5 most successful Rule 5 Draft picks in Toronto Blue Jays history

One of the big events every year at the MLB Winter Meetings is the Rule 5 Draft, which is where teams can pick certain players from other teams that are left off of the 40 man roster. Players get eligble for this draft if they are not added to the 40 man within a few years after being signed. 18 year olds must be added after five seasons and 19 or older must be added after four seasons. If they are left unprotected by the time, then they can be taken in the Rule 5 Draft.

On Wednesday at 2pm eastern time, this year's Rule 5 Draft will take place. The Blue Jays have some players that they should target as this can help them get a young player to join the team in Toronto. They have had a lot of success in past years in this event, including selecting a player that would go on to win a Most Valuable Player award. Let's take a look at the Blue Jays top five most successful Rule 5 Draft picks.

Who are the best Rule 5 Draft selections in Blue Jays history?

5. Jim Acker

In 1982, the Blue Jays picked right-handed pitcher, Jim Acker from the Braves. The very next season in 1983, Acker made his major league debut and put together a few solid years with Toronto before signing elsewhere. He eventually returned to the Blue Jays, which added up to seven seasons with them.

With the Blue Jays in Acker's career, he delivered an earned run average of 4.07 across 524.1 innings and struck out 273 batters. Additionally, he put together a WHIP of 1.41 and a FIP of 4.27. These aren't horrible numbers either, making him an efficient pitcher in the rotation and a top five Rule 5 pick for the Blue Jays.

4. Manuel Lee

Manuel Lee was an interesting selection for the Blue Jays from the Astros in the 1984 draft. Lee didn't have a very strong offensive career in Toronto, but he was one of the reasons they won their first World Series in 1992 as his defensive up the middle was excellent.

In eight seasons with the Blue Jays, Lee batted .254 with 16 home runs, driving in 199. He also hit 67 doubles and 17 triples to contribute to an OPS of .627. He never won a Gold Glove, but at second base he had an incredible fielding percentage of .987. At shortstop his percentage was also solid at .972. His contribution towards bringing a World Series to Toronto makes him a top five selection.

3. Willie Upshaw

One of the better players in the 80s for the Blue Jays was Willie Upshaw who was selected from the Yankees in the 1977 Rule 5 Draft. He had a solid bat with Toronto in his 10 seasons with the team, including being in the MVP voting. He never won or was in the top 10 of winning it, but nonetheless, he was in the running.

With Toronto, Upshaw batted .265, while belting 112 home runs and drove in 478 runs. His OPS reached .762 from an on-base percentage of .336 and a slugging percentage of .426. On top of that he hit 177 doubles and 42 triples. Upshaw was a solid bat for the Blue Jays, making him a top five selection.

2. Kelly Gruber

Another player that was apart of the 1992 World Series team is Kelly Gruber as he was selected in the 1983 Rule 5 Draft from Cleveland. He had an impressive nine years with Toronto, attending two All-Star games, along with winning a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger award.

In his career with the Blue Jays, Gruber batted .259 with 112 home runs, driving in 443. His OPS reached .738 from his on-base percentage of .307 and slugging percentage of .431. He hit 31 home runs and drove in 112 runs in his Silver Slugger year, also finishing fourth in MVP voting, making him the second best Rule 5 Selection for the Blue Jays.

1. George Bell

Lastly, is the best player the Blue Jays have ever taken in the Rule 5 Draft and that is George Bell, who won an MVP and three Silver Sluggers in Toronto. He was taken from the Phillies in the 1980 draft. Bell spent nine years in Toronto in his 12 year career.

With the Blue Jays, Bell belted 202 home runs, 237 doubles, and 32 triples to make a slugging percentage of .486. That went with an on-base percentage of .325 to generate an OPS of .811. He truly had an outstanding bat, making him the best Rule 5 Draft selection in Toronto history.

Let's see at 2 PM if the Blue Jays will select another player that could make history in Toronto.