Drafted in the 17th round (509th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
TRACK RECORD: Topa had Tommy John surgery in college in 2011 and, after signing with the Pirates for $70,000 as a 13th-round pick in 2013, had a second Tommy John surgery in 2015. He was released and spent 2017 pitching in the independent Can-Am League before signing a minor league deal with the Rangers in 2018. Topa joined the Brewers on a minor league deal in 2019 and reached Double-A. He generated buzz at the alternate training site and earned his first big league callup in September as a 29-year-old.
SCOUTING REPORT: Topa flourished in his brief time in Milwaukee and didn't look like a fluke. He throws a heavy sinker that sits at 96-99 mph with lively armside run and peaks at 100 mph. His plus slider plays well off his fastball with two-plane depth and deep lateral break. Both pitches are swing-and-miss weapons against both righties and lefties. Topa has demonstrated plus control throughout his career and didn't issue a single walk 7.2 innings with the Brewers. FUTURE: Already entering his 30s, Topa's window to produce is limited. He has the high-octane stuff to be a key reliever for the Brewers right away in 2021.
Scouting Reports
TRACK RECORD: Topa had Tommy John surgery in college in 2011 and, after signing with the Pirates for $70,000 as a 13th-round pick in 2013, had a second Tommy John surgery in 2015. He was released and spent 2017 pitching in the independent Can-Am League before signing a minor league deal with the Rangers in 2018. Topa joined the Brewers on a minor league deal in 2019 and reached Double-A. He generated buzz at the alternate training site and earned his first big league callup in September as a 29-year-old.
SCOUTING REPORT: Topa flourished in his brief time in Milwaukee and didn't look like a fluke. He throws a heavy sinker that sits at 96-99 mph with lively armside run and peaks at 100 mph. His plus slider plays well off his fastball with two-plane depth and deep lateral break. Both pitches are swing-and-miss weapons against both righties and lefties. Topa has demonstrated plus control throughout his career and didn't issue a single walk 7.2 innings with the Brewers. FUTURE: Already entering his 30s, Topa's window to produce is limited. He has the high-octane stuff to be a key reliever for the Brewers right away in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Topa had Tommy John surgery in college in 2011 and, after signing with the Pirates for $70,000 as a 13th-round pick in 2013, had a second Tommy John surgery in 2015. He was released and spent 2017 pitching in the independent Can-Am League before signing a minor league deal with the Rangers in 2018. Topa joined the Brewers on a minor league deal in 2019 and reached Double-A. He generated buzz at the alternate training site and earned his first big league callup in September as a 29-year-old.
SCOUTING REPORT: Topa flourished in his brief time in Milwaukee and didn't look like a fluke. He throws a heavy sinker that sits at 96-99 mph with lively armside run and peaks at 100 mph. His plus slider plays well off his fastball with two-plane depth and deep lateral break. Both pitches are swing-and-miss weapons against both righties and lefties. Topa has demonstrated plus control throughout his career and didn't issue a single walk 7.2 innings with the Brewers.
FUTURE: Already entering his 30s, Topa's window to produce is limited. He has the high-octane stuff to be a key reliever for the Brewers right away in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Topa had Tommy John surgery in college in 2011 and, after signing with the Pirates for $70,000 as a 13th-round pick in 2013, had a second Tommy John surgery in 2015. He was released and spent 2017 pitching in the independent Can-Am League before signing a minor league deal with the Rangers in 2018. Topa joined the Brewers on a minor league deal in 2019 and reached Double-A. He generated buzz at the alternate training site and earned his first big league callup in September as a 29-year-old.
SCOUTING REPORT: Topa flourished in his brief time in Milwaukee and didn't look like a fluke. He throws a heavy sinker that sits at 96-99 mph with lively armside run and peaks at 100 mph. His plus slider plays well off his fastball with two-plane depth and deep lateral break. Both pitches are swing-and-miss weapons against both righties and lefties. Topa has demonstrated plus control throughout his career and didn't issue a single walk 7.2 innings with the Brewers. FUTURE: Already entering his 30s, Topa's window to produce is limited. He has the high-octane stuff to be a key reliever for the Brewers right away in 2021.
Career Transactions
Minnesota Twins placed RHP Justin Topa on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 25, 2024. Left patellar tendinitis.
Seattle Mariners recalled RHP Justin Topa, and from Tacoma Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners optioned RHP Justin Topa to Tacoma Rainiers.
Tacoma Rainiers activated RHP Justin Topa.
Milwaukee Brewers traded RHP Justin Topa to Seattle Mariners for RHP Joseph Hernandez.
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