Parker and Perry offer Blue Jays fans a promising look at what’s ahead after MLB Futures Game

Two of the Toronto Blue Jays' top prospects had a good showing in the spotlight this past weekend. JoJo Parker and Nolan Perry were playing for the American League side in the MLB Futures Game. The contest pits some of the top prospects this season against each other and both Parker and Perry gave the Blue Jays something to smile about.

Parker, the Blue Jays' first-round draft pick in 2025, went 1-for-2 in the game with an RBI double. He smoked a 101 mph fast ball off the wall in right-center field during the top of the seventh.

The shortstop is Toronto's No. 1 prospect according to MLB Pipeline and it seems like he's pushing for a call up to the next level every time he takes the field. In his first season of professional baseball, the 19-year-old has hit .242/.381/.426 with nine home runs, 21 stolen bases and a 17.1% BB/9 rate.

He's mostly manned shortstop this season, though he's been penciled in to start seven games at the hot corner at third base. He has totaled eight errors in over 570 innings combined. Drafted out of Purvis High School, the Blue Jays gave him the largest signing bonus in team history at $6 million and so far, he has seemingly been worth every penny.

On the other side of the ball, Perry allowed one earned run and one walk, but didn't give up a hit in his one inning of work in the game. He also got his fast ball up to 95 mph. It's a good look for a pitcher who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024 and has spent the last year building himself back up.

It feels safe to say that he has recovered considering he has already climbed three levels of minor league ball this year, making it to Double-A and appearing in one game already with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Perry has started 12 games in total this season (13 appearances) and has posted a 13.99 K/9 rate with a 2.47 ERA and 2.73 FIP in 54.2 innings pitched, while striking out 85 hitters along the way.

The 22-year-old Perry is the No. 3 prospect in the Blue Jays' system and, at this rate, he could be competing for a spot in the Blue Jays' rotation as early as next season.

Parker and Perry represent the kind of momentum the Blue Jays want to see in their system

Parker, while still early in his career is likely making the Blue Jays think heavily about what their middle infield picture will look like once certain contracts expire. He's expected to reach the majors by 2029, while incumbent shorstop Andrés Giménez is under contract until that same year (although there is a club option on his deal for 2030).

But there's also a chance he could pivot to second base, meaning he could be squeezing out a fan favourite, Ernie Clement, by that time. The 30-year-old Clement will also be a free agent following the 2029 season and that could be the perfect opportunity for Parker to step into a full-time role.

Perry could be part of the conversation for a big league roster spot as early as next year. The only two guranteed starters in the rotation for 2027 are Dylan Cease and Trey Yesavage and that's due to contracts and injuries. Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber are free agents. Cody Ponce, Bowden Francis, and José Berrios are all injured. That opens the door for someone like Perry to make the jump during spring training to really turn some heads - if he doesn't do exactly that before this season ends.

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