Toronto Blue Jays at risk of losing some of their top prospects as they were not protect from Rule 5 Draft
PUBLICATION
Bobby Ohr
November 20, 2024 (10:28)
Photo credit: Sportsnet
Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins decided not to protect any prospects from the Rule 5 Draft which means Damiano Palmegiani and Lazaro Estrada can be taken by another team.
All prospects that signed with an MLB team at the age of 18 or younger must be placed on the teams 40 man foster by their fifth season with the organization if not they end up eligible for the Rule 5 Draft.
Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins decides to not protect any prospect in the Rule 5 Draft
Atkins has made some strange decisions at the helm but this is definitely up there as both these players have been showing a ton of promise in the majors and they will likely end up both being taken in the Rule 5 Draft.
Must read on Blue Jays Insider
Among the players that were not protected, the top prospects were pitcher Lazaro Estrada and third baseman Damiano Palmegiani who are now at risk of being picked up in the Rule 5 Draft.
2 noteable Blue Jay Minor Leaguers have been left off the 40-man roster and are eligible for the Rule 5 Draft in December:
Lazaro Estrada (25) and Damiano Palmegiani (24)
Palmegiani struggled in AAA last season but many still believe he could still have a shot at the big leagues.
This was an interesting move by Atkins since the Blue Jays are far from having a ton of high level prospects which is why most though they would protect the good ones they have but it looks like Atkins had other plans.
Palmegiani was one of the Buffalo Bisons best players last season as he hit 21 homeruns, 71 RBIs with a .216 batting average and .316 on base percentage which is why others team will surely be taking a look at him.
Estrada on the other hand went from single-A to Double-A last season with a collective 3.29 ERA at 25 years old which will also have many teams interested.
Hopefully both players avoid being take in the Rule 5 Draft as the Blue Jays cannot afford to lose two prospects of this level.
Previously on Blue Jays Insider
POLL |
20 NOVEMBRE | 1554 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays at risk of losing some of their top prospects as they were not protect from Rule 5 Draft Should the Blue Jays have protected these two prospects ? |
Yes | 1035 | 66.6 % |
No | 519 | 33.4 % |
List of polls |
Latest 10 stories