Three change of scenery trade candidates for Roansy Contreras

Nate Pearson

Nate Peason was ranked as a top ten prospect across baseball in 2020 by multiple sites. The former first-round pick by the Toronto blue Jays looked like he could be a potential ace with a blazing fastball, and at the very least, a guy who could secure the 9th inning with ease. But Peason has had multiple non-arm injuries that has limited his playing time, and his command hasn't developed as many hoped.

Over the last two seasons, Pearson has been healthy enough to pitch 50 innings. But he owns a meager 4.91 ERA, 4.72 FIP, and 1.35 WHIP in that time. While his 23.2% strikeout rate is above average, he has allowed 10.4% of opponents to reach base via free pass. Home runs have also given him some issues, and he has a 1.30 HR/9 rate. That's because batters have a 91 MPH exit velocity against a flyball pitcher.

Pearson hasn't pitched like a former top-ten prospect, but at least his stuff is still there. Stuff+ has him at 125. His fastball averages 97.5 MPH, which sits in the 95th percentile. It has above-average ride through the zone with average horizontal break. Both his curveball and slider still have well above average horizontal break and vertical drop to them. 

Pearson has the stuff that made him dominant early in his minor league career. He throws very hard with a lot of movement. Some of his stuff is very similar to Pirates reliever Kyle Nicolas, who has looked great to start the year. Pearson only has one more option year remaining.