Blue Jays: Where are the 2021 draftees beginning their pro careers?

Dunedin Blue Jays – Low A

Hunter Gregory – 8th round, 242 overall (RHP)

Recently assigned to Dunedin, right-hander Hunter Gregory has pitched only one inning of relief and struck out one batter while not allowing a walk or a hit in his lone appearance so far.

Trenton Wallace – 11th round, 332 overall (LHP)

Similar to Gregory, southpaw Trenton Wallace was recently assigned to the Dunedin Blue Jays just two days ago on August 25th. Through one relief appearance, he has pitched 1.1 innings with two hits and four walks on route to four earned runs while striking out two batters. He currently owns a 27.00 ERA, a number that is a bit inflated given the one appearance.

Riley Tirotta – 12th round, 362 overall (third base)

Assigned to the Dunedin Blue Jays on August 3rd, Riley Tirotta has played in ten games so far and sports a .462/.600/.500 slash line through 26 at-bats with three RBI, three steals, and eight walks compared to five strikeouts. His 1.100 OPS is boding well through his first taste of professional baseball but he did spend some time on the 7-day IL already, although he did return as of August 24th.

The Toronto Blue Jays signed 17 players this past MLB Draft, with almost all of them starting to begin their pro careers in the minor leagues this past month.

Matt Svanson – 13th round, 392 overall (RHP)

Standing at 6’5″, right-hander Matt Svanson was assigned to Dunedin back in early August and has the most appearances out of any of the drafted pitchers at this level with six. Through 7.2 innings of work, Svanson has surrendered five hits and two earned runs while striking out nine batters compared to the six walks he has allowed, currently owning a 2.35 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. The 22-year-old also has three saves through three opportunities.

Garrett Spain – 15th round, 452 overall (outfield)

Beginning his pro career in the Florida Complex League, Garrett Spain has already been promoted to Low-A and has appeared in six games so far with the club. Through 19 at-bats, the lefty batter has hit to a .263/.300/.263 slash line with one RBI and seven strikeouts to the tune of a .563 OPS while patrolling left field for the Blue Jays.

Jimmy Burnette – 18th round, 542 overall (LHP)

Another player to already receive a promotion from the FCL Blue Jays, southpaw Jimmy Burnette has only appeared in one game for Dunedin, pitching 2.0 innings while only giving up one hit with one walk and three strikeouts.

Before his call-up, he appeared in three games in Rookie Ball, pitching to a 15.43 ERA through 2.1 innings of work, surrendering four earned runs off of five hits while walking two batters and striking out two.

Vancouver Canadians – High A

Hayden Juenger – 6th round, 182 overall (RHP)

The only player to be assigned to the Vancouver Canadians from the 2021 MLB Draft, Missouri State’s Hayden Juenger has appeared in five games out of the bullpen for the Blue Jays High-A affiliate.

Through 8.0 innings, the right-hander has allowed five hits and five earned runs but has only walked two batters compared to the 15 strikeouts he has racked up. His 5.63 ERA is heavily influenced by the hits finding a way to cross home plate but his 0.88 WHIP and his .172 opponents batting average are positive signs to the start of his pro career.