Blue Jays finally developing a trait that has been missing at big-league level

As part of a organizational plan to improve baserunning and steal more bases, the Low-A affiliate Dunedin Blue Jays are running more than in previous seasons. The plan is to have that new emphasis on speed move up the organizational ladder, where Toronto's higher affiliates in Vancouver, New Hampshire and Buffalo are near the bottom of their respective leagues in stolen bases.

Then, of course, the hope is that the parent club would swipe more bags too. Adding the element of speed would help any offense, particularly one that is struggling to find power and consistency like that of the Toronto Blue Jays. While it remains to be seen if this new way of thinking helps Toronto in 2026, the effects can be seen in Dunedin.

Dunedin is currently third in the 10-team Florida State League with 97 stolen bases in 55 games. Last season, the Single-A Blue Jays swiped 135 in 126 games, which was last in the FSL. The team is led by outfielder Blaine Bullard, MLB Pipeline's No. 15 prospect in the Blue Jays system, with 19 steals. Three other players have already hit double digits in steals, including JoJo Parker, Toronto's 2025 first-round pick.

Dunedin Blue Jays running more as part of organizational push to steal more bases

Dunedin also has outfielder Jake Cook, a 2025 third-round pick who has six steals in 14 games. Cook's start to the season was delayed by a hamstring injury, but has since shown the speed that attracted the Blue Jays. While at the 2025 MLB Draft Combine, Cook ran a 3.50 30-yard dash, which was the best time that day and the fastest time since the combine's inception in 2021. Scouts have also given Cook an 80 grade on the 20-80 scale for his speed.

Bullard has been given a 70 grade for speed. But it's not just his speed that Dunedin has seen this year, as the outfielder and 12th-round pick has shown some power too. Bullard has hit six home runs, nine doubles, two triples and posted a .753 OPS. Cook is 11 for 54 with two doubles, nine runs and 11 walks.

As for the parent Blue Jays team, Toronto has had difficulty scoring runs so far this season. Having speed as an additional weapon may help in that area, and prevent the team from relying too heavily on power. Plus, since the addition of the pitch clock in 2023, MLB is seeing a rise in stolen base attempts, meaning the ability to swipe a bag is going to become more important.

It has certainly been a long time since the Toronto Blue Jays have had a running game or a true speed threat on the basepaths. As a team, Toronto hasn't stolen more than 100 bases since doing so each year from 2011-13. Each year, the team was led in stolen bases by outfielder Rajai Davis (34, 46, 45 bags respectively), whose career on-base percentage with Toronto was just .299.

The Blue Jays cracked the MLB's top ten in steals just five times since the year 2000, with the Jays' best showing coming in 2001. That year, the Blue Jays finished third in the majors with 156 stolen bases. That was due in part to Jose Cruz Jr.'s 30/30 season (34 home runs, 32 stolen bases) and Raul Mondesi just missing a similar season (27 home runs, 30 stolen bases).

Of course, speed isn't everything. As much as Dunedin has improved on the basepaths, the team is currently 23-32. The team ERA is 4.95, good for only eighth in the FSL, while the team average (.234) and on-base percentage (.337) are in the middle of the pack. That 2001 Blue Jays team finished just 80-82.

A complete offense will take any team far. Like the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays team that finished second in the majors with 170 steals, then finished in the top five in just about every category. And that season ended pretty well.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow