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How the Blue Jays manage the workloads of top prospect Nate Pearson and other minor-league pitchers

In 1966, a first-round draft pick named Tom Seaver makes his professional debut with the triple-A Jacksonville Suns. He is 21. His signing bonus is $51,000.

In Seaver's first pro season, he pitches 210 innings.

Yes, you read that right: 210 innings.

Half a century later, a first-round draft pick named Nate Pearson makes his professional debut in a short-season rookie league with the Vancouver Canadians. He is 21. His signing bonus is a tad shy of $2.5 million.

In Pearson's first pro season, he pitches 28 innings.

Seaver was a big, hard-throwing right-hander who pitched for 20 years.