The Toronto Blue Jays addressed a major organizational need with the selection of college pitcher T.J. Zeuch in the first round of the 2016 draft.
The club dealt away several pitching prospects last season, including Jeff Hoffman, Daniel Norris, and Matt Boyd, in various mid-season trades that helped the Blue Jays end their 22-year post-season drought. As a result, they needed to re-stock the system.
With that in mind, here is the lowdown on the Blue Jays’ new pitcher and what Zeuch can bring to the organization.
Name: T.J. Zeuch
From: Mason, Ohio
Age: 20 (turns 21 in August)
Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 225 pounds
Twitter: @TjBigZ2zeuch
IMPROVED VELOCITY
Zeuch made 10 starts for the Pittsburgh Panthers last season as the staff ace, going 6-1 with a 3.10 ERA, 74 strikeouts and 19 walks in 69.2 innings, but the most notable development over his college career was his uptick in velocity.
He got bigger and stronger, which helped boost his fastball from the 88-91 mph range in high school to up to the 93-95 mph range. The right-hander can reportedly top out at 96 or 97.
“The strength and conditioning program at Pitt, as well as the throwing program there… they do a tremendous job with pitchers,” he told Chris Cotilo of SB Nation’s MLB Daily Dish earlier this week. “I’ve built a lot of arm strength along with the rest of my body, especially my legs. I think that’s helped me a ton with gaining velocity and maintaining that velocity.”
Zeuch’s college coach, Joe Jordano, said the right-hander was one of the most diligent workers he has ever coached and that his positive attitude stood out among his college teammates.
The 20-year-old developed into the one of the most successful pitchers in the program’s history, serving as the club’s top pitcher for most of his college career, and he left the school on a high note with a career-best 12 strikeouts, tying a Charles L. Cost Field record, in his final appearance with Pitt on May 19.
PHYSICALLY IMPOSING ON THE MOUND:
Zeuch has impressive size and command on the mound and offers an arsenal of pitches that includes a slider and a curveball.
He throws downhill with a lot of movement on his fastball and pretty reliable command (as evidenced by his low walk totals) that can be tough on opposing hitters.
“I’m very upright, the way I carry myself is very confident,” Zeuch told SB Nation. “I think sometimes a guy my size who is throwing as hard as I do… when hitters see a pitcher like that carry himself with that confidence, I think that might be a little intimidating for some guys. I think for the most part, I would have to agree it’s my frame and size.”
COMPARES FAVOURABLY TO A TOP PITCHER:
The Blue Jays prospect has a physical resemblance to three-time all-star Adam Wainwright.
They have a similar build, at 6-foot-7, a similar delivery, and a comparable repertoire with a tailing fastball.
In his inital conference call with Blue Jays reporters, Zeuch acknowledged that he studies Wainwright closely and watches him pitch consistently.
Wainwright has pitched over 1,674 innings across 11 big-league seasons and has appeared in multiple World Series, so the Blue Jays are hoping they can get anything close to that.
HAS THE BLOODLINES
Zeuch’s father, Tim, played professionally in the minor leagues for the Kansas City Royals.
“He let me find my own way, find the game for myself,” Zeuch told reporters after he was drafted. “Once I found it I fell in love with it. He’s been with me every step of the way, pushing me in the right direction, pushing me to do the right things to ultimately reach this goal.”
T.J. followed his father’s footsteps, as he was initially drafted by the Royals in the 31st round of the 2013 draft coming out of high school with a 14-3 record and 137 strikeouts.
However, Zeuch did not sign with Kansas City and attended the University of Pittsburgh instead.
