Blue Jays Draft grades: Toronto bets on upside in 2026 class

It wasn't going to be easy for the Toronto Blue Jays to get everything they wanted out of the 2026 MLB Draft. They entered the exercise with a late pick in the first round (39th overall) and had just over $5.5 million to work with in bonus pool money, the second lowest in the draft. They also didn't have a second round pick.

But after 20 rounds (with bonus rounds and compensation rounds thrown in) the Blue Jays managed to collect quite a haul of prospects with most of them likely to sign and begin their paths to the major leagues with the Blue Jays either later this summer or going into the 2027 season.

WIth their first three picks they managed to land three players within the top 140 of MLB Pipeline's pre-draft rankings board. They also went heavy on senior aged college players in the hopes that they could sign them at, or even below, their slot value, while having to be wary of exactly what they are spending on the higher upside picks.

The Blue Jays also went after some specific skill sets with the position player group. They've picked some outfielders who have speed, project to play good defense, and have good bat-to-ball skills. They picked contact-first infielders who can spray the ball. They also picked up a pair of catchers, one of which is an absolute stud defender behind the dish, the other can mash and looks like his long-term future is probably as a first baseman or DH - bringing real Carlos Delgado type vibes.

The one knock against the Blue Jays is perhaps the first two pitchers they picked may not end up being starters in the long-term. Their first pick (No. 39) was Cole Carlon. The six-foot-five left hander started with Arizona State this year, after pitching out of their bullpen the previous two seasons. He has two very good pitches in his fastball that can hit triple digits and his high 80's cutter that has slider type movement.

Getting Carlon to develop a third pitch will be the big development task for this group, as it could mean the difference between the 21-year-old being a future staple of the rotation, or he could move into a bullpen role and there's nothing wrong with that, but when it's your first round pick, you probably are hoping for a little more.

The same goes for Nolan Higgins whom the Blue Jays drafted in the fifth round (No. 164). The Michigan State product was strictly used out of the bullpen for the Spartans this past season and despite a couple of tough outings that ballooned his peripheral numbers, he was excellent in his role at the back end. He struck out 65 batters in 45 innings and allowed only 13 walks.

With all of this in mind Jays Journal gives the Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins and the scouting staff a B for the 2026 draft.

Blue Jays may have some work to do with this draft class but have to be happy with the quality of skill sets

The Blue Jays earn that grade thanks to their aggressiveness in going after the players they felt that had the skill sets they were looking for. They also get a higher grade for managing to find some players in the later rounds that had big season's going into the draft. Also getting catcher Will Brick in the fourth round could be a steal after he was named in the top 45 players in the pre-draft rankings.

They lose some marks due to the fact that they didn't land that bonafide starting pitcher prospect that they seem to go after every draft. Although, that hasn't always worked out for them as they have had a hard time developing starting pitching over the years - but thanks to Trey Yesavage and some other notable names in the system this year they seem to be turning a corner in that aspect.

And they are going to have to hope that trend continues with Carlon and Higgins. But even if it doesn't the Blue Jays also did well to stock pile on arms in the later rounds. From rounds 12-18 the Blue Jays went exclusively with pitchers and out of that group there are some interesting names to watch including (No. 372 overall) Santiago Garcia, a crafty lefty out of LSU and six-foot-six Carson Cormier, (No. 492 overall) a righty out of Illinois State.

With the draft now in the rearview mirror the Blue Jays will turn their attention to the trade deadline coming up on Aug. 3.

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