More than a decade in the making, Rudy Martin Jr. is heading to the big leagues.
The 30-year-old Blue Jays farmhand was called up on Friday as Toronto opens a pivotal series at home against the Orioles. Outfielder Jesús Sánchez was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
The Blue Jays enter Friday one game behind the Guardians for the third American League Wild Card, with Baltimore sitting only two games behind Toronto.
Martin, an outfielder, was drafted out of high school by the Royals in 2014 in the 25th round, which no longer exists in today’s 20-round Draft. He served in Kansas City’s system until 2021, when he elected free agency.
Martin has taken a winding journey to reach his Major League debut since then. He signed with the Nationals in January 2022 but was released that August. After two seasons out of affiliated baseball, which featured time in MLB Partner Leagues with the Milwaukee Milkmen of the American Association and the York Revolution of the Atlantic League, as well as with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League, he re-signed with the Royals on a Minor League deal in May 2025 and stayed with the club through this year.
Martin was then traded from the Royals to the Orioles on July 18 for cash, designated for assignment two days later and claimed by the Blue Jays on July 23. Since joining Triple-A Buffalo on July 25, Martin has posted a .730 OPS with three home runs and 12 stolen bases.
COMPLETE BLUE JAYS PROSPECT COVERAGE
A career .252 hitter in the Minors with only 50 home runs, Martin is a threat on the bases, even at 30. He has 45 steals in 91 games this season and has swiped at least 20 bags in all but two of his Minor League seasons. Tying a career high with 11 homers this year, Martin has also played his most games since 2019, crossing the 90-game mark for only the second time.
While it’s unclear exactly what role Martin will play when he joins the Blue Jays, one thing is certain: A 12-year journey to the Major Leagues will be worth celebrating when he eventually takes the field.