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3 former Blue Jays top prospects and where they stand in 2026: Part 1
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Photo credit: © Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
May 7, 2026, 17:00 EDTUpdated: May 7, 2026, 16:49 EDT
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The art of trying to project prospects in baseball is almost something that is impossible to predict. Players deemed to be ‘can’t miss’ on draft day often struggle, while lesser-known commodities can go on to have long MLB careers. 
Here is a look at three former Toronto Blue Jays top prospects and how they are faring during the 2026 season. 

Ryan Borucki

The Blue Jays’ number eighth-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline heading into the 2018 regular season, Borucki made his debut that year, making 17 starts, and going 4-6 with a 3.87 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. The left-hander appeared to be a future staple in the rotation, but after making only two starts in 2019, Borucki became a full-time reliever before being moved to the Seattle Mariners on June 4, 2022. 
Borucki closed his Blue Jays’ tenure by appearing in 75 games over the course of six seasons, posting a record of 8-9, an ERA of 4.35 and a WHIP of 1.43. After spending the remainder of the 2022 season in Seattle, Borucki moved on to the Pittsburgh Pirates before quietly becoming a Blue Jay again last season. The now 32-year-old was signed by the Blue Jays to a minor-league contract on August 25 and pitched in four games with the Blue Jays in September. Borucki threw 4 1/3 shutout innings, allowing only three hits while striking out five. 
Borucki was designated for assignment before the playoffs and elected free agency following the completion of the 2025 season. After joining the Chicago White Sox organization in January, Borucki was released on March 20, and the next day, he joined the San Francisco Giants.
Borucki has spent the 2026 season at the big-league level, appearing in 13 games and posting a record of 0-1, an ERA of 5.56 and a WHIP of 1.68. Borucki has held left-handed batters to a .167 average against, but has struggled to get righties out, allowing a .478 average and two home runs. 

Nate Pearson

The Blue Jays’ former first-round draft pick in 2017 and fourth-ranked prospect in 2019, injuries delayed Nate Pearson’s development before he finally toed a big league mound in 2020. After coming through the minor league ranks as a starter, Pearson transitioned to a reliever and was with the Blue Jays’ organization until the 2024 trade deadline. 
Pearson was moved to the Chicago Cubs for two minor-league prospects, including Yohendrick Piñango, after parts of four seasons with the Blue Jays. The now 29-year-old appeared in 93 games with the Blue Jays and went 7-4 with a 5.21 ERA, a WHIP of 1.46, recording three saves across seven opportunities. 
Pearson spent the remainder of 2024 and most of the 2025 season with the Cubs organization before being released on September 21. The right-hander was signed by the Houston Astros on October 20 and underwent offseason surgery to clean up his elbow. 
Pearson was slowed in camp due to elbow soreness and opened the year on the 15-day injured list. Pearson made his first rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi and has now made two appearances in Triple-A with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. Through three appearances, Pearson is 0-1 with an 11.57 ERA and a 3.43 WHIP. Control issues have been a concern, as Pearson has allowed 10 walks over 4 2/3. 

Danny Jansen 

Jansen appeared in 31 games with the Blue Jays in 2018, flashing his ability to drive the ball by blasting three home runs across his first 81 at-bats. Entering the 2019 season, Jansen was the Blue Jays’ number three-ranked prospect, trailing only Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. 
Jansen became a key part of the Blue Jays’ offence over the next five and a half seasons, highlighted by two years where Jansen hit 15 and 17 home runs. As the Blue Jays faltered in 2024, Jansen was traded to the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline, ending his tenure with the Blue Jays after 471 games. The fan favourite Jansen batted .222 with 71 home runs and 214 RBIs, struggling to stay healthy as he dealt with various ailments. 
Jansen signed with the Tampa Bay Rays before the 2025 season and spent half a year there before being moved to the Milwaukee Brewers at the trade deadline. The 31-year-old entered free agency for the second year in a row and signed with the Texas Rangers on December 15. 
Through 24 games this season, Jansen is batting .203 with two home runs and eight RBIs. The Rangers currently are using both Jansen and Kyle Higashioka behind the plate, but neither has taken the number one role and run with it. Jansen is striking out at a 31.8% clip through 79 at-bats, the highest rate of his big-league career to this point. 

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