Blue Jays select three in MILB portion of Rule 5 Draft

TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 2: Mark Shapiro is introduced as president of the Toronto Blue Jays during a press conference on November 2, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 2: Mark Shapiro is introduced as president of the Toronto Blue Jays during a press conference on November 2, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

The Toronto Blue Jays opted to pass on the opportunity to select a player with the 12th overall selection of the major league Rule 5 Draft however the Jays brain trust selected three players in the minor league portion of the draft.

The Blue Jays plucked right-handed pitcher Drew Muren from the San Francisco Giants, catcher Alberto Mineo from the Chicago Cubs, and shortstop Ivan Castillo from the Cleveland Indians. The only Blue Jays player departing is third baseman Mitch Nay who was selected third overall in the Triple-A portion of the draft by the Cincinnati Reds.

The Jays lucked out in the major league portion as nobody took a chance on selecting catcher Max Pentecost or Canadians Jordan Romano and Andrew Case who were left unprotected. The three will now remain in the Blue Jays organization for the upcoming season.

Muren is a 29-year old farmhand who converted to pitching full-time in 2016 after trying his luck as an outfielder. Last season Muren pitched at three levels posting a 3.29 earned run average fanning 45 in 38.1 innings of work over 28 relief appearances.

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Mineo is a 23-year old backstop who originally hails from Italy, the catcher spent last season in Single-A with the Cubs. He hit .278/.374/.358 with no home runs in 98 games with South Bend.

The Jays management is very familiar with Castillo who has been an Indians minor leaguer for the past six seasons. In 2017, Castillo hit .267/341/.354 with a homer and 4 stolen bases in 56 games between Single and Double-A. The 22-year old shortstop has plus speed swiping 80 bases in 465 career minor league games.

Former Blue Jay’ Anthony Gose was selected by the Houston Astros after to converting to pitching last season.

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The Jays appear poised to leave Orlando without making a play for a free agent or acquiring anyone via the trade route. No doubt the groundwork has been laid for future deals but a very quiet winter meetings thus far.

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