Former Blue Jays who will be eligible for the 2023 Hall of Fame Ballot

Jason Grilli

Making his debut with the Miami Marlins back in 2000, right-handed reliever Jason Grilli joined the Blue Jays at the midway point of the 2016 campaign as a bullpen piece to help the club push for a spot in the postseason. The Jays traded prospect Sean Ratcliffe to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Grilli.

The reliever quickly became a fan favourite amongst the Blue Jays fanbase, known for his fiery personality on the mound as well as being a dependable reliever during the 2016 season, pitching to a 3.64 ERA through 46 appearances with the club. Through five games in the playoffs later that year, Grilli was able to keep runs off the board, striking out three batters and allowing only one hit through 4.2 innings of work.

The 2017 season would not be kind to Grilli however, as the Michigan product would struggle during the first half of the season, posting a 6.97 ERA through 26 relief appearances. In late June, the club would designate him for assignment and he would be traded to the Texas Rangers in exchange for outfielder Eduard Pinto. He would finish the season with the Rangers before becoming a free agent and eventually calling it a career. Overall, Grilli pitched for nine different teams and amassed a 4.22 ERA with a  9.1 K/9 rate through 595 appearances, mostly in relief.

Grilli will also be a longshot for Cooperstown if he finds himself on the ballot but should be remembered for his personality on the mound and his charitable work off the field, receiving the Braves nomination for the Roberto Clemente Award in 2015.