6 Baseball Players who Played for Reds and Blue Jays
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Reds and the Blue Jays.
Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen, who played from 1996 to 2012, is best known for his time as a third baseman with the Phillies, Cardinals and Reds. (He also played about a season and a half with the Blue Jays)
Rolen was a dynamic player, known for his combination of power-hitting and stellar defense. He compiled over 2,000 hits, 316 home runs, and won eight Gold Glove Awards (Phillies, Cardinals, Reds).
Rolen was also Rookie of the Year in 1997 with the Phillies and made 7 All-Star appearances (Phillies, Cardinals, Reds)
His remarkable defensive abilities and consistent power at the plate earned him significant respect throughout his career and ultimately led to his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2023.
Dave Parker
Dave Parker, who played from 1973 to 1991, is best known for his time as an outfielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds. However, he also made stops with the A’s, Angels, Blue Jays and Brewers.
Parker was a powerhouse at the plate, racking up over 2,700 hits, 339 home runs, and maintained a .290 career batting average. He was a seven-time All-Star (Pirates, Reds, Brewers) and won two National League batting titles. His crowning achievement was in 1978 when he won the National League MVP award with the Pirates.
Also recognized for his defensive skills, Parker won three Gold Gloves (Pirates). His combination of power, hitting ability, and fielding skills made him one of the standout players of his era.
Edwin Encarnacion
Edwin Encarnación, a Dominican player who debuted in 2005, is best recognized for his time as a designated hitter and first baseman with the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians (now Guardians).
Over his impressive career, Encarnación amassed over 1800 hits, belted more than 400 home runs, and maintained a batting average close to .260. He was a three-time All-Star (Blue Jays) and the AL RBI leader, once driving in 127 runs in a season.
His most productive season came in 2012 with the Blue Jays when he hit .280 with 42 home runs and 110 RBIs.
*Encarnacion was the most popular pick for this square in a previous grid (Grid 102).
Kevin Gausman
Kevin Gausman played collegiate baseball at LSU and quickly drew attention for his pitching prowess. He was selected by the Baltimore Orioles as the fourth overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft.
With the Orioles, Gausman began to establish himself in the starting rotation, delivering several quality starts and continuously refining his repertoire. Following his time in Baltimore, he went on to play for the Atlanta Braves, where he further solidified his role as a dependable starting pitcher.
Gausman has also had stints with the Reds, Giants, and Blue Jays. His tenure with the Giants showcased his continued development (and first All-Star selection), with improved command and utilization of his secondary pitches, making him one of the top pitchers in the league.
Gausman Key Stats
- All-Star (Giants, Blue Jays)
- 200+ Strikeout Season (Giants, Blue Jays)
Benito Santiago
As a young catcher growing up, I remember seeing Benito Santiago throwing players out from his knees and thought it was the coolest thing ever and something I remember imitating in Little League games.
But, that’s not what matters here. What matters is that 5-time All-Star Benito Santiago played for 9 different teams throughout this 20-year career which makes him an absolute force on the Immaculate Grid.
Santiago played for Padres, Giants, Reds, (Florida) Marlins, Blue Jays, Royals, Pirates, Phillies and Cubs.
David Wells
David Wells, nicknamed “Boomer”, was a major force on the baseball mound from 1987 to 2007, spending time with the Blue Jays, Yankees, Padres, and several other teams including Tigers, Red Sox, Dodgers, Reds, Orioles and White Sox.
A key player in the Yankees’ ’98 World Series win, Wells also pitched a rare perfect game that same year.
His career stats are impressive, with a total of 239 wins and over 2,200 strikeouts over the course of 21 seasons.
