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The MLB Draft continues with rounds 11-20 on MLB.com. The Blue Jays begin the second half of the draft with the 322nd pick. You can follow the Jays draft selections right here.


Image from Sports Illustrated.

Round 11, 322nd overall. LHP Jared Spencer, Texas. Bats Left, Throws Left. 6-foot-3, 210 pounds. Born July 1, 2003.

MLB.com Scouting Report - Spencer was the closer for a 2023 Indiana State team that made an unexpected run to the NCAA super regionals, though he injured his shoulder in his final outing of the season. He avoided surgery but didn't pitch that summer or fall, then started slowly as a junior season before moving into the Sycamores rotation at midseason. He turned down the Phillies as a 14th-rounder last July to transfer to Texas, where he emerged as the best college senior in the 2025 Draft before injuring his shoulder in April and undergoing season-ending surgery. Spencer added 2 mph to his fastball this spring, sitting at 93-96 mph, touching 98 and maintaining his velocity deep into games, albeit with more downhill angle than carry or run. His sweeping slider always has been his best pitch and it became a wipeout offering after it picked up 5 mph compared to a year ago, averaging 88 mph and reaching 91. He barely threw a changeup at Indiana State but now has the makings of a solid mid-80s cambio with depth. Not only did Spencer improve his velocity and shapes under the tutelage of famed Longhorns pitching coach Max Weiner, but he also gained better mechanics. His delivery is still funky in the back and features some effort, but he was more direct to the plate and more on top of his offerings before he got hurt. His surgery clouds his Draft status, but he was a three-pitch starter working his way toward the first round until his shoulder gave out. Video

Baseball America Scouting Report - BA Grade: 50/Extreme. Spencer was a top 200 prospect in the 2024 class and was drafted by the Phillies in the 14th round but didn’t sign. After three seasons with Indiana State, he transferred to Texas in 2025, where he was the team’s Friday night starter until a shoulder injury that required surgery ended his season in late April. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound lefthander has an effortful delivery that features a sharp, stabbing arm action, but the senior made strides with his control and overall depth of his arsenal prior to his injury. Spencer’s mid-90s fastball touched 98 mph, and his upper-80s slider featured hard, biting action and looked like a real plus pitch. He also introduced a mid-80s changeup into his mix for the first time this spring and threw it around 15% of the time to righties, though he willingly threw it against lefties as well. Spencer showed scouts borderline first-round stuff this spring and his stock was on the rise, though the combination of heightened reliever risk and now a significant injury has pushed him down the board. Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 40.

Twitter Reaction

@Damon98_ The Blue Jays indeed were saving up. They've just nabbed Jared Spencer out of Texas with their 322nd overall selection. Pipeline's 113th ranked prospect, Spencer wields a electric 3 pitch mix and was trending towards being a 1st round selection prior to his injury.

@TaylorBlakeWard Blue Jays nab one of the priority seniors in the 11th in Jared Spencer from Texas, plenty of upside who would have spent spring as Longhorns Friday man if not for shoulder injuries/surgery, sweeper paired with fastball give him quick-moving relief floor with rotation upside.

@AustinF0421 The Jays get another college arm out of the state of Texas! Jared Spencer has a plus FB that he can fill the zone with as well as a plus SL. Him and Bucknam in the same rotation should be very fun.

@KareemSSN Jared Spencer recently underwent shoulder surgery, but I think he could be a steal in this year's MLB Draft. He's a lefty who sits 95 MPH on his heater (T97.7) and carries it deep into starts, with an elite 70-grade bullet (88 MPH, 2.2/0.4 mov), and present feel for a changeup.

@Hall_Thomas_ Jared Spencer was projected as one of the top college arms in this year's class before he underwent shoulder surgery this past spring. Sneaky good pickup for #BlueJays, assuming Spencer signs, of course. He declined PHI's offer as a 14th-rounder in 2024.


Image from @BlaineBullard33

Round 12, 352nd overall. OF Blaine Bullard, Klein Cain HS, Houston, Texas. Bats Both, Throws Left. 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. Born August 16, 2006.

MLB.com Scouting Report - Bullard raised his stock more than any high school position prospect in Texas this spring. Teams have differing opinions about his offensive upside, but enough clubs like him that he could fit in the top three rounds if he's signable. He has a strong commitment to Texas A&M and could wind up in College Station. Scouts who believe in Bullard like his bat-to-ball skills from both sides of the plate. Others have questions about his hitting ability and worry that he hasn't faced much in the way of quality competition. He employs more of a gap-to-gap approach right now and makes a lot of groundball contact, but he also has bat speed and a projectable 6-foot-2 frame that could translate into 15 homers per season as he continues to get stronger. Bullard owns plus speed and knows how to use it on the bases and in the outfield. He displays good instincts in center field and should be able to remain there in college or pro ball. He has average arm strength and could handle all three outfield spots if needed. Video

