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Jacob Waguespack
Jacob Waguespack
Jacob Waguespack
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Jacob Daniel Waguespack (/ˈwæɡɪspæk/ WAG-iss-pak;[1] born November 5, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Orix Buffaloes.

Key Information

High school and college

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Waguespack attended Dutchtown High School in Geismar, Louisiana.[2] In his senior season, he pitched to an 8–2 win–loss record, 0.37 earned run average (ERA), and 87 strikeouts in 531⁄3 innings.[3] He was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 37th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign, and went to the University of Mississippi, where he played three seasons for the Ole Miss Rebels. Waguespack saw limited action in his first two seasons of college baseball, pitching as both a starter and reliever. In his third and final season with the Rebels, he made 25 relief appearances and posted a 3.33 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 46 innings pitched.[3]

Professional career

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Philadelphia Phillies

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Undrafted after leaving Mississippi, Waguespack signed with the Philadelphia Phillies organization and was assigned to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Phillies. He finished the season with the Low–A Williamsport Crosscutters, and posted a combined 0–1 record, 2.00 ERA, and 32 strikeouts in 27 innings.[2] Waguespack played the entire 2016 season with the Single–A Lakewood BlueClaws, and went 4–2 with a 3.52 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 43 relief appearances.[2] He began the 2017 season as a reliever with the High–A Clearwater Threshers, and was later converted into a starting pitcher. Waguespack was promoted to the Double–A Reading Fightin Phils in August, where he continued to pitch as a starter. In 1051⁄3 total innings, he pitched to a 9–7 record, 3.42 ERA, and 108 strikeouts.[2]

Waguespack began the 2018 season with Reading, and was later promoted to the Triple–A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Toronto Blue Jays

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Waguespack with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020

On July 31, 2018, Waguespack was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Aaron Loup.[4] Waguespack was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons for the remainder of the 2018 season, and finished the year with a combined 6–10 record, 4.80 ERA, and 112 strikeouts in 122 innings.[2] The Blue Jays added him to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season.[5]

Major Leagues

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On May 26, 2019, Waguespack was called up by the Blue Jays.[6] He made his major league debut the next day, pitching four innings of relief against the Tampa Bay Rays. Waguespack allowed three runs (two earned) and set a Blue Jays franchise record for the most strikeouts for a reliever in their debut with seven.[7] On July 3, he earned his first major league win, throwing five innings and allowing three runs as the Blue Jays beat the Boston Red Sox 6–3.[8] On August 22, in a start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Waguespack threw seven scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and retiring the final fourteen batters he faced.[9] In doing so, he became just the sixth pitcher in franchise history to record a start of at least seven innings with no runs and one hit allowed in his first ten career games.[10] Waguespack appeared in sixteen games for the Blue Jays in 2019, thirteen of which were starts and three of which were extended relief outings. He posted a 4.38 ERA and struck out 63 batters in 78 innings.[11]

With the 2020 Toronto Blue Jays, Waguespack appeared in 11 games, compiling a 0–0 record with 8.15 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 17.2 innings pitched.[12] On March 6, 2021, Waguespack was designated for assignment following the waiver claim of Joel Payamps.[13][14] On March 10, Waguespack cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.[15] returning to Buffalo for the Bisons' 2021 Opening Day roster[16] Following the 2021 season, Waguespack became a free agent.

Orix Buffaloes

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On December 17, 2021, Waguespack signed with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball.[17] He played a key role as the team's closer in 2022, most notably earning three saves in the 2022 Japan Series, including one in Game 7, contributing to Orix's first Japan Series championship since 1996, and their first since the merger with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes in 2004. He was also the only active foreigner on the team's roster during their Japan Series run.

On December 23, 2022, he resigned a one-year contract extension for the 2023 season. In 31 games for Orix, he posted a 4–7 record and 5.77 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 43+2⁄3 innings pitched. On December 1, 2023, the Buffaloes announced that Waguespack would not be brought back in 2024, making him a free agent.[18]

Tampa Bay Rays

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On January 15, 2024, Waguespack signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays organization.[19] On March 15, Tampa Bay selected his contract to the 40–man roster.[20] He made four appearances for the Rays before he was optioned down to the Triple–A Durham Bulls on April 13.[21] Waguespack suffered a shoulder injury while playing for Durham, and was placed on the injured list on May 6.[22] After the injury was diagnosed as shoulder inflammation, he was transferred to the 60–day injured list on May 18.[23]

On November 4, 2024, Waguespack and the Rays agreed to a one–year contract extension for the 2025 season worth $1.3 million.[24] He was optioned to Triple-A Durham to begin the season,[25] where he posted a 1-0 record and 0.46 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 15 appearances. Waguespack was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay on July 25, 2025.[26] He was released by the team after clearing waivers on July 28.[27]

Philadelphia Phillies (second stint)

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On August 4, 2025, Waguespack signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.[28] In 10 appearances for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, he logged a 1-0 record and 5.40 ERA with 13 strikeouts across 13+1⁄3 innings pitched. Waguespack elected free agency following the season on November 6.[29][30]

Milwaukee Brewers

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On January 29, 2026, Waguespack signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.[31]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jacob Waguespack

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jacob Waguespack is an American who has appeared in (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and , and in (NPB) for the , while currently holding status following his election of free agency after a stint in the Philadelphia Phillies' system on November 6, 2025. Born on November 5, 1993, in Prairieville, , Waguespack attended Dutchtown High School, where he was selected by the in the 37th round of the 2012 MLB Draft but opted to attend the (Ole Miss) instead of signing. At Ole Miss from 2013 to 2015, he appeared in 40 games with a 3.41 career , recording 1 win, 1 loss, and 52 strikeouts over 61.1 , primarily as a reliever in his first two seasons before increasing his role in 2015. After going undrafted in 2015, he signed as an amateur free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies on June 19, 2015, and began his professional career in the , progressing through their system with notable performances, including a 3.12 in 72.2 innings across and Double-A in 2017. On July 31, 2018, the Phillies traded Waguespack to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for reliever , marking a pivotal step in his career. He made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays on May 27, 2019, and over parts of two seasons (2019–2020), he posted a 5-5 record with a 5.11 , 90 strikeouts, and 105.2 in 31 appearances, including 13 starts, showcasing his potential as a starter with a that reached 98 mph. After being by Toronto following the 2020 season and spending 2021 in the Blue Jays' , Waguespack signed with the of NPB ahead of the 2022 season. In , he transitioned to a relief role, contributing to Orix's championship with 5 saves and a 2.97 over 32 games; in 2023, he appeared in 31 games with a 5.77 before leaving the team. Overall in NPB, Waguespack recorded 6 wins, 13 losses, a 4.02 , and 148 strikeouts in 63 appearances across 116.1 innings. Returning to MLB, Waguespack signed a minor league contract with the in January 2024, earning a call-up later that year where he made 4 appearances (including 3 in ) with a 6.30 and 8 strikeouts in 10.0 innings. The Rays designated him for assignment in July 2025 and released him on July 27, 2025, after which he signed a minor league contract with the Phillies on August 4, 2025, and appeared for their Triple-A affiliate, the , before electing free agency on November 6, 2025. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches and throwing right-handed, Waguespack remains a power arm seeking his next opportunity in .

Early life and amateur career

High school career

Jacob Waguespack was born on November 5, 1993, in Prairieville, . He attended Dutchtown High School in , where he lettered three years in under Chris Schexnaydre. As a junior, Waguespack went 8–0 and helped lead the Griffins to a district championship. In his senior year of 2012, he was named an All-State selection, as well as All-District and All-Metro for the second time. That season, Waguespack posted an 8–2 record with two saves and a 0.37 ERA over 13 appearances, recording 87 strikeouts and 25 walks in 53 1/3 . Following high school, Waguespack attended the to play .

College career

Jacob Waguespack enrolled at the in 2012 after being selected in the 37th round of the MLB Draft by the out of high school, opting instead to honor his commitment to the program. His early college career was hampered by bone spurs, limiting him to just 15 appearances across his freshman and sophomore seasons (2013 and 2014), where he split time between starting and relief roles, compiling a 1-1 record with a 3.60 over 28 and 18 strikeouts. As a junior in 2015, Waguespack fully transitioned to the , emerging as a key reliever for the Rebels with a team-high 25 appearances, all in relief, where he recorded a 3.33 , 34 strikeouts, and one save across 46 . He demonstrated improved command in high-leverage situations, such as escaping a bases-loaded jam in relief against No. 21 UCF early in the season and delivering 5.0 of relief, allowing one unearned run, to help stabilize a game during a doubleheader. Throughout his three years at Ole Miss, Waguespack's progression from limited starter to reliable late-inning reliever highlighted his development in velocity and control, setting the foundation for professional adjustments.

Professional career

Philadelphia Phillies (first stint)

After going undrafted in the 2015 MLB Draft following his college career at the , where he had developed into a reliable reliever, Jacob Waguespack signed with the Phillies as an undrafted on June 19, 2015. Waguespack began his professional career that summer, splitting time between the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Phillies and the Low-A Williamsport Crosscutters. In 27 total innings across 19 appearances, he posted a 0–1 record with a 2.00 and 32 strikeouts, demonstrating early command and swing-and-miss ability from the . In 2016, Waguespack advanced to Lakewood BlueClaws, where he appeared in 43 relief outings. He recorded a 4–2 mark with a 3.52 over 71 2/3 innings, striking out 72 batters while limiting opponents to a .246 , solidifying his role as a high-leverage arm in the Phillies' system. Waguespack's progression continued in 2017, as he split the season between High-A Clearwater Threshers and Double-A . Across both levels, he went 9–7 with a 3.42 in 105 1/3 , amassing 108 strikeouts in 31 appearances (six starts), which highlighted his growing and effectiveness against more advanced hitters. Entering 2018, Waguespack opened the year with Reading before earning a promotion to Triple-A in May. Through July 31, he combined for a 4–6 record with a 4.65 and 79 strikeouts in 82 2/3 between the two affiliates, showing flashes of major-league readiness despite some inconsistency at the higher level. On July 31, 2018, the Phillies traded Waguespack to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for left-handed reliever Aaron Loup, a move that propelled his career toward the major leagues by providing a fresh opportunity in a rebuilding organization.

Toronto Blue Jays

Waguespack was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies on July 31, 2018, in exchange for relief pitcher Aaron Loup. Following the trade, Waguespack joined the Triple-A and posted a 2–4 record with a 5.03 and 33 strikeouts over 39.1 for the remainder of the 2018 season. Waguespack made his major league debut with the Blue Jays on May 27, , against the at , where he pitched 4 in relief, allowing 1 run while striking out 7 batters—a franchise record for the most strikeouts by a reliever in a debut. He earned his first MLB win on July 3, , against the Boston Red Sox at , surrendering 3 runs over 5 in a 6–3 victory. In 16 appearances (13 starts) that season, Waguespack finished with a 5–5 record, 4.38 , and 63 strikeouts in 78 . The 2020 season, shortened by the , saw Waguespack transition primarily to a relief role, appearing in 11 games with no decisions, an 8.15 , and 16 strikeouts in 17.2 innings. In 2021, Waguespack began the year with the Blue Jays but was on March 6 and outrighted to the on March 10. He spent the season in Triple-A, where he went 7–2 with a 2.86 and 74 strikeouts in 69.1 innings across 24 games (10 starts), reflecting a shift toward a hybrid starter-reliever role. Waguespack elected free agency on November 7 after declining an outright assignment. During his time in the Blue Jays organization from 2018 to 2021, Waguespack's performance included a combined 11–12 record, 4.31 ERA, and 159 strikeouts in 161.1 innings over 43 games (22 starts), evolving from a starter-reliever hybrid in 2018–2019 to more relief-focused by 2021.

After becoming a following his tenure in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, Jacob Waguespack signed with the of as a on December 17, 2021. Waguespack made his NPB debut on April 29, 2022. In his first season, he emerged as a key reliever for the Buffaloes, primarily serving in high-leverage situations and as the team's closer toward the end of the . Over 32 appearances in the , he recorded a 2–6 record, a , 81 strikeouts, and five saves across . In the postseason, Waguespack contributed significantly to Orix's championship run, earning three saves in the against the , including the final out in Game 7 to secure a 4–2–1 series victory and the Buffaloes' first title in 26 years. Waguespack's transition to NPB required adaptations to the league's pitching demands, which often emphasize precision, lower rates, and managing contact hitters in compact ballparks, contrasting with MLB's emphasis on and strikeouts against power lineups. He signed a one-year contract extension with on December 23, 2022, for the 2023 season. However, his performance declined in 2023, where he appeared in 31 games with a 4–7 record, a 5.77 , and 67 strikeouts in 43⅔ innings. Orix released Waguespack on December 1, 2023, making him a free agent.

Tampa Bay Rays

On January 15, 2024, Jacob Waguespack signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, drawing interest partly from his successful performance in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Orix Buffaloes. His contract was selected and added to the Rays' 40-man roster on March 15, 2024, allowing him to make his debut with the organization. In 2024, Waguespack appeared in four games for the Rays, including one start, posting a 5.40 ERA over 10 innings with 11 strikeouts before sustaining a right shoulder injury. The shoulder injury, diagnosed as right inflammation, occurred during a Triple-A start for the on May 2, 2024, leading to his placement on the 15-day on May 6 and transfer to the 60-day on May 18. This setback severely limited his availability, forcing him to miss the remainder of the major league season; he underwent a rehab assignment in June and September but pitched only 22 innings in Triple-A Durham with a 3.27 and 32 strikeouts before being shut down. The injury not only curtailed his 2024 contributions but also impacted his and command, as evidenced by reduced speed in rehab outings and ongoing recovery challenges into the offseason. Despite the injury, the Rays extended Waguespack a one-year worth $1.3 million on November 4, 2024, covering the 2025 season with a $1.5 million club option for 2026. He began 2025 optioned to Triple-A Durham on March 19, where he excelled in , achieving a 1–0 record, 0.46 , and 18 strikeouts over 19.2 innings in 15 appearances, including closing out a combined on April 19 against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. However, another undisclosed injury sidelined him starting June 9, limiting his season and contributing to diminished performance metrics upon brief returns. Waguespack was by the Rays on July 25, 2025, to make room on the 40-man roster, and released outright on July 27, 2025, ending his tenure with the organization after a challenging period marked by persistent injury effects.

Philadelphia Phillies (second stint)

Following his release from the Tampa Bay Rays in late July 2025, Waguespack signed a minor league contract with the Phillies on August 4, 2025, marking a return to the organization that originally drafted him in 2015. He was immediately assigned to the Triple-A , where he served as a to bolster the during the season's final stretch. In his brief stint with the IronPigs, Waguespack made 10 relief appearances over 13.1 innings, posting a 5.40 with 13 strikeouts and 7 walks, while limiting opponents to a .191 against. His stood at 1.20, reflecting solid control despite the elevated , which was influenced by two home runs allowed in limited action. This performance provided Waguespack an opportunity to demonstrate his value in high-minors competition, though he did not receive a call-up to the major league roster before the end of the regular season. On November 6, 2025, Waguespack elected after his contract expired, concluding his second tenure with the Phillies organization at age 31. This short return to a familiar environment offered a platform for rehabilitation and evaluation amid career uncertainties, positioning him to pursue opportunities elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent heading into the 2026 season.

Playing style and records

Waguespack is a right-handed standing at 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm), known for his power pitching style. His primary arsenal consists of four pitches: a (used 38.9% of the time), cutter (35.3%), (14.0%), and (11.8%). The four-seam fastball averages around 92-94 mph but has reached up to 98 mph, exhibiting cut-ride movement due to his pronation and wrist twist at release. His features 12-6 movement, while the shows slight cut action. Waguespack employs a unique delivery with a 70-degree arm slot and a high release point of 6.4 feet, contributing to deceptive ball flight and effectiveness against left-handed batters (.303 since 2020). He has transitioned between starting and roles, excelling as a high-leverage reliever in with a 29% rate over 116.1 . In 2024 with the , he achieved over 30% whiff rates across his pitches in relief appearances. Notable achievements include contributing to the ' 2022 Japan Series championship with 5 saves, and high school All-State honors in .

References

  1. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wagueja01.shtml
  2. https://www.mlb.com/player/jacob-waguespack-621097
  3. https://npb.jp/bis/eng/players/73275155.html
  4. https://www.milb.com/player/jacob-waguespack-621097
  5. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wagues000jac
  6. https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/37726/jacob-waguespack
  7. https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/37726/jacob-waguespack
  8. https://www.draysbay.com/2024/1/17/24040058/rays-add-orix-buffaloes-high-leverage-reliever-rhp-jacob-waguespack
  9. https://www.mlb.com/news/jacob-waguespack-takes-advantage-of-opportunity-with-rays
  10. https://olemisssports.com/sports/baseball/roster/jacob-waguespack/162
  11. https://www.weeklycitizen.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2020/06/11/best-parish-baseball-players-of-decade/112134658/
  12. https://northwoodsleague.com/blog/2014/05/07/bombers-ink-trio-from-ole-miss/
  13. https://www.milb.com/news/threshers-spotlight-jacob-waguespack-238514742
  14. https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2015-03-01/no-23-ole-miss-hands-no-21-ucf-its-first-loss-doubleheader-split
  15. https://www.secsports.com/news/2015/02/ole-miss-drops-first-in-double-header
  16. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/blue-jays-acquire-rhp-jacob-waguespack-from-phillies-288206452
  17. https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/video/waguespack-s-7-strikeout-debut
  18. https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401076020
  19. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/pitching.php?y=2019&t=TOR
  20. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/12/breyvic-valera-jacob-waguespack-jesse-biddle-sign-japan-orix-buffaloes-npb.html
  21. https://www.si.com/mlb/bluejays/news/blue-jays-valera-waguespack-orix-buffaloes-japan
  22. https://jballallen.com/2022/04/
  23. https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/orix-buffaloes-win-npb-japan-series-after-26-years
  24. https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/36636
  25. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/01/rays-sign-jacob-waguespack-to-minor-league-contract.html
  26. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/2826541/jacob-waguespack/
  27. https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-activate-shane-mcclanahan-extend-jacob-waguespack
  28. https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player/jacob-waguespack-15670
  29. https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-jacob-waguespack-kicks-off-rehab-assignment/
  30. https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id/28190/jacob-waguespack
  31. https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-jacob-waguespack-dfad-by-rays/
  32. https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/6912-jacob-waguespack/
  33. https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-6-25-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-part-nineteen-pitchers
  34. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/players-electing-minor-league-free-agency.html
  35. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/jacob-waguespack-621097
  36. https://rblrsports.com/2025/01/09/jacob-waguespack-a-year-better-or-year-older/
  37. https://www.brooksbaseball.net/landing.php?player=621097
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