logo
Blue Jays: 5 prospects to keep an eye on from the 2025 draft class
alt
Photo credit: © Hannah Mattix/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK
Tristan Morgan
Jan 12, 2026, 08:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 11, 2026, 17:15 EST
Comments
As the Toronto Blue Jays turn the page toward their 2026 campaign, the farm system continues to evolve, largely influenced by the 2025 draft class, with a new group of players set to make their pro debut come springtime.
For some, this season could be make or break; it is truly this draft class’s first proving ground. Whether it’s a first-rounder with all the hype adjusting to the everyday grind of pro ball or a late-round selection looking to make their mark, this coming season will develop a clearer picture of which young players are positioning themselves as legitimate contributors in Toronto.
With that, here are five prospects from the Blue Jays’ 2025 Draft to keep an eye on this year.
JoJo Parker 
Drafted eighth overall, JoJo Parker enters this year as the system’s No. 2 prospect, behind blossoming starter Trey Yesavage. The Mississippi high school product signed away from a college commitment and became the Blue Jays’ highest-drafted player since Austin Martin in 2020.
Parker’s profile is centred around a hit tool advanced well beyond his years. In his final high school season, he achieved a batting average of 465, accompanied by double-digit home runs, 30 stolen bases, and a K/BB ratio of 45/4. Parker succeeds in more ways than one with the bat and gives him a higher probability of early success compared to most high school recruits.
Defensively, Parker enters pro ball with good enough defence and arm strength to hold at the position. However, a move to second or third base may be a better fit long-term with No. 3 prospect shortstop Arjun Nimmala in High-A Vancouver.
What makes Parker compelling for 2026 is the potential to force decisions early. The transition from high school to professional baseball will likely take time. Still, Parker could move through the system faster than expected and quickly separate himself from his draft peers to become the top prospect in the system.
Jake Cook
Selected 81st overall, Jake Cook (No. 11 prospect) is one of the most intriguing athletic bets in the system. A few 2025 draftees presented a wider gap between their tools and track record. Recruited initially to Southern Mississippi as a two-way player, Cook focused primarily on pitching, showcasing a fastball that touched 96 mph. Command issues limited his innings to just two, prompting a full-time move to centre field, utilizing his athletic profile. 
Despite not facing in-game pitching for nearly two years, Cook hit .350 with an astonishing seven percent strikeout rate in his most recent college season. However, his accurate standout tool is his 80-grade speed.
Cook runs home-to-first in under 3.8 seconds, faster than Rays speedster Chandler Simpson, while previously topping Draft Combine metrics with a 3.51-second 30-yard dash and 10-foot-8.25-inch long jump. He covers ground effortlessly in centre field, and while his base running still needs development, his pure speed plays at any level.
Cook’s first professional season will be a critical evaluation of whether his tools can translate consistently against pro pitching. If they do, he certainly has a path to become a high-impact speedster in Toronto’s system.
Micah Bucknam 
Canadian Micah Bucknam (No. 16 prospect) enters the 2026 season as a pitcher the Blue Jays hope can become their next pitching-development success story. Bucknam was previously drafted by Toronto in the 16th round out of high school in 2021 but opted for college ball at LSU. 
Bucknam’s early career has been quite non-linear. After limited success in two seasons at LSU while also winning a national championship, he rebuilt his value in the Cape Cod League before transferring to Dallas Baptist University, where he emerged as the Patriots’ ace. In 2025, he posted a 6–2 record, a 4.62 ERA, and 80 strikeouts in 62.1 innings, showcasing an elite feel for spin.
Bucknam’s slider, which can touch 91 mph, earns plus grades due to its high spin rate and wipeout movement, drawing comparisons to Mariners closer Matt Brash. His curveball adds depth, while the fastball (mid-90s) may require refinement of its command for the righty to thrive as a starter, but his 6-foot-1 frame and spin rates give him a solid foundation.
Bucknam’s command remains the key to his potential. Still, Toronto’s track record in developing pitching arms makes him a strong candidate to emerge as a reliable starter or high-leverage reliever. 2026 will be his first step in that journey.
Tim Piasentin
Selected 143rd overall, Tim Piasentin (No. 20 prospect) is a ceiling-over-floor pick who has the tools to be a long-term impact bat. Drafted in the fifth round, the Blue Jays signed the Alberta-born left-handed hitter above slot value after a late rise on draft boards.
At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Piasentin is an imposing presence in the box. His standout tool is raw power, capable of exit velocities over 110mph. At the draft combine, he demonstrated the ability to stay with upper-90s fastballs with a wood bat. Then he won the Home Run Derby at the Blue Jays Futures Academy Showcase in September. 
While there is a swing-and-miss aspect to his game, Piasentin’s hit tool is strong enough to support his development, making the pick a calculated risk. If the bat develops as expected in 2026, the reward far outweighs the risk.
Defensively, Piasentin has a plus arm and has played at third base, though a shift to the right side of the infield remains possible; the bat will play nearly anywhere. Piasentin this year could break out and emerge as one of the most impactful power bats from Toronto’s 2025 draft class.
Jared Spencer 
Jared Spencer (No. 23 prospect) is arguably the most aggressive upside swing from Toronto’s 2025 draft class. Selected in the 11th round out of Texas A&M, he was once tracking toward an early-round selection before injuries altered his trajectory, which allowed Toronto to continue its trend of upside picks in 2025.
Spencer broke out as Indiana State’s closer during their 2023 Super Regional run but suffered a shoulder injury. After avoiding surgery, he transitioned into the rotation before transferring to Texas, where he impressed under Longhorns pitching coach Max Weiner.
Spencer added two mph to his fastball, often touching 98. His slider, now touching 91, produced a 37.1% in-zone miss rate and a 40.1% chase rate, ranking among the best individual pitches in the draft. Command remains a work in progress, as evidenced by his 33 walks in 53 innings with the Longhorns, but his tools keep his upside intact.
Toronto’s strategy to save slot money early to take this swing could pay off if Spencer stays healthy, potentially making him one of the system’s highest-ceiling pitchers entering 2026.

PRESENTED BY OFF THE ROSTER

Introducing Off The Roster—Toronto Sports, Unfiltered! Toronto sports fans, your new favourite conversation has arrived. Hosted by Cabbie Richards, Lindsay Dunn, and Dan Riccio, Off The Roster dives into the city’s legendary plays, brutal trades, OG jerseys, celebrity tweets, and everything in between. Raw, fun, and totally unfiltered, this is Toronto sports like you’ve never heard it before. Tune in live every weekday morning on the Nation Network YouTube channel, or catch episodes wherever you stream podcasts. Proudly brought to you by our founding partner, PROLINE. Off The Roster—the new sound in the 6ix.

Featured

Editorials

Breaking News