mayza’s stock in the organization has skyrocketed the last couple of years. Jays manager john gibbons was almost giddy on thursday when asked about the big left-handed prospect.
“yeah, you saw him (wednesday), that was pretty impressive,” gibbons said. “we always knew he had a good arm, just needs to harness it a little bit, throw more strikes. Everybody thinks he’s got a chance to be really, really good. That appearance (wednesday), that will get your attention. Every team in baseball is looking for good left-handed relievers. of course (brett) cecil’s gone now, you’re always looking for those guys.”
mayza’s heat didn’t surprise gibbons as much as the 25-year-old’s control and slider against the tigers.
“he can throw up there, but he’s got a breaking ball too,” he added. “i’ll tell you what, if he puts it all together, it’s going to be tough on left-handed hitters. Even right-handed hitters.”
if mayza’s progression continues, he may be a left-handed option coming out of the bullpen for the jays this year.
“right now my fastball is the key,” mayza, who throws a two- and four-seamer, said. “and that’s kind of been the key to my progression is just fastball command. The slider’s really come along in the past couple of years and that’s been a real good out pitch for me to get guys to swing.”