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Jays Journal

Blue Jays: Revisiting first round selections since the 2009 amateur draft

By Tyson Shushkewich

SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 5: Commissioner Allan H. Bud Selig at the podium during the MLB First-Year Player Draft at the MLB Network Studio on June 5, 2014 in Secacucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 5: Commissioner Allan H. Bud Selig at the podium during the MLB First-Year Player Draft at the MLB Network Studio on June 5, 2014 in Secacucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JULY 1: A general view of Rogers Centre as a large Canadian flag is unfurled in the outfield on Canada Day during the playing of the Canadian national anthem before the start of the Toronto Blue Jays MLB game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre on July 1, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

2013- Phil Bickford: Drafted 1st round, 10th overall

Phil Bickford was another high school pitcher the Toronto Blue Jays took a chance on when they drafted him 10th overall. Just like in 2011, this plan would also backfire, as Bickford and the Blue Jays would not reach an agreement.

This selection was a major gamble by the Blue Jays, as Bickford seemed fully committed to attending Cal State Fullerton, but they were hoping the signing bonus money would sway him to forego college. This proved to be frivolous, and the Blue Jays were unable to sign another top pick. He would also leave Cal State after one year, leaving for the College of Southern Nevada as a sophomore.

Bickford would still see his name called in the first round, with the San Francisco Giants (small world) selecting him in the 2015 amateur draft with the 18th selection. His tenure in the Giants organization would last roughly a year, as he would be traded to the Milwaukee Brewers with Andrew Susac for reliever Will Smith in 2016.

With Milwaukee, injuries and a drug of abuse suspension have hampered the career of a very highly rated prospect. He has yet to play past Advanced-A ball and has not played any games in 2019 (as of yet).

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