Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Pitchers of the Month - May 2026

[Simon Li]

The Blue Jays' major league pitching staff has been excellent, but it has also been decimated by injuries. These were the minor league system’s pitching standouts for the month of May. Some of them could eventually come up to Toronto as potential replacements for the Jays, while others are arms that fans can look forward to watching in years to come. 

Honourable Mention: RHP Jack Nedrow 

• May Stats: 2 GS (4 G), 21 IP, 1.71 IP, 3.81 FIP, 20.0 K%, 7.5 BB% (Dunedin Blue Jays)

Signed out of Indy Ball after the Jays' pitching depth was decimated by injuries, Jack Nedrow immediately pitched well for Dunedin, and despite the lack of strikeout stuff, he was able to limit runs. He allowed only four runs in the four appearances he made and averaged over five innings per appearance. The 23-year-old may not reach the major leagues, but he is providing useful innings down on the farm. 

Honourable Mention: RHP Aaron Munson

• May Stats: 15.0 IP, 3.94 ERA, 4.06 FIP, 26.3 K%, 7.9 BB% (New Hampshire Fisher Cats)

Aaron Munson made six straight scoreless appearances, but a rough few outings to end the month ballooned his ERA. Munson still deserved to be honoured for strong pitching during this stretch, and he’s shown the capability to throw multiple innings while still pitching effectively. He’s been an interesting arm despite being drafted in the 19th round back in 2023. 

Honourable Mention: RHP Jake Bloss

• May Stats: 4 GS, 11.2 IP, 3.86 ERA, 4.72 FIP, 32.7 K%, 2 BB% (Florida Complex League, Dunedin Blue Jays)

Jake Bloss returned on a rehab assignment after missing nearly the entirety of the 2025 season due to elbow surgery. The righty looked sharp upon returning, sitting in the mid-to-upper 90s with his fastball and striking out over 32 percent of the batters that he faced, only walking one. He had a rough last start on the 30th, as he’s still shaking off some of the rust, but Bloss could provide useful reinforcement to a hurting Jays pitching staff. 

Honourable Mention: RHP Dylan Watts

• May Stats: 3 GS, 20 IP, 3.15 ERA, 3.86 FIP, 21 K%, 6,2 BB% (Dunedin Blue Jays)

The 2025 seventh-rounder has had himself a mini breakout in his first professional season for the Blue Jays. Dylan Watts didn't generate as many strikeouts as he did in April, but the righty is still sitting 95 mph with his fastball and was effective in each May appearance, capped off by 5.1 no-hit innings that earned him Florida State League Pitcher of the Week honours. 

No. 5: LHP Josh Fleming 

• May Stats: 4 GS, 23 ⅔ IP, 1.90 ERA, 3.69 FIP, 17.2 K%, 4.0 BB% (Buffalo Bisons)

Josh Fleming struggled in his one appearance for the Blue Jays, but after getting outrighted and re-signed to a minor league deal, he’s been stretched out and has pitched well as a starter for the Bisons. His stuff might not be major league quality, but he provides value for the Jays as depth, as well as having the ability to eat innings for a young staff down in Buffalo. 

No. 4: LHP Johnny King 

• May Stats: 5 GS, 18 ⅓ IP, 3.44 ERA, 4.06 FIP, 29.4 K%, 15.3 BB% (Vancouver Canadians)

Johnny King looked like he would be the number one pitcher in the Jays' minor league system for the month of May before a blowup start against Spokane in his penultimate game of the month. The rest of the month was so excellent that he made the list anyway, but King’s command issues have popped up here and there to ruin otherwise excellent pitching. 

No. 3: RHP Carson Messina 

• May Stats: 3 GS, 12 IP, 2.25 ERA, 3.42 FIP, 28.9 K%, 13.3 BB% (Florida Complex League)

Carson Messina, younger brother of Rockies prospect Cole Messina, pitched just two innings in 2025 before getting shut down for the season. The righty already displayed upper echelon velocity and has touched 99 mph multiple times with his fastball so far this season. He’s still on a rehab assignment, but he’ll return to Dunedin soon. 

No. 2: RHP Gage Stanifer

• May Stats: 4 GS, 19 ⅔ IP, 1.37 ERA, 3.73 FIP, 23.2 K%, 11.0 BB% (New Hampshire Fisher Cats)

Gage Stanifer had a rough start to the season, in large part due to poor command, as he walked over 18% of the batters that he faced. He lowered that to 11% percent in May, and although his strikeout rate also dipped in turn, he was much more effective. If Stanifer can figure out a way to generate strikeouts while keeping the walks down, he’ll be up in the majors sooner than later. 

No. 1: RHP Nolan Perry

• May Stats: 5 GS, 25 IP, 1.08 ERA, 2.67 FIP, 41.7 K%, 9.4 BB% (Vancouver Canadians)

Nolan Perry’s breakout campaign carried over even after getting promoted to High-A Vancouver. The 2022 12th-rounder didn’t miss a beat, as he continued to strike out over 40% of the batters that he faced while walking less than 10%. He gave up just three earned runs on the month, going five innings or more in four of his five starts. The righty relies heavily on his high-riding fastball that sits in the mid-90s, as well as two distinct breaking balls. He also has developed a solid feel for a newfound splitter that he’s using to great effectiveness against lefty hitters. He’s going to be the Jays’ next big pitching prospect and should be a fixture on top 100 lists. This is his second month straight as Jays Centre's Minor League Pitcher of the Month!

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