Eric Pardinho

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #25 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Pardinho was the top pitching prospect in the 2017 international class when the Blue Jays signed him out of Brazil at 16 for $1.4 million. He was outstanding in his pro debut in 2018, when he picked apart Rookie-level Appalachian League hitters with pitchability beyond his years. Pardinho didn’t pitch much due to a sore elbow in 2019, he had Tommy John surgery in 2020 and threw just three innings in 2021 because of setbacks in his rehab.
  
  Scouting Report: There’s little to go off from the last two years with Pardinho because of his health issues, and when he was on the field in 2019, his stuff had dropped off. That could have been because Pardinho was pitching at less than full strength, so there’s hope his stuff can return to what he had shown at his best. That version of Pardinho pounded the strike zone with a low-90s fastball that touched 96 mph, flashed a plus curveball, showed a slider that could develop into another swing-and-miss pitch and had feel for a changeup as well.
  
  The Future: Pardinho has the repertoire and control to start, but his durability issues create a huge amount of doubt about his future and whether he can hold up in that role. The 2022 season will be critical for him to stay healthy and bounce back.
  
• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #15 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: The top international pitching prospect in 2017, Pardinho signed with the Blue Jays out of Brazil for $1.4 million. He got off to a terrific start in his pro debut, skipping two levels and showing his polish in the Rookie-level Appalachian League as a 17-year-old. Pardinho battled a sore right elbow the following year and didn't have the same stuff or success when he returned. He eventually had Tommy John surgery in Feb. 2020 and spent the year rehabbing in Florida.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: When Pardinho was at his best in 2018, he sat in the low 90s and touched 96 mph. He complemented his heater with a curveball that flashed plus to get swings and misses and a slider that could develop into another above-average pitch. But when Pardinho returned to the mound after his elbow soreness in 2019, his stuff was not as crisp, with his velocity in the 88-92 mph range and his breaking stuff lacking its usual bite. He has shown feel for a changeup, though he hasn't been able to use it much. With Pardinho having surgery, there's reason to believe he wasn't 100% when he came back to pitch in 2019, and there's a chance his stuff will rebound once he's fully rehabbed. He has solid control from a smooth, easy delivery and a good arm action.
  
  THE FUTURE: Pardinho is set to return in the middle of the 2021 season. His outlook depends on what his stuff looks like when he returns.
• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #15 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Pardinho was the best pitching prospect in the 2017 international class when he signed with the Blue Jays out of Brazil for $1.4 million. He showed why international scouts raved about his polish, skipping two levels to the Rookie-level Appalachian League in his pro debut and dominating there in 2018. His 2019 season was a disappointment, however, as a sore right elbow prevented him from pitching until June 26. When he returned, his stuff wasn't as explosive as it was the previous year. Pardinho now will miss the entire 2020 season after having Tommy John surgery in February.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: With a small, compact frame, Pardinho has a free-and-easy delivery with smooth arm action, but he mostly worked at 88-92 mph in 2019, down from the previous year when he sat in the low-90s and reached 96. When Pardinho is at his best, his curveball flashes plus and he can elicit empty swings with a slider that could develop into another above-average pitch. His changeup isn't there yet, but there's potential for it to develop into an average pitch
  
  THE FUTURE: It's likely that Pardinho just wasn't at 100 percent when he pitched in 2019. When he comes back in 2021, there's a chance his stuff returns to what he showed in 2018 and his stock could bounce back. But the step back in his stuff in 2019 combined with his Tommy John surgery adds more risk to his profile.
• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #4 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Pardinho was the top international pitching prospect in the 2017 class when the Blue Jays signed him for $1.4 million out of Brazil. He was so advanced that the Blue Jays skipped him over two levels to debut in the Rookie-level Appalachian League at 17. He picked apart older hitters to rank third in the league in strikeouts.
  
  Scouting Report: Pardinho has outstanding command, polish and feel to change speeds for his age. With a smooth, fluid arm action and a calm, easy delivery with good extension, he repeats his mechanics consistently to throw a high percentage of strikes and locate his fastball to both sides of the plate. He has an advanced feel to mix his stuff and set up hitters, starting with a fastball that sits at 89-93 mph and tops out at 96 mph. His out-pitch when he signed was a curveball that flashes plus, and he now mixes in a swing-and-miss slider that could give him another plus pitch. Pardinho's changeup was a fairly new pitch for him in 2018, but he has the arm action and enough ability to potentially develop it into an average-or-better offering.
  
