Pat Venditte

Few players are as interesting as Venditte, the switch-pitcher, who logged hundreds of innings in the minors before finally getting the call-up to the big leagues. Last season, he split his time between Triple-A Nashville and the A’s in addition to making a few rehab appearances for High-A Stockton. In Triple-A, Venditte’s ability to always get the better matchup led to great numbers, posting a 1.55 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP in 40.2 innings. In the big leagues, his mid-80s fastball and barely 60 mph slider was exposed a bit more, which led him to a 4.40 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP in 28.2 innings. Venditte was picked off waivers in October from the A’s and should provide more options in the Blue Jays bullpen depth. He’ll likely start the season in Triple-A and his ability to dominate Triple-A hitting could lead him to returning to the big leagues sooner rather than later.