Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 26: Hagen Danner

Prior to the injury in 2022, Danner briefly pitched for the Double-A Fisher Cats, and that’s where he started his 2023 season. In 9 innings pitched, he had a 3 ERA and a 0.39 FIP, along with a 43.2 K% and a 5.4 BB%. The hard-throwing right-handed pitcher was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo, where he had a 3.81 ERA and a 5.53 FIP in 28.1 innings pitched, as well as a 31.5 K% and a 6.3 BB%.

The biggest issue Danner had in Buffalo was the home run ball, as he gave up eight home runs for a HR/FB ratio of 26.7%, which is absolutely absurd and not sustainable. Danner was called up to the big leagues, where he pitched a third of an inning before landing on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain.

Danner features a high-90s fastball with a lot of ride. He pairs that nicely with a sharp, downward slider that sits in the high-80s. His last pitch is a looping curveball that can be used as a get me over pitch, but also generates whiffs.

What’s most impressive about Danner is the fact his command and control are so good. Back in 2017, the 24-year-old was selected as a catcher and spent his first three seasons hitting, before transitioning to the bullpen during COVID. The highest BB% he’s had with more than four innings pitched at a level is 8.4% in his first season pitching.

It’s only a matter of time before Danner makes his mark at the major league level. What’s important for the 24-year-old is to remain healthy.

Next up:

In the next article, we’ll look at another reliever with the Bisons who has had a very weird year, so stay tuned!

In case you missed it…

• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 50: Garrett Spain
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 49: Connor Cooke
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 48: Michael Dominguez
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 47: Alejandro Melean
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 46: Trenton Wallace
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 45: Brennan Orf
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 44: Robert Robertis
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 43: Sam Shaw
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 42: Rafael Lantigua
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 41: Yhoangel Aponte
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 40: Nick Goodwin
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 39: Irv Carter
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 38: Jimmy Robbins
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 37: Otto López
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 36: Peyton Williams
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 35: Trent Palmer
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 34: C.J. Van Eyk
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 33: Dasan Brown
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 32: Tanner Morris
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 31: Connor O’Halloran
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 30: Kendry Rojas
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 29: Zach Britton
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 28: Adrian Pinto
• Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 27: Rainer Nuñez

me on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @Brennan_L_D.