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Blue Jays: Top 10 International Free Agents

By David Corcoran

SEATTLE - AUGUST 13: Carlos Delgado #35 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Seattle Mariners during the game on August 13, 2003 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners defeated the Blue Jays 13-6. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE - AUGUST 13: Carlos Delgado #35 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Seattle Mariners during the game on August 13, 2003 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners defeated the Blue Jays 13-6. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 28: Roberto Osuna #54 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks in before delivering a pitch in the ninth inning during MLB game action against the Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre on April 28, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Roberto Osuna
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 28: Roberto Osuna #54 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks in before delivering a pitch in the ninth inning during MLB game action against the Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre on April 28, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Roberto Osuna /

4. Roberto Osuna
The Mexican-born right-handed pitcher was signed by the Blue Jays as a 16-year old in 2011.  Although there were fears that Roberto Osuna might fight with his weight as he progressed. Just two months after his 20th birthday he made his major league debut in 2015 and quickly became the most dependable arm in the bullpen, which led him to being the closer.

In his rookie season, Osuna finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting when he collected 20 saves and had a 2.58 ERA.  Osuna would become an All-Star by the time he was 22-years old and is currently third All-Time in saves by a Toronto Blue Jay.  He would have likely passed Tom Henke had he not run into legal trouble in 2018 that led him to being traded to the Houston Astros.

Since being traded to Houston, Osuna has led the league in saves in 2019 with 38 and already has 154 over his career while still being just 25 years old.  By comparison, Marian Rivera never picked up his first save until he was 26-years old.

As said, Osuna ran into some legal trouble in 2018 which led to him being traded to the Astros.  In return the Blue Jays acquired Ken Giles, Hector Perez and David Paulino.

TORONTO, ON – JULY 22: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs and is called out at second base in the second inning during a MLB game against the Cleveland Indians at Rogers Centre on July 22, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JULY 22: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs and is called out at second base in the second inning during a MLB game against the Cleveland Indians at Rogers Centre on July 22, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr
The Blue Jays signed Vladimir Guerrero Jr as a 16-year old in July of 2015 for $3.9 Million and he has been arguably the most hyped prospect in team history.  VGJ excelled through parts of four years in the minor leagues and played in his first game last season shortly after his 20th birthday.  He played in 123 games in his rookie season that saw him hit 43 extra base hits with a .272 average which had him finish sixth in Rookie of the Year votes.

While he has only one season of major league time under his belt, the hype looks to be accurate.  It is very rare that a player can crack a major league roster at 20-years of age, Guerrero Jr was able to do it at a high level.  It will be exciting to see what Guerrero Jr has in store for Blue Jays fans for the next decade.

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