Blue Jays Nation’s countdown of the top Canadian baseball prospects continues with a French-Canadian infielder who was taken in the second round of last year’s MLB Draft.

Hometown: Repentigny, Quebec

Organization: Tampa Bay Rays

Position: 2B/UT

Acquired: 2nd round, 2024 draft (TB)

Despite the lack of pro experience, Émilien Pitre is among the top Canadian prospects to watch based on his track record in college and how highly he was selected in last year’s draft. A two-year starter at Kentucky, the Quebec-born infielder was ranked 173rd by MLB Pipeline heading into the draft only for the Rays to select him 58th overall and give him a $1.52 million signing bonus.

Pitre flashed elite on-base skills in both seasons at Kentucky (.440 OBP in 2023, .420 in 2024), but his recent power numbers likely led to him being selected earlier than some expected. After hitting just one home run in 2023, he clubbed ten homers in 2024, while being named to the second-team All-SEC team in the process.

Pitre’s quality defense at second base also placed him on the All-SEC defensive team. He also has experience playing at shortstop, but less than-ideal throwing strength means that second will be his position moving forward. The 22-year-old profiles as an above-average fielding second baseman, and somebody that could hold his own at the other infield positions if needed. Baserunning is another strength of Pitre’s game, having swiped 46 bags in 123 games over his last two years in college.

After being drafted, the Rays started Pitre off at single-A Charleston, where he slashed .299/.402/.403 across 92 plate appearances. The five-foot-eleven, 185-pounder walked more than he struck out (12 vs 11), and swiped seven bases in nine attempts. Pitre will have to prove that he can hit for power with wood bats, as he failed to hit a single homerun with Charleston, and only hit one homer in 51 Cape Cod League games over the last two seasons. Based on his solid overall debut as a pro, the Rays promoted him to high-A Bowling Green for their Championship Series. After sitting the first two games of the series, Pitre started the series-clinching game at second base, going 0-3 with a walk and winning the South Atlantic League title.

Despite the power concerns, Pitre has the tools to be a starting second baseman in the Major Leagues. A best-case scenario might be for the former Wildcat to develop into a similar player as Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner. Like Pitre, Hoerner won’t wow anyone with his home runs numbers (career high of 10 in 2022), but quality on-base skills, baserunning, and solid defense make him a productive player.

As a floor, Pitre should be plenty capable of being a utility player who can fill in at second, shortstop, or third base. His arm strength will limit him at those latter two positions, but his fielding ability and athleticism will allow him to hold his own. Pitre walked more than he struck out in each of his two college seasons, as well as in his brief professional stint in 2024. This shows that he’s a player who rarely gives away at-bats, which should help him move through the Rays system quickly.

The mere fact that the Rays believed him Pitre should bode well for his future, as the team routinely sports one of the best farm systems in the Major Leagues. MLB Pipeline listed them as the very best farm system in baseball in their latest update.

Given his success in single-A at the tail end of 2024, Pitre seems destined to start in high-A to begin the 2025 campaign. With some success out of the gate, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him called up to double-A by midseason. A productive first full pro season would likely set him up for his Major League debut in 2026.

16. Adam Maier

17. Liam Hicks

18. David McCabe

19. Calvin Ziegler

20. Jeremy Pilon