Blue Jays: Looking at former prospects traded at the deadline under Ross Atkins

TORONTO, ON - JULY 13: Ross Atkins general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays speaks during a press conference after naming John Schneider the interim manager of the team, at Rogers Centre on July 13, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 13: Ross Atkins general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays speaks during a press conference after naming John Schneider the interim manager of the team, at Rogers Centre on July 13, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 17: Melvin Upton Jr. #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after striking out in the ninth inning against Andrew Miller #24 of the Cleveland Indians during game three of the American League Championship Series at Rogers Centre on October 17, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Hansel Rodriguez – RHP

Traded to the San Diego Padres in exchange for OF Melvin Upton Jr.  – July/26/2016

An international free agent signing in early 2014, right-hander Hansel Rodriguez spent two and a half seasons in the Blue Jays system before being traded to the San Diego Padres. With the Jays, Rodriguez advanced as far as the Rookie League, playing both in the Gulf Coast and Appalachian Leagues.

After the trade, Rodriguez spent the next three seasons between Rookie League ball, A Ball, and the A+ league, struggling to stay healthy during that time while going on numerous rehab assignments. A starter with the Jays, the right-hander moved into a reliever role with the Padres and found success in 2019 with Advanced A Lake Elsinore Storm, sporting a 2.92 ERA through 19 appearances.

He became a Minor League free agent the following offseason and signed on with the Los Angeles Angels organization. While he didn’t pitch in 2020 due to COVID-19 shutting down the MiLB, he made one appearance in AA before ending up on the IL all season long and eventually hitting free agency again.

Rodriguez is currently pitching with the New Jersey Jackals in Independent Ball for the 2022 campaign. He has amassed a 2.14 ERA through 17 relief appearances and 21.0 innings pitched with a 12.9 K/9.