Jays GM wants more diversity in MLB

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins wants Major League Baseball teams, including his own, to work toward more diversity.

Executives from all 30 teams working remotely held up signs that read “Black Lives Matter. United For Change” before the first round of the MLB draft Wednesday.

“As we talk about the lack of diversity on our baseball operations teams, we have worked very hard on trying to correct for that,” Atkins said during a conference call Thursday.

“Major League Baseball has a great fellowship program that has helped, but it has clearly not been enough.”

Baseball is heeding a call to action and using its platform to bring about change, Atkins said.

“We have to do more,” Atkins said. “That was what I think resonated amongst the GMs. What we’re doing is not enough.

“We need to open our minds more. We need to listen more and we need to push for more change.”

This year’s draft, shortened to five rounds from the usual 40 in a cost-cutting move because of the pandemic, continued Thursday.

A day after selecting college utility player Austin Martin with the fifth overall pick, Toronto chose Florida State pitcher

C.J. Van Eyk in the second round Thursday.

Martin, a 2019 College World Series champion with the Vanderbilt Commodores, was Baseball America’s No. 2 prospect. The Jays snapped Martin up when the 21year-old was still available at No. 5.

“We do think it’s realistic to talk about him playing with Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, Vladdy Guerrero and Lourdes Gurriel,” Atkins said.

“We do feel Austin, if we’re fortunate enough to reach a deal with him, he will complement us very well and in talking about that young corps, that’s alluding to a relatively fast transition.”

Martin batted .368 over three seasons at Vanderbilt.