John Stilson

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #21 prospect in 2014
  Stilson led NCAA Division I with a 0.80 ERA while striking out 13 hitters per nine as a sophomore reliever in 2010, then moved to the rotation for his draft-eligible season. Doctors diagnosed a torn labrum in his shoulder in the spring before the draft, though subsequent exams revealed surgery could be avoided through rest and rehab. The Jays grabbed Stilson in the third round in 2011 and signed him for a $500,000 bonus. He pitched in the rotation his during his pro debut, but his high-effort, energy-packed delivery and command that is average at best--to say nothing of his shoulder--led most evaluators to project him as a reliever. Stilson moved to relieving full time in 2013 after he started the season on the disabled list with a rib cage injury. His stuff plays up in short stints and allows him to maintain his velocity. His 93-97 mph fastball explodes out of his hand and gets downhill plane. He has multiple offspeed weapons, with a changeup and sharp-breaking slider that are both plus offerings. With more control than command, an aggressive mentality and plus raw stuff, Stilson projects to be at least a high-end set-up man, and he will likely get his first opportunity to contribute in Toronto's bullpen in 2014.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #7 prospect in 2013
  Stilson led NCAA Division I with a 0.80 ERA in 2010 and was pitching himself into the first round of the 2011 draft before hurting his shoulder that May. The injury turned out to be a torn labrum, and the initial diagnosis called for shoulder surgery. Stilson got a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, however, who said the tear was not as bad as originally believed and that rest, rehabilitation and a throwing program would suffice. The Blue Jays gambled a third-round pick and $500,000 on Stilson, who reached Double-A in his 2012 pro debut. Stilson has two plus pitches in a fastball that usually ranges from 93-96 mph and a wipeout changeup with tremendous sink. He also has a hard breaking ball that he can manipulate to resemble either a curveball or a slider. He throws with a lot of effort and across his body, which adds deception but also puts stress on his shoulder and hampers his command, so he probably fits best in the bullpen. Stilson has the stuff and competitive demeanor to be a set-up man or closer. He spent a short stint on the disabled list at midseason with shoulder tightness, which Toronto deemed minor, but the organization shifted him to the bullpen in August to limit his innings. Staying there might be the best way to keep him healthy and could get him to the big leagues in 2013. He got knocked around at New Hampshire, so he may return there to start the season.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #26 prospect in 2012
  Stilson enjoyed nothing but success in college, setting a Texarkana (Texas) JC record with 12 wins as a freshman, leading NCAA Division I in ERA (0.80) as a sophomore reliever after transferring to Texas A&M and becoming the Aggies' Friday starter last spring. He projected as a first-round pick until injuring his shoulder last May. The initial diagnosis was a torn labrum that would require an operation, but subsequent exams led to the belief he could recover with rest and rehab. The Blue Jays gambled a third-round pick on him and signed him for $500,000 two days before the deadline. He has taken it easy after a heavy workload in college and has avoided surgery so far. When healthy, Stilson has quality stuff in a fastball that ranges from 91-96 mph and a wipeout changeup that grades ahead of his heater. He also has a hard breaking ball and the ability to vary its angle and shape to turn it into a curveball or a slider. With his maximum-effort delivery, Stilson is probably best suited for relief, which also could limit wear and tear on his shoulder. He could move quickly in a bullpen role, and he's an intense competitor who could thrive as a set-up man or closer. Toronto plans on breaking him into pro ball as a starter, however. Assuming he's healthy, he should make his pro debut in high Class A this year.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Stilson led NCAA Division I with a 0.80 ERA in 2010 and was pitching himself into the first round of the 2011 draft before hurting his shoulder that May. The injury was initially diagnosed as a torn labrum that needed surgery, but subsequent exams revealed that rest and rehab might suffice. The Blue Jays gambled a third-round pick and $500,000 on Stilson, who stayed healthy and reached Double-A in his 2012 pro debut. Scouting Report: Stilson has two plus pitches in a fastball that usually ranges from 93-96 mph and a wipeout changeup with tremendous sink. He also has a hard breaking ball that he can manipulate to make it either a curveball or a slider. He throws with a lot of effort and across his body, which adds deception. His delivery also puts stress on his shoulder and hampers his command, so he probably fits best in the bullpen. He has the stuff and competitive demeanor to be a set-up man or closer. The Future: Toronto shifted Stilson to the bullpen in August to limit his innings in his first pro season. Staying there might be the best way to keep him healthy and could get him to the big leagues in 2013. He got knocked around at New Hampshire, so he may return there to start the season.