Blue Jays select two Canadian players in the 2023 MLB Draft

The overall consensus from the 2023 MLB Draft is that the Toronto Blue Jays were one of the teams that found a way to get the most value out of their 20 (well, 19) selections in the event.

After snagging promising young shortstop Arjun Nimmala with the first pick (20th overall), the draft got off to a hot start for the Blue Jays. Nimmala will join an organization that has done an efficient job of churning out middle infield talent at a high rate over the past handful of years.

After Nimmala's selection, the Jays selected three consecutive pitchers. One of them, left-hander Connor O'Halloran, was one of two Canadian players the Blue Jays took in the draft.

O'Halloran, a native of Mississauga, Ontario, was the fifth round pick by the Blue Jays. The 20-year-old hurler spent his collegiate playing days on the University of Michigan's team, where he rode a sweeping slider and deceptive delivery to some promising numbers. Just this past season, O'Halloran made 17 appearances (15 starts) for the Wolverines, striking out 110 batters and walking just 26 in 103 innings of work. Overall, his college stats weren't enough to blow scouts away, but he has a real shot at becoming a decent left-handed relief pitcher down the line.

Sam Shaw, an 18-year-old infielder from Lambrick Park Secondary School. The Victoria, B.C. native has the athleticism to play all over the diamond, including shortstop, his position by trade. In the past, Shaw has represented Canada on an international stage twice; first at the World Baseball Softball Confederation in Florida and then later the WBSC Americas U-18 World Cup Qualifier in Mexico. Shaw was not ranked by any major media outlets prior to the draft, but scouts say that he has quick bat speed and that he should develop into a strong baserunner and defender with a bat that could come around as he ages.