Congratulations are in order for New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series 2018 International Week standout Adam Macko, who was added to the Toronto Blue Jays 40-man roster, per a post on their X account.
Macko, 22, was acquired by Toronto from the Seattle Mariners this past off-season as part of a deal that sent Teoscar Hernandez the other way. Originally a seventh-round draft pick by the Mariners in 2019, Macko was slowed by both the pandemic and injuries, and has thrown just 181 innings in pro ball, including 86 this past year with the High-A Vancouver Canadians, who he helped win a Northwest League title alongside fellow FSS alum Dasan Brown.
Big news for the @NB_Baseball @ftrstarsseries alum. Well deserved. https://t.co/u1deDX5GHz
— Mike Ashmore (@mashmore98) November 14, 2023
A Slovakia native who famously taught himself how to pitch through watching highlight videos on YouTube, Macko pitched for the World Team at International Week at Camelback Ranch and more than held his own. He allowed just one base hit in facing a lineup that featured future big leaguer Kyren Paris as well as high draft picks like Silas Ardoin, Brock Jones, Glenallen Hill, Jr. and Drew Gilbert.
Despite the move by the Blue Jays, one that was necessitated by Tuesday’s deadline to protect players in advance of the Rule 5 Draft, Macko is likely some time away from the majors. He’s likely ticketed for Double-A New Hampshire to start next season, and is considered by most to not have an ETA in the big leagues until 2025, although a hot start to his year as well as his 40-man roster status could help accelerate that path.
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