Baseball America Scouting Report - BA Grade: 50/Extreme Bullard had tons of helium out of the Houston area this spring. The quick-twitch athlete and switch-hitter played his way up draft boards after turning in consistent, impressive showings all season. Listed at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, Bullard’s early skill set lays the foundation for a potential table-setter at the top of the lineup. He can spray the ball all over the field from both sides of the plate with a fairly clean swing. That allows him to do damage on the bases with his loudest present tool—his easy plus speed. That speed shows up both as a baserunner and defender in center field, where he demonstrates strong instincts, solid routes and enough arm strength to suggest he could stick there in the long run. Teams will have to project more on his power, which mostly produces doubles to the gaps now. His overall athleticism, frame and whippy swing, especially from the left side, suggest he could grow into more power in time. There will be teams that prefer a player with Bullard’s profile to continue developing against better competition in college, and he’s committed to Texas A&M, but his talent fits in rounds three to five. Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run:60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50.

Twitter Reaction

@Damon98_ Holy $*** the Blue Jays just took Blaine Bullard here in the 12th round. That's a monster selection. They're swinging for the fences here with their last two selections. Phenomenal pick.

@Damon98_ An absolute monster selection by the Blue Jays here. Bullard is a prep CFer with explosiveness. "Tools for days" as someone put it to me. This is easily my favorite Day 2 selection by the Blue Jays and a chance to turn into a dynamic/impactful player. He is signing.

@AustinF0421 Blaine Bullard gets picked by the Blue Jays in the 11th rnd. Prob would be a much higher pick in this year’s draft, but believe he has a strong commitment to A&M & will most likely make his way to College Station.

@365Aggie BREAKING: Incoming freshman OF Blaine Bullard has been selected with the 352nd pick in the MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. He will sign with the Blue Jays. Congrats and best of luck to Blaine!

@JoeDoyleMiLB From this chair, it's been a phenomenal draft for the Toronto Blue Jays (assuming they can sign them all, Blaine Bullard especially).


Image from UNC Wilmington Athletics.

Round 13, 382nd overall. RHP Trace Baker, UNC Wilmington. Bats Right, Throws Right. 6-foot-4, 230 pounds. Born December 18, 2003.

Baseball America Scouting Report - Baker is a 6-foot-4, 230-pound righthander who pitched a single season for Catawba (N.C.) JC before heading to UNC Wilmington. He initially opened the year in the rotation, then shifted to a multi-inning relief role where he posted a 2.24 ERA, five saves and a 25% strikeout rate to earn first team all-conference honors. Baker also cut his walk rate (7.4%) in half compared to 2024. Baker has two fastball variants, a 92-93 mph four-seamer that can touch 96 and a sinker that is two beats slower, that he delivers from a lower slot with solid extension. He also has a low-to-mid-80s slider that he showed some feel to manipulate when seeking more sweep to put hitters away. Baker also dabbled with a mid-80s changeup. Baker doesn’t have an elite swing-and-miss offering, but his variety of pitch shapes and improved strike-throwing could intrigue a team later in the draft. If not, he is set to transfer to North Carolina in 2026.




Round 14, 412th overall. RHP Noah Palmese, Webber International University (FL). Bats Right, Throws Right. 6-foot-3, 220 pounds. Born July 23, 2003.


Image from @jake.casey4

Round 15, 442nd overall. OF Jake Casey, Kent State. Bats Left, Throws Right. 6-foot-2, 190 pounds. Born April 17, 2003.

MLB Scouting Report - The son of three-time All-Star Sean Casey, Jake bounced back from a .216/.323/.523 junior season and Tommy John surgery in 2024 to slash .356/.500/.736 with 17 homers and 20 steals this spring. He has a smooth left-handed swing -- not surprising considering his dad -- and shows the ability to loft the ball in the air to his pull side. He has solid speed and enough arm strength to play right field.


Image from @jax20n

Round 16, 472nd overall. C Jaxson West, Florida State. Bats Left, Throws Right. 6-foot-0, 193 pounds. Born August 8, 2003.


Image from @ahpatriotsbaseball

Round 17, 502nd overall. OF Jordan Rich, American Heritage School, Plantation, FL. Bats Left, Throws Left. 5-foot-10, 175 pounds. Born June 18, 2007.

Twitter Reaction

@ABLichtenstein The Toronto Blue Jays just drafted Sun Sentinel co-player of the year Jordan Rich, a standout at American Heritage. Rich is committed to Miami-Dade College.

@Ryley__Delaney Not sure if Jordan Rich is a hedge pick. They've selected quite a few prep players towards the backend of the draft in past years who've signed: Gage Stanifer, Gavin Smith, Nolan Perry. Others, like Chase Brunson, have not signed.


Image from Washington State University Athletics.

Round 18, 532nd overall. C Will Cresswell, Washington State. Bats Right, Throws Right. 6-foot-0, 205 pounds. Born August 18, 2003.


Image from @calpolybsb

Round 19, 562nd overall. LHP Luke Kovach, Cal Poly. Bats Left, Throws Left. 6-foot-1, 170 pounds. Born March 24, 2003.


