Jamie

Vermilyea

Vermilyea was 3-3 with a 2.60 ERA, 67 H and 52/16 K/BB in 65 2/3 IP while acting mostly as a reliever for Double-A New Hampshire. He projects as a middle releiver in the majors.

Vermilyea still isn’t being taken seriously as a prospect, though that he missed time this year might have something to do with him clearing waivers. The Jays called him up on May 10, watched him pitched three scoreless innings that night and then didn’t use him even once more before sending him down 20 days later. With his ability to get grounders, he could be a useful middle man.

Vermilyea pitched three scoreless innings on May 10, the day that he was recalled, and hadn’t made another appearance since. That’s six scoreless innings in all for him in his two stints with the team.

The 26-year-old Vermilyea figures to get an extended look in middle relief someday, but it probably won’t happen with Toronto. He pitched six scoreless innings for the Blue Jays last season and still never saw the majors during the final four months.

The Red Sox talked Vermilyea up this spring, but there was no chance that they were going to leave a bullpen spot open for him. Vermilyea won’t be a candidate to make the Blue Jays either, but he could help out as a middle reliever later on.

Some kind of reward for throwing three scoreless innings Sunday in his major league debut a week after being called up. Maybe he’ll get a real chance soon.

Vermilyea pitched three scoreless innings in his major league debut last month. He’ll work in middle relief.

Vermilyea, who was taken by the Red Sox in the Rule 5 draft in Dec. 2005 and later returned to the Jays, will be making his major league debut. The Jays will use him middle relief, where his sinker could make him fairly useful.

Vermilyea was making his first start for New Hampshire after posting a 3.09 ERA in six starts and 12 relief appearances for Single-A Dunedin. A below average fastball caused him to slip into the ninth round in last year’s draft, but because of his quality slider and splitter, he could be a fifth starter or a middle reliever in the majors.