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Blue Jays: 2021 MLB Draft Canadian Prospect Spotlight Introduction

By Nick Prasad

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 02: A general view of the media room stage as general manager Ross Atkins of the Toronto Blue Jays addresses the media after completing a trade earlier in the day that sent Kevin Pillar #11 to the San Francisco Giants during MLB game action against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on April 2, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 02: A general view of the media room stage as general manager Ross Atkins of the Toronto Blue Jays addresses the media after completing a trade earlier in the day that sent Kevin Pillar #11 to the San Francisco Giants during MLB game action against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on April 2, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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We are weeks away from the 2021 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.  The Toronto Blue Jays have been impressive in the past few years, with regards to draft picks.  Toronto employs a fair amount of talented Canadians within the system.  Who’s eligible from the north side this year? Let’s take a look!

Ontario has been a hub for Canadian draft prospects and signees.

  1. Jordan Romano, Markham, Ontario,
  2. Dasan Brown, Oakville, Ontario,
  3. John Axford, Simcoe, Ontario,
  4. Alex Nolan, Brock, Ontario.

Not to mention, Canadian draft picks around the league such as Owen Cassie, from Burlington, Ontario, drafted in 2020, 2nd round, 45th overall by the San Diego Padres.  Canada has some very reputable baseball programs across the nation, developing and showcasing prospects for collegiate opportunities and Major League opportunities. Programs include travel teams, development programs, academies, scouting agencies, and more.

As the 2021 MLB Draft inches closer, the Toronto Blue Jays will have a diverse menu of homegrown Canadian prospects on the table.

More from Blue Jays Draft

One of the most successful leagues, located in Ontario, the Canadian Premier Baseball League (CPBL), produces draft-worthy talent, which is well presented across the Major Leagues, NCAA, NJCAA and independent professional ball across Canada and the United States. The CPBL has a recorded 181 major league draft picks, 145 Junior National Team Canada members (who eventually pursue draft opportunities), and 755 commitments to schools. This league is compiled of established programs such as the Toronto Mets, Ontario Blue Jays, Fieldhouse Pirates, Ontario Astros, Great Lake Canadians, and Ontario Nationals. This is a powerhouse league, compared to other elite leagues such as the Premier Baseball League of Ontario (PBLO) and Fergie Jenkins League.  Other leagues around the country include the Western Canadian Baseball League.

Current Canadians in and around the league, and their development programs

  • Jordan Romano (Toronto Blue Jays), Ontario Blue Jays (CPBL)
  • Josh Naylor (Cleveland Indians), Ontario Blue Jays (CPBL)
  • Bo Naylor (Cleveland Indians, Affiliate), Ontario Blue Jays (CPBL)
  • Dasan Brown (Toronto Blue Jays, Affiliate), Ontario Blue Jays (CPBL)
  • Zachary Pop (Miami Marlins), Toronto Mets (CPBL)
  • Tristan Pompey (Miami Marlins, Affiliate), Toronto Mets (CPBL)
  • Landon Leach (Minnesota Twins, Affiliate), Toronto Mets (CPBL)
  • Andy Yerzy (Arizona Diamondbacks, Affiliate), Toronto Mets (CPBL)
  • Owen Cassie (Chicago Cubs, affiliate), Fieldhouse Pirates (CPBL)
  • J.D. Osborne (Miami Marlins, Affiliate), Toronto Mets (CPBL)

This list goes on.  Canada is well represented, Ontario has made its mark around the draft tables.  The entire nation is labeled from east to west.

What does this mean for the Blue Jays?

Why not go homegrown?  The Jays have recently shown interest in the talent playing in their backyard.  This makes for easier scouting; more local access to watch players, more scouts and development personnel located across the country.

The Jays did a thing years back; they threw a backyard party, formerly known as Tournament 12 (T12) when I worked there, now known as the Blue Jays Baseball Academy Showcase.  This showcase brought the best 150 collegiate eligible players of Canada together, at the Rogers Center, for a week of baseball in front of all 30 MLB teams and several colleges and universities.  This showcase lead to several school commitments as well as multiple draft picks from across the league. This shows interest in the organization to scout locally and picks from their own tree.

Next. Getting the most out of Randal Grichuk going forward. dark

Who is representing Canada in the 2021 Draft?

Stay tuned as the 2021 Canadian Draft Spotlight continues to feature individual draft prospects!

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