It’s that time of the year again when we start to look at who the Blue Jays could select with their first-round pick in the upcoming draft.

Over the past few weeks, there have been several publications who’ve released mock drafts, including <a href="https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2024/4/23/2024-mlb-mock-draft-20">Prospects Live</a>, <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10118176-2024-mlb-mock-draft-20-early-picks-for-every-1st-round-selection">Bleacher Report</a>, and <a href="https://www.justbaseball.com/college/2024-mlb-mock-draft-2-0/">Just Baseball</a>.
The past two seasons, the Blue Jays have drafted prep players with their first overall picks, with the team selecting shortstop Arjun Nimmala with the 20th overall pick in 2023, and left-handed pitcher Brandon Barriera with the 23rd overall pick in 2022.
Prior to that, the Blue Jays drafted Gunnar Hoglund with their first-round pick in 2021, and in 2020, they selected college bat Austin Martin, who has made the big leagues after being selected fifth-overall.
If it were up to me, the Blue Jays should be drafting a college bat once again, as college bats tend to be more polished and get to the big leagues sooner. Let’s take a look at these three mock drafts.
Side note: We’ll be looking at scouting reports from MLB.com’s MLB Pipeline.
<h2>Prospects Live has the Jays selecting Theo Gillen</h2>
Theo Gillen is an 18-year-old high schooler from Texas and ranks as MLB Pipeline’s 26th-best available draft prospect. It’s noted that his bat is arguably the best of any prep in the 2024 draft, pointing to his approach, left-handed swing that’s described as “sweet”, and quick hands. Standing at 6’3”, his scouting reports also note that there’s a lot of projection, and he has a floor of 20-homers.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Theo Gillen (&#39;24, TX) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PGAAC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PGAAC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Texas_PG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Texas_PG</a> <a href="https://t.co/QMzrhv6kf0">pic.twitter.com/QMzrhv6kf0</a>
&mdash; Dick’s Sporting Goods All-American Classic (@PGAllAmerican) <a href="https://twitter.com/PGAllAmerican/status/1693370389639114978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Defensively, Gillen is a good runner, but there’s concerns about injury &#8211; both in his knee and from shoulder surgery thanks to a torn labrum. His position is still up in the air, with Pipeline’s bio suggesting second base, centre field, and left field.
If the Jays selected Gillen, it’d be back to back seasons with the team selecting a prep shortstop, which seems less than ideal.
<h2>Bleacher Report has the Jays selecting Slade Caldwell</h2>
Like Prospects Live, Bleacher Report’s mock draft has the team selecting a prep hitter, this time, it’s outfielder Slade Caldwell.
Power won’t be the 5’8”, 175 lbs’ outfielder’s calling card, but MLB Pipeline gives him a 60 grade for the hit tool, noting his fast hands from the left-side. He also has impressive speed (65 grade), allowing him to run out grounders and be a menace on the base paths.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
‘24 | OF | Slade Caldwell (<a href="https://twitter.com/BlazerHardball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BlazerHardball</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/OleMissBSB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OleMissBSB</a>) 
Starts off this anticipated vs Rogers matchup with a double to left.<a href="https://twitter.com/ShooterHunt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShooterHunt</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/PBR_DraftHQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PBR_DraftHQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/aASM17Fh3z">pic.twitter.com/aASM17Fh3z</a>
&mdash; PBR Arkansas (@PrepBaseballAR) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballAR/status/1783971170284396882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Caldwell’s speed also translates defensively, as it allows him to range in centre field. His arm is considered “fringy”, but it works in centre. Like Gillen, he’s had a major injury, a broken fibula, ow.
In recent drafts, the Blue Jays cupboard for outfielders has improved, as Alan Roden (2022 draft) and Jace Bohrofen (2023 draft) have had great starts to their seasons. Of course, Will Robertson has also broken out in the past year.
<h2>Just Baseball has the Jays selecting Caleb Lomavita</h2>
At one point, the Blue Jays were a catcher factor, producing players like Alejandro Kirk, Gabriel Moreno, and Danny Jansen. However, the team is without a Top 30 catching prospect. There are a few interesting catchers in the system, namely Edward Duran and Franklin Rojas. However, the former is in Single-A while the latter has yet to make his professional debut. Zach Britton is another player to keep an eye on, and he’s in Double-A.
Just Baseball’s mock draft has the Jays selecting Caleb Lomavita, the top catching prospect in the draft, according to MLB Pipeline. The bat has improved, as Lomavita can drive the ball to all fields, but also has ceased to chase as much as he was in years prior. The approach needs some work though, as he’s an aggressive hitter that really likes to swing.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Caleb Lomavita launches home run No. 13 🚀
More on the 2024 Draft&#39;s top catching prospect: <a href="https://t.co/pME9tSRGPz">https://t.co/pME9tSRGPz</a>
(🎥: <a href="https://twitter.com/CalBaseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CalBaseball</a>)
 <a href="https://t.co/VMy1OTVSK5">pic.twitter.com/VMy1OTVSK5</a>
&mdash; MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBPipeline/status/1784393652909027601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
For a catcher, defence comes first, and he’s athletic behind the plate, which the Jays love. The arm is strong, but he’ll need to shorten his throw, and his catching overall is still a work in progress, but he can be darn good at the position. Other options could be third base or outfield if it doesn’t work out behind the plate.
A college catcher with athleticism and a good bat? Sign me up!
<hr />
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

It’s that time of the year again when we start to look at who the Blue Jays could select with their first-round pick in the upcoming draft.



Over the past few weeks, there have been several publications who’ve released mock drafts, including <a href="https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2024/4/23/2024-mlb-mock-draft-20">Prospects Live</a>, <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10118176-2024-mlb-mock-draft-20-early-picks-for-every-1st-round-selection">Bleacher Report</a>, and <a href="https://www.justbaseball.com/college/2024-mlb-mock-draft-2-0/">Just Baseball</a>.

The past two seasons, the Blue Jays have drafted prep players with their first overall picks, with the team selecting shortstop Arjun Nimmala with the 20th overall pick in 2023, and left-handed pitcher Brandon Barriera with the 23rd overall pick in 2022.

Prior to that, the Blue Jays drafted Gunnar Hoglund with their first-round pick in 2021, and in 2020, they selected college bat Austin Martin, who has made the big leagues after being selected fifth-overall.

If it were up to me, the Blue Jays should be drafting a college bat once again, as college bats tend to be more polished and get to the big leagues sooner. Let’s take a look at these three mock drafts.

Side note: We’ll be looking at scouting reports from MLB.com’s MLB Pipeline.
<h2>Prospects Live has the Jays selecting Theo Gillen</h2>
Theo Gillen is an 18-year-old high schooler from Texas and ranks as MLB Pipeline’s 26th-best available draft prospect. It’s noted that his bat is arguably the best of any prep in the 2024 draft, pointing to his approach, left-handed swing that’s described as “sweet”, and quick hands. Standing at 6’3”, his scouting reports also note that there’s a lot of projection, and he has a floor of 20-homers.

https://twitter.com/PGAllAmerican/status/1693370389639114978

Defensively, Gillen is a good runner, but there’s concerns about injury - both in his knee and from shoulder surgery thanks to a torn labrum. His position is still up in the air, with Pipeline’s bio suggesting second base, centre field, and left field.

If the Jays selected Gillen, it’d be back to back seasons with the team selecting a prep shortstop, which seems less than ideal.
<h2>Bleacher Report has the Jays selecting Slade Caldwell</h2>
Like Prospects Live, Bleacher Report’s mock draft has the team selecting a prep hitter, this time, it’s outfielder Slade Caldwell.

Power won’t be the 5’8”, 175 lbs’ outfielder’s calling card, but MLB Pipeline gives him a 60 grade for the hit tool, noting his fast hands from the left-side. He also has impressive speed (65 grade), allowing him to run out grounders and be a menace on the base paths.

https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballAR/status/1783971170284396882

Caldwell’s speed also translates defensively, as it allows him to range in centre field. His arm is considered “fringy”, but it works in centre. Like Gillen, he’s had a major injury, a broken fibula, ow.

In recent drafts, the Blue Jays cupboard for outfielders has improved, as Alan Roden (2022 draft) and Jace Bohrofen (2023 draft) have had great starts to their seasons. Of course, Will Robertson has also broken out in the past year.
<h2>Just Baseball has the Jays selecting Caleb Lomavita</h2>
At one point, the Blue Jays were a catcher factor, producing players like Alejandro Kirk, Gabriel Moreno, and Danny Jansen. However, the team is without a Top 30 catching prospect. There are a few interesting catchers in the system, namely Edward Duran and Franklin Rojas. However, the former is in Single-A while the latter has yet to make his professional debut. Zach Britton is another player to keep an eye on, and he’s in Double-A.

Just Baseball’s mock draft has the Jays selecting Caleb Lomavita, the top catching prospect in the draft, according to MLB Pipeline. The bat has improved, as Lomavita can drive the ball to all fields, but also has ceased to chase as much as he was in years prior. The approach needs some work though, as he’s an aggressive hitter that really likes to swing.

https://twitter.com/MLBPipeline/status/1784393652909027601

For a catcher, defence comes first, and he’s athletic behind the plate, which the Jays love. The arm is strong, but he’ll need to shorten his throw, and his catching overall is still a work in progress, but he can be darn good at the position. Other options could be third base or outfield if it doesn’t work out behind the plate.

A college catcher with athleticism and a good bat? Sign me up!

<hr />

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

Looking at who the Jays could pick in the first round of the 2024 draft according to recent mock drafts

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