Blue Jays Add Another Pitcher In Ross Stripling

Image credit: Ross Stripling (Tom Pennington/Getty)

The Blue Jays made one final move to upgrade their pitching staff prior to the deadline, acquiring Ross Stripling from the Dodgers in exchange for two players to be named later.

With Trent Thornton, Matt Shoemaker and Nate Pearson all on the injured list, the Blue Jays acquired Taijuan Walker, Robbie Ray and Ross Stripling all in the last week to shore up their staff.

(Sept. 1 Update: RHP Kendall Williams has been identified as one of the players to be named later).

(Feb. 23, 2021 Update: 1B/OF Ryan Noda has been announced as the second player to be named later).

BLUE JAYS ACQUIRE

Ross Stripling, RHP
Age: 30

Stripling posted a 3.51 ERA as a swingman from 2016-19 and even made the 2018 NL all-star team, but his first foray as a full-time rotation member this year did not go well. Stripling posted a 5.61 ERA and allowed a major league-worst 12 home runs in 33.2 innings this season. At his best, Stripling throws four pitches for strikes and keeps the ball on the ground to avoid damage despite less than overpowering stuff. This year though, his ground ball rate has dropped from 51% to 35% as batters are teeing off on a fastball that is too often left up in the strike zone. If Stripling can get back to commanding his fastball to all areas of the zone, he may be able to return to his previous form. He is under team control through 2022.

DODGERS RECEIVE

Kendall Williams, RHP
Age: 20

Williams was the Blue Jays’ second-round pick last year and signed for just over $1.5 million. He made his pro debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and posted a 1.12 ERA in six appearances (five starts). Williams is a big, projectable 6-foot-6 righthander who projects to grow into more velocity. His fastball presently sits in the low 90s and touches 95 mph with good downhill plane. He shows feel for three average or better secondary pitches, headlined by a curveball that draws swings and misses at its best, and throws everything for strikes. Williams’ four-pitch mix and control give him a clear path to starting. He’ll work to continue getting stronger and add more velocity as he matures.

Ryan Noda, 1B/OF
Age: 24

Noda led the minors in walks in 2018 and is one of the most patient hitters in the minor leagues. He hit .238/.372/.418 with high Class A Dunedin in 2019, showing his signature plate discipline but also a propensity for striking out. Noda is a physical lefthanded hitter who expertly separates balls from strikes and has plus raw power. He does damage when he connects and has power to all fields, but he is also prone to swinging and missing and has made less contact each level he’s climbed. Evaluators aren’t convinced he will make enough contact against higher-level pitching, but his keen eye for the strike zone is a positive trait. Defensively, Noda has split his time between first base and both outfield corners and is an adequate defender.  He has below-average speed but has been an effective base-stealer, going 28-for-34 on stolen base attempts in 2018 and 2019 combined. Noda’s ability to control the strike zone and put together quality at-bats is the fundamental trait the Dodgers look for in hitters. They will work with him to make more contact in the hopes he can become a low batting average, high on-base percentage slugger.