Report: Blue Jays reliever prospect Nate Garkow promoted to Triple-A

Nate Garkow, a right-handed Blue Jays reliever prospect, is reportedly moving to Triple-A Buffalo to join the Bisons bullpen after multiple bullpen arms were promoted to the majors. He was invited to Toronto’s big-league camp during spring training and has made 15 relief appearances for Double-A New Hampshire, posting a 3.63 ERA and 4.78 FIP over 17.1 innings with one save and one hold. Garkow is known for a plus changeup and strong strikeout ability, but his strikeout rate has declined nearly 15% year to year while his walk rate has risen by 3.5%. His ground-ball rate has increased to a career-high 43.2%, suggesting improved batted-ball outcomes if command improves.

"Garkow was invited to Toronto's big-league camp during spring training, as Davidi noted. Since then, he's made 15 relief appearances with Double-A New Hampshire, pitching to a 3.63 ERA and 4.78 FIP across 17.1 innings, covering one save and hold each."

"The 28-year-old reliever - Rule 5-eligible after the 2027 season - is widely regarded for his plus changeup, the primary source of his remarkable strikeout totals. He punched out over a third of the batters he faced over 53.2 combined innings split between High-A and Double-A last season."

"There's been a decline of nearly 15 per cent in Garkow's year-to-year strikeout rate, while his walk rate has increased by 3.5 per cent this season. On a more positive note, the 5-foot-11 hurler has upped his ground-ball rate to a career-high 43.2 per cent, ranking second among Fisher Cats relievers thus far."

"Following last season's stellar performance, Garkow - signed out of Indy ball in 2024 - entered this past spring on the fringes of top 30 prospect boards throughout the industry, but with the potential to force his name into that mix with another strong showing. Thus far, that hasn't been the case. But perhaps he can start to turn things around with this opportunity at Triple-A."

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