Toronto Blue Jays Sign Connor Seabold to Minor-League Deal

This article digs into the Toronto Blue Jays’ choice to sign right-handed pitcher Connor Seabold to a minor-league contract. Let’s look at how his career has unfolded, what his recent numbers show, and how this fits into Toronto’s pitching situation.

Seabold’s story starts with early promise as a high draft pick. He’s had a pretty winding path: some ups, some downs, and even a stint overseas that, honestly, might say a lot about how teams hunt for low-risk arms these days.

Blue Jays Take a Low-Risk Look at Connor Seabold

The Blue Jays quietly added some pitching depth when they signed Connor Seabold to a minor-league deal. MLB.com’s transaction tracker caught it, but there wasn’t much fanfare.

At 30, Seabold isn’t exactly a project anymore. Still, he’s an interesting option, with experience in different roles across multiple clubs.

The Phillies picked him in the third round of the 2017 MLB Draft. Since then, Seabold has thrown 119 major-league innings over four seasons.

His career’s been uneven, no doubt. Teams keep giving him shots because he stays healthy, has starting experience, and seems willing to adapt.

A Career Defined by Opportunity and Transition

He debuted in the majors with the Boston Red Sox. Most of his big-league innings, though, came with the Colorado Rockies in 2023.

They used him mostly as a swingman, bouncing between the rotation and bullpen. That’s a tough gig—roles like that can lead to inconsistent usage and results.

The Colorado Struggles and What the Numbers Say

Seabold’s 2023 with Colorado? Pretty rough. He finished with a 7.52 ERA, which is high even for pitchers at Coors Field.

But if you look closer, advanced stats tell a slightly different story. An elevated .338 BABIP and a low 60.3% strand rate suggest he ran into some bad luck and tough sequences.

Still, there were real concerns in the underlying numbers. Seabold’s strikeout rate dropped to 16.4%, well below average.

Opponents barreled him up at a 10.1% rate. His 5.75 FIP and 5.03 SIERA pointed to deeper problems, even if luck had evened out.

• Low swing-and-miss ability
• Hard contact issues
• Difficulty finishing hitters

A Reset in Korea: Success with the Samsung Lions

Looking for a fresh start, Seabold headed to the KBO and signed with the Samsung Lions for 2024. That move seemed to help him settle in.

He took the ball every fifth day and put together one of his most consistent seasons. Over 28 starts and 160 innings, Seabold posted a solid 3.43 ERA.

His command and durability looked a lot better. Sure, KBO competition isn’t MLB, but he definitely rebuilt some value and got noticed again.

Return to MLB Brings Mixed Results

That KBO success opened the door for another MLB shot in 2025. He split some time between the Rays and Braves, making seven appearances.

Seabold put up a 4.35 ERA and 4.20 FIP—not bad, but not without issues. He posted a 12.5% walk rate and a 15.6% barrel rate, so command and contact quality still weren’t strengths.

His Triple-A outings didn’t offer much hope, either. He struggled to a 6.07 ERA between Durham and Gwinnett.

What This Means for the Blue Jays

Toronto’s rotation runs deep, with several established starters already in the mix. So, Seabold looks more like organizational pitching depth for now.

He gives the Jays some insurance at Triple-A and offers a veteran arm who can cover innings if injuries pop up or roles suddenly shift.

Honestly, Seabold’s path back to the majors feels uncertain. But Toronto isn’t risking much by taking a shot on a guy with experience, adaptability, and a knack for bouncing back.

For Seabold, this deal’s another chance to show he can turn those brief flashes of success into something that sticks.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Blue Jays Sign Connor Seabold To Minor League Deal