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Blue Jays: Prospects that are at risk of being selected in the Rule 5 Draft

By Tyson Shushkewich

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - MARCH 19: Orelvis Martinez #79 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs the bases after hitting a solo homerun in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in a Spring Training game at BayCare Ballpark on March 19, 2022 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - MARCH 19: Orelvis Martinez #79 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs the bases after hitting a solo homerun in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in a Spring Training game at BayCare Ballpark on March 19, 2022 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 16: Yosver Zulueta #23 of the American League gets ready in the dugout before the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Dodger Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Yosver Zulueta – RHP

There are only two players in this article who I would consider to be absolute locks to receive a 40-man roster spot this offseason and Cuban-born Yosver Zulueta is one of them.

After a freak injury ended his 2021 season early, Zulueta returned healthy in 2022 and worked his way through almost every level of the Jays Minor League ladder, starting in Single-A and ending the year in AAA.

Overall, Zulueta authored a 3.72 ERA through 21 outings (12 starts) through 55.2 innings of work. He pitched to a 13.6 K/9 and was able to keep the ball in the yard, yielding only two home runs on the year, but was a bit wild at times, allowing 32 free passes to the tune of a 5.2 BB/9. The right-hander likely would have found more innings but spent roughly a month on the IL spanning August to early September, which saw Zulueta make only one more start before the season came to an end (it should be noted that he was making some relief appearances prior to the IL stint as well).

Related Story. Tiedemann and Zulueta shine in Futures Game. light

One of the highlights of his season was making the All-Star Futures Games alongside top prospect Ricky Tiedemann, earning the win after coming in relief during the second inning and getting a ground ball out.

Known for his plus fastball which can hit triple digits, Zulueta projects as a potential bullpen arm for the Blue Jays next season as long as he can stay healthy. Considering the Blue Jays could really benefit from a relief pitcher who can throw a hard fastball, #5 ranked Zulueta is one player I would consider a lock for the 40-man roster.

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