IOWA CITY, Iowa – Former University of Iowa pitcher Nick Allgeyer has been called up from Triple-A Buffalo to the Toronto Blue Jays. The official transaction took place Saturday.
“I am happy and so proud of Nick,” said head coach Rick Heller. “He’s a perfect example of what relentless hard work, confidence and toughness can bring to a guy. Nick overcame Tommy John surgery and has had to fight for everything he has gotten. The amount of work he has put in is impressive and has really paid off.”
The St. Louis, Missouri, native is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two starts for the Bisons this season. He has gone six innings in both starts, scattering seven hits and allowing two runs over 12 innings. He has 10 strikeouts and a 1.00 WHIP.
Allgeyer pitched for the Hawkeyes from 2014-18, going 7-4 with a 2.76 ERA. He made 15 starts as a redshirt junior in 2018, going 5-4 with a 2.41 ERA en route to first-team All-Big Ten honors. Allgeyer struck out 95 over 97 innings and he was twice named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week. The southpaw went at least five innings in all 15 starts and his 95 strikeouts are the second-most in school history.
Allgeyer was selected in the 12th Round of the 2018 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Blue Jays. He was the 356th pick overall.
Allgeyer is the first player in Heller’s Iowa tenure to get the call to the Majors. He is the sixth player to reach MLB who played under Heller, joining Sean Manaea, Dakota Bacus, Colin Rea, Jake Petricka and Ryan Strausborger — all of whom played for Heller at Indiana State.
The Blue Jays face the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday at 6:37 p.m. (CT) at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida.