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Toronto Blue Jays: T.J. Zeuch’s no-hitter putting spotlight for September call-up

By Austin Owens

TORONTO, ON - JULY 1: A general view of Rogers Centre as a large Canadian flag is unfurled in the outfield on Canada Day during the playing of the Canadian national anthem before the start of the Toronto Blue Jays MLB game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre on July 1, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 1: A general view of Rogers Centre as a large Canadian flag is unfurled in the outfield on Canada Day during the playing of the Canadian national anthem before the start of the Toronto Blue Jays MLB game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre on July 1, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Blue Jays prospect TJ Zeuch became the second pitcher in Buffalo Bisons history to throw a no-hitter on Monday night.

While the Toronto Blue Jays had the day off on Monday, one of their best pitching prospects had a night to remember.

Triple-A pitcher T.J. Zeuch threw a no-hitter against the Rochester Red Wings. The right-hander tossed just 114 pitches — with 73 of them being strikes — while walking one and striking out three.

It looked like the no-no could’ve been broken up with one out in the ninth after Ian Miller hit a shallow fly ball, but centre fielder Jonathan Davis zoomed in to make a fantastic diving catch.

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The final batter of the game — Drew Maggi — hit a comebacker to Zeuch, who quickly flipped to first to complete the no-no.

He became just the second pitcher in Bisons franchise to accomplish the feat. The first was the legendary Bartolo Colon, who pitched for Buffalo when it was still the affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.

Zeuch is a candidate for a September call-up, and with this performance, he could see time with the big club even sooner than that. But is this one game fuelling hype machine that wants him in the bigs in less than a week? For sure.

The Blue Jays are currently using an opener after shipping both Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez out of town ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. There’s no doubt that they need help on the bump, but rushing Zeuch to the majors may not be the greatest plan.

Toronto selected him with the 21st overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft and spent less than half a season in Triple-A. He’ll almost surely be up with the big club to finish up the year, so waiting a few weeks won’t do the Jays much harm.

Buffalo now holds three of the Jays’ top 20 prospects in their staff, with Zeuch (No. 17), Anthony Kay (No. 5), and Nate Pearson (No. 2) — who was just called up. There’s a chance that all three could make the Jays out of spring training in 2020.

Next. Blue Jays: Nate Pearson moves closer to MLB with promotion. dark

Zeuch’s night has put him in the spotlight in Toronto. Fans are going to be excited to see the 6-foot-7 righty toe the rubber in the majors, whenever he makes the jump.

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