Blue Jays: Looking at the players drafted under Atkins who did not sign

MLB Draft – 2017

Round 17 – Kobie Russell C

Deciding to not sign with the Jays, Hawaii product Kobie Russell took his talents to the University of Hawaii at Hilo and is currently still with the program. He redshirted in 2018 and saw game action in 2019, compiling a .245/.325/.337 slash line with 41 RBI and a .663 OPS through 261 at-bats. He also moved from behind the plate and now splits time between first and third base.

Round 19 – Cordell Dunn C

After not signing with the Blue Jays, Dunn took his talents to Grayson County College but the move backfired for him, as he ended up dropping in the 2019 MLB Draft, selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 30th round. Dunn spent the rest of his draft year in rookie ball, collecting 11 hits in 77 at-bats and finishing with a .445 OPS. He was with the Tigers organization for the 2021 season but it does not appear that he played in any games. He was released by the club a few weeks ago.

Round 22 – Gunner Halter SS

Halter decided to not sign with the Jays or with Cleveland after the 2018 MLB Draft (26th round), heading to Mississippi State and then Oklahoma City University instead. He is now in the Washington Nationals farm system after signing as a free agent on August 2, 2021. He finished the year in the Florida Complex League, collecting six hits in nine games.

Since Ross Atkins became GM of the Blue Jays, he and his scouting department have had quite a few solid drafts. But what about the players who did not sign?

Round 23 – Colin Brockhouse RHP

Drafted by the Pirates back in 2016, Brockhouse was selected by the Blue Jays when he was at Ball State and decided to not turn pro. The right-hander finished his college career at Ball State in 2018, compiling .274/.355/.462 slash line through 442 at-bats with 17 home runs, 73 RBI, and a .816 OPS. It does not appear that he plays baseball anymore after graduating from post-secondary.

Round 25 – Cooper Davis CF

Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Cooper Davis was a product of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School in Mississauga and attended Vanderbilt University instead of signing with the Jays. He spent four years with the Commodores, slashing .300/.394/.371 through 98 games. Davis graduated from Vanderbilt this past year and appears to be coaching with the Missasuaga Tigers High Performance Program.

Round 27 – Sam Weatherly LHP

Sam Weatherly decided to take his talents to Clemson University instead of signing with the Blue Jays, a move that paid off for him in the long run. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the third round of the 2020 MLB Draft, which had a slot value of $755,300. This past season was his first with the Rockies, where he pitched to a 4.83 ERA through 15 starts in A ball, striking out 96 batters on his way to a 12.5 K/9 and 1.319 WHIP. He is currently ranked #16 on the Rockies’ top prospect charts.

Round 32 – Jacob Condra-Bogan RHP

Drafted by the Blue Jays in 2017, Condra-Bogan did not sign with the Blue Jays and instead finished the year playing independent ball once he graduated from Georgia Southern University. The right-hander eventually signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals prior to the 2018 campaign but was traded midseason to the Washington Nationals in exchange for outfielder Brian Goodwin. Through two seasons in the MiLB, Condra-Bogan amassed a 3.28 ERA through 68 outings. He retired from professional baseball this past May.

Round 39 – Ben Fariss RHP

Instead of signing with the Blue Jays, Ben Fariss instead went to UC Santa Barbara where he both pitched and played outfield for the Gauchos. He only appeared in one game last season, giving up three hits and three walks through 1.1 innings of work.

Round 40 – Sean Ross OF

A late-round pick in 2017, outfielder Sean Ross decided to head to San Diego State instead of signing with the Blue Jays. He lasted one year with San Diego before moving to Pensacola State College for one season and then joining Indiana State, where he has been the last two years. Upon graduating from college last year, Ross joined the Williamsport Crosscutters in the newly formed MLB Draft League, finishing the year with a .200 batting average and a .579 OPS through 26 games.