Examining the prospects Blue Jays manager Ross Atkins has traded away

2017

Lane Thomas – Outfielder

• Traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for other considerations on July 02, 2017

Career MLB Stats: 52 games; 84 PA; .216/.310/.473; .782 OPS; 5 home runs; 14 RBI

One of the highest-drafted prospects traded by Ross Atkins, Lane Thomas was selected out of high school by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 5th round of the 2014 amateur draft. Spending time in the outfield as well as third and second base, the versatile right-hander never advanced past A ball before being dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Traded for international bonus money, Thomas would work his way up the Cardinals farm system before making his MLB debut on April 17, 2019, bouncing between AAA and the MLB all season. Thomas would play in 18 games last year, spending time both between the alternate training site and the MLB roster. The Tennessee native also spent three weeks on the COVID list after contracting the virus and would return to the Cardinals to finish the season, slashing .111/.200/.250 as he struggled with various symptoms after recovering from COVID. He will get another opportunity to make the active roster this upcoming season as the Cardinals have traded away a few outfielders this past off-season and appear to be looking for internal solutions to these open roster spots.

Ryan McBroom – First Base

• Traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for 1B Rob Refsnyder on July 23, 2017

Career MLB Stats: 59 games; 168 PA; 269/.321/.436; .757 OPS; 6 home runs; 16 RBI

Drafted out of West Virginia University in the 15th round in 2014, Ryan McBroom stands at 6’3″ and is known for power when he stands at the plate. The first baseman would spend three and half seasons in the Blue Jays organization, making his way to AA New Hampshire before being traded to the New York Yankees.

A rare trade with an A.L. East rival, McBroom would spend a year and a half in the Yankees organization before being traded to the Kansas City Royals on August 31, 2019. The right-hander would make his debut a few days later, finishing the season on the Royals roster. He would make the Royals opening day roster in 2020 but would see a short stint at the alternate training site before rejoining the active roster just a few games before seasons end. McBroom will be in tough competition with the Royals already having Carlos Santana and Hunter Dozier being able to play first base but could be used as the designated hitter if the team decides to use Jorge Soler in the outfield. He will not be eligible for free agency until 2026.

Osman Gutierrez – Pitcher

• Traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for RHP Tom Koehler on August 19, 2017

Career MLB Stats: N/A

A native of Nicaragua, Osman Gutierrez joined the Blue Jays organization in 2012 and would spend three seasons in the Dominican Summer League before jumping stateside in 2015. Gutierrez would pitch with the Gulf Coast Blue Jays (Rookie), Bluefield Blue Jays (Rookie), and Dunedin Blue Jays (A) before being traded in 2017 to the Miami Marlins.

The starting pitcher would pitch three games for the Marlins before being released prior to the 2018 season. Since being released, Osman has spent the past three seasons in the Nicaraguan League and most recently pitched with Gigantes de Rivas, appearing in 8 games and throwing to a 6.75 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 13.1 innings.

J.B. Woodman – Outfielder

• Traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for INF Aledmys Diaz on December 1, 2017

A second-round draft pick in the 2016 MLB amateur draft (selected one pick before current Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette), J.B. Woodman was widely regarded for his strong batting presence during his college career where he slashed .299/.385/.485 over three seasons at the University of Mississippi. Woodman would spend just two seasons in the Blue Jays minor league system, spending most of his time in center field and never advancing past A+ ball.

The outfielder would be traded in the 2017/2018 off-season and would spend the 2018 season in the Cardinals A+ league team before being released in early August. Woodman has not appeared in affiliated baseball since being released and appears to be retired at this point in his career.