Blue Jays promote pitching prospect Daniel Guerra to Buffalo

Guerra, 22, has taken a massive step forward in 2026. Signed as an international free agent in 2022, the right-handed pitcher began his 2026 season with the High-A Vancouver Canadians. Over 14 starts, he authored a 3.20 ERA and 3.50 FIP in 59 innings of work, with a 31.3 K% and 11.6 BB%.

Earning a promotion to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Guerra made three appearances out of the bullpen, owning a 2.25 ERA and 3.08 FIP in four innings of work. More importantly, his BB% dropped to 6.3%, while striking out nine of the 16 batters he faced at the Double-A level.

Guerra put himself on the map last season, posting a 3.40 ERA and 4.57 FIP in 82 innings of work in Single-A, but he’s taken his game to a whole new level in 2026. So much so that he currently ranks as MLB Pipeline’s 18th-best Blue Jays’ prospect.

Standing at 6’6”, he features a mid-90s fastball that touches 99 mph, alongside an above average slider and fringe splitter. Control has been a bit of an issue, at least as a starter, but his walk rate out of the bullpen in Double-A is encouraging.

The Star’s D.M. Fox spoke to MiLB Pitching Director Justin Lehr and reported that the Jays moved Guerra and Gage Stanifer to the bullpen as they could potentially help the club long-term. Trey Yesavage also had some looks out of the bullpen with the Bisons in 2025, but both Guerra and Stanifer are still viewed as starters in the long run.

Guerra isn’t on the 40-man roster, so the Jays will need to add him if/when they decide to make that move. He (and Stanifer) are both Rule 5 eligible at the end of the season, so a strong start out of the Bisons’ rotation could force the Jays’ hands.