How is the 2021 Blue Jays’ draft class doing far this season?

Drafting in sports is an exciting but nerve-wracking process for athletes. The anxiousness of waiting for a phone call or hearing your name called up is a memory that will last a lifetime. The Blue Jays drafted 19 players from the 2021 MLB Draft and signed 17, such as Gunnar Hoglund, Ricky Tiedemann, Chad Dallas, etc. How are these players from last year’s draft class doing far this season?

In the first round, Blue Jays selected a right-handed pitcher from Mississippi, Gunnar Hoglund, with the 19th overall selection. The 22-year-old signed a $3.2 million signing bonus. Unfortunately, Hoglund underwent Tommy John’s surgery in May 2021. In March 2022, Hogland was part of the Matt Chapman trade. He’s now an Oakland Athletics, and we will have to see how he bounces back from a severe injury.

Left-handed pitcher Ricky Tiedemann is the Jays’ top pitching prospect and looks like a promising player for their franchise. Tiedemann is only 19 years old. He is the Blue Jays sixth top prospect and is currently in High-A. Tiedemann gave up just two runs over 20 innings (0.90 ERA) in four starts, giving up just five hits and striking out 33 batters. If he stays consistent, the 6-foot-4 lefty might be heading to the big leagues sometime in 2024.

The Toronto Blue Jays signed 17 players from the 2021 MLB Draft. Let’s take a look at how they are doing so far in 2022 in the Jays system.

Chad Dallas is a right-handed pitcher from the University of Tennessee. He’s 21 years old, and the Blue Jays selected him in the 4th round, with the 121st overall selection. Dallas had a solid college career. As a junior in Tennessee, he posted an 11-2 record with a 4.19 ERA in 17 starts. He also led the team with 122 strikeouts and innings pitched. Dallas is currently in Single-A playing for the Vancouver Canadians, a High-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Dallas pitched five scoreless innings in his first professional start of the 2022 season for Vancouver. He totalled 68 pitches, including 45 strikes, and recorded eight strikeouts. Dallas has a 1-2 record with a 3.33 ERA for Vancouver the season.

The Jays selected RHP Irv Carter, a 152nd overall selection from Calvary Christian Academy, with their fifth-round pick. The 19-year-old Carter is a 6-foot-4, 210 lbs righty with a fastball up to 93 mph, a late diving changeup, and a solid curveball that can keep hitters off balance. In addition, he loves to compete. Carter had plans to commit to the University of Miami until the Jays’ signed him with an $850,000 bonus, the second-highest bonus in their class behind No. 19 overall pick Gunnar Hoglund. As of May 31st, Carter was assigned to the Blue Jays Florida Complex League.

In the 14th round, the Blue Jays selected third baseman Damiano Palmegiani, a power-hitting infielder from the College of Southern Nevada. Palmegiani is spending the 2022 campaign with Dunedin, the Jays’ Single-A Florida State League affiliate, where he is hitting .221 with eight homers and 26 RBIs in 43 games.

The prospects are still navigating their way through the minor league system. It’s a matter of who can stay healthy and consistent. It will be interesting to see who will impact the franchise in the years to come.