Position change could put Blue Jays' prospect Aaron Parker on the path to a big league debut

Aaron Parker was drafted as a catcher and has spent the majority of his first two seasons of professional ball behind the plate. But after a productive season in the minors and a scorching month in the Arizona Fall League, the Blue Jays prospect is showing that his bat is putting him on a path to the big leagues. However, his developing positional flexibility won't hurt either.

Parker has slashed .357/.481/.524 with two homers in 11 games and he was selected to the American League Fall Stars team, along with two other Blue Jays' prospects: outfielder Jake Cook and Jake Bloss.

Parker’s right-handed power is a suddenly attractive attribute. He has spent the majority of 2026 focusing on driving balls in the air to his pull side. That, combined with his hard hit rate allowed him to smash 19 home runs in Double-A, ranked seventh among catchers who played at either Double-A and Triple-A this season. His 90th percentile exit velocities averaged 107.9 mph, which fit in the top 1 percent in the minors.

"I just hit it as hard as I can," Parker told Jim Callis on MLB.com . "If you're not erring on the side of being aggressive and trying to get the head out and hitting the good stuff, it can be challenging at times. This year I just leaned into, regardless of the adversity or how good the arms are, just trying to get my best swing off as many times as possible and hopefully good outcomes happen."

On top of the 19 home runs, Parker slashed .253/.347/.467. He also stole 12 bases and had a walk rate of 12.3% in 87 games.

At the end of the year, he played three games in left field, something he had never done before since he was drafted by the Blue Jays in the sixth round of the 2024 draft. In the AFL, he has made six starts in left, four at DH and one behind the plate.

"2026 is my first time playing outfield," Parker said. "It's still new. Flyball goes up, your heart races a little bit, but you try to keep your wits about you. Stay under control out there and just be an athlete."

Regardless of where he plays, the Blue Jays will continue to look at him as a potential power option - so long as those numbers stay consistent. He also improved his walk ability, getting 43 free passes to first after just 38 free passes between 2024 and 2025.

Aaron Parker needs some development, but he may not be blocked by a lot of competiton

Parker is still a long shot to reach the majors in 2027, but he’s giving himself every opportunity to get there sooner rather than later.

If he continues playing in the outfield at Double-A, he’ll be the lone right-handed outfielder with the Fisher Cats. Toronto’s Triple-A affiliate also has only one right-handed outfielder, with 24-year-old Alexis Hernandez expected to start with the Bisons in 2027, although the recent signing of Rudy Martin Jr. could change that.

Hernandez is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft, though, and while it’s unlikely he gets selected, if he does, the Blue Jays will once again be extremely left-handed heavy in Buffalo.

There’s also the path to the majors through his main position. If either Alejandro Kirk or Brandon Valenzuela goes down to injury, Parker could be the guy they call up, although the Blue Jays could always sign a veteran with big-league experience to fill the void as well.

Whether it’s behind the plate or in left field, Parker’s bat certainly turned heads throughout 2026, and it will be worth keeping an eye on him in 2027.

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