How the Blue Jays' Top 10 2022 draftees have performed in 2023

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As August gets closer to becoming September, with it comes the first official glance at a full season's work for some of the newer prospects in the Blue Jays organization. For the 2022 draftees, it means roughly one full year has passed since the team has drafted them, and in this article, we'll go over the first 10 draft picks and how they've performed so far.

1. Brandon Barriera - LHP - #4 Prospect (Dunedin, Currently on IL)

The Blue Jays' first-round pick last year, Barriera got off to probably the best start imaginable, throwing four no-hit innings in his first pro appearance for Dunedin back in May. Barriera followed that up with three rocky starts before being placed on the IL with an elbow injury on June 6th. After a brief rehab with Bluefield Barriera was back up with Dunedin and things have been sharp since. Across two starts Barriera yielded two hits, two walks, and struck out five (across five innings). Equipped with a mid-90s fastball and an effective slider/changeup mix, Barriera's season came to a halt when he was placed on the IL once again on August 3rd with bicep soreness. The lefty's 2023 season has likely come to an abrupt end but the potential is definitely there, and if he can consistently stay healthy the future is bright for the 19-year-old.

2. Josh Kasevich - SS/3B - #12 Prospect (Vancouver)

Drafted 60th overall by the Jays, Kasevich was drafted as a contact first middle infielder with an above-average ability to get on base, and so far he's more than met that expectation. In 78 games so far this season Kasevich is slashing .292/.368/.361, and has only struck out 35 times (compared to 31 walks). At only 22 there's a lot of room for growth for Kasevich, but his defense has been solid (only 11 errors this season), and his ability to get on base makes him an intriguing prospect. Unfortunately for him and multiple prospects later on, there's a Bo Bichette-sized obstacle blocking the way for major league experience at shortstop. Not to mention other prospects such as Orelvis Martinez, Addison Barger, and Leo Jimenez are ahead of him in the prospect rankings. It might take him a little while (or a new organization) but the future looks bright.

3. Tucker Toman - 3B/SS - #15 Prospect (Dunedin)

Taken 17 picks after Kasevich, and at only 19 years old, Tucker Toman seems like a long-term project for the Jays. The switch-hitting infielder has struggled at the plate in his first full season and has seen his prospect rank within the organization drop from #5 to #15. Hitting .215 and striking out 120 times in 96 games, Toman's hitting marginally better as a left-handed hitter (.216) versus as a right-handed hitter (.200) but the power has been non-existent with just 27 extra-base hits this season. Toman seems to be dropping a bit on the prospect rankings for the Jays, but at only 19 years old still has ample opportunity to turn things around before he gets leapfrogged by another one of the numerous infield prospects within the organization.

4. Cade Doughty - 3B/2B - #16 Prospect (Vancouver)

The third infielder taken in the team's first four picks, Cade Doughty has shown glimpses this season of what made him shine playing for LSU. Doughty has been great defensively, committing just 8 errors this season (five at third, three at second), and has coupled that with 15 home runs. Doughty's strikeout numbers are high (107 so far this season) but to this point, he has a career .822 OPS in the minors, so you can live with the punchouts. Depending on Toronto's future plans he could see himself working his way up the rankings (with his quickest route to the team likely at second), but for the time being he's still a couple of years away.

5. Alan Roden - LF/RF - #7 Prospect (New Hampshire)

One of the biggest surprises within the organization, Alan Roden has turned an unspectacular 2022 into a great 2023. Not even ranked before the season, Roden has hot-shotted himself all the way up to Double-A, after hitting .321/.437./459 for Dunedin. Since the promotion, the lefty hitter's offense started off slow but has improved significantly lately, going 7 for his last 11, raising his slash lines for New Hampshire to .310/.430/.460. Roden has continued to walk at an elite level at both levels, totaling seven more base-on-balls than strikeouts this season, and while the power at double-a is just coming, he did hit 23 doubles in 69 games for Vancouver. Speed is a part of Roden's game as he's stolen 19 bases this season, and he's played solid defensively in the corner outfield. Toronto loves hitters who take a lot of pitches and get on base at a high level, so if Roden continues his torrid pace, a promotion could be coming sooner than some thought.

6. Ryan Jennings - RHP - (Vancouver, Currently on IL)

The second pitcher taken by Toronto, Ryan Jennings got off to a solid start before being placed on the IL in June, shutting down his season to this point. Starting off the season working 1-4 innings, Jennings had been fully stretched as a starter, working 12 innings across two starts for Dunedin before being called up to Vancouver. For the Canadians, Jennings made two starts, going four innings in each and allowing three runs, before his IL placement on June 24th. This season, Jennings boasted very high strikeout numbers (11.6/9) but the walks have been a big issue (3.7/9). Jennings will likely start next season in Vancouver, so hopefully will a full season ahead of him and an elite curveball, he can earn a place in the team's top 30 prospects.

7. Mason Fluharty - LHP - #28 Prospect (New Hampshire)

The second prospect to make his way up to Double-A, Mason Fluharty has comfortably found his place in the Fisher Cats bullpen and seems to have Major League potential. After allowing a single earned run across 15.1 innings for Vancouver, Fluharty was brought to New Hampshire where the lefty has recorded 39 strikeouts in 29.1 innings while notching four saves in the process. Fluharty will have to tone down the walks (14 so far in Double-A), but he's been borderline unhittable for lefties this season. Fluharty's delivery (almost as far on the first-base side as you can go) and cutter/sweeper mix have held left-handed hitters to a .179 average and 42% K rate this season. With left-handed-pitching always a need for Major League squads, Fluharty could find himself on a big league roster next season at the earliest, and at having just turned 22, he has plenty of time to establish himself.

8. T.J. Brock - RHP (New Hampshire)

Another member of the Fisher Cats bullpen, T.J. Brock hasn't had the success that Fluharty has achieved at the Double-A level, but definitely has shown the ability to reach that level. Brock has a 7.66 ERA with New Hampshire (compared to 1.77 with Vancouver) and has allowed six home runs in 22 innings with the Fisher Cats. He's being used in high-leverage situations this season (six saves) and has demonstrated a strong ability to notch strikeouts (35 in AA). Equipped with an upper 90s fastball and a wicked slider, Brock has excelled against right batters, holding them to a .218/.352/.333 slash line. As you can tell, walks have been an issue for Brock, but he's only walked two batters in August and has lowered his ERA by almost seven points this month. While he finds himself on the outside of the team's top 30 prospects, it shouldn't be long before he works his way onto the list.

9. Peyton Williams - 1B/DH - (Vancouver)

At 6 foot 5 and 255 pounds, Peyton Williams can look like an intimidating force in the batter's box. Despite his frame, Williams hasn't generated a ton of power between Bluefield, Dunedin, and Vancouver, only collecting 23 extra-base hits in 65 games. The power is starting to show for Williams, as he's recorded 2 homers in his last 4 games, but will likely need to improve if he wants to work his way up the minors. Williams has quite a bit of competition at first base right now (namely Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) and it doesn't seem likely he'll be changing positions any time soon, so he'll likely be in the minors for a couple more years. Williams hit for the cycle in University for Iowa and has two triples this season so speed might not be as big of an issue as it may appear for the big lefty.

10. Dylan Rock - LF/RF -(New Hampshire)

The 10th pick made by the Blue Jays, Dylan Rock made his way up to Double-A due to his stellar work defensively in the corner outfield and being a four-year college player (he turns 25 on August 21st). Rock hasn't had the bat pick up from where it was at Texas A&M but recently returned from the IL in a big way, hitting his fifth home run of the season in his first game back. Unfortunately for Rock, too much time has been spent on the IL, and when he's been healthy the bat hasn't been there. In 35 games with New Hampshire Rock is slashing .212/.308/.381, and at nearly 25, Toronto will have to make a decision on Rock soon. If in the final month of the season, the bat can pick up and he can limit his strikeout numbers to where they've previously been he has the potential to break out, but time is against the outfielder at this point.

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One Year Later: How the Blue Jays' Top 10 2022 draftees have performed in 2023