The Blue Jays are adding a familiar name to their Spring Training mix, signing veteran right-hander Jesse Hahn to a minor league deal with an invite to big league camp. It’s a low-risk move with a clear purpose: bolster organizational depth with a pitcher who’s seen the highs and lows of Major League Baseball.
Hahn’s career has been a winding road. He broke into the league with promise, logging nearly 300 innings between 2014 and 2017 while pitching for the Padres and A’s.
But since then, it’s been a series of setbacks. Arm injuries cost him three full MLB seasons-2018, 2022, and 2023-and he spent all of 2024 in the minors trying to claw his way back.
Last season, Hahn finally made it back to a big league mound, albeit briefly. He appeared in just three games for the Mariners, tossing five innings before being designated for assignment twice and ultimately outrighted off Seattle’s 40-man roster. It wasn’t the triumphant return he might’ve hoped for, but it was a step forward nonetheless.
At Triple-A Tacoma in 2025, Hahn’s numbers were a mixed bag. He posted a 5.85 ERA with a 22.4% strikeout rate and a 10.5% walk rate-control still proving to be an issue.
But there’s one stat that jumps off the page: a 61.8% ground ball rate. That’s elite territory, and it speaks to what Hahn still does well.
He keeps the ball on the ground, primarily by leaning on a 95 mph sinker that remains his go-to pitch. His slider has now taken over as his secondary offering, replacing the changeup he once favored.
The issue? A .361 BABIP at Triple-A suggests Hahn wasn’t getting much help from his defense-or perhaps was just unlucky. Either way, the ground ball profile gives him a shot to be useful, especially in a system like Toronto’s that values pitching depth and has the infield defense to support it.
At 36, Hahn’s no longer a projectable arm, and he’s not expected to crack the Opening Day bullpen. Toronto’s relief corps is already fairly locked in, especially after last season’s deep postseason run that saw the bullpen carry a heavy load.
But Hahn brings something valuable: experience. He’s a guy who’s been through the grind, and if he can stay healthy, he offers innings-eating potential and a veteran presence at Triple-A.
In today’s game, where bullpen usage is more aggressive than ever, having a steady hand waiting in the wings isn’t just smart-it’s necessary. Hahn may not be the same pitcher he was a decade ago, but if he can harness that sinker and keep inducing grounders, he could find himself back in a big league bullpen when the inevitable need arises. For the Blue Jays, it’s a savvy depth play that could pay off when the long season tests their pitching staff.