Blue Jays: 2023 MLB Draft primer

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Toronto Blue Jays 2023 MLB Draft primer

As the MLB season rolls on, all the focus is on the current Blue Jays squad, and rightly so. As an organization in a win-now mode, worrying about players that may, or may not, play for the team in three or four years seems like something to leave for the scouts and front office to worry about.

That being said, the future is just as important as the present for a team that hopes to be competitive in the tough AL East for years to come. With that in mind, here's all the information Blue Jays fans need to know ahead of this year's MLB Draft.

When is the 2023 MLB Draft?

The 2023 MLB Draft is scheduled for July 9-11 in Seattle, in conjunction with the All-Star game. If you're still used to the MLB Draft happening in June, that's changed for the better. To increase visibility and generate more fanfare, MLB wised up and started holding the draft around the All-Star festivities back in 2021.

When do the Blue Jays pick in the 2023 MLB Draft?

The Blue Jays hold the 20th overall pick in this year's draft. Being a playoff team last season precluded the Jays from being eligible for the Draft Lottery this past offseason.

Do the Blue Jays have the 20th pick in every round?

After their first pick, the Blue Jays will have to sit out of the second round. They are among a handful of teams that forfeited their second-round pick due to signing a qualified free agent. In this case, that player is pitcher Chris Bassitt, who the Jays signed to a three-year deal after he received a qualifying offer from the Mets.

The Jays' next selection won't come until the 89th overall pick, the 19th slot in the third round. They then hold the 20th pick in each of the remaining 17 rounds.

Is there a MLB Draft Combine?

Taking a cue from other leagues, like the NFL and NHL, MLB will be holding its third annual Draft Combine from June 20-25 at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Per Jim Callis of MLB.com, the main event will be two days, June 20-21, of "pro-style workouts" including batting practice, bullpen sessions, athletic testing and interviews between participants and team officials.

There's a good chance that whichever players the Blue Jays take in the tops rounds of this year's draft will be in attendance. Per Callis, "The top 300 Draft prospects, as determined by MLB teams, will be invited to the Combine, as will up to 50 additional players." Last year's Draft Combine saw 250 players attend.

How much money do the Blue Jays have to spend on draft picks?

The Blue Jays have a bonus pool of $6,529,700, the fifth lowest, to spend on their draft picks this year.

Here's a round-by-round break down of the Jays' bonus pool money:

First round: $3,746,000
Third round: $771,500
Fourth round: $547,100
Fifth round: $385,000
Sixth round: $304,700
Seventh round: $238,700
Eighth round: $194,600
Ninth round: $175,900
Tenth round: $166,200

Do the Blue Jays have to sign players at their slot value?

Each of the Blue Jays' picks in the first 10 rounds has an assigned value, which you can see above. The $6,529,700 total equals what the team can spend without penalty. That doesn't mean they won't exceed the assigned values to get the players they really want.

Their 2022 first-round pick, Brandon Barriera, signed for $3,597,500 despite the assigned value of $3,076,900.

1st-rder Brandon Barriera signs with @BlueJays for $3,597,500 (slot 23 value = $3,076,900). Florida HS LHP, consensus best prep southpaw in @MLBDraft, fastball, slider & changeup all could be plus pitches, some Ron Guidry comps(!). Vanderbilt recruit. pic.twitter.com/CJU2gzVyvT
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 26, 2022

Teams that spend more than their allotted amount face a penalty. Callis provides all the details of the penalties for teams that spend more than their bonus pool amounts.

Next: Who's the best prospect for the Blue Jays to consider?

Who's the best prospect for the Blue Jays to consider in the 2023 MLB Draft?

With the 20th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, the Blue Jays have zero chance of landing any of the consensus top prospects. Names such as Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes will be long gone by the time Ross Atkins and company have their shot at the board.

So who might the Jays consider when their clock starts? Some exciting names have surfaced recently from mock drafts done around the industry.

Thomas White, LHP, Phillips Academy

Callis and the MLB Pipeline staff think the Jays may select Thomas White, a left-handed high school pitcher from Massachusetts and the No. 17 prospect on MLB Pipeline's draft rankings.

"White checks off a lot of boxes in terms of his size, he's 6-foot-5, his pure stuff and his left-handedness," per his MLB Pipeline scouting report. "There's little question he's the best prep lefty in the country, one who'll likely have to go early to not ... fulfill his commitment to Vanderbilt."

Here's a video primer on what makes White such an appealing pitching prospect:

Yohandy Morales, 3B, University of Miami Hurricanes

The most recent ProspectsLive.com mock draft has the Jays taking third baseman Yohandy Morales, Pipeline's No. 23 ranked prospect, from the University of Miami Hurricanes.

"Morales continues the Florida connection within the Jays' amateur ranks," writes Tyson Tucker. "'Yo-Yo' is as well-rounded as they come. Solid defensive and run traits add to an offensive profile that consistently provides barrel upon barrel. The high exit velo and offensive profile carry the package. It's an upside play the Jays won't shy away from - if it works they're looking at an everyday third baseman."

Aidan Miller, 3B, Mitchell HS

The scouts at PerfectGame.org think third baseman Aidan Miller could drop to the Jays at pick 20. The high schooler, who missed much of the spring with a hamate injury, is currently No. 12 on Pipeline's draft rankings.

As Perfect Game's mock drafters explain, Miller "solidified his prospect status over the summer and the Blue Jays love their Florida prep bats like Bo Bichette once was. Miller is among the top power hitters in the class and should grow into a plus third baseman with a plus arm."

Kevin McGonigle, 2B/SS, Monsignor Bonner

In JustBaseball.com's recent mock draft, Ryan Miller has the Jays taking Kevin McGonigle with the 20th overall pick. At No. 26 in Pipeline's draft rankings, the 18-year-old McGonigle "may possess the best hit tool among high school hitters in this class," per Miller.

"While his frame and arm may land him at second base long-term," says Miller. "His future team will be getting a smooth left-handed swing that should hit for average, with the ability to grow into some more power. McGonigle is what many call a 'baseball rat.'"

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