Balazovic makes MLB debut with Twins

Former Ontario Blue Jays right-hander Jordan Balazovic (Mississauga, Ont.) made his major league debut with the Minnesota Twins on Sunday.

June 18, 2023

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Former Ontario Blue Jays and Junior National Team right-hander Jordan Balazovic (Mississauga, Ont.) pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings in his major league debut with the Minnesota Twins on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers at Target Field.

He allowed two hits and struck out two after relieving Twins right-hander Louie Varland in the fifth inning.

The Tigers beat the Twins 6-4.

Balazovic was called up from triple-A St. Paul on Sunday when they placed right-hander Jorge López on the Restricted List.

The 24-year-old Canuck had appeared in 14 games (three starts) for the Saints this season. He was 1-1 with a 4.79 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings.

The 6-foot-5 righty is ranked as the 20th-best prospect in the Twins organization by MLB.com.

Balazovic, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB draft by the Twins, toed the rubber for the American League Team in the 2019 SiriusXM Futures Game at Progressive Field.

In total, he has pitched in parts of seven seasons in the Twins’ system and owns a 24-24 record with a 4.24 ERA in 106 games (82 starts).

Balazovic is wearing jersey number 81 for the Twins.