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

MLB Draft – 2018

Round 21 – Kobby Lopez LHP

Instead of signing with the Blue Jays, Lopez decided to attend San Diego Mesa College, where the only stats on record are from 2019. In 14 appearances, he posted a 1.76 ERA through 71.2 innings. There are no other stats or any indication of his current playing status at this time.

Round 27 – Kyle Luckham RHP

Kyle Luckham decided to not sign with the Blue Jays and instead fulfilled his commitment to Cal State Fullerton. Through three seasons with Cal State, Luckham pitched to a 4.88 ERA through 27 outings (24 starts) with 131 strikeouts in 166.0 innings of work. He is now listed on the Arizona State roster for the upcoming season.

Round 31 – Austin Easter RHP

Selected late by the Blue Jays, right-hander Austin Easter decided to not sign with the organization even though he was in his senior season at UNC Wilmington. Through four seasons at UNC, Easter accumulated a 3.87 ERA through 89 outings. It appears that he no longer plays baseball after graduating from post-secondary.

Round 35 – Damiano Palmegiani 3B

A product of the Vauxhall Academy of Baseball in Vauxhall, Alberta, Damiano Pamegiani has the rare distinction of being drafted by the Blue Jays twice. He did not sign with the club back in 2018 and decided to head south to improve his stats for a future draft. He started at Cal State Northridge but moved to the College of Southern Nevada last year where he was an absolute menace on the diamond to the tune of a 1.388 OPS and 26 home runs. The Blue Jays once again drafted him in 2021 but in the 14th round and he eventually signed with the team.

Round 36 – Kameron Guangorena C

Guangorena decided to fulfill his collegiate commitment to Cal State Fullerton rather than turn pro with the Blue Jays. With the Titans, the catching prospect appeared in 60 games and hit to a .222 batting average and a .572 OPS. He only appeared in 3 games last season due to injury and is now listed on the 2022 roster for Coastal Carolina University.

Round 37 – Parker Caracci RHP

Similar to Palmegiani, right-hander Parker Caracci has been drafted twice by the Toronto Blue Jays. He did not sign with the Jays in 2018 and instead decided to return to the University of Mississippi for the 2019 campaign. The Blue Jays decided to draft him again in 2019 but in the 21st round, with the relief pitcher deciding to turn pro this time around.

Last season, Caracci was one of the top relief pitchers in the Blue Jays minor league system, compiling a 2.64 ERA with the High-A Vancouver Canadians before a late-season call-up to AA. Caracci earned eight saves with the Canadians and also pitched to an 8.1 K/9 through 32 outings before his promotion.

Round 39 – Cole Beverlin RHP

Drafted by the Blue Jays in 2018, Cole Beverlin did not sign with the club and decided to take his talents to Western Carolina University instead, following in the footsteps of his father Jason Beverlin. He appeared in eight games for the Catamounts in 2021, pitching to an 11.57 ERA through 9.1 innings. Beverlin is currently listed on the WCU roster for 2022.

Round 40 – Drew LaBounty SS

Drew LaBounty was a senior at the University of South Alabama when he was drafted by the Blue Jays, finishing his collegiate career with a .803 OPS through 182 games. Instead of turning pro and signing with the club, LaBounty decided to turn to coaching instead, beginning with Pearl River Community College before becoming an assistant coach at Arkansas State University. He is now an assistant coach/recruiting coordinator for Pensacola State.