Blue Jays: The Rule 5 Draft and 5 Possible Targets

Ivan Pineyro, 23 years old, AAA, RHP, Marlins

Ranked 24th on the Marlins Top 30 list by MLB.com, he’s my personal favourite on this list. Of all the pitchers on this list, he has the most control and his potential to provide some quality starts is very enticing. He’s not going to come out looking like a potential #2 or #3 starter, but he’s got the makings of a workhorse that can provide you with starting pitching depth.

Acquired by the Marlins in the Dan Haren deal, he – just like Chris Devenski – relies on his changeup to be effective. Because his changeup is effective against both LHB and RHB, he’s able to maintain a similar line against hitters on both sides of the plate. Most importantly of all, Pineyro is a pitcher that works low in the zone and gets a ton of ground balls as a result. That always helps out when pitching in Rogers Centre and allows a strong defensive group behind him to go to work.

And finally, over his last 5 starts of the season in AAA, Pineyro allowed more than 1 ER only once (2) and managed 6 or more innings 4 times. He totalled a 5BB/22K ratio and only allowed 1 HR. In short, he proved over that span that he very well may be ready to pitch in MLB very early on in 2016.

Here’s a short video that shows him striking out Peter O’Brien and shows off his speed changing abilities:

I’d love to see Ivan Pineyro become a Blue Jays pitcher through this Rule 5 draft. And now, to our fifth possible addition.

Next: A physical gem with tantalizing potential from Houston...