In the first part of our 2023 MLB Draft primer, we looked through some pitchers and catchers who might be of interest to the Blue Jays when they make their first selection at 20th overall on Sunday.

Next up, we’ll take a look around the infield and the outfield for players who could be of interest to the Blue Jays. Let’s start in the outfield.

Defensively at best health, the Blue Jays employ one of the best outfield alignments in the Major Leagues — one with good hitting capability and exceptional outfield tools. When reviewing the organization’s top 30 prospects, the No. 12, 15, and 17 ranked players are outfielders. That’s Gabriel Martinez, Dasan Brown, and Enmanuel Bonilla. Martinez and Bonilla are both solid international pickups, and Dasan Brown was the highest Canadian drafted in the 2019 draft.

These three players are the baseline of tools Toronto will focus on during this year’s selections. Which draft prospects match the Blue Jays’ outfield criteria?

If the Blue Jays head their selections prioritizing the back-field grass, Enrique Bradfield Jr would be the perfect fit and target. The junior out of the notorious Vanderbilt University is ranked 16th of the top 200 MLB draft prospects, with Toronto having the 20th pick, the possibility of landing him is within hope. Bradfield Jr gives the same vibes as Dasan Brown under the scouting scope. He has an athletic-slim build and does everything from the left side.

The key link between the two players is the word “havoc.”  No pitcher or catcher is within sanity with this kid on pads, which is about .410 percent this year alone. Let’s start with his fielding ability: Enrique Jr can patrol the outfield, particularly center field with his top tool being his strong point. He’s able to cover ground, get to balls quickly, and make difficult plays which somewhat shadows his average workable arm.

Enrique Jr can swing it for hard sneaky contact using the entire field and has the ability to stretch base hits. So far in 2023, he’s hitting a decent .279 batting average with 65 hits, 6 home runs, and 34 RBIs. His on-base percentage sits at .410. It is important to pay attention to his walks-strikeout ratio; he’s 45 times and struck out 40 times. With that on-base presence he’s stolen 37 bags so far, only caught 7 times, and he’s come around to score 69 Vanderbilt runs.

Career-wise he has a .311 batting average, a .426 on-base percentage, 131 walks, 122 strikeouts, and 130 stolen bases while only being caught 13 times, 224 hits, 15 home runs, 108 RBIs, on 224 hits. Bradfield would be the guy to change and improve the Blue Jays running game from the ground up.

Jack Hurley is another talented choice that touches similar bases as Enrique Jr. He’s an athletic-strong outfielder that hits from the left side with strong potential to be in the top five spots in a competitive lineup, and the ability to play all fields.  Hurley can use all fields as a gap hitter, creating and executing offensive systems.

The 33rd-ranked prospect out of Virginia Tech University has a .320 batting average so far in 2023 with 57 hits, 17 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 46 runs on 57 hits. He has an on-base percentage of .414, and a college-career on-base percentage of .411. Hurley brings almost five tool possibilities to any team that picks him up in this year’s draft.

If you haven’t seen the trend yet, left-handed hitting outfielders seem to be the popularity in the position. Colton Ledbetter holds draft-worthy traits and tools to pay attention to. 6’2” at 205lbs, Ledbetter took his talents from Samford to Mississippi State University, bringing hitting ability, strong defensive ability, and beneficial running game.

Ledbetter has a consistent and calculated swing, bringing his hands in and keeping the bat head in the zone toward the pull side. Ledbetter will use all fields when protecting the zone, but will make you pay on the inside half of the plate. He’s strong with good use of his athleticism and quick hands.

Defensively, Ledbetter can play the majority of the outfield but will probably play the corners with a workable arm.  His speed and movement on his feet will assist him in covering a fair amount of ground. Furthermore, Ledbetter can snag bags and is known to be a smart runner. He’s snagged 17 bags this season; 32 stolen bases in three college seasons. In 2023, he has a .320 batting average with 63 hits, 12 home runs, 53 RBIs on 197 at-bats. Ledbetter has only struck out 36 times while walking 47 times; this translated to 52 runs scored for Mississippi. His ability to score runs is huge and will help any club win games.

Lefty hitters with speed and hitting ability will fit the Blue Jays’ survey of draft outfielders, and these three prospects are promising players.

In the between the Addison Barger’s, and possibly the Aidan Miller’s and Ralphy Velasquez’s poses healthy options to fill the middle infield with high-end talent. While Toronto has names such as Tucker Toman, Cade Doughty, and Josh Kasevich on the come-up, finding the next Bichette and two-bagger is a priority.

With Toronto drafting 20^th in the first round, it may be tough to land a high-ranking mid-infielder, especially if pitchers or catchers could be the genuine priority. What are the most possible options? Let’s start with a Spartan shortstop.

Now, looking at this kid’s stance and swing, you may write him off at first site; however, he’s ranked 44^th of MLB’s top 200 draft prospects for a reason. The 6’1” 185-pounder is a junior for the Michigan State Spartans, hitting from the left side and throwing from the right. Visibly, Jebb holds a true at athletic makeup which transpires in his ability. His defence is average and workable with good hands, range, and an average arm. The opportunity for defensive development is evident and he has the ability to also play second base.

Jebb’s ranking comes from his ability to swing the bat and get on base. His hitting is ranked a 60 on the 20-80 scale, with strong contact for line drive type gap-to-gap hits. Although Jebb has a non-appealing batting stance and unconventional swing, it gets the job done and his ability to get on base is extremely valuable; his run game is ranked a 65. So far in 2023, he’s batting .337 with a .438 on-base percentage.

In three college seasons, he’s at a .327 batting average with a .413 on-base percentage. Scouts recognized his game in the summer of 2022 where he played in the Cape Cod League and drove in 22 RBIs, 53 hits, and an impressive 26 stolen bags. Jebb may be a realistic option for Toronto.

This Hawaiian infielder is a transfer portal prospect from Kansas to Tennessee and ranks 47^th prospect of MLB’s top 200. He’s spent time in Cape Cod and the USA National program. Recent struggles have posed questions about his draft-ability in round one, but he still holds extreme value and projections.

There is no doubt about Ahuna’s ability to hit. He’s aggressive at the plate with a leg kick and semi-upper cut swing creating launch and travel. He’s able to use all fields when needed and use the middle to get on base. Consistency is the biggest question with Ahuna; can he read and deliver? His physical makeup and offensive display are enough to put him in the second or third round at best.

His defence matches if not surpasses his hitting skill, with a terrific ability to play his position and an above-average arm.  So far in 2023, Ahuna is hitting .312 with 42 RBIs, 8 home runs, 64 hits, and walked 37 times with a .425 on-base percentage.

This shortstop absolutely rakes at the plate and can play shortstop, third base, second base, and the outfield. The former pitcher who touched 95mph shows athletic ability, well-rounded tools, and an above-average arm and bat. He throws from the right and hits from the left at 6’2” 193lbs with raw power, athletic build, and locked in at the dish.

He’s hit out 12 bombs in his high school year so far with a .444 batting average. Peete brings diversity in positional ability along with a long-term possibility to pitch. He’s been growing, maturing and polishing his tools. He’s ranked MLB’s 53^rd draft prospect and has committed to Georgia Tech. This type of player would give the Blue Jays great future options and possibilities with what Peete is able to do on the field.