Adam Macko ready for the big time in 2025

The Slovak-born pitcher is set to begin the year in Triple-A Buffalo, where he finished last season after spending most of 2024 at Double-A New Hampshire.

Macko was initially acquired by the Blue Jays, along with Erik Swanson, in the trade that sent Teoscar Hernandez to Seattle. He has steadily risen through the minor league ranks over the past few years.

Macko's journey is unique. Born in Bratislava, Slovakia's capital, he grew up in Ireland before relocating to Canada as a teenager. He graduated from Vauxhall High School in Vauxhall, Alberta, roughly two hours west of Medicine Hat.

Macko features a fastball that can reach the upper 90s, though it typically hovers around 93-94 mph. He also has a high strikeout rate, thanks to a strong curveball and much-improved slider.

He has come a long way since his time with the Mariners, and the Blue Jays are excited about his high ceiling.

Macko is a left-handed starter. His skill set and profile could make him an ideal mid-season call-up and a great addition to the Blue Jays pitching staff, which leans heavily right-handed.

Though Macko has played just one game in Buffalo, he'll need a few months to continue his development. However, if he picks up where he left off last year, he could be a Blue Jay by the All-Star break.

In his minor league career, Macko is 12-17 with a 4.46 ERA in 66 games, including 59 starts. While his ERA could improve, he has an impressive K/9 rate, having struck out 359 batters in 274.1 innings.