Blue Jays opt not to select anyone in Rule 5 draft, lose pitcher

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 26: General manager Ross Atkins of the Toronto Blue Jays speaks to the media before introducing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 before his MLB debut later tonight against the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre on April 26, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 26: General manager Ross Atkins of the Toronto Blue Jays speaks to the media before introducing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 before his MLB debut later tonight against the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre on April 26, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

The Toronto Blue Jays opted not to select anyone with the fifth overall selection in the Rule 5 draft earlier today, conversely, they lost pitcher Dany Jimenez to the Giants.

The Blue Jays surprisingly did not select anyone in the Rule 5 draft, a year removed from taking underage pitcher Elvis Luciano. The front office obviously felt the roster spot could be better served filled somewhere else.

The Giants once again plucked a player from the Jays minor league ranks selecting Dany Jimenez who is coming off an impressive 2019 campaign. Last year, the Giants selected pitcher Travis Bergen but eventually returned him back to Toronto.

Jimenez is a 25-year old right-hander who split last season between High-A Dunedin and Double-A New Hampshire going 2-2 with a 1.87 earned run average while fanning 46 in 25 relief appearances.

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In the minor-league portion of the draft, the Blue Jays selected pitcher Hobie Harris from the New York Yankees. The 26-year old went 3-4 with a 4.62 earned run average and a 10.9 SO/9 ratio in 29 relief appearances with High-A Tampa of the Florida State League.

The Jays lost pitcher Brock Stewart to the Chicago Cubs and southpaw hurler Danny Young to the Cleveland Indians and Jose Espada to the Boston Red Sox also in the minor league portion of the draft. Stewart actually made 10 relief appearances for the Blue Jays last season sporting an inflated 8.31 earned run average in 21.2 innings of work.

Young was effective last season in Double-A but faltered when promoted to Buffalo posting a 7.27 earned run average in nine appearances. Prior to his promotion to the herd, Young had a 1.79 earned run average in 29 games with the Fisher Cats.

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Espada is still just 22 and spent last season with the Jays rookie affiliate and Single-A Lansing posting a 3.86 earned run average in 10 appearances that included two starts and a 10.0 SO/9 rate.