Interview: Blue Jays prospect Nolan Perry emerging as a rising arm in Toronto’s farm system
After opening the 2026 season in High-A with the Dunedin Blue Jays, where Perry made five appearances (four starts), and posted a 0-0 record, a 1.71 ERA and 0.67 WHIP, the right-hander has been moved up to High-A, joining the Vancouver Canadians as of early May.
Speaking to Blue Jays Nation, Perry spoke about the differences he’s experienced working across three minor-league levels within the Blue Jays’ farm system.
“The FCL [Florida Coast League] was definitely different because there are guys of all ages,” explained Perry. “It is definitely more competitive facing more advanced guys in the FCL. I think Low-A was more like college, where the players don’t swing as much as they do in high school… Here in High-A, it is similar, but I feel the batters have a better plan.”
The loss of a full season at such a young age can be detrimental for a pitcher’s development, but Perry took the injury in stride and used it to better himself for when he returned to the mound.
“It was tough, but I always looked at it as a good thing that happened to me,” said Perry. “Obviously, nobody wants to have surgery, but at that point I was walking a lot of guys, and couldn’t find the zone, so I just looked at it as kind of a blessing.
“Now that I’ve come back, I’m finding a pretty good zone, my velocity has ticked up a little bit, and my stuff has gotten better. I think the downtime allowed me to get into the weight room, get more flexible, really work on myself, and develop a better plan when I’m pitching. I definitely think it was a good thing it happened.”
The Blue Jays’ organization has received praise in recent years for the development of its young pitchers.
“It gives me a lot of confidence, especially seeing Trey [Yesavage] start in Low-A last year, and then make his way up to the World Series,” Perry said. “The same thing with Gage [Stanifer], he was freaking dominant last year. It definitely gives me confidence that they are putting me in the right spot, and I’m on the right path.”
The ultimate goal of any player who gets drafted by an MLB club is to step on a big-league field and represent the city they play in. In the Blue Jays’ case, they represent an entire country, being the lone team to call Canada home.
The impact of one day getting to represent the Blue Jays and Canada is something that is not lost on the 22-year-old, who is already finding himself North of the border at Nat Bailey Stadium.
“It would definitely mean the world to me. I watched the World Series, and shoot, I was getting chills just sitting at home in New Mexico,” Perry said. “It would definitely be awesome to be part of that, especially with the whole country behind your back.”