logo
Blue Jays 2026 mid-season top prospect list: No. 35 Javen Coleman
alt
Photo credit: © Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Ryley Delaney
Aug 28, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 28, 2026, 08:46 EDT
Comments
One of the Toronto Blue Jays’ best relief prospects is right on the doorstep of the big leagues.
Signed as a non-draft free agent following the 2024 MLB Draft, Javen Coleman has had a rapid ascent up the Blue Jays’ minor league ladder. After a promotion to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, the left-handed relief pitcher is now just one step away from the big leagues.
Coleman ranks as our 35th-best Blue Jays prospect in our 2026 mid-season top Blue Jays’ prospect list. If you missed the last article, you can read about Jared Spencer here.

Javen Coleman

Position: Relief pitcher
Throws: Left
Born: December 3rd, 2001
Acquired: Non-drafted free agent
Previous ranking: 34th
Coleman spent four seasons at Louisiana State University, even winning the College World Series with the Tigers. That led to the left-handed reliever being selected in the 16th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he returned for another year.
He started seven of the 12 games he appeared in with the Tigers in 2024, amassing just 26 innings. Coleman went undrafted in 2024, but signed with the Blue Jays shortly after, making his debut in 2025.
Beginning the season with the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays, Coleman finished his tenure in Florida with a 4.45 ERA and 3.65 FIP in 28.1 innings of work, with a 36.3 K% and 13.7 BB%. The other half of his season was spent with the High-A Vancouver Canadians, where he had a 1.40 ERA and 1.15 FIP in 25.2 innings of work. More importantly, his BB% dropped to 6.1%, while his K% jumped to 40.4%.
Coleman not only put his name on the map, but he also positioned himself for a potential call-up in 2026. His tenure with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats only strengthened the noise, posting a 2.88 ERA and 3.14 FIP in 25 innings of work, with a 34.9 K% and 5.7 BB%. However, Coleman has hit a bit of a speed bump since joining the Bisons.
Over his 10 outings, the left-handed reliever has a 8.68 ERA and 4.58 FIP in nine and one-third innings. He’s had a handful of tough outings since joining the team in late-July, but hasn’t allowed a run over his last three outings. More concerning though is his strikeout and walk rate. Coleman’s K% has plummeted to 20.9%, while his BB% has jumped to 11.6%.
The underlying numbers, courtesy of Prospect Savant, aren’t particularly encouraging either, posting just a 22.2 whiff % and giving up his fair share of hard contact. His average velocity is also down to 92.7 mph, another worrying sign.
Coleman ranks as MLB Pipeline’s 22nd-best Blue Jays’ prospect. His four-seam fastball is his lone plus pitch, with the publication giving it a 60 grade. They also note that it usually sits in the mid-90s, but the velocity has been down since joining Bisons. Coleman also features an average slider and fringe changeup and has fringe command.
The 24-year-old’s pathway to making his big league debut has essentially been erased with his performance with the Bisons, but he’s still the team’s best pure reliever. We’ll see how he finishes the season, and if he has a strong start to 2027, he could be one of the first relievers called up.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
News
MORE NEWS. IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Breaking News