Blue Jays pick imposing lefty pitcher Cole Carlon with their first pick in 2026 MLB Draft

At six-foot-five and 230 pounds, Cole Carlon is hard to miss. The Arizona State left-hander was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays with the 39th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, joining a fraternity of intriguing pitching prospects in the Blue Jays' system.

Carlon managed to hit 98 mph with his fastball while pitching for the Sun Devils this spring, while it typically sat around 94 mph. His breaking stuff might be even more impressive. The 21-year-old features an 87-88 mph cuttter that acts like a slider as it's movement misses a ton of bats. He also throws a 12-to-6 cureball and has a changeup with fade.

His growth into a starter has come in waves. He jumped into a bullpen role as a freshman, and maintained that spot in his sophmore season while also playing at USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team Training Camp. He was permanantly a starter this past spring, but there are folks who are skeptical about his long-term role.

Most of that was due to his inconsistency to find the zone. He managed to cut down his walk rate which helps if he is going to go into a bullpen role, but considering the Blue Jays used their first round pick to get him, they are likely going to give him plenty of leash to make it as a starter.

Blue Jays adding to their pool of intriguing pitching prospects

The Toronto Blue Jays have really tried to stock pile high upside arms over the last few years, though 2025 was a bit of a deterrent from that philosophy as they drafted more position players (11) than pitchers (8). But in 2024 they went very pitcher heavy in the early rounds.

It was Trey Yesavage whom the Blue Jays landed in the first-round (20th overall), followed by Khal Stephen (second-round 59th overall) and Johnny King (third-round 95th overall). Yesavage has already graduated to the big leagues and could be in contention for the Rookie of the Year award this season. Stephen was moved at last year's deadline for Shane Bieber. King has put together a solid campaign in the minor leagues and looks like he could be future MLB material.

Now, Carlon will have some of that same expectation thrown upon him as he enteres the Blue Jays' system. He pitched to a 3.87 ERA in 83.2 innings pitched. He started all 16 games he appeared in this past season and struck out 133 hitters while allowing 31 walks and producing a 1.19 WHIP.

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