Blue Jays sign Bobby Milacki to a minor-league deal

Milacki was selected in the 38th round of the 2018 draft by the Washington Nationals out of Arizona Christian University. He pitched well in his first two seasons of professional ball but was released by the Nationals in 2020. Milacki then signed with the Minnesota Twins pitching two seasons there before signing a minor league deal with the Padres before the beginning of the 2023 season.

In 2023, Malacki had a 4.85 ERA and a 6.83 FIP in 52 innings pitched in his first taste of Double-A, the worst numbers of his professional career. However, he pitched better in his return stint in 2024, with a 3.13 ERA and a 2.78 FIP in 46 innings pitched, along with a 21.5 K% and a 3.7 BB%.

Milacki pitched with the Padres Triple-A team, where he struggled with a 13 ERA and an 8.39 FIP in 9 innings pitched, with a 16.7 K% and a 12.5 BB%.

The 28-year-old’s father also pitched, making the big leagues in 1988 where he would stay until the 1996 season. Bob Milacki pitched for the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland, Kansas City Royals, and Seattle Mariners, where he had a 4.19 ERA and a 4.26 FIP in 703 innings pitched, starting 125 games of his 143 appearances.

Along with Eric Lauer, the Blue Jays have been adding depth pitchers to fill in if there are any injuries this season. They still need a big move this off-season – whether for pitching or hitting – but Toronto’s depth must also be improved. There are quite a few relievers on the Jays’ 40-man roster who’ll be in the minor leagues next season, including Brett de Geus, Brandon Eisert,  Easton Lucas, Michael Petersen, and Nick Robertson.

It’ll be tough competition for Milacki, but the depth is nice.