Blue Jays: Best players in franchise history to wear jersey numbers 0-10

#5 - Rance Mulliniks 

Mulliniks was traded to the Blue Jays just before the 1982 season and immediately became an impact player. His best years were from 1983-1988 when Mulliniks had a collective OPS of .832 (OPS+ 124), averaging nearly 30 doubles and 10 home runs a season despite never coming close to 400 at-bats. He was part of a memorable and productive platoon at third base with Garth Iorg and later, Kelly Gruber. 

#6 - Marcus Stroman

Marcus Stroman was an electrifying presence on the mound for the Jays from 2014-2019. After an impressive rookie season, Stroman suffered a torn ACL injury in spring Training the following year but rallied to recover in time for that season’s playoff run. He eclipsed the 200-inning mark in 2016 and 2017 and was named an All-Star in 2019.

#7 - Tony Batista

Batista joined the Blue Jays in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks, with reliever Dan Plesac going the other way. Known for his unique batting stance which saw Batista facing the pitcher before turning his hips towards the plate with his back foot stretched away. As interesting as it was to watch Tony before pitches, he had plenty of fun once the ball was in motion too. He launched 41 homers in 2000 and a total of 80 for his Jays career.

#8 - Álex González
 

Alex Gonzalez was an integral member of the post-World Series teams that had plenty of character but not quite enough wins. He was more known for his defence at shortstop than his batting abilities. Gonzalez’s best season was in 2000 when he hit .253 with 15 homers, 31 doubles, and 69 RBI. He was also immortalized in those iconic, very 90s milk moustache commercials.

#9 - John Olerud

Another number with plenty of worthy candidates, especially catchers. J.P. Arencibia, Gregg Zaun, Darrin Fletcher, and, currently, Danny Jansen all wore or wear number nine, but the top spot goes to the man with perhaps the sweetest swing in team history. He had the otherworldly 1993 season, leading the American League in batting average, doubles, OPS, leading to a top-three MVP finish and a World Series title.

#10 - Vernon Wells/Edwin Encarnación 

Just couldn’t pick one here. Vernon Wells broke in with Toronto in 1999 but didn’t get much playing time until 2002 when he busted out with 23 homers and 100 RBI. He’d go on to win three Gold Glove awards, make two All-Star appearances, and go deep 223 times, fourth-most in franchise history.

When Edwin Encarnación was acquired in a trade midway through the 2009 season, he was something of an unknown. Sure, he had a 26-homer season under his belt, but he was also primarily a third baseman at that time. While he was unable to stay at third base, Encarnacion became one of the most adored sluggers around. Five straight season of 30-plus bombs, including 42 in 2012 and 2017 will put “Edwing” in Jays' lore for good.