The Toronto Blue Jays lose out on Framber Valdez, but gain Josh Fleming.
Fleming is the latest addition to the Blue Jays’ pitching depth this offseason. It started with bringing in Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to the rotation. Then, they signed Tyler Rogers for high-leverage situations out of the bullpen. They also made moves to acquire Spencer Miles, Chase Lee, Jorge Alcala, Connor Seabold, Brendan Cellucci, Nic Enright, and Josh Winckowski.
While this signing isn’t hugely significant, there could be a lot of upside to this hurler because of his excellent pitch control.
The 6-foot-2, 220 lb southpaw threw 44 strikeouts in 84 1/3 innings in AAA. Fleming also recorded one save, three holds, and a 4.91 ERA to go along with a 1.53 WHIP.
Toronto Blue Jays Sign Josh Fleming
According to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN, Fleming is the latest signing by the Blue Jays. In a social media post, Gonzalez shared the news and a little bit about Toronto’s newest southpaw.
“LH Josh Fleming is in agreement on a minor league deal with a spring training invite with the Blue Jays,” Gonzalez wrote in an X post late on February 4th, 2026. “Fleming, 29, spent last season with the Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate and has posted a 4.77 ERA in 80 games (25 starts) with the Rays and Pirates in the big leagues.”
Fleming’s road to the Blue Jays has been anything but a straight line. He was initially drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017 and remained with the team until he was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies.
From there, he elected free agency and signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024. In July of 2024, Fleming elected free agency once again and agreed to a new contract with the Seattle Mariners later that summer.
After spending the 2025 season with that organization, he elected free agency on November 6, 2025.
What’s the Scouting Report on the Newest Blue Jays Hurler?
Fleming was drafted in 2017, but first appeared on the Rays’ top prospects list in 2020.
He arrived on the list ranked 27th. The southpaw got a glowing review, specifically, when it came to his pitch control.
“An athletic left-hander with a clean delivery, Fleming knows how to be effective with each of his three pitches, though nothing he throws is plus,” the 2020 report states. “His fastball has a ton of late sink and run, sitting at 90-93 mph and touching 94. He can spot his heater with precision on both sides of the plate or drive it down in the zone to get ground balls.”
“Fleming’s average slider and above-average changeup are enhanced by his excellent fastball command, and his changeup missed bats and got weak contact with Tampa Bay last year.”
Excellent fastball command is a great quality for a pitcher. With the help of the organization’s pitching staff, perhaps Fleming can tap into the promise he had in his youth. If he does, he could turn into an effective bullpen option.
Fleming’s Greatest Asset as a Pitcher
One interesting thing about this report is that at the time, Fleming was projected to be a starter.
“With his blend of stamina, pitchability, and command, Fleming looks the part of a future back-end starter,” the report continues. “Some evaluators believe he’s better suited for long-relief role due to his struggles against righties. Though he’s clearly ready to pitch in the big leagues.”
The following year, he climbed up to 21st on the Rays prospect rankings. This report also highlighted his tremendous control.
“He relies on a fastball that sits in the low 90s,” the 2021 report states. “Although the pitch has a ton of late sink and run that (combined with his tremendous control) keeps it off the barrel. He’s going to use that sinker along with his changeup, slider, and curveball to get ground balls. What he does have is a feel for pitching, stamina, and command of his entire arsenal.”
“That gives him the upside of a future back-end starter, a bulk-innings arm or a quality long reliever.”
Organizations have teams at several different levels. Each level needs a rotation and a full bullpen. Fleming is not guaranteed to reach the MLB level. However, he can be a valuable arm in the minor leagues, and that makes him more than worth the risk.
Blue Jays Sign Promising New 6-foot-2 Hurler With ‘Excellent Fastball’