Scott Richmond, formerly an undrafted free agent signed out of the Edmonton Cracker Cats in the independent Northern League, was picked up by the Jays in 2008, and made his way up into the rotation for five starts between July and the end of the season. Richmond, a Canadian, earned a splash in the media as his promotion to the major league club left him unable to compete for Canada in the Olympics.
A big right-hander (6'5"), Richmond mixes a fastball in the low 90s, changeup, curve, and his out pitch; a tight breaking slider. During his tenure in the minor leagues last year, Richmond threw strikes, posting a minuscule walk rate against his K/9. In 21 starts between double and triple A, Richmond posted an ERA of 4.29, racking up 115K in 121 2/3 innings. He's shown himself to be a bit flyball prone, but his ability to throw strikes has keep the damage limited.
In his five starts in Toronto, Richmond provided a decent fill in for Purcey. He ended up with a 1-3 record, but threw well, with an ERA of 4 and 20 strikeouts. Obviously he will not remain with the same strike out rate, but his control and ability to work the strike zone, he should avoid inflating his walk rate to unacceptable levels.
Richmond isn't considered to have a particularly high ceiling, but much the same was said about Litsch the last two years, and he's foiled expectations. With his ability to throw strikes, and limit unearned baserunners, he's got the potential to do well. If he does strongly in the spring, Richmond would be a contender for a spot in the rotation, potentially as a fill in for McGowan's slot until he comes back from injury, or even in the five slot. There is also the PR advantage of having a Canadian in the rotation, a fact likely not lost on the head office.
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