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Blue Jays: How the 2022 top prospects ended up in the organization

By Tyson Shushkewich

DUNEDIN, FLORIDA - MARCH 13: Gabriel Moreno #70 of the Toronto Blue Jays swings at pitch during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles during a spring training game at TD Ballpark on March 13, 2021 in Dunedin, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
DUNEDIN, FLORIDA - MARCH 13: Gabriel Moreno #70 of the Toronto Blue Jays swings at pitch during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles during a spring training game at TD Ballpark on March 13, 2021 in Dunedin, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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BUFFALO, NEW YORK – JUNE 29: Baseballs in a pile on the field before the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners at Sahlen Field on June 29, 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images) /

Trade 

17. Samad Taylor (from the Cleveland Indians)

28. Bowden Francis (from the Milwaukee Brewers)

While most of the Blue Jays top prospect list is internally developed/drafted, the Blue Jays feature two ranked players who came from outside the organization.

Originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the tenth round of the 2016 MLB Draft, the Blue Jays acquired Samad Taylor and reliever Thomas Pannone at the 2017 trade deadline in exchange for right-hander Joe Smith.

While the 2018 and 2019 campaigns did not yield off-the-charts results, Taylor really impressed last year down in AA, slashing .294/.385/.503 with 16 home runs and a .888 OPS through 87 games. He also stole 30 bases and led the team in home runs and OPS (amongst qualified players). The only caveat to his game is the swing and misses, as he racked up 110 punchouts last year with the Fisher Cats. He was also left off the 40-man roster and could be picked up in the Rule 5 Draft.

Francis is one of the newer members on the top prospect list after he was acquired last season alongside reliever Trevor Richards from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for hard-hitting first baseman Rowdy Tellez.

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After being acquired by the Jays, Francis spent the rest of the season in AAA Buffalo and posted a 4.19 ERA with a 1.192 WHIP through 14 appearances and 73.0 innings of work. The command did lose him a bit after the trade to the tune of a 3.8 BB/9 but the makeup is solid and the right-hander could potentially see some Major League action next year if injuries befall the current roster.

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