Position: LHP
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 210 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/L
Born: 03/31/1994
High School: Mundelein (IL) HS
Drafted: 15th round, 475th Overall, 2012 (Blue Jays)
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agent
Bonus: $426,000
40-man Roster: Yes
Rule 5 Eligible: N/A
Minor League Free Agency: N/A
Options Left: 0
Overview
Borucki was well regarded as a prospect coming up through the Toronto system, but his career has repeatedly been interrupted by injuries, mostly arm injuries. When the Jays drafted him out of high school, he was coming off an elbow injury that was thought to require Tommy John surgery. He opted for rehab, but ended up having the surgery before his first full season. When drafted, he threw in the low-90s, with a slider and change. He came up through the minors as a starter, but more recently has pitched in relief, which is probably more realistic given the many injuries. As a starter, he generally had very low walk rates and variable K rates. As a reliever he sits at 95 mph and relies heavily on a cutter. He also throws a change. He’s struggled with his control since 2020. The Pirates signed him as a minor league free agent in May 2023.
2012-15
Borucki’s first four seasons were largely lost to injuries. He pitched briefly in the GCL in 2012, then wound up having the Tommy John surgery. He missed all of 2013, then came back and pitched well in 2014. In 2015, he missed nearly the entire season with elbow and shoulder soreness.
2016-17
Borucki opened 2016 in high A and had a rough time, allowing ten home runs in just 20 innings. The Jays moved him down to low A and he had a big season there. Toronto added him to the 40-man roster after the season. Back in high A, Borucki pitched well, then moved up to AA late in the year and took a big step forward, still with very impressive control.
2018-20
Borucki continued pitching well in AAA in 2018, and got called up in June. He made 17 starts for the Jays, with a 3.87 ERA. In 2019, Borucki was expected to be part of the Jays’ rotation, but was again plagued by injuries. He missed the first half of the season with elbow inflammation, then at the end of July went out again. He ultimately had surgery to remove a bone spur. During the pandemic season, Borucki pitched out of the Jays’ bullpen, mainly as a LOOGY. He threw only 16.2 IP in 21 games. He had a high K rate but also a very high walk rate.
2021-22
The injuries continued in 2021. Borucki opened the season in the Jays’ bullpen, but was out from mid-May to mid-July with a strained flexor tendon in his left forearm. After he returned, he shuttled back and forth between AAA and the majors. He was pitching well before the injury, but got hit hard in the majors afterward. In 2022, injuries again were a problem, as Borucki missed time at various stages with a hamstring strain, a blister and a strained flexor. He struggled with Toronto and in early June the Jays traded him to Seattle. When he was able to pitch, he was much more effective with the Mariners.
2023-24
After the 2022 season, Seattle outrighted Borucki to AAA and he opted for free agency. The Cubs signed him to a minor league deal for 2023. He had a bad time with their AAA affiliate, giving up a dozen earned runs in nine innings, and the Cubs designated him for assignment in early May. He opted for free agency and signed a minor league deal with the Pirates, went to Indianapolis and threw scoreless ball in eight outings, then got called up in mid-June. From there on, he was one of the more reliable members of the Pirates’ bullpen. He made great strides with his control problem, walking just 0.9 per nine innings, and finished with a 2.45 ERA and 0.74 WHIP. He did benefit from a very low BABIP of .206 and a high strand rate of 81%. Left-handed hitters had just .483 OPS against him, while right-handed hitters managed just .597 and didn’t draw a single walk.
In 2024, Borucki had a subpar outing in his fourth game and then went on the injured list with left triceps inflammation. He didn’t return for a rehab assignment until late June, then was shaky during the rehab, which the Pirates shut down in late July. He returned for another rehab stint a month later, then joined the Pirates for September. He struggled in the majors, with a 7.36 ERA and 1.64 WHIP, although his walk and K rates were good.
Borucki is eligible for free agency.
Stats
Transactions
June 6, 2012: Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 15th round, 475th overall pick; signed on July 10.
November 18, 2016: Contract purchased by the Toronto Blue Jays.
May 31, 2022: Designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays.
June 5, 2022: Traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the Seattle Mariners for Tyler Keenan.
November 9, 2022: Outrighted to AAA by the Seattle Mariners; became a free agent.
January 4, 2023: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Chicago Cubs.
April 30, 2023: Called up by the Chicago Cubs.
May 2, 2023: Designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs; outrighted to AAA on May 5; refused assignment and became a free agent on May 7.
May 9, 2023: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
June 18, 2023: Called up by the Pittsburgh Pirates.