Toronto Blue Jays: Breaking down the Roberto Osuna trade

David Paulino

Paulino earned himself the distinction as a top 50 prospect in baseball at 44 but one decision led to his value dropping immensely. Last season the Dominican native was busted for using PEDs earning him an 80-game suspension which pretty much ended his season.

Houston hoped that he would be an option in the rotation at some point. In six starts last season, Paulino pitched 29 innings but struggled with a 6.52 ERA, 24 strikeouts, seven walks and allowing a .300 average to opposing batters.

He was the Astros third-ranked prospect at the time and comes to the Blue Jays at No. 20 in their updated MLB Pipeline rankings.  Here is what they had to say about the right-handed pitcher who will report to triple-A Buffalo.

"Paulino has the raw ingredients to become a successful starting pitcher. His fastball has gone from the mid-80s when he signed for $75,000 to 91-95 mph now, peaking at 98, with a lot of downhill plane generated by his 6-foot-7 frame. He has a power breaking ball that he can turn into a curveball (which can be a hammer at times) or a harder, though less consistent, slider, and his changeup also has its moments as a plus pitch."

Like Perez, it will be interesting to see how the Blue Jays choose to use him and whether he’s better suited in the rotation or in the bullpen. It will likely come as a result of how his curveball and changeup develop.

Injuries and the suspension have put the 24-year-old behind so this is likely a buy-low type of acquisition for Toronto and Perez’s name will be one to watch potentially in spring training in 2019.

What do you think about the Osuna trade? What should they do as the season enters the final stretch? Let us know in the comments.