020
This one: @big_nate5 throws HEAT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AapVkzZwTg
Initially slotted to pitch only one inning, Pearson returned to the mound for another turn after throwing 12 pitches in the bottom of the fourth. His second inning of work was even quicker: eight pitches.
Nate Pearson's fourth inning: 12 pitches, two strikeouts, eight strikes. Hit 99 a handful of times.
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) March 1, 2020
Nate Pearson's fifth inning: Eight pitches, one strikeout, radar gun hit 100.
Boy Wonder is a sight to behold, folks.
Nate Pearson's fourth inning
| BATTER | OUT |
|---|---|
| Bryan Reynolds | Strikeout looking |
| Adam Frazier | Flew out to left |
| Josh Bell | Strikeout swinging |
Nate Pearson's fifth inning
| BATTER | OUT |
|---|---|
| Gregory Polanco | Strikeout swinging |
| Colin Moran | Flew out to right center |
| Jacob Stallings | Grounded out to third |
Toronto's first four starters are pretty much determined at this point with Hyun-Jin Ryu, Tanner Roark, Matt Shoemaker and Chase Anderson penciled in; however, the fifth spot appears to be open, and while there's been talk that Pearson may need some more time in the minors, he's putting on quite a show to sway management's mind. In three innings of work, he's faced nine batters and struck out six.