Blue Jays news: minor league transactions and the aftermath from a recent trade

The Toronto Blue Jays were busy moving players around their minor league system on Tuesday (Jun. 16). A trio of pitching prospects all moved up a level as Toronto's pitching pipeline continues to be a strength in 2026.

Moving up to the highest level out of this group is Danny Thompson Jr. who moves up to Double-A New Hampshire. He began the season in High-A with the Vancouver Canadians. The 23-year-old right hander was drafted in the eighth round of the 2025 draft (No. 232 overall) out of UNC Greensboro and has found a knack for the strike zone.

In 47.1 innings pitched this season, Thompson Jr. accumulated a 12.93 K/9 rate with a 3.80 ERA and 3.34 FIP, striking out 68 hitters across 12 games, with nine starts.

Taking his place in Vancouver is Dylan Watts. He was drafted one round earlier than Thompson Jr. (seventh round, No. 202 overall). Unlike Thompson Jr., the 21-year-old right-hander out of Auburn University didn't begin his pro-career last season after the draft, making 2026 his first full year in the minors. So far he has held his own with 45 strikeouts in 43.2 innings pitched in 12 games (six starts) with Single-A Dunedin.

Watts produced a 3.71 ERA and 4.43 FIP while limiting walks (15) and keeping the ball in the ball park, allowing just five home runs and his 1.19 WHIP ranks 7th in the Blue Jays minor league system (min. 30 innings pitched).

Meantime, Watt's replacement in Dunedin will be a left-handed pitcher named Giacomo Taschin, an international free agent signing from Italy. He moves up from the Blue Jays' Rookie Ball affiliate in the Florida Complex League.

The 19-year-old struck out 31 batters in 22.2 innings in seven outings and is believed to be the first player signed out of Italy by the Blue Jays in team history. He has some international experience while pitching for Italy in the U15 and U18 Euros tournaments.

Blue Jays add a pitcher to their prospect pool after recent trade

A true newcomer to the Blue Jays' system is Denis Samudio, whom the Blue Jays picked up in the Connor Sebold trade to the Kansas City Royals earlier this week. Samudio was signed out of Panama in 2025 and made his pro debut this year.

The 21-year-old right-hander has a 4.12 ERA and 5.24 FIP across six appearances this year, including three starts between the Royals' complex league and their Single-A team. Some encouraging signs for Samudio are his .213 BABIP against and 10.07 K/9 rate across both levels of the minors.

It seemed like a necessary move for the Blue Jays to make as they are expecting to get a few pitchers back from the injured list, including Shane Bieber, and needed to make room on the 40-man roster. The fact they got a prospect with some tools is just a bonus at this rate.

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