MLB debut: Toronto Blue Jays Rowdy Tellez leads week’s debuts

Pitchers

Dean Deetz was brought up this week to a playoff atmosphere with the Houston Astros, and he pitched to that environment, tossing 2/3 of an inning on September 5th without allowing a hit or a walk, striking out one.

Acquired from the Brewers for Neil Walker last season, Eric Hanhold is a big reliever that missed a lot of time this year, but was very good when on the mound, earning his time to the big leagues. He made his debut with a scoreless appearance on September 4th and finished the week with 2 1/3 innings and 2 runs allowed.

Undrafted free agent DJ Johnson had been through plenty of ups and downs through his career, with the Rockies being his 5th organization, and he was able to save 18 games this season for the Colorado AAA affiliate. The 29-year-old made his debut Sunday, collecting 2 strikeouts in the 2 hiters he faced in the 5th inning.

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Once a big signing out of Cuba by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Yoan Lopez has found his stride as a reliever for the Diamondbacks this season, earning a call-up for the final few weeks of the season, but his debut did not go as planned. Lopez did not record an out on Sunday against the Braves, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits, including 2 home runs, allowing the Braves to take a 4-3 deficit and blow the game out of the water in the 9th inning, leading to a 9-5 Diamondbacks loss.

Long and lanky righty Kyle McGowin made his debut for the Washington Nationals on September 5th, allowing a solo home run in one inning of relief.

A big righty on his third organization, Luis Ortiz earned his way to the big leagues, though in a new role coming out of the bullpen, where he struggled in his first game on September 7th, allowing 3 runs over 2/3 of an inning against the Rays for the Orioles.

With incredibly wicked stuff from the left side, C.D. Pelham has plenty of interest if he can simply keep the ball in the zone as he has shown plenty of issues with his control. Interestingly, in 2 1/3 innings, he only walked one, allowing 2 runs and striking out 2 over the week.

Certainly the most highly-regarded prospect on the list this week, Kyle Wright became the first 2017 draftee to make the major leagues. He was the 5th overall pick last June, and he worked his way up to the majors for a debut against the Red Sox on September 4th for the Braves. He finished the week with 3 innings pitched, allowing one run and striking out 3.

While not every player can start his career ripping doubles for the Toronto Blue Jays like Rowdy Tellez, there were plenty of exciting weeks this week and more to come!