Blue Jays: The Rule 5 Draft and 5 Possible Targets

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Onelki Garcia, 26 years old, AA, LHP, White Sox

Garcia is listed as the 22nd best CHW prospect on MLB.com and is noted as being a RP, lacking the depth of pitch repertoire to become a SP. He’s an interesting addition for a few reasons. First, he’s a LHP that throws hard (95 MPH heater) and can strike out hitters with the best of them. Second, he’s seasoned through AAA and can be expected to be ready for MLB at some point in 2016, or 2017 at the most.

His repertoire includes the heater, and two curve balls that he apparently throws in the low 80s and high 70s respectively. The word is that he can locate the latter, but that the former can be harder for him to locate effectively.

The problem with Garcia is the lack of control, as shown by his high walk rates from 2013 onwards. However, I’d like to believe that a change of scenery, a different voice, and some instruction can rectify some of that in order to make him more effective. There’s no denying that the talent is there and that he could become a force to be reckoned with in the pen if he puts it all together.

If the Jays can take Garcia on and give him a long look through the spring, they could provide competition for Aaron Loup while hoping to strike it rich with his high-ceiling arm talent.

Next: A strikeout machine searching for some control of his own...