Analyzing Seranthony Dominguez, the newest Toronto Blue Jays reliever

Seranthony Dominguez: Statistics 

The Dominican reliever has spent seven seasons in the Major Leagues. He has spent six of those seasons in Philadelphia and two seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. Rolling back to 2024, Dominguez split the year between both organizations when he was moved at the deadline. 

He finished with a 4.45 ERA with a 3-4 record, 63 games, 27 games finished, and 58 2/3 innings that year, finishing with 68 strikeouts and 21 walks. 

Before joining Toronto, the reliever posted a 3.24 ERA in 41 2/3 innings with 56 strikeouts and 26 walks. In two seasons, Dominguez has finished 38 games with 13 saves. His relief calibre is expendable in various roles, from short relief and set-up roles to long relief. 

Pitch repertoire and metrics 

The newest Blue Jay reliever mixes an elite three-pitch repertoire consisting of a four-seam fastball, sweeper, splitter, sinker, and curveball. His high leg-kick is followed by a slinging wind-up and a consistent delivery.

The four-seam is his most-used pitch at 43%, and the curveball is his least-used offering. His fastball sits between 93-94 mph, maxing at 98 mph and a .264 batting average against.  He commands the fastball well, working both sides of the plate. 

Following the fastball is his split-finger. This pitch option sits 86-88 mph with an 829 spin-rate, an 8.4-inch horizontal arm-side break, and a 32.5-inch vertical break. The split-finger works low and off the plate into right-handers, and away from left-handers. 

The sinker and the changeup are both very workable pitchers and mix in well. Dominguez’s sweeper is another low and away working weapon, working 86-87 mph with a 30.8% put-away option, moving 10.2 inch horizontal glove-side break, and 31.5 vertical break.

Dominguez can rely on both the sweeper and split-finger as his out-pitches, and works batters with dominance and confidence. 

Where does he fit and for how long?

The right-hander could work the front end or back end of the bullpen. Front-end relief will put him in a longer relief role, riding for an average of three innings per outing. On the back-end, Dominguez can work as a set-up man and or a closer fill-in, and this is likely where he will be slotting in. 

Dominguez was on a two-year term worth $7,250,000. The Orioles picked up their option for 2025 worth $8 million, and following the deal, the Jays will be on the hook for just over $2.5 million per Spotrac. He is eligible for free agency this winter. 

At this point, Dominguez is a rental until proven effective for an extension. His effectiveness can add a lot of value to the staff, and could be long-term for the Blue Jays. However, Dominguez can face a good free agent run in the offseason by testing the waters.