Blue Jays' first-round pick provides insurance at premium position

With the selection of JoJo Parker in this year's MLB Draft, the Toronto Blue Jays made a forward-thinking move, one that quietly hints at the uncertainty of Bo Bichette's future.

Parker, native to a town in Mississippi with a population of 2,000, is everything teams look for in a modern shortstop: athletic, toolsy, and offensively mature for his young age. His approach, which resulted in a batting average of a remarkable .436 this year, is rooted in plate discipline. He hits for a ton of power as well, while not striking out at all. The power upside that he possesses is absurd, and it could easily propel him through the system.

With Bo Bichette’s future still uncertain, the Blue Jays invest in a high-upside shortstop

That being said, this pick cannot be analyzed without Bo Bichette's name being brought up in some capacity. The Blue Jays had the option to take an electric college arm like Jamie Arnold, a pick that was widely regarded as a consensus top-eight option, but they let him slide. Instead of instantly bolstering their pitching depth, Toronto prioritized a shortstop. That decision may have been influenced, at least in part, by Bichette’s long-term future with the team.

The Jays’ starting shortstop since 2019 and a two-time All-Star, is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season, and we haven't heard about extension talks with any gaining traction.

If Bichette ends up re-signing with Toronto, Parker becomes a valuable depth piece or trade chip. It's also worth mentioning that Parker is defensively versatile, as he also has experience at second base and the hot corner, so that's an option as well. If Bichette walks, Toronto now has a prospect with a huge ceiling, developing quietly in the wings.

Parker is obviously not a direct replacement for Bichette. No 18-year-old draftee is. However, the selection signals that the Blue Jays are thinking three, four, even five years ahead. That’s what good organizations do.