ERIE, Pa. – Nate Pearson retired the first 11 batters he faced. Four strikeouts, four groundouts, two popups and a fly ball against the Erie Seawolves, who boast the best offence in the Double-A Eastern League. Pearson’s fastball sat at 97 mph, touching 100. He was dominant.



He was also liberated. For most of the season, the Blue Jays had cosseted their top pitching prospect, alternating two- and five-inning inning starts and keeping a fastidious watch on his pitch count. Pearson had faced only 10 batters at High-A Dunedin last year, the 10th man drilling a pitch off his forearm. It was broken. His season was over after one short start.



Entering this season, Pearson had pitched only 21 2/3 innings in pro ball. The Blue Jays’ conservative approach to load management was prudent. In their dreamscape, Pearson walks tall, leading the youth movement alongside Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. The club was taking no chances.



“Yeah, it was...