The Toronto Blue Jays will select 39th overall in the 2026 MLB Draft. They were originally scheduled to pick 29th, but dropped 10 spots after exceeding the Competitive Balance Tax threshold last season.

The question now becomes: what should the Blue Jays prioritize with that top pick?

The Blue Jays’ 2025 draft class included 19 total selections, with 14 players coming from the collegiate ranks and five from high school. The club signed 18 of its 19 picks, with only one remaining unsigned. High school shortstop JoJo Parker was Toronto’s first-round selection last year.

Eight of Toronto’s 19 picks in 2025 were pitchers, the majority of whom came from college programs. This year, the club should once again focus on selecting a high-upside collegiate pitcher with its first-round pick at No. 39 overall.

While 16 of the Blue Jays’ top 30 prospects are pitchers, the organization could still benefit from adding more impact arms to help shape its future pitching staff. Trey Yesavage has now established himself as a major-league contributor, removing one of the system’s top pitching prospects from the farm rankings, and he is only two years removed from the draft himself (although an anomaly with the way he rose through the rankings).

Johnny King and Ricky Tiedemann rank third and fourth in the organization, respectively, and are expected to reach the majors sometime between 2027 and 2028. Toronto needs to find its next Yesavage—an arm capable of climbing to the top of the prospect rankings and becoming a key part of the club’s future rotation in a short timeframe.

The Blue Jays should target a collegiate pitcher with both upside and projection who has excelled in a competitive conference. If they can land a left-handed pitcher with frontline potential, the pick would be considered a success.

The Blue Jays’ top 30 prospect list currently includes only one catcher. Toronto has not used a first-round pick on a catcher in the past 12 drafts. The last catcher selected by the organization in the first round was Max Pentecost, who was taken 11th overall in the 2014 MLB Draft and never made the big leagues.

Catchers are notoriously difficult to acquire through trades or free agency. As a result, the amateur draft and international signing period are often the best avenues for organizations to secure their catcher of the future. At the moment, the Blue Jays do not have a clear long-term answer behind the plate within their system besides the current tandem of Alejandro Kirk and Brandon Valenzuela.

Although quality catching prospects are rare, several catchers ranked among the top 60 draft prospects could still be available when Toronto is on the clock. Selecting a projectable catcher with offensive upside could provide significant long-term value for the organization.

Pitching will always be a priority, regardless of the circumstances. Whether the Blue Jays use the 39th pick on a promising collegiate arm or a talented offensive catcher, they should focus on replenishing positions that require long-term development and could become crucial pieces of the club’s future.

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