Blue Jays claim Orioles and Royals castoff who has quietly earned a major-league opportunity

The Toronto Blue Jays have added another left-handed hitting outfielder to the system. Rudy Martin Jr. was claimed off waivers by the big league club on Thursday afternoon (Jul. 23), bringing him over from the Baltimore Orioles. The Blue Jays then optioned the 30-year-old to Triple-A Buffalo. In a lateral move they transferred Addison Barger to the 60-day injured list.

It's the second time Martin has been on the move this season. He was a 25th-round pick by the Kansas City Royals in 2014 and has been in their system every year since then, outside of a stint with the Washington Nationals in 2022, when he climbed three levels of their farm system, but never reached the majors.

In 2026, he started the year with Double-A Northwest Arkansas and in 49 games he slashed .261/.396/.406 with six home runs and 30 stolen bases. The Royals moved him up to Triple-A Omaha, where he hit .385/.489/.590.

On Jul. 17, the Royals traded Martin to the Orioles, where he was added to the 40-man roster and then optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. He never appeared in a game with the Tides and was then DFA'd, allowed the Blue Jays to claim him.

Martin is known for his speed with 227 career minor league stolen bases. It's a skill set the current Blue Jays currently lack, and have for some time. Andrés Giménez currently leads the Blue Jays with 11 steals. George Springer was the team leader a year ago with 18. The Blue Jays haven't had anyone steal 30 bases since José Reyes got exactly that many in 2014.

Over the last ten years, the Blue Jays rank 28th in MLB in total stolen bases with 677, while the Milwauke Brewers lead that category with 1337. Clearly, speed has been an issue since Ross Atkins has been the general manager of the team, and he has rarely been able to find that player whose speed can change the outcome of the game.

By adding Martin the Blue Jays may have found a guy that can do that, although there is some risk in depending on a 30-year-old who has yet to make his MLB debut.

Blue Jays cupboard is stocked with players like Martin

If there is one thing the Blue Jays do have plenty of, it is left-handed hitting outfielders, which makes the addition of Martin even more curious. It could be a move that helps the Blue Jays feel more comfortable about making some moves at the deadline.

They current crop of left-handed hitting outfielders who have played in the majors this season are; Daulton Varsho, Nathan Lukes, Jesús Sánchez, Yohendrick Piñango, Barger, and Jonatan Clase (switch-hitter). Anthony Santander has been on the IL all season. In Triple-A, they have RJ Schreck, Carlos Mendoza and Je'Von Ward.

That's alot of guys who play the same position and hit the same way that Martin does. This could be a pre-trade deadline pick up in preparation for other moves that are being made. Or it is simply a chance to get a guy with some speed and who has been hitting the ball well the last couple of years. Either way, the Blue Jays seem to be doing everything they can to prepare themselves ahead of what could be a very interesting trade deadline on Aug. 3.

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