Unfortunately, today’s prospect will be out to start the 2025 season.
This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual Pre-Season Prospect Countdown, this time looking at the top 40 prospects in the organization. We’ll look at the player’s stats, my observations, and other publications’ scouting reports if available.
Let’s take a look at our 10th-ranked Toronto Blue Jays prospect, Adam Macko!
Getting to know Adam Macko…
Position: Starting pitcher
Throws: Left
Born: December 30, 2000
Acquired: Trade with Mariners
Previous ranking: 10
Born in Slovakia, raised in Ireland, and attending high school in Vauxhall, Alberta, Macko was selected in the seventh round of the 2019 draft by the Seattle Mariners. Macko debuted the same season, posting a 3.09 ERA and a 3.83 FIP in 23.1 innings pitched with a 31.7 K% and an 11.9 BB%.
After the pandemic cancelled the 2020 season, Macko pitched in Single-A in 2021, posting a 4.59 ERA and a 3.33 FIP in 33.1 innings pitched in an injury-filled season. It was much of the same in 2022, pitching 38.1 innings in High-A with a 3.99 ERA and a 3.77 FIP in 38.1 innings with a 35.9 K% and a 12 BB%.
In mid-November, 2022, the Mariners traded him and Erik Swanson to the Blue Jays in exchange for Teoscar Hernández. Macko stayed healthy for the most part in 2023, posting a 4.81 ERA and a 3.97 FIP in 86 innings pitched in High-A, with a 28.5 K% and a 10.8 BB%.
The 2024 season saw him reach a career-high in innings pitched (albeit with an injury that kept him out for nearly two months). Between Single-A (a rehab assignment) Double-A, and Triple-A, Macko had a 4.63 ERA and a 3.96 FIP in 93.1 innings pitched with a 26.9 K% and a 9 BB%.
Sadly, his 2025 season will start late, as it was reported that he has a meniscus tear in his left knee and will probably require surgery, and who knows how long he’ll be out after the surgery. It came at a bad time, as he was seen as a depth option if the big league team needed a starter to fill in.
Still, he ranked as MLB Pipeline’s eight-best prospect in the 2024 mid-season update. The left-handed pitcher’s best is his 12-6 curveball, used to generate whiffs while his fastball sits in the mid-90s. Macko also features an average changeup and an above-average slider, with improved control since joining the Blue Jays organization. There’s some reliever risk in Macko due to the injuries and his command but if he can figure it out, the Blue Jays got a pretty good starter in their hands.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
All Toronto Blue Jays odds are brought to you by MLB betting site Betway!
Presented by Betway