Blue Jays: Looking back at the top draft picks under Alex Anthopoulos

2014 – Jeff Hoffman

9th overall

The highest overall selection that Anthopoulos had as general manager of the Blue Jays at ninth overall, he decided to select East Carolina University pitcher Jeff Hoffman, breaking the trend of selecting high school players with the top pick.

Hoffman underwent Tommy John surgery just prior to being drafted, with the right-hander not making his professional debut until 2015. His tenure with the Blue Jays would be limited to 13 games before he was traded to the Colorado Rockies as part of the package for shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

Jeff Hoffman is "still progressing," and he is still expected to start a rehab assignment later this month. That would mean he's not an option to start Sunday in Gray's spot.
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) June 9, 2021

He would make his major league debut in 2016 and has bounced between AAA and the show in almost every season since. As a major leaguer, Hoffman sports a 6.13 ERA through 78 games (48 starts) with 134 walks, 236 strikeouts, and a 1.616 WHIP through 271.2 innings pitched. This past off-season, Hoffman was traded to the Cincinnati Reds and has pitched to a 4.61 ERA through 41.0 innings and ten starts this year. He is currently on the injured list with a sore right shoulder.

2015 – Jon Harris

29th overall

The last draft selection under Anthopoulos before his departure, the Blue Jays decided to use their 29th overall pick on Jon Harris out of Missouri State University.

A right-handed pitcher by trade, Harris has spent the past six seasons in the Blue Jays farm system and currently owns a 4.56 ERA through 489.2 innings with 144 walks, 384 strikeouts, and 1.383 WHIP.

He made it to AAA back in 2018 but currently finds himself back in AA with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, where he is currently throwing to a 1.72 ERA through 10 appearances with 13 strikeouts in the bullpen.

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