Trevor

Clifton

The 28-year-old right-hander joined the Blue Jays’ organization midway through the 2023 campaign after a stint with the Ottawa Titans in the independent Frontier League. He wound up posting a 4.50 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a 15/7 K/BB ratio over 14 innings at Double-A New Hampshire. Clifton will continue to serve as extra bullpen depth for the Jays.

Clifton had spent his entire professional career in the Cubs’ organization after being selected in the 12th round of the 2013 draft. He reached Triple-A last year and registered a 5.18 ERA with an 84/50 K/BB ratio in 99 innings over 24 appearances -- 20 of them starts. It would be an upset if the 24-year-old was anything more than depth for the Diamondbacks’ organization this summer.

He matched a career-high with 10 strikeouts to even his record at 7-7. Clifton has been among the top pitchers in the Carolina League this season. He leads the league in both WHIP (1.19) and ERA (2.87) and also ranks second with 122 strikeouts. Clifton has logged a sensational 1.05 ERA during his four-game unbeaten streak. He’s clearly outgrown the Carolina League and should begin next year at Double-A Tennessee.

Clifton did walk two, but he didn’t allow a run and he struck out nine in the effort. The 22-year-old right-hander struggled at the end of 2017, but Clifton does have quality stuff, with four usable pitches starting with a fastball that can touch 97 mph. His curve, slider and change are all just average, but if he can locate them for strikes -- which he did on Monday -- he has a chance to be an effective backend starter.