As part of this ongoing SoCon series, Western Carolina stands out with eight minor leaguers and two players with MLB experience, including arguably the conference’s top breakout candidate.
Latest Update (March 24, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Came on as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning and remained in the game at third base. Ferreras went 0-for-3 with a run scored in the Astros’ 6–5 spring training exhibition win over its Triple-A club, the Sugarland Space Cowboys, at Daikin Park.
Latest Update (March 23, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Subbed in at third base and went 1-for-1 with a single, a run scored, and an RBI in the Astros’ 9–1 spring training exhibition win over its Triple-A club, the Sugarland Space Cowboys, at Daikin Park.
Latest Update (March 15, 2026): Zebby Matthews started on the mound and threw 5.0 IP, allowing 4 hits, 2 runs, 0 earned runs, 0 walks, and 1 strikeout. Matthews threw 75 pitches; 52 for strikes in the Twins’ 7-2 spring training loss to the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park.
Latest Update (March 14, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Subbed in at second base and went 0-1 with a strikeout in the Astros 8-2 spring training win over the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 13, 2026): Justice Bigbie, Detroit Tigers. Subbed in as the left fielder and went 0-1 in the Tigers’ 7-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Latest Update (March 11, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Ran for Brice Matthews in the 8th inning and remained in the game at second base, but did not get an at-bat. The Astros won 4-1 over the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Latest Update (March 11, 2026): Justice Bigbie, Detroit Tigers. Subbed in as the right fielder and went 1-1 with a single in the Tigers’ 2-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Lee Health Sports Complex. Bigbie is now batting .250 with an OPS of .500 this spring training.
Latest Update (March 9, 2026): Zebby Matthews started on the mound and threw 3-2/3 IP, allowing 6 hits, 6 runs (all earned), 0 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Matthews threw 69 pitches; 45 for strikes in the Twins’ 9-8 spring training loss to the Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park.
Latest Update (March 9, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Subbed in at second base, later moved to shortstop, and then back to second, going 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored in the Astros’ 10–3 spring training win over the St. Louis Cardinals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 9, 2026): Justice Bigbie, Detroit Tigers. Entered as a pinch runner for Riley Greene in the sixth inning and remained in the game as the left fielder, and had one at-bat. Going 0-1 in the Tigers’ 4-4 tie with the Tampa Bay Rays at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Latest Update (March 8, 2026): Bryan Sammons, Detroit Tigers. Started and went 2-2/3 innings, allowing 2 hits, 4 runs (all earned), 2 walks, 1 strikeout, and a home run to Addison Barger in the 2nd inning with 0 on and 0 out. He tossed 57 pitches, 31 for strikes, in the Tigers’ 5–0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark.
Latest Update (March 5, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Subbed in at second base and went 0-1 in the Astros 2-0 spring training loss to the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Latest Update (March 4, 2026): Zebby Matthews started on the mound and threw 4 IP, allowing 3 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts. Matthews threw 56 pitches; 33 for strikes in the Twins’ 6-3 exhibition win over WBC Team Puerto Rico at Lee Health Sports Complex.
Latest Update (March 3, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Subbed in at third base and went 0-1 with a fielding error in the Astros 3-1 exhibition win over the WBC Team Venezuela at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 3, 2026): Bryan Sammons, Detroit Tigers. Threw 2-1/3 innings of relief, allowing 5 hits, 1 run (earned), 1 walk, and 1 strikeout. He tossed 50 pitches, 28 for strikes, in the Tigers’ 12-4 exhibition loss to the WBC Dominican Republic National Team at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal.
Latest Update (March 2, 2026): Bryan Sammons, Detroit Tigers. Entered in the eighth inning and threw one inning of relief, allowing 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, and 2 strikeouts. He tossed 21 pitches, 10 for strikes, in the Tigers’ 5–2 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Latest Update (March 2, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Subbed in at shortstop and went 0-2 in the Astros 3-3 tie with the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (Feb. 27, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Ran for Jose Altuve in the 4th inning and remained in the game at second base. Went 0-2 with a run scored and a strikeout. The Astros tied 4-4 with the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (Feb. 27, 2026): Bryan Sammons, Detroit Tigers. Entered in the fifth inning and threw 2 innings in relief, allowing 2 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 1 walk, and no strikeouts. He tossed 36 pitches, 22 for strikes, in the Tigers’ 16–8 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Sammons was charged with a blown save, but also picked up the win.
Latest Update (Feb. 26, 2026): Zebby Matthews took the mound in relief in the 3rd inning and threw 2-1/3 IP, allowing 2 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks, and a strikeout. Matthews threw 56 pitches; 35 for strikes in the Twins’ 6-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park.
Latest Update (Feb. 26, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Entered in the 7th inning and ran for Brice Matthews. Stole a base and stayed in the game defensively at second base. The Astros lost 9-4 to the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Latest Update (Feb. 25, 2026): Justice Bigbie, Detroit Tigers. Subbed in as a left fielder and had one at-bat. Going 0-1 with a strikeout in the Tigers’ 4-4 tie with the Toronto Blue Jays at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Latest Update (Feb. 24, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Subbed in at third base and went 0‑for‑1 in the Astros’ 6–6 spring training tie with the New York Mets at Clover Park.
Latest Update (Feb. 22, 2026): Bryan Sammons, Detroit Tigers. Threw 2 scoreless innings in relief (5th and 6th), allowing 2 hits, 1 walk, and striking out 2. He tossed 41 pitches, 27 for strikes, in the Tigers’ 4–4 tie with the Baltimore Orioles at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Latest Update (Feb. 22, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Subbed in at third base and went 0‑for‑1 with a walk and a run scored in the Astros’ 6–5 spring training loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (Feb. 21, 2026): Justice Bigbie entered as a pinch runner for Jake Rogers and remained in the game as the designated hitter. He went 0-for-1 with a strikeout in the Detroit Tigers’ 20–3 spring training loss to the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Latest Update (Feb. 20, 2026): Western Carolina’s Zebby Matthews turned in two scoreless innings in the Minnesota Twins’ 10–3 spring training win over the University of Minnesota at Lee Health Sports Complex. Matthews allowed two hits, no runs, struck out three, walked none, and threw 29 pitches (18 strikes).
Zebby Matthews, RHP — Minnesota Twins
Latest Update (March 15, 2026): Zebby Matthews started on the mound and threw 5.0 IP, allowing 4 hits, 2 runs, 0 earned runs, 0 walks, and 1 strikeout. Matthews threw 75 pitches; 52 for strikes in the Twins’ 7-2 spring training loss to the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park.
Latest Update (March 9, 2026): Zebby Matthews started on the mound and threw 3-2/3 IP, allowing 6 hits, 6 runs (all earned), 0 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Matthews threw 69 pitches; 45 for strikes in the Twins’ 9-8 spring training loss to the Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park.
Latest Update (March 4, 2026): Zebby Matthews started on the mound and threw 4 IP, allowing 3 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts. Matthews threw 56 pitches; 33 for strikes in the Twins’ 6-3 exhibition win over WBC Team Puerto Rico at Lee Health Sports Complex.
Latest Update (Feb. 26, 2026): Zebby Matthews took the mound in relief in the 3rd inning and threw 2-1/3 IP, allowing 2 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks, and a strikeout. Matthews threw 56 pitches; 35 for strikes in the Twins’ 6-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park.
Latest Update (Feb. 20, 2026): Western Carolina’s Zebby Matthews turned in two scoreless innings in the Minnesota Twins’ 10–3 spring training win over the University of Minnesota at Lee Health Sports Complex. Matthews allowed two hits, no runs, struck out three, walked none, and threw 29 pitches (18 strikes).
Matthews is the crown jewel of the current Western Carolina pro class. During his time in Cullowhee from 2020–22, he established himself as one of the most dominant arms in program history, posting a 13–9 record with a 3.58 ERA while striking out 211 batters in just 183.1 innings. His elite command was evident in college, where he walked only 30 batters over three seasons, a trait that would later define his professional rise.
Drafted in the eighth round in 2022, Matthews rocketed through the Twins’ system in 2024, earning promotions to four different levels and making his MLB debut by mid-August. He wasted little time announcing his arrival, winning his first Major League start by allowing two runs over five innings in a 13–3 Twins victory over Kansas City, punctuated by striking out Bobby Witt Jr. for his first career punchout.
The 2025 MLB season was more uneven. Matthews finished with a 5.56 ERA, a surface number that obscured several encouraging trends, including rising fastball velocity and elite whiff rates on both his slider and curveball. A player who posts the strikeout and swing-and-miss numbers that he does should not be hit this hard, making sequencing the clear swing factor in his overall results.
2026 Outlook
Matthews enters 2026 firmly in the rotation mix. If he improves sequencing and limits hard contact—particularly against left-handed hitters—his command-and-stuff combination gives him legitimate breakout potential. Among all Western Carolina baseball players in the MLB and MiLB, no one offers more immediate impact upside.
Bryan Sammons, LHP — Detroit Tigers
Latest Update (March 8, 2026): Bryan Sammons, Detroit Tigers. Started and went 2-2/3 innings, allowing 2 hits, 4 runs (all earned), 2 walks, 1 strikeout, and a home run to Addison Barger in the 2nd inning with 0 on and 0 out. He tossed 57 pitches, 31 for strikes, in the Tigers’ 5–0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark.
Latest Update (March 3, 2026): Bryan Sammons, Detroit Tigers. Threw 2-1/3 innings of relief, allowing 5 hits, 1 run (earned), 1 walk, and 1 strikeout. He tossed 50 pitches, 28 for strikes, in the Tigers’ 12-4 exhibition loss to the WBC Dominican Republic National Team at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal.
Latest Update (March 2, 2026): Bryan Sammons, Detroit Tigers. Entered in the eighth inning and threw one inning of relief, allowing 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, and 2 strikeouts. He tossed 21 pitches, 10 for strikes, in the Tigers’ 5–2 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Latest Update (Feb. 27, 2026): Bryan Sammons, Detroit Tigers. Entered in the fifth inning and threw 2 innings in relief, allowing 2 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 1 walk, and no strikeouts. He tossed 36 pitches, 22 for strikes, in the Tigers’ 16–8 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Sammons was charged with a blown save, but also picked up the win.
Latest Update (Feb. 22, 2026): Bryan Sammons, Detroit Tigers. Threw 2 scoreless innings in relief (5th and 6th), allowing 2 hits, 1 walk, and striking out 2. He tossed 41 pitches, 27 for strikes, in the Tigers’ 4–4 tie with the Baltimore Orioles at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Few Catamounts embody perseverance quite like Bryan Sammons. From 2014–17, Sammons was a fixture atop the Western Carolina rotation, earning multiple All-SoCon honors and finishing his career ranked near the top of the program’s all-time leaderboards in starts, innings, strikeouts, and wins. He helped deliver SoCon titles, upset nationally ranked teams, and twice earned conference Pitcher of the Week honors.
After seven seasons grinding through affiliated ball, Sammons resurrected his career in independent baseball and parlayed that resurgence into an MLB debut with Detroit in 2024. In that debut, he struck out five hitters over 7.1 innings, the longest outing by a Tigers reliever in his first Major League appearance since 1984. Sammons had to then carry that momentum overseas in 2025, logging a full season in Japan’s NPB.
2026 Outlook
Back with the Tigers, Sammons will compete for a bullpen or AAA rotation role. His durability, pitch mix, and experience make him a sneaky depth option in a crowded spring.
Justice Bigbie, OF — Detroit Tigers
Latest Update (March 13, 2026): Justice Bigbie, Detroit Tigers. Subbed in as the left fielder and went 0-1 in the Tigers’ 7-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Latest Update (March 11, 2026): Justice Bigbie, Detroit Tigers. Subbed in as the right fielder and went 1-1 with a single in the Tigers’ 2-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Lee Health Sports Complex. Bigbie is now batting .250 with an OPS of .500 this spring training.
Latest Update (March 9, 2026): Justice Bigbie, Detroit Tigers. Entered as a pinch runner for Riley Greene in the sixth inning and remained in the game as the left fielder, and had one at-bat. Going 0-1 in the Tigers’ 4-4 tie with the Tampa Bay Rays at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Latest Update (Feb. 25, 2026): Justice Bigbie, Detroit Tigers. Subbed in as a left fielder and had one at-bat. Going 0-1 with a strikeout in the Tigers’ 4-4 tie with the Toronto Blue Jays at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Latest Update (Feb. 21, 2026): Justice Bigbie entered as a pinch runner for Jake Rogers and remained in the game as the designated hitter. He went 0-for-1 with a strikeout in the Detroit Tigers’ 20–3 spring training loss to the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Bigbie was a star in Cullowhee long before he was a prospect. The 2019 Southern Conference Player of the Year hit .348 over four seasons, piling up 242 hits and establishing himself as one of the best pure hitters in program history. His compact swing and strike-zone discipline carried seamlessly into pro ball.
After a huge 2023 season that vaulted him into 2024 as the Tigers’ No. 13 overall prospect according to MLB.com, Bigbie stalled in AAA but found his footing again in 2025. Back in AA Erie, he rebounded by hitting .283 with 12 home runs, reestablishing himself as a viable depth option within the organization.
2026 Outlook
Bigbie still controls the zone and hits the ball hard. Power remains the swing skill. If it ticks back up, he re-enters the MLB conversation.
Pascanel Ferreras, SS — Houston Astros
Latest Update (March 24, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Came on as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning and remained in the game at third base. Ferreras went 0-for-3 with a run scored in the Astros’ 6–5 spring training exhibition win over its Triple-A club, the Sugarland Space Cowboys, at Daikin Park.
Latest Update (March 23, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Subbed in at third base and went 1-for-1 with a single, a run scored, and an RBI in the Astros’ 9–1 spring training exhibition win over its Triple-A club, the Sugarland Space Cowboys, at Daikin Park.
Latest Update (March 14, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Subbed in at second base and went 0-1 with a strikeout in the Astros 8-2 spring training win over the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 11, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Ran for Brice Matthews in the 8th inning and remained in the game at second base, but did not get an at-bat. The Astros won 4-1 over the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Latest Update (March 9, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Subbed in at second base, later moved to shortstop, and then back to second, going 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored in the Astros’ 10–3 spring training win over the St. Louis Cardinals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 5, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Subbed in at second base and went 0-1 in the Astros 2-0 spring training loss to the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Latest Update (March 3, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Subbed in at third base and went 0-1 with a fielding error in the Astros 3-1 exhibition win over the WBC Team Venezuela at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 2, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Subbed in at shortstop and went 0-2 in the Astros 3-3 tie with the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (Feb. 27, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Ran for Jose Altuve in the 4th inning and remained in the game at second base. Went 0-2 with a run scored and a strikeout. The Astros tied 4-4 with the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (Feb. 26, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Entered in the 7th inning and ran for Brice Matthews. Stole a base and stayed in the game defensively at second base. The Astros lost 9-4 to the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Latest Update (Feb. 24, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Subbed in at third base and went 0‑for‑1 in the Astros’ 6–6 spring training tie with the New York Mets at Clover Park.
Latest Update (Feb. 22, 2026): Pascanel Ferreras, Houston Astros. Subbed in at third base and went 0‑for‑1 with a walk and a run scored in the Astros’ 6–5 spring training loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Ferreras was a cornerstone of Western Carolina baseball from day one. A three-time All-SoCon selection, he won the program’s Triple Crown in 2022 and finished his career with 223 hits, 43 home runs, and a .433 on-base percentage.
Selected 614th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft — the final pick of the entire draft, baseball’s version of “Mr. Irrelevant” — Ferreras has consistently rewarded the Astros’ faith in him with the way he swings the bat.
Ferreras quickly separated himself from that label, becoming one of the first players from the Astros’ 2023 draft class to reach AA Corpus Christi. Despite standing just 5-foot-7, he generates sneaky right-handed power, particularly on the inner half, and regularly punishes mistakes. After a difficult professional debut in 2023 at Single-A Fayetteville, where he posted a .572 OPS, Ferreras adjusted his approach and opened the 2024 season at High-A Asheville. Over 21 games, he slashed .309/.411/.457, earning a promotion to AA on May 7.
At Corpus Christi in 2024, Ferreras showed a more complete offensive profile while impacting the game in multiple ways. In 88 games with the Hooks, he posted a .201/.295/.331 line, adding 11 doubles, six triples, six home runs, and eight stolen bases. The underlying data told a more encouraging story, highlighted by a 91 mph average exit velocity and a 73 percent in-zone swing rate, reflecting improved contact quality and strike-zone discipline.
That progress carried into 2025, as Ferreras remained in AA and produced a .242 average with seven home runs and 11 stolen bases. Ferreras has steadily redefined his identity, emerging as a legitimate upper-minors hitter with a compact swing, functional power, and growing offensive polish.
2026 Outlook
AAA is the likely next step. His bat-first profile and defensive reliability keep him firmly on the radar.
Dusty Revis, RHP — Cincinnati Reds
Dusty Revis has one of those cool names that tends to stick with you, and his early professional profile is starting to do the same. While he has yet to appear in a professional game, Revis already presents an intriguing combination of size, arm strength, and developmental upside. That blend has been enough to draw organizational interest and suggests a player whose trajectory is worth monitoring as his career unfolds.
He’s a 6-foot-2, 200-pound big ol’ right-hander, with a kick-ass fastball. Revis spent his final collegiate season as a starter for Western Carolina, posting a 4.04 ERA in 2025. Across his college career, he made 29 starts and 18 relief appearances, with 15 of those starts coming in his final year. His performance improved annually, culminating in his best statistical season in 2025, when he threw 82.1 innings, allowed 73 hits, walked 31 batters, and struck out a career-high 78.
Revis works primarily with a fastball–slider combination that emphasizes ground balls over pure strikeouts. He is a good mover on the mound and regularly runs his fastball into the mid-90s, touching 97 mph at peak. While his workload and frame suggest he could handle multi-inning roles, his raw stuff projects to play up in shorter stints, making him a natural bullpen candidate long term.
His professional path began on August 4, 2025, when he was assigned to the ACL Mariners. That changed on January 15, 2026, when the Cincinnati Reds acquired Revis from Seattle in exchange for right-hander Yosver Zulueta and assigned him to the ACL Reds. For Cincinnati, the trade reflects a calculated bet on youth and upside, swapping an older pitcher for a 22-year-old fresh out of college.
2026 Outlook
Revis’ future likely lies in relief, where his mid-90s fastball and sweeper-type breaking ball — his best secondary offering — could become more impactful in shorter bursts. His mechanics are unlikely to support long-term rotation usage, but as a big right-hander with velocity and movement, Revis has the traits of a bullpen arm whose fastball could take a meaningful step forward in a relief role.
Brayden Corn, OF — Seattle Mariners
Corn spent one electric season in Cullowhee, batting .312 with 11 home runs and 19 stolen bases while earning SoCon All-Tournament honors. The Mariners view Corn strictly as an outfielder, where he utilizes his speed to track down balls.
2026 Outlook
Expect a Single-A assignment, where his athleticism and baserunning will define his value.
Cannon Pickell, RHP — Miami Marlins
Pickell brought premium velocity to Western Carolina, routinely touching the upper 90s and overpowering hitters when he found the zone. As a senior, he struck out 33 batters in just 16.2 innings, a clear reflection of his raw arm strength. Command, however, has remained the primary hurdle, both during his collegiate career and in the early stages of professional ball.
In June 2025, Pickell spent time in the MLB Draft League, where the velocity immediately stood out. He touched 98 mph seven times in his first 2.2 innings, reached a maximum of 99.2 mph, and struck out five of the first 13 batters he faced, offering a glimpse of the upside when everything lines up.
2026 Outlook
If the walks come down — Lawd have mercy — Pickell’s elite velocity gives him a legitimate chance to emerge as an intriguing prospect. He is projected to open the 2026 season in Single-A, where refining his command will determine just how far that fastball can take him.
Hayden Friese, OF/1B — Atlanta Braves
Friese was one of Western Carolina’s most reliable bats, finishing his collegiate career with a .314 average and driving in 47 runs during his final season. His transition to professional baseball placed a clear emphasis on plate discipline rather than power.
In his pro debut with Single-A Augusta, Friese appeared in 24 games and slashed .239/.396/.239, drawing 18 walks against 24 strikeouts across 91 plate appearances. While he did not record an extra-base hit, it is fair to give him the benefit of the doubt, as he was coming off a long college season that carried directly into professional play. There is likely some power potential for the Braves to unlock as he continues to adjust and develop
2026 Outlook
Likely back at Single-A Augusta, Friese remains a development bat with positional flexibility.
Kenny Leiner, RHP — Baltimore Orioles
A converted catcher, Leiner’s path is unconventional. His Western Carolina career included limited offensive opportunities, but his arm strength intrigued Baltimore enough to sign him as a pitcher. With the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds in ‘24 and ‘25. In ‘24 went 1-0, with 3.24 ERA. In 2025 record was 1-4 with 4.87 ERA in 40.2 IP producing 36 walks and 46 Ks.
2026 Outlook
Still developmental, with command refinement the primary focus. As a pitcher with a relatively recent conversion, 2026 will likely begin in High-A or returning to Single-A Delmarva.
Jonathan Todd, RHP — Toronto Blue Jays
Todd found his niche late at Western Carolina, transitioning to the bullpen and thriving in the role. As a senior, he ranked among Southern Conference leaders in saves and strikeouts, earning first-team All-Conference honors.
He was drafted in 2024 by the Blue Jays in the 15th round, with Baseball America naming him the organization’s best value pick of the draft.
Todd spent the 2025 season in High-A, finishing with a 5–2 record across 45.1 innings. He recorded 59 strikeouts while issuing 20 walks, continuing to build momentum in his professional development.
2026 Outlook
Likely continues climbing through AA as a bullpen arm.
