At the 2017 MLB Draft, the Toronto Blue Jays were eager to land a first-round draft pick who they foresaw as someone who could one day be an anchor on the roster. With the 28th overall pick in the draft, the Blue Jays selected right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson.
Pearson made his debut in 2020 under much pomp and circumstance after being touted as one of the top prospects in all of baseball. While Pearson struggled in his first big league stint he still contributed to the Blue Jays making the postseason that year. However, by 2024 Pearson was out of Toronto when the Blue Jays traded him away to the Chicago Cubs for minor leaguers Yohendrick Pinango and Josh Rivera.