Drunk Jays Fans wonders if there is a plan to limit Drew Hutchison‘s minor leagoue innings early in the season so he can participate in a stretch run late in the year (think Matt Moore in 2011).

So… what exactly is the deal there? Are the Jays simply planning ahead for Hutchison having an extended season by way of a September call-up? With the expectation that he’s going to be getting regular turns in the big league rotation? Or maybe just saving his bullets to help them in some kind of a stretch run?
I’m not saying I’m opposed to it or anything, I’m just a little surprised by the plan. Have I missed something here?

In 218 minor leauge innings, Drew struck out 234 while walking 54. He’ll play this season as a 21-year-old, and I can understand the Jays wanting to see how the pitcher handles AA at this point. If the plan is to bring him along this year for the second half of the major league season, I like Alex Anthopoulos’s thinking.

Note that this would be the opposite strategy of the Nationals with Stephen Strasburg. They’re not thinking about a stretch run with him, although that might change depending on how the season goes.