Blue Jays: Changes to the top prospect list after the trade deadline

With the MLB Draft complete and the 2021 trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the Toronto Blue Jays top prospect list per MLB.com has drastically changed since the start of the campaign.

For starters, Alek Manoah (#5) and Alejandro Kirk (#6) have graduated from the list, meaning two spots opened up at the tail end of the rankings for other internal prospects. After the trade deadline transactions, the Blue Jays no longer have Austin Martin (previously #2), Simeon Woods-Richardson (#4), Riley Adams (#23), and T.J. Zeuch (#27) on the list, meaning the top half of the rankings will undergo some changes as well as some new additions to the back end of the rankings.

Nate Pearson still occupies the top spot in the organization with Jordan Groshans, Gabriel Moreno, Orelvis Martinez, and Miguel Hiraldo rounding out the top five. Right-hander Adam Kloffenstein is the next top-ranked pitcher behind Pearson at #6 while the highest-ranking Canadian on the prospect rankings for the Blue Jays is outfielder Dasan Brown at #12.

The Toronto Blue Jays top prospect list underwent some changes with the recent graduation of both Alejandro Kirk and Alek Manoah from the rankings as well as the recent trade deadline activity seeing some prospects head to other organizations.

It does appear that the list does not include players selected in the recent MLB Draft as top pick Gunnar Hoglund is not on the list, one of the names you would most likely expect to crack the top 30 even with his injury. This will most likely change over the next week as yesterday was the deadline for any drafted players to come to an agreement with their respective clubs.

Here are the new additions to the Blue Jays top prospect rankings as of right now:

#26 Samad Taylor – 2B/OF

Drafted by Cleveland back in 2016, Samad Taylor was acquired by the Blue Jays in 2017 alongside southpaw Thomas Pannone in exchange for reliever Joe Smith. With the New Hampshire Fisher Cats this season, Taylor is having one of his best statistical seasons to date, slashing .301/.382/.531with 13 home runs, 42 RBI, and a .913 OPS through 226 at-bats. He finds himself near the top of most offensive categories on the Fisher Cats roster and is quickly aligning himself for a possible promotion to AAA by the end of the season.

Primarily an infielder for his professional career, the Blue Jays have Taylor taking reps in left and center field as well this season, most likely to increase his chances of reaching the next level of the farm system faster than if he were to stay as an infielder.

#27 Tanner Morris – INF

A fifth-round draft pick of the Blue Jays in 2019, Virginia alum Tanner Morris is in his second professional season with the Jays after the minor league season was canceled last year.

Currently with the Vancouver Canadians in A+ ball, Morris sports a .287/.407/.397 slash line with a team-leading .803 OPS amongst qualified players on the season (after Tanner Kirwer was promoted to AA). Morris also has four home runs and 35 RBI to go along with 45 walks compared to 63 strikeouts with the Canadians.

The lefty hitter has spent most of the season at second base but has also taken some reps at third base and shortstop this season, sporting a .991 fielding percentage at second. Morris is in tough within the Blue Jays very stacked middle infield farm system depth but a strong performance this year could see him make the jump to AA next season.