  The Future: As difficult as it is to project a 18-year-old pitcher, Pardinho has the combination of stuff and potentially plus command to develop into a No. 2 or 3 starter. Low Class A Lansing is his next step.
• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #6 prospect in 2018
  Pardinho struck out 14 batters in six innings against the Dominican Republic at the COPABE 16U Pan American Championship in July 2016, then two months later pitched out of the bullpen for Brazil in the World Baseball Classic qualifier as a 15-year-old. After establishing himself as the top international pitching prospect in the 2017 class, Pardinho signed with the Blue Jays for $1.4 million. Pardinho has an outstanding combination of stuff and polish for his age, with his stuff continuing to tick up after signing. Prior to signing, his fastball sat 88-92 mph and reached 94. Now he's sitting regularly in the low 90s and has reached 97 mph. His curveball flashes plus with tight spin and sharp break to miss bats. The Blue Jays are teaching him a changeup that's still a new pitch for him. Pardinho throws with remarkable ease, showing smooth arm action and minimal-effort mechanics that he repeats consistently. His feel for pitching is well beyond his years and he throws strikes at a high rate. He has a small stature and his lower half is already strong, so several scouts had concerns about how much more velocity he would gain, but he's already seen a spike since becoming a professional. Pardinho will likely make his pro debut as a 17-year-old in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He's far away, but he has the talent to move quickly.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked American League #4 prospect in 2018
  Pardinho ranked as the top pitcher in the 2017 international class, and he signed with the Blue Jays for $1.4 million. He dominated Appy League hitters despite being nearly four years younger than the average league pitcher. Pardinho ranked third in the Appy League with 64 strikeouts and showed precocious control for his age, walking 16 batters in 11 starts. But what’s most impressive is his command and feel for changing speeds and locations for such a young pitcher. Scouts project Pardinho to have three plus pitches with a fastball that currently sits at 89-93 mph and regularly plays up a few ticks. He has solid spin on both a slider and a curveball and should round out his arsenal with a solid changeup as well. He exhibits solid athleticism, a loose arm and good extension.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #84 prospect in 2019

• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Pardinho was the top pitching prospect in the 2017 international class when the Blue Jays signed him out of Brazil at 16 for $1.4 million. He was outstanding in his pro debut in 2018, when he picked apart Rookie-level Appalachian League hitters with pitchability beyond his years. Pardinho didn’t pitch much due to a sore elbow in 2019, he had Tommy John surgery in 2020 and threw just three innings in 2021 because of setbacks in his rehab.
  
  Scouting Report: There’s little to go off from the last two years with Pardinho because of his health issues, and when he was on the field in 2019, his stuff had dropped off. That could have been because Pardinho was pitching at less than full strength, so there’s hope his stuff can return to what he had shown at his best. That version of Pardinho pounded the strike zone with a low-90s fastball that touched 96 mph, flashed a plus curveball, showed a slider that could develop into another swing-and-miss pitch and had feel for a changeup as well.
  
  The Future: Pardinho has the repertoire and control to start, but his durability issues create a huge amount of doubt about his future and whether he can hold up in that role. The 2022 season will be critical for him to stay healthy and bounce back.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The top international pitching prospect in 2017, Pardinho signed with the Blue Jays out of Brazil for $1.4 million. He got off to a terrific start in his pro debut, skipping two levels and showing his polish in the Rookie-level Appalachian League as a 17-year-old. Pardinho battled a sore right elbow the following year and didn't have the same stuff or success when he returned. He eventually had Tommy John surgery in Feb. 2020 and spent the year rehabbing in Florida.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: When Pardinho was at his best in 2018, he sat in the low 90s and touched 96 mph. He complemented his heater with a curveball that flashed plus to get swings and misses and a slider that could develop into another above-average pitch. But when Pardinho returned to the mound after his elbow soreness in 2019, his stuff was not as crisp, with his velocity in the 88-92 mph range and his breaking stuff lacking its usual bite. He has shown feel for a changeup, though he hasn't been able to use it much. With Pardinho having surgery, there's reason to believe he wasn't 100% when he came back to pitch in 2019, and there's a chance his stuff will rebound once he's fully rehabbed. He has solid control from a smooth, easy delivery and a good arm action.
  
  THE FUTURE: Pardinho is set to return in the middle of the 2021 season. His outlook depends on what his stuff looks like when he returns.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The top international pitching prospect in 2017, Pardinho signed with the Blue Jays out of Brazil for $1.4 million. He got off to a terrific start in his pro debut, skipping two levels and showing his polish in the Rookie-level Appalachian League as a 17-year-old. Pardinho battled a sore right elbow the following year and didn't have the same stuff or success when he returned. He eventually had Tommy John surgery in Feb. 2020 and spent the year rehabbing in Florida.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: When Pardinho was at his best in 2018, he sat in the low 90s and touched 96 mph. He complemented his heater with a curveball that flashed plus to get swings and misses and a slider that could develop into another above-average pitch. But when Pardinho returned to the mound after his elbow soreness in 2019, his stuff was not as crisp, with his velocity in the 88-92 mph range and his breaking stuff lacking its usual bite. He has shown feel for a changeup, though he hasn't been able to use it much. With Pardinho having surgery, there's reason to believe he wasn't 100% when he came back to pitch in 2019, and there's a chance his stuff will rebound once he's fully rehabbed. He has solid control from a smooth, easy delivery and a good arm action.
  
  THE FUTURE: Pardinho is set to return in the middle of the 2021 season. His outlook depends on what his stuff looks like when he returns.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The top international pitching prospect in 2017, Pardinho signed with the Blue Jays out of Brazil for $1.4 million. He got off to a terrific start in his pro debut, skipping two levels and showing his polish in the Rookie-level Appalachian League as a 17-year-old. Pardinho battled a sore right elbow the following year and didn't have the same stuff or success when he returned. He eventually had Tommy John surgery in Feb. 2020 and spent the year rehabbing in Florida.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: When Pardinho was at his best in 2018, he sat in the low 90s and touched 96 mph. He complemented his heater with a curveball that flashed plus to get swings and misses and a slider that could develop into another above-average pitch. But when Pardinho returned to the mound after his elbow soreness in 2019, his stuff was not as crisp, with his velocity in the 88-92 mph range and his breaking stuff lacking its usual bite. He has shown feel for a changeup, though he hasn't been able to use it much. With Pardinho having surgery, there's reason to believe he wasn't 100% when he came back to pitch in 2019, and there's a chance his stuff will rebound once he's fully rehabbed. He has solid control from a smooth, easy delivery and a good arm action.
  
  THE FUTURE: Pardinho is set to return in the middle of the 2021 season. His outlook depends on what his stuff looks like when he returns.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Pardinho was the best pitching prospect in the 2017 international class when he signed with the Blue Jays out of Brazil for $1.4 million. He showed why international scouts raved about his polish, skipping two levels to the Rookie-level Appalachian League in his pro debut and dominating there in 2018. His 2019 season was a disappointment, however, as a sore right elbow prevented him from pitching until June 26. When he returned, his stuff wasn't as explosive as it was the previous year. Pardinho now will miss the entire 2020 season after having Tommy John surgery in February.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: With a small, compact frame, Pardinho has a free-and-easy delivery with smooth arm action, but he mostly worked at 88-92 mph in 2019, down from the previous year when he sat in the low-90s and reached 96. When Pardinho is at his best, his curveball flashes plus and he can elicit empty swings with a slider that could develop into another above-average pitch. His changeup isn't there yet, but there's potential for it to develop into an average pitch
  
  THE FUTURE: It's likely that Pardinho just wasn't at 100 percent when he pitched in 2019. When he comes back in 2021, there's a chance his stuff returns to what he showed in 2018 and his stock could bounce back. But the step back in his stuff in 2019 combined with his Tommy John surgery adds more risk to his profile.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Pardinho was the best pitching prospect in the 2017 international class when he signed with the Blue Jays out of Brazil for $1.4 million. He showed why international scouts raved about his polish, skipping two levels to the Rookie-level Appalachian League in his pro debut and dominating there in 2018. His 2019 season was a disappointment, however, as a sore right elbow prevented him from pitching until June 26. When he returned, his stuff wasn't as explosive as it was the previous year. Pardinho now will miss the entire 2020 season after having Tommy John surgery in February.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: With a small, compact frame, Pardinho has a free-and-easy delivery with smooth arm action, but he mostly worked at 88-92 mph in 2019, down from the previous year when he sat in the low-90s and reached 96. When Pardinho is at his best, his curveball flashes plus and he can elicit empty swings with a slider that could develop into another above-average pitch. His changeup isn't there yet, but there's potential for it to develop into an average pitch
  
  THE FUTURE: It's likely that Pardinho just wasn't at 100 percent when he pitched in 2019. When he comes back in 2021, there's a chance his stuff returns to what he showed in 2018 and his stock could bounce back. But the step back in his stuff in 2019 combined with his Tommy John surgery adds more risk to his profile.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  The top pitching prospect in the 2017 international class, Pardinho is taking polished for his age to a new level. So advanced that the Blue Jays skipped him over the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and sent him straight to the Rookie-level Appalachian League, where he’s filling the strike zone and missing bats at a high clip. He’s one of the most exciting teenage pitching prospects in the game, working off a lively low-to-mid 90s fastball, a plus curveball and a slider he’s been using this year as a putaway pitch too.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Pardinho struck out 14 batters in six innings against the Dominican Republic at the COPABE 16U Pan American Championship in July 2016, then two months later pitched out of the bullpen for Brazil in the World Baseball Classic qualifier as a 15-year-old. After establishing himself as the top international pitching prospect in the 2017 class, Pardinho signed with the Blue Jays for $1.4 million. Scouting Report: Pardinho has an outstanding combination of stuff and polish for his age, with his stuff continuing to tick up after signing. Prior to signing, his fastball sat 88-92 mph and reached 94. Now he's sitting regularly in the low 90s and has reached 97 mph. His curveball flashes plus with tight spin and sharp break to miss bats. The Blue Jays are teaching him a changeup that's still a new pitch for him. Pardinho throws with remarkable ease, showing smooth arm action and minimal-effort mechanics that he repeats consistently. He has a small stature and his lower half is already strong, so several scouts had concerns about how much more velocity he would gain. The Future: Pardinho will likely make his pro debut as a 17-year-old in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.