3 Blue Jays' prospects who could play a key role in 2026

The Blue Jays received a monumental performance this season from their 20th overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft, Trey Yesavage. The rookie pitched at every level of the Blue Jays’ organization, including three regular-season MLB starts before pitching in pivotal postseason games. He made five starts and a relief appearance in the postseason, posting a 3.58 ERA and 12.69 strikeouts per nine innings.

Yesavage was electric all season, regardless of the level of the organization he was in. It’s unlikely the Blue Jays strike gold like this again from a prospect making that significant of an impact, but these are three players we could see having a key role in MLB during next season.

*All prospect rankings are based on FanGraphs’ rankings

3 Blue Jays' prospects who could play a key role in 2026

Ricky Tiedemann - LHP (No. 3 Prospect)

Tiedemann was selected in the third round of the 2021 draft out of Golden West Junior College. Tiedemann had solid performances in his first two minor-league seasons. He posted a 2.17 and 3.68 ERA over 78.2 innings in 2022 and 44 innings in 2023, respectively. Tiedemann missed most of the season due to a biceps injury and struggled with control when he was healthy.

He was still recovering at the start of 2024, but in July, he left a game and ended up requiring Tommy John surgery. As a result, he missed the rest of 2024 and the entire 2025 season. Before the surgery, he posted a 5.19 ERA combined at the Rookie, Single-A, and Double-A levels in 2024.

The lefty possesses a mid-90s fastball and has touched 99 mph. Control has been an issue, as evidenced by Tiedemann's 2024 strikeout-to-walk ratio of 27:16. However, his injury may have contributed to those struggles.

His control was excellent in his first two minor-league years, with strikeout-to-walk ratios of 117:29 (2022) and 82:23 (2023). He is Rule 5 eligible this winter. With his early success, I expect him to be added to the 40-man roster, which will boost his chances of making his MLB debut next season.

John Kasevich - SS/3B (No. 8 Prospect)

Kasevich was a second-round pick in 2022 from the University of Oregon. He is a classic contact hitter. His .228/.331/.242 2025 minor-league line in Single-A and Triple-A was skewed by his struggle in Triple-A Buffalo (.173/.272/.184). He had a 13.1 walk percentage and just a 15 strikeout percentage this past season. Over four minor-league seasons, he’s never hit more than six home runs. His highest ISO was .108, reached in Triple-A in 2024.

Kasevich's future depends on whether the Blue Jays extend Bo Bichette this offseason. If Bichette is not extended, that could open the door for Kasevich’s MLB debut next season. The prospect is as good defensively as Andrés Giménez, but is a much better contact hitter. Kasevich is also Rule 5 eligible this winter and will likely be added to the 40-man roster, increasing his chances to debut. He also turns 25 before next season, so his prime is now.

RJ Schreck - OF (No. 9 Prospect)

Schreck was drafted in the ninth round of 2023 from Vanderbilt University. He has hit well in all three minor-league seasons. This past season, he played at every affiliate level except High-A. He slashed .249/.395/.459 with 18 home runs, 62 runs, 53 RBIs, and a .211 ISO. He’s never posted below a 100 wRC+ in any season.

He will not be Rule 5 eligible until after next season. However, the Blue Jays cannot ignore his power. Another consideration is that Schreck turns 26 in July. Like Kasevich, he is in his prime. The Blue Jays should either trade him or call him up next season if Anthony Santander struggles again or if the outfield faces several injuries.