Blue Jays Nation’s 2023 Preseason Top 50: #7 Tucker Toman

10 months ago

Despite being selected after the second round, most publications considered Tucker Toman to be a top 50 draft prospect.

So it may have been a shock when the Jays selected him and went over-slot on his signing bonus. At the end of the day, it was a great pick.

Before we jump into that, let’s look at the criteria first.

Brennan’s criteria:

Instead of writing this out every time I did for the mid-season Top 60, I’ll copy and paste my criteria for how I rank and scout these players.

There are many factors that determine a top prospect. The eye test is the biggest driver in determining a top prospect, but proximity to the majors, ceiling, and floor is also important. Moreover, statistics are another key ingredient, as everything works together to give you numbers.

As for the grades, it’s important to remember that they are relative to the league in which they play. A kid from Dunedin is not going to have a 50-grade hit tool if he were placed in the big leagues. But relative to the league in which he plays, a .300 hitter is eligible to have that grade.

For these prospects, I’ll be reviewing their background, numbers in the minors, pitch mix (if they’re a pitcher), and giving a scouting report (if feasible, rookie league guys are difficult).

Let’s jump in!

Tucker Toman‘s career so far:

The 19-year-old switch-hitting third baseman/shortstop was drafted 77th overall by the Blue Jays in the 2022 MLB draft.

As for his career numbers, there isn’t a lot to speak of as he was drafted out of high school, hitting in less than 50 plate appearances.

After being drafted, Toman spent the rest of the season with the Florida Complex League Blue Jays, where he slashed .289/.391/.368 with a 15.2 BB% and a 26.1 K% in those 46 plate appearances. All in all, he had three doubles and had a 119 wRC+.

Scouting report:

Slender frame, broad shoulders, long legs, and a slim upper half, Toman has plenty of room for projection. The switch-hitter already has fantastic bat speed from both sides of the plate and has above-average raw power for his age. He has a fluid swing and more power from the left side. Toman uses all fields when he sprays the ball and has an above-average hit tool. He is a below-average runner, and could end up at third base or the corner outfield in the future.

Grades:

Hit: 55

Power: 55

Run: 40

Arm: 50

Field: 50

Overall: 50

Where he’ll start in 2023:

Toman was a consensus top 50 draft prospect in 2022, so despite being drafted in the compensation round after the second round, the Jays can afford to be rather aggressive with the 19-year-old. It’s likely that he’d start his 2023 with the Low-A Dunedin Blue Jays if he has s good spring training and shows improvement. It’s also possible that he repeats the Complex League level, before earning a promotion in the middle of the season.