FORT MYERS, Fla. – Facing a Boston Red Sox lineup filled with major-leaguers Saturday, Nate Pearson certainly looked the part of the best right-handed pitching prospect in baseball.

Which is to say he looked dominant at times — almost unhittable. And, within the same outing, there were moments where he still looked like a prospect rather than a finished product. That contrast makes Pearson the Toronto Blue Jays’ most intriguing pitcher and creates a delicate balancing act for the team in the weeks and months ahead.

“It’s funny, he wasn’t as sharp today,” manager Charlie Montoyo said. “He just looks good to me. I don’t know what else I can say about the kid. He wasn’t as sharp, but good enough.”

Based on the results, Pearson was more than good enough. He pitched two scoreless innings and struck out three of the eight Red Sox hitters he faced. His fastball topped out at 99 m.p.h. and never fell below 95, but a brief lapse in command allowed his only baserunners of the spring to reach.

Having established his fastball in his first two outings, Pearson resolved to work in more off-speed stuff against Boston. That experimentation came at a cost, however.

With one out in the fifth inning, catcher Christian Vazquez walked on four pitches. The following batter, first baseman Bobby Dalbec, walked too. In both plate appearances, Pearson missed with his off-speed stuff and paid for it.

“It’s one of my priority goals to get my curveball working and I can’t do that unless I throw it a lot,” he said.

Soon enough, Pearson regained the feel for his breaking stuff and he never looked back, retiring each of the last five hitters he faced.

“He battled,” Montoyo said. “He came back. It’s good to see.”

Of course, Pearson’s chances of breaking camp with the Blue Jays are effectively nil. Instead, he’ll return to Buffalo, where he finished 2019, for a little more seasoning.

Should he really begin the season at triple-A? On the one hand, his stuff obviously plays against major-league hitters right now, and pitchers only throw 100 m.p.h. for so long. There’s no doubt he’s one of the organization’s most talented 13 pitchers right now. If the Blue Jays were setting a playoff roster today, he’d have to be on it.

That’s if the Blue Jays are trying to maximize wins in the short-term, though. From a development standpoint, Blue Jays’ decision makers believe there are also advantages to starting the season in the minor-leagues. After all, Pearson has all of three triple-A starts to his name, not 10 or 20. And while it’s certainly possible for players to continue developing in the major leagues, it’s likely easier to refine pitches against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs than it is against the New York Yankees.

Plus, if Pearson’s in the rotation, who’s coming out? Trent Thornton, who has emerged as the frontrunner for the fifth starter’s job? Or Chase Anderson, who has a long track record of steady production in the majors? The Blue Jays likely prefer to let an opening emerge rather than forcing one.

There’s also the 40-man roster to keep in mind. Since Pearson’s not yet on the 40-man, someone will have to come off when he joins the team. A year ago, there was no shortage of players to cut. Now that the roster’s better, finding a player to drop isn’t as easy.

Lastly, there’s the reality that the Blue Jays would be able to keep Pearson through 2026 rather than 2025 if they keep him in the minors for at least a few weeks. That’s immensely valuable to any team, even one that expects to be able to extend its best players. Even if service time is far from a driving factor here, the Blue Jays would be irresponsible not to monitor it.

All things considered, there are benefits to having Pearson start the season at triple-A, just as there’s a cost to putting him in the big-league rotation right away. Under those circumstances, he’s almost certainly headed to Buffalo.

Pearson’s coming to Toronto soon, though, potentially by May if all goes well. Maybe later in the summer if he needs more time. In the meantime, Grapefruit League hitters are still seeking their first hit against him.