Image from @typeeps_3

Round 20, 592nd overall. OF Ty Peeples, Frank County HS, Georgia. Bats Left, Throws Right. 6-foot-2, 185 pounds. Born October 17, 2006.

MLB Scouting Report - Early in his high school career, Peeples emerged as one of the top outfielders in the 2025 prep class. He looks the part with a pretty left-handed swing and a frame that resembles that of a young Christian Yelich, though his struggles on the showcase circuit last summer have clubs wondering if they can draft him early enough to lure him away from a Georgia commitment. With Peeples' combination of bat speed and projectable strength, as well as a stroke designed to drive balls in the air to his pull side, he could grow into 25-homer power or more. To get there, he'll have to improve his timing at the plate after having swing-and-miss issues against all types of pitching last summer. He has a big leg kick and gets overly aggressive rather than allowing his pop to come naturally. Peeples' instincts allow him to play a little quicker than his fringy speed on the bases and in the outfield. Nevertheless, he won't be a basestealing threat and almost certainly will have to move from center field to a corner in pro ball. His arm stands out more for its accuracy than its average arm strength. Video

Baseball America Scouting Report - BA Grade: 45/Extreme. Peeples is lean and athletic lefthanded hitter with a 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame that still has space to fill out and an impressive track record of performance as an underclassman. He has a smooth lefthanded swing with solid rhythm, bat speed and strength that leads to above-average or even plus raw power, but as Peeples has faced better competition his swing-and-miss tendencies have grown. He can punish bad pitching in the zone to the pull side, and generally does a solid job with his swing decisions, but his pure bat-to-ball skills make scouts wonder if he’s going to be a below-average pure hitter at the next level. He swings and misses frequently inside the zone against all pitch types. When he’s timed up and gets extended he can hit impressive home runs, but he needs to find a way to get the barrel on the ball with more frequency. Peeples has turned in above-average run times in the past, but scouts this spring saw a fringy or below-average runner who might need to play left or right field at the next level. He does have solid defensive instincts and could outplay his raw speed, but the corner profile adds more pressure to his bat. Peeples is committed to Georgia, and might be best served refining his hit tool in the SEC. Some teams could take a shot on his power in the 4-7 round range. Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run:45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50.

Twitter Reaction

@Damon98_ Ty Peeples in the 20th round is a hedge pick by the Blue Jays. He is highly, highly unlikely to sign.

@Ryley__Delaney Okay, Ty Peeples is ABSOLUTELY a hedge pick.

2025 MLB Draft - Day 2, Rounds 11-20 | 68 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Kelekin - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 04:42 PM EDT (#463653) #
Spencer and Bullard...certainly a more interesting draft now.
Marc Hulet - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 05:01 PM EDT (#463655) #
Sorry, I'm not sold. The 3-10 rounds looked like they were saving up (ie. Tanking those picks) to do something big and then went and grabbed a guy with a chewed up shoulder who was abused in college, who's rehabbing from surgery (shoulder surgery has far less success.than TJ) and a guy whose description says "people aren't sure he'll hit" and "he hasn't faced good competition"... which is similar to the prep hitter in the 5th. And the guy in the second can't hit for power and has instincts in the field and on the bases that make Clase look like Ohtani.

They're trying way too hard to maximize their slot values by using the ol' "If everything breaks right with this player, we'll have a steal!"
mendocino - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 05:10 PM EDT (#463657) #
@365Aggie BREAKING: Incoming freshman OF Blaine Bullard has been selected with the 352nd pick in the MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. "He will sign with the Blue Jays". Congrats and best of luck to Blaine!
scottt - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 05:12 PM EDT (#463658) #
I'm OK with saving on relievers. One of these guys could actually turn into something.
It's not like the system is flush with them.
Yeah, Spencer is a gamble.
Bullard has a questionable hit tool, but he's a switch hitting CF with speed and a decent arm.

metafour - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 05:12 PM EDT (#463659) #
Marc, you're just making things up now. Jared Spencer was "abused" in college? He has never thrown more than 53 innings in a single season. Kade Anderson threw 119 innings this season.

Both Spencer and Bullard ranked on Joe Doyle's Top 40 prospects available on Day 2.
Kelekin - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 05:17 PM EDT (#463660) #
I'm not sure how the 3rd-5th round picks can be looked at cost savings attempts. 6th through 10th, absolutely.
mendocino - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 05:33 PM EDT (#463661) #
Gerry's posting some nice tidbits

@JoeDoyleMiLB From this chair, it's been a phenomenal draft for the Toronto Blue Jays (assuming they can sign them all, Blaine Bullard especially).
metafour - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 05:34 PM EDT (#463662) #
Joe Doyle:

"From this chair, it's been a phenomenal draft for the Toronto Blue Jays (assuming they can sign them all, Blaine Bullard especially)."

Glevin - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 05:35 PM EDT (#463663) #
Joe Doyle thinks the Jays have had a phenomenal draft. Not having a second round pick and still getting 4-5 really interesting prospects is something.
metafour - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 05:39 PM EDT (#463664) #
He has Bullard at #88 on his ranking and says that he has the tools to blossom into a $5 mill player in 2028 if he were to end up at Texas A&M.
Glevin - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 06:27 PM EDT (#463665) #
MLB rankings has Jays taking 6 of the top 160 prospects despite only having 4 top-160 picks.
Marc Hulet - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 06:32 PM EDT (#463666) #
I'm not making up the abuse... he was a college closer. Then, he hurt his shoulder but didn't have surgery. He came back the and they decided after rehabbing the shoulder injury, it would be a great idea to turn him into a starter. And he fully blew out his shoulder...
Gerry - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 07:07 PM EDT (#463667) #
Thanks #2Jb for posting summaries and analysis of the draftees.
99BlueJaysWay - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 07:11 PM EDT (#463668) #
The only year he was strictly a reliever was 2023, his age 19 season. He made 25 appearances and threw 37 innings. That doesn’t look like an abuse to me, as I understand the season is 56 games long. That’s about 4 or 5 outs every 2 games with a couple longer breaks.
John Northey - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 08:08 PM EDT (#463670) #
So how did the Jays do?
  • Unranked players: picks 6,7,8,9,10 (to build up cap space to sign others) plus #13-19
  • Rank lower than pick #: 8/9, 81/106, 112/131, 143/160
  • Rank higher than pick #: 322/113, 352/120, 592/242
Note: Jacob Parker, JoJo's twin, went in the 19th round to the Diamondbacks. Pick #573, for the 109th ranked player. I suspect he was determined to go to college.

So the Jays have 4 ranked decent players, drafted close to their rank but slightly above (rounds 1-5) thus opening up cap space most likely which should help sign those 3 ranked guys they took in rounds 11-20. I'm betting the Jays figure they can sign one of Blaine Bullard or Jared Spencer but unlikely to get both. Both will want around the $680k bonus level (where they ranked - round 4) JoJo will decide if the Jays can or cannot get both of them. The punted picks (6-10) should open up enough cash to sign one.

Post signing the issue then becomes who gets cut from the assorted minor league teams to make space? A few players on the edge will be very nervous the next few weeks as guys sign with the roster limits now.
metafour - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 08:26 PM EDT (#463671) #
John, the Jays have not missed on signing a single ~Top 15 round pick in forever. Both Bullard and Spencer should sign, otherwise they wouldn't have been drafted where they were taken.

They obviously know their numbers and how much money they had saved up with the Top 10 round picks. The fact that they were taken in the 11th and 12th rounds following the 1-hour break indicates that a deal has been reached. That isn't the spot in the draft where teams are taking players under the pretense that they hope they have enough money to sign them. Particularly not the Jays who have been EXTREMELY good at managing their bonus pools the entire time that Shapiro/Atkins have been here.
Marc Hulet - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 08:35 PM EDT (#463672) #
Unless someone fails a physical, the only player that won't sign is Ty Peeples (20th round).

Even high schooler Jordan Rich (17th) is likely to sign given he's uncommitted to a major program - unless a school that lost a lot of commitments due to the draft comes calling.
John Northey - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 08:45 PM EDT (#463674) #
Basically, the Jays lost pick #2 and added 2 extra 4th rounders from what I can see. Their 3rd, 4th, 5th round picks were ranked lower (but not extremely) than MLB.com had them, thus basically making them lower picks for the same rounds.

Given the crapshoot nature of the draft it seems like a decent strategy. Everything is dependent on JoJo working out (10+ WAR), then getting 1 or 2 others who have 'meh' careers (5+ WAR). Anything above that is a solid to great draft. 2016 was the last one to have that happen (Bo & Biggio), then 2013 (Boyd, Jansen both 10's, Graveman a 9.5 - Eric Lauer was a 17th rounder who didn't sign, but is here now go figure). 2012 had Stroman (20+) and Ryan Borucki (2.1 in 177 games), then 2011 the 'wow' with Pillar, Musgrove, and DeSclafani all 10's plus 2 5's in Berti and Norris (didn't sign Nola picked in the 22nd round sadly - this was the infamous Tyler Beede draft where the Jays top pick didn't sign but the Jays had 5 extra 1st/2nd round picks so it didn't matter much - 2 from losing Scott Downs, also for John buck, Kevin Gregg, and Miguel Olivo - the infamous trade for a draft pick guy).

So yeah, a 10+ and a couple 5+ guys would be a successful draft vs the past 15 years here at least.

For comparison: the Rays past 10: 20+ WAR Snell ('11), ; 10's: Brandon Lowe ('15),Jake Cronenworth ('15), Nathaniel Lowe (2016), Joe Ryan ('18) ; 5-9: Dylan Floro (2012), Josh Lowe ('16 - yes the Lowes are brothers, yes Josh was taken first), Taylor Walls ('17), Shane McClanahan ('18). That's it for the team that NEEDS to succeed via draft due to a lack of cash for free agency. I'm very surprised at how poorly they've done all things considered.
mendocino - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 09:19 PM EDT (#463675) #
UDFA #1
Dayne Pengelly, RHP, New Mexico

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2025-mlb-undrafted-free-agent-tracker-agreements-for-all-30-teams/
mendocino - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 09:48 PM EDT (#463677) #
Tampa Baseball@UTampaBaseball

Tampa pitcher Brayden Heidel agrees to contract with
@BlueJays
. Righty was 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA in 2025, striking out 15 batters in 14.0 IP for national champs.
mendocino - Monday, July 14 2025 @ 10:12 PM EDT (#463679) #
Reece Wissinger, RHP, Southeastern - signed
hypobole - Tuesday, July 15 2025 @ 12:57 AM EDT (#463684) #
I think Marc pretty well nailed it on who will sign. Some big time work ahead for player development especially with Cook and Piasentin. The hitting side of PD hasn't had a lot of success except for one area - catchers. Kind of odd we've only drafted org guys other than Adams 8 years ago.

mendocino - Tuesday, July 15 2025 @ 02:28 AM EDT (#463688) #
Auburn Anytime@Auburnanytime
BREAKING: Auburn LHP Carson Myers has signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, he tells me for @Auburnanytime
scottt - Tuesday, July 15 2025 @ 08:58 AM EDT (#463694) #
An interesting draft. When was the last time they were so light on drafting pitchers? They have a lot of injured arms coming back up between now and the next draft. That could be a part of it.
John Northey - Tuesday, July 15 2025 @ 11:29 AM EDT (#463703) #
I'm guessing the Jays have a lot of IFA's who are pitchers in the system or coming soon and felt they could focus more on hitters in the draft. You need both to win of course, so if one is strong in pitching and the other in hitting then you go with it. No idea offhand if this is the case, but it seems a good theory to start with.
mendocino - Tuesday, July 15 2025 @ 06:50 PM EDT (#463717) #
another UDFA from BA

Maddox Latta, SS, Cal State Fullerton
Latta is a 5-foot-11, 193-pound shortstop prospect and committed Texas A&M graduate transfer who excelled as a bat-to-ball specialist in 2025. He slashed .362/.486/.503 with three home runs, 15 doubles, 14 stolen bases, a 12.4% strikeout rate and a 14.9% walk rate. While he doesn’t produce much impact, Latta makes consistent contact and controls the zone well, giving him a steady offensive profile.
Glevin - Wednesday, July 16 2025 @ 11:47 AM EDT (#463735) #
Don't know how the draft will turn out obviously but it went the way I generally like. They went a hitter in first round, balanced their picks beautifully so they got 5 guys with round 3-5 value which is incredible. High school hitters and college pitchers. I saw a user who does draft stuff on twitter compile expected slot rankings versus what team actually drafted and Jays easily had best draft. Doesn't mean much except Jays were able to get guys who were expected to go earlier.

A Canadian note about the draft. There were 10 Canadians picked in the top-200 pick including 5 of the top-70. (As is usually the case, many are sort of Canadian like #2 pick Bremner whose parents are Canadian but grew up in San Diego.) Great to see Canadian development. When I was a kid, it was Terry Puhl and that's it. The country is developing so many players now.
hypobole - Wednesday, July 16 2025 @ 12:37 PM EDT (#463740) #
Kiley at ESPN seems pretty high on the Jays draft as well.I did some editing for brevity.

Best value: Tim Piasentin (fifth round). The Jays like drafting Canadian high schoolers, and Piasentin was the best position player in that class this year. He can really hit and has plus power, but defensively fits at one of the four corners. I had him in the third round, most had him as a third- or fourth-round talent, so I'd guess he is a bit over slot in the fifth.

Quickest to the big leagues: Jake Cook (mentions contact/best speed/plus arm) He's also a plus defender in center field. Cook doesn't really know how to steal bases or lift the ball yet, so he's raw, but he also could fix the base-stealing part of that very quickly.

Sleeper to watch: I love a lot of the players the Jays took. Eric Snow (sixth round) produced solid offensive metrics, Dylan Watts might be a long-term starter in the seventh round, Karson Ligon (ninth round) is one of the better senior arms in this draft class and Jared Spencer (11th round) looked like a second-rounder before shoulder surgery. But he could move quickly once healthy.

One big thought: I was a big JoJo Parker guy as the spring wore on: Parker (No. 8 overall) has a great mix of hit tool, performance and average-or-so other tools with excellent makeup reports. Blaine Bullard (12th round) and Ty Peeples (20th round) are both big potential payoffs after the 10th round. It sounds as if they'll both require seven figures to sign, but I have them as both worth it, if Toronto can get the money. Bullard, in particular, is a plus-plus runner with plus athletic-testing grades and projection to his frame;



hypobole - Wednesday, July 16 2025 @ 04:02 PM EDT (#463741) #
So Kiley called Cook a plus defender in CF. Another prospect site stated:

"Cook comes from Southern Miss and possesses some of the best centerfield defense in the minor leagues before setting foot on a professional field"

Those comments don't make me think of Clase.
greenfrog - Wednesday, July 16 2025 @ 05:19 PM EDT (#463746) #
Two Blue Jays are included in BA’s recent “Top 25 Florida Complex League Prospects For 2025.”

Johnny King (#5)
Yorman Licourt (#11)

BA also reproduced some video of King’s final FCL start (originally posted by @jnorris427 on X).

GabrielSyme - Thursday, July 17 2025 @ 12:34 AM EDT (#463752) #
I will echo Glevin, I liked how the Jays approached the draft this year, moving money around to get some extra higher-upside, higher risk talent. I don't imagine you can do that every year, but getting both Bullard and Spencer in the later rounds is good work.

Generally, I think in today's draft you want to look for higher-upside guys rather than more well-rounded prospects ('high floor') after the first round or so, and Cook, Piasentin, Bullard and Spencer all fit that mould.

I'm also a fan of the unheralded high school signee - glad we got another in Jordan Rich. Danny Jansen and Davis Schneider are examples of successes in this vein.

hypobole - Thursday, July 17 2025 @ 08:15 AM EDT (#463753) #
I'm another fan of this draft so far. But I won't give my final opinion until the signings are done. Since we have no juco draftees that will be within 11 days - 5 pm July 28.
scottt - Thursday, July 17 2025 @ 08:59 AM EDT (#463754) #
I remember when Teoscar was a plus defender in CF.
In scouts mind at least.
hypobole - Thursday, July 17 2025 @ 09:17 AM EDT (#463755) #
By scouts you mean bloggers.
Mike Green - Thursday, July 17 2025 @ 09:35 AM EDT (#463756) #
Are the Fangraphs writers who assign the scouting grades on their player pages "scouting bloggers" or "blogging scouts"? Identity is such a tricky issue these days- let's say that it is both here.
hypobole - Thursday, July 17 2025 @ 10:54 AM EDT (#463760) #
I remember the Teoscar comment came from the SB Nation guy who used to do the minor league stuff. AFAIK, he never worked for a major league team.

Longenhagen, McDaniel and Law all worked for MLB teams.
hypobole - Thursday, July 17 2025 @ 11:12 AM EDT (#463762) #
#5 overall Liam Doyle signed by the Cards, almost $900K under slot.
budgell - Thursday, July 17 2025 @ 01:37 PM EDT (#463767) #
Longtime lurker, infrequent poster. Thanks all for the great posts. Tell me a better spot to get Jays draft info/insight, especially with little to no vitriol. I'll save you the time...there isn't one.
Go Jays!
scottt - Thursday, July 17 2025 @ 06:23 PM EDT (#463773) #
I wouldn't trust my memory for the origin of comments.

One thing is sure, the Jays got Teoscar from the Astros for a washed up Liriano who was used as a LOOGY for 16 innings.
At the time, Houston was hanging on to Derek Fisher whom the Jays got later for Joe Biagini, Aaron Sanchez and Cal Stevenson.
It sure feels like they didn't value Teo much.
hypobole - Thursday, July 17 2025 @ 07:08 PM EDT (#463774) #
I remember some, like that one. Can't remember the bloggers name, but I remember he quit SB for a very traumatic reason I won't get into here, but something very ugly had happened to him.

Here's a comment memory from the Fisher trade thread. Mike Green hated the Jays giving up Cal Stevenson. And the Jays managed to rescue something out of Fisher when they traded him to the Brewers for Paxton Schultz.



Mike Green - Thursday, July 17 2025 @ 07:44 PM EDT (#463775) #
It's true. I liked Cal Stevenson, along with Joel Collins, Dalton Pompey and a host of others who didn't make it ultimately. But some who did like Matt Boyd, Davis Schneider, Gabriel Moreno and others.

In the case of Teo, the mainstream evaluations missed his strengths and weaknesses entirely. One repeating issue is the failure to identify power potential in a young prospect usually a shorter player.
Nigel - Thursday, July 17 2025 @ 08:00 PM EDT (#463776) #
Another repeated issue is that in limited viewings, defensive tools can be confused with the actual ability to play defence (particularly in OFs). Clase and Hernandez (in his younger years) are good examples. You see them play a few games and notice the overall athleticism, speed and arm strength and think they are above average defenders. Not so much.
hypobole - Thursday, July 17 2025 @ 08:08 PM EDT (#463777) #
Hey Cal is still getting cups of coffee in the majors each year. Pretty sure none of Fisher, Sanchez or Biagini are in organised ball any more.
mendocino - Thursday, July 17 2025 @ 09:18 PM EDT (#463778) #
posted yesterday

Bob Nightengale@BNightengale

Former All Star pitcher Aaron Sanchez, with a new sports agency (Smooth Baseball), is making a comeback after last pitching in the big leagues in 2022. He pitched last season for Triple-A Buffalo.
9:04 AM · Jul 16, 2025
John Northey - Thursday, July 17 2025 @ 10:50 PM EDT (#463781) #
Wow, Cal Stevenson has 5 games with the Phillies this year - his 4th season getting some time in the majors (5-23 games a year from 2022-2025). Biagini ended up with a 0.0 lifetime bWAR over 222 games - his last pro game was in 2022. Fisher ended with 0.3 bWAR. Sanchez post-Jays was 0.0 WAR. So basically that trade all those years ago was nothing for nothing pretty much. Funny given how much we all yakked about it, of course what else did we have to talk about in 2019 outside of Bo & Vlad & Biggio getting their first ML shots?
hypobole - Friday, July 18 2025 @ 04:27 AM EDT (#463783) #
Aaron Sanchez like the old guy slung over John Cleese's shoulder in the Holy Grail. The trade has ultimately become Cal Stevenson for Paxton Schultz.

But the Fisher trade started out as 2 huge black eyes - one for Fisher when he misplayed a fly ball in his 2nd game as a Jay, and an even bigger one for Atkins the very next day when Sanchez threw 6 no hit innings in his 1st start as an Astro.

That play by Fisher started a chain of events the led to him becoming the epitome of awful outfield defence in the eyes of many Jays fans. But Fisher had played almost 700 innings in the outfield for the Astros. He did not commit any fielding errors in that time. He was +9 DRS, +2 OAA.

That one play seemed to devolve him into the defensive equivalent of Bill Blass. In fewer than half as many innings as a Jay he ended with 4 fielding errors, -5 DRS, -6 OAA.

Ah, memories.



Glevin - Friday, July 18 2025 @ 08:20 AM EDT (#463785) #
The Fisher trade is always a bit funny to me because I think most Jays fan consider it a loss and a horrible trade because Fisher was bad and Sanchez was attached to some great memories but it was actually a slight win because it was a wash in value and Jays saved something like $5M.
Marc Hulet - Friday, July 18 2025 @ 01:35 PM EDT (#463794) #
Canadian UTIL player from West Virginia U, Sam White, has signed with Toronto. He was on BA's Draft Top 500 right near the end. Looks like a good pick - slid due to an injury.
mendocino - Friday, July 18 2025 @ 03:14 PM EDT (#463808) #
Micah Bucknam signs for $ 678,300

https://www.mlb.com/draft/tracker/2025/all/team/bluejays
mendocino - Friday, July 18 2025 @ 03:18 PM EDT (#463809) #
Charlie Saum, C, Stanford

Sam White, UTL, West Virginia (BA Rank: 483) (source)
White is a 5-foot-11, 195-pound utilityman and lefthanded hitter. He’s been a full-time starter for West Virginia since his freshman year and has played a number of positions—including second, third, first, left, right and catcher. He had a productive summer in the Cape Cod League, hitting .267/.377/.389, and he carried that over into the 2025 season. He cut his strikeout rate significantly and slashed .361/.426/.529 with five home runs and 17 doubles. White has shown average raw power and a tick above-average contact skills, although he can get too aggressive at times. White started the season as the team’s everyday second baseman but injured his shoulder in late March and was strictly used as a DH the rest of the season, and he batted cleanup during the team’s run to the NCAA super regionals. White’s defensive versatility and excellent contact numbers as a junior could make him a draft target in the 11-20 round range.
mendocino - Friday, July 18 2025 @ 04:39 PM EDT (#463818) #
Damon @Damon98_

Blue Jays 4th rounder Micah Bucknam putting pen to paper

https://x.com/Damon98_/status/1946236299565740039
mendocino - Friday, July 18 2025 @ 05:35 PM EDT (#463820) #
Jim Callis @jimcallisMLB

No. 8 overall pick JoJo Parker signs w/@BlueJays
for $6.2 million (slot value = $6,813,600). Mississippi HS SS, consensus best all-around prep hitter in @MLBDraft
, could be plus bat with 25-homer power, good approach, solid arm for left side of infield. Mississippi State recruit
hypobole - Friday, July 18 2025 @ 06:01 PM EDT (#463821) #
Anyone mathy enough to figure out the savings on the 4 underslot signings?
mendocino - Friday, July 18 2025 @ 07:36 PM EDT (#463835) #
Jim Callis @jimcallisMLB

Bullard's bonus sets a new @MLBDraft
record for the 12th rd. He eclipses Mike Rozier, who signed with the Red Sox for $1,575,000 in 2004.
Quote
Jim Callis @jimcallisMLB

12th-rder Blaine Bullard signs w/@BlueJays for $1,697,500 ($1,547,500 counts vs pool). Texas HS OF, plus speed & knows how to use it on the bases & in center field. Texas A&M recruit. Largest bonus outside of top four rds so far in 2025 @MLBDraft.


Jim Callis @jimcallisMLB

3rd-rder Jake Cook signs w/@BlueJays
for $922,500 (slot 81 value = $993,900). @SouthernMissBSB
OF, fastest player in @MLBDraft
, former LHP (to 96 mph), hit .350 & 7% K rate in first year as full-time bat, also tremendous range in CF. Crushed athletic testing at Draft Combine.
Gerry - Friday, July 18 2025 @ 08:31 PM EDT (#463849) #
The slot values for the Jays 8th to 10th round picks was $539k. They were all 4 or 5 year seniors so they had no leverage. Two of them have signed for $5k and if the third does the same the Jays will save $524k.

The Jays also picked up $600k from the Parker signing and 70k on Cook.

That adds to about $1.2m.

12th round pick Bullard signs for $1.55m over slot. There is also a general over slot allowance, not sure how much that is.
Marc Hulet - Friday, July 18 2025 @ 09:21 PM EDT (#463855) #
I believe they can go just over $515,000 at 5% overage.
scottt - Saturday, July 19 2025 @ 07:27 AM EDT (#463862) #
It's a great spot to load on relief pitchers. Some of them might work out and they know it so they are eager to sign for a token.
Marc Hulet - Saturday, July 19 2025 @ 09:36 AM EDT (#463865) #
Jays signed UFA out of Stetson, Mason Davenport. 6-10, 255 lbs right-hander.
mendocino - Saturday, July 19 2025 @ 12:32 PM EDT (#463872) #
https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/roster/transactions

Date Transaction
07/18/25 Toronto Blue Jays signed OF Jake Casey.
07/18/25 Toronto Blue Jays signed OF Jake Cook.
07/18/25 Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent RHP Dayne Pengelly to a minor league contract.
07/18/25 Toronto Blue Jays signed RHP Dylan Watts.
07/18/25 Toronto Blue Jays signed RHP Noah Palmese.
07/18/25 Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent RHP Mason Davenport to a minor league contract.
07/18/25 Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent RHP Brayden Heidel to a minor league contract.
07/18/25 Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent 3B Sam White to a minor league contract.
07/18/25 Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent LHP Carson Myers to a minor league contract.
07/18/25 Toronto Blue Jays signed RHP Micah Bucknam.
07/18/25 Toronto Blue Jays signed LHP Luke Kovach.
07/18/25 Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent RHP Reece Wissinger to a minor league contract.
07/18/25 Toronto Blue Jays signed SS JoJo Parker.
07/18/25 Toronto Blue Jays signed SS Eric Snow.
07/18/25 Toronto Blue Jays signed LHP Jared Spencer.
Gerry - Saturday, July 19 2025 @ 02:42 PM EDT (#463885) #
Tim Piasentin signs for $750k, slot is $504k.
mendocino - Saturday, July 19 2025 @ 03:42 PM EDT (#463894) #
1 Joseph Parker $6,197,500
3 Jake Cook $922,500
4 Micah Bucknam $678,300
5 Tim Piasentin N
6 Eric Snow $381,100
7 Dylan Watts $197,500
8 Danny Thompson $5,000
9 Karson Ligon $125,000
10 Austin Smith $5,000
11 Jared Spencer $165,000
12 Blaine Bullard $1,697,500
13 Trace Baker N
14 Noah Palmese $150,000
15 Casey Jake $150,000
16 Jaxson West $150,000
17 Jordan Rich $150,000
18 Will Cresswell $100,000
19 Luke Kovach $150,000
20 Ty Peeples N

https://www.baseballamerica.com/draft-results/

5 Tim Piasentin $747.50k/$503.80k

https://www.mlb.com/draft/tracker/2025/all/team/bluejays
hypobole - Saturday, July 19 2025 @ 06:00 PM EDT (#463912) #
2 thumbs up, with solid allocation of the pool money. Spencer only getting an extra $15K tells me the prognosis is not good for his shoulder, but if he somehow does manage to return to something close to his previous levels, it could be a huge win.
hypobole - Sunday, July 20 2025 @ 10:10 AM EDT (#463937) #
One thing that probably shouldn't bother me but does, is why would they give 18th rounder Cresswell only 100 K? The extra 50K would make no difference to the pool, so it just makes the team look cheap, taking advantage of some kid.
mendocino - Sunday, July 20 2025 @ 02:48 PM EDT (#463962) #
Carlos Collazo @CarlosACollazo

I've got the Blue Jays at $10,829,900 spent so far.

That leaves exactly $430 left to spend without going over the 5% overage. I'd assume they are done.
Quote

Tyson Shushkewich @Tyson_MLB

Baker has been signed.

#BlueJays only have Peeples remaining, which seems like a long shot.
mendocino - Sunday, July 20 2025 @ 02:50 PM EDT (#463964) #
Carlos Collazo@CarlosACollazo

A few more Blue Jays signings:

13th Trace Baker, $150,000

14th Noah Palmese, $150,000
15th Jake Casey, $150,000
16th Jaxson West, $150,000
17th Jordan Rich, $150,000
18th Willis Cresswell, $100,000
19th Luke Kovach, $150,000
Marc Hulet - Sunday, July 20 2025 @ 08:26 PM EDT (#463986) #
It's possible that Cresswell has an injury that they're going to help him rehab through which would explain the reduced funds.
scottt - Sunday, July 20 2025 @ 09:23 PM EDT (#463988) #
Only Baker left to sign. There's no money left for Peeples as expected.
hypobole - Sunday, July 20 2025 @ 10:47 PM EDT (#463990) #
mendocino's last post says Baker did sign.
2025 MLB Draft - Day 2, Rounds 11-20 | 68 comments | Create New Account
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