Top Blue Jays’ Draft Picks of All-Time

Apr 13, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New Security measures implemented by Major League Baseball stand ready for screening fans at Gate 4 of the Rogers Centre before the home opener between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

#2

Dave Stieb, one of the earliest great Blue Jays in an otherwise bleak era, was drafted by the budding Blue Jays in the 5th round of the 1978 draft.

Stieb came on early in a Blue Jays uniform only a year after he was drafted, pitching over 100 innings with a 4.31 ERA. He followed his pedestrian like rookie season with consecutive seasons as an All-Star and in 1982 led the Majors in innings pitched with 288. He would surpass the 250 IP landmark in each of the next three seasons, unofficially earning himself the workhorse label in the Jays rotation.

His 1982 season garnered him some success in Cy Young voting but was cut short and finished fourth among his peers.

Notably, Stieb is the only pitcher in Blue Jays franchise history to record a no-hitter as he did on September 2, 1990. With any luck, he’d have had a few more to his name as he lost two no-hitters in 1988 with two outs and two strikes in the 9th inning as well as a perfect game on August 4th, 1989.

Unfortunately following the 1990 season, Stieb suffered a string of shoulder issues and the Jays elected to release him. Stieb signed on with the Chicago White Sox in 1992 but appeared in only 22 innings before announcing his retirement.

In an odd situation, Stieb returned to the Blue Jays in 1998 for 19 games, recording a win, two saves while starting three games. Stieb will fondly be remembered by Jays fans older than I for being the shining star during a time of dark berth for the franchise.

If not for the following draftee, Stieb would easily garner the tag as the top Blue Jay ever drafted.