The Top 50 Blue Jays of All Time: 35 to 31

Jays Centre is counting down the top 50 Blue Jays in franchise history. Check out prior entries in the series here:

• Introduction
• 50 to 46
• 45 to 41
• 40 to 36

As we continue our countdown of the top 50 players in Blue Jays franchise history, spots 35 to 31 feature a mix of players from every era: a power bat from the early years, a fiery pitcher from the 2010s, and even an active player still climbing the franchise leaderboards.

No. 35: Willie Upshaw 

• First base
• 1978, 1980-1987
• Blue Jays Career Stats: .265/.336/.426, 112 HR, 478 RBI, 50 SB

Willie Upshaw may be the most underrated player from those early 1980s Blue Jays teams.

Originally drafted by the New York Yankees in 1975, Upshaw joined the Blue Jays in the 1977 Rule 5 draft, one of two players the club selected that day. Although his rookie season was underwhelming (.602 OPS), he became the Blue Jays' regular first baseman by 1982.

From there, Upshaw produced the best stretch of his career from 1983-85. In that three-year span, he averaged a .287/.354/.477 line with 20 home runs and 84 RBI. His best season came in 1983, when he slugged 27 home runs and became the first player in franchise history to reach 100 RBI in a season. He was a key part of the Blue Jays' first AL East title in 1985.

Upshaw battled with injuries and a slight decline through the ‘86 and ‘87 seasons, and with first base prospects Fred McGriff and Cecil Fielder in the wings, he was traded to Cleveland, ending his tenure with the club.

Off the field, Upshaw was widely respected within the organization. After he was traded to Cleveland, Pat Gillick stated, “He’s a real class guy. He gave great service to the club.” Gillick even mentioned Upshaw directly in his Hall of Fame speech, telling a story of what it was like drafting him. Post-playing career, Upshaw took up coaching and, most famously, served as the Giants' first base coach in 2007 when Barry Bonds hit home run No. 756, breaking the all-time record.

Upshaw's Blue Jays career:

• Games played - 8th (1,115)*
• Hits - 11th (982)
• Home runs - 21st (112)
• RBI - 13th (478)
• Triples - 4th (42)
• Intentional bases on balls - 4th (46)

*Upshaw and Rance Mulliniks both finished with exactly 1,115 games played, tied for eighth place in franchise history

No. 34: Marcus Stroman

• Starting pitcher
• 2014-2019
• Accolades: All-Star, Gold Glove
• Blue Jays Career Stats: 789.2 IP, 47-45 3.76 ERA

There may not have been a more unique pitcher in Blue Jays history than Marcus Stroman.

Stroman was drafted by the Blue Jays in the first round of the 2012 draft and quickly became one of the prized prospects in the system. He made his major league debut in relief on May 4, 2014, and by the end of the month, he was inserted into the rotation.

Stroman’s strong rookie year set the stage for 2015, as he was going to be a key part of an emerging Blue Jays rotation. But during spring training of that year, while fielding a bunt in practice, he heard a “pop” in his knee and tore his ACL. Initial reports suggested that his 2015 season was over.

Stroman didn’t let that stop him; he’s always had a chip on his shoulder, saying things like “heart doesn’t measure height” as a motivational tool for people who thought he couldn’t be good because he stood 5-foot-7. He used that chip to fuel a quicker-than-expected recovery from his injury and, surprisingly, returned to the mound that September. His return helped fuel a division title in 2015, and the Blue Jays reached the ALCS in back-to-back seasons.

As the Blue Jays were coming off their run of success, Stroman was traded to the Mets at the trade deadline in 2019. After spending time with the Mets, Cubs, and Yankees, he is still on the lookout for his next team.

Off the field, Stroman built a strong personal brand. He had “height doesn't measure heart,” or HDMH, trademarked, and has partnered with Nike, Biosteel, and Rogers to create apparel featuring his logo. He also appeared in music videos alongside his friend and former Duke teammate Mike Stud. Marcus Stroman was many things, but for the mid-2010s Blue Jays, he was a key part of the effort, and you will still see many Stroman jerseys around the park today.

Stroman's Blue Jays career:

• Innings pitched - 15th (789.2)
• ERA - 10th (3.76)
• Wins - 17th (47)
• Strikeouts - 15th (635)
• FIP - 5th (3.60)

No. 33: Alejandro Kirk

• Catcher 
• 2020-present
• Accolades: Two-time All-Star, Silver Slugger
• Blue Jays Career Stats: .268/.345/.398, 51 HR, 263 RBI

Alejandro Kirk is still building his resume and is quietly shaping up to be one of the best catchers in franchise history.

Kirk was originally signed as an international free agent at the age of 17. After spending his first three seasons at various stops in the minor leagues, he made his MLB debut in 2020. He initially joined the taxi squad during the shortened season, but he made his debut on September 12, getting his first major league hit that same day.

Kirk has relied on his immense bat-to-ball skills at the plate, and in 2022, he put together his best season, posting a .786 OPS and earning an All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger Award. After two subpar years with the bat, Kirk rebounded in 2025, set a career-high in home runs (15), and was a key part of the Blue Jays' World Series run, though the season ended with him grounding into a double play in the 11th inning of Game 7. The Blue Jays value Kirk so much that they gave him a five-year extension at the start of 2025.

By the time Kirk’s career is over, he’s likely going to rank much higher on this list, as he is entering his age-27 season. An argument could be made that the best years of his career are still to come.

Off the field, Kirk and his wife, Sofia, welcomed their daughter into the world in 2023.

Kirk's Blue Jays career:

• Games played - 41st (564) 
• Hits - 47th (489)
• Home runs - 50th (51)
• RBI - 38th (263)

No. 32: Rance Mulliniks

• Third base 
• 1982-1992
• Accolades: World Series Champion
• Blue Jays Career Stats: .280/.365/.407, 73 HR, 435 RBI

If there was ever an underappreciated Blue Jay from the era of the team's first division title and first World Series championship, there's a good case to be made that it was Rance Mulliniks.

Mulliniks joined the Blue Jays in a trade with the Kansas City Royals in 1982 and became part of a third base platoon with Garth Iorg. Over the next six seasons, Mulliniks was the model of consistency: His OPS+ was between 125 and 127 in four of those seasons, and even the other two years (103 and 143) weren’t far off that level of production. Mulliniks was the type of player who might be even more appreciated in today's game, where versatility and on-base ability are highly valued. Pair that with the ability to play multiple positions, and it's exactly the type of player that fans and managers love to have on their team.

Mulliniks also made his mark in the 1985 postseason, going 4-for-11 with a home run in Game 3 of the ALCS against two-time Cy-Young winner Bret Saberhagen. Mulliniks battled injuries and inconsistencies in the final stretch of his career and retired after the 1992 season, going out as a World Series champion.

Off the field, Mulliniks is still very much in the Blue Jays world. He served as part of the Rogers Sportsnet broadcast team from 2005 to 2010 and still appears on Blue Jays podcasts from time to time to discuss the team. He now offers partial coaching and public speaking, which you can book online through his personal website.

Mulliniks's Blue Jays career:

• Games played - 8th (1,115)*
• Hits - 21st (853)
• Home runs - 36th (68)
• RBI - 20th (389)
• WPA - 10th (8.1)
• Bases on balls - 8th (416)

*Upshaw and Mulliniks both finished with exactly 1,115 games played, tied for eighth place in franchise history

No. 31: Shannon Stewart

• Outfield
• 1995-2003, 2008
• Blue Jays Career Stats: .298/.360/.440, 115 HR, 580 RBI, 196 SB

A true all-around player, who combined batting average, defence and speed, Shannon Stewart was a staple for the late '90s/early 2000s Blue Jays.

Stewart was one of those players whose value you didn't fully appreciate until you watched him every day. Using his speed and contact skills, he was a mainstay at the top of the Blue Jays' order for several years. From 1998-2003, he averaged .305/.370/.452 with 13 home runs and 25 stolen bases per year. In 2001, he became just the fourth Blue Jay to record 200+ hits in a season, and he remains one of only five to accomplish the feat. His best performance came in that ‘03 campaign, when he posted an .823 OPS and finished fourth in AL MVP voting.

Stewart has always been a personal favourite of mine, as he hit the first big league home run I ever remember seeing in person, which holds a special place in every baseball fan's heart.

After his original stint with the Blue Jays, he spent some time with the Twins and Athletics. He returned to the Blue Jays as a 34-year-old and got into 52 games before calling it a career. Post-playing career, he has stayed out of the public eye, but according to his Instagram page, he’s a husband and father of three kids, which likely keeps him plenty busy these days.

While Stewart was a steady presence at the top of the lineup during the late 1990s and early 2000’s, the next group in our countdown will feature players whose peaks left an even bigger imprint on franchise history.

Stewart's Blue Jays career:

• Games played - 19th (907)
• Hits - 7th (1082)
• Home runs - 32nd (74)
• RBI -  22nd (370)
• Batting average - 4th (.298)
• Doubles - 6th (222)
• Stolen bases - 5th (166)