Blue Jays: 18 Minor Leaguers elect for free agency

The Toronto Blue Jays had 18 players within their minor league ranks elect for free agency including Canadian outfielder Dalton Pompey.

Major League Baseball released a list of 510 minor league players who have officially become free agents. The list included the following Toronto Blue Jays players who are now free to sign with another organization.

PITCHERS: Josh Almonte (AA), John Axford (AAA), Danny Barnes (AAA), Mark Leiter Jr. (AAA), Willy Ortiz (AA), Francisco Rios (AAA) Matt Dermody (AAA), Shawn Morimando (AAA)

CATCHERS: Patrick Cantwell (AAA), Michael De La Cruz (AAA), Javier Hernandez (HiA), Alberto Mineo (AA), Andres Sotillo (AA)

INFIELDERS: Deiferson Barreto (HiA)

OUTFIELDERS: Socrates Brito (AAA), Patrick Kivlehan (AAA), Jordan Patterson (AAA), Dalton Pompey (AAA)

Some of the more notable names potentially leaving the organization are Pompey, Barnes, Brito, and Dermody. All four have MLB service time with the big club although Brito is the only one to have played in the majors in 2019.

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This could spell the end of Pompey’s tenure with the Blue Jays and provide the 26-year old with a much-needed change of scenery. Pompey has battled through an assortment of injuries including a number of concussions over the past couple of seasons. The former 16th round selection sports a career .221 average with three homers and eight stolen bases in 64 MLB games.

Danny Barnes was a key cog in the Blue Jays bullpen in 2017 making 60 appearances while posting a respectable 3.55 earned run average. The 30-year old last appeared in the majors in 2018 making 47 appearances with an inflated 5.71 earned run average.

Matt Dermody also last pitched in the majors in 2017 making 23 appearances in relief while earning a 4.43 earned run average. The southpaw is best known for streaking through the Blue Jays clubhouse in a jockstrap during the 2016 postseason celebrations.

Socrates Brito was acquired from the San Diego Padres in April of 2019 for minor leaguer Rodrigo Orozco. Brito struggled mightily in 17 games with the big club hitting just .077 in 43 plate appearances for this new team. The 27-year old did hit .282 with 16 home runs and 11 stolen bases for the Triple-A Bisons and was named their MVP for the 2019 season.

Former Blue Jays players hitting free agency with other organizations include: Travis Snider, Drew Hutchison, Josh Thole, Chris Rowley, Sean Nolin, Emilio Bonifacio, Justin Nicolino, Mitch Nay, Tim